In the morning you continue on your way. You are passing through farmland, the soil is quite reddish tinged. The lands are flat to slightly rolling, tending to slope slightly to the south. The Road is tending to the northeast. Again it is busy, with traders, farmers and military traffic.
At last, late in the afternoon, you crest a low rise, and see the city of Atlantia before you.
As you approach the city you see the largest urban area on the continent. From a distance only the lack of smoke from industries and cooking fires indicates that something is amiss. As you get closer you realise that about 90% of the city is uninhabited ruins.
Moving with the traffic, you enter the city and pass through abandoned suburbs down wide but somewhat overgrown streets. Still, the grandeur of the past is overwhelming. Nearer the centre of Atlantia more people are about, you see fewer abandoned and ruined buildings, and it seems more like a normal city. One point which you notice again is the near total lack of any non-humans in the streets. Outside of most residences and places of business are armed guards. Most of these fighter types are fair skinned and shorter in stature than the regular populace, clearly foreigners, and quite menacing in their posture.
The native population of Atlantia is distinctly different from the population of its former provinces. The people are tall, and rather tanned. Loose, colourful, flowing robes of silk are the most popular style of clothing.
And of course, as is the rule in the Empire, you see people who can only be slaves.
Eventually you approach a major square. It is hundreds of yards across and filled with crowds of people going about their business. It is here that the Imperial Road intersects another great highway, Interstate Seventy Five. Three sides of the square are lined with great buildings, palaces, and churches, including one enormous temple complex still in the early stages of construction. The east side of the square, however, is dominated by a wall of deepest ebony: the famous Black Wall, which surrounds the old City of Atlantia. Through it runs a broad tunnel, protected by two mighty turreted towers constructed of the same black material.
After a long journey rife with perils and conflicts - albeit most of the latter being generated from within your own party - you have at last arrived in Atlantia. You recall Hlarn's theory that the Robe is hidden somewhere within the capitol of the Empire. He planted that idea, set you on this course, and then departed, the cad.
Galil's eyes survey the scenery thoughtfully.
Galil shifts uneasily in her saddle, wondering about the origins of the foreigners and their possible role in the affairs of Saltar.
Galil's eyes darken as she realizes that slaves are part of the way of life here.
Niko snorts contemptuously, as he remarks, "One of the reasons I never did like doing trade here..."
"You have experience with this area?" Galil asks curiously.
"I've dealt with my fair share of slavers...usually ends with most of them on the end of my cutlass..."
"Impressive," Galil comments with a slight shudder, disliking the Black Wall immediately.
Niko examines the wall more closely. He touches it.
"Let us find lodging. Once that is done, we can listen for rumors about this city and see if there are any areas that are inhabited by monsters that prey on the people of this city."
Galil frowns.
"Are we here to search out monsters?" she asks in surprise. "It seems a long way to go to find monsters when our own lands are so evilly populated. I would first like to pay my respects to my temple, and then I wish to discover what Clavis is up to."
"No, we are not here to find monsters, per se. We are here to find an artifact. The last one we found was heavily guarded by all sorts of creatures. I would expect this artifact to be located under the city and to be also guarded by monsters. And I would expect there to be some that do not stay in their lairs, but come out to hunt amongst the population. Finding their lairs may provide a way into wherever the artifact is hidden."
Galil's eyes widen in surprise at this news, though she nods in agreement at Lord Kadlian's explanation.
"I will not ask it here, but later I would be interested in knowing what it is you seek."
"Right. We can talk about it later."
"Let us find lodging and then we can separate and perform any errands we wish. But, we go out with at least one partner. We do not know what the attitudes of the populace will be to us."
Galil nods. "Yes, I've noticed that our kind appears not to populate this city. I wonder why?"
"This city has been the capitol of one of the most powerful empires of Man this world has seen. But, for many years, the empire has been in a decline. I am sure at its peak our kind was welcomed here. Usually empires in decline blame everyone but themselves for the decline. Thus, our kind would be likely persecuted. Who knows if such behavior is still commonplace?"
Galil nods. "I knew this to be an Empire of Men, but did not hear that elves had been persecuted. My people taught me that we've been allies against other foes, though I don't know how that's changed recently, even with the decline. The worlds and ideas of Men change so quickly it seems I can rarely get a grasp on what is going on."
Galil sighs.
"As for the slaves, when we were in Tybol, we heard a proclamation freeing all slaves. I am surprised that it would be tolerated at all here, considering this is where the Emperor resides."
Galil nods. "It is known that slaves can not simply be freed, but must understand freedom and embrace it of their own volition. One cannot simply say 'you are free', they must be taught what it means, and yes, often must learn to fight for it themselves. It is difficult to shed the yoke of one's culture in such a short time. Slaves have in general been cared for even if mistreated -- all responsibility for themselves taken out of their hands. It is difficult now for many to take responsibility for their own lives and for some, the burden will be too much, difficult as that might be for us to imagine."
"I might be better off without a partner. Or would Sir count as my partner?"
"Actually, Kailar, I was thinking that you could partner with someone less capable of being inconspicuous. Same with Niko and Rage. If you three can partner with folks that do not move as quietly..."
Niko shrugs. "I guess...as long as they like having fun!"
Galil looks around, wondering who exactly Kailar is referring to.
"Sir is the cat that accompanies Kailar. Sir plays poker with Gods and wins."
Galil manages to stifle a look of surprise and nods.
"Of course," she replies nonchalantly.
"He does cheat, though."
Galil smiles and nods, trying to look relieved. "I see."
She turns back to the others, "If anyone wishes to visit the Temple of Forseti, I would welcome the company if you feel you can trust me. I am obviously not one o the quiet types in my armor."
She smiles.
"Windul, Vastelle? Would you go with us?"
They nod their assent, though they do not look comfortable around all these people.
"I know, I know, I dislike the crowds as well. If you would rather stay at the inn, you can."
"Perhaps someplace more quiet would be best?" Galil says. "I don't suppose anyone else here is a worshipper of Forseti? It would be nice and quiet in the Temple."
Niko asks Edelle, "Would milady like to stroll through the streets of Atlantia with the most dashing captain in port?"
Dor looks around then his eyes light up. "Niko, I'm thirsty after all this travel. Care for a drink? My treat to start."
Niko eyebrows raise, as he looks between Dor and Edelle...waiting, of course, on Edelle's answer first!
"I would be honoured," the elf maiden replies with a smile, taking his proffered arm.
Niko returns the smile. "Perhaps we should first find you something to wear for dinner tonight."
They head off toward the clothing district, as Niko calls back, "Don't wait up for us!"
"Looks like I'm on my own," Dor grins. "Unless anyone else is thirsty."
He begins to head off in search of a suitable drinking establishment.
Rage wants to check out the mages guild and supply shoppes.
"Well, I'm certainly not one of those 'move quietly' people, so should I go with Rage?" inquires Malvis.
"Of course you will come with me Malvis. I need my notes," the mage says, "And we can see if there are any spells suitable for you there too."
"Yes. Sally, would you like to go with them as well?"
"Yes, milord."
"Of course, the more the merrier," Rage says.
After Niko, Edelle and Dor have wandered off into the crowds, you wonder how they are going to know where to meet up with you again.
You set out to find accommodations for the night.
Looking around the square, you find nothing that appeals to you, so you pass through the tunnel and into the old city.
Just inside, you pause to look about. The old city actually seems newer to you...perhaps because the buildings are in far superior condition to those which lie outside the Black Wall. Many of these in here are once again constructed of the same dark material as the wall.
You see a large, sprawling building just inside the Wall. A sign above the main door reads "The Spacer's Final Rest", and it is clearly an inn...probably the oldest one you have ever seen.
You go over to it and enter. It seems to be clean and comfortable, so you take rooms (1 gp per night, includes all meals).
It is approaching dinnertime, so you head down to the common room to eat. Beef is on the menu tonight, and as you are awaiting your meals to arrive and sipping fine and potent spirit, a loud ringing seems to issue forth from between Kadlian's ears.
You do not know if it is the drink causing this, or something else.
A strange expression comes over the elf's face for a moment, followed by a look of some consternation.
Rage looks around to see if she sees any spellcasters doing anything odd.
She then taps Kadlian.
"Bossman?" she says, a look of concern on her face.
Galil's eyes widen in surprise and she looks to the other party members to see their reactions to this strange occurrence.
"He looks as if he just became a father," observes Wizbang.
Galil looks from Wizbang to Lord Kadlian with a puzzled frown on her face.
"Interesting," she says softly. "Apparently I am unaware of some customs of the Aldacan," she concludes, her eyes still resting on Kadlian.
Kadlian comes back to the present. "Sorry, folks, that was Zanax. Rage, can you get all of us back to Sandas tomorrow morning? We need to talk to Ray Jay. Seems more has been found out on the item we seek, but Zanax did not have many details. One thing was for certain. Al and Equinox's group need to find their item before we have any hope of finding ours."
"Sandas? But we just got here!" Galil exclaims in surprise, before taking a deep breath and continuing, more quietly. "It would be a shame to waste such an opportunity to discover what Clarvis is up to, and more about that item he has. I am guessing your quest involves the other items he might need?"
"Galil, we can talk safer in Sandas."
Galil smiles and nods. "My apologies. I will wait."
"Aye, Aye, Capt'n," Rage says, "The dilithium crystals are at full. Give the word."
"We need to round up Niko, Edelle and Dor, first."
"Windul, when we get back to Sandas, we can go to the temple and have Galil checked out, if you wish."
Galil raises a brow. "Checked out? At which Temple and by what manner?"
"They'll cut off your head," the elf replies.
"We will be taking you to the Temple of Thor, I believe, and checked out by a high priestess. That is, if Windul wishes it to be done."
A smile tugs at Galil's lips before she replies, "And what of my wishes?"
"I can teleport now also."
Kadlian looks surprised and impressed. "That is amazing, Kailar. I had no idea you had progressed so. Congratulations. So, between the two of you, can we get everyone back to Sandas? We can leave our mounts here. We should not be more than part of a day."
Galil smiles in relief. "Excellent."
"Let me reserve our rooms for a week. That way, there is no chance of our mounts disappearing. And once we round up our wayward companions, we should be ready to leave in the morning. Just take all your valuables."
Galil nods. "I'll be ready."
"Those who wish to take mounts, well, I can shrink them," the woman says, "And I'd rather take them, just in case we can't teleport back here, for whatever reason."
"Hmmm... Good point. Okay, we take all our mounts. Then, I will not pay for our rooms in advance."
Galil's eyes widen slightly. "If there is any chance at all we may not be able to come back, I would like to take Mouse with me."
"As long as your Mouse doesn't mind being as small as a mouse for a short time, we'll be all set," the mage says.
After dinner you retire for the night. The inn is cool and comfortable.