Celestoria

The long road to the Empire took them two days worth of travel. They met multiple corrupted beasts and ruined towns along the way, each one stoking the flames in their heart. They were even confronted by two groups of bandits along the way, but not once did they come across a patrol of Empire Knights or the Holy Order Knights.

Having met no resistance, they easily arrived at Celestoria, the Heart of the Empire.

In front of Reiji was a fortress -city in every sense. The walls rise into the sky, higher than most castles, its white stone walls wide enough for a entire battalion to march upon. Massive statues in the Holy Saintess image, armored and armed loom above the gates, her eyes carved to glare down at all those who pass below her.

From the outer district to the middle, a broad avenue cuts through the city, decorated with marbled arches and gold-tipped spires shining coldly with false divinity. Statues of the Saintess dominate every square, her image stamped into banners, coins, even the rations handed out by the Holy Order facility.

The inner district is where the nobles and clergy reside. White stone villas adorned with stained-glass windows rise above the middle and outer district, each guarded by private retinues of Knights. The district is split down the middle by the same broad avenue, with nobles of the royal courts living on the western side, while the clergy and members of the Holy Order live on the eastern side. 

The streets are unnaturally quiet, citizens collapse to their knees when patrols pass, too afraid to even look up at the Holy Knights. Whispered rumors speak of neighbors vanishing after a wrong word, their homes sealed off by the Order’s Crest.

At the Empire’s heart, right in the middle of the city was the Grand Cathedral of Eternal Light, visible from every corner of the city. A towering structure made of alabaster stone and mithril pillars adorned with intricate gold patterns. Its spires piercing the clouds, standing above even the Palace next to it. The giant bell tolls daily, not by hour, but by prayer cycle, reminding it’s people to kneel in reverence to the Saintess.

Disguised as merchants, the Crimson Crow members are abroad a caravan reacquired from the bandits that had attacked them. The Gryphon party acting as their escort, carrying a sealed mission from the Tristan Guild.

“Are you sure this will work?” Reiji whispers from within, as they line up in front of the gate behind the other merchants, waiting for the Knights to inspect their paper and cargo.

“Quiet. We’ll be fine if you don’t do anything.” Souma answers from the front of the horse drawn cart. 

“It’s fine. We’ve been here on escort quest before. So it shouldn’t strike them as odd.” Kaldin reassured Reiji from the back of his mount.

“I’m not worried about you guys, I’m worried about us.” Reiji answers poking his head out. We barely have any cargo in here, apart from a few boxes of stolen goods that we took from the bandits.

“Don’t worry about it. Just act confidant and we’ll be fine.” Sable quipped, before turning to Nraltia. “Make sure to keep your leader quiet. Alright?”

“Uh… Yes I’ll do that.” The luporine answers, her apprehension showing.

Agonizingly long, the two parties waited until it was finally their turn to be inspected, stepping forward to the Knight Lieutenant, Vaelen hands them his papers.

“We’re the Gryphon party, here on escort duty for the East Wind merchant group behind us.” 

“Gryphon party? You guys are from Tristan?” The lieutenant asks without looking up.

“That’s right.”

“Hmm.” The lieutenant signals to his knights, to quickly walk around the caravan, inspecting the cart and the Gryphon party. The knight squad moves swiftly, performing routinely like they’ve done this a 1000 times. Flipping over the canvas, they peer into the cart, taking stock of the minimal stock and the robed merchants inside, before returning to whisper in the Lieutenants ear.

“It seems everything is in order. Since its not your first time here, head on through.” He waves them through, handing back the stamped papers to Vaelen, not even bothering to ask further questions. “The city is currently going through some problems, all outsiders are to use one of the inns in the outer districts.”

With a loud wooden creak, the caravan is dragged through the heavy gates, entering Celestoria at last.

“That was surprisingly easy…” Reiji remarks.

“Yeah. That Was too easy.” Vaelen scratches his scaly chin.

“It’s a trap isn’t it?” Nraltia asks.

“Yeah it’s definitely a trap.” Souma responds.

The party of eight look at each other, sighing before heading towards the Silver Light Inn that the Gryphon party are acquainted with.

“Man, I know that the outer districts are for the poor, but this place makes Tristan’s Orphanage feel like a proper Inn.” Reiji complains at the view around him, even Souma couldn’t help but nod in agreement, despite the slight bulging veins at his temples.

“The empire is mostly concerned with its military might and expanding its border. As they’re built on the major site from the last great catastrophe, their resources aren’t enough to sustain them.” Vaelen lectures the new comer.

“Its partly why the Holy Order has such importance, its religious doctrine and teaching make it easier for the Empire to maintain order, although lately it seems like the Holy Order is gaining more power than even the Emperor can compete with.” Kaldin also joins in, stroking his magnificent beard as he continues.

“Practically all of the Empire’s citizen are followers of the Holy Order of the Saintess. They believe that their service to her cause is something to be praiseworthy, almost to a fanatical degree. Try not to do anything that will stand out.” 

“Please, even I’m not dense enough to start something in enemy territory.” Reiji smirks, as he pounds his chest to reassure the others.

Almost in unison, the others replied. “I highly doubt that.”