Miraji [Arridia]

The Knight rode along with the column of foreigners, turning his head this way and that as he examined Miraji. "Nice place." he stated quite simply, whistling a cheerful tune under his breath. The arrival here was quite uneventful for better or worse, and now Audric wondered what was next. "Where do you plan to go next m'lady?" the man queried, deciding to ask the still stranger to him what her plan was. "I wonder if one would have to wait for a caravan to properly get elsewhere in the overworld."

Every rising dune which the native Arridi and their foreign companions rode across gave clarity to the hazy image of a city on the horizon. With clarity came sight upon the intricate details that made up Miraji. The desert sands and heat seem to stop at the feet of an intricate wall composed of what seemed sandstone. Years of wear and sand had all but blemished the ancient carvings which stood as a reminder to Arridia's past.

Upon this barricade stood motionless figures, dressed in much the same manner as the Arridi leading the caravan. One wouldn't have been able to tell the difference between them and a common statue, if not for the occasional movement to adjust the position of a gleaming spear each soldier held at their side.

Under the careful gaze of the Arrdi gatekeepers, a large pair of wooden gates creaked open. Behind them, a further portcullis was heaved upward and the Arrdi would lead the caravan of travelers into Miraji. Instantly the foreigners would be hit by the tart smell of Kafay and the overwhelming scent of countless spices. A flood of people forgoing their daily business enveloped the convoy, though the Arrdi in front did their best to keep the group together. The people all carried the same striking blue eyes and were dressed in flowing robes which, on the occasional person, protected their face against the raging desert winds.

A short time after entering the sprawling complex of buildings, Kargth and his convoy would split off with two of the Arridi natives to pursue other activities within Miraji. This left Lady Cassandra Winter and Audric VIII alone with a single Arridi guide, who turned to the pair and declared; "Our journey is hereby finished. The city is yours to explore, however, the Wakir has extended his wishes to meet you both in the citadel." The Arridi's azure eyes swiveled between the two travelers with an inquisitive gaze.

It was certainly an interesting place that Audric and his impromptu companion got themselves into. To think, recently these people could have just as easily tried to give the pair a good poke with spear and blade it them. The Arridian warriors certainly were quite disciplined and he imagined it would be a long and harsh fight, even if he reckoned that by virtue of his plate and the powers of the Lady they could have won.

The place was also fairly well developed given it was in a desert. Most desert civilizations rarely made it a few steps beyond a nomadic life and a few steps further if they were coastal, but the Arridi seemed to have found prosperity in spite of their harsh conditions which was certainly admirable. "Thank you for your time!" Audric remarked to the guide, giving a quick bow from his mounted position. "But I must concur with the Lady, exactly who is the Wakir?"

"A man of such importance should not be kept waiting," Lady Cassandra stated gracefully. "What is the extent of the lands of Arridia?" She inquired, following the Arridi man.

"Where the desert stops and the outside world begins, is what we hold as the edge of our control.” The man glanced at Cassandra before gesturing out towards the bustling port which clung to the fringes of the Miraji coast, just barely visible through the crowd of Arridi. “Off the coast, the Arridi land continues, reaching out to the Lienid isles.”

The Arridi shifted his azure gaze to meet Audric’s. “The Wakir does hold the final say in most matters, though puts heavy weight onto the words of his advisors. If a Wakir is to fall and another should take his place, a series of trials is arranged for anyone who should want to become the next Wakir. The exact details of the trials, not many are sure of.”

The Arridi took a sharp turn down a cramped alley and emerged, with the foreigners in tow, onto a much larger roadway. Here the city seemed more organized, the people moving with more purpose, generally flocking towards the massive citadel that loomed in the distance, yet closer now. The Arridi’s face remained stony and emotionless as he withered the mood the spectacle in front of the group had presented. “Foreigners were killed or imprisoned upon setting foot on Arridi land, an unfortunate past in Arridi history.”

Audric couldn't help but chuckle at Cassandra's preoccupation with appearances and formality, but it seemed that the Arridi already addressed her concern. The escorts dismissed Audric's concerns, and while his eyes weren't visible in the depths of his helmet's darkness he seemed to return the stare he received. "I'm sure I will, and that likewise he'll be glad to take it into consideration." He was impervious to the looks from the locals, almost as if ignoring them. 

"Well, I'm looking forward to seeing the fellow!" 

The Arridi offered no response toward Audric and only curt nod to affirm Cassandra's suspicions. At the leisurely pace, the group was setting, the Arridi and his companions would soon find themselves at the base of the massive citadel that rose impossibly high, it many glistening towers just barely meeting the skies.

And from its countless walkways and parapets bled the colors of Arridi, spilling in a mess of red and gold down the sheer faces of the large building. The colossal keep was constructed of a material the pair of foreigners could not quite recognize. The texture and color were much akin to sandstone, yet upon touch, it was apparent that the matter was something of another nature.

Contrary to what one would assume to be the entryway into the impressive structure, a large seemingly metal slab was the only form of an entrance which the pair could see. Upon closer inspection, one might notice that the slab presented no crease or evidence of an opening.

The Arridi paused for a moment, giving no hint as to how the group would enter the large keep, instead, leaving it to the foreigners' imagination. Soon afterward a large rumbling began, and before the eyes of the two travelers, the large slab slowly began to sink into the desert sands. At first, one would have thought it was their imagination working tricks on their mind, yet soon afterward, it was apparent that the decent of the slab had presented an opening into the keep, in which the Arridi entered.

The next moments would be a blur of hurriedly walking through a maze of empty corridors and bustling halls. Each room was different than the last. Though Audric and Cassandra would have no time to marvel at each sight as the Arridi briskly disappeared into the next corridor, motioning for the pair to follow. Eventually, the group would reach a large oaken door, which the Arridi opened to reveal a large apartment.

Surprisingly, as the foreigners entered the space, a cool wave of fresh air would spill over the pair. It was a refreshing sensation after countless hours in the scorching desert sun. The room itself was modest, filled with a small round table, at which sat three wooden chairs. Glancing upwards, one would notice a slight curve to the ceiling, periodically supported by wooden rafters. Beams of light filtered through from the small windows which periodically interrupted the walls. Along the back wall lay another table though upon this piece of furniture lay a countless number of exotic fruits and a large glass pitcher filled with a clear liquid that resembled water. Clearly the liquid was chilled as condensation on the pitcher was apparent. Beside it stood a pair of crystal glasses, both already filled with the refreshing beverage, along with two wooden platters clearly for the foreign fruits.

The Arridi finally spoke, "The Wakir will be with you in a moment, in the meanwhile, please take whatever you need." The man grinned at the pair of foreigners and continued. "I do hope our paths cross again, to has been pleasant." Before turning around and exiting the room, the man touched his right hand to his lips, then forehead, then lips again, in what the pair could only assume was a gesture of farewell.