The Capital

Chapter One

The clatter of iron shod hooves on the cobblestone street was dampened by the drizzle of rain. Dripping beggars lined the gutters, each hoping for a small amount of coin. Leaning close to the crumbling stone homes, they try to avoid the worst of the rain. Sparrow pulls his cloak tight against the cutting wind as he rides down the center of the lane trying to ignore the cough and moans of those around him.

"This city smells" he whispers to himself.

He could never forget the special stink that surrounded Caria. The capital of a falling kingdom. A kingdom lying between many barriers. The West contained rolling planes where tribes of savages lived by the sword or axe. The North held a massive mountain Range called the Rupture. It appeared as if the Earth was cracked shoving the mountains high into the sky. The East boasted the Green Ocean. Going South drove into the Black Desert so vast no one believed it was passable. The sand was pure black and sucked up the suns heat so deeply horses barely dare to stand on it.

Shivering down the street Gray, his old nag, nickers at him coming to a full stop in the center of the street.

"Soon we will find a nice warm inn, only a little farther friend," whispers Sparrow spurring her on.

A beggar in front a Church of the Moon caught his eye. She was wearing the barest remnants of clothing. Her body caked with mud and sludge. Her true golden hair color was barely evident through the muck. Stopping Gray, Sparrow hops down briefly and steps up to her.

"A bad night to be out begging." He states.

"I have nowhere else to go," She says weakly, but there is a note of steel in her voice.

"What is your name?" Sparrow asks sitting down beside her.

"They call me Galia Thorn." She says shortly peering at him.

"That's a strong name. I am not of fan of giving away coin for nothing, so could I pay you for some information, Galia?"

She attempts to hide her eagerness at the thought of coin, but she sits up straighter and her act of weakness passed in seconds.

"What kind of information?" She asks secretively.

"Is it all like this?" Sparrow gestures around them.

"It is all I have ever known. I was born begging in these streets when my mother left me at this church, and the church kicked me out when I could walk." Galia says bitterly.

"Is there no hope for a better life?" Sparrow asks.

"How could there be? Soldiers take what they want from those of us who have something. Nobles eat their meals off golden plates I hear." Her stomach audibly growls at that hint of food.

"Take this and tell the priestess to feed and clothe you. Take the rest and leave this horrid city Galia. I see soon it will get much worse before it gets better." Sparrow says handing her a gold coin.

"Praise the Moon!" She says jubilantly standing and jumping around turns back to the small man on the steps of the church, "Thank you, sir. I never caught your name?"

"They call me, Sparrow. Heed my warning girl, leave this place."

"I will!" she says running up the steps and throwing herself through the doors. Remaining seated, Sparrow looks up to the dark stained glass of the church, the pale white moon is starkly visible as it covers the slight yellow glow of the sun.

Two churches split the kingdom with their beliefs. The Church of the Moon and the Church of the Sun both have very similar yet starkly different ideas. Each year ends in the Eclipse as the sun and moon meet. Both religions believe that one day one or the other will win. The sun will absorb the moon and there will no longer be night. The light will then consume all those worthy while the unworthy live on a planet burning.