Keepers of Fire by M. K. Casperson

Author:M. K. Casperson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Molly Casperson

Chapter 25

Falderlon

They had arrived. Safira and Acinath could scarce believe their eyes when Falderlon came into view. It was enormous, much bigger than Whilboram, and built on a large hill that rose slowly from the level ground. Two walls, an upper and lower, protected the city’s inhabitants from raids and dangers, the first being built at the very base of the hill and towering high above the heads of the people moving to and from the city. Numberless structures were densely packed between the outer and inner walls, their tiled rooftops glinting dully in the sunlight and testifying by their number that here was a large and busy city, full of life, trouble, and production. It was difficult to make out anything beyond the inner wall, however, which was built much higher on the hill and appeared to have little of the tiled rooftops within it.

“Active Falderlon. Home once again.” Darrin smiled. “One of the busiest places you can ever hope to be. The inner wall is quieter than the rest of the city, but even then, there’s always something going on.”

“Does Lord Pathros live behind the inner wall?” Safira asked.

Darrin nodded. “All the great and noble live behind it. Lord Pathros has several neighbors of rank to keep company with. It’ll take us a while to get through to the upper gate. Judging by the number of people on the road, it doesn’t look too busy—not market day, at least—but it’s always rather full. Stay close to me, and keep a tight hold on the reins.”

Nodding, Safira urged their horse forward as Darrin rode toward the city, eager to see how it was inside. A few people had been stopped at the gate by the sentries, and for a moment, Safira thought they would stay them, too, but the guards merely waved them on, noting Lord Pathros’s emblem on Darrin’s jerkin.

Active Falderlon. The city was properly named, with carts rumbling along the paved streets, people calling, laughing, and arguing, soldiers marching full-armored down the roads, donkeys braying, flags waving, clothes drying, merchants selling, customers buying, drunkards stumbling, women scolding. Everything and everyone seemed to be in a rush, sparing not a glance as the travelers moved further and higher into the city. Darrin kept the pace at a trot, and Safira found herself relishing the sound of hooves against stone as they clip-clopped their way up through Falderlon to the inner wall.

When at last they reached the second gate, the noise and bustling had died down a bit, though there was still plenty of activity to be seen. Things were kept quieter for the nobilities’ sake, who didn’t like the sounds from the outer ring disturbing their peace.

It felt odd to Acinath when she realized that these lofty people were of the same social class as Sir Grimnor and Mathias.

Two soldiers stood at attention before the entrance, dressed in smart uniforms and wearing stiff expressions. This time, Darrin dismounted to identify himself officially, and then the door was opened, and the travelers rode in.

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