7 Stones of Atlantis (Chapter 25)

Chapter 251

The Keepers kept a steady pace with only the necessary stops along the way. A day short of one week had passed since they left the camp and Bear was looking almost like his old self. When they saw the walls ahead of them, city walls, guard towers, wood fences cluttered the horizon ahead. 2

“This is the city of Cardimain, a genial engineering project planned to be the ultimate protection against the evils that spread all over the open lands. It took about ten years for the construction of the new walls and steel cannons, but the "new" Cardimain is finally finished. This Eastern side of the city is totally devoted to the military and warrior arts, here we can find the better weapons, armors and war chariots. Here they have the better warrior schools, and obviously the most skilled warriors and mercenaries that you can find. Concern about the dangerous situation of our world these days, they also created an army of knights to protect the weak from all the dangers of the lands that surround Cardimain. This army covers the lands between the edge of the South Wood and the end of the Barren Hills, which surrounds the city. Only the most strong, skilled and noble are accepted into the army. The city has about one hundred and fifty thousand habitants, tough high elves, dwarves and humans are very common to see inside the walls. The city economy is prosperous and very dependant of the arms production, the most skilled blacksmiths, weapon smiths and armories live there. In the center of the city reads a sign Warning, here be magic! The Magic House is the temple of the adepts, magicians that use crystals to absorb the energy of the world to them, and become more powerful that way. Some say that if this tower is destroyed, all the world adepts will loose their ability to cast spells! It is basically a huge tower that slashes the sky it has about two hundred years of history. So, the plan was to construct a tower where the wizards can absorb more of this energy from the world, and share this power between them. The northern part of the city is almost a huge marketplace; here one can find all the traders that come from the south exchanging their goods with the caravans that come from the Sand Ocean. It’s basically just an area open for the trade. It was once a caravan camp: The caravans started to stop by there between their long travels from the north to the south, and vice-versa. As time passed it became a famous place for the trading of both common goods and rare, most stolen, magical items and artifacts. Actually the only city with more merchants and thieves then this one is the coast city of Navarro. This part of the city does not have any governor, but a mayor was suggested to control the trades inside it, of course the mayor will follow anyone who pays him more, and so the corruption of the city can be found mostly in the north. The Northern mayors change very frequently, as they are commonly murdered by the thieving clans that do not agree with their positions anymore. The economy is based only on the commerce and trade between the merchants that passes by it.” Coyote exclaimed as they approached the great city. 3

“Craved between the rock walls of the Barren Hills, the Mighty Helm is symbol of the dwarf’s pride. It is almost an underground city, with caves and tunnels that lead to the dwarf’s mines, but of course the houses are actually outside the mountain, and they form the passage between the walls of pure rock. No one knows when the Mighty Helm was built, but it’s believed to be the oldest city in the land. Here the Dwarfs dig for gold and metals for the construction of new defenses to this city. Course the governor has his own army too, formed by strong and skilled dwarves wearing plate mails and huge axes. Inside it there are eighty thousand dwarves. The economy lives by the hard work on the mines, and also by the forging of weapons and armor… So, if a dwarf isn’t a miner, he surely will work as a smith.” Coyote paused long enough to look toward the Southern Wood.4

“Gardens, giant trees, exotic flowers, rare herbs situated in perhaps the most beautiful spot of the world, between City and the South Wood. Some say that it was settled by the high elves, and then populated by the human rangers who adventure the forest, but officially it was built by the legendary Wilmore Ravenous, an antique and famous druid gardener that made his fame growing herbs and creating potions. About nine thousand residents now grow food and rare herbs, and they all live in houses built on the top of the enormous trees that grow inside the area. Among the residents we may find a lot of high elves, hobbits and also humans who came from the barbarian lands. The economy is based upon the production of medicinal and special, some say magical herbs which sell very costly. Also there are a few farms around the open fields.” He inhaled once more in order to give more of the history of the land they were approaching.5

“In the Western part of the city is the district of Gambrel. This is where clerics from all around the world came to pray for their beloved gods. Still part of Cardimain it is a totally religious part of the city, and the habitants follow various religious rules and restrictions, according to their own god. It was believed to be the ancient land where the emissaries came to feed the gods. Because of all that the area does not have a mayor, yet they have a high priest that administrates and takes care of the dislikes between the various religions to maintain the harmony. The actual priest is a priestess, Eleanor, the high priestess, a woman of incredible charisma and power of oratory who is loved not only by the followers of her gods, but even by every other religious person there. Just on the other side of the Western city wall is Slure. Many barren Orcs live at Slure, because the former governor was forced to open his gates to the most uncivilized races, in a desperate attempt to replenish its economy. The city is growing up with the entrance of the most varied races, day after day. Slure is a city very much alike the olden Cardimain, it is very militaristic, and of course here you will find lots of warriors and mercenaries, except that here these warrior will be orcs, hobgoblins, half giants, and other undesired races.” He stopped talking as they approached the Eastern city gates.6

“State your business and the King will determine if you may enter the city!” A guard shouted from the high tower over the gates. 7

“We are travelers who wish passage through the city so we may pass over to the Eastern lands across the road of the great seas.” Coyote answered. 8

“Wait there once the King has made his decision you will be notified of his decision.” The Guard called out.  9

The keepers sat in the shade of the wall for what seemed like eight hours before the guard had returned to his post and let them enter the city. When the gate opened the seven keepers gasped in awe of the sight that attacked their eyes. The first thing they saw was a gauntlet used to train knight in the skill of dodging and anticipation. The gauntlet was two hundred yards long with large padded steel swinging back and forth in intervals that varied. After that there were multiple wooden blades that sprang out from the bottom and the sides at the knights that tried to pass through. Following those blades were more blunt pendulums followed by blasts of fire. This continued for the full two hundred yards switching from one obstacle to the next. The next thing they noticed was the large archery range with a multitude of pop up and moving targets. The gates were fully opened at this point and in their view were attack dummies, knights training with one another, archers training their skill with distance accuracy. Along with the training grounds there were shops and blacksmiths all around. Shiny new armor laced one side of the grounds on the other side it was lined with various different weapons. Most of the buildings were new in appearance and looked as if they had just been built. They entered the city and noticed on the inner side of the wall there were cannons lining the upper part of the walls. At about waist level there were large crossbows like weapons with gigantic arrows. After noticing these weapons they could also small door like openings for the monstrous weapons to be wheeled up to and fired through. 10

“The king wishes to see you before you pass through his great city. He would like to know who you are and why you would want to cross into such a desperate land. Answer him wisely or you could find yourself staring at the walls of the dungeons before the sun sets. Please follow me.” A thin man said from under the hood of an ancient robe of the gods.11

The keepers did not answer and followed without saying a word. The man led them as if walking a pack of obedient dogs that followed their master at a distance of no less then two paces. They traveled past the great tower of the magic users and down through worse looking part of the town. After they had passed through what they considered to be the lowest of the city, they could see the castle ahead towering over the other buildings. The man stopped for a moment to see if the seven of them were still behind him. It did not take long to reach the castle and cross the mote. Once inside the man lead them down the corridor and motioned to two guards. They opened two large wooden doors which kept the throne room hidden from the wandering eye. After they had entered the room and paid homage to the king of this great city the man who led them left the room and the doors were closed.12

“You travel to the Eastern shores that lay beyond the road that crosses the great sea I understand.” The king said with a raspy old but wise sounding voice. 13

“Yes you majesty we travel to escape our enemies.” Bear answered while bending to one knee.14

“No need for all the formal jesters and curtsies. I want to know why you have chosen to travel into the dark lands of the nocturnal beasts is all.” The King said gesturing for them to rise and stand.15

“We wish to avoid seven warriors of the darkest kind, so we must take them to the uncharted lands across the great sea in order to protect the innocent from any harm.” Eagle said as quickly as one would draw a breath. 16

“I see, and what is it that you are so concerned about that you must travel rather then face your enemy in battle and put an end to the running?” The King questioned17

The group was silent for a short time that seemed to last forever in this huge room. The silence fell on the walls as if their thoughts were penetrating the very rock that formed them. Eagle reached into his pouch and pulled his stone from it. 18

“These are what we must protect!” He said with a slight hesitation.19

The king stood up from his throne as the stone began to glow before his eyes. He dropped to the ground and began to bow to the Keepers.20

“The prophecies are true then. I will take one stone and place it in my treasury to be protected from all evil for all of time. The prophecies foretold of your arrival and the deeds you will do when you pass through the great sea and into the land of the dark ones.” The King said with terror and enjoyment. 21

“Here take mine and place it in your treasury for I know it shall be forever safe with in these walls.” Eagle answered as he stepped forward.22

Wolf was about to grab him but Bear stopped him. Eagle advanced to the king and placed the stone on the step. The king was reluctant to pick up the stone at first, but after some time he wrapped it in his robes and carried it to the throne. He rang a bell and a young slave woman entered. He whispered to her and she exited the room. They sat there only a few seconds when a blind man entered the room and approached the king. The blind man had a piece of cloth and held it out with both hands cupping the bottom of it. The king placed the stone in the cloth and the blind man wrapped it tight inside. He left the room waving his stick back and forth until they could no longer see or hear him. After what seemed like several hours of silence the blind man returned with a large sack. He placed it by the kings feet and again exited the room.23

“You have bestowed on me a great honor and a great privilege this day and in return I give you great wealth for you travel into the unknown land across the great sea. May it serve you as well as a thousand armies.” The king motioned for the Eagle to come forward.24

Eagle took up the bag and motioned to the others that it was time to go. They bowed once more as they made their way back to the large wooden doors. They exited the castle as the sky was letting loose some much needed rain.25