There was an enormous deep trough which was dug along the front of the wall. It was wide enough to swallow a semi-truck and trailer and spanned by four bridges. The purpose of the ditch was obvious; any army intending to attack the fortress would have to either use the bridges or make a long detour around the defensive construct. The trough stretched very nearly to the beginnings of the mountain ranges on either side of the city. Passage across the trough was, of course, accomplished by use of the four bridges. Beyond each bridge was a gate leading into the city. Two of the gates, the ones nearest to the center of the wall, were huge while the gates on either side of those two were half their size. Though I could not see them I was certain there were other gates located in different sites around the city. I was surprised to see numerous windmills peeking out over the skyline and guessed these would be for the purpose of pumping water.
On either side of the city were mountain ranges which diminished and descended into the enormous valley within which the city was located. Seeing the entire structure I was able to appreciate the effectiveness it would have as a protector of the other coastal city kingdoms. Fighting their way around fortifications such as these would be a major undertaking for any invading army. The loss of men and material involved in such a task would be enormous.
In front of the city, that is to say, the side that faced us as we approached, was another series of battlements and defenses. Hundreds of trenches were lined with fences sporting sharpened stakes. Warriors and cavalry were everywhere. Mixed in among them were hundreds of civilians in workshops, markets and lean-tos. Some were working with wood, others metal, still more were baking bread in large clay ovens. There were corrals which enclosed goats, pigs, and cattle.
Let me stop here for a moment to state again that I will, from this moment forward, use the Earth name for the animals and some other things I describe. Certainly there are Olvioni names for goats, pigs and cattle as well as for bears, dogs, wolves and other beasts and objects. Please understand that most of the animals and objects that I encountered were similar enough to those animals or objects found on Earth that using the familiar term will make understanding this document easier. In the times in which I encounter a beast or object that is unknown in our world (like the Grey Ones or Tinker) I will take the time to describe them for the reader and use the Olvioni name when they are referred to.
As we drew nearer to the towering walls shouts began to reach us. Ruguer was being hailed by his subordinates and the passing citizens. Cheers were raised. He responded by waving back, leaning over in his saddle to share jokes with his men as he passed. I got the impression any one of them would gladly charge into Hades behind him.
Moving through the collection of battlements and shops we eventually arrived at the entrance to the bridges. By now darkness was almost upon us. I saw that glass globes bearing the glowing leaves were strung all around the area outside the walls providing light. The bridges were also lit with the strung globes.
We clattered over the wooden bridge. I was impressed at the size of the thing, thinking it was a remarkable feat of engineering. I wondered if they had a way of securing it in case of an attack. If nothing else the overpass required any attacking force into four bottlenecks, each of which could be effectively defended. At the end of the bridge we followed a short cobblestone road and entered a large gate. Once we were all inside Ruguer called a halt. Dozens of warriors rushed out to take our horses as we dismounted. I gingerly climbed down and flexed my knees to return feeling to them. It had been a while since I had ridden such a long distance. I patted the noble beast which had borne my considerable weight for the entire day. I was impressed with the animal’s strength and stamina.
I turned to help Dwan down from her horse but she had already dismounted. Everyone was slapping dust from their clothes and hair. Ruguer was speaking with some of the soldiers from the castle. He turned and pointed at Dwan and me. One of the men nodded and hurried off. A group of women and younger males approached us bearing pitchers of water and we all took time to slake our thirst. The water was so cold it almost hurt going down. I don’t believe I have ever tasted anything so refreshing.
Around us the inner city was a living, breathing thing. The enormity of the construction was amazing to behold from within. There was an energy to it that was impossible to miss. I was immediately struck by how clean everything was. Instead of dusty dirt roads we were on a hard surface which very much resembled concrete though it had a pale reddish tint to it. Everywhere I saw people sweeping or washing. It was clear that this was a society that valued cleanliness. Surrounding us were shops and stalls selling fruits, meats and vegetables. My stomach rumbled at the sight. The walls in the city were decorated with beautiful and colorful murals. The buildings surrounding us were painted in pastels and trimmed with different colored stones. Strings holding the glowing bulbs stretched everywhere overhead, providing light in the growing dimness. It was all really very beautiful. I looked at Dwan and she was beaming.
“I honestly thought I would never again see my home,” she told me. There were tears in her eyes. I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close.
Ruguer approached us.
“I have some people coming to take you to your quarters. I know you have had a long journey and everyone is tired and hungry but King Zander will want us to report. Do you feel well enough to meet him if we give you time to rest and bathe?” We both indicated in the affirmative. “Good. I have to see to my men. I will meet with you later.” He stalked off toward a gathering of warriors. When he saw a toddler who had wandered too close to the horses he scooped him up and lifted him high over his head. The child was passed to the mother who had been running after him.
Two very pretty women arrived and led us down a wide stone pathway, something akin to a sidewalk that eventually entered the castle itself. The interior was noticeably cooler than the outside. The entry chamber was large with a high round ceiling surrounded by windows. It was still bright inside. I noticed the windows were glass which gave me another clue as to the abilities of the Olvioni engineers. Our escorts did not linger and we continued to follow them through the chamber. Tinker had been sleeping in the soft suede pouch we had fashioned for her. She now peeked her head out to take in the surroundings. I heard her emit slight chitter, too low for our guides to notice. I was glad they had not heard. Tinker’s appearance was usually cause for significant delays as people would gather around her, amazed at the sight of such a mythical creature. At this point I was exhausted and wanted only to find a bath and a bed as quickly as possible. My size had many passersby stopping to gawk at me but none had dares to interfere with my progress through the building interior.
I should mention here that the inner castle looked, to me, more like a modern office building than a medieval construct. Lighting was handled by the strategic location of windows, augmented by the leaf-containing glow-globes (my term for them). Several times we passed an intersection in which it had not been possible to use windows. In each of these places a single glass object in the shape of a large pear was attached to the ceiling. They appeared to be empty but each emitted a bright light. It was the first I had seen of a second source of artificial lighting. I made a mental note to have them explained to me later.
After negotiating several flights of stairs we arrived at a long hallway lined with doors on either side. One of the guides exchanged words with Dwan then smiled as they both walked away down the hall. Dwan turned to me. She had a mischievous look on her face. She pointed to one of the doors.
“They have given us separate rooms. This is mine, that…,” she pointed to the next one down from hers on the same side of the hall, “…is yours”. She stepped into my arms and leaned her head in for a long slow kiss. She drew back. “I know we had plans for the first time we found privacy. But I am so tired and…,” she wrinkled her nose, “I really need to bathe.”
I felt the same way. Amazingly enough I was so tired I had not even been thinking past ha
ving a nap. I assured her that I understood and gave her another kiss as we separated. Dwan went into her room and I moved down to mine. The door had regular doorknobs and it wasn’t locked. The room was slightly larger than the average hotel room, similar to an efficiency apartment. The floor was a bare cement-like material but there was a thick woven rug covering most of it. A bed, large enough for two people (smile), was located against one wall and there was a large glass window overlooking the city. I crossed the room and looked out. I was on the third level of the castle and there were many above me. The coolness of the room was much appreciated after the long hot ride.
Tinker popped up out of the shoulder pouch again, curious as to our new surroundings. I lifted her out and put her on the bed. She sniffed the covers then rolled around several times, enjoying the feel or maybe the scent of the clean bedding. I flopped down on my back on the mattress and was pleased to find it comfortable. It was a struggle not to curl up and pass out without cleaning up. But our journey had been a long one and the need to clean myself was making itself known.
Leaving Tinker on the bed I stripped out of my vest and tunic then struggled out of my boots. It occurred to me that I had not asked about bathing facilities. There was a small door to my right. I opened it and was amazed to find a bathroom. My own private bathroom on a world that I had previously thought to be barely above the level of primitive. There was a square box with sides that came up about a foot off of the floor. An honest-to-goodness shower nozzle protruded from the wall and I saw an odd-looking device lower on the wall which I took to be for water control. Quickly I shed the rest of my clothes and stepped into the box. I fussed around with the water control for a few minutes until I figured it out. A twist, followed by a push gave me a refreshing burst of clean, pure water. It was cold but I didn’t care. I stood there enjoying the delicious feeling only known to those who were finally getting a shower after spending weeks without one. After a few minutes I looked around for something like soap. On the floor of the square box in which I was standing was another, smaller box. I squatted and opened it. Inside was a large cake that I took for soap. It also contained a bottle of clear liquid. Shampoo? Why not? I scrubbed my body and hair, letting the refreshing cold liquid run down my skin carrying away weeks of dirt, sweat and odor. Eventually the cold of the water began to feel uncomfortable. I was reluctant to abandon my new luxury so I re-examined the control. The device would not twist any farther so I pushed it farther into the wall. Gradually the water began to warm. I was dumbfounded. A hot shower! Who would have expected such a luxury in a world of swords and spears?
Eventually I dragged myself out of the shower. A fluffy towel-like piece of cloth was folded on a shelf by the door. I dried myself and crossed to a bowl set into the wall opposite the shower. It was obviously a basin. It had a control similar to that in the shower. On a nearby shelf I found a small brush and sweet tasting powder. I enjoyed the tooth brushing almost as much as the shower and even treated myself to a second round, marveling at the clean taste in my mouth.
Leading a trail of steam I returned to the main room and immediately noticed that all of my clothes had been taken. A light cloth robe had been left on the bed and my weapons were all there where I had left them. I had a moment of panic when I realized that I had left Tinker on the bed but relaxed when I saw her peeking out from under it.
Fatigue closed in on me like a fog. I ignored the robe and flopped naked onto the bed. It had no springs but it was wonderfully soft. I briefly thought about closing the drapes which lined the window. Too much trouble. Tinker hopped up and claimed her usual place under my arm. I had grown accustomed to her presence there and found it comforting. I gave her a quick scratch and in seconds we drifted off.
When I was awakened by a knock at the door the window showed we were in full dark. After so many days sleeping on the ground I was loathe to surrender my bed. But I wrapped the robe around myself, opened the door and found a young boy around ten years of age. He stared up at me, astounded at my size. Jaws agape he pushed the bundle of clothes at me. They were my own articles, cleaned and folded. I took them and watched the lad sprint away down the hall.
I dressed myself, enjoying the smell of freshly laundered clothing. Tinker sat watching from the bed. I finished and put my hand out. She leapt onto it then ran up to her customary traveling perch on my shoulder. We stepped out into the hallway to get Dwan. My knock went unanswered and I was just starting to wonder what I should do when my name was called from down the hall. Ruguer was walking, strutting actually, toward me with that broad smile of his. He offered his hand and gripped mine.
“Hail, Warrior. Stars, if you don’t look a sight better. Healer Dwan asked me to tell you she was going to see Dannis, the King’s mother. We will meet her later. Right now His Highness, King Zander, would like to meet you if you are up to it?”
I indicated that I was and we started down the hallway. I noticed he was not wearing any weapons so I left mine in the room. After so many weeks of feeling the comfort they offered I was a little uneasy. As we walked we passed numerous inhabitants of the castle. I kept expecting to see ladies in grand and sweeping dresses, Knights in full armor and possibly a jester or two with funny striped suits and hats bearing bells. I was, after all, in a castle. The reality was different. Most were dressed in sensible trousers and tunics secured in the middle by broad leather belts. All different colors were displayed though the uniforms worn by Ruguer and other warriors were all red and green. Women were just as likely to wear trousers as were the men but there were definite differences in male and female clothing. The cut of the women’s clothing was obviously intended to highlight their best features. Tunics and shirts for the gentler sex were cut a little lower, revealing the swell of breasts. Trousers and leggings were a tad tighter. And, as in my own world, the females wore more jewelry than their male counterparts. Ruguer was kept busy nodding and returning greetings to all we passed. Again, it was obvious that the man was popular. I was happy he was such a respected figure because the sight of Tinker on my shoulder shocked many passers-by and I was certain that, if not for him, I would have been swarmed with people eager to examine her more closely.
He led me down two flights of stairs until we reached what I guessed to be the ground floor of the castle. When we stepped into a less-traveled corridor he turned his attention to me.
“When we meet His Majesty he will be with several other men and women. Protocol is to press your fist to your chest as a sign of respect to the king. There are several other higher ranked military and civilian members of parliament also inside. No homage is required for them other than politeness.” We reached a large set of carved wooden doors. Before we entered Ruguer looked at Tinker “Is she friendly?” he asked.
I nodded.
Another smile. “Good. Your mastery of our language is impressive but some of those inside pride themselves on the usage of complicated words and phrases. Sometimes I myself would need an interpreter to keep up.”
He spun around and pushed the right-hand door. It swung open to a large room which held some twenty people, mostly male but Dwan and three other women were inside huddled together in conversation. The room quieted as we entered. I heard some whispered remarks regarding my size. A female giggled over some unheard comment. The cluster of people sort of parted for us as Ruguer led me through the crowd to a man standing in the corner. He wore a uniform similar to that of the standard warrior, though his was made of better material. There was a red tunic worn over green trousers which were bloused at the ankle over black leather boots. He wore a thin red sash over his shoulder as a symbol of his rank.
The man greeted both of us with a smile. Ruguer spoke.
“His Majesty King Zander Da’ Braun I present to you the Warrior Tag-Gar.”
The king was a few inches taller than the average Olvion male, though not as much as Ruguer. However, he had Ruguer well outpaced in the looks department. He had the same coloring as all of the others I had encounter
ed in this world; dark brown hair and eyes with olive skin. He kept his hair a bit shorter than most and the temples were showing some frost. But it was his regal bearing that most impressed me. I dare say that if he was in a room of a hundred men I could have picked him out as being the king with no trouble. He oozed charisma.
I stood mute for a moment until I remembered to place my fist on my chest. The king smiled more broadly and extended his hand, taking mine in the same type of greeting as those shared by the warriors with whom I had been traveling.
“Olvion is in your debt, Good Warrior. Not only have you returned to us our best healer”, he nodded to Dwan standing in the knot of women, “but I’m told you played a dangerous role in lifting the siege on our most distant outpost.”
The most irritating thing about social anxiety disorder is that the condition always picks the most embarrassing times to affect you. With all of the eyes in the room turned on me I started to feel the familiar pounding heart and flushing in my face. It was clear that some comment was expected. I just couldn’t think of anything to say.
The king was quick to notice my distress and offer me a few more seconds to calm down.
“I look forward to a full accounting of your deeds, Tag-Gar,” he said. “But for now I know you are weary from your long and dangerous journey. Will you sit with me and my advisors?”
“Of course.” I said.
“Of course, Majesty. Or Highness if you prefer,” a slim man to the King’s right corrected me. I turned my gaze to meet his. I was not impressed. He wore a blouse made up of loud stripes, blue, yellow and green. His leggings were almost as tight as leotards and his boots had silver tips on the toes. I found his tone and demeanor to be needlessly harsh. My thoughts must have invoked an expression on my face because the stranger’s visage betrayed a flash of anger.
The Olvion Reality (The Chronicles of Olvion Book 1) Page 16