Through the Gates of Caemlyn

This is especially true the closer one comes to Caemlyn. The King's City. The Great Redoubt. For whether you are traveling from the south or journeying from the north, riding from the east or returning from the west, all roads flow into the King's Way as the saying goes and the King's Way leads all her travelers inexorably, like a mighty river, to the heart of the Great Kingdom - the grand capitol of Caemlyn.

And now, finally, the Dragon Slayer and his entourage had come into the royal district and the King's Way lay wide and straight before them, and at the road's end awaited their fate.

Autumn was fast coming to a close and a cold wind was blowing, but the skies were blue and the sun was bright and the flags that lined the King's Way flapped proudly as Lord Fred and his entourage made their way down the final stretch of road to the City of Caemlyn. Fred stood tall within his gilded carriage and let the wind whip against his cheeks as he gazed with wonder at the sight before him. The mighty city rose up on the horizon, its tall walls and majestic towers and golden domes. And as it drew nearer it only grew more beautiful to Fred. It had been three months since he had set out from Caemlyn to destroy the vile Dragon. Three months... but it seemed a lifetime since last he had set eyes on the King's city.

And then Fred's father touched his arm and pointed out at the wide boulevard before them. "Look my son, the people await you."

And indeed they did. To Fred's amazement the broad highway was empty, the path to the city gates wide open before them. But on either side of the road the people of the land stood waiting. Standing diligently behind golden cords slung from bronze posts they stood like silent honor guards. Shaded by royal flags and tall bright banners they waited with mounting excitement for their mighty hero. And then, as Lord Fred's cavalcade drew nearer, the crowd began to roar. Thousands and thousands of people, their voices uplifted, their arms waving, their mouths cheering out Fred's name.

And Fred, though haunted by fear and doubt, could not help but be moved. And the joyous welcome of the people filled his heart to bursting.

And he rose up higher in his carriage so that all could see. And his brooding unease melted away. These people had come to the city from districts far and wide to catch a glimpse of their hero. Their Dragon Slayer. And he would not disappoint them. Tall and proud he stood as he road past the assembled crowds, and even the least of the onlookers gaped at him, at his stern face and his resplendent armor. The scarlet plate of the Flamebane Armor glistened in the sun like fiery blood. The runes etched into that magical suit of steel and iron seemed to glow, and as he turned toward the people upon his left and then to his right the engravings upon his chest plate, the syglls drawn upon his right breast and the image of the serpentine dragon that slithered upon his left, flashed and gleamed like things alive.

"Dragon Slayer!" the voices roared even louder than before.

And then the carriage train reached the city gate and Fred saw that it was shut. And upon those mighty doors of iron and timber were affixed two huge beaten plates of bronze, one carved with the image of an eagle's head, the other with a lion's fiery mien. These were the emblems of the royal houses of Alaric and of Exultaine. And then the gates slowly swung open and Fred passed through.

Now they were in the outer city of Caemlyn where the majority of the lower classes lived and worked. Everywhere were brightly colored streamers and festive buntings of felt and muslin. The houses, the buildings, the shops, they were all aflutter with pennants and flags and banners. And the people filled up the streets and the courtyards and crowded on the balconies and the tower walls. "D'Honaire!" the shouts echoed upon the cool breeze.

Lord Fred's cavalcade advanced forward. All eyes were upon him, all mouths shouted out his fame, and from above confetti began to drift down to land upon his shoulders.

And then they came to the second great wall and the second great gate. Upon that mighty door were burnished panels of bronze. And, in images of sculpted gold and silver filigree, each panel told a story. And the story was of the Kingdom of Allaria. Along the left side of the gate were chronicled the Kings of the line of Alaric, the first king. Along the right side was the line of the House Exultaine. And through that gate Fred rode proudly and so then came into the inner city of Caemlyn.

The inner city was even more grandly decked with the joyful emblems of pomp and celebration, for this was where the high-born lived and their servants and retainers and followers. Grand mansions and gorgeous villas stretched out from the thoroughfares behind iron gates and stone balustrades. Wide stairways and overarching bridges led to and from grand ballrooms and exquisite music halls and a myriad other establishments of the finer pursuits in life. And as Fred's entourage moved through the crowds, bells innumerable began to ring, bells that swung from the towers of the master guild halls and bells that rang from atop the cerulean domes of the royal courts and bells that chimed from the summits of the temples to the people's gods. And men and women in silks and brocades stood on their balconies and upon the bridges and along the streets waving Fred on, calling out his name, and waxing proud with his victory.

Making his way through the festive streets, Fred ultimately reached the last great wall of the city of Caemlyn and its last great gate. Unlike the other gates though this one was not embellished with bronze or silver or gold. Upon that iron bound door there were no skillfully wrought escutcheons of royal blood or heroic tableaux fashioned in gold and silver. The huge, massively wide gate was unadorned but for two plates of simple steel hammered into the oak and the iron of the imposingly plain portal. And upon the metal placards were emblazoned these words:

Vanqua Noro Mir -- Venoro Que Nomas

The words were written in the old tongue of the ancient Empire and in the common language of Allaria were translated as "This far and no farther." It was a boast and a challenge and a warning all at the same time. This far and no farther, for beyond that mighty gate lay the inner sanctum of the King, his mighty castle, his great redoubt, his fortress of stone and steel and iron. The Palatine.

1. A royal guard awaits Fred, ready to lead him to the King...

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