thinking; perhaps in order to blend in, you should appear more native to this land, and I feel that you should adopt a country and their ways. I believe Calendor has people similar to your physical build and facial features. For the time being, you could say you are from Taros. It's a huge city and is mostly populated by humans."
"Why should I want to do that?" asked Gideon.
"Many people here have been educated that there are other worlds besides their own. Most of these are educated at one of the many universities or an academy. If you go around saying you are from another world, people may become too curious or perhaps even suspicious, leading to things that might mark you in some way," said Ragan. "In addition, you have had an altercation with a Valharri, and word may pass around. Sadly, they sometimes hold grudges, especially Vasha. It would be best if you kept a low profile. One cannot be sure what words could be said that might lead the Valharri to you or to me."
"That's funny," said Gideon. "Many people of my world think the same way."
"Then I see you can understand the implications."
"Yes, I can," said Gideon. "Don't worry. I'll act just like a native…in time."
The next morning, the griffons took off at dawn, and for the first time, Gideon looked up and studied the dawn sky. This world's sun was older than Earth's and was a deeper yellow. There was a small bright object in the sky, another star that appeared to be farther away. It was greenish in color but was dimmed by the glow of the former. He made a mental note to ask the wizard more questions about the system they were in and the approximate age of the planet. If anyone would know that information, Ragan would. He seemed to have knowledge beyond what should be possessed by individuals in what appeared to be an advanced Renaissance-level civilization.
The griffon riders made good speed, traveling about one hundred leagues in a day. From what he could determine from his watch, they traveled for over fifteen hours, with three short breaks each day of their trek. From what Gideon could figure out, Illúmaril was a somewhat larger world than Earth. He would have to ask Ragan for more details on this hypothesis some other time. Throughout the next day, Gideon noticed flying ships or craft of some sort gliding through the air.
"What are those?" asked Gideon.
"They are skyships," replied the Cordlyer, who seemed to intuit that Gideon had never before seen these types of crafts. "Some are quite large and transport groups of people to our other cities. Others are part of our airborne armada and are warships. Some have the ability to travel to other dimensions."
One of the craft approaching Gideon appeared to be magnificently constructed and resembled a sailing ship with decks, portholes, and other distinctions possessed by such craft. This particular one seemed to be a pleasure model. Its passengers lounged about its deck, sunning themselves, reading books, or playing games. Some of the crew on the more-exposed decks had cords between their backs and parts of the ship, probably a lifeline of some sort to protect them from falling overboard.
Other flying vessels passed within viewing range. Each was distinct but resembled flying animals like great dragons or eagles; a few looked like ornate submarines. After a few days of flying over forested areas, farmlands, and several towns and cities, the riders finally approached Mindon. Gideon saw that the rather large city was spread out over several miles. There was a central region with what appeared to be a citadel, closer to the outer northern portion of the city. It appeared that the majority of the city was close to the river and downstream of the citadel. The large city was quite breathtaking as the griffons flew parallel and then circled for a landing a fair distance away from the city proper. Tema landed near the large tent of the camp veterinarian. Cordlyer then led her toward the tent to be examined after the long flight. After that, he told Gideon to follow him into a small grove of nearby trees.
Beyond this grove, in the distance stood a castle citadel carved of white stone. Later, as they passed through the thick stone and metal gates, they were hailed by Ragan from the other side of the open court. "Lord Cordlyer, will you be going into Mindon on leave?" asked Ragan.
"I'm certain that I will get leave time after I've attended to my duties, but I first would like some good cooking in my stomach. I will eventually need to go to the guild markets to purchase some personal supplies," replied Cordlyer. "Why do you ask, Archmaster Ragan?"
"Because even though I shall be going into the city, I have some Red Lodge business and other White Council tasks. I was hoping that you would tend to Master Gideon until I get back, keeping him out of trouble and such. When I return, perhaps we will dine together for a late supper at Palrents in the Green Griffon Inn."
"I understand, Tauri Ragan, and I can look after him for a portion of the time. Although I think I know someone he would actually enjoy spending the day with," said Cordlyer with a knowing look. "Palrents is an excellent choice, Ragan," replied the elf. "I recall you are friends with the owner. I should be able to meet you there by the seventh hour."
"Agreed," replied Ragan. "Well, let us be off, Gideon. The Gilthondral will be expecting us as I asked to be given an audience after we arrived." Then Cordlyer, Ragan, and Gideon continued walking toward the citadel.
As they continued past a guard's station, Ragan said, "John Gideon, during the audience with Gilthondral Caylendril, please mind your manners."
Gideon nodded to Ragan, and as they walked closer, Gideon looked with interest at the citadel of Mindon. He noticed that it was not exactly like the medieval castles of Earth. This fortress was huge and tiered with eight rising levels in a ringed series of inner walls.
Gideon surmised it must house at least several thousand or so people and troops. The citadel even had its own skyship docks. Along the way, he noticed there were several creature comforts, including water fountains. He even saw a series of pipes for water as they passed up to the next level of the citadel.
Gideon was getting tired as they moved upward, but he noticed that Cordlyer and Ragan seemed unaffected by the long, brisk walk, so he tried to keep up.
Along the way, Cordlyer wanted to stop and clean up in one of the officers' sections where there was food, drink, and showers with hot water. Ragan suggested that they all wash up before the audience. Later, during the passage along some outer corridor, they passed across a doorway that opened to a balcony. Sitting on the balcony was a device that appeared to be a larger version of the elemental power lances used by the griffon riders. Gideon stopped for a moment to look at the device, and Cordlyer pointed out that the large crystals ringing the firing tube collected energy of the Essence and of daylight to power the discharge of the weapons. As they walked, Gideon saw several of these devices ringing the citadel of Mindon, along its walls in protected alcoves. Eventually, they approached what appeared to be the waiting chamber. Cordlyer went to talk to one of the officers whom he evidently knew.
"We will wait here until we are received," stated Ragan. "His Grace is in conference with the lord of this citadel and castle, Falandral, the gilthanal of Mindon."
"What is a gilthanal?" asked Gideon.
"It is another rank of nobility similar to a duke from your Earth. There is another distinction I need to make, John. The majority of the nobility here earn their titles rather than just inherit them," replied Ragan.
"So there is a kind of social mobility here," replied Gideon. Cordlyer returned and sat as Gideon finished his statement.
"Yes, and I believe even most humans have such mobility," stated Cordlyer. "You are likely aware that I am a senior wing captain in the Order of the Platinum Griffon. I also have some lands that I earned the right to oversee and govern for the Grand Assembly in northern Silmir, for which I am titled sphendal. Those lands are not far from lands granted to me in Calenfalas by my father, for which I am at a similar rank. For all those lands added together, I have a noble title one rank higher than sphendal. Now, when I am doing my few months' service every other year as a senior knight officer of the Order of the Platinum Griffon, I use only the knight's appellation of 'sir'; otherwise, it is Cordlyer Caylendril, Londal of Senvil County."
At one point while they waited, a short whining sound started in an adjacent waiting room, and a brilliant light filled one of