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On the morning of the following day, Lorial, Ishtvan and Keld entered a quiet little riverside and found a man sitting by a small sailing boat.
“Good morning,” Ishtvan greeted him. “Is this the Vineyards River ferry?”
“Aye, that it is, kind sir,” the man replied with a cheerful smile and just a hint of a local accent. “And where can I take you folk?”
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As the morning sun rose high above, the boat reached the rushing clear waters of the Ismene River, already over two hundred yards wide at this point, of which the Vineyards River was just a tributary. There were many other ships on the river now as well and Lorial, Ishtvan and Keld passed a number of small towns where more were launching. And the following day, they reached Ensari.
To either side of the river, the grounds before Ensari were flat with many roads while the many towers of the city were built among forest covered hills with the Ismene River running through the middle of them. Raised promenades on bridges ran between the towers, with everything made from glistening white stone, while wide cobblestone streets wound through the city and around the hills. And throughout it all were lush gardens and fountains too numerous to count.
At some stages along its path through the city, sandy beaches lined its edges. In others, there were moorings for ships and in some places, stone steps descended into the river and many people walked down them to bathe in its clear waters.
Soon the Vineyards River ferry was moored and Lorial, Ishtvan and Keld paid the owner for the trip. Ishtvan then turned to his companions. “Well, let’s not keep her majesty waiting.”
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“This is incredible.”
Queen Heptapshu sat across from Lorial and her companions, her legs folded and her hands draped over the arms of her seat. Behind her, a balcony overlooked the city’s harbor where hundreds of Ilara’s ships were moored.
This was the most powerful person in the lands to the west of Cirreone and its allies. She was also a direct descendant of the Khalahi king who had come to Ensari’s aid in the first great war, when it had been controlled by men allied with the fallen mages. And like so many of either whole or partial Khalahi ancestry, she had perfect ebony skin and dark soulful eyes; and although they said nothing, neither Keld nor Ishtvan could help admiring her beauty. However, what Queen Heptapshu was most renowned for was her strong but kind leadership.
“And it is drastic,” she said after a few more moments. “The Aracean Empire and the Angdar, whether they are working independently of each other or working in tandem, are forcing us into a full scale war. This will make it very difficult to persuade Cirreone’s envoys to return to the table.” She shook her head. “The last ones I met said nothing of this. I thought we were making better progress. Clearly, I was wrong.”
“They’re still caught up in the past,” Keld said. “Blaming the handful of surviving mages of the order for the crimes of that small group that left it. And they hate us because of our past associations with mages.”
“And our present associations,” Heptapshu reminded him with a smile. “But yes, I understand your feelings on the matter. Most people in Ilara share them. However, it’s not entirely irrational. Their people suffered immensely in the past because of fallen mages like Askenroth and they have strong memories.”
Keld nodded. “You’re right of course. But it’s difficult to empathize, particularly if they are in fact allied with the Angdar.”
“Yes,” Heptapshu agreed. “Although that remains to be seen.” She then stood up. “In the meantime, my friends, I thank you for all you have done to bring me this news. It may save many lives. Now, I have a lot to do. I must alert the mages, prepare contingents to head for Ensildahir and Berring’s Cove, prepare the fleet and send a message to King Ashaki in Khalahi.” She smiled. “I will have rooms prepared for you here in the palace.”