Standing at the base of an imposing mountain range, Fellaroth and his party paused as their eyes followed the well-worn winding path that made its way up the side of the mountain. Tracing the path with their eyes, they soon came across the sight of an enormous plateau midway up the mountain. There, nestled in a large valley, they caught their first glimpse of the majestic city of Cruwshant. Towering structures could be seen from the base of the mountain, rising high above the already mammoth city walls. This city was like nothing Fellaroth had ever expected to see in all his days, causing him to pause and silently remind himself yet again that he had looked away from humanity for far too long.
"Is this your first time seeing this city?" asked Riegert, noticing Fellaroth's awestruck gaze.
"Is it that obvious?"
"I suppose no one is able to hide their reaction on seeing this place for the first time. It really is a marvel to behold. It shows what we humans are truly capable of when we put our minds to something. This is one of the largest and most prosperous cities in all of Xenendoria, not to mention one of very few that has never fallen to outside forces. With a strong military and even stronger merchant ties, it's a wonder that this city was never made into our capital!"
"I wouldn't let anyone from The Capital hear you saying that!" said Calvin with a chuckle. "They'd likely want to have you drawn and quartered for making such remarks. Xendalore has been our Capital since the founding of this country, even the mere thought of moving the capital anywhere else would be considered sacrilege!"
"I know Calvin, I was merely musing to myself."
"Besides, do you really think that the Queen would want to make a place like this her home?" Asked Jackson. "I mean do you think she would want to live in a city on the side of a mountain whose peak is forever covered in clouds? That's the only thing about this city that's always given me the creeps!" Jackson's observation had brought the attention of the party to the peak of the mountain, all except Riegert, who had kept his eyes keenly fixed on Fellaroth.
As the rest of the party gazed further up the mountain, they came to see the sight that Jackson had described, several hundred meters above the sprawling city was a thick body of clouds that had completely obscured the top of the mountain. Upon seeing these clouds, a flicker of recognition followed by relief swept over Fellaroth's face. It was a quick flicker of emotion that had only lingered on Fellaroth's face for an instant, but it was there for long enough that Riegert was able to notice and take yet another mental note.
"So, it's still there then." Thought Fellaroth gratefully.
"Our investigation will go no further if we continue to stand here. If we want to get to the bottom of these disappearances and report back to The Queen, then we had better get a move on and go and see the city." Said Riegert, as he started to walk off in the direction of the great city.
"Do you have a plan in mind, Riegert? I mean, do you have any ideas of what it is that we are looking for, or where in fact we would need to start looking? I highly doubt that we're the first party that has come here in the hopes of impressing The Queen."
"Unfortunately, I do not, Calvin. Sadly, The Queen's request was rather vague. She simply said that there had been too many disappearances in this city and that it needed to be looked into. Beyond that, I don't know what to think."
The trek up the mountain was one that passed slowly and in silence, as the party each thought over Riegert's words. Why had it only now occurred to them how vague The Queen's request was. Why had they not thought to ask for any more detail? Were they only too glad to be given the opportunity to impress The Queen or were they so green that they didn't have the experience to have thought to ask more questions. They had travelled across the land, all be it by unnatural means, but they had made the journey all the same, and they had done so without a clear idea of what it was that they needed to do, or what it was that they were to expect. This felt like the actions of a rookie party, and they had all come across the realisation at the same time.
"Guardsmen is this city not open to visitors?" called Jackson at the top of his booming voice upon reaching the main gatehouse and discovering not a soul to be found. A long eerie silence took the land, as not much more than the passing wind could be heard. "Something is very wrong here." He added, turning to his party. "Why are the gates closed, and why is there no answer from the guards?"
"You're right about that Jackson. I've only been here a handful of times myself, but I don't recall ever seeing these gates closed. Do you think there might be another way in?"
"If such a thing did exist, I doubt it would be all that easy to find. Surely a city that has never fallen to outside forces would not have a 'back way in,' at least, not one that would be easily identifiable." Answered Calvin as he studied the gargantuan gates that barred their path.
"If I could get you on top of that wall, do you think you would be able to get this gate open, Calvin?" asked Fellaroth, looking toward the top of the city wall, high above them.
"Well, it couldn't be all that difficult, I mean there must be some kind of mechanism in the gatehouse somewhere that would open a gate of this size. The only thing is, how do you intend on getting me to the top of the wall?"
"I have a spell that will essentially catapult you into the air, it should be enough for you to reach the top of the wall."
"Should be?"
"Well, if you fall short, then I will simply create a funnel of air to ease your landing."
"This sounds way too dangerous, Fell. Those walls stand taller than a mountain troll, and what should happen if he is caught on top of the wall by the city guard? He will be arrested for unlawful entry to a major city!"
"Honestly Riegert, you worry too much. I trust Fell's abilities. If he says I'll be safe, then I believe him, and if I see any guards, then I will simply jump from the walls and Fell can use his funnel magic to 'ease my landing'."
"You're taking this too lightly Calvin. There are too many variables that we haven't thought through, lets at least talk about this before you…" before Riegert could finish his thought, Calvin had given Fellaroth the go-ahead and moments later he found himself soaring high into the air, well over the height of the city walls.
"He's lighter than I thought!" remarked Fellaroth nonchalantly.
"What does that mean? Is he going to be okay?" yelled Riegert.
The top of the city wall came into view in an instant, bringing with it Calvin's realisation that his ascent was not slowing. Before he knew it, the city wall was beneath him and quickly growing more distant. As his ascent finally came to a stop, Calvin had a brief respite in which he caught a glimpse of the beautiful city from a vantage point that he realised none had likely seen before. There below him was a mix of buildings of all sizes, sandwiched together forming narrow streets that from his height looked like little more than a maze. Occasional lofty towers dotted the city like striking monuments to the power and wealth that could be found within the fortified bastions that had ensured this city's continued security from outside forces. Lost in the awe of the moment, Calvin soon realised that the view of the city below appeared to be coming up to meet him, with the top of the wall offering a far more eager greeting.
With the wall growing larger with every passing second, Calvin readied himself for an unpleasant landing, trying to relax his muscles and plan when he would tuck and roll to avoid serious injury. In an instant his feet made contact with the cold stone, his knees bent, and he rolled over his left shoulder, very nearly rolling over the other side of the wall. 'Why wouldn't they have installed some kind of balustrade here? Someone could easily fall off this wall!' he thought as his legs dangled over the edge and he caught his breath.
He took a moment to compose himself, while from far below he could hear Riegert still yelling at Fellaroth for his hasty actions, while Jackson tried to calm the situation. Sitting on the edge of the wall, Calvin couldn't help but notice a distinct lack of people, both on the walls and in the city below. Besides the sound of Riegert shouting from beyond the wall, there was not a single sound to be heard. He eased himself to his feet, checked to see that he had no injuries and made his way over to the entrance of the gatehouse.
Easing the door open, Calvin poked his head through the opening to be greeted by a completely desolate room. Tables and chairs had been arranged in an orderly manner, and the papers that still cluttered the desks were clearly records and logs of visitors to the city. Shifting some of the papers on the desk nearest to him, Calvin found it to be covered in a layer of dust that indicated that it had been some time since this room had seen any people. He slowly made his way through the large open room, checking each desk as he approached the stairs to the lower levels, yet the more he saw of this room, the more uneasy he felt.
Footsteps echoed through the empty building as Calvin made his way down the stairs and into the lower level, where he came across a room that was much like a small barracks. Undisturbed weapons racks lined the walls to either side of him, with a multitude of benches and chairs filling the open space. Slowly making his way through the room, Calvin noticed two iron wheels on the far wall that were connected to chains that ran down into the gatehouse. Realising that this was likely the mechanism that would open the gates below, Calvin took hold of the wheel to the right, and with all his might gave it a turn, only to discover that it turned with great ease, as the sound of turning gears filled the gatehouse.