Descarith, in its prime, had been an elegant kingdom, a sprawling expanse that boasted numerous cities. It was a realm of grandeur, with the castle at its very heart, radiating its influence outward. Within the inner circle of Descarith, the cities stood as bastions of well-constructed infrastructure. Crisscrossed by concrete roads, the inner cities were encircled by towering walls, fortifications designed to safeguard both the inner city and the castle.
Beyond these formidable walls sprawled the lower city, a vast expanse that covered more ground than its inner counterpart. The outer cities were bustling centers of commerce and trade. Here, life thrived with vibrant energy, and the roads, now paved with asphalt, converged at the nine entrances leading out of the boundaries of the outer city. Each entrance was marked by a grand gate, a colossal arch visible from a distance, bearing the Kingdom's Seal upon two banners.
Yet, Descarith's reach extended further still. The outskirts unfurled beyond the boundaries of the outer city, revealing countless villages nestled amidst untamed forests and rugged mountain ranges. The muddy roads crisscrossing the landscape connected most of the villages, while others ventured deeper into the heart of the shadowy woods, where one could easily lose their way.
Sephir, the mortal beauty, hailed from one such village named Kashin. She was the cherished daughter of a local potter. Once her father crafted the pottery, Sephir assumed the role of transporting their wares to the outer city for sale, a journey that would consume an entire month. In the past, her father accompanied her, but the toll of time had weathered him, rendering the arduous journey too much to bear.
To sustain herself on her month-long pilgrimage, Sephir packed provisions for the journey. However, these meager rations scarcely sufficed. Along the way, she foraged for fruits and berries in the forest, and she knew of nearby lakes where she could replenish her water supply.
But it was not just the challenge of securing food and water that weighed on her. The outskirts of Descarith were far from affluent, and the untamed wilderness was fraught with peril. Wild animals roamed the jungles, and, even more menacingly, bandits lurked in the shadows. Armed with little more than a knife and a torch, Sephir faced the dual threats of predators and brigands.
Her journey wasn't merely one of survival; it was also a test of resilience. The guards stationed along the outer city walls harassed her incessantly, and the act of trade itself was fraught with deceit and humiliation. Local merchants would frequently attempt to undercut her, and others would haggle with cruelty. Sephir's father had entertained thoughts of marrying her off to a villager, but as his only child, she couldn't bear the idea of abandoning him.
And so, time and again, she embarked on the daunting voyage to the city, a mission vital for her family's survival. On this particular day, the pottery was loaded, goodbyes were exchanged, and she set out from Kashin once more. Her path led her to the forest of Khalih, where she gathered apples for sustenance.
Her journey continued, taking her to the formidable mountains of Kasim. Travelling through Kasim at night was ill-advised, for rumors of bandits swirled like ominous shadows. However, Sephir could not afford any delays; the merchants would use any excuse to reduce her payment for late deliveries. She pressed onward through the darkened terrain, though the path was not overly steep.
Halfway through her arduous trek, misfortune struck. One of her carriage wheels became mired in the muddy road. She lit a torch to assess the problem, mumbling to herself, "Ah, just a minor jam, it seems." Sephir planned to urge the horse forward while standing on a plank to raise the carriage. However, fortune frowned upon her this day.
Unbeknownst to her, three shadowy figures had been tailing her carriage. The mention of bandits in the area had deterred most travelers, but the sight of Sephir's solitary journey had piqued their interest. Approaching the carriage, they whispered among themselves, "Hmm, what do we have here?"
Sephir turned to face the ominous trio, her heart torn between fear and a peculiar calmness. In this moment, the young woman had no inkling of the fate that now loomed before her, a fate she sensed would deny her return to her father's side.