Page 32 of Death of a Mortal

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By the timethe carriage approached the gates, my hands were aching, and my arms were burning with the effort of holding on. I’d put as much of my weight as I could in my legs hooked over the bar at my knees, but my arms were still holding up a considerable amount of weight.

I had been contemplating who the lord and lady in the carriage above could be. Judging by the green and gold adornments, I figured they belonged in the capital and must have been part of the Ashenholt royal court, or maybe a noble family close to the royals. How fitting that it would be on the backs—or carriage underside—of the royals and nobles that we, lowly mortals, entered Dolvenar.

I held my breath as the bottom of the city walls came into view on either side of the carriage, praying we would go right through.

We slowed but didn’t stop. The shuffling, booted feet of two guards on either side approached the carriage. This was it. If we got past this moment, we were in Dolvenar.

But then we stopped.

I saw my panic mirrored in Nella’s eyes. If this lord and lady didn’t have the notoriety and trust with the guards, they would be searched.

And we would possibly be found.

Nella’s arms were shaking. I couldn’t think of a worse time for her grip to give out than now.

“Hold on,” I mouthed to Nella, not daring to speak.

She nodded.

“Good day, my lord. The king wasn’t expecting you until next week.” It sounded like the guard closest to Nella.

I felt the carriage shift, as if a large man were moving inside.

“He will understand when I tell him thenews. Dare I say he’ll want to organize a celebration in my honor? On with it.” The lord had a distinctly deep and booming voice.

It was likely that whatever warranted an impromptu celebration from the king was not good for the mortals.

Then he snapped his fingers at the guard twice.What a dick.

“Yes, my lord.”

The carriage shifted once more before it started moving again. Thank gods.

“That was close. Don’t let go until I tell you it’s clear. Still in sight of too many guards,”said Noxie.

“Make it soon, please. I’m losing my grip.”

From under the carriage, I could see many pairs of feet moving around us in every direction. Some clad in boots like the guards, some barefoot, and others in fine silks of all colors. Which struck me as odd. Those would get so dirty on the streets of Briarstead.

Except the roads here weren’t dirt. They were smooth, polished white stone. And the people here weren’t poor either.

We’d made it to Dolvenar.

Admittedly, I hadn’t expected my first glimpse of the capital to be from this vantage point, but what I could see was bustling. There were many voices, some calling to friends, some laughing, others arguing and haggling. I smelled decadent spices, sweet herbs, and floral aromas. Even from down below, the city looked so…colorful compared to anywhere else I’d been. Like there was magic in the air, making everything brighter and more lively. My senses were overwhelmed. Everything felt too intense here.

And the intensity only made me that much more conscious of my left-eye blindness. There was so much to see, and I only had half the vision to take it all in. I still wasn’t used to it, and each disorienting sway of the carriage didn’t help.

“Your chance to drop is coming soon. Stand by.”

“We’re going to drop soon, when Noxie tells me it’s safe. Can you hold on a little longer?” I whispered to Nella.

“Just a little longer,” she whispered back.

The carriage came to a stop, and looking around, it seemed all the feet in sight were facing away from us, in the same direction from which I could hear a loud voice reading what sounded like a public announcement.

“… pleased to announce the passage of a new law that requires all mortals to register with the court magistrate and present themselves for an annual census…”