The city itself was at least three times as big as Rook Castle, with shops and smiths of every kind. The air was warm and filled with the scent of budding flowers and baking bread, a contrast to the sober state of the people.

Hari led the small group along the cobblestone road that ran in a circular motion around the city. They passed two lower walls and gates before he took a left and headed inward toward the middle of the city, where high above the green trees and orange-tiled roofs stood Palace Levellon.

Amara stared at the palace for a moment before continuing on. It was a lovely building, with its white towers, glittering gold ornaments, and arched windows. But if she had to choose between Palace Levellon and Rook Castle, she would take Rook Castle. Despite all of the bad memories, there was a sense of freedom and ancient power within the grey stone of the Magyr Mountain castle.

At the next corner, a gasp went up from the people in the front of the group. Amara craned her neck to see what had caused their response, then felt a gasp escape her own lips.

Ahead, with the palace on the right, stood the Temple of Splendor.

The entire building was made of white stone and stood three stories high, with buttresses along the sides. Wide steps led up to a portico lined with thick, ornate columns. Above the massive double doors was a circular window made of colored glass in the shape of a brilliant sun. An internal light glowed from within the temple, radiating through the glass sun and spreading rays of orange, red, and yellow across the steps, as if the sun itself was shining through the stained-glass window.

There were more gasps and whispers at the sight. Even Amara felt her heart taken in by the beauty of the temple.

“I can see why it’s called the Temple of Splendor,” Breven said beside her.

Amara could only nod. Everything about the temple was opposite of the Dark Lady’s sanctuary back home.

As the group of pilgrims approached the temple, the doors opened and two women dressed in white robes stepped out onto the portico.

“Welcome, pilgrims,” said the first woman. “We are humble servants of the Temple of Splendor. I’m afraid you have arrived during a sorrowful time in our city. Grand Lord Warin Luceras has passed away, and our people are in mourning. However, our temple is always open to the seekers. We will have limited prayers tomorrow in his honor. In the meantime, you can find food and shelter at an inn nearby that serves those who have come to reflect at the Temple of Splendor. Come, we will show you.” The two ladies stepped down the stairs and headed to the right. A two-story building stood near the temple, not as ostentatious, but the architecture was similar.

Amara followed the others inside. There was a small common room on the first floor. A handful of people sat at a long, rough wooden table, eating from wooden bowls and drinking from wooden cups. Smoke lingered in the air from a pipe. Stairs on the right led up to the second floor.