When I heard we’d be heading for the city center, I expected something even busier and more chaotic than what we’d seen so far. So, when we passed through the massive gate set into the towering wall ahead of us, I was surprised to find an abundant forest. The babble of a large river accompanied us as our coach trundled along a beautifully paved road, lined with all manner of greenery, which soon opened up to reveal a gargantuan palace constructed of dazzling white stone, without a blemish in sight.
I remembered my surprise upon first laying eyes on the City Forgotten by Time, but it was nothing compared to this. While I was still distracted, our coach reached the palace entrance, where a genial-looking man in a black suit, somewhere past middle age, came out to greet us.
“Lady Lynneburg, Master Rashid, Master Noor—welcome, all of you. Master Zaid awaits you inside. Please, come with me.”
We alighted from our coach and followed him into the palace.
“Wow...” I murmured, my eyes darting every which way. I’d expected the interior to be impressive, considering the grandeur of the exterior, but the sights still managed to surprise me.
To begin with, the white floor had been polished to a mirror sheen. The walls were just as dazzling, reminiscent of freshly fallen snow, and the ceiling was entirely covered with vivid, colorful murals. Every few steps, we passed a fixture or furnishing unlike anything I’d ever seen before.
More than anything, though, the most impressive aspect of the palace was its sheer size. The entrance hall alone was enormous, its width several times that of the city’s streets, and its height great enough to put even the central hall of the City Forgotten by Time to shame. It was as though we’d stumbled into the home of a giant from a storybook.
Everything was fascinating and unfamiliar, and my head was on a constant swivel as I tried to take it all in. Rashid, walking beside me, took the opportunity to strike up a good-natured conversation with our guide.
“It’s been a while, Wize. I’m glad to see you well.”
“Indeed it has, Young Master Rashid,” the black-suited man answered.
“Do you two know each other?” I asked.
“We do,” Rashid said. “My mother and I lived here when I was little, and Wize took good care of us. He was also in charge of my education.”
“Oh, no—such praise is more than I rightly deserve,” Wize protested. “You had a sharp intellect from the start. ’Twas I who learned from you.”
“So you’ve known him since you were a kid?” I mused aloud.
“We were always together—that is, until my mother was poisoned, and I had to move to an estate on the outskirts of the city.”
“Poisoned?” I reflexively turned to look at Rashid, but his eyes, sharp and full of intent, remained fixed solely on our aging guide.
“You wouldn’t happen to know who was responsible, would you, Wize? A man of your position must have some idea, at least.”
The man in black shook his head. “I cannot know. I do not have the wisdom. It was a terrible shame, what happened to your esteemed mother.”
“It must be exhausting, wearing so many hats. Even just one of your roles must take up so much of your time.”
“Your consideration is much appreciated, Young Master Rashid.”
Despite their gentle words, the tension in the air was palpable. Rashid seemed unfazed, examining our surroundings nostalgically as we passed through a massive garden decorated with giant statues carved from white stone.
“This place hasn’t changed in the slightest,” he remarked. “The family’s much the same, I assume?”
“They are, as ever, in excellent health.”
“How wonderful.”
We continued down a spacious hallway until we reached a set of wooden doors adorned with gold, guards stationed on either side. Wize stopped before them and stooped into a bow.
“Master, I present our esteemed guests from the Kingdom of Clays—as well as your son, Master Rashid.”
“Enter,” came a voice, dignified and clear, from the room ahead.
Acting immediately, the guards opened the wooden doors, and we entered a lavishly decorated chamber more spacious than the hallway itself. At the far end, a large man with a beaming smile sat upon a raised throne.
“If it isn’t Lady Lynneburg and her retinue, come all the way from the Kingdom of Clays,” he boomed. “Welcome to Sarenza City. I am Zaid, the current head of House Sarenza.”
Lynne bowed politely. “We are grateful for your kind invitation, Lord Zaid.”
“Oh, no, the gratitude is all mine. You traveled all this way through a climate to which you are unaccustomed. I was informed of your arrival several days ago, so please, forgive my delay in extending my hospitality. As I understand it, my son Rashid attempted to accommodate you, but it could not have been adequate for someone of your station. You must excuse him.”
“Lord Rashid has been good to us—though I suppose I can speak only to the result, not the process.”
Rashid wore a mild-mannered smile, ignoring the icy look Lynne was giving him. “It is good to see you again, father,” he said. “It certainly has been a while.”
“Indeed. We have not seen one another since you left the capital of your own accord, have we?”
“Correct. You are the same as ever, I see.”
“I am told you put on quite a show—before your scathing defeat, that is. Trials, hmm? Rarely do you not emerge victorious.”
“What can I say? My opponent was too formidable.”
“Well, fret not about the losses incurred in House Sarenza’s name. It was a paltry sum in all—a stipend for our guests to enjoy their stay. I have spoken to the rest of the family, and we are all in agreement.”
“As always, father, your decisiveness amazes me. If you’re not concerned about the matter, then I shan’t be either.”
Despite their amiable expressions, I could sense the sparks flying between them. For a father and son, they didn’t seem to get along all that well.
Zaid turned his gaze to me. “And you must be Noor, I presume.”
“Yeah, that’s me,” I said.
“We’ve heard much of your heroic exploits. It was you who triumphed over Rashid during his Trials, was it not? I do not mean to sound partial, being his father, but that is a feat few can claim. I was also informed that, soon after taking over the City Forgotten by Time, you repelled a bandit incursion with your own two hands. I think I speak for everyone when I say that a man of your accomplishments deserves to be the new proprietor.”
“Were you not going to interview me or something?”
Zaid chuckled. “Only as a formality. You’ve already demonstrated your worth. As the head of House Sarenza, I hereby approve your proprietorship.”
“Are you quite sure about this, father?” Rashid asked.
Zaid examined his son quietly for a moment. “I am. Sarenza has more leisure centers than I care to count. He can manage it as he pleases.”
“Hear that, Noor?”
“Loud and clear,” I said, then returned my focus to Zaid. “Um, thanks?”