The Spirit Wilds: Magic of the Green Sage (Fall of the Sages Book 1), стр. 20

The group mounted up. Dorrick and Ollo had to help Sir Nogrund onto his horse for he was still too weak to really exert himself. Maybe he could have, but it was best not to push it too hard if it wasn’t necessary. Dorrick went to his horse, a speckled mare with plenty of white spots on brown and a shaggy blonde mane.

“Hey, Lucille,” he said with a smile, stroking her snout. Lucille huffed and gave him a light neigh of appreciation. He put his forehead against hers. “Glad to see you again, girl. I almost died in there.” Her response was another huff, which just made him smile wider.

He unhooked his sword belt and packs and placed them on her saddle before he climbed atop her with a sigh. It was time to head back.

Sir Nogrund brought his stallion around so that he was in the middle of the squires. He winced, clearly uncomfortable riding in the saddle, but they had little choice. He’d have to endure the pain until they got back to the city.

The trip back was blessedly uneventful, which they’d figured. The main roads to Al-Sevara were all heavily patrolled and inlaid with wards to keep spirits away. Regular creatures could get past of course, but they rarely wanted to deal with humans. So, they had a nice and easy ride the rest of the day. Then, with the sun just about set and the sky a deep orange as the world turned to night, the sound of gulls reached their ears and the smell of sea salt and brine smacked into them as the city came into view.

Al-Sevara, the Red City.

She was one of the three great human cities scattered across the world, though Dorrick knew his city was the best. He’d never been to the floating mountains and golden domes of Ita-Ku or seen the pyramids and obelisks of Masrataa, but they had nothing on his city.

The Red City was aptly named for the rose stone that the walls and buildings were built of. Mined from the same cliffs that the city sat upon, rose stone was strong and smooth and shimmered red in the light. Al-Sevara was a shining red beacon for ships and travelers and humanity, a bastion of innovation and knowledge and human might.

Dorrick smiled wide as he watched the sun set beyond the sea behind the city. It made the city seem like it was ablaze in light. A stunning sight.

It took them another half-hour to pass through the vast fields that sat beyond the walls, where the food supplies of the great city were grown. Farmers waved at them as they passed, giving them blessings and good tidings. The citizens of Al-Sevara always gave the knights their love and respect. His was a well renowned organization.

Finally, they passed beneath the gates and entered the city proper. Though it was evening, the streets were still lively, streaming with people coming and going from the fields, heading to inns and their homes. The sea of people parted for them, and they elicited mostly smiles and friendly gestures. They passed Rangam’s Square, and a troupe of beautiful dancers in vibrant summer silks danced in the evening night, a bard playing a lyre nearby with a smile on his face while a crowd cheered and clapped. A couple of children ran between their horses, laughing. One walked alongside Sir Nogrund and reached up her stubby arms to give him small white flower. He accepted it graciously.

This was what Dorrick fought for. This city, these people.

The crowds of general rabble thinned as they ascended higher into the city, where the wealthier districts sat. They turned onto the Way of Swords, a vast boulevard lined with statues of heroes and knights of lore. Sitting at the end of the street was their destination and their home: the Radiant Keep, headquarters of the Order of Red Flame.

She was a masterpiece, a wonder of architecture, tall spires and beautiful latticework and columns of red marble carved with images of famous knights. The keep was almost as big as whole districts, as she held within her vast training and exercise yards. Every knight, squire, and orderly, young and old, lived on these grounds. Serving the city.

It would be about time for supper, so there wasn’t a lot of activity when they arrived. The gates were opened when they were spotted, and Sir Nogrund and Evan were taken to the infirmary straight away. Meanwhile, Dorrick, Marcella, and Ollo stabled their horses then went their separate ways to bathe after a long journey. They’d be late to dinner, but the keep never ran out of food.

After stripping out of his grimy armor and bathing, Dorrick felt amazing. He couldn’t speak for everyone, but he personally loved keeping clean. Nothing soothed him quite like a hot bath.

After they bathed and dressed, he and Ollo went to the infirmary to check on Sir Nogrund and Evan. As they entered, Dorrick went rigid. Sir Nogrund was fine, sitting up in one of the immaculate white beds, stripped down to his waist, bandages covering his thickly muscled torso. Standing next to him, armor and cape and all, was Dorrick’s father, Commander Vanter Vane.

They didn’t pay the squires any attention as they were locked in a serious discussion. Evan was in the bed next to them, out cold, but the lack of nurses around him told them that he was probably fine.

As they approached, Dorrick caught a snippet of their conversation. “I’m telling you, Vanter, you need to speak with Madam Sage. Things are getting restless out there,” said Sir Nogrund.

“It’s not that easy,” his father responded, scowling deeply—an all too familiar look. “As wise as she is, she’s even more stubborn than me.”

Sir Nogrund snorted. “That’s saying something.”

Vanter Vane did not find that comment amusing, but he didn’t scold Sir Nogrund as he would have Dorrick. Being a captain garnered some respect in the commander’s eyes. Dorrick knew that the two were close,