The walls of Arcadios's capital towered over Lucius's party. Their carriages stopped before its grand gates. The guards held their pikes at the ready, threatening violence against anyone who made a single move they did not like. For his part, Lucius could only sigh. Nearly every attempt to enter the wretched place was a spectacle that felt beyond necessary at this juncture.
He had hoped that riding in carriages displaying the crest of Aedrider would provide them with some reprieve, but apparently that thought was too hopeful. Lucius felt strange as the normal annoyance at the situation rose to higher levels. Now it bordered on anger. He cracked his knuckles as he moved to exit.
"Stay here my loves." He ordered to Kalliope and Jade. The latter's face turned the color of a cherry as her eyes flitted to her brother in the seat across from her.
