The City Of Reicalth

The carriage rolled up to the gates of a sprawling city, where guards stood watch, checking each entrant. As our carriage approached, the guards waved us through without a single check. It seemed that being an Otherworlder meant they were treated like heroes. Almost as if they had the red carpet rolled out for them.

Once we were inside the city, the true extent of the city became evident. Reicalth dwarfed every town I’d seen so far.

Sandstone bricks paved the streets, flanked by sturdy brick buildings. A castle loomed in the near distance. Several large towers stretched into the skyline, and a cobblestone wall encircled the city.

We rode for several more minutes before we were once again stopped by another security check. Once they explained they were transporting a prisoner and showed their guild cards, the gates opened, and we were ushered through. We passed through, and then the carriage drew to a stop.

“Get out!” Kenji ordered. I followed his instructions, careful not to trip as I hopped off the wagon.

“So, what’s the plan for me?”

“We have orders to bring you to the holding cells. You’ll be kept there until further notice,” Kenji replied.

“Don’t worry, Susami. Once we explain that you are one of our class members, I am sure they will let you go,” Miss Reiden tried to reassure.

Several guards approached from the tower. One had the standard city guards' armour, whereas the other had a similar design but also had red and gold lines around the edges. It appeared more glamorous than the standard design.

“Halt Otherworlders!” the plain guard demanded.

The class members all placed their fists over their hearts.

“Sir Branwell, to what do we owe the pleasure?” Miss Reiden asked.

“We have instructions to take the prisoner with us,” he calmly responded.

“I’m sorry, but the instructions we were given were to bring the Pirate Captain Lark to the holding cell,” Kenji replied.

The plain guard stepped forward. “We are well aware who this scum is.”

“I’m surprised you know who I am. Are you perhaps a fan? If you uncuff me, I’ll happily sign something for you,” I offered with a smirk.

The plain guard turned red with rage and started grinding his teeth.

“Sorry, but we received direct orders from the Guild Hall. May I ask under whose authority you have been issued these new directives?” Kenji asked.

They both pointed up.

“The orders come straight from the top,” Sir Branwell commented.

“What?! The king himself wants to meet with him?!”

“I must say that sounds like an awfully bad idea,” I added, nodding my head.

“Shut up pirate!” snapped the plain guard. This seemed to be the final straw, as he stepped forward and punched me in the face.

I stared back at him with a defiant smile, which caused him to turn even redder with rage. The fancier guard put out his arm to stop him from retaliating any further.

“These were the instructions we were given,” the fancy guard reiterated calmly.

“Very well, if the orders are from the king himself, we wouldn’t dare oppose them.”

“Sir Branwell! Otherworlders!” Another plain-armoured guard came running up, short of breath. “We have an urgent situation.”

“We have been asked to transport this Pirate for an audience with the king.”

The new guard stared at me, and I couldn’t help myself, lifting up my cuffed hands and giving a tiny wave.

“I’m terribly sorry, but I feel this matter may be of more importance.”

Sir Branwell's expression never changed as he responded. “Speak.”

The soldier swallowed.

“Sir, the matter relates to Valgroth.” There was a pause as the man swallowed. “He is on the move.”

The colour drained from Sir Branwell’s face.

“Did you just say Valgroth?”

“Yes, we have reports he is on the move and heading this way.”

“You are absolutely certain it is Valgroth himself?”

“We are very certain, sir. We have reports from the south that the beast with purple scales is flying in this direction.”

Sir Branwell turned to the exterior stone wall and slammed his fist against it.

“Damn it! Why is that creature moving now? He’s never really been a problem.”

“We do not know, but he’s heading towards the kingdom as we speak.”

“Alright, I understand the situation. You may take the Otherworlders. I will personally escort this pirate to the king and notify him of Valgroth’s movements.”

“Yes sir.” The guard saluted.

“Sorry, but what or who is Valgroth?” Miss Reiden asked.

“Valgroth is a dragon that lives within the Dibar Mountains, just south of here. He’s usually docile, eccentric even, for a dragon. But it seems something has stirred him.”

“A dragon?! I can’t have you sending my students out to fight such a dangerous beast.”

“Unfortunately, we have no other choice.”

“If he is usually docile, then why do we need to worry?” Miss Reiden pressed further.

“Well, it is precisely that reason. Part of what makes him not a threat is that he just keeps to himself. But last time he moved, he wiped out a seaside village.”

“Then why should I allow my students to put themselves in harm's way?” she protested.

“Miss, if we don’t go, the city folk will be in danger. It will be fine. Don’t forget, together we are unbeatable.”

The entire class raised their fists to the air and cheered.

“Can we please speed up my execution? I’d rather die than watch another round of this cringe?”

“Your execution will be soon, pirate,” snapped the plain guard. The look on his face suggested he wanted to deliver the final blow himself.

“If I may,” Kaguya raised her hand. “Could I go with you instead? My skills are charm-based and wouldn’t serve any purpose in a battle against a beast. Besides, this pirate is an Otherworlder from our class, so may I go with you when escorting Susami?”

The guards turned to the captain.

“Very well.”

I didn’t say anything as I watched them excitedly discuss how they were about to fight a real dragon. Kaguya gave her close group of friends a large hug. She wished them safety and waved goodbye as they left to prepare for battle.

“Are you ready to go?” Sir Branwell asked.

Kaguya nodded. I could still see the slight tears in her eyes.

“If you walk behind me, they won’t see you cry,” I whispered to her.

She looked up, surprised. I offered a reassuring smile.

“What are you whispering about, pirate?” Screeched the plain guard.

“Just saying how even with my hands bound, I could take you.”

The guard grabbed a clump of my hair to make me look him in the eyes. At that moment, he lifted his knee into my guts.

I coughed but remained on my feet.

“Why do you keep provoking him?” Kaguya asked whilst Sir Branwell scolded the guard for attacking without permission.

“I didn’t want to say I was talking about your feelings. Some things deserve privacy.”

She pushed me forward and opted to walk behind me. Occasionally, I would feel her grip my jacket from behind, though I didn’t say anything.

We marched past another guarded checkpoint and down an external corridor, passing a small, enclosed flower garden within the castle.

In the centre of the garden stood a lone figure, draped in white and gold hooded robes. His back was to us, his hand extended out. A single purple butterfly gently flapped its wings on the end of his finger.

Without even turning, he spoke as if he were looking directly at us.

“Oh my, if it isn’t Sir Branwell and one of the great Otherworlders. What a joyous day this is.”

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End of chapter 35