Peldeep was unlike anything I’d ever seen.
Waking up in Peldeep waters, I’d immediately noticed the red pine forests and gingko groves sprouting between mounts that jutted into the sky. Bastian had said they were called the eight sacred mountains; each with a different temple on top. Craggy greeting pine with canopies like mushroom tops found perch on the rocky slopes of Tanto’s Inlet, and a flock of strange looking birds had floated past the boat - their bright red bills unnaturally long, and the black hairs on the back of their neck standing up like a lizardkin’s mohawk.
We passed the newly expanded adventuring city of Frisia on the southernmost point of the peninsula, a place that only existed because of Madame Potts. It was actually the first prophesy she gave:
[Hello? Can anyone hear this? Sorry to hack into the Crystal Cast Network, but there’s going to be a dungeon break in Frisia unless someone can find and clear it. I would start the search on the southwest side of Mount Seagirt for the dungeon entrance.]
It was the first time anyone had managed to use every crystal in the Crystal Cast Network, and it had caused quite the uproar. Thankfully, a Hunter named Malik had found the entrance… and just in time too. The dungeon was named after him, and now there were so many houses and shops surrounding Mount Seagirt that even I couldn’t see the hill from the sea.
We didn’t stop in Frisia, but we did push through the night and stop at the Peldeep Mage’s Tower to grab a hot breakfast and to buy everything.
“Drendil is always desperate for magicked items,” Robby had explained. “So we buy what is available now and what they restock the shelves with on our trip back. It’s easy money.”
“Do you think magic folk will move back now that Regent Havork is on the throne?” I’d wondered aloud. The world knew that no mage class had stepped foot on Drendil soil since the Tragedy of Magicians.
“I doubt it.” Bastian had said. “It takes time, and twenty years is not enough.”
Knowing how Sumbria felt about our own civil war, I’d agreed. Honestly, Valaria was in a very dark place twenty years ago, and I was happy I lived in today.
Despite admiring the flora and fauna of my new home, I still wasn’t ready when we reached Vitol midafternoon that same day.
The city was breathtaking.
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The Vitol Harbour was sprawled up both sides of the estuary, where the Gordon River met the ocean. In Sumbria, houses were built into the trees, and in North Sumbria, the capitol was built inside a great wall… but in Peldeep, the houses were floating. Countless bridges and boats crossed the river, and in every inlet there were floating houses moored to the docks. They weren’t simple dwellings either - some were three levels tall! - and all were decorated bright and beautiful.
The peaks of the Emerald Palace touched the sky at the northern tip of the city, and Bastian explained that was the direction we were going. His house was in the noble’s district on this side of the palace.
Bastian asked softly, “What do you think?”
“It’s so…” I struggled to find the words.
“Busy?” Lish offered.
“Busy,” I agreed. “I’ve never seen so many people in one place.”
In Sumbria, everything happened in the trees and the forest path was otherwise quiet. Some markets could get busy, and the hunts were boisterous, but nothing like this.
Vitol was like if everyone in Sumbria showed up for a festival day and decided to start yelling for no reason. A fae and a pixie were listening to a foxkin playing music on a boat as they sailed across the straight. A giantess was standing on a bridge and yelling to some friends on a boat nearby. The docks at the harbour mouth were full to bursting with shipping vessels, and everyone yelling orders or casting spells to move merchandise. The northern side was bustling with people of all kinds, some going about their day, others decorating the streets or hanging pinions between the tops of the buildings.
Overhead, a blond celestial was arguing with a green-haired mage, the pair of them flying towards the south side of the river.
“Those are the military barracks and the merchant’s warehouses.” Bastian cut in and pointed to where the pair had flown. “People live all over, on both sides of the Gordon River, but there are proper districts amidst the chaos. Over there is the Guild District, the Noble’s, and the Merchants. And as you can see, everyone is getting ready for the Apple Blossom Ceremony.”
“What’s that?” I narrowed in my sight on the decorations. Ropes were strung in a zig zag down boulevards, and the few courtyards I could make out from the ship were all getting their own personal touch. The square in the Merchant’s District had a statue with a scale in the middle of it, and ropes were tied like the spokes of a wheel out to the surrounding rooftops. In the Noble’s District, they didn’t hang fabric flags in the square, but ropes heavy with apple blossom flowers.
The breeze even worked a few petals free to fall on the folks walking below.
“The apple orchard behind the Emerald Palace blooms this time every year, and families go to see the flowers and celebrate the season. That, or they make the trek to Lake (I've forgotten the name). We use it as an excuse to take time off and throw a party.” Bastian smiled ruefully, “We’ll take any excuse to celebrate. There will be concerts, martial tournaments, and a ball at the palace. The official celebration is in two weeks, but some of the events start May 1st. If I know Rowen, they’re going to roll our wedding into the ball.”
“It would save on the expense.” I nodded, understanding perfectly.
Lish frowned, “You’re getting married in two weeks?”
“Quick, I know,” Bastian looked apologetic.
Lish didn’t reply. It was time to dock.
Sorry I missed last week, it was all travel, every day, all day > . <
I hope you had a wonderful time, and that the New Years and 2026 are greeting you with fine friends and found family who love you.
