The Garden Of?
Chapter thirteen:
Arrival at the Walls of Eirenora (Part 1):
The fifteenth morning on the road started with the sound of wooden wheels creaking against the stones and dirt path. Keif's caravan moved slowly, but the rhythm of it had become comforting. The steady rocking, the way the horse snorted from time to time, the sound of leather straps tugging with every movement—it was all beginning to feel normal. I sat beside Keif on the driver's bench, the morning air brushing against my cheeks. It was cooler here than in Tern Village, and the breeze carried with it a freshness that almost stung my nose, like it had come from mountains far away.
Keif Grunler wasn't like the merchants I'd imagined. He wasn't old, wrinkled, or greedy-looking. He was slim, maybe in his twenties, with sharp eyes and a smile that carried both confidence and friendliness. He looked more like someone who belonged in the capital as a scholar or a noble's attendant, but instead, here he was driving a caravan loaded with crates and sacks of goods.
"You're quieter than usual today, Leif," Keif said, glancing at me as he adjusted the reins. "Something on your mind?"
I hesitated, then let out a small laugh. "I think I'm just nervous. It's… it's almost here, isn't it? The capital."
He smiled knowingly, like he'd heard those words a hundred times before from countless travelers. "Eirenora does that to people. You'll understand when you see the walls. They're not like anything you've seen before. Villages, towns… even small cities, they can't compare."
I leaned back, staring at the road that stretched endlessly ahead. "I don't know what to expect," I admitted. "I've heard stories, sure. About the white walls, the towers, the guards, the crowds. But… hearing it and seeing it are two different things, right?"
Keif chuckled. "Exactly. Don't worry. First time I saw them, I didn't blink for five minutes. My jaw nearly fell off my face. You'll probably be the same."
I grinned at his words, but deep inside, my stomach twisted. I was leaving behind everything I knew—Tern Village, mom, the simple life in the Crest Forest—and heading toward a place that would decide my future. The Academy. That single word carried so much weight. I didn't just want to be some kid from a nameless village. I wanted to prove myself. To rise higher. To change my fate.
The hours passed, and the dirt road slowly widened, becoming straighter, firmer. The caravan rattled less, and the sounds of distant movement began to fill the air. Other travelers joined the road: farmers with carts, soldiers on horseback, fellow merchants with their own wagons. The closer we drew, the busier it became. I noticed banners fluttering on poles carried by traders, wagons packed so full their wheels looked ready to snap, and families walking with tired children clinging to their arms.
"Looks like we're close," Keif said, tugging the reins lightly. His horse let out a snort, as though it knew too.
My heart sped up. I leaned forward, eyes straining for any glimpse of white stone, any sign of towers. But all I saw at first were trees thinning out, the road sloping gently upward.
Then, when we crested the hill, I saw it.
The Walls of Eirenora.
They rose so high it made my chest tighten. Pure white stone, glinting beneath the sunlight as though the walls themselves were alive. They stretched farther than I could see, their length swallowing the horizon. And every few hundred meters, massive watchtowers stood tall—forty meters at least—like silent guardians watching over everything below. I could see dots of movement up there, soldiers walking along the parapets, armor flashing like tiny sparks.
I froze, unable to move. My throat went dry.
"That's… That's the capital?" I asked, my voice barely more than a whisper.
Keif smiled, watching my awestruck face. "That's Eirenora. Impressive, isn't it?"
Impressive wasn't even the right word. It was overwhelming. The walls weren't just stone—they were a statement. They told the world, This is the heart of the kingdom. This is where power lives. This is what you cannot touch.
I felt small. So, so small.
But alongside the fear rising in my chest, something else burned brighter: determination. Someday… someday, I'll be strong enough to stand within those walls and not feel small at all.
As the caravan rolled closer, the gates became visible. They weren't just doors—they were enormous slabs of reinforced ironwood bound with steel, tall enough to swallow houses. In front of them, guards formed long lines, checking every wagon, cart, and traveler. The scene was busy, voices shouting, soldiers barking orders, children crying, merchants arguing. The sound of the capital was loud and alive, and it made my chest pound harder.
"Don't look so tense," Keif said casually. "Just answer what they ask, be polite, and keep calm. They're only doing their job."
Easy for him to say. My palms were already sweating. I could fight a monster in the forest, but standing before royal guards? That was different.
When our turn came, two soldiers approached. They wore polished breastplates, their spears gleaming, their eyes sharp and unyielding. One of them, a tall man with a scar across his cheek, gestured at us.
"Names. Purpose for entering Eirenora."
I swallowed hard, forcing my voice not to crack. "Leif Caelith. I… I came here for the Academy."
The soldier's gaze lingered on me, as though weighing my words, as though peeling back every layer of who I was. My heart hammered against my ribs, and I gripped the edge of the bench to steady myself.
Finally, he gave a curt nod and scribbled something on a tablet of parchment. Then his eyes shifted to Keif.
"Keif Grunler. Merchant," Keif said smoothly, holding out a set of travel papers. His tone carried practiced confidence, the kind only experience could give.
The soldier inspected the papers, nodded again, then waved us forward. "Proceed. Welcome to Eirenora."
Relief washed over me so fast my shoulders slumped. My throat loosened, and I let out a shaky breath. I hadn't realized I'd been holding it.
Keif chuckled beside me. "See? Not so bad. You handled it fine."
I laughed nervously. "My heart was about to leap out of my chest."
"That's normal." He gave me a small pat on the back. "The first step into the capital is always the hardest. After this, you'll see… it only gets better."
The caravan passed beneath the shadow of the gates, the cool darkness of the tunnel wrapping around us. For a moment, all I could hear was the echo of hooves and wheels against stone. Then, as we emerged into the city, light exploded before my eyes.
The capital.
Eirenora.