Chapter 485 - Urandel

Sorry I've been inactive in comments. I've been reading them and know there's some editing that needs addressing and I'll get round to it shortly. Just had family visiting for a week so keeping ontop of releases is about the most I could manage. Hope you like the chapter!

The city climbed the island like a giant spire, layer upon layer of buildings rising in vertical, cube-like structures. They were on the far side of the deck with Acalin’s party. It was crowded today, with what seemed like half the ship on deck to get a first glimpse of Urandel, and Hump could understand why.

The sun beamed down on the white buildings, and the glistened like a great gem. From a distance, it looked like a hive of people and buildings. At the very top stood a pyramid, its central staircase wide enough to be visible even from the skyship’s distance. From its peak, essence radiated from a beacon with an intensity that Hump had not seen anywhere in Alveron. To his ordinary eyes, it was a second sun, but as soon as he activated Spirit Sight he saw what Karo and Meli had described to him—threads of essence webbing across the entire city, connecting to everything.

To the left of the island, a broad stretch of green wound along its side, thick with natural greenery. A waterfall poured from its edge, the stream drifted through the sky before splitting and feeding the three smaller floating islands nearby, each almost as densely packed as this one.

Nisha flew up for a better look, circling the ship in her excitement. From above, she sent images of the city, her eyes picking out on the essence in a vibrant array of hues that Hump’s Spirit Sight didn’t catch.

“That’s it,” Karo said. “I told you it’s a sight to behold.”

“You did,” Hump said. “I didn’t quite believe you.”

“It is the centre of all things. A gift from the Maker to power the city. Could it be anything but incredible?”

“I’m struggling to comprehend how it is possible,” Dylan said. “I thought essence became weaker the higher up we went. How can there be so much power in this city?”

“Urandel was built on a water source,” Acalin said. “While the ambient essence in the air may be weaker up there, the city itself has direct access to that essence making it an ideal place. It was places like this that the Pathfinders were originally established to find.”

Celaine stepped up to the edge of the deck and squinted. “How do they fit so many people into such a small place? I’m uncomfortable just looking.”

“You do not like cities?” Acalin asked.

“Not particularly. And the busier ones are worse.”

“Then this many not be the place for you, but what choice is there?” Acalin said with a chuckle. “We make use of the space we have. As we ran out, people started to expand upward instead of out, stacking new homes on top of existing ones. The old cities are gone. There are no endless hills of grass and farms. That world is gone. This is what we have now.”

“I’m sorry,” Celaine said. “I didn’t mean for that to come across as critical. I have the same issue with the cities of Alveron.”

“She has that issue with cramped spaces too,” Hump said, squeezing Celaine’s hand. “Celaine just likes her space.” He pointed toward one of the massive floating spheres that surrounded the island, each covered in runic arrays and surrounded by landing rings. The spheres drifted in fixed positions, forming a perimeter around Urandel. Hump could feel the magic in them. “What are those spheres?”

“That’s the Sentinel Ring,” Karo said from Acalin’s side. “Together, those spheres form a barrier over the city.”

The barrier was only faint to Hump’s eyes, though strong enough that he thought Tier 2 spells like Rockshot would have no effect on it. Titan’s Wrath on the other hand could likely bring the entire thing down.

“You do not appear impressed, Wizard Humphrey,” Acalin said.

“Hump was probably just thinking of how he could break it,” Bud said.

“Break it?” Acalin asked, voice breaking. “To harm the barrier is to attack the city itself.”

“I was not thinking that,” Hump lied, frowning at Bud. “Why do you all think blowing stuff up is all I think about?”

Bud gave him a blank stare. “I don’t know. Why do we think that?”

Hump sighed and turned to Acalin. “Ignore him. This is one of those moments where our cultures differ slightly.”

“Ah,” Acalin said. “He is making a joke at your expense to tease you.” His face relaxed. “I suggest you do not speak of such things. Not even as a joke. Such words are more dangerous than you know. Though it will not break so easy. This is not the barrier’s full strength.”

“It’s impressive creating a barrier this large of any quality,” Dylan said. “How much stronger does it get?”

“Right now, it is powered by ambient essence alone,” Karo explained. “It can be maintained permanently but is only effective at keeping out weaker monsters. In times of war or essence surges it is far stronger.”

“How does one wage war without land?” Emilia asked.

“Skyships,” Acalin said. “Hundreds of them, all filled with soldiers. It had been almost a century since Urandel has been attacked, but I have heard stories of such assaults on other cities far from here. Artifacts rain down destruction from above reducing everything to dust.”

“Fortunately, nobody is foolish enough to attack Urandel,” Meli said. “While we are a fairly small kingdom, our skyfleet is advanced.”

Hump could see that. Skyships of various sizes patrolled the space around the island—some barely larger than a windrunner, others as big as any Hump saw on the Sky Isles, if not bigger. Those that were military were easily recognised by the golden crest they bore, unlikel the merchant ships, civilian transports, and carriers ferrying goods to the various islands.

The Crown of the Winds slowed as they approached the city, level with one of the ports along its cliff sides. It was more unnerving entering the port with massive ships floating overhead than it had been when they’d left. Hump felt very much like they could come down at any moment, and from the way Celaine was squeezing his hand, she was feeling it even more.

“Do you have a new fear?” Hump whispered.

“Shush you. And I know you were thinking of destroying the barrier early.”

“How?!”

“You had that look in your eyes. They light up when you see something you want to play with and there’s only one way to play with a giant barrier.”

Hump smiled, his eyes going from the bottom of the ship overhead to the vertical cliffside port. Tunnels had been carved into the cliff, making room for merchants and people. Stone platforms extended from the cliff, forming roads and stairways all the way up the cliff, filled with people. Yet, despite his awe at it all, Hump couldn’t help but feel uneasy. He was about to mention it when he felt Celaine tense.

“Is something wrong?” Hump asked.

“I’m not sure,” Celaine said. “I feel like we’re being watched.”

Hump slowly turned back to the city, trying to look relax. Now he saw it. There were a few too many guards standing around with nothing to do. Not patrolling, and too clustered in one place.

“There are guards everywhere,” Hump said. “I think Celaine’s right. They’re focused on our ship. Acalin, is this normal?”

“No,” the altari said. “It is not. It is possible they are here about the attack yesterday, but I think Captain Hadbur would have warned us ahead of time if he had contacted the city.”

“I bet it’s that priest,” Bud said. “He seemed like a schemer. Could he have sent out a message?”

“There are many communication tools,” Acalin said. “Sending a message is a simple matter. I could have one sent now if I wished and it would be received by my family within the minute.”

“Over there too.” Emilia gestured to the right side of the port where two small ships a little larger than windrunners were slowly headed in their direction.

They were too late to back away now, even if Captain Hadbur were willing. Already the crew was tethering them to the docking platform, thick essence-reinforced ropes tossed and fastened with speed as they adjusted them to the side of the tower bridge where they could disembark.

Just as it was set into place, guards came pouring out of the cliff face and filled the port. They descended to the docking area, dozens at first, then more. Soon, it was hundreds. The entire port seemed to draw in a collective breath. Onlookers gathered on the upper levels.

The guards wore a cuirass sculpted into the shape of a muscular torso, polished to a gleam beneath their red cloaks. Short linen tunics hung beneath, paired with leather skirts layered with metal scales for added protection. Their legs were guarded by ornate greaves strapped over sandals, and their arms were bare, showing off their long scaled arms. Upon their heads rested crested helmets with colourful plumes that made Hump think of certain lizards back home, more for ceremony than practicality. Most carried long spears and rounded shields that bore the runes of the Maker, though others bore unusual weapons that gave Hump pause. Long, crystal-barrelled constructs held like crossbows or staffs. Artifacts, without question. Likely designed to project essence like a spell.

The crowd parted for them as they crowded the port, civilians scattering from the lower dock levels while more onlookers peered down from the balconies and walkways above.

As the first wave of guards fanned out, forming a wide perimet around the tower, another detachment emerged—fewer in number but these soldiers marched in a tight column, each step striking stone in perfect synchrony. Their armour varies, most having cuirasses too, but they were etched with glowing runes. Others had different armour—tanned hides, furs, some were simply bare-chested—as if they could choose for themselves, just as their weapons differed. Several were missing limbs, but they were each replaced with gleaming bronze prosthetics, enhanced by ribbons of colour as if to show them off as a mark of pride.

Acalin stiffened beside Hump. His voice dropped low. “The Rune Guard.” He turned and shouted something in Altari to one of the crew near the helm. Hump caught Hadbur’s name in the string of words.

“Who are they?” Bud asked, his hand drifting instinctively to the hilt of his sword where it rested.

“The King’s elite soldiers,” Acalin said grimly. “Veterans of decades, some even centuries, of war. Their equipment is forged by the Holy Ones, customised for each individual. They don’t deploy them lightly.”

Did Captain Hadbur arrange this? Hump wondered, eyes searching for anyone of note. Perhaps one of them was the High Priest they were told to meet.

No, he didn’t think so. This didn’t seem like a friendly welcome, and the captain would have informed them of such a thing if it was meant to be one. Most likely, these weren’t people that came as friends.

At the rear of the Rune Guard, a handful of faces finally appeared that seemed to carry authority. Officers marked by heavier pauldrons and more elaborate helms, their weapons gleaming with powerful runes. Priests in fine robes with old faces. And at the centre of them, floating above the dock with a cloak that radiated golden light, was a man adorned in fine armour. Even his beard was bound with golden rings. Four attendants flanked him, each similarly floating with a cloak, though unlike his theirs were red.

From the way people looked at him, some bowing their heads, others falling to their knees, Hump could already guess who he was.

“That is Prince Marcoff,” Acalin said. “This may cause some trouble for you.”

“He’s a problem?” Hump asked.

“He is… not my favourite of the princes,” Acalin said diplomatically. “Be cautious.”

Several of the Rune Guard activated flight artifacts of their own, launching into the air and flanking the Crown of the Winds from both sides. They hovered in place, weapons at the ready, a subtle but unmistakable threat.

The prince drifted forward until he was level with the tower platform. He raised a hand, and the guards around him came to a sudden, motionless halt. The Rune Guard did not, continuing to take up positions. Closer now, Hump saw the thick beards on their faces. He caught one with a gold eye.

The prince called out in booming altari, his voice magically amplified.

Acalin translated under his breath. “Hail to the Crown of the Winds, and to Captain Hadbur, and our visitors from beyond our world. Lay down your weapons and present yourselves so that we might speak.”

The words might have sounded polite, but there was iron behind them. Intent laced them—this prince was silver rank. Of that, Hump was certain. From the way he held himself, to the way essence clung to him, barely restrained.