Beta-Reader by Justhetip...

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  The first thing that smmed into view as we drew close to the royal capital was that ridiculously tall wall that towered over us. I nearly strained my neck looking up at the damn thing.

  “What manner of beast do they fear to need such a thing?” I thought.

  Our ten-meter wall back home, the one we built to keep out the local monsters, felt like a pything compared to this thing, which was easily five times its size. Maybe six. No, definitely six.

  I squinted harder.

  “What do they expect to attack this pce? Giants? A mountain with legs? Some terrible horror from the deepest pits of—”

  Thunk!

  The carriage hit a rut in the road, jolting me forward. I barely caught myself, grumbling under my breath as we drew closer to the gates.

  As we approached the city gates, I could see their massive scale. They were not just openings in the wall but fortified structures in themselves, with guard towers, a portcullis, and the massive drawbridge.

  A legion of knights, equipped in steel pte and carrying spears, halberds, and nces, lined the path, a banner showing a “Fming White Horse” fluttering in the wind.

  “Drawbridge lowering!” a booming voice echoed from the gatehouse.

  With a grinding groan, the massive drawbridge descended, the heavy chains creaking and straining. The knights parted, clearing a path for our carriage.

  The knights eyed us with suspicion as we passed through, their faces grim and unfriendly. The sound of the gate closing behind us echoed through the city, a heavy, final cng that seemed to seal us inside.

  We trundled through the gate, and the world turned dark for a moment, swallowed by the wall’s shadow. Then we were inside, and the city opened up—and it was nothing like anything I’d pictured.

  The moment we passed under the archway, the city swallowed us whole.

  The noise struck first—a deafening, chaotic screech of shouting, hammering, and the constant ctter of hooves and wheels over uneven stone.

  The smell came next.

  I gagged.

  By the gods.

  Have you ever heard of a shit city? Well, this was one.Honestly, if someone told me that they used shit to build this pce, I would believe them.

  Back home, our houses were built with bricks and stone, each spacious enough (depending on how big your family was) with a small plot of nd where we grew vegetables and herbs.

  Here, the buildings cwed at each other for space, their walls streaked with filth and grime. The streets were thick with mud—though by the stench, I knew it was not just mud. Heaps of refuse festered in narrow alleys, and flies swarmed in buzzing clouds.

  The pce looked impressive on the outside. Inside? It was like opening a gift only to find a box full of worms.

  I wrinkled my nose. “This pce stinks.”

  Feya whimpered beside me, gripping my sleeve. Her wide elven eyes darted about in terror. “It’s so loud…”

  Poor thing. Her forest-born ears weren’t made for this mess.

  “How do people live like this?” I cringed.

  The whole pce was like opening a gift of worms (a very common prank back in our vilge).

  It looked pretty impressive outside with the massive walls and all, but inside was disgusting.

  The carriage hit another rut, throwing me against the leather strap. I hissed.

  The noise and the smell were bad enough. Now this chaotic riding made me feel horribly sick.

  I really hope I don’t puke on the king when I meet him.

  The carriage lurched, throwing me against the worn leather strap. I gripped it tightly, knuckles white, as the world outside the grimy window shifted.

  A fsh of polished steel caught my eye. A knight, his face obscured by a metal visor, shoved a woman roughly aside. She stumbled, her basket of wilted greens scattering across the uneven, rutted street.

  The fragile vegetables rolled and bruised against the rough stones, their delicate leaves torn and crushed.

  No apology. No gnce back.

  A guttural curse, a sharp, metallic cng hit my ears.

  I flinched at the noise, turning to see a figure sprawled on the rough, uneven ground, his makeshift stall overturned, scattering cheap trinkets and worn leather goods. A knight, his face twisted in disgust, stood over him, his boot pnted firmly on the man’s chest.

  “You think you can just set up shop here, rat?” the guard snarled, his voice rough and impatient. “Blocking the thoroughfare, no less.”

  “Please, sir,” the tramp rasped, his voice trembling. “Just trying to earn a copper. I nay bothering nobody.”

  “Show me your letters then.”

  “I... I... please, good sir, I have a child and—” the man whimpered.

  “No merchant guild seal, no permit,” the guard scoffed, cutting him off. “You think the city runs on charity? You’re nothing but a pest.”

  With a sudden, brutal motion, the guard’s boot smmed into the man’s ribs. A sickening crunch echoed through the narrow alley, the tramp’s cries cut short by a sharp intake of breath.

  “Guards!” the knight barked, gesturing to two city guards who were part of our escort. “Take this filth. He’s going to the cells.”

  The two city guards dragged the limp figure to his feet.

  Like that, they cleared the way for us to pass through.

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  After what felt like an eternity, the streets began to widen, and the buildings became grander, their stone walls gleaming in the sunlight. The air seemed to clear, and the noise of the city faded into a distant hum.

  Now that I was no longer sick, I took time to appreciate the carriage. Honestly, I can’t imagine even trying to walk in that filth they called roads.

  After they portalled us out of my vilge, they had prepared a carriage for the four-day journey to the capital.

  The carriage continued forward, the driver now guiding us toward the Royal Court. The buildings around us became grander, and the streets cleaner. The people walking were better dressed, and the stench was less overwhelming.

  The carriage finally stopped before a rge set of gates that led to the royal courtyard. Guards in gleaming armor opened the gates, and the carriage continued inside.

  “We are here, Lady Fiona,” Captain Brian road near our carriage and informed me

  I barely heard him.

  My eyes were fixed on the massive pale castle ahead

  My stomach twisted.(Maybe because of the ride I just had)

  This was it.

  I was finally here.