Chapter VI - City of Marble, Glass, and all of the Above

After days of nonstop travelling, the two had eventually made it to their destination. One last thing stopping them from entering would be the massive stone wall. To her, it still looked rather shabby. It seemed that they haven't even discovered the existence of concrete, rather, they have just used clay and dirt. Well, something she thinks is clay and dirt. It looked like the clay she would buy at an art store, but browner and obviously not safe to eat on. Either way, it still looked durable enough to survive a siege. Not like she would know, she only possesses the knowledge of how to make stuff, not how complex architecture works. You could say she has every fifteen-year-old youtube addict's knowledge. Just if you haven't spent all your time watching videogames and suggestive content, but DIY content, history, and other cool bits.

Taking out her papers, which she had assumed was an important tool to get in, she stood by Alberto. They were in a massive line, which might be understandable. This was allegedly the connecting point between the colonies of two different Kingdoms that had laid their claims on the land. The seafaring kingdom in the snowy lands, who speak the language of war and all of that, while we have the more civilized nation here, who speak the language spoken by the bureaucracy and civilized people. Sounds a lot like xenophobia to her. But then again, all this information was from Alberto, who was very aggressive and rather judgemental.

Around her, she could see a vast expanse of green plains, a massive mountain range, which seemed very much like a wall, and of course, the constant stream of carts full of produce and products ready for what she assumed was the markets. She doesn't know, she had only existed here for a week. Maybe they could be gifts for the monarch of the region. Was there a monarch? As she shifted herself around from behind Alberto, she spotted another sign of what life was like for the frontier towns and cities. There were soldiers stood in front of the gates. She assumed they were soldiers at least. They had guns and they had colourful uniforms. Yellow and Red bicolour jackets and bottoms. They didn't look that standard to her. Some of them were wearing what seemed to be crude hemp tops simply painted with those colours, while others wore higher quality clothing dyed the colour. This gives her... well, not much information about what is happening in the world. Maybe they might be employing militia in the world, or maybe Feudal Armies were still in use. It makes her feel rather bad for them. They probably have a family to go back to.

Eventually, the line had started to move more frequently, the two being stopped at the gate. A closer inspection of the walls revealed that it was indeed just filled in with packed dirt, In fact, she was almost certain that the wall was mostly just packed dirt and stone to keep stability. Yes, the stone was the filler! How did she know this? Well, she didn't. She is just saying that to herself to make herself feel cool and smart. But, if the back of the wall was completely compact dirt, wouldn't that make her hypothesis that the wall was mostly just compact dirt with stone stuck in to keep its shape?

While in her trance, Alberto gave her a harsh shoulder push, as if he was trying to break her out of a trance. Snapping out of it, she looked around her, finding the very colourful guard requesting for her papers. To this, she replied with giving him the almost pristine piece of paper she held in her life. It wasn't really a piece of paper than a roll of paper. You know those rolls of paper they have at school? Well, those but smaller by a few sizes. The man gave her an inquisitive look, as if he was suspicious about something. A few tense moments passed as the man checked through the papers, rolling it up, and handing them back to their owners. They were eventually waved through and allowed to enter the city. And no, the wall was not made of compact dirt.

Inside the walls, she saw the same sight of the dock town. Poorly made houses and buildings. The only place that looked even relatively well built were the stone buildings, but she only saw one and it was really low to the ground Alberto had told her that this city was the city of marble, glass and all of the above. So far, it looked like unseasoned wood and dirt. Pitiful honestly. Even the slums in North Korea were better off than these people. Well, she supposes she can't be too harsh on them. They were, of course, inferior to her own world when it came to technology.

"Hey, I thought you said this was the city of Marble, Glass, and all of the above. I only see wood, stone, and a whole lot of disappointment," she said, tugging on his sleeve. Sometimes she feels that she has to do this with how Alberto tends to just outright ignore her at times. It perfectly aligned with her ideology of, if he doesn't acknowledge you, annoy them till they do! Maybe this is why she doesn't have many friends. Or maybe even a family to speak of. That surely explains a lot.

"It is. I don't know where you lived, but this is basically the best living condition you could wish for. Wooden houses are expensive, much more stone houses. Seriously, I don't know what goes on in your head sometimes. But anyway, we are here. I know of something you should have from the market," he said dragging her through the crowd towards a market. A massive market place! There are so many pretty colours and equally as pretty items on sale. A bunch of old men in one sector selling weird wooden sticks, while a bunch of other people are selling colourful spices and other random things. And yet, he had not stopped yet until he had found what he was looking for. It was a shop full of boxes covered by cloth. She couldn't exactly tell what was under them, but she assumed they were just storages for the items they sell at the shop.

He let her go, approaching the table, to do what she assumed was barter with the store owner, eventually coming out with a deal. He produced what she remembered as a bunch of Marks, trading it for an item wrapped in dark brown and waxed paper. Turning towards her, he passed her the item. Inside, was a beautiful bronze and silver-coloured chain pendant with a brilliant purple stone inside. He looked away from her as she took it out of the little paper bag it was sitting in. He looked rather embarrassed, which was quite new. She had only seen two different faces from him. His face around his father, and his face around her. Happy and irritated.

"Thought you should have this. I don't understand women, but women shouldn't look so plain. It has a magic stone, so you should be able to harness your magic easier with this," he said, obviously trying to find another reason for him to give it to her. Looking back at her, she had already worn it, the pendant hanging from her neck and down into her tunic. It was a subtle addition, but she felt like it made her look more natural and more pretty to people.

"Mh, yeah. Thanks... Do I look good?" she said, obviously not knowing what to say back to him. She was terrible at receiving gifts because she always got so nervous, much more jewellery in a different world! In fact, she had turned bright beet red because she had always thought jewellery was something couples gave each other. They weren't a couple! Definitely not. They were two different entities that just happened to work together!

"Yeah, you do. Let's go. We still have to go register," he said, dragging her through the market yet again. Escaping the grasps of the crowded marketplace, they found themselves back at the rather disappointing city that was described as "Marble, Glass, and all of the above." Again, she can't really complain much. But, she was sure to make her house to the standard of the houses in her own world. Or at least try to. She doubts electricity has been made yet.

"Register where again? I forgot," she asked from behind him. To this, he had not replied. Had this been an anime, he would have been travelling at the speed of sound, while she flapped around like a flag stuck onto a plane. But luckily this wasn't that. In fact, she only had issues with keeping up because she was so short compared to him. He was at least a foot taller than her. Yes, that's a subway footlong taller than her.

Seeming to arrive at their location, Anna looked at the building. It was made of stone, but it was still pretty short. Most likely only two storeys. There was a sign that gave her an idea of what she was about to sign up for. It was labelled "The Frontiers Association." That sounded rather official and cool. Passing through the wooden doors, she was greeted with a rather cold and uncomfortable interior. There was a fire, but it seemed it had not been doing much to the building. Was this the extent of their technology? Guns, big boats, and poorly made houses?

Alberto walked himself towards the counter, which had a very large man sat down behind it. Not large like fat, but large like extremely muscular. Heck, even his arms are probably as thick as she is. That is honestly terrifying. He could probably just pick her up and throw her like a football. The American one. Assuming she had to follow him, she did, sticking close by behind him. She was secretly extremely terrified of Mr Buff Man behind the counter.

"Mr... Ceilestine and I'm assuming Mrs Ceilestine?" he asked, looking at her, sticking his hand out for her papers. Alberto shot him a strange look, Anna just giving him the papers that he needed. He shook his head, saying, "sorry, Mr Ceilestine and Miss... Do you not have a last name? Poor thing. Well anyways, I'm assuming you two are here for the Frontiers License? I see no reason deny you two..." he said, stamping both of their papers once they both nodded to his question. Was it really that easy? They just show up and get their papers stamped? It was like signing up for a club.

They were never handed their papers back, instead, they were given a small metal crest. The man explained that this was what they will show to the guards of each city and town if they require entry. It was somewhat like a visa if you think about it. With this, she can travel the world properly! No need to keep that pesky piece of paper safe, now she had a metal thing she can just slip into her bag. After that explanation, she assumed they were free to do whatever they wanted now. Alberto seemed to agree with that, the two leaving the building to do something else. What exactly? She wouldn't know.