<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4da6ff">“The Annex of Lord Arslan or Lady Kaya’s Retreat both have very nice beds,”</span>Maleki says, deciding to tackle the comment on guest suites.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4da6ff">“They won’t want me too far out of reach while I’m in the city, so we’ll be staying there, once all of…”</span>Maleki shook the manacles lightly. “<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4da6ff">... this is taken care of. Considering how relaxed the guard has been, Bach isn’t having any particular problem. So we won’t be heading to his estate’s guest suites.”</span>Maleki sighs a bit and gives the faintest of smirks, entirely too weak for the effort put in to it.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4da6ff">“Considering how things have been since you showed up, I’m glad that’s our options.”</span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4da6ff">“As for what I have or have not told you is the same reason,”</span>Maleki explains, leaning forward a bit.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4da6ff">“Even if it’s people do not claim me and I have no power or influence, Valkaren is my city. How I fit into the new regime isn’t something that should be shared by me. Politics and civilian unrest and all the other aggressive consequences to state secrets. Think about what’d happen if...”</span>Maleki sighed and leaned back once more, fidgeting as they waited.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4da6ff"> “..if I say anything else before I’m out of manacles. Just… If you are as good as you think you are at political dealings, then you’ll be fine. I will explain it all when I can. Fair?”</span><br/><br/>With that dealt with, there was not much else to cover until they were moved. Just as Maleki predicted, Elril was back in twenty minutes, pulling a groggy and confused Tommen behind him. With Tommen collected into the trio, they were all escorted out of the room and into the center of a mass of guards, within arm’s reach of Elril the whole time. They did not enter through the cavernous entrance, but instead climbed the path carved into the side of the plateau. It was longer than anticipated, as each opening held a guard post all the wall to the summit. All of them seemed to understand what was going on, for the most part, allowing Aleksandra and Tommen glances into the city itself.<br/><br/>It could be compared to a hive. Paths of carved stone, unworked stone, and suspension bridges weaved across in some sort of organized chaos. Buildings and walkways were carefully and artfully put atop of one another, supported by superb structure or by the walls of the cavern itself. It was no hovel, but city upon a city upon a city in appearance. Light poured in from above and from other holes in the wall, letting in the clear moonlight as the evening hustle and bustle continued. The higher they climbed, the less bustle seemed to be going on. To their right, ever present, was the ascending view of the area around Valkaren. Despite the rougher conditions to the east, upon reaching a high enough height, the land to the west seemed to flourish, with farms cropping up in the distance, and even further away, the healthy green of a forest canopy could be seen. Both vistas were worth the look, though for different reasons. It made Valkaren seem as it was straddling an invisible line.<br/><br/>Finally, after yet another hole out of the wall guard post, Elril paused and turned to Aleksandra and Tommen.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#8000ff">“The man assigned to the top is not aware of the… accommodations when it comes to the Bloody Exarch.”</span>he said, offering up the manacles towards either of them. The guards politely waited for consent before carefully placing the manacles on both of them comfortably.  Upon turning the last quarter of the path, a large gate of dark stone blocked all view forward, and an intimidating wall fitting for a noble district or a castle itself was settled neatly along the edge. An obviously younger man strutted out of one of the groups of guards manning the gate and snapped to an overly formal attention in front of Elril. There were a couple of hushed words between the guard captains, and the young captain immediately scowled as his eyes pierced into the ball of guards, landing on Maleki, who had begun to slouch his posture as soon as manacles were put on his companions. It made him look as if he was dragged along willingly, which was the look he was going for. With his head down, he stole a glance up to notice the disgusted stare and match it with one of his own intensity, quickly multiplied with a slight toothy smirk. The disgusted gaze faltered slightly and Elril immediately refocused the young captain, and eventually the captain quickly walked away and opened the gate for the group.<br/><br/>It was like stepping into a Hammarfell district at the top of the plateau, but all at the same time, it felt different as well. The core of the architecture was the same, but the style was radically different, fitting the local culture more than Hammarfell’s. Everything was grand and sweeping, it felt as if the entire district was view-able by the gate. But unfortunately, the sudden and breathtaking view was torn away as Elril brought them down the road and buildings and estates began to block sight-lines. As their path continued, Maleki straightened up, a confused look on his face.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4da6ff">“Surely they ain’t still in council? This late?” </span>Malek asked.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#8000ff">“You’ve come back at an opportune time, The company is fine, but there are things we can’t handle with blade or coin in the way we’re used to,”</span>Elril explains, marching them forward.