The wind howled quietly across the open plains as Kaidën and Zarel stepped onto the old, cracked road leading into Aschel — or what was left of Aschel.
Kaidën narrowed his eyes from behind the brown hoodedcloak that enveloped him. He slowed his pace involuntarily while taking in the view that greeted him.
The land that had been overrun by corruption and crime was no longer recognizable.
Neatly paved roads crisscrossed through the city, lined with bustling market stalls, tiny workshops, and neat blocks of whitestone structures. Merchants shouted prices, small children ran past with laughter, guards passed by in neat armor — it was a little unreal.
Only four years ago, this place had been the rotting underbelly of the kingdom. A playground for criminals, a graveyard for the hopeless. Now... it was alive.
