The following day, I packed up the camp and made my way with Kyla through a forest toward a small city. She guided me around some of the more dangerous areas, and soon we were within viewing distance of the city of Wendell. According to my captive, this was the capital of Wister, ruled by the king and Champion of Wisteria, Ned.
The name didn't strike fear, but from what Kyla said, he was a polite and friendly man. This seemed to check out from the bright and bustling city that seemed to have more people entering than leaving, but that was a poor estimation of a ruler. I would have to get into the guts of the city to see what people really thought of the guy, but I wasn't here to get to know him.
"This is our destination," Kyla said, and I nodded as I looked over the city from afar. It was clear that there were powerful forces here, but I was also confident that with my newfound abilities, backed up by Kyla's knowledge of this world, I should be fine, but I wasn't stupid enough to think I could just waltz in there.
We were still in a thicker part of the wood that kept us out of sight from the main road, so I reached into my pocket and pulled out a pair of rocks. I concentrated on them both, and time slowed down as they started to glow and then transform.
[Target: Rock x2]
[Use: Concealing forms]
[Transformation: Cloak x2]
"How are you able to do something like that?" Kyla asked as I handed her one of the two cloaks I had just made. "I can't feel you using magic, but I know that there are no glyphs that will turn a rock into cloth."
"There is no point in telling you unless you are certain that you want to die at some point by my hand. While I might be able to control you with that collar, I am not the type to keep slaves. The less you know, the greater chance you have of me not killing you," I said as I covered my metallic body with the cloak, but I still looked bulky and would looked like I was wearing armor under the cloak.
This was just going to make me stand out, but less than not wearing it. The problem was that half efforts were acceptable. Numeria had made it very clear that everyone was going to be out for my blood, so I needed to do more than just a cloak.
"Are you really going to kill me?" She asked, and I looked over at her with a serious look.
"That depends on you. Personally, I think it would be a waste to kill you, considering how much you seem to know about the world, but at the same time, I don't think that I can trust you. My goddess thinks I should have killed you in the cave, and she might have been right. Getting into the city with you is just going to make me a target for people to ask questions," I said, and Kyla got a panicked look on her face.
"I won't betray you! Even without this collar!" Kyla pleaded, but I put up my hand.
"Save your words. You are human, and humans lie; it is just in their nature. I am no different, even if I am not considered human, but I was, and I made a living off lies and deception. You are also loyal to Wisteria, who is my enemy. Even if you were to tell me that you would denounce your God, that would just make me more suspicious of you," I explained as I pondered how to go forward here.
"What about this collar? You can make me tell you the truth!" She insisted, and I nodded.
"Fine. If I take that collar off, will you stab me in the back?" I asked, and she answered just how I thought she would.
"Yes!" Kyla said, and then slapped her hands over her mouth, her eyes going big.
"Just as I thought. Now shut up so I can think," I said and turned away from her to look back at the massive walled city.
Once I was inside, I would be able to blend into the crowd, but it was a matter of getting inside that was my biggest issue. From what I could see, they were checking everyone who entered the city, so I turned back to Kyla.
"What are they checking for?" I asked, but she looked distressed like something was hurting her. "You may speak," I said, and Kyla gasped and started talking immediately.
"They are checking their papers. There is a problem with Wisteria and Aquaking right now, so anyone bearing the Water Crest will be denied access to the capital. The rest of the country of Wister is slightly hostile to them, but it is only the capital that will refuse access," Kyla explained, and I nodded.
"What is the fight about?" I asked since this could be helpful.
"Aquaking insulted Wisteria and threatened to attack her city personally, so Wendell is now closed off to Aquaking's people," she said, but I narrowed my eyes.
"Banned from the city, but they are allowed in the rest of the country? Aren't they worried about people just hoping for the walls? Or getting in with a forged crest? I can think of a number of ways to get in without using the front gate," I said, but Kyla shook her head.
"You really aren't from this word, are you? You are just like Ned. This city is protected by warding spells, and the only way to get through is to be let in through the front gate. If anyone tries to circumvent that, they will be caught right away. The point of letting Aquaking's people in is just to capture them if they are stupid enough to come to the city. After that, they will be tortured until they have what they can get out of the person, and then they are killed," Kyla explained, and I frowned at her.