"We need to gain passage into the Citadel," Aros said, pointing to the stone gate that stretched from the base of the two, white mountains and upward to the cloudy, gray sky.
"Aye," Magnus said. "But, they charge silver just to enter the gates through the canal. This isn't a city of peasants. The Citadel makes sure we know our place."
Aros raked his hand through his long, blond hair and sighed. They'd already spent most of their silver on supplies and lodging as a winter storm forced them inside a local village for days."
"I'll think of something," he muttered, reaching inside his coin purse to count how much he had left from what their father gave to them when he sent them for their training.
Easter nodded, shielding her eyes as a brief break in the clouds allowed a golden ray of sunlight to shine through. That ray of light was magnified by the glass walls of the Citadel, which reflected it all across the valley and rushing river.
"I'll pay for passage," she said, and the three young men looked to her in disbelief.
"You don't have to do that," Aros said, his neck turning hot as he imagined having to take money from a woman, especially someone who worked way too hard to obtain it.
She placed her hands on her hips and rolled her eyes. "Do you have enough to pay for it, Aros? How about you Helgi? Magnus? Someone speak up.”
They looked to each other, and relented.
"I'll pay you back," Aros said, and she giggled, placing her hand on his chest.
"You've already done enough for letting me come along," she said, batting her eyelashes at him.
He swallowed and glanced down as she traced the embroidery on his tunic's collar. Taking a step away from her, he turned his gaze back toward the canal.
"Right," Helgi said. "We just need to pay the gatekeeper down there, and then we can take a boat inside."
Magnus clasped his hands. "Well, what are we waiting for then. Let's show these lords and ladies what real Wolves are like."
Helgi chuckled. "Eager to get made fun of, then, are you Magnus?"
Eostre smoothed her hair. "No one is getting made fun of, lads. Once we are inside, we will buy new clothes, and play the part. We want to get close to the king? We need to at least look like nobility, lest we want to be tossed out on our arse."
Aros nodded. "She's right. We will need to do what we can to get invited to meet with the king."
She clapped, eagerly. "Brilliant. I haven't been this excited in ages."
"Truly, I promise to pay you back," Aros said, and she rolled her eyes again.
"Enough about the money, Aros. I earned it, I can do what I want with it. And, if I want to waste it on pretty clothes and the chance to pretend to be a lady, I will."
He smiled at her, then, and didn't mention it again.
They made their way down to the ticketing cart.
“A silver for each of you,” the gatekeeper said, his gloved hand held out toward Aros.
Dressed in a red jerkin with black sleeves, he wore the crest of the Fenrir king, a massive wolf with supernatural powers passed down to the royal family since the beginning of time.
Eostre dropped the coins into his hand, a smile on her heart-shaped face, and he lifted a brow as he looked to her.
“Very well,” he said, finally, and placed the coins in the emerald-colored chest. “Head on down and one of the gondoliers will be right with you. Enjoy your stay in the Citadel. Don’t make any trouble.”
Aros lifted a brow, but kept his mouth shut. He wasn’t here for trouble. On the contrary, he wanted to warn the Fenrir king.
He couldn’t believe they were going to the one place Aros had always dreamed of visiting. He just wished it wasn’t under these circumstances. As they walked along, more attendants directed them to a narrow boat that would lead them down the river, through the canal, and into the opulent Citadel where only the wealthiest lords, ladies, and royalty dwelled. They settled into the boat and allowed the gondolier to navigate them across the gentle rushing of the river.
Aros watched the other boats row past, filled with merchants from faraway lands, and visitors with enough coin for the privilege. Eostre sat at the front, her bright, blonde hair flying around her face as the wind picked up and blew at them. She looked as innocent as a child then, her eyes wide with excitement, a smile on her full lips, and a pink blush to her white cheeks.
He glanced to the sky. Perhaps it wasn't all by chance that they'd crossed paths. She'd already proved a grand addition to their party. Easy to get along with, funny, and perhaps the most cheerful person he knew, he now couldn't imagine their journey without her.
Besides, she seemingly had loads of money to spare. He just hated thinking of how she managed to obtain it. She deserved better than that life, and now, she had a chance to attain it.
The massive gates that stretched between the mountains were open, and tall statues of wolves glared down at them, teeth bared, stone eyes intense. It was all an impressive presentation. But, once they rowed through and into the Citadel, even he had to sit up in his seat and marvel at what awaited.
The Citadel was a dream world of glass, white, gold, and shining stone. Immaculate cottages were lined within the mountain and on the many levels of land stretched ahead and incapsulated within the dome-like structure that surrounded and protected the city. In the center of it all was the palace. Gold, with several balconies and windows that looked down upon the city, it was more impressive than anything he'd ever seen.
"Remarkable," Magnus said, his mouth agape.
"We definitely aren't in Berufell anymore," Helgi added.