452 H.E. Carthak

Nearly three weeks later, they finally arrived at the southern port that would take them to Carthak. It was almost nightfall by the time they reached the port so they spent the night at an inn. Early the next morning, they bought passage on a ship after assuring that their horses (which would also go on the ship with them) would be well cared for during their journey and sailed that day for Carthak. A few days, nearly a week, and they landed at the port in Carthak just around noon.

As soon as Lowell stepped off the boat, his mouth dropped open. This was the most amazing place- besides Corus- that he had ever seen. A little over a year ago, he had heard, Daine had helped take down the evil ruler, Emperor Ozorne, and replace the throne with his nephew, Kaddar. She had helped the slaves to be freed, too. In the process, though, she had managed to destroy the palace, but it seemed much had been rebuilt in the year since Kaddar became Emperor.

The palace, which spread out in front of Lowell, was now nearly complete and was gleaming. Flags and pennants that topped a few towers snapped to attention with every breath of wind. Since he was at a port, there was a slight breeze coming off the water. There were courtyards all around him with exotic plants and birds. Fountains were the centerpieces of such courtyards. The pathways were made of brick, unlike those in Corus which were only dirt still. Benches placed every thirty feet or so provided a place to rest for pedestrians. Off to Lowell's left was a path leading up a hill. Crowning the hill were several magnificent temples to many gods- both foreign and common. On the right was a path to a busy marketplace. There, people of many different nationalities were selling all sorts of merchandise.

The crowd that was disembarking the boat swept Alex and Lowell along to the Border Station where newcomers had to state their purpose for arrival and how long they would be there as well as pick up any luggage they had brought. Alex and Lowell were in and out in no time, saying that they were there for pleasure and that their length of stay was unknown at this time. They found their luggage and loaded up their horses. Once they were outside and away from the crowds of people flocking to the markets, Alex turned to Lowell and asked, "Well, what shall we do first?"

"I'm hungry," replied Lowell, looking up at Alex innocently. "That boat food wasn't so good."

Alex chuckled. "All right. Would you like to eat at the University, the palace, or in the city at an inn? I have some favors I could call in so that we can eat anywhere we want to for our entire trip."

"Which place has the best food? I'm starving."

"Would you like to go to the palace for lunch then see the menagerie? I think that would be a good thing to do on the first day." Lowell nodded emphatically. Alex grinned then said, "Okay, then. It's settled. To the palace we go!"

They walked to the palace after leaving their belongings and horses at an inn near the dock. When they reached the main courtyard just outside the palace, they were stopped by an armed guard. "What is your purpose for coming to the palace?" the soldier asked in a gruff voice.

Alex stepped forward and said, "I am Count Alexander of Golden Mountain, just north of Golden Lake and east of Naxen in Tortall. I once sold His Highness, Emperor Kaddar five anti-poison pendants. Please inform His Majesty that he once told me that if I were ever in Carthak City to seek him out and he would grant me royal favor. I am here now to collect what is owed me."

The soldier bowed and left. Within a few minutes, he returned and replied, "His Majesty will be most happy to accommodate you today. He asks that you please follow me to the kitchens where he usually takes his noon meal." The soldier beckoned and led them to the kitchens. There he left to return to his post.

The two travelers were met by the Emperor himself just outside of the kitchen doors. "Greetings, Count Alexander. I trust your boat ride was pleasant?"

"As pleasant as could be expected, your Highness. I would like to introduce you to my student, Lowell. He has never been to Carthak. He had no home and was briefly taken in by Veralidaine Sarrasri, the Wildmage," said Alex, bowing. "I believe you know of whom I speak?"

Kaddar held out his hand to Lowell who shook it. "Welcome, Lowell. I am Emperor Kaddar. I once met your Daine. She was very kind to me when she was here. She once called me simply Kaddar and I allow that you do the same. Now, what do you say to some lunch?"

"That sounds wonderful, Kaddar!" exclaimed Lowell, licking his lips and following Kaddar into the kitchens.

During lunch, Alex had expressed an interest in visiting the royal menagerie and Lowell had enthusiastically seconded the idea. Kaddar agreed to take them, laughing at how excited Lowell was. When lunch was finished, he took them all to the menagerie. There, they were able to meet many animals face to face thanks to Daine's magical influence over the animals. Lowell had so much fun meeting all the animals. He would greet those animals whose enclosures they could actually enter with a large hug and a cheery, "Hello!" Then he would talk at great length to the animal, telling it how good or how pretty it was and how he wished he could be that animal for whatever reason. He knew the animals couldn't exactly talk back to him, but he knew they understood much more than if they were animals in the wild. Both Kaddar and Alex were both very impressed by Lowell's unquestioning love of each and every animal Alex noted it was the same unquestioning love that the boy had shown to everyone back at Lake's Edge.

At last they finished their tour of the menagerie. Lowell was sad to leave, but he knew that he couldn't spend forever there. There was more to do and see in this wonderful city.

Meanwhile, two men had just left the Border Station. The first, a large, very dark-skinned man, exclaimed, "How could he be here? He couldn't know what we are hiding, so what is he doing in Carthak?"

The second man, who was of medium height and a lighter skin than the first man replied, "It's probably just a coincidence. I wouldn't worry about it."

"Normally, I wouldn't worry about it, either, but since he's no ordinary boy, we need to be more cautious. Tell Ahzed to move that which is in our charge to someplace safer. It needs to be in a place no one would ever think to look for it. We don't want the boy to find it and get his hands on it. It could mean trouble for us. Serious trouble," said the dark skinned man.

The lighter skinned man nodded and left to do as he was bid. The dark skinned man looked around then inconspicuously blended in with the new crowd coming from the Border Station.

For the rest of the day, Kaddar was their personal tourguide. He showed them the aviary that his late Uncle had built which Kaddar had decided to continue to maintain. He showed them the newly restored Hall of Bones as well as some of the newer museums including one which had old artifacts that were uncovered when part of the palace was destroyed last year.

That night, Kaddar invited his two guests to join him for dinner and then for a night stroll around the many candlelit courtyards. The two graciously accepted. When they were finished walking through the courtyards, they took their leave and went back to the inn where they had left their belongings.