In the depths of the jungle, or rather in the Sombaran jungles, a group travel through the thick jungle. A caravan to be precise, mixing of some ponies, a few griffons-- and a minotaur traveling through the thick grass paths. As the group move through the thick area, the minotaur glance around, his body covered in green tunic. Unlike most minotaurs, his coat was shorter and more viable to cold temperatures.
His coat itself was light brown, as his lower half was a chocolate type brown to match his upper coat color. He glanced with his yellow eyes, looking to the group he traveled along with, his bronze nose ring slightly move with each step he took with his blacken hooves. He didn’t knew how to feel, traveling through the jungle that was claimed to be dangerous-- especially toward a place many would either ignored or wouldn’t go to at all. Well...except for some traders, caravans, or merchants. Or for his case, people who want a new life.
Kronv look towards their guide ahead of the caravan, a local that lives in the village Floodin. The white and brown griffon moved past the foliage without a care, Kronv suspected the griffon had travel through this area countless of times to know his surroundings. The minotaur glance back to someone speaking, which was a brown earth stallion. “How long until we get there? We’ve been traveling for 3 days.”
The guide replied without looking behind him, as his eyes were kept straight ahead. “If we don’t meet any trouble? About 20 mins, if we do? About 2 hours worth of fighting.” There were murmurs as a white unicorn mare asked.
“2 hours? Why do we need to fight for 2 whole hours?” Kronv himself wonder why on that, but the guide answered for them.
“Mostly for two reasons, the natural wildlife that might kill us-- or the Goblin-Spiders, nasty blighters that roam around the jungle.” The murmurs grew louder as he went on. “You all got to realize, we’ve been lucky moving in this pathway to the city. Half the times I take caravans like you all we encounter trouble.”
The white mare muttered to some of the other's. “I still can’t believe anyone would want to live in a dangerous place like this. Who would live with creatures like theses Goblin-Spiders lurking around?” A few agree with her, Kronv himself, half-heartedly agree. As he knew that some places held dangers around them, like wild life or some raiders and slavers-- he would rather deal with wildlife than the latter. As the last would cause more harm than death.
Yet the guide overheard the mare as he responded. “If you thought it was bad now, you should’ve been here 500 years ago. They were all over the place and the village were barely dealing with them, nowadays they’re minor skirmishes with the things as Kinship hunters keep their population low. Not to mention the good King himself make sure Floodin is protected and defended, gives us assurance we’re fine.”
One of the griffons muttered lowly. “Not much of a good King as more of a Mad King, living deep in a place like this.” Kronv glance at the griffin, knowing what the griffon meant. It wasn’t a big secret that most nations ignore the Sombaran jungles. Mostly due to the dangerous wildlife that could kill a unlucky traveler, and wouldn’t bother with the piece of land.
Yet 500 years ago, someone decided to claim the Sombaran jungles as their territories. Normally someone would cause a fuss, like the nobility of the Griffon Kingdoms, as it was part of their land. Even if nothing was of much use, the griffon nobility held pride. However the matter was ‘resolved’ when the claimer of the land sent a letter, stating that he claimed ownership of Sombaran from the village head in Floodlin, a former griffon nobility, and making Sombaran a sovereign nation for him to rule over. Naturally the nobility scoff at this, and decided to get rid of this troublesome annoyance...sadly it proved a difficult amount of time and resources when the ‘annoyance’ is a former mercenary veteran and made his stakes in keeping the jungles.
So the Griffon King decided to let the person keep the lands, knowing that if he didn’t stop the nobility now, the Griffon Kingdom would lose resources needed for other things than stopping some mad fool from building a nation in a dangerous environment. However no one actually expected the guy managing to succeed as he built a nation in the Sombaran jungle of all places.
Which brings things into the now, as the caravan soon saw a sign to show they were closer to their destination. The griffon guide brought his chest up, holding it with pride as he spoke in a proud tone. “People, I welcome you to a sight you'll want to remember!” Kronv heard a few awing sounds, a few gasps, and some surprised sounds. He couldn’t help but did some mouth dropping himself, seeing a tall and large mountain in his eyes.
It dwarfed him-- no, it made him feel like a pebble towards a force of nature. The thing was large, so large that he couldn’t believe this thing could’ve been here for a long time. It looked like something from the Iron holds, a place full of mountains that it made it impossible to be somewhere in the Sombaran jungle.
Naturally the other's spoke out of it. “How could...something like that be somewhere in these jungles? It’s unheard of seeing something so huge to be in a place like this! Why it got to be as tall as the mountain for Canterlot!” spoke out a earth pony, while a griffon nod in agreement.
“It reminds me of the mountains back in the Griffon Kingdoms, tall, bleak, and part of the landscape….this, feels off. It’s hard to imagine this in a jungle of all places.” However, another voice chuckled out, Kronv look ahead to see their guide holding a amused expression towards them as the flyer said.
“We can never get tired of it, first comers expressions when they see the mountain of Kinship.” looking ahead as the caravan wagon slowly moved as the earth ponies began moving once more with the group. “It's actually in the middle of the entire city, history books said the King himself brought this mountain into the middle of the city-- which were ruins 500 years back.”
They just look at him funny and held doubts in their looks, as did Kronv himself. It was one thing to claim that two alicorns could raise the sun and moon as they please, it was one thing for a ‘mad’ ruler to claim a piece of territory many would call dangerous to live in….It’s a entire other situation to claim that one person moved a mountain this tall and large by himself, even with magic.
One pony parallel with these thoughts. “That is very doubtful, how could anyone,” motioning a hoof towards the mountain that was slowly getting bigger, “move something like that?” giving it a eyeful as he went on. “It looks to be about a mile and a half high, maybe two miles wide.” the guide chuckled to this and responded to the pony.
“Actually, it’s three miles wide and two miles high.” seeing their expressions, the griffon chuckled. “Yeah, shocking, isn’t it? Someone within the King Inner Circle thought it would be funny to give the exact numbers of how big the mountain is.” Turning his head again to look at the tall and fortified stone walls that spread far in a circle formation. Kronv noticed that things were forming into a actual road now, and noticing that there were more people ahead and either exiting or entering in large metal gates.
Kronv glance to the walls as the group moved with the crowd of travelers, seeing the 80ft height structures made him recall of Iron Holds in slight nostalgic. Reminding him of the fortified structures, the light yellow stone was unfamiliar to him, as was for the strangely color door. He may be a Minotaur-- but it doesn’t mean all Minotaur knows smithing and what materials were used for. It was one of the few reasons he’s a refugee, one he wasn’t going to rethink so soon.
He saw vendors in some buildings, merchant and travelers sticking around here or there. Even a few restaurants around, to his surprise there were restaurants that cater to all types of diets. He glance up to the griffon as their guide turn with a smile as he spoke. “Well folks, this is the stop, whether you’re a traveler, a merchant, or someone wanting a new life-- this is it.” taking his talon out to motion around them. “This is Radiant, the City of Diversity.” He couldn’t help but give out a chuckle.
“Or what some may say, the city of the Immortal Mad King.”
“There we go, all done with the paperwork, welcome to your new home Mr. Steel.” told the zebra mare, gathering up the paperwork on the wooden desk. Kronv let out a relief breath, his right hand was aching from all the writing he had to go through, he glance around the stone room, filled with bookshelves, some diplomas-- even a outside view of the city. Which was full of stone buildings, chatter all around, and flyers.
His attention turned back to the zebra as he asked. “Is there anything else?” Seeing her putting the paperwork into a file in a filing case, turning her head with a smile as her green eyes look at him. She turn fully to address to him and replied.
“Well, beside learning the basics of the laws, getting yourself housing, a job, and this brochure-- nothing else.” taking it out as she hoof it to him, Kronv grab it as he exam the thing. Which was a map, showing the basics of the city, with a sentence on the top of the small map. ‘Welcome to Radiant, the last place anyone with sanity willing to go’. Kronv had to admit, that was true. It’s the last place anyone with sanity would want to go to.
The zebra caught on his expression, and let out a small chuckle, seeing him look up as she said with a smile. “Yeah, I know. The sentence tends to do that to everyone. Make them reconsider or wonder what they got themselves into.” Kronv nod to this as he replied.
“If I had to be honest, this place would be the last place I would live from the rumors-- but it’s the only place I can fully live a new life.” Putting the brochure into his tunic as he got up and said. “Thank you for helping me get through the paperwork,” glancing out to the window as he added, “it must be tiring to see newcomers coming to Radiant and go through all that paperwork.”
However he was caught surprised by her laughter, turning to see her shake her head as she replied. “Oh no, I consider it a blessing.” Looking up to the 6ft Minotaur as she went on. “It’s been awhile since we had anyone traveling here to become a citizen, most come to our city either for business or are explorers to whatever their degree are. Biologists, ruin seekers, wildlife searchers, I could go on!” Holding a larger smile on as she said.
“But people who actually want to move and live here as citizens of Radiant?” she gave out a cheerful laugh. “The last ones who came here to become citizens? They came six months ago!” Seeing his surprise expression at that as she said with a nod. “Yup, six months we haven’t had anyone else wanting to live here-- who could blame them?” throwing her hooves up in the air. “Our nation is ‘tiny’ compared to other's, especially since we live in the dangerous place not many would want to be in!”
Moving to her chair to sit in and laughing more. “Doesn’t help that we are rule over by a ‘Mad King’ that is knowing to be a idiot!” shaking her head as she sigh out. “Overall, it’s wonderful that we managed to let new people come to become new citizens. Even if it takes this long.” Kronv just look to her, with a odd expression as he asked.
“But things look...wonderful here, I don’t understand, how come there hasn’t been word of the good around here?” The zebra sighed louder as she retort.
“You know how the old saying goes-- Rumors spread across nations faster than the truth.” she held a bittersweet smile as she told him. “But, despite how things are told about us, I’m glad we all live in this fine nation. Sure we have a ‘Mad King’ ruling us, sure we live in the dangerous place that no one would easily go to-- but there is one good thing about us.” holding a large smile as she finished. “We’ve proven that no matter what, we’ll always overcome with our fellow kin.” Holding a hoof up in a gripping motion as she spoke in a loud tone. “We fight together, we strive together, we kick ass together!”
Kronv just blink at her enthusiasm as she blink and turn to him, ears flat and a small blush on her expression as she gave a sheepish chuckle. “Sorry about that-- it’s a motto of our King, he tends to give out speeches like that.” Giving another chuckle as she said. “When you lived with a ruler that inspire loyalty and commitment towards other's in spirit of kinsmen, it tends to rub off on you in the generations of the people.”
“It especially works since there’s a mixture of warriors and fighters among the pop, like the Gnolls, the Lions, the Dracane-,” seeing his expression of confusion she sigh and said. “Just follow the brochure to Sector-5 of the city, there’s a library there that’ll help you learn each race that lives in the city if you want.” Waving a hoof she added. “Anyway, go on ahead, see the sights of the city,” giving a gentle smile towards Kronv, “it’s home now.”
Kronv only nodded, getting up as he wave a wordless goodbye, moving out of the building, brochure in hand-- and hope starting to swell in him. Who knows...maybe things will turn up for the better? Things might be looking bright after all.
Two hours later, Kronv was regretting thinking of those words in his head, as he was kneeling on the ground, his wrists cuffed and in the court of the King. Right beside him was a wing cuffed and talon sheathed Griffon of gray feathers on the front part. While on the end was a steel color of lynx origins, the beak was of a hook billed kite, while the Griffon glared at the Minotaur with his blue eyes.
Between them were two armored beings, a Lion with a red cross symbol on his chest, tuffs of red showing in the mane as he stood straight. While the metal helm covered the head, it didn’t help for Kronv to feel the anger of the Lion through those slit eyes of the helmet. It didn’t help with the other armored being was giving the same vibe, especially since the being was Gnoll, or a bipedal Hyena if they were more upright-- Kronv couldn’t help but look ahead, not wanting to see their eyes looking down on him. Staring straight at the throne ahead, which was 20ft height upwards as stairs lead toward the rather large throne seat. A rather large Obsidian throne to be exact, with a large cushion on the seat.
Kronv glanced around him, as the gray stone courtroom surround them, it made him recall the stories of Celestia court. As if this was a imitation of size of the alicorn throne room, it certainly didn't help with the windows full of murals. His attention shifted from the pictures as he look behind him, as the large doors open. All at once everybody turned to see four figures, as they were coming closer, Kronz glance to them. The first three were of ponies, a black Unicorn with gray mane, which had some brading along the sides. While her blue eyes looking at over at him and the griffon by him.
The second appeared to be a leathered armored Zebra, her mane was braided up into a ponytail it moved side to side. Her black eyes didn’t even glance toward them as she appeared to look around with her black eyes. Kronv had to admit, the black leather collar shook him slightly, as he didn’t expect seeing it at all. Stories and rumors told that Radiant doesn’t usually tolerate slavery-- yet there’s a Zebra wearing a collar as if she was property. What made it more surprising was the fact the armored beings didn’t look bothered by it as the group was moving past them.
The other equine was a Thestral mare with yellow eyes, her dark grey coat covered her entire form, while dark blue mane with exact dark blue wings shown. What was another oddity was that some parts of her mane were braided as well, although the braided mane were pushed out of his attention as he saw the right ear holding a earing of a detailed crafted image of a miniature gnoll-- that had two small diamonds for eyes and made out of Mithral.
Now Kronv may not have been wanted a smith-- but he learned in his daddy forge that Mithral was the most lightest and one of the few hardest metals to make. It was hard to imagine anyone could forge Mithril into something like a earing. Yet his attention turn toward the final member of the four, moving up to the stairs as the 4ft being came to the top, turned to face them as the Diamond Dog look at them all.
His black coat shown in the light of the day through the glass windows, his body covered with a blue shirt, brown shorts, a light blue coat over him as he sat down in the Obsidian throne. Kronv saw three things, first the mares moving around the sitting male as two sat on either side of him, while one sat on his paws. The Thestral and Unicorn took his sides, while the Zebra laid on his paws, the second thing was the metal left hand combing through the Unicorn mane.
The final thing was the eyes, while the left eye was a purple look with a scar underneath it-- the right eye was a purple crystal. Look almost like a actual eye from the details, yet he couldn’t help but let a gulp escape. Seeing that serious expression on the black muzzle as he tried to be strong, even if he couldn’t help but look away, and seeing the griffon acting fidgety made things show that this person on the throne was someone he didn’t want to anger...Especially if Kronv knew that the one sitting on the throne was the Mad King himself.
Then all tension Kronv felt just dropped the moment the Diamond Dog spoke, the 4ft sized being lean in the throne with a tired expression on his face. “Alright, let’s get this over with, what are the charges you bring for these two Sargent?” The Gnoll cleared his throat as the 7 ft being spoke.
“My lord, we have two people who caused a disturbance in Sector-3, where we eyewitness reports of the griffon here fighting against,” the Gnoll was interrupted as the Unicorn spoke.
“A newcomer, one that just recently joined.” This caused the black fur male to stop his grooming in her mane, as well as made his ears perked. A slow smile showing itself as his sharp teeth filled it as he spoke.
“A new citizen? Well, this ought to be interesting.” Looking to the gnoll as he went on. “So, why do you need me again? I was perfectly fine to,” a yawn exiting out of him as he continued, “taking a good nap, when I was rudely awaken to this place for this thing.” However as he examine the two ‘troublemakers’, he noticed something and said. “Hey..Isn’t that Sarbin great-descendant? Why is,” then narrowed his eyes as he asked to the griffon, “you were drinking again….were you Steel?”
The Lion spoke in. “Well my lord, we did smell booze coming from his mouth, and made sure he became somber with a spell to go through with this. We figure it was best if you had a say in this, since he is well.” motioning his paw as the 4 ft being got up as he growled.
“Good thinking, because this gnoll is gonna teach this idiot a lesson!” Kronv was surprised to hear that, mostly on the ‘gnoll’ part as he had no idea….gnolls could be so small. However the griffon spoke up.
“Come on Uncle Ardy, it was a little-,” but was cut off by a sudden boot to his head as the gnoll was stomping down the steps as he went on a rage.
“This was the third time! I think it’s time for Uncle Ardy to drag your sorry tail towards your folks, let them in on the punishment I have for you!” the griffon tried to scramble, but the runt gnoll grabbed onto the griffon tail as he began dragging him as Steel tried to speak out.
“Oh Uncle, I didn’t mean-,” but was cut off.
“Shut it! I’m not hearing any excuses coming from your beak this time! Let’s go girls!” the Thestral and Zebra were already moving, while the Unicorn sighed as she got up and trot down to the three still in their spot as she said to the guards.
“Templars, remove the cuffs,” then turn to Kronv with a smile, “don’t worry, nothing's happening to you, Mr…” trailing off as Kronv felt his wrists being freed as he was helped up. Feeling the circulation in his wrists as he replied.
“Kronv, Kronv Steel ma’am…” glancing to the leaving runt gnoll with a shouting griffon and two mares by him to keep the loudmouth to not escape. As well as the armored beings moving to do their jobs, he look back to her as he asked. “Is this common? The griffon attacking people when drunk?” The Unicorn giggle as she nod her head.
“Afraid so, he got that from his Aunt Jade side, genetics, what can you do?” giving a shrug as she went on. “And I’m Firny, First Lady Firny. And you already saw some of my herd, as well as our gnoll, Ardy.”
“Ardy?” echoed Kronv with a confused expression as he asked. “I never knew his name was that, is it?” She giggled again as she nod her head.
“His full name is Ardelio Vates-- but Ardy’s a nicknamed among us wives,” glancing behind him to see the other's gone as she look back to him as she said. “Listen, I’m sorry for whatever Steel put you through, especially since you just came today, tell you what? How about I get someone to help get you a place set up? As recomposition for you and what troubles Steel gave?”
“That...That would be nice, thank you ma’am.” Being a bit surprise that not only the 4ft being was married to more than one female-- but of the amount of generosity for this 'problem'. Kronv soon held a curious expression as he asked. “But...how did you know that I just became a citizen?” She held a knowing expression as she said.
“Well, Kronv, word get spread around faster than you think-- especially among those in the Inner Circle.” then made a motion of her hoof as she said. “Go on and enjoy your new home.” However as he began to turn and move, she said in a recalling tone. “Oh, that reminds me, where should I send the person to find you when a place has been located for you?”
He glance back to her as he replied. “The library, I’ve wanted to read up on any laws and things I need to know.” she nodded to that.
“Best go to the Honor Institute, that’s our ‘library’ around here, it’s located in Sector-5.” seeing him looking at his brochure, she rolled her eyes in amusement as she said. “Here, let me lead you, it’s much more better this way if you got a native to guide you.”
He look to her in surprise as he asked. “Are you sure that’s alright? Wouldn’t anyone notice that you’re with someone,” trying to find a delicate way to say she was with another guy, he didn’t understand how Kinship people see or view things-- but he really doesn’t want to get into trouble again from some cultural misunderstanding. Firny giggle as she assure him.
“It’s fine, don’t worry about it. As long you keep looking at my head and not my flanks-- I’m sure people would glance.” Kronv nodded, following after the Unicorn and out of large stone building, going down as he glance back. Seeing the large mountain base behind it as he couldn’t help but stood still, looking at it. Granted, he saw it earlier when he was dragged in by the Templars-- but now? Now he had a chance to just...take it in fully, as if this was a rare opportunity. Firny glance to him, unable to stop the amusement showing on her expression as she said.
“Yeah, it’s breath-taking. I can wait.” Letting him just...look at the large mountain before him as she knew that while she was use to it-- he wasn’t. So she sat on her rump with a mark of a heart swirling with a protective grip as she just let him take it all in. After all, it’s not everyday to see something like a giant mountain before you.