Amriel

Elswyth's first impression of Amriel was that it was dry. The air just felt so different. It lacked any sense of humidity at all, though she assumed it must have some water in the air. Just not much.

She knew it sometimes rained here, but it wasn't that often. The farmers had to rely on the well made irrigation system that Amriel was well known for. While the other kingdoms relied on magic when necessary to help out with what nature provided, Amriel had worked on engineering to set up a system that worked – even during droughts. The only other kingdom that was close to having such well-developed systems was Lumna, which had also invested in actually setting up a whole lot of wells, and ways to easily transport water.

Which was honestly pretty wise, as magic could get expensive. Well, clerics could easily water plants, but for the arcane casters while they could manipulate water creating it tended to cost material. Elswyth had not actually known this a year ago, but she had picked up on some things listening to her prince and his wizard friend.

She actually looked forward to learning more about this kingdom. This was her beloved prince's home country after all and even if she did not agree with everything they did, she wanted to be able to live here.

After all, she knew it would be futile to try to talk Heron away from this place. The kid had a strong sense of duty after all. Nor would he be able to leave his sister all alone.

Elswyth had given it a lot of thought and she found herself perfectly willing to move to a different kingdom to be near, and eventually with, Heron. He was still a bit young so she needed to continue waiting for a just a bit longer, and she had resolved not to breath a word of her feelings to him until he was old enough to marry.

She had even toned down her teasing a bit. Not that she had entirely quit. She still sometimes found him irresistibly teasable. It was a bit of a guilty pleasure for her. He might have matured a lot in the past year in some ways, but he still got that cute look of bemusement when she would tease him.

She knew she would miss it when he stopped getting that look, but eventually he would become more resilient to her teasing – hopefully not till after she managed to marry him.

After all, she really did find this side of him cute.

Anyway, as they entered the capital, she noticed that more than one of the commoners smiled at the sight of their prince returning. Though he hadn't got out much, it seemed her future husband had a fairly good reputation, or at least hadn't ruined it.

She wondered what they thought of their handsome prince. Though he didn't fit the general idea that the Amrielians held as the ideal man, she was sure he was still acknowledged as good looking. And he had become slighter closer to the ideal – he wasn't as sickly anymore.

She doubted though they knew much about him, other than what he looked like. Heron had lived sheltered by his father, due to his sickly constitution. So, he had not gotten out much, except when his father allowed it.

Though, she was aware he had snuck out a couple times with his sister and their childhood friend.

The people also shot her curious looks, though not unfriendly. She did not feel uncomfortable with the attention, she knew it was natural. These people were curious about the foreigner their prince had brought back.

Besides, Amriel and Jarenkul did share a certain closeness in relationships. Well, all the kingdoms were friendly with each other, but perhaps because they bordered each other, they had closer trade relations.

Well, being border countries didn't mean they would shar a close relationship, she had heard that Amriel had a bit of a strained relationship with Carendlus due to vastly differing views on magic. It wasn't open hostilities or anything, but they just weren't as friendly with each other as with the other kingdoms. Perhaps if Heron legalized magic as he wished to, then that would change.