The carriage finally stopped shaking as the wheels moved off the rough dirt road and onto something solid. The sound changed right away, no more loose rattling, just a steady roll over smooth black stone.
After that, it took them a few more hours to reach the capital city, Vareth.
Lena leaned closer to the small window to get a better look. She had seen cities before. Ashfen was crowded and busy, and Veth was large and spread out. But this place felt different the moment she saw it.
Vareth didn't just look big, it felt different, like the whole city was pressing down on the ground. The buildings were tall and dark, made of black stone that didn't shine or reflect light. Instead, it seemed to take in the light, making everything look dull and dim, even during the day.
As the carriage moved further into the city, Lena noticed the air felt strange too. It wasn't just the usual smell of smoke, dust, and too many people.
