Traditions are traditions
Stoneyard is the castle where the Lord of Kyre resides. It's not as big as the court in the capital, but it's still imposing. It was built on top of a hill, in a time when the barbaric tribes raided the Empire on a weekly basis. Kyre was then the northern border of Ethiro, and the Lord was responsible for keeping the central capital safe.
When the Empire enlarged its domains, the Duke of Kyre expanded his territories altogether. Since the Lords had defended the Empire from threats coming from the north, then the crown gave them the right to hold more fiefs, and they continued to guard the borders.
Now, any invasion from the north would take weeks to reach Stoneyard, since the actual borders are miles and miles away. It takes a couple of days of travel just to arrive, let alone to move an army.
Alexander jumps off the carriage and offers me his hand. I follow him, but my legs are numb from sitting for so long.