With the monsters behind us, there was little need to deliberate, and all were in agreement to reach the Warden's stronghold as quickly as possible, much to the pain of those who had less stamina or shorter legs. Thankfully, it was indeed only a few hours before we reached the base of the mountain range, and the forest began to gradually thin out; trees and greenery became slightly sparse. Of course, not nearly enough to say we had left the confines of the forest, but enough to notice.
Amongst that, the clear lack of animals or monsters was clear. It was just us and the forest. And it was as unnatural as it was odd.
Leonardo and his team remained on high alert as he gave everyone a few moments, if needed, to catch their breath. We weren't nearly close to a full sprint, but it was difficult for most regardless. Personally, it wasn't that difficult. My stamina with a mana-enhanced body meant I could go at such a pace for hours before I truly began to feel tired. Cerila was also enjoying the brisk jog, unbothered for the most part.
Cerila slowly nodded to herself as she peered over at the Wardens.
I nodded and signed to her,
I had indeed thought about it. But there was a chance it would only make cooperation more difficult in the short term. After all, who would truly believe that we fought a powerful ghost-like entity wearing the same armor and bearing the symbol of your order that seemed to have its soul enslaved in the depths of a dungeon, and we ended up fighting an incarnation of the very same god you seemed to oppose? And objectively won.
I sure wouldn't believe that.
Cerila seemed to understand as she signed,
"Alright, sorry for the short break, but we truly are nearly there. And personally, I would much rather be behind a wall than face that many monsters out in the open, so let's make the final trek before they decide we look tasty," Leonardo said with a clap.
—
It was indeed only a few more hours before we reached wherever we were meant to go. The trek hadn't been any harder, and we reached the base of the mountain without issue. The mountains were now fully visible; they reached into the afternoon sky like monoliths. The forest had been cleared somewhat by purpose, not design, but there wasn't anything.
Did they live inside the mountain? That would make some sense.
With his helmet off now, Leonardo turned to us with a grin. "If you have a weak stomach, I'd just mentally prepare yourself. It never gets easier," he chuckled.
The warning brought back an old memory from Owlkirk, and it quickly made sense as Leonardo and his group suddenly vanished while walking. Durak and his group seemed surprised as they hesitated by Cerila, and I just exchanged glances with a smile. It had been a long time, after all.
With only a few steps, we passed the invisible barrier, the odd, gut-twisting feeling tickled at me, and it was as unpleasant as I remembered. The wards had indeed hidden something beyond their barrier. Cut into the mountain and extending from it were tall, thick stone walls, towers raised into the sky to overlook the empty area beyond. A city, no, more like a fort, had been built outside and into the mountain itself.
"Welcome to Haven," Lenardo said as he took out a flag from his pocket and gave it a wave.
The guards atop the battlements lowered their weapons, and once we were close to the gatehouse, the side entrance was opened for us. We were led into the interior before an older-looking man jogged over and gave a reverent bow to Leonardo.
"Captain, we've returned," Leonardo said as he patted the man on the shoulder.
"Yes, Vice-Watchmaster, I'm glad to see you've returned safely," he said before his eyes turned to us, then back to Lenardo, the question evident.
"Guests of Luminar, do treat them kindly, as they have written passage from the Watchmaster. Ah, a few things before that, though, please heighten to gold right now, send scouts in preparation for red and plan for black," Leonardo said cryptically.
The guard's eyes widened as, whatever it meant, it was not only a surprise, but something to be worried about. "It will be done, Vice-Watchmaster," the guard said gravely with a bow.
Leonardo turned to us with a wry smile. "Durak, I'm afraid I'll have to ask that you and your team stay here with the guards for now. Please understand it's just a procedure," he said.
Durak shrugged. "Just need to be watched is all. Fine by me. Ain't gonna cause problems," he said.
"Your understanding is most appreciated," Leonardo said with a nod. "Then, Kaladin, shall we?" he asked.
"Yes, but Cerila is coming with me. Packaged deal," I said with a smile.
He hesitated for a moment before just shrugging it off. "Fine by me," he said.
After Leonardo gave orders for two of his men to stay with Durak, as most of the others, besides Tuvani, were released, probably to return to their homes. Without much fanfare, Leonardo guided us through the underbelly of the walls and out into the city proper.
It was difficult to say just how many people lived in this Haven, as it seemed rather large from the outside, but it became evident it wasn't nearly as big as I had anticipated. Even upon first glance, as we began to walk down the main road, this was less of a city, created to one day sprawl out with a growing population, and more of a fort.
Even inside the walls, between the white wooden houses with their orange thatched roofs, stone towers loomed over in various places. Small inner keeps spread out as well. It was evident that Wardens one day anticipated their walls to be breached, and if that happened, they would fight even in the city.
However, that did not mean the city was dead, far from it. There were plenty of people walking about, homes lined the streets, as did small shops selling surprisingly mundane things. If one were to ignore the towers and the tightness of the city, it seemed rather normal. But only at first glance.
There were quite a few oddities, among them came from Soul Sight. Every single person, even those in their homes, had souls that, on average, were surprisingly bright. Naturally, it wasn't a bunch of War Gods running around, that would be slightly terrifying if the lady selling skewered meat could level an army by herself, but just on average.
Genetics? Or some other factor? It seems too…uniform. Almost everyone is around the same brightness.
The city was overwhelmingly human, with the other races being a small minority, but that wasn't what was odd. Even after just a quick five-minute stroll, there was a very clear generational divide. There was an older generation; naturally, they seemed the smallest, but it was the second generation, their children, who were the most populous. Those ranging from the youngest, in their late teens, to the forties, and then the newest generation with most children, all roughly close in age.
I suppose it wasn't entirely odd, considering it was clearly a newer city. The Wardens were simply in a phase of repopulating.
But the most odd thing was perhaps the people themselves. I was used to being stared at. My appearance was exotic to say the least, and my fame had preceded me to levels that no doubt reached pure fantasy for some. But the people of Haven did not give me the usual stare of interest or awe, but one that clearly said I did not belong here.
To them, I was an outsider, clear as day by their gazes. And the people of Haven were armed to the teeth. The young boy, no older than ten, was walking his little sister. Both of them had clear, visible daggers on their belt. The old woman sitting on her porch? She a wand with gem embedded into it in her lap. The middle-aged man with his wife? Both had swords on their hips. Even the lady with the bread basket carried a durk on her belt.
It wasn't just the guards that an invader would have to fight. Everyone, from the youngest child to the elderly, looked prepared to take up arms and fight. And a feeling that they would do so to their last breath seemed to permeate everyone who looked our way.
Leonardo chuckled, no doubt noticing Cerila and my interested gaze. "Quite the city, huh?" he said with a grin.
"Quite the people," I corrected. "Is everyone in Haven willing and able to fight?"
Leonardo looked to Tuvani before he shrugged. "You'll learn more later, I suppose. But in a way, yes. Considering our…history. It's very much encouraged for everyone to learn how to fight. After all, when even the elderly or children are under threat of annihilation, what choice do you have but to fight to the bitter end?" he said.
I just nodded to his words. I completely understood them and, to a degree, even agreed with him. But my face didn't seem to convey that as Leonardo sighed.
"Perhaps you see us as barbarians, having even children wield a blade," he said.
"Far from it," I said honestly. "I learned to fight at a young age. And if I hadn't, I would have died before my first decade of life. Living is the far superior choice; fighting for your life, for survival, is only natural. Death cares not for age."
Leonardo glanced back at me with a somewhat intrigued look. "That it does," he said solemnly.
However, Duchess didn't seem to agree as she snarled at me. All I could do was give the mut a wry smile, which made Leonardo chuckle.
"Not a big fan of dogs?" he asked.
"Most animals…don't tend to like me," I said.
He looked back at me with a raised eyebrow as his eyes went side to side. "Really…I never would have gues—"
But his words were cut off as Tuvani glared at him, silencing him. "Are you insane?" she spat.
Leonarod raised his hands in defense. "I was just making—"
"Does she or I look like a common animal to you?" she growled.
"No, of course not, but I mean, there is some connection, right. I mean, it's not literally the same, but—"
Tuvani just stared at him. "Go ahead. Finish it," she said in a low voice.
Leonardo hesitated before letting his hands drop to his side, and he faced forward again with a shake of his head. "No…I don't think I will," he muttered.
"Good," Tuvani huffed.
Cerila nudged me with a grin and signed,
Once we reached the halfway point and passed another interior wall, Leonardo stopped us at his gatehouse. "Although it's rude to have what is essentially diplomats wait in a guard house, I really do need to run this by some people. And I'm sure it's fine, but…I'm more willing to face your king than her so forgive me. I'll be but a moment."
I agreed, as waiting a little longer hardly mattered. These people were guarded and clearly had good reason to be. But…
Someone is more frightening in this place than the ball of muscle that isn't afraid to run through a door and punch you with the force of twenty men, just for fun?
I am uncertain if I should be afraid myself or excited that such a person is a potential ally.