The path to the capital was 4 days in a carriage. Thankfully Hunter summoned something the boys had never seen.
The bird was 25 feet in body length with a huge wingspan of 50 feet. The bird featured beautiful white feathers that shimmer in the light with colorful and vibrant purple tips on its tail and wings. A subtle crest of soft feathery plumes adds on to its beautiful appearance. The eyes were large and a luminous violet color that displayed intelligence and curiosity.
"This is Zephyrwing. My trusty Mount and best friend. He's been with me since childhood." Hunter pet the black, metallic beak and smiled reviewing the memories he had with his Mount.
"Why didn't you show us this before?!" Tommy exclaimed.
Arthur nodded, "Dad, I can't help but feel betrayed right now."
Hunter awkwardly laughed, "I typically let him do what he wants. He's been outside of Frosthaven having fun so it's not my fault."
Gloria arrived and smiled, "So you showed them."
"Yeah, the reaction was as we predicted."
"Of course. There is nothing I don't know about my children."
Tommy and Arthur felt a pang of guilt but shook it off. The family wasn't wearing any fancy clothes. They were dressed very warmly considering the cold in the north and better dressed than casual but less formal. Something to maintain the dignity of nobles.
With Zephyrwing, the 4 day trip turned into a one day trip.
They arrived at the Royal Capital, Regalwyn.
Unlike the north, the Capital was located in the center. It was also warm and not cold all the time. The buildings were huge and shiny. They didn't have many fortresses around because they had no impending danger of being invaded by Fiends.
Zephyrwing landed on the ground and the Shelby family dismounted. The brothers looked up and saw many flying creatures with people on top of them in the air. Majestic creatures that Tommy and Arthur thought were absolutely beautiful and some were very intimidating.
Rawrrr—!
A loud roar echoed through the air. A black lion with a flaming golden man. Its size was massive and even bigger than a carriage.
Arthur's eyes were shining. "Cool." He looked at all the magnificent creatures and ingrained them in his eyes. 'I want one.'
"We will be getting off here. There are no people allowed to fly over the Capital wall. They arrived in front of the main gate.
"ID?"
The gate guard recognized the Shelbys at first glance however he still had to check the passes and confirm their identity because of the strict rules and nobody is exempted. Not even 'The Executioner'.
'Please don't blame me, please don't blame me.'
Hunter handed the guard 4 IDs.
"Thank you! You can go in now."
They passed the gate and the streets were bustling with people. "Dad, why are there so many people?" Arthur asked.
Tommy nodded because he knew for sure that not everybody was invited to the princess's party.
Hunter answered, "There is the princess's party and then the 3 day birthday festival that will happen the day after. Most people here are here for the festival. We are here for both."
They started to walk and they arrived at a very expensive inn. There were also already many people inside.
They all looked toward us and it seemed all of them were able to recognize who we were.
The first floor was huge and it was a restaurant as well as a check in area.
"Take a seat, we will get you a room." Gloria said.
Hunter and Gloria went up and Tommy and Arthur sat down on the nearest empty couch.
They were having their own conversation waiting for their parents before a boy seven years of age walked up to them. "So you guys are the Shelby twins." He looked at them up and down, "I don't recognize anything special."
'Are we being deadass?' Thomas and Arthur were mind boggled. 'Is he purposely picking a fight?'
The boy had dirty blonde hair that was neatly combed to the side with brown eyes. His outfit was a red thick jacket with white lines and strings and black pants. His grin exuded arrogance and conceit.
Arthur ignored the boy since he couldn't be bothered. He knew Tommy would solve it. One way or another.
Tommy looked at his brother and questioned, "Are you really leaving this up to me? Why do I have to do something?"
Arthur stayed silent but that was the only answer Tommy needed.
He sighed and asked, "And who might you be?"
He puffed up his chest and smiled smugly, "Colon Graveborn, son of Harvey Graveborn, the Duke of Graveborn Duchy."
"We are both sons of Dukes so why do you think you're better than me?"
"The Graveborn Duchy is different from the seclusive Shelby Family who stay in the north the whole time and fight the monsters. We participate in the business of the Royal Family."
"Holy shit this kid is stupid." Tommy muttered.
Colon was taken aback by the sudden insult, "W-what did you just say."
Hunter and Gloria called, "Arthur and Tommy, let's go."
Tommy and Arthur sat up and walked past Colon but not before Colon grabbed on to Tommy's arm. "Hey! Who said you can leave?"
Tommy grabbed Colon's arm and twisted it. He then swept his leg causing him to fall to which Tommy then put his knee on Colon's chest while twisting his arm. His amethyst eyes staring into his brown ones.
"I can't—!" Colon gasped for air.
Everyone just watched and didn't do anything. They just watch with amused faces interested in the drama unfolding.
"Tommy." Arthur called. "Enough, let's go."
Tommy let go of Colon's arm and lifted his knee. His serious expression quickly changed into a shy smile while rubbing his head. "Haha, I apologize. It seems I overreacted."
They walked away and reunited with their parents. Tommy suddenly felt a hand on his head. It was his father.
"Good job."
He looked at his mother and saw her smiling. They arrived at their room and unpacked all their belongings that were in their storage ring.
Gloria announced, "The party is tomorrow and then after that is the 3 day festival. So we are going to enjoy our time today and explore Regalwyn."
"Yes!" Arthur and Tommy pumped their fist in excitement.
They all quickly dressed up in orderly fashion.
They all walk around the market, enjoying the bustling streets. Everybody recognized the famous Shelby Family. How could they not, their family are the only people in the world that have purple eyes.
Who could not recognize the person that saved them many times, Hunter Shelby.
The Shelby Family walked around without disturbances and had fun. They went out to eat, and enjoyed the puppet plays that were happening.
They all arrived at the steps of a building. It was massive. The building had beautiful intricate designs and its colors were violet and white. It was a church. The church of Caelum, God of Skies and Stars. They all walked in and took a seat.
Hunter looked up and gazed at the symbol of Caelum, a compass.
The Celestial Compass features a central compass rose with stylized points representing North, South, East, and West. Surrounding it are swirling patterns of the night sky filled with stars and constellations. The design is framed by a circular border that symbolizes the horizon, embodying guidance and exploration through the vastness of the cosmos. (Definitely did not use chat gpt for this part…)
Him and Gloria kept their eyes on it with a couple of moments of silence. Seeing this Tommy and Arthur also stayed silent. "This is Caelum, God of Skies and Stars. The God that your mother and I believe in."
He paused and Gloria continued, "This is just our belief. It doesn't have to be yours. We have our own circumstances that garnered our faith in Caelum. We came to a consensus and believe that you guys should come to find your faith in a god that you want."
Tommy and Arthur listened and felt grateful. They came from earth and even though they weren't very religious, they believed in God a little bit. However, after meeting the Creator and with this world having many gods, their belief dwindled down. At present, the boys knew gods were real but they didn't put their faith in them.
Why would they, when they might even fight them in order to complete their goal.
"Thank you." They both said.
Hunter and Gloria smiled and then went back to silence and prayer.
Tommy bowed his head and put his hand together, 'God of Skies and Stars, Caelum. I know you exist 100% so that might be the only reason I'm praying right now, but if you can hear me, please protect and care for my parents."
Arthur bowed his head and closed his eyes, "Caelum, I swear if anything happens to my parents I will hunt you down, I swear it. Besides that, please protect my parents. Don't betray the faith they have in you."
They looked up and half expected something to happen, especially Arthur who practically threatened a god.
And suddenly…!
Nothing happened
Everybody finished their prayers. "Shall we go?" Gloria said.
They walked out and decided to enjoy the rest of the first day at the capital.
Inside the church, the celestial compass glowed up and the compass spun rapidly before stopping. "What an interesting family. From past generations to this one."