The sun was beginning to sink as Nimrod's caravan reached the outskirts of the capital city, casting a gentle amber hue over everything. It was like nothing he'd ever seen—sprawling walls surrounded the city like a fortress, and majestic towers seemed to rise from every corner, punctuating the sky with their spires. Cara and the others had been talking for some time, but Nim had barely heard them, his eyes drawn upward as the walls of the capital came into view, seeming to stretch up into the heavens.
"Nimrod," Cara's voice shook him out of his trance. "Not as rough as you thought, is it?"
"Not rough at all…" he murmured, looking ahead with wide eyes. He'd seen small towns, the countryside, and the shadowed halls of fortresses, but this city—the capital—was alive in ways he had never imagined. Merchants bustled through crowded streets, the scent of exotic spices and baked bread filled the air, and lights flickered from windows and lanterns everywhere.
As they walked along, Leylie gestured towards the main thoroughfare. "This here's the merchant district. During the day, you'll find traders and guild houses open to visitors. Over there," he nodded to a tall, imposing stone building with a massive wooden door, "that's the Swordsmen's Guild."
Nimrod took in the sight, awe flickering in his eyes. A giant banner hung over the guild's entrance, displaying the guild's insignia of two crossed blades encircled by a wreath of laurels. The building seemed to exude a challenging energy, like it dared anyone to approach. "The Swordsmen's Guild?" Nimrod asked, already feeling an itch to explore it up close.
"Every young warrior dreams of joining, even for a day. It's where the finest swordsmen from all five kingdoms test their skills," Leylie explained, a spark of pride in his tone. "You'll be hard-pressed to find a place with more spirit and skill in all of Sun Kingdom."
Nimrod made a mental note to visit it later. The capital city held a magnetism that made him feel alive, the possibilities stretching before him. But soon, his eyes were drawn elsewhere—to the towering silhouette of the royal palace, visible even from where they stood. It loomed over the city, a majestic stone fortress of high walls and spired towers that seemed both ancient and eternal. White banners flew from the towers, fluttering in the gentle evening breeze, bearing the sun symbol of the kingdom.
"That," Cara said, following his gaze, "is the palace. The king and queen's home. Everyone here calls it the 'Castle on the Clouds.' They say that once you see it up close, no other sight compares."
"Castle on the Clouds," Nimrod whispered, committing the name to memory. One day, he would see it for himself, no matter what it took.
As they continued through the city streets, they couldn't help but notice a sense of hurried energy around them. Groups of young people moved in clusters, chattering excitedly, each with the same hopeful gleam in their eyes. The inn district came into view, but it quickly became clear that the inns were all filled up, bursting with travelers and visitors.
"Oh, no…" Cara muttered, looking at the crowded inn entrances. She turned to Leylie, worry on her face. "Where will we sleep tonight?"
Just as they began discussing options, a guard approached, noticing their confusion. He was a tall, stern-looking man but with a kindly glint in his eye. "Looking for a place to stay?"
"Yes, sir," Leylie replied. "It seems all the inns are filled up."
The guard chuckled. "You're in luck. His Majesty ordered that lodging be prepared for the new students arriving for the academy. I can show you the way."
The group exchanged relieved glances, following the guard as he led them through a quieter part of the city. They passed rows of simple yet beautifully crafted stone houses, lined with lanterns casting a warm, welcoming light. Finally, they stopped in front of a row of newly built houses, each one modest but elegantly furnished.
"These lodgings are for the new students," the guard explained. "You'll find them comfortable. And don't worry about the cost—it's covered. His Majesty wanted everyone to feel welcome."
Nimrod's group thanked the guard profusely, settling into their assigned rooms. Nim found his room to be both comfortable and surprisingly luxurious. The walls were painted in soft colors, and the bed was adorned with fine linens that seemed to almost glow in the lamplight. He was next to Cara's room, with Leylie's just down the hall, and the arrangement felt reassuring, like they'd made it here together, as a team.
Later that evening, after settling in, they gathered in a small courtyard just outside the housing area. The night sky above was alive with stars, and the city lights sparkled in the distance. There was an energy in the air that left them all feeling both eager and apprehensive.
As they sat together, they noticed several groups of youths passing by, clearly from other kingdoms. Some barely gave them a glance, heads held high with an air of pride, while others seemed to give an almost deliberate, haughty look of dismissal.
Leylie watched them walk by, shaking his head with a small laugh. "Those aren't from Sun Kingdom, obviously."
Nimrod glanced at him, curious. "How can you tell?"
"Simple," Leylie replied, folding his arms. "Everyone knows that allegiances run deep here. The students from the other kingdoms usually keep to themselves, and even in the academy, alliances often stick closely to birthright. Even outside these walls, loyalty to one's kingdom is the only rule."
The conversation took on a somber tone, but Nimrod couldn't help himself. "Why do we even need the academy to unlock our knacks? Isn't there another way?"
Cara chimed in. "Yes, any competent wizard could unlock a knack at any age, if they're skilled enough. But unlocking it at the academy has its advantages. They have catalogues of old knowledge—books and scrolls that can help students understand their knack, especially if it's a rare one."
Leylie nodded in agreement. "Not only that. The academy was built to foster cooperation between the kingdoms. There was…a reason for that." He hesitated, but Nim's interest had clearly been piqued, and he pressed further.
"What reason?"
Leylie's voice dropped, and he glanced around as if ensuring no one else was listening. "The academy exists because the beings that caused the First Breaking of the world still linger. The academy isn't just about learning; it's about preparing for what might come again."
This sent a chill through Nimrod. "What sort of…beings?"
"That's something they teach us in the academy. Only the instructors know the full history," Leylie replied, his face unreadable.
They sat in silence for a while until Nimrod broke it with another question that had been bothering him. "If knacks and gifts are so common, why haven't I seen anyone use them? I've been looking since we arrived in the city, but I haven't seen a single person use any abilities."
The group erupted in laughter, and Nimrod frowned in confusion.
"You really must have been raised in the woods," Leylie chuckled. "Most people don't use offensive knacks within the city unless it's an emergency. The guards are everywhere, and there are wizard wards throughout the city that detect offensive knacks. But you did see the guard who helped us, right?"
"Yes…" Nimrod replied slowly, remembering the man's intense, knowing gaze.
"He has a knack too," Leylie explained. "He's known to 'see things that others cannot.' A form of premonition, though it's subtle. People with abilities like his can even use them in combat."
The realization struck Nimrod like a revelation. Here in the capital, he would encounter people with abilities beyond his imagination. And soon, he would join them. It both thrilled and terrified him.
They sat quietly after that, exchanging stories about the academy, the kingdom, and their hopes for the future. Eventually, they turned their conversation to Princess Khaline. Nimrod listened as they spoke of her status as the adopted heir, destined to lead Sun Kingdom one day.
"She's not of royal blood, but don't be fooled," Leylie said. "She may not have been born into the role, but she was chosen for a reason. There's power in her, enough to lead all the young knacks and gifted of Sun Kingdom."
"Every kingdom has its heir," Cara added. "In our case, it's Khaline, and I'd say we're fortunate. Some of the other kingdoms…they're less friendly."
"What do you mean?" Nimrod asked, intrigued.
They spent the rest of the night sharing tales of the other kingdoms, their customs, and the heirs that each would bring to the academy. Nim absorbed it all, both awestruck and intimidated. As they prepared to head back to their rooms, he felt the weight of it all settling on him. This was his chance to become part of this world, and maybe, just maybe, to find the answers he'd been searching for.