Welcome to the Capital

"...So she is a sorceress. It seems there is actually a difference between a sorceress and a witch." You relate, sitting over Caroline's back as she continues across the dirt path, grassy plains all around you.

"There is? I didn't know that!" The centaur exclaims, listening with attention as she walks.

"Me neither." You let out a chuckle. "Then there is Rhea, she is a minotaur. Tall, strong, and scary, yet with a heart of gold and a really cute accent."

"Minotaurs are really nice! I went on a missionary trip to Kha'Arn once. They were not very interested on learning about Aurora, but they treated me very kindly! ...Maybe it's because I have hooves too." The girl giggles.

"Ha, probably." You laugh with her. "Did you ever visit Thalan? I have an elf friend too, Agis."

"Oh, an elf? Not many of those around Midorn. And no, Thalan has a closed borders policy, the elves are very strict about who enters their territory."

"Yeah, I thought so..." You say. "Anyways. I also know a wolf-girl, Kara. She is as sweet and friendly as an actual puppy, it's great."

"Oh my! You have such a colorful group of friends, it's amazing!" Caroline happily exclaims.

You smile and nod your head, you continue talking and advancing for another couple of minutes. The path continues through an elevated green mound. Caroline keeps following through it and stops at the top. "Look, Theo! There it is!" She points towards the Capital as it appears at the long distance.

You can't stop a soft "Woah..." from exiting your lips as you look at the huge city in front of your eyes. Enormous, thick stone walls with guarding posts on their corners, separating the inside from the outside. Farms, windmills, and sawmills cling to the exterior wall, close to the wide entrance. On the interior, around a well maintained square-shaped plaza, you can see a vast variety of buildings of different sizes. But none as big as the gigantic castle towering over all of them, where you suppose the king and the royal family must live. Long wooden docks on the parts close to the sea, ships sailing and anchored around them... This place is definitely bigger than your little town...

"Impressive, huh?" Caroline says, looking at the city with you.

"Y-yeah, I wasn't expecting it to be this big..." You chuckle, dismounting from her back. "I think I can walk this final stretch."

You and Caroline march between long crop fields and small wooden farmsteads until reaching the Capital's entrance. A weird feeling creeps into your stomach as you look up at the tall, fortified walls... "Hello, guys! I'm back!" Caroline exclaims to the two armored guards protecting both sides of the entryway, friendly waving both of her hands towards their directions.

"Welcome back, sister." The guard at the left says, boredly leaning against the wall, firmly holding his long spear. "...Who is that next to you? Your boyfriend? You finally stopped with that religious stuff and got laid?" He chuckles, both men loudly start cackling.

"O-oh, shut up Gary! Don't say that..." The centaur pouts with blushy cheeks.

Gary keeps loudly roaring with laugher. "Hahaha, I'm sorry horsie. You are just too fun to tease. We are really happy to see you again, right Mick?" He asks the other guard, he gives an affirmative grunt and nods his head.

Caroline rolls her eyes. "You better try not to fall asleep at work today, maybe I do the right thing this time and I report you two." She teases, a little smile on her lips.

"Ha! We know you would never do something like that, horsie. You would miss us too much!" They laugh again, you and the giggly centaur keep advancing towards the interior of the city.

You continue towards the central plaza. You can see a big fountain in the middle of the square, surrounded by different statues of heroes you don't know. Around the sides of the area, there are multiple neat stands selling different items and food. Tons and tons of people of many different races strolling around your position, their steps and voices overlapping one on top of the other.

"Alright. Here we are!" Caroline smiles down at you. "I have to return to my church now. Do you want to come with me?"

"I'll swing by there later, okay? I need to find my friends first... Thanks for everything, Caroline."

"Okie-dokie! Don't worry about it, I'm happy to help." She sweetly says. "Good luck, Theo. I hope you find them. May Aurora bless you!" She brings her hands together and gives you a soft nod, looking at you for a pair of seconds before turning around and walking away into one of the crowded streets of the city.