Chapter 2 - The Four Main Directions
Each city of the Eight Directions have a special academy where students all over the continent comes to study. The most prominent ones were in the four directions of North, East, West and South.
To the distant South, despite of the rocky, windy, rainy and swampy terrains, it specialized in training mages of the four elements: earth, fire, wind and water. Perhaps, it is attributable to these hardy weather conditions that it becomes the ideal training ground of mages. The training of these mages are strictly under the supervision of the South Imperial Family.
The South was not a place for agriculture. One could not even dig an inch into the ground without coming across the solid rocks that seems to be the floor of the entire South. A constant frustration for the Southerners. In fact, even the swamps of the South was as clear as the rainwater they hold because of these rocks. The sun would shine on these swamps, void of trees and grass, and the water would glitter sublimely. Wherever there are swamps, there would be glitters, and these glitters would make any fire mages' heart quiver. These mages are the lifeblood of the South's economy.
Some would say that the south is beautiful. A blinding plain of clear swamps with green ankle-high hilo grass and some sparse trees. These trees are a luxury in the South, the older, the bigger and the taller the trees a family can cultivate represents the wealth and prestige of the family because large trees are very difficult to plant in shallow soils. One of the two biggest trees in the South was the renowned Phoenix tree inside the South Imperial Palace. This tree ignores the changing seasons and would always maintain its deep turgid green leaves that would never fall. However during the autumns, the leaves of the Phoenix tree would curl and soften and would turn into a deep red bulb. In winter, these bulbs would slowly open into star shaped flowers. These flowers will not wilt but will slowly feed themselves into the small water-like hexagonal crystals between their petals. This tree was a gift of the East to the South and the symbol of their steadfast alliance. Although the South Imperials didn't have any Phoenix in their bloodline, the tree still bloomed. It was said that it started blooming on the birth of the Princess Royale of the South.
Into the plains of the East, the Knights' Temple stood above the bustling city it protects. Above the temple's tall front entrance, a spacious balcony was installed. From the balcony, one could see the green hills rolling to the west, the rice and wheat fields that were extending to the south and the Hunter's Forest to the north. Only the Nobles of the East have the right to stand on that balcony, so these beautiful and heart warming views are seldom appreciated.
At the top of the temple, two life-like statues of angels stood. One angel faced the city below and the other angel turns to the back of the temple, searching the eastern sea, where the sun rises every morning.
The front angel had a wreath of silver leaves in its head. The leaves was laden with diamonds and very dazzling to the eyes. At times, these diamonds would reflect a golden pink light. This awe inspiring wreath was given by the West. The angel was also holding a radiant pearl-like orb in its two hands, keeping it close to her heart as if the orb was the most important thing in this world. Everyone who enters the East City would know that this orb was a token from the South City.
The other angel that was facing to the further east was holding a sword in her right hand like she just unsheathed it and was ready for a fight and protect what was in her left hand. Her left hand delicately carried a floating lotus flower. The lotus was made of ice, one would fear that it will evaporate under the eastern sun but it had never melted since the alliance of North and East. Only the very observant few had seen this lotus.
The two angels symbolized the established harmony of the continent for hundreds of years. Some storyteller would excitedly say that these two angels also represents two future things: one with the first angel, its wreath from the West would shield the Pearl from the South; and the second angel, the East Sword would protect the Lotus of the North. That the two angels did not face each other but let their wings intimately touch means each angel believes that the other would not betray their trust. That the Pearl of the South was in the East and the Phoenix tree of the East was in the South completed the harmony of the Four Main Directions.
The Knight's Temple seems aloof at a distance and seems a world away from the city at its foot. This city radiates vitality and abundance. It bustles day and night with happy faces that can be seen everywhere. This is the dreamland of every ambitious merchants in the continent, the heaven of artisans and the yearning of scholars. It doesn't look like it knows the significance of those two angels and that is because this City of the East is the wealthiest in the continent.
Thousands of years ago, the city mainly advocates military might and weaponry. Craftsmanship was needed for the intricate weaponry required by the military generals who were the ancestors of the current Noble East. All kinds of craftsmen flocks to the city. The peddlers followed them and rich merchants soon settled in the area. They believed that they will never suffer losses. Not only because of the famed geniuses of the then Nobles but because it is widely known that the city was blessed with the Heavenly Phoenix who have power comparable to the sun and the Eastern Maiden of Harvest who can control the seasons.
It is said that the Phoenix protects the Maiden so that she may gather what she needs, bring it to the people so they may never go hungry. This tale is the basis of the East City's prosperity. Although it can be noted that in the East, there are very few mages that can be found and almost none of whom can communicate to nature like the druids of the north, it was indeed true that the crops never failed the farmers nor the hunters were disappointed with their prey. In the East, there were never any destitute.
To the opposite direction in the far West, rugged mountains and lush forest with dense foliages could be seen. From the sky, one would not be able to observe what's beneath the trees. The entire West looks like this except for a cluster of mansions at the foot a cone shaped volcano.
These sparse mansions doesn't look like a city at all but only some estates of a reclusive family but no one would deny that it is indeed the West City. In comparison to the East, the West seems to be asleep and no noises could be heard, not even a fretting cry of a baby or the joyful laughter of children playing in the streets. It almost looked like it was abandoned if not for the volcano that constantly gurgles its fiery magma.
At times, this volcano would send out a spray of lava that would creep down slowly but these liquid fire would never reach the city. It will quake, it's temperament unpredictable, popping bubbles, hissing smokes could be seen and heard in it's crater. It looks like it always wanted to break free because it had been a very long time since it unleashed it's terrifying might.
The fact that the West City would only look like this might make people think that it is susceptible to attack. These people could never be more wrong. The entire West is the City itself. One could not cross their boundary without being marked and followed.
If one would enter the dense forest of the West with good intentions, no harm will befall upon such person. In similar token, invitation from the West is an assurance of protection against any danger.
Upon entrance of the West, one would not see any soldiers or guards and may walk freely onwards without any customs or inspection at all. But if a person would observe diligently, one would notice a raven unflinchingly watching from a nearby tree or that after a few yards, a pair of white deer would stop eating grasses and stare at the visitors. Along the way, wolves would twitch their ears and noses and would issue guttural howls. Hearing this, green quetzals would fly towards the courtyard at the foot of the volcano.
These animals seems unremarkable but they are actually the citizens of the West. Because the West is the land of the few remaining shifters, the land of beast tamers. During the war thousands of years ago, among the Eight Cities, this is the land that had sacrificed the most for the peace of humanity. It's prestige unparalleled. This land is also known as the Valiant City of the West.
The shape shifting General of the Imperial Palace of the North came from this land. In fact, he is the nephew of the current Supreme Leader of the West. He spent his childhood in a courtyard at the foot of that volcano.
Currently, that courtyard is empty waiting for his return but the courtyard next to it was furnished with vibrant red drapes. Flowers of varying golden color was haphazardly placed everywhere. The place looks like it's ready for a wedding celebration anytime.
There was no wedding to celebrate but the golden tiger lazily stretching in a jade chaise lounge had always like these colors. Who would dare design the courtyard in any other way?
The golden tiger open its amber-like eyes. Even before those intense eyes fully opened, she already shifted into a captivating young lady. Her skin like an ivory infused with a delicate pink flush. She is indeed young but the ampleness of her curves was that of a fully bloomed woman. Her fiery red hair was curling in waves to her waist. Her delicate pink lips was caught in a sigh and she leisurely put on a silky robe to cover her state of undress. She is the only child of the Supreme Leader of the West. One of the strongest contender of the next Supreme Leader's position, Lady Gaihla.
Before long, two quetzals flew to her courtyard. These small blue-green birds with very long tails turn into two young maids. One of the maid curtsied and deliver a message.
It was time to go to the Imperial Palace of the North.