Enchantra and his crew sailed across the small river, that led them to the royal city, the heart of the kingdom. The rain was pouring down heavily and the darkness of night had already set in, but the thousands of mage towers illuminated the streets, casting a warm glow over the city.
They approached the harbor of the royal city, a place that was once home to him. As they approached, he couldn't help but reflect on the memories he had of this city. His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the guards.
„Halt! Who goes there?" the guards standing at the harbor gates hailed them.
Enchantra stood up and stepped forward, revealing himself. „I am Enchantra, Duke of the West, and I have come to pay my respects to the king."
The guards, who were clad in mage robes, immediately recognized the Duke and turned respectful. „Your Grace, we have been informed of your arrival. Please follow us."
Enchantra took in a deep breath as he stepped into the city. It had been a long time since he was last here, and much had changed. He couldn't help but feel a sense of longing for his former home, the royal palace.
„Duke Enchantra, welcome back to the royal city," one of the guards said.
„Thank you, guard," Enchantra replied, his eyes fixed on the towering structures of the city. „It has been a long time since I was last here."
„Indeed it has, my lord," the guard continued. „There have been a lot of changes since you were last here."
Enchantra raised an eyebrow, „Changes? What kind of changes?"
„You'll see soon enough, my lord," the guard said with a small smile.
…
The city was a sprawling metropolis, inhabited by tens of millions of people. It's layout was in the form of a labyrinthine web of twisting streets and alleys that wove their way through towering buildings and grand edifices. The city was surrounded by a massive stone wall that provided a protection from invaders and also served as a symbol of the power of the kingdom.
At the heart of the city was the royal palace, the most influential building in the kingdom. The royal palace of the kingdom was an architectural marvel that could be seen from miles away. It was a massive complex of buildings, gardens, and courtyards that took up a significant portion of the city. The palace was surrounded by high walls and eight towers, and the entrance was guarded by a contingent of mages and soldiers. The palace was the seat of power for the king, and it was said that it's walls held the secrets of the kingdom's most powerful magic.
Along with the palace, the city also housed many other institutions, including the royal magic academy, where young mages honed their skills, and other similar institutions that provided education and training those with magical abilities. There was also a colosseum, where gladiatorial games were held for the entertainment of the people.
In addition of these grand structures, the city was dotted with thousands of mage towers, each managed by an archmage. These towers were not just places of study and research but also centers of magical power, and they lit up the streets of the city at night with their brilliant aura.
One of the newest additions to the city was a grand statue of the king, which towered over the city, serving as a symbol of the king's power and the prosperity of the kingdom. Another recent addition was the observatory, which was located on a hill outside the city. It was said to be a place of magic, where one could look at the stars and moon and gaze into the mysteries of the universe.
…
As Enchantra and his troop continued through the streets, they encountered a group of beggars huddled together in a corner, trying to shield themselves from the rain. One of the beggars, a frail old man, stumbled upon Enchantra, his hand extended in a desperate plea for help.
Enchantra didn't even spare the old man a glance as he walked by. His guards stepped forward, ready to push the beggar away, but the old man was persistent. He grabbed onto Enchantra's sleeve, begging for just a few coins to survive.
Enchantra looked down at the old man's hand, his expression impassive. „Remove your hand," he commanded.
The old man's hand shook as he quickly let go of Enchantra's sleeve, his eyes filled with fear. He stumbled backwards, joining other beggars in their huddle.
The guards surrounding Enchantra exchanged glances, but didn't say a word. They were used to their master's indifference towards the less fortunate. They continued on their way, the sound of the beggars' sobs fading into the background.
The contrast between the opulence of the towering mage towers and the poverty of the ground-dwellers was stark. At the top of the towers, life was a luxurious affair, with the wealthy and powerful residing in spacious, well-lit apartments and utilizing their mastery of magic to enjoy all the comforts that life had to offer. But on the ground, life was a far different story.
The streets were filled with beggars, huddled together for warmth and shelter, trying to survive in the cold and dark with little hope for a better future. Despite the thriving metropolis that housed millions of people, the divide between the rich and poor was palpable, with the beggars feeling like ants compared to the grandeur of the towers above. The city was a symbol of both the prosperity and the inequality of the kingdom, with its grand towers serving as a constant reminder of the divide between those who had and those who had not.
Enchantra lacks compassion for the beggars as he views them as a problem that needs to be dealt with, rather than individuals in need of help. To Enchantra, the beggars are just another aspect of the kingdom that needs to be managed, and their presence is a reflection of the king's weakness. Although he doesn't take severe action towards the beggar, and simply commands him to stay away, he remains cautious and aware of the potential danger they may pose. As a duke, Enchantra has a responsibility to maintain order and stability within the kingdom, and he sees the beggars as a potential threat that could escalate the already tense situation with the rebels.
However, he is not a cruel man and does not act impulsively. He does not sympathize with them, but he does not harm them either. He is aware that the beggars could be spies or assassins sent by the rebels, and he takes measures to protect himself and the kingdom. Despite his lack of compassion, Enchantra understands the importance of keeping the kingdom stable, and he will do whatever it takes to maintain the current ruling family's power and stability of the kingdom. For these reasons, he decides to bring up the issue of the beggars to the king during their upcoming conference, not out of compassion, but out of duty to maintain order in the kingdom.
…
As Enchantra approached the entrance of the royal palace, he felt a sense of nostalgia wash over him. He remembered the countless times he had walked these halls as a young man, filled with ambition and a desire to prove himself to his family. Now, he was back, as an accomplished duke. He pushed open the doors to the palace and stepped inside, greeted by the familiar sight of the grand halls. The tall ceilings, the ornate chandeliers, and the white marble floors were just as he remembered them. He looked up to see the head butler, an old man who worked at the palace for as long as he could remember.
„Welcome back, your grace," the butler greeted him with a small bow. „It's been a long time since you've graced us with your presence."
Enchantra gave a small nod, acknowledging the butler's greeting. „Indeed, it has been some time. The palace hasn't changed a bit," he said, taking in his surroundings.
The butler smiled. „We have worked hard to maintain its splendor, your grace."
Enchantra looked at the butler, his eyes scanning the familiar face. „How have you been, old friend?"
„I've been well, your grace. Thank you for asking. The kingdom has been busy with the preparations for the upcoming conference," the butler replied.
Enchantra nodded. „Indeed. I have much to discuss with my brother, the king. How has he been?"
„The king is well, your grace. He's been busy with the affairs of the kingdom, but he's looking forward to seeing you again," the butler said with a smile.
Enchantra's smile faded quickly, his eyes far away. „It has been too long since I've seen my brother and the rest of my family. I'm looking forward to catching up with them."
The butler nodded, not realizing the change in the duke's smile. „I will make arrangements for you to see the king tomorrow. In the meantime, may I show you to your quarters?"
„Yes, please do," Enchantra said, his mind already turning to the important tasks ahead of him. The butler led the way, and Enchantra followed, lost in his thoughts as he walked through the familiar halls of the royal palace.
…