26
Kiria
Huge tan domes and turrets of Charäkhnem’s royal palace rose ahead of them. It was at least as magnificent as Kiria remembered. Long red banners rimmed with gold embroidery stood on gonfalons on either side of the enormous metal doors. They must have been three stories tall, decorated with round studs arranged in the shape of wings. Four guards, all wearing traditional pointed helmets, flanked the doors.
A pathway with guardrails, like a waterless bridge, led to the entrance. On the railing burned dozens of small candles. Wax coated the metal edges in a look both messy and religious. The guardrails must have been erected to keep those foolish enough to invade from having too many escape routes.
Kiria glanced at the armed escort that had come to lead them to the palace. These g
