Ember From A Forgotten Flame

The rhythmic creak of the carriage, the dull crunch of gravel, and the steady clip-clop of hooves had become a monotonous lullaby over the past five hours. I gazed out at the endless golden plains of the Fire Province, broken only by the occasional farm. My home, the city of Blaze, was now a distant memory.

To escape the monotony, I unwound the long braid of my hair, starting to rebraid it into a more intricate five-strand style. As my fingers worked, a sudden glimpse caught my eye. Against the flat horizon, buildings and trees began to rise. A wide smile bloomed on my face – Messalina, the shining capital of Candera, was finally in sight.

Fifteen agonizing minutes later, we crossed into the city limits. Cobblestone replaced dirt, and scattered wooden buildings gave way to a dense labyrinth of stone structures. The sheer scale of Messalina, far grander than Blaze, was breathtaking. Our carriage wound through the bustling streets, past the towering Messalina Castle, until we reached a grand set of golden gates. Above them, metal plates spelled out 'The Myre'. My new home. I had arrived.