The Main Avenues of Sakand

"Ooohhhh buddy! You feel that magic?! There's some good supplies here! Lucinda, dearest, you wanna see if you can make cookies out of some of them? We'll have to get a couple of the people."

Raptor looked around, scoping the area out. First they'd have to find somewhere to eat and then somewhere to store people till ready to go. So much to do in such little time.

People-watching would be quite the experience. The city was crowded--in very few places could they feel alone, or find people by themselves. Smells of spicy, exotic foods and incense permeated the air, fairies darted in and out of nooks and crannies and flew overhead crowds of people. Pavilions played to a number of performances, most of them involving coordinated music, their notes strung together by string, drum, and magic alike. Music followed them almost everywhere. The city was alive with magic color and sound, as though host to a permanent festival.

"Alright. Sounds good."

Lucinda takes off her cloak, as it's gotten rather warm under the hot desert sun. She stuffs the red cloak in her basket and looks around for an inn.

"So, how do you usually do this? Do you just snatch someone out of an alley? Invite them back to your room? Get them drunk and drag them into the woods? Not that there's any woods here..."

She has a sudden thought.

"Raptor, how are we going to get back?"

"Oh, that thing. I was wondering about that. Is it a fairy?"

Lucinda tries to touch the floating light, but can't quite reach.

"My doll...yeah, I guess. IT does what I want it to."

The doll in question pokes its head out of the basket, then climbs up Lucinda's arm and sits on her shoulder.

"How do you lure people? Actually, how am I supposed to lure people? I'm new at this, in case you haven't noticed. And that seems like an awfully inefficient method of getting home, y'know."

"Er...right."

The doll turns to look at the cotton candy as it floats towards Lucinda, then swats at it when it draws close the second time. Lucinda doesn't seem to notice it.

"You can go first, ok? I'll...um...go look for something to do. Maybe find a market or something. You can't live on candy, after all."

She walks off a little too quickly.

A few people could be seen crowding around one of many doorways into the wall of a higher terrace. A sign said The Purple Serpent Inn.

"There's one! We'll get a room there! It's close to the outskirts and it's still busy. We just ate, so we'll enjoy the goodies they provide for a little bit before going to the room. We'll sneak out the window into the back alley. Your doll and my unicorn fart can watch the alleys to make sure nobody see's us." Raptor spoke as he moved to the Inn.

The elephants moved, guards and servants near. It was an ambling walk, so that Ryden Greyiron and his retinue could enjoy the magical sights of Sakand.

Ambassador Sashriq was indeed boring, and by design. His voice was pleasant and smooth, but almost droning as he spoke to the chancellor about Sakand.

When they had traveled far enough from the harbor, the streets of the city became wider, and canals began to make their presence known. Vegetation became rampant, flowering vines growing up mosaic tiled buildings, a magical glow to lamps, inlaid in symbols above doorways. The people showed both skin and color, and a few children looked in awe at the elephants.

Many people looked at Ryden and the people with him with open curiosity. They whispered behind their hands, words easily drowned out by the sound of the steadily thriving city.

"If you do not mind my asking, why have you come to visit, Chancellor? Many are aware of the tensions with Goraia."

Sashriq frowned. He was expecting an answer, even a lie, not to be shut down so quickly. A scowl came over his features, wrinkling his brow as he turned his gaze onto the avenues their elephant walked, swaying atop of it.

Steadily, the streets became wider and cleaner, less prone to the rubble and destruction that the Goraian occupation had caused on its few rounds of annexation into its folds...

And before them lay an oppulent palace of gold and sapphire and emeralds, of clear water and rich vegetation. There was a company wait in at the foot of the pyramid.

[Exit to the Bejeweled Water Gardens]