Lanorlay is a breathtaking city.
Not because of its size, although it is quite large, but of how… normal it looks. A slice of feudal life in an alien world. A place of order. The eye of the storm.
You step free of the jungle trail and stand frozen, staring at the city. Memories swirl inside you. This place was more a home to you than Wrido ever was.
The jungle has been completely cut back around the city. Looking to your left and right, you can see other trails spilling into this dry oasis. In the distance, an inner citadel of stone rises into the sky, but it is still completely eclipsed by the two-hundred-foot trees that surround this place.
A wood palisade, only three yards tall, stretches around the city like a second layer of trees. The gate is wide open.
The ranger citendent claps you on the shoulder, breaking you from your revelry. You tense up and brush his hand off instinctively.
The man doesn't even seem to notice. Instead, he frantically gestures to Aurora. "Mount, gov'nor! You too," he says, pointing at Darin. "We have a… surprise for you inside."
You glance over your shoulder. Elya and the rest of the column have nearly bumped into you from behind. You need to move out of the way so the rest of your army can get the hell out of the jungle.
You bring Aurora to the side and mount her. Darin does the same with his own horse. The citendent steps to the side and gestures to the palisade's open gate.
Behind you, Elya has pulled off to the side with her bodyguards and Velinor. Seeing you mounted, she clambers onto her horse and moves to follow you. Velinor mounts up as well and follows closely behind.
But Elya is stopped by one of the rangers, who steps in front of her horse and says, "No. Not you. You don't go yet."
Velinor replies tersely, "Excuse me, friend, but she's the queen. Your queen."
Elya shakes her head. "No. No, it's fine. Go ahead, Arthur Hornraven, we'll catch up."
You nod. "See you on the other side."
She salutes with a chuckle. "Have fun."
Side by side, you and Darin ride into the city.
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