"So that's the Royal Capital."
Sage remained on the ridge for another few moments before climbing back into the carriage, and even after the driver urged the horses forward, Mina kept her face near the window as though the enormous city might somehow disappear if she looked away.
The road descended gradually from the hill and merged into the stream Sage had seen from above, but what had looked like a dense line from a distance quickly became something far more chaotic once they joined it.
Wagons loaded with grain rolled beside enclosed merchant carriages, mounted travelers moved carefully through gaps whenever traffic slowed, and hundreds of people walked along the broad stone paths constructed on both sides of the Royal Road.
There were farmers carrying produce, mercenaries with weapons strapped across their backs, families hauling luggage, merchants shouting at drivers, servants following noble coaches and travelers whose clothes and accents Sage didn't recognize.
