Walls and gates were not a foreign concept. The so-called Gates of Judgment, however, and the long bridge that the guard had referred to as the Steps of Faith, did not seem to fit the moniker of "wall" or "gate". "Monument" seemed more apt. Even oblivious as he was to this land's culture, even he could tell that the ominous length of the bridge, the towering parapets, and the massive gatehouse were both designed for defense...and to be a symbol.
The traffic was varied. Ragtag groups of armed individuals idly passed through the gates after consulting with the knights on duty. Wagons and carts full of goods managed to make their way through after lengthy, exhaustive inspections. Armoured soldiers similar to those that were present at Dragonhead kept a vigilant watch, eyes narrowly peering through the slits of helmets, scrutinizing all who passed by. Kasrjin noted the stern glances of disgust and the tensing of hands on weapons whenever one of their eyes fell upon him. The fact that they did not immediately take action proved that they did not believe him to be a Dravanian, or at the least, they'd been given orders to the contrary regarding individuals such as himself. That told him two things: one, that there were other Au Ra present around or perhaps even inside the city. That would be advantageous. Two, these knights were not like the two buffoons that had assaulted them earlier. Though, it was entirely possible that if they--that is, the knights--did not know Au Ra existed, they might have attacked him on sight anyway.
Just to be sure.
The Xaela adjusted his clothing and made a pointed notion of keeping the handle of his sword out of reach, attempting to minimize the threat he seemed to presented. It was easier said and done; Kasrjin stood half a head taller than most of the Elezen knights, and more than a head and a half taller than the shorter Hyur. The number of ugly glares the Au Ra received exceeded counting.
Despite that, the trio managed to reach the gate and the knight attending to it with little trouble. It would seemed that random, motley groups of armed individuals were not of note, as with little more than a stern nod, the knight ushered the trio through the portcullis of the gate, and into the city proper.
It was...not what he expected.
Crumbling fortifications lay desecrated. Idle bits of stone and lumber were strewn about. In the far distance, what once must have been an intimidating statue was missing a great deal of its upper body. The Xaela was expecting something more...substantial. He was expecting a fortress. He was expecting soldiers training in every street, porters carrying supplies, something that indicated that this was a city prepared for war on a moment's notice.
Instead, what he saw were battered, tired knights, destitute rabble, and an atmosphere that reeked of a certain measure of melancholy.
Somehow, it reminded him of the body that they had found impaled on the side of the road.
"...shall we secure lodging?" was all he managed to successfully filter from the whirlwind of thoughts and observations in his mind. He suddenly felt consciously out of place; his tribal furs and leathers were well-constructed, but if Kasrjin was fully aware of anything by this point, it was that he had become far too insistent in projecting his own expectations on the Western continent.
Some compromise would be necessary, if only to avoid conflict.
The traffic was varied. Ragtag groups of armed individuals idly passed through the gates after consulting with the knights on duty. Wagons and carts full of goods managed to make their way through after lengthy, exhaustive inspections. Armoured soldiers similar to those that were present at Dragonhead kept a vigilant watch, eyes narrowly peering through the slits of helmets, scrutinizing all who passed by. Kasrjin noted the stern glances of disgust and the tensing of hands on weapons whenever one of their eyes fell upon him. The fact that they did not immediately take action proved that they did not believe him to be a Dravanian, or at the least, they'd been given orders to the contrary regarding individuals such as himself. That told him two things: one, that there were other Au Ra present around or perhaps even inside the city. That would be advantageous. Two, these knights were not like the two buffoons that had assaulted them earlier. Though, it was entirely possible that if they--that is, the knights--did not know Au Ra existed, they might have attacked him on sight anyway.
Just to be sure.
The Xaela adjusted his clothing and made a pointed notion of keeping the handle of his sword out of reach, attempting to minimize the threat he seemed to presented. It was easier said and done; Kasrjin stood half a head taller than most of the Elezen knights, and more than a head and a half taller than the shorter Hyur. The number of ugly glares the Au Ra received exceeded counting.
Despite that, the trio managed to reach the gate and the knight attending to it with little trouble. It would seemed that random, motley groups of armed individuals were not of note, as with little more than a stern nod, the knight ushered the trio through the portcullis of the gate, and into the city proper.
It was...not what he expected.
Crumbling fortifications lay desecrated. Idle bits of stone and lumber were strewn about. In the far distance, what once must have been an intimidating statue was missing a great deal of its upper body. The Xaela was expecting something more...substantial. He was expecting a fortress. He was expecting soldiers training in every street, porters carrying supplies, something that indicated that this was a city prepared for war on a moment's notice.
Instead, what he saw were battered, tired knights, destitute rabble, and an atmosphere that reeked of a certain measure of melancholy.
Somehow, it reminded him of the body that they had found impaled on the side of the road.
"...shall we secure lodging?" was all he managed to successfully filter from the whirlwind of thoughts and observations in his mind. He suddenly felt consciously out of place; his tribal furs and leathers were well-constructed, but if Kasrjin was fully aware of anything by this point, it was that he had become far too insistent in projecting his own expectations on the Western continent.
Some compromise would be necessary, if only to avoid conflict.
