Despite your past visit to the Palace, you are still in awe of the gargantuan scale of the structure. The steps for more human sized visitors line both sides of the trail up, in contrast the middle slabs of marble so large that several people could skirmish one another on each step. You have to wonder at the actual size of the Dragon, surely it must be on the scale of the towering Heir of Ursen. If not larger still.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDY9Wgx0ER8 - Merchanta High Caste themeComing to the crest of the steps, far higher than any point in the City below, you are greeted by a somewhat interesting party. Surrounding a palanquin, itself probably more valuable than the ship you sailed here on, there are scores of slaves. Not one of them could be considered unattractive, half of them appear to be the standing attendees and bodyslaves that the great and grand of this realm can expect to wait on them hand and foot. But the other half, about two dozen, stand in honour guard to their master. Each of them bear a simple shortspear and humble clothing, bare at the chest and simple wool sirwals, a kind of southern trousers. They are decorated with golden earrings and oiled skin, which leads you to suspect that they are present more as an ornament of sorts rather than practical protection.
The real muscle hovers around the edge of the palanquin, and they are some of the most heavily armed fighters you have ever seen in your life. Mercenaries, if you are to make any guess. And not the kind of mercenary that is cheaply bought. A tanned Langlish fencer that looks like he used to -own- the duelling plaza back home, a dark-skinned Tempest Isles man that appears more a prince than an archer, and one more. The one sitting on the foot of the palanquin that reclines back lazily, eyeing you with vague disinterest. You are in more ways than one reminded of a predator cat, comfortable in their own superiority. His race is an unknowable mixture, his eyes are different colours, one green one blue, and some warrior instinct in you yells that this is the most dangerous fighter present in the welcoming committee by far.
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