Traveling for the past few weeks has been quite the challenge for Arrius. He hasn't camped or done of much of any of the things that come with traveling he truthfully was quite embarrassed to say it but he just wasn't well adept for this kind of stuff. Over time he did learn how to hunt which he had some knowledge of before ass well as everything else that accompanies traveling.
As they continue their journey, they are just a few hours away from Summerden. Over the last few weeks, Arrius has learned a lot from the men he travels with; he has even earned their approval in both hunting and basic survival skills, which he admits he learned from his uncle Barin. when he would help teach him in his studies as well as tell him stories of his younger days
Spending the nights having drinks, chatting, and telling stories around the campfires has been fun. This is all still new to Arrius, and he is quite enjoying it, but he is not one to lie and say it has been enjoyable to sleep on the ground for the past few weeks.
Finally approaching the grand Captial of Summerden, Arrius is in awe of how different everything is—from the buildings to the people. It's bright and sunny here, a stark contrast to the cold and cloudiness of the North.
I miss the snow, the clouds, and even the cold sometimes, he thinks, but I do enjoy this nice sunny feel touching my skin.
"Just you wait, Arrius. We haven't even hit the actual capital yet; those were just a few towns and buildings that surround the city and castle itself," Ser Ferick says, smiling.
After a few more minutes, Arrius sees a ginormous wall. Though it may not be as imposing as the surrounding walls of the North, he can appreciate how well-kept this one is and understands why this castle and city have stood for generations.
"Halt!" one guard from the top of the wall screams. "What is your duty within the city?"
"We come on royal decree. I have a handwritten and signed letter from the Queen of the North, as well as passage granted to us by King Niles," Ser Ferick yells back loudly enough for the guard to hear.
With a nod from the first guard, another goes to retrieve the letter and authenticate it.
After a few moments of the guard examining the letter, he hands it back and allows entry into the capital.
Riding their horses through the city, Arrius is blown away. Everything seems so different. There are inns, massive houses, countless trees and flowers, and merchants walking around trying to make sales for their products. This is truly amazing to Arrius; he spent most of his time within the castle grounds, and even when he did go out, the cold kept there from being this many people.
"Soon, I promise my prince, we'll come down here together and explore. But for now, we have to head to the castle and inform the Wixx that we are here."
"I understand, Ferick. I promise I'll make sure we finish all of our duties before we go look around."
"Let's continue; only a small way to go, and we'll finally be entering the castle."
After a small trek up a massive hill that even made Arrius tired just from looking at it, he can finally see Summerden—the huge castle adorned in white and green colors, with red sprouting all around, reflecting the colors of the Wixx house sigil a giant white bear with red and green streaks in the background with three followers adorned in red and green above the bear with a white background behind those.
Making their way inside the castle, Arrius and the rest of the knights are immediately greeted by King Niles himself, along with his wife, Queen Giva. King Niles is a shorter gentleman with dark brown hair—not what Arrius would typically envision in a king—but who is he to decide? Queen Giva is a shorter woman with long, curly brown hair with from what he can already tell a loving caring personality.
"Hello, Prince Arrius. I hope your travels went well. I welcome you to the Kingdom of Mardon. I, as well as everyone else, am so excited to have you here."
"All the thanks are mine. It's an honor, not only to you but for the queen and the kingdom, to allow me to stay here. Truly, this is something amazing you have allowed me to do," Arrius says, bowing to the king and kissing the queen's hand.
"I like this one already, Niles," the queen speaks, her tone both firm and soft, something that makes Arrius feel oddly comfortable.
"One thing I must add is that I apologize that my two sons and daughter they could not make it; they are currently occupied with other affairs," Niles says with an annoyed tone.
Quite weird Arrius thought what other affairs could be more important than welcoming other royalty within you castle?
"No need to apologize. I'm sure I'll meet them in due time."
After the first meeting, Arrius is given a tour of the castle—at least the most important parts. As the guide finishes the hasty tour, Arrius can't help but spot someone out of the corner of his eye—someone of the same tall stature as him, with similar curly brown hair and brown eyes, lounging outside in a long chair with servants fanning him.
"Who is that, if you don't mind me asking?"
"No, of course not, my prince. Ask away. That is actually the second prince of Mardon—Prince Niles," the older gentleman giving the tour announces.
"Would it be okay if we say hello? I would hate to be on bad terms right away."
"Yes, of course. We shall go immediately, my prince."
Arrius is quite confused as to why the prince is being fanned. He has never seen anything like it before. Perhaps this is a normal thing in Mardon because of the heat, but to have around five servants constantly fanning you seems quite odd. But we shall see; Arrius thought to himself it's better than completely ignoring the prince.