Draig wasn't lying, it was a long road to Redstone City. Olivia would've appreciated the view had the saddle not been chafing her legs, although it had grown to stop hurting. The horse slowed to a steady walk, and she looked up from her hands to stare up at the large, brick walls of the city. The three were nearing a bridge that lay over a large river. From Olivia's vantage point, she couldn't see many houses, but the castle was very easy to spot. It looked to be nestled atop a hill, hanging over everyone else below. It appeared to be made of stone, which heavily contrasted against the walls of the city, however what she could make of the roof of some of the spires seemed to be a reddish brown color.
"Beautiful city, isn't it?" Draig asked as they turned onto the bridge. Olivia nodded, whipping her head around to stare out at the water. The reflection of the sun danced along the surface of the lake, and a few cattails lined the edges. A smile appeared across Olivia's face when a fish jumped out of the water, and a man fishing at the edge cursed at it for avoiding being caught by him. She giggled a little, and turned to look out at the other side of the bridge. It was a lot emptier, but a little ways out she could make out a wheat farm, and the forest behind it.
Then they were crossing under the huge gate, and into the bustling city. A few guards glanced her way, and she made eye contact with them. She looked back as her and Draig passed entirely, and Gaian was leaning down to speak to one of them. She averted her gaze and looked out at the people around her. Some of them looked up at her, confused and dazzled. She briefly remembered the red of her hair, and realized that they probably believed Olivia was royalty or some sort of a lady. She also remember that she was pretty much naked, other than the cape Draig was so kind to have offered her. She lifted an arm to pull the cape tighter around her body, smiling awkwardly at passersby.
"Do you think we could get me some clothes?" Olivia asked, "This is getting a little embarrassing." She heard a few catcalls being thrown her way, and a blush crept up her face.
"Don't worry, Lady Olivia, I'm sure the king would be gracious enough to provide you with appropriate dress." Draig replied, "You will have to bear with me just a little longer with the ride to the Keep." Olivia huffed.
"I don't think I'll ever ride a horse again." She grumbled, and Draig let out a hearty laugh.
"It's not the animal's fault you're naked." He said.
"Are you saying it's my fault, then?"
"No, of course not, M'Lady." She huffed again, and looked up to take in the city. The roads were made of cobblestone, and shops lined the streets. There were a few merchant booths set up, but they were closer to what seemed to be a town center.
"The city opens into the Market, to make it easier for farmers and travelers to sell their goods, and buy from the city. Beyond that is the Commoner District, the Noble District, and then the Keep." Gaian said from next to Olivia, and she turned to look at him. He had spent a long time speaking with that guard from before. She didn't question it.
"That makes sense." Olivia said, "So, would I be staying at an inn somewhere in the Market?" Gaian and Draig laughed.
"If you were to stay at an inn, it'd be White Palace Inn, which is in the Noble District." Draig explained, "And that would only happen if the King didn't want to allow you to stay in the Keep." Olivia gave Gaian a confused expression.
"Why does there need to be an inn in the Noble District?" She asked, "Wouldn't visiting nobility just stay at the Keep?"
"Lords and Ladies, yes." Gaian confirmed, "However, Knights and Stewards are considered, in some way, nobility. Not as noble as a Lord or Lady, but noble enough to be granted permission to stay in White Palace Inn." That made sense.
"The inn also doubles, of course, as a tavern. If the King chooses not to hold a banquet or dine in the Dining Hall, visiting nobility, as well as members of the court, are permitted to visit White Palace." Draig added. That also made sense. She was still confused about one thing, however.
"Well, why would I be permitted to stay at White Palace?" Olivia questioned, "I mean, the only hint to my family past we have is the color of my hair. What would give the King the obligation of letting me stay in the Noble District? Why can't I just stay in a market inn?" Gaian cleared his throat, and looked at Draig.
"Should a lady know of things like that?" Gaian asked.
"It's safer for her to know then not to." Draig replied.
"Know what?" Olivia asked. Draig sighed, and gestured towards people exiting their homes, people she assumed to be commoners.
"I'm sure you've assumed these people's station as commoners." Draig began, "I am sure you came to this conclusion based on the color of their hair. Your hair is a vibrant and striking red, which means your family tree wasn't tainted with the blood of a commoner. It is pure, nothing but noble blood runs through your veins. As much as I would like to keep every part of the city safe, I cannot stop mercenaries, thieves, assassins, and all in all ruffians from entering the city as long as they abide by our laws."
"Okay..so?" Olivia prompted him to continue. He sighed.
"Imagine yourself in their position." Draig continued to explain, "Imagine a young girl with red hair enters a lowly tavern that you are staying at. She is obviously of pure noble blood. What would you do?" Olivia didn't answer. "Gaian, what would you do?"
"If I was a mercenary, I'd probably defile her, kidnap her, and sell her to someone wealthy as a slave." Gaian replied, and Olivia shivered, "As a thief? I'd follow her around until she was alone, threaten her to give me anything of value that she had, and when she proves to be useless, I'd kill her. As an assassin, well your hair would probably sell really well. As well as your blood, I'm sure lots of solitary witches and wizards would find great use in the blood of a pure noble, so I'd probably just kill you. Anyone else would just defile you seeing as you'd be alone."
Olivia gulped and wrapped her arms around herself. How could people be so malicious? They crossed under another gate, and into cleaner roads, which happened to be a lot less bustling as before. She assumed this was the Noble District.
"We're sorry if that bothered you." Draig said, "But, as I told Gaian, it's safer for you to know." Olivia nodded.
"You're right, it probably is." She agreed, "Thank you for telling me, I'll be sure to remember not to go into either of those districts alone."
"That would be best." Gaian said. He made her feel a little uncomfortable now, she couldn't understand how he could just say any of that. Then again, he was a knight, right? He probably had to understand criminals and their behaviors if he was to be successful in catching them. Olivia decided to end the conversation there, and instead take in the beauty of the Noble District.
They had entered in on a narrow street, but now it seemed to be spreading out into another town center. There were fewer merchant booths here, and the ones here sold silks and jewels. In the middle of the town center was a large, marble fountain. The fountain spiraled up into a statue of Kim Hollow. She thought Kim had become legend? Still, women dressed in silk and expensive cloth watched as their children tossed coins into the water and wished for dolls and swords.
"I thought people had forgotten Kim?" Olivia asked.
"Most people do consider her legend," Draig said, "But they can never forget her. Boys who can afford the luxury of education are taught of her battles, but most children are told the story of her ability to grant wishes. People just stopped worshiping her...well most people." Some of the women were staring up at Olivia from behind their diamond embroidered fans, and she blushed, pulling the cape around her again.
"Grant wishes?"She asked curiously. Gaian chuckled.
"It's just a story." Gaian said, "Kim was a hero, but she wasn't just limited to the valiance of battle. Kim went on plenty of smaller tasks to retrieve things, and would often never meet with anyone a second time. Some she wouldn't even meet in person. She would retrieve an item assigned to her, leave it at a drop zone, and collect her money either from said drop zone or from a contractor who is speaking to the client for her. Thus, the granting of wishes." Olivia let out a soft oh, looking up at the statue one last time before they headed down another narrow street towards the Keep. Rather than Kim being in a fighting stance, she was instead leaning down with her hands outstretched and close together as if she was offering something to the people in the town center. Water poured from her hands, and into the fountain below her.
They turned down a street, and it sloped into a steep incline. Olivia tightened her hold on the saddle of the horse. She could see the gates of the Keep now, guards walked atop the walls and stood at the entrance. They held spears, swords, and bows. It wasn't long before they were stopping at the gates and someone was addressing Draig and Gaian.
"Sir Draig," The guard said formerly, "Sir Gaian, I trust the excursion went without trouble?"
"Not exactly." Draig said, "It seems someone disposed of Lady Olivia here in the Cathedral without any clothes. We will need to have an audience with the King, would you send word to his Steward?"
"Yes sir." The guard said, and then tilting his head up to the top of the gate, "Open the gate!" The iron bars creaked open, and Draig flicked the reins, ushering the horse to enter the courtyard.
"Welcome to Dragonspire Keep."