NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5: [5] Soleilspire
The first glimpse of Soleilspire took my breath away.
The city sprawled across the horizon, its towering walls shimmering in the afternoon sunlight. Banners of deep blue and gold flapped in the breeze, each one emblazoned with an intricate crest I couldn't decipher. Beyond the walls, I could make out spires that pierced the sky like lances, their white stone glinting as if they were made of polished marble. The streets leading up to the gates were alive with activity—merchants with carts laden with goods, travelers on horseback, and soldiers patrolling in gleaming armor.
"Holy shit," I muttered, craning my neck to take it all in. "It's like something out of a fantasy movie."
Eris, riding in front of me on the horse, glanced back over her shoulder. "Keep staring like that, and people will think you've never seen a city before."
"I haven't seen a city like this before," I shot back, still wide-eyed. "This makes New York look like a goddamn trailer park."
She didn't respond, but I thought I saw the faintest hint of amusement in her expression.
As we approached the massive gates, the scale of the place became even more overwhelming. The walls were at least fifty feet high, their stonework flawless and imposing. Guards in matching uniforms—deep blue cloaks over silver armor—stood at attention near the entrance, their halberds gleaming in the sunlight.
"Halt," one of them called out, stepping forward as we reached the checkpoint. Her voice was firm but not unkind. "State your name and purpose."
"Eris," my companion said without hesitation, her tone clipped and authoritative. "Knight of Valmere, returning to the capital. This is my squire."
I blinked, taken aback. Squire?
The guard's sharp eyes flicked to me, lingering for a moment before she nodded. "Understood. Welcome back, Dame Eris." She stepped aside and waved us through without another word.
As we passed through the gates, I couldn't help but lean closer to Eris, lowering my voice. "Squire, huh? Is that just what you call random guys you pick up in the woods?"
"It's easier than explaining the truth," she said simply. "And less likely to raise questions."
I sighed, shaking my head. "Guess I should be grateful. Better than being called 'the naked crater guy.'"
Eris ignored me, guiding the horse through the crowded streets.
Inside the city, the chaos hit me like a freight train. Soleilspire was alive in a way that no modern city could match. The streets were narrow but packed with people—vendors shouting to advertise their wares, kids darting between carts, and musicians playing lively tunes on street corners. The buildings were a mix of stone and timber, their upper floors jutting out over the cobblestone streets. Flower boxes hung from windows, their vibrant colors a stark contrast to the gray stone.
The smells were overwhelming—roasting meat, fresh bread, spices I couldn't even name, and a hint of something earthy and metallic that I assumed was the forge district.
"This place is insane," I said, my head swiveling as I tried to take it all in.
"It's the heart of the kingdom," Eris said, her tone matter-of-fact. "Trade, politics, magic—it all happens here."
As we moved deeper into the city, I noticed the people. Women seemed to dominate the crowd—merchants haggling with customers, soldiers patrolling the streets, and workers hauling crates of goods. The men I saw were quieter, less assertive, often following behind women or tending to smaller, more meticulous tasks.
The matriarchal vibe Eris had mentioned was impossible to ignore, and it made me feel like a fish out of water.
"Soleilspire is unique," she said. "The other capitals have their own charm, but none are as...grand."
"Yeah, no kidding," I muttered, glancing up at one of the towering spires that seemed to stretch endlessly into the sky.
We eventually stopped at a large stable near the city's center. Eris dismounted with practiced ease, and I slid off the horse less gracefully, stumbling a bit before catching my balance.
"Stay close," she said as she handed the reins to a stablehand. "This city isn't kind to outsiders."
"Noted," I said, falling into step behind her as she led the way through the bustling streets.
We walked for what felt like miles, the noise and activity around us never letting up. Finally, we turned down a quieter side street, the buildings here a bit shabbier but still well-maintained. Eris stopped in front of a sturdy wooden door with a painted sign hanging above it—a tankard and a loaf of bread.
"A tavern?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"We need food, and you need rest," she said simply, pushing the door open.
The tavern was alive with noise—laughter, clinking tankards, and the occasional off-key singing from the corner where a group of drunken women was belting out some kind of battle song. I sat awkwardly at the table Eris had chosen, trying not to look out of place. She was sipping her ale with the calm confidence of someone who had done this a thousand times before, her eyes scanning the room as if she were cataloging every potential threat.
I was halfway through a bowl of stew that was surprisingly good when the door swung open with a loud bang. A woman stepped in, her presence commanding enough that the noise in the tavern dimmed for a moment.
She was tall, maybe an inch or two taller than Eris, with short, choppy black hair that barely brushed her jawline. Her armor was similar to Eris's but less polished, with dents and scratches that made it clear she'd seen her fair share of fights. Her green eyes sparkled with mischief, and her wide grin was so infectious that I felt myself smiling back instinctively.
Her chest was noticeably large, her breastplate doing little to hide the fact she had big melons. A scar ran diagonally across her left cheek, giving her an air of rugged charm that matched her confident stride.
"Well, well, well," she said, her voice loud and playful as she made a beeline for our table. "If it isn't Dame Eris, the Ice Queen herself!"
Eris didn't look up, but her jaw tightened slightly.
The woman ignored the lack of response, hooking an arm around Eris's shoulders like they were old friends. "Still as friendly as ever, I see. Don't tell me you're here to drink alone."
"I'm here to rest," Eris said flatly, her voice carrying just enough edge to suggest she wasn't in the mood for company.
Undeterred, the woman's gaze flicked to me, and her grin widened. "And who's this?"
"Uh..." I started, feeling like a deer in headlights under her intense stare.
Her smirk turned wicked. "Don't tell me. He's your boyfriend?"
"What? No!" I blurted, my face heating up.
Before I could say more, she leaned in, her hand reaching out toward me like she was going to ruffle my hair or maybe pinch my cheek. "Aw, he's cute! Didn't think you had it in you, Eris—"
Her hand never made it to my face. Eris moved faster than I thought was possible, her gauntleted hand shooting up to grab the woman's wrist in midair. The motion was smooth, controlled, but there was no mistaking the warning in her grip.
"This is my squire," Eris said coldly, her blue eyes locking onto the other woman's.
The playful grin faltered for just a moment before returning, accompanied by a laugh. "Alright, alright! Don't get your armor in a twist." She raised her free hand in mock surrender, and Eris released her wrist without another word.
The woman took a step back, rubbing her wrist as she chuckled. "Same old Eris. No fun at all."
Eris didn't respond, but the way her hand hovered near her sword made it clear she wasn't amused.
The woman turned her attention back to me, her grin softer this time. "Sorry about that, kid. Didn't mean to spook you. Name's Kaelyn. Knight of the Fifth Division. And you are...?"
"Alec," I said cautiously, not entirely sure if I should trust her.
"Nice to meet you, Alec," Kaelyn said, giving me a quick once-over before glancing back at Eris. "You've got a cute one here. Hope you're treating him well."
Eris's expression didn't change, but her tone was like ice. "He's none of your concern."
Kaelyn laughed again, holding up her hands. "Fine, fine. I'll leave you two lovebirds alone." She gave me a wink before walking away, her armor clinking softly as she moved toward the bar.
As soon as she was out of earshot, I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. "What the hell was that about?"
"Kaelyn is...annoying," Eris said simply, taking another sip of her ale.
"No shit," I muttered, glancing toward the bar where Kaelyn was chatting animatedly with the orc bartender. "She seems like the type who doesn't take no for an answer."
"She doesn't," Eris said, her tone clipped.
I raised an eyebrow. "You two know each other?"
Eris nodded, though she didn't elaborate.
"Care to share, or is this another one of those 'none of your business' things?" I asked, leaning back in my chair.
Eris's gaze flicked to me, and for a moment, I thought she was going to tell me off. But then she sighed, setting her mug down. "We trained together. She's skilled, but undisciplined. Too focused on enjoying herself to take her duties seriously."
"So she's the class clown, and you're the valedictorian," I said with a smirk.
Eris frowned, clearly not understanding the reference. "She's reckless. And people get hurt when knights like her lose focus."
"Fair enough," I said, holding up my hands. "I won't bring it up again."
Eris nodded, her attention drifting back to her drink. I couldn't help but glance back toward Kaelyn, who was now arm-wrestling the bartender and laughing loud enough to shake the rafters.
"She doesn't seem all bad," I said, more to myself than to Eris.
"She's not," Eris admitted reluctantly. "But she's dangerous in ways she doesn't realize."
I didn't know what to say to that, so I just focused on finishing my stew. The noise of the tavern swirled around us, and for the first time since arriving in this strange world, I felt...a little more at ease. Sure, things were still completely fked, but at least I wasn't alone in it.
Eris might've been cold and blunt, but she was reliable. And in a place like this, that was worth more than all the warm smiles in the world.
Q: Are you into warrior women?