The steady rhythm of the horses' hooves echoed through the early morning air as the Alestra family's carriage approached the towering walls of Aranthia, the capital city of the Roan Kingdom. Inside the carriage, Aria sat at the window, her eyes wide with curiosity as she watched the grand city come into view. Beside her, Ryan sat quietly, his sharp blue eyes taking in the details as the tall stone walls grew nearer. Across from them, their mother, Alena, smiled softly at their interest.
As the southern gates came into focus, Aria pressed her face closer to the glass. "The gates are huge," she breathed, taking in the sight of the imposing iron-reinforced barriers. "Do we enter here?"
"Yes," Alena replied, her voice calm. "This is the southern gate. It's the busiest entrance to Aranthia, where most travelers, traders, and visitors enter the city."
Ryan, his attention focused on the walls, glanced at his mother. "What about the other parts of the city? What's beyond the southern gate?"
Alena's smile deepened, pleased by her children's curiosity. "Aranthia is divided into four main districts: north, south, east, and west. Each district serves a different purpose, but they all come together to form the heart of the kingdom."
As the carriage passed through the massive gates and into the southern district, Alena gestured toward the bustling streets outside. "We're entering the southern district now. This is where the city breathes—where life enters and leaves. It's filled with traders, travelers, and people coming from all over the kingdom. It's always full of energy, and as you can see, the streets are lined with shops for food, clothing, and basic goods."
The roads were indeed busy, bustling with merchants setting up stalls, travelers bartering for supplies, and horses pulling wagons piled high with goods. The air was filled with the smells of fresh bread, grilled meats, and the sharp tang of spices. Every few feet, another vendor was calling out, offering their wares to anyone passing by. The sounds of metal clanging came from blacksmith shops nearby, and colorful fabrics hung from storefronts, fluttering gently in the breeze.
Aria's eyes sparkled as she observed the busy marketplace. "It's so different from home," she said, excitement creeping into her voice. "There's so much happening all at once."
Ryan leaned forward, his curiosity piqued by the variety of people moving through the streets—merchants in fine silks, blacksmiths hammering away at their forges, and travelers hauling sacks of goods over their shoulders. "It feels like a crossroads," he said thoughtfully. "Everyone seems to be on their way somewhere."
"That's exactly what it is," Alena explained. "The southern district is the first place anyone sees when they enter Aranthia. It's where goods from across the kingdom come through before being distributed to the other parts of the city. If you need anything, you'll likely find it here."
The carriage moved slowly through the wide streets of the southern district, giving them plenty of time to take in the sights. As they passed by, Aria noticed a small group of performers setting up a stage on one corner, their brightly colored costumes standing out among the gray stone buildings. A few musicians tuned their instruments, preparing for what would likely be a lively performance later in the day.
Ryan, meanwhile, was drawn to the blacksmith shops. The rhythmic clang of hammers striking metal caught his attention, and he watched as apprentices worked the forges, shaping steel into weapons and tools. "Do they supply the palace with weapons?" he asked, curious about the connection between the city's districts.
"Some of them," Alena said, glancing at the shops. "But most of the weapons used by the royal guard or knights come from the eastern district, where the Mercenary Guild operates."
Ryan tilted his head slightly. "The Mercenary Guild?"
Alena smiled. "Yes. The eastern district is where you'll find the guilds for mercenaries, soldiers for hire, and adventurers. It's a rougher part of the city compared to here, but it's where many contracts for protection, exploration, and battle are made. The mercenaries train there, and blacksmiths specializing in weapons and armor have their workshops in that part of the city."
Aria perked up at this. "Can we visit the eastern district? I want to see the mercenaries."
"Perhaps another time," Alena said with a laugh. "But you'll feel the presence of the Mercenary Guild throughout the city. Many of the guards and fighters you see are affiliated with them."
The carriage continued to wind its way through the southern district before heading toward the heart of the city. The noise of the bustling marketplace slowly began to fade behind them as the streets grew wider and the buildings taller. Aria leaned back in her seat, still staring out the window, her mind filled with the vibrant life of the southern district.
"What's in the west?" Ryan asked after a moment of silence.
Alena's gaze shifted toward the direction of the western district. "The western district is where commerce thrives," she explained. "It's home to the Merchant's Guild, where large-scale trade is controlled. Many of the wealthier merchants live and operate there, and it's where much of the kingdom's wealth flows through. If you want to negotiate deals or secure rare goods, that's where you'd go."
Ryan nodded, absorbing the information. "So it's the business center of the capital."
"Exactly," Alena said. "You'll find fine shops and rare goods there—jewelry, luxury fabrics, and imported items from far-off lands. It's a place of wealth and influence, and many merchants spend their lives trying to gain the guild's favor."
Aria leaned closer, her brow furrowing in thought. "And what about the north? What's there?"
"The northern district is quieter," Alena said, her voice taking on a more reflective tone. "It's home to the Magic Tower and the Church of Light. The Magic Tower is the center of magical study in the kingdom. Many mages come to the capital to train there. The tower is ancient, filled with knowledge, but it's also a place of mystery. Not many get to see what goes on inside."
Ryan's interest piqued at the mention of the Magic Tower. "Do the grand mages live there?"
"Yes," Alena said with a nod. "The grand mages lead the studies there and guide the next generation of mages. They're some of the most powerful magic users in the kingdom."
"And the Church?" Aria asked.
"The Church of Light," Alena said, glancing out the window as they turned a corner. "It's one of the oldest institutions in Roan. Many come to the capital to seek guidance, healing, or spiritual training. The church has its own influence, and it works closely with the crown to provide support in times of need."
Ryan and Aria exchanged glances, their minds spinning with all the new information about the different parts of the city. Each district seemed to have its own purpose, its own energy, shaping the way the city functioned as a whole.
As the carriage began to approach the city's center, the towering walls of the royal palace came into view, rising above the rest of the city like a beacon. The white stone of the palace gleamed in the sunlight, and the spires reached toward the sky, casting long shadows over the roads below.
"And now," Alena said softly, her voice filled with quiet reverence, "we're approaching the heart of the kingdom."
The palace gates were open, flanked by royal guards in gleaming armor. The carriage slowed as it passed through, the massive structure looming ahead. Aria and Ryan both stared up at the palace, its grandeur impossible to ignore.
"It's bigger than I thought," Aria whispered, her voice full of awe.
Ryan stayed silent, his eyes fixed on the palace, the weight of the moment settling over him.
Alena smiled, watching her children's reactions. "The palace is the heart of the kingdom," she said. "Everything that happens here shapes the future of Roan."
As they passed through the gates, the world outside seemed to grow quieter, more solemn. The hustle and bustle of the southern district faded behind them, replaced by the calm, dignified air of the palace grounds.