The Mining city came into view.
Balirand was built into the cliffside. It looked to be mostly made of stone, the buildings and gate arches certainly were. It was a big place, swelling far out from the belly of the cliff, grass grew, they could see green outlines even from a distance.
There were always miners at work, Galian watched with interest as they swung their axes into rock. Some were very young, barely teenagers or younger. That somehow didn't seem right to Galian, but she knew that all children didn't have Larian's upbringing.
"I hope we'll have better luck here," Archymides said, bringing the Queen out of her mind.
"Petrice Dorrel is one of my oldest friends. She won't let me down."
"I hope not, her force is one of the strongest in the Kingdom."
"Just look at the work they do and it's no wonder."
"Indeed. I've never actually met her, I've seen the two of you speaking often but she's never approached me, I've never approached her."
"I think you'll find her different than most with power."
The gate opened for them, they already knew who she was.
The old city was being upgraded all around them, it looked almost nothing like Galian remembered though she hadn't been there since Larian was a teenager. Rope bindings surrounded building blocks in stacks all over the bustling town. Platforms built hundreds of feet up supported painters and inspectors who were hard at work. Still there were miners though, within the city as well, they pushed carts of ore in and out, it looked like there was a great deal to be had. Though they seemed a little overworked, none looked to be living in poverty, every job seemed to pay at least enough to eat everyday, not every steward could boast such an accomplishment. It wasn't a place as rich as the Capital, certainly not as luxurious as some places where the council lived, but they were comfortable. Galian liked the place, the air was pleasant.
Petrice Dorrel was discussing something with a contractor, speaking with her hands, when she bid him farewell she noticed the Queen, her old friend. She was a flamboyant woman, highly energetic and dressed colorfully more so than expensively, She said hello with a big hug, she said hello to most people with big hugs.
"It's been ages! Why don't you write to me more often?!" Though Petrice's voice raised, she was smiling largely.
"I wish I had the time. Always busy."
"Of course. Word has spread of Erimon. I'm so sorry, Galy."
Petrice hugged her again with concern.
"He's not dead," Galian didn't know that for sure, but in a way she did.
"I know, I know it in my heart, I know you do too," the woman said, breaking the hug gently.
"I wish my visit was just a friendly one, but I need your help getting him back."
"No doubt." Petrice looked up and noticed they were below a half-built tower that was creaking enough to make her uncomofrtable. She steered the Queen away from it. "Let's talk somewhere else. The square will be beautiful when it's finished, but for now the buildings creak and sway so it's best not to stay in one place for too long."
As they stepped away towards sunlight, bits of rock fell from the tower and landed where they had been standing.
Galian was pleased the garden hadn't been altered. It had always been her favorite part of the city. The white stone path with pillars and flowers that led to the fortress where Petrice made her bed. Fern Pine columns blocked view of the training field where they could hear soldiers at work but not see them. The Queen and Archymides walked with the Jarl. Galian was impressed by her, at first she thought she was arrogant to walk around with no guards to protect her, in such bright clothing too, it made her an easy target, but she also admired her for such tenacity, she wasn't one to be intimidated, though perhaps had put too much confidence in the fact that her people lived well. Galian was always thinking about assassins, kidnappers, perhaps there was time to wear bright dresses and smell flowers.
"We lived simply for so long I thought it time to upgrade," Petrice said.
"You certainly will be safer with higher walls," Archymides said approvingly.
"Aye, that's part of the reasoning too, we've always been a tad vulnerable I suppose, but well protected. The world is changing now, we need to adapt, or die."
"It looks marvelous," Galian said with a smile.
Something came to the Jarl's mind, and her smile remained even when she articulated.
"How is Larian? A proper man now?"
They both remembered his first and only visit to Balirand. He had been on the field mostly while the Queen spoke to Petrice inside. She had stepped out to see him surrounded by ladies, some much older than him, he had a glowing smile on his face, amid the flowers and with the snowy mountains in the back. She had let herself laugh, while Petrice rolled her eyes.
"He's becoming more aware of his duties, I believe," the Queen nodded. She missed her boy, wondered how he was doing in the job she knew he didn't want.
"That's good, you'll be pleased to know I haven't seen evidence of bastard children here," Petrice joked, Galian smiled but didn't laugh.
"He's calmed a bit in that regard," the Queen said.
"Still no bride though?"
"Not yet. I think being in charge of the Capital on an interim basis is the best possible training for him to be King, though, it will help him focus on what is important, truly."
"Like providing grandchildren."
"One day. He's, more interested in a commoner than any of the nobleman's daughters I've introduced him too."
"And you allow it?"
"What can I do? He's a man now. And men in my experience have always just done whatever they like."
Archymides cleared his throat to draw attention to himself, "I'm sorry, but we are here to reach an agreement."
"Archymides has been very excited to see your soldiers in action."
"Eh, the Queen has spoken very highly of them is all. Don't forget I was in ol'Yen during the Goblin war, I never got the chance to witness their prowess."
Petrice walked a little further then motioned to an open space between the fern columns and flowers. She pointed outward towards the open field. Sword and Axemen were training, sounding off war cries in unison while a Commander shouted orders at them.
"They saw more action in the Dragon War your husband won, before even my time. Some of his best soldiers came from this very field."
Archymides smiled, he was indeed very impressed by how skilled they seemed. Petrice crossed her arms while her guests assessed the worth of her soldiers.
"I'll give you two hundred swords. My axes and bows stay here, we need to protect our own too."
"That's fair to me at least, Your Grace, we can't expect everything in such uncertain times."
They waited for Galian's response. It was cold, she felt like she was getting ill. The Queen thought it over for a long while, having to send memories away that were trying to eat at her reasoning.
"Aye," her decision was met with approval. Petrice even embraced her.
"I knew you'd make a good choice."
"Very smart to help us while still protecting your own. This is why your people adore you."
Petrice rubbed her friend's shoulders, "why don't you stay until tomorrow?"
Galian clearly didn't want to, there was too much to be done, and the longer she was gone, the more Larian would change.
"You can stay in the fortress with me. The beds at the inn are warm if not, the beds at the brothel are even warmer and discreet."
Galian shook her head after a moment, wanting to make it look like her decision did not come without thought.
"I wish we could but we must now hasten to Galtee next and meet with Theris Damos. Need heavy weapons against dragons."
Petrice looked disappointed, it had been a decision Galian immediately regretted, upon further reflection in the moments that followed, she would've actually liked nothing more than a rest in the beautiful city. She was exhausted and seemed to only be animated by adrenaline.
"Just be careful, please. Damos has sent word that a blizzard is coming and the only ones who wanna get caught in those are yetis."
They all looked across the field, at the snowy Galtee Mountains, there were storm clouds at the peaks, as there had been above Siladrin for nearly a week.