THE LAST KEEPER

Chapter 306: 306. INNER CITY

The journey to the inner city was a distance away, even with the wagons. Only Sagiri, the little lass, the general, and his squad sat on the wagons while the city lord’s men and the general’s men walked. The city changed as they got away from the outer city. The structure’s design became more angular. The buildings quickly lost the homely feeling, and as the population of civilians dropped lower and lower, and only soldiers on patrol could be seen walking up and down, even a long way, the closer they got to the inner city.

”The outer city belongs to the people. Traders, soldiers, craftsmen, travelers, and civilians. But what you’re looking at now...” His eyes moved upward. ”...is the Inner City.” Their path widened the carriage wheels, and the stone changed darker, smoother, polished until the firelight reflected faintly across it.

Buildings became larger and farther apart. Open courtyards appeared. A long channel of flowing water cut through the district, carrying reflected lantern light through the night. Above the long channel of water sat a wide bridge.

The wagons pulled past the wide bridge and to the gate of the inner city. The warriors of the south just bowed when they saw the general and the city lord and opened the gate. This gate was heavy but not as heavy as the outer gate, and it opened pretty easily, giving birth into the inner city.

”Only those with duty to the South live beyond this point.” He pointed west, where a massive stone complex stretched across several terraces.

”That is the War Headquarters.” His hand shifted toward a fortress to the east of the inner city

”That is the Council Hall.” The general pointed to the left before his eyes went back to the tall structure that Sagiri saw all the way from the gate. only that this time it was visible. It was huge and more enormous. It was carved out of stone and looked ancient, as if it had been there for generations. It looked more magnificent.

”This is where the supreme chef of the south resides mostly. He has a structure like this in the Azreen capital. Behind the structure, you can’t see them from here, but four chief residents are built. Your clan’s chief residence is further back at the wall of the inner city.” The kai said, looking at the structure with respect.

”To the fortress!” The general said when the carriages stopped at a crossroad.

”I hate war fortresses too. I have had my good share of them.” Sagiri said in a hard voice.

”I don’t intend to hold you prisoner. You can leave after the council sits and decides in two weeks...”

”One week. They invited me. I shouldn’t have to wait two weeks.” Sagiri said.

”We can’t...”

”I can’t wait two weeks. If they don’t sit quickly, I will just assume whoever is not at the council in a week is against me. I have waited a year to even enter the capital. at this point, I will just have to take what’s mine and see who dares stop me.” Sagiri snarled.

”Big brother is so cool.” The city lord said Sagiri paused. He was beginning to regret not killing the stupid kid.

”It sounds like you have another reason for coming into the capital.” The general said, and sagiri turned his head swiftly to him.

He did not answer, however.

”I will advise you to stay calm and not get your emotions into this. If you do, then it doesn’t matter how strong you are. If someone finds out you care about something, then you will lose.” The Kai said. Sagiri wanted to debate, but he swallowed and let it go.

He had been distressed on this journey, and his mind was in turmoil. even more so after the fight at the gate and the emotional outburst. He wanted his friends to return safely and still go to Nkara to bid his clan goodbye. That had to be done soon, too. Sagiri took a deep breath and shut his eyes.

The rest of the journey to the fortress was quiet. Another towering gate and intimidating stone walls encircled the fortress. The warriors did not hesitate to open the gates once they saw the general and the city lord. Sagiri had a feeling the city lord spent most of his time suffocating the general in the war headquarters, and perhaps the general was the reason the boy’[s innocence had not been tainted by a fallen puppet to someone.

The fortress was smaller than the one in Tagayia but was still just as intimidating.

”The fortress has six wings,” Sagiri said, looking at its shape.

”Yes. The one in Azreen has six wings too. In total, we have twelve wings.” The general said, and Sagiri finally nodded.

You can stay in the fifth wing. It is where I stay. The wing is big enough for your men and my men to fit.” The general said, and Sagiri nodded. around the fortress and stopped at the front gate of the fifth wing.

”I stay in the fourth wing with my men. Big brother, you can come visit at any time.” The city order said, handing Sagiri a golden token. Sagiri did not have time to refuse before the token was pushed into his hand. Just how naive was the boy?

The general looked skeptical, but he did not say anything.

”If anyone wants to kill this boy, all he has to do is smile,” Sagiri said lowly, and the general sighed. Sagiri could tell the man had tried to teach the boy but failed over and over.

”I only give one to you because I know you won’t kill me and you are kind,” the boy said, and Sagiri snapped his eyes open.

Kind?

Him? kind. He couldn’t remember the last time anyone had ever called him kind since Rusha and Bakuru. His teammates had called him naive and oblivious before, but kind. With the many people he had killed and the trail of blood he had left?

”Azir is a good judge of character, ”The general said silently before he stepped down from the carriage.

”You both need to see a healer.” Sagiri signed before he jumped down.