To say that Lyre's Rest was beautiful was an understatement. He'd heard rumors of course, up in the restored city that was his home. But it was hard to credit such things without seeing them in person. Clearly, the resident Goddess took care of her people. And she was a Goddess, from all that he had heard, not just a mortal woman. He doubted any regular person could have made all of this in such a short time. It reminded him in some ways of Solstice's Flame, the great castle-city that oversaw the valleys he called home. And in many ways it was different. It was hard to credit all the beautiful people roaming about. Imre had seen pretty people before in his travels to learn the low magical arts, but never so many concentrated in one place. It was enough to make him feel a little self-conscious about the scar over his left eye.<br/><br/>His left eye. He reached up and felt it unconsciously. The scar came from the Dragon of the End Days, a great and mystical beast that had haunted the vales of Raktia for years. The creature had taken his eye, and he was the lucky one. So many had died that day, fighting the creature hopelessly as it rampaged and shredded through the forces arrayed against it. Those memories had haunted his dreams for years. But the pain had been exorcised later. He looked to the woman at his side. Faustina was an odd one, to be sure. But a good one. She'd helped him bring down the Dragon, and even forge a new eye for himself from it's remains and those of other beasts she'd helped him hunt. The most dangerous component though had been the hardest. Shards from a celestial engine. They'd acquired them, though it'd been an adventure.<br/><br/>And really, that's what brought him to Lyre's Rest. He'd discovered another pocket realm, one of great potential. It could serve as a secondary home for the order of knights he was forming. Solstice's Flame was a good place. Strong, high walls. A position on the confluence of two rivers. Fertile fields in front and backed by mountains behind. It was a good base. But Imre knew it wasn't invincible. It had been taken once before, when he was a child. And even though he'd returned and rebuilt it stronger than ever, it never hurt to have a place to fall back to. More importantly, this realm might be used to house and feed more people than his valleys could provide for. Not to mention the possibility of more celestial engine shards. Creating the Unveiled Truth had been an eye-opening experience (pardon the pun). He was curious to see what else he might be able to make. After all, he might need such things to unify Raktia one day.<br/><br/>"Well, Lyre's Rest certainly is an interesting place, wouldn't you say?" He chuckled at his companion. They'd actually arrived the night before and stayed at an inn. Imre had paid, and given an extra tip in the form of fixing a sagging rafter in the roof free of charge. This morning he'd come dressed in something suitable to meeting a Goddess. His well-worn travel clothes had been left at the inn, replaced with the white tunic and blue pants he wore as Lord of Solstice's Flame. A stylized flame was engraved on the right breast. He'd throw on a silver cloak and black boots. The Unveiled Truth gleamed a crystalline blue, chased as it was with gold and platinum. The iris was black and glittered with stars inside.<br/><br/>"That is...quite the offer, young lady." The black-haired Curse Eater appraised the woman who had come to greet them. "I will certainly have to remember it." He wasn't averse to a bit of fun in his travels, though he usually was focused on making his small kingdom more prosperous than on sating his lusts. When he was led to the Goddess, both eyes blinked. She certainly was a Goddess in appearance. He couldn't help but stare, and hoped he wasn't being disrespectful. "Voivode Imre Soldos, of Solstice's Flame, here to see you as you requested Lady Nadiya. And this here is my companion Faustina. We've traveled far to meet you. The tales do not do your beauty or your realm justice I fear." He smiled.<br/><br/><br/><br/>