Kelligan's cheeks lit up like lights during the Grand Festival from the kiss, tripping his speech into a full stammer. Shaking his head to calm his thoughts down, the knight pulled Shade up onto his faithful steed, snapping the reins to order movement. Swiftend trotted slowly until they left the stable and headed onto the main pathway, then transitioning to a half gallop up north. The three past house after house, the occasional citizen gazing at the adventurers as they traversed the city. Shades of brown and grey stirred into a muddy blend as Swiftend picked up the pace, reaching a full gallop on the straightaway towards the castle. Luckily, there was not many people out within the roads. Just an average shop opening or a guard overlooking the vast city was to be seen as they flew by it all effortlessly.
The stone road suddenly merged into a fine cobblestone as they crossed a large set of pillars. The scenery from the city and the castle walls were night and day, with cobblestone replacing ordinary rocks and pebbles, silver statues of legends of yore positioned every 100 yards, and carefully trimmed vegetation, cut to perfect size and taste for the High Lord. Even the way Swiftend's hooves resonated against the cobblestone roads emerged separate of the dusty counterpart. "Welcome to the grand castle of Goskinue, Castle Huon," he announced as they closed in on the castle gates.
The grand scale of the building screamed nothing but royalty, the careful brick pattern, laced with a fine silver and gold mixture, wrapping around the entire complex like a giant ring. The gate was made of thick steel, studded with tempered spikes, for the unwanted visitors looking for a usurping. Two stout guards held fast on either side of the tremendous gate as Kelligan and Shade reached it. As soon as they recognized their captain, their heads bowed in unison, yelling the command up to the Gatekeeper to pave way for the captain. Kelligan nodded towards his fellow knights, a certain air of honor and nobility taking over his presence once more as they disappeared into the darkness of the castle gates. The metal bars creaked and groaned as they slammed back down into place, leaving the three in a docking area for horses. "I'm sorry, old friend, but you will have to stay here," he spoke softly into Swiftend's ear, stroking his hand upon the side of his companion's neck before slipping off of him.
The knight then helped Shade off before leading his steed to the side, Swiftend nodding in agreement as he carefully watched the two head up the long staircase. It branched out wide, enough to carry five large men in a single row, each step covered by a soft velvet carpet with a golden yellow outlining. Staring up at the steps, then back at Shade, he grasped her hand tightly. "Beautiful, isn't it?" his soft smile felt like it could illuminate the room itself, yet feeling so small in the greatness of the castle halls.
