When Dareios Falls

Kaerith had known what to expect from Greiholld—the town where weapons fell silent and wars came to die, where the Council maintained peace through a combination of old magic and newer diplomacy.

However, knowing and seeing were two entirely different things.

Even from where she stood, on the hillside, the beauty of it stole her breath.

Rumor had it that the castle was built from living rock, like something from a fairy tale, its pale stone seeming to glow in the morning light.

Tapestries in jewel tones hung from the tower windows, fluttering like captured rainbows in the mountain breeze. Below the castle walls, the town spread in terraced circles, each level connected by graceful bridges and staircases carved from the mountain itself.

Her escorts had departed after bidding her well and heading back to camp. She'd sent her horse to the town stables and walked through the bustling city.

Market stalls lined cobblestone streets that gleamed as if they were polished daily. Gardens bloomed impossibly lush despite the altitude, their colors so vivid they seemed to vibrate in the clear air.

The sound of haggling merchants, laughing children, and street musicians carried on the breeze—the symphony of a place that had never known siege or slaughter.

It was more beautiful than any of the stories had conveyed, and far more prosperous than she'd imagined possible.

It was more beautiful than any of the stories had conveyed, and far more prosperous than she'd imagined possible. It reminded her of home - hanging gardens lush with rare flowers that bloomed year-round in vibrant cascades, marble buildings that made other kingdoms weep with envy.

She grinned with pride.

"Magnificent, isn't it?"

Kaerith turned to find an elderly woman leading a donkey loaded with pottery, her weathered face kind beneath a faded headscarf.

The merchant's eyes held the shrewd intelligence of someone who'd spent decades reading strangers, but there was warmth there rather than suspicion.

"It truly is," Kaerith replied, adjusting her own simple traveling clothes—brown wool dress, practical boots, a worn cloak that suggested modest means. "I'd heard stories, but..."

The woman laughed, a sound like wind chimes.

"Stories never do it justice, dear. Especially not lately—the town's been practically glowing since we're having visitors." 

The old woman sighed disheartedly,

"Everyone's hoping this might finally help move settlement agreements and the border tensions between those two kingdoms."

Kaerith's pulse quickened. "Uh, I see. The negotiations with King Aldric?"

"The very ones. Such a promising young king, from what I hear—though I suppose you can't trust half the rumors that float around during times like these." The woman studied Kaerith with renewed interest. "You're here for the talks too, I'd wager? Most visitors this week are."

"In a way," Kaerith replied carefully. "I'm hoping the peace talks succeed. Border conflicts are bad for everyone's business."

"Wise words from someone so young," the woman said approvingly. "Been a merchant long?"

It was a natural question—Kaerith's cover story would need to hold up under casual scrutiny.

"My family trades in textiles," she lied smoothly. "I'm here to see if the improved trade routes might open new opportunities."

"Ah, textiles! Well, you've come at the right time then. If King Aldric manages what they say he's attempting, the merchant guilds are expecting a golden age of trade." The woman leaned closer, lowering her voice with the universal delight of someone sharing gossip.

"My niece works in the castle kitchens, you know. Says the king arrived with barely a dozen retainers and spent his first day asking questions about local farming techniques. Farming techniques! What kind of conqueror cares about crop rotation?"

'The kind who cares about his people's welfare ?' Kaerith thought, even her father did that, but kept the observation to herself.

"He's here for peace talks, not conquest," she said instead.

"Exactly!" The woman beamed as if Kaerith had passed some sort of test.

"Though tell that to some of the other kingdoms' representatives. There's been a steady stream of them arriving all week—ambassadors and spies and who knows what else. The castle's practically bursting with folks who seem mighty nervous about what the young king might say."

Other kingdoms' representatives. Kaerith filed that information away. "Nervous about peace talks?"

"Nervous about being shown up, more like. From what I hear, King Aldric's proposals are... well, let's just say they're not what anyone expects." The woman adjusted her donkey's load with practiced efficiency.

"Course, that's just kitchen gossip. But if you're staying for the talks, you might want to secure lodging soon. The Inn - Peacefull Hearth still has rooms, but they're filling fast."

'Peacefull Hearth? A bit on the nose', Kaerith thought.

"Well, I should be getting these pots to market before the good spots are taken," the woman continued, adjusting her donkey's load.

"The Peaceful Hearth has clean rooms and fair prices. Just follow the main road toward the castle—you can't miss it." The old woman continued her later words, trailing off as she got lost in the crowd.

Kaerith shouted her thanks and watched the merchant disappear into the growing herd of morning traders. Around her, Greiholld continued its bustling daily life, entirely at odds with everything she'd been told to expect.

She spent the late morning exploring, mapping the layout while maintaining her cover as a traveling merchant. The town was larger than it appeared from a distance, built in concentric circles around the central castle. 

The outer ring housed the markets and inns, the middle ring contained mostly guildhalls and several meeting courts, and some trading stalls still, and the inner ring—closest to the castle itself—was where she glimpsed the real wealth of Greiholld.

The temples. Built in many different kinds of gemstones, some of which she had only seen in books, because they were believed to have been lost in time. 

Many gods had their temples here - Anahita, Mithra, Verethragna. Her eyes moved from temple to temple as she read the names of the gods on the bejeweled cobblestones.

Ahura Mazda, she paused. His temple was the most magnificent of them all. Adorned with jewels, marbled walls that looked like a god had touched, and rare flowers. she stood frozen as she watched from afar, bowing slightly before turning away.

You could still find stalls, but they mostly sold items particular to a kingdom. The Vaelthornes are known for their silver, Korthani for their spices, while Draconic steel is considered the best. For textiles, the Elvihsj never steer wrong.

Greiholld was a place where a lone woman in traveling clothes could move without drawing attention. 

Though one should not be fooled by how lax the patrol was, one wrong move - attempting an assassination, inciting a riot- and you'd be gone.

By afternoon, she'd identified the castle's layout and discovered something crucial: the main audience chamber had a servants' gallery that ran along its upper walls. Used by serving staff during formal dinners, it would provide perfect concealment for observing the proceedings below.

The challenge was getting inside without arousing suspicion.