by Valien on May 31st, 2014, 9:28 pm
90th of Spring, 514 AV
It was the nearing the end of the season when Valien Altare approached the gates of Syliras, his daughter Serah's hand in his. He held onto her hand firmly, leading her with him as they approached the gates. She followed, looking tired and haggard, and her small hand in his was thinner than he would have liked. The journey had taken its toll on them both, but Serah strode forward bravely, taking determined steps that would have been admirable to him even if they weren't coming from an eight-year-old child still recovering from a fever. She'd grown up a lot this season--too much, in Valien's mind. He wanted to see her be a child again. Syliras might offer that possibility, and for that reason and that alone, Valien approached the gates.
He eyed the city with some distrust, although he was quick to mask it before he reached the guards. Being from Ravok, he didn't have the best opinion of other cities, and Sylirans, as far as he knew, held no stock with Rhysol. But then again, did he? After what had happened last winter, he didn't know what he believed anymore.
He came to a stop as a guard hailed him, Serah stopping beside him. Her grip tightened on his hand, but she said nothing, keeping her eyes on the guard. He'd instructed her to remain silent throughout the whole interview, and only speak if she was spoken to. He hoped that would be enough. Would the guards even let them into the city? For all he knew, he was marching himself and his daughter to their deaths.
He kept his free hand at his side, near where one of his knives were hidden, just in case.
"Halt," said the guard. "State your name and your business in this city."
"My name is Valien Altare," he said. "This is my daughter, Seraven. We're looking to settle in this city. We won't cause any trouble." He meant it. He was done living a double life. If he could, he intended to go straight.
He expected more questions, more suspicion on the guard's part. He'd expected something like the guard asking where he was from, maybe requesting paperwork that Valien had so far been unaware of. But instead, the guard simply looked them over before nodding, stepping aside. Maybe it was Serah's presence at his side, or maybe that was just how things were done in Syliras. Either way, he would have said a prayer in thanks, if he still knew what gods to pray to.
"The Housing Authority'll get you started," the guard said, as Valien passed. "Straight through, you can't miss it. Get some food in that girl of yours. She looks like she's about to fall over."
Valien nodded in thanks, taking Sera by the hand and stepping into the city. He would never admit it, but he was truly grateful for the concern.
Box code by Cylos Marn