The carriage rattled along the dirt road as Orcel peered out from under the heavy cloth covering the back. His eyes widened as they neared the towering gates ahead, flanked by colossal walls that stretched high into the misty air. It was unlike anything he had ever seen—a fortress city, imposing and vast, as though it held secrets from a thousand lifetimes.
The passengers with him shifted, murmuring to each other as they caught sight of the massive city gates. Orcel looked at the familiar faces who had been with him since the snowy road, people who had offered him warmth and food, and without whom he might not have survived.
As the carriage came to a halt near the gate, an elderly man seated across from Orcel leaned forward, pressing a small handful of metallic tokens into his palm. "Take these, boy," the old man said, his voice warm yet firm. "You'll need them for the entry fee."
Orcel blinked, glancing down at the tokens in his hand. "These… these are credits, aren't they?" He looked back up, frowning. "You shouldn't just give these out to anyone. Credits are scarce—only travelers, explorers, and nobles can get them."
The old man chuckled, waving a dismissive hand. "Worrying about strangers you just met? You're a peculiar one." He laughed, and Orcel couldn't help but smirk a little, feeling warmth for the first time in days.
"If that's true, then you're one to talk," Orcel replied, handing back the coins with a short bow out of respect.
The old man merely laughed louder, patting Orcel's shoulder. "Good luck, boy."
Orcel stepped down from the carriage, offering a respectful bow and a wave to the passengers, the old man included. The carriage rumbled forward toward the city gate, and as the massive doors opened to allow it passage, Orcel was left alone outside the entrance, staring at the city's vast sprawl beyond. It seemed endless, a kingdom hidden within walls that rose high like mountains.
He felt a moment of awe before the guard's sharp voice interrupted his thoughts. "Entry fee, twenty credits."
Orcel frowned, glancing at the pricing list posted nearby. "The fee is ten credits, not twenty," he said, narrowing his eyes at the guard, who gave him a dismissive sneer.
The guard slammed his spear into the ground. "Look at this—a country bumpkin lecturing me on city prices." His voice dripped with scorn. "Listen up, brat. It's twenty credits to enter the city of Ishkarad."
Orcel gritted his teeth, one hand moving instinctively to the hilt of his sword. But he stopped himself, inhaling deeply to calm his anger. "I only have ten credits," he replied, meeting the guard's gaze. The guard scoffed, his smirk widening.
"Then get lost," he sneered, laughing mockingly. "Or do you really think you can argue with city law?"
Orcel's glare hardened, and he clenched his hand tighter around his sword's hilt. "How do I know you're not lying? Seems to me like you're bending the rules however you want."
The guard's sneer twisted into a frown, his grip tightening on his spear. "Careful with that mouth, boy. Unless you're looking to make this your last day," he threatened, lowering his spear until its tip rested just above Orcel's shoulder.
Orcel didn't flinch, holding the guard's gaze. His patience had nearly worn thin when a deep voice called out, cutting through the tension like a knife.
"Kelvin, what's the holdup?"
Orcel turned to see a group of men approaching, each clad in light and heavy armor, weapons holstered in various places. Their leader, a tall man with a thick beard and a scar across his brow, strode forward with an amused grin, his gaze fixed on the guard.
The guard, Kelvin, grimaced as he acknowledged the man. "Just dealing with a kid who can't pay the entry fee, Ruford."
Ruford raised an eyebrow, glancing at Orcel and then back at Kelvin. He chuckled, shaking his head. "Trying to cheat a kid, are we? We both know the entry fee is ten credits."
Orcel's eyes narrowed, noticing the guard's nervous expression as Ruford's words echoed in the air. Kelvin clenched his jaw, his hand gripping his spear tightly.
"Let us through, Kelvin," Ruford continued, his tone sharp. "And let the kid in too. Or do I need to remind you of your place?"
Kelvin swallowed, taking an involuntary step back. After a moment, he spat on the ground and muttered, "Fine. Get out of my sight, all of you."
Ruford motioned for Orcel to step forward. Orcel hesitated, then nodded in thanks and handed over his ten credits to the guard, who took them grudgingly. As he crossed the threshold into the city, Ruford and his men followed close behind.
Orcel glanced at Ruford, curiosity sparking in his gaze. "Why did you help me?"
Ruford chuckled, giving Orcel a knowing smile. "Sometimes, even a snowflake can't survive the cold alone."
Orcel raised an eyebrow at the strange comment but shrugged, giving a respectful nod. "Thank you."
Ruford's grin widened. "Don't mention it, kid. Just keep moving forward."
Orcel stepped fully into the bustling city, feeling Ruford and his men fall in step behind him as they made their way through the vast gates of Ishkarad. The sights and sounds overwhelmed him—the sheer scope of the city was far greater than anything he had imagined. But as he walked, he held his head high, the weight of his promise driving him forward into the unknown.
....