Page 14 of A Touch of Stars and Stones
“That is The Court. The building spire at the centre, which you can just see, is The Chamber Tower. Come. If we ride a little harder, we’ll make it by nightfall.” There’s an eagerness in her voice I haven’t heard in a long while, and I can’t help but feel curious now that I can see it before my eyes.
All of this is hidden, kept a secret. Why?
She pushes Sara into an easy trot, and Nettle follows without encouragement, sharing in their newfound spirit.
We clear the last of the green pastures of the Jade and keep going on the invisible path as the ground turns firm and dusty under the afternoon sun.
“What’s that?” I ask as a tall tree-like structure comes into view.
“It’s the watch tower. There are many positioned over Kirrasia and the border, all manned by groups from the Warrior Order.”
I ignore this new reference, filing it away with the rest of the information I don’t yet know enough about. “They’ll let us through?” My question turns to one of practicality. The tower has a small camp at the base and is a cylindrical tower of brick, three times as tall as our house, but we’re too far away to make out too much detail.
“Yes.”
“How will they know we’re safe to pass? If no one is meant to know about this place, shouldn’t they be guarding it more closely?”
“They have their ways. Plus, they know who all the Watchers are. They’ll recognise me.”
As Lyle says, we make it past the tower unimpeded.
“How do they know? What would they do if we weren’t friendly?”
“They are Warriors, and they have many different magics, including sight, speed, and strength. They place officers at strategic locations depending on their gifts.”
I swallow my shock at the rare information she gives so freely. The shock must show as Lyle almost smiles towards me. We continue, and if I were more stable on a horse, I’m sure Lyle would have had us galloping the remaining distance. Instead, she has to settle for a clumsy attempt that fades into a trot after a few hundred yards.
And repeat.
The land once more changes as we grow closer to The Court. Grasses, trees, and other signs of life come forth, and the air feels warmer, alive, and I’m left a little in wonder—thespectacle dampening the anger I’ve been holding onto. My first impression that it looked like a castle was fair, but it’s much more than that, much bigger. Closer, I can see windows and roofs, lights and trees, all aligned to make up the outer parts of the structure, with the spire and other turrets of the castle protected in the centre.
Another watch tower comes into view as we begin to steer directly for The Court.
The closer we get, the more I notice. Several hundred yards away, three large circles are marked out, interlaid with one another to form a pattern big enough for a dozen people to stand in each section. I look over to Lyle, but she offers no explanation. Two large stone buildings, bigger than our cottage multiple times over, curve around the furthest of the circles, and I wonder where everyone is.
Passing the three rings, we ride a short distance with The Court towering over us to our left. A river flows directly around the base of the outer stone wall, thick and intimidating. The walls look formidable, and with the river adding to the natural protection, I hate to think of what’s inside that needs this much protection.
Kirrasia’s city looks impressive, but the people within seem to still be a mystery, though a protected one. If no one from Estereah knows about this place, what are they protecting themselves from?
The first people I see are three individuals, guards, maybe, blocking our path over a small bridge: two women, one man. My heart picks up a beat, wondering if they’ll stop us from going any further. My eyes run over them all, and I quickly see their weapons, camouflaged against their body but all within easy reach: a sword and daggers at their hips. They’re not wearing armour like the guards I’ve seen who would stop in occasionally, travelling up from Nestegarth or Osanor. Lyle said they keptorder in the town but were seldom needed, more a mark or a reminder. Now, doubt clouds those words, as she said that Kirrian’s help to keep the peace in Estereah, so why were there guards at all?
Those in front of us are dressed in black, leather-like, with dark cloaks over their shoulders, held in place with small, detailed gold clasps. They move subtly, changing formation, and I watch each one make a physical connection with the other. It doesn’t look aggressive, though. The woman at the front nods her head, and they all, as one, move aside to let us pass.
No words. No explanation.
When we’re clear of the small bridge, I ask, “What was that about?”
“You noticed?”
“How could I not? It was strange. Are they guards protecting The Court? The place you’re taking me.”
“Yes.”
“Nobody seems to worry about me coming here. They keep letting me walk right in.”
There’s a smile threatening on her lips as if she wants to let me in on a secret, but she doesn’t say anything. I shake my head and grit my teeth. I’ve come this far in the dark. What is a little further?
But my bad mood vanishes as we ride closer to the wall of The Court and round the arc of the wall because the most breathtaking scene strikes me.
