In the morning, Koryu gathered up his companions. It took an effort to get Raven up, she was hung over from the night before. As they got up and had a quick breakfast, Koryu found Rii preparing a backpack with a group of Norn.
"Rii, we're going to head out to a city called Lion's Arch. Want to come with us?"
"No. I'm going to stay here. There is a pretty strong chief not far from here that is attacking people. I'm going to go show him who's the strongest."
Koryu nodded. Ever since the demoness had attacked the Astral Cafe and was defeated, she had struggled to prove herself every chance she got. Her pride was hurt bad and no matter the victory, it was never enough to salve that wound.
"Good luck with that. We'll come back here later to find you before we leave Tyria."
Koryu joined the rest of the group outside the homestead. The Norn had told them to take the path up the mountain to Hoelbrak where they would find something called an Asura Gate that would take them instantly to Lion's Arch.
The mountain was steep, but the path was well made with stairs carved out in some parts. Higher up the mountain they found a larger settlement with several massive buildings around a central yard. One of the buildings was three stories tall and wide enough to fit several of the longhouses they had spent the night in. A promenade with several merchants ran across the front of the building.
At the end of the promenade they found a large stone ring filled with swirling, purple energy. Standing near the gate was a short creature with big ears. The creature, an Asuran named Graff explained that all they had to do was step through the ring.
"And you will be out of this cold bowl of a courtyard in a jiffy."
Koryu and the others stepped through. They stepped into a stone courtyard surrounded by identical rings. They were in Lion's Arch.
The city was built around a small harbor. Near the lighthouse was a fortress. Across the narrow water were docks flanking a building that looked like a lobster. A plaza sat nearby and the city grew denser beyond the pier and plaza.
The group wandered around the city and took in the different sights. The city was packed with people of different races: Norn, Charr, human, and Asurans. There were city guards from each of the races in burnished breastplates.
As they explored the city, one by one the group split up. Raven went down to the docks.
Koryu crossed the bridge to the other side of the river and chatted with some people in a fortress called Fort Marriner. The fort he learned was run by a group called the Vigil. He learned from the Vigil solders about an attack on the city a few years before that destroyed more of the place and a dragon rose up from under the sea.
"Dragons seem to cause a lot of trouble in these parts," Koryu said.
"That they do. But the Vigil was made to fight them. We will be ready if another one comes to Lion's Arch," a Charr named Crusader Aurus Fuseblight replied.
"What if I wanted to go fight a dragon," Koryu asked.
"Going alone is suicide. You would do better with a warband. Or even better, an entire legion."
"Thanks for the idea."