THE APPLE OF SNAKES

lxii. the golden city

It took three weeks to reach the Golden City by carriage.

Traditionally, the trip would have been twice as long, with them staying every night at a different family's castle, not leaving until noon, and only traveling about ten miles before they stopped at the next family's castle. However, with an invitation to the Golden Palace - and one with a hard deadline - they had no time to waste and cut out a large part of the traditional dallying that would have taken place under any other circumstance and likely would take place on the trip back.

Nerluce was not looking forward to that. He was just as comfortable outdoors as he was on a bed and he didn't like the brown-nosing that always came when he was speaking to other families. Coam called it diplomacy. Nerluce called it a waste of time.

When they reached the Golden City, it was just before nightfall. Like all cities in Itoroh, the Golden City was woven into the mountains. Unlike all cities in Itoroh, when the setting sun kissed the Golden City, it seemed to glow. Nerluce stared in awe at the grandeur and beauty of the Golden City, a beauty that very few people were ever lucky enough to see in their lifetimes. 

The thing that Nerluce's eye was drawn to first was the massive set of gates that rested at the base of the Golden City and the high, stone walls that encircled the city completely. Monstrously high watchtowers spotted the wall, leaving no blind spots. The hip rooves were accented in gold. The gate was too. In the center was a golden sun - its rays stretching across the gate. Real gold. Just a fraction of what belonged to the city.

After verifying the invitation and identities of Nerluce, Coam, and the handful of the most talented and highly ranked disciples of the Hebikoti Clan, the massive gate was pulled open with a shout. It opened slowly, with groaning resistance. Nerluce could not look away. An invading army would never be able to breech this gate. It was impossible.

Coam chuckled.

"I'm admiring," Nerluce said. "There is nothing wrong with admiring."

"It's just funny," Coam said.

Nerluce glared at her. "Not all of us are so lucky to have been invited into the Golden City before."

"As far as I'm aware, I'm the only one in our party who has been here before," Coam said with a smile. "I wish I could see the expressions on the other's faces. A shame we have two carriages."

"Truly," Nerluce grumbled.

It would be nice to share the blunt of Coam's teasing.

However, her snickers were quickly forgotten upon passing through the great gates and into the legendary city beyond. Nerluce had grown up hearing stories about it. Everyone was fascinated by the city and its wealth and the Empress who lived there. Nerluce wondered if he'd get the opportunity to meet her. Even to look at her would be more than most got to do in a lifetime. Nerluce wondered if her skin was really gilded.

Their carriages passed through the quiet streets. The city was very serene, even at the time it ought to have been busiest. The few ladies and lords who were lucky enough to live in the Golden City glided along in elegant robes, weaving through golden pillars supported buildings with yellow rooves. A golden tree with golden leaves - each carefully sculpted - was surrounded by a pool of clear water with golden koi swimming through. 

They passed through the heart of the Golden City and as the sun finally sunk beneath the horizon, golden paper lanterns were lit, hanging above the city streets and keeping the divine glow from fading. Truly it was one of the most beautiful places Nerluce had ever seen and perhaps the most beautiful one ever to have been designed by a human hand.

Finally, at the highest point in the city, was the Golden Palace, home to the Empress. Though the entirety of the Golden City was a palace that belonged to the Empress, the Golden Palace was where she lived and greeted her guests - if she was obliged to do so. If not, the guests would be greeted by one of her children or adoptive children.