The Wandering Cleric: Chapter 5

Two days after entering the arid and sparse Figaro desert the group found themselves standing in front of the east gates of the great and expansive city of Figaro. Enialis gaped, as he stared up at the walls which cleared well over twenty feet. The peak of the great doors which Durgan was quick to point out were made of pure iron and came from the Narshe mines, reached halfway up the wall. To the left and right of the doors stood to smaller buildings built into the wall itself, each with a smaller iron door and windows flanking each side. Out of one of the side doors stepped a guard, a long sword in a sheath on his hip and a large kite shield strapped to his left arm, "who goes there? Oh welcome back you three, how fare you Saturos?"

Smiling Saturos stepped forwards and clasped hands with the guard, "I'm doing well cousin Feldair."

"I take it your mission was a success?" Feldair asked.

"Aye!" interrupted Durgan, "those bandits didn't stand a chance!"

Feldair smiled and nodded, "I expect you will want an audience with the king?"

"Yes we would." Saturos responded, "Would you send word to him?"

"I'll do you better. I'm off duty so I'll escort you up to the castle on my way to the barracks. The king has been awaiting you for a day now. He expected you to be back yesterday."

Tara stepped forward and hugged Feldair in greeting, "we got sidetracked along the way. I'm sure the king won't mind."

"Well of course not!" Feldair said returning, "So what was it? An evil dragon? A horde of undead? An army of orcs?"

"Not quite," Tara sad as she took a step back to reveal Enialis.

"Ah you picked up another stray! Dear cousin that's two now, if you keep this up you'll need to build your own town!" Feldair exclaimed with a laugh.

Enialis blushed while the others joined in; Saturos clapped the small elf on the back and nodded, "Feldair means nothing by it. He's just jealous that we're out in the world facing innumerable dangers and risking our lives every day. Come friend let us introduce you to the king."

Nodding to the guard replacing him Feldair led the four friends to the very heart of the city. Enialis had thought that Narshe was an impressive city, but now he knew the truth of things. Compared to Figaro Narshe was but a hamlet, a giant sprawling city with a vast web of interconnecting streets wound their way through the city. Lining the streets stood massive buildings made of stone and clay towering two stories high. Only two buildings stood taller than the rest the castle in the centre and a towering spire winding its way up into the sky. At each intersection vendors stood hawking their wares their wails echoing down the street. The small group walked on past the vendors heading towards the centre of the city and the towering castle. Enialis could only gawk and stare, walking next to Tara he whispered with awe in his voice, "this place is gigantic."

"More than that," Tara responded, "it would actually take an entire day to walk from one gate to the next using one of the main roads."

Turning to comment Durgan nodded, "Aye, and tha roads intersect under tha castle. It's a wonderful piece o' work, and the Castle is found in tha centre of the city but it be elevated above the city itself. Underneath tha castle is tha marketplace, although truthfully the entire city is one big market there's so many vendors!"

Enialis gasped as the group arrived to the castle, an amazing work of engineering; it stood higher than any buildings around. Lifted up on twenty-four massive pillars, the castle sat on a massive platform. Winding their way up each of the four largest pillars holding up the corners of the castle platform, were four massive flights of stairs each entering into the pillar at the top and exiting out a doorway facing the castle. The massive walls although not nearly half as high as the city walls, but still considerably tall. In the middle of each wall stood a door, each door guarded by ten soldiers in front of it and as the group entered through the wall another ten behind it ready to drop a heavy portcullis. Feldair led the group up a heavy set of stairs and past even more doors these doors more intricately decorated than the previous doors. Inside the castle the group found themselves in a great hall. The five walked to the other end of the hall and into the king's audience chamber, as the group approached Feldair stepped ahead of them and bowed, "My liege I present to you Saturos Kalli, Tara Swiftwind, Durgan Stonecruhser, and Enialis Liadon."

"Thank you Feldair," spoke a lithe and compact man, with long blonde hair tied back into a pony tail. His clothing practical yet brilliant, all several separate shades of blue traced with gold weave. His dark leather boots tapped softly against the floor, and upon his noble brow sat a golden jeweled crown. Underneath the crown his deep blue eyes watched the four companions softly, a small knowing smile played upon his lips. To his left stood a much large man, a head shorter than Saturos but just as heavily muscled, more infact. A rough beard covered his face and framed a grim frown, and his dark blue eyes glared at Feldair. His manner of dress much more modest than the kings, wearing a dark brown tunic, and breeches that matched the color of his eyes, Even though he looked less refined than the king he gave off an aura of command and respect. To the kings right reclined an auburn haired woman, although appearing younger than the two men her green eyes betrayed an intelligence and wisdom most scholars could only wish to possess. Her dress a dark forest green trimmed with a darker brown, and on her shoulder sat a small white owl. "Greetings young travelers, I trust that your journey was easy and you found little trouble on the road?"

Saturos stepped forward and bowed as Feldair rose and left the way the group entered, "your majesty we have traveled far from the city of Narshe, we beg only for your hospitality."

"Enough!" cried the king, as he stood, "did you not think I would know what you have done?"

Enialis stood dumbstruck, even as the king lightly moved down the stairs leading to the throne. He stopped standing just in front of Saturos who stood to meet the young king eye to eye, although the king even shorter than the other man in the room had to look up to meet the half-elf's grey eyes. With a smile the king laughed and clasped hand with Saturos, "welcome back friend! I take it you had little troubled performing the duties I asked of you?"

"Indeed your majesty, a few orcs and gnolls were of little concern." Saturos said with a smile, as the king turned to survey the others.

"Ah dear Tara, how I missed your shining smile, and Durgan my friend your grumblings have been sorely missed, and..." the king stopped as he stood in front of Enialis, "who is this?"

Stepping forward Tara spoke, "this is Enialis, a cleric of Luna, and our new traveling companion."

"I see." the king responded and put a hand on Enialis' shoulder, "well met Enialis, I hope these three haven't given you too much grief."

"No my lord, they have taught me a great many things since we met." Enialis addressed the king.

Scoffing the king turned and threw his hands into the air, "enough with the formalities. You may call me Edgar, you all may call me Edgar, and there is no need of titles among friends. Sabin dear brother come down here you need not have such a sour look upon your face all the time! And you Dilmarwen come, I heard of your coming and I have laid out a table for you. You must all tell me of your adventures since we last met, and I would dearly love to hear about you Enialis."