It was strangely almost like a dream to be riding down a street in Mandira with Théadan by her side. It was a road she had traveled down several times in her life as it was one of the easiest ways to reach the palace without getting too clogged by the bustling city, but it felt different returning to it after so much having happened in her life. It was not as busy as other streets, but it still had people walking down it and they passed the occasional rider or carriage, but overall it was quieter, with one side of the street butting up against the impressive protective city wall. Homes lined the other side, with people working in and out of them, some with music wafting out of open windows, others with children playing on the front stoops. Potted plants of all types hung from windows or lined the exterior of the homes, but most of them had little courtyards behind them that boasted more greenery. There were other areas of the city with more greenery; Navia knew it was difficult for some plants to grow in the shadows of the city wall.<br/><br/>Théadan guided Wyndagar to watch shoulder to shoulder with Varinata, his voice teasing as he pointed out how the guards had recognized her. Navia shrugged at being recognized, though it was done with a smile, “It’s nice to know people remember who I am. We’ll see which travels faster to the palace, us or word that I’ve returned.” It could be that by the time they moved through the city, her family knew to expect her. Théadan had further questions however, his mind on the door she had pointed out to him. He wanted to learn more about the city they would call home for a while, which was not only understandable, but to exciting to Navia that he wanted to learn more. They would have to live in Mandira for a while after all; likely at least until their child was born and old enough to travel to wherever they decided to call their home.<br/><br/>“It is said to be the oldest city in Khlurios,” Navia began as their horses clopped along on the sandy road, following the city wall as it gradually curved. It could be seen ending in the distance however, where the city and the sea met. “There was a time there were no cities here and the gods roamed our lands without much direction. They all enjoyed the sea in some way though, and the first time all five gods were together is said to have taken place where our palace stands today. It is the birthplace of our nation and our monarchy. The gods agreed to rule our nation and all watch over Sura’s children, the Khluri. So the doors show the five gods in their animal forms, looking down on the first Khluri with pride.” There was more to the story, but the main port of Mandira was coming into view, a sight Navia was hoping Théadan would enjoy.<br/><br/>The road curved away from the wall and more buildings lined the straight while the wall continued out into the sea. “See how it keeps going outward,” Navia pointed to how the wall ended out in the water, “It’s supposed to keep any attackers from going around it easily. The other side does the same. In a minute, these buildings will be gone and we’ll be able to see the port, but also some of the palace.” It was busier after the road curved, more people coming to and from the road down to the docks. As they passed the few buildings between them and the water, several ramps could be seen leading down to the dock where dozens of ships of all kinds were tied up. It was a busy port, it being the largest Khlurios had, and flags of all kinds could be seen proudly waving from the ships’ masts. The buildings on the other side of them had shifted from homes to shops, but eventually those ended as well and a wide space filled with booths and carts of all types came into view.<br/><br/>It was clear the markets had cropped up from its proximity to the ports, where merchants could easily bring their goods up from the ships to be sold or sailors could buy goods before leaving. More music could be heard from there, as well as various animal calls and human voices, and it was visually splendid. Many of the booths that could be seen were adorned with gauzy tent tops of all colors to keep the sun from beating down on sellers and shoppers alike. Navia gave it all a glance, but looking forward brought a bring grin to her lips. “There it is,<i>kamin</i>,” she said, pointing at the ornate palace in the distance, “There’s what will be our home.” Built at the very southernmost tip of Mandira and all of Khlurios, the palace of Mandira was brilliant white and an impressive four stories high. It was also far larger than the section they were able to view. The corners they could see were home to intricately carved, just as the curved open-air windows were. It was built directly beside the water, but with an ornate protective wall nearly the height of the first floor, keeping the sea from flooding the impressive palace, but also obviously providing a place for gardens, as the tops of various trees could be seen over the stark white walls.<br/><br/>“What do you think?” Navia asked curiously, her near-black eyes leaving the palace she had grown up in to rest on the man whose opinion mattered most to her.