Once the swan-drawn chariot clears the mountain, everything spreads out before them. The cold, blue rushing river outlines the sweeping green valley. Little houses of brick and stone dot the landscape, pressing in closer together as the streets turn from dirt to cobblestone. White banners adorn the shops and line the pathway to the castle. The seemingly doll-sized citizens bustle about in excitement, a few of them looking up and pointing out the golden chariot streaking through the sky like a shooting star.
There's no denying it: Siegfried's kingdom is beautiful.
"Don't jump out, moron," Fakir complains as he tries to contain the excited Duck. "You might get lost."
She huffs but tries to stay still in Fakir's arms. She doesn't know how he can be so calm when everything here is just so amazing! Even the people down below are shouting with abandon as they begin their descent to the castle.
The swan smoothly lands in a pool in the courtyard, the chariot behind gently splashing and bobbing. The few in the courtyard turn at the arrival. Most return to their business as quickly as they looked, though one woman hurries into the castle and a young man wearing glasses pauses to mark something down.
Duck flutters out first, rushing forward in her awkward waddle to the castle. Fakir carefully steps out after her just as the minor commotion lures out the royal couple. Duck leaps up just in time for Mytho to catch her.
It was a little too perfect.