“What is this place?”

“Home.”

Looking ahead the Kai commands her stallion to slow her pace as they awaited entrance into the city. Watchman seeing both Ate and the Kai approaching signaled for the massive drawbridge to be let down. Once the bridge settled upon the ground Ate unable to contain her excitement runs upon it wildly with the Kai following suit with Alice alongside her. The front end was surrounded by water as they drew closer from what Alice could see was like nothing she had ever seen or read about in books. There weren’t any high rise castles or homes with the exception of the protective wall surrounding the city everything was made entirely out of stone. Ate lead them down what appeared to a busy and lucrative market. It was here one could purchase food, clothing, weapons, and other goods. Bystanders noticing Ate and the Kai parted clearing the path standing waiting for them to pass. Alice notice it wasn’t until the Kai drew near that each individual bowed their head rendering respect in acknowledgment to the woman passing by them. Once the Kai passed by their heads raised with expressions of confusion to the blonde woman riding alongside her. Witnessing the courtesy bestowed for the first time Alice wondered if the Kai was of royal blood.

All of the citizens were reminiscent of the Kai as they all had dark skin with long jet black hair. When it came to size and strength none were equally matched. The further they got into the city about 3 miles from the market the citizens looked more like the Kai. They were tall with muscular physiques. Similar to what occurred when passing through the market they all stopped bowing their heads as she passed by. She also noticed the many homes all made from wood similar to the wood used to build the drawbridge. Each home looked as if it could house four or five people, with one giant window in the front, a wraparound porch, a personal lawn area, and space reserved for their horses. There were acres upon acres of the most beautiful open greenlands she had ever seen next to it a river flowing as calmly as the wind blew.  Gazing further down the path she sees smaller homes and beyond that it looked what appeared to be a wide mass of small tents. Instead of continuing down the path they ventured down an isolated path after another ten minutes there stood a massive stone compound. It couldn’t be described as a castle but a much larger cabin than the ones she previously seen. It was isolated away from the others and sat on much larger land. Ate realizing she was home ran towards the back followed by the Kais stallion. The Kai almost as if she had forgotten Alice presence walks the path to her home opens the door closing it behind her without saying a word.