Ryan squinted at the distant silhouette as they rode closer. The shape that had, at first, seemed overwhelming was now… completely and utterly overwhelming.
Its imposing walls were taller than any Ryan had seen on Earth. Maybe 30 or 35 meters tall. But he couldn't tell accurately from the distance.
The road they travelled forked, one going north, one east into the town, and one that bent gently southward, skirting the settlement rather than leading straight into it.
They followed the gentle southward road that passed along its outer edge instead of entering. The closer they came, the clearer it became why.
Crowds.
Endless lines of carts, travellers on foot, merchants calling out prices, guards shouting instructions. One of the many main gates of the great town that was choked with traffic, a constant press of people trying to move in and out.
"We're going around?" Ryan asked, glancing sideways at Micah.
