of glass or crystal. On both sides of the closed gate stood nine sentries, on the west side the City Guards, and on the east side members of the Golden Guard.
The side wings were mirror images of each other. Long, simple buildings rose from the main structure and were built of perfectly white stone reminiscent of obsidian. Both were intersected by four rows of windows, and the only distinguishing feature was the entrance area. The protruding portico covering only the entrance resembled an ancient Roman temple. A smooth white wall, the only distinguishing feature of which was a dark wooden door obscured by a colonnade of eight slender columns supporting the roof.
There was little traffic on the west side of the square. Apart from the Golden Guards standing at the entrance, there were only a few military couriers and officers from various formations milling about. It looked quite peaceful. On the eastern side, however, the situation was completely different. A river of people flowed constantly through the Palace's entrance doors in both directions. Carriages, horses and other mounts constantly stopped at the front door, and it seemed that the riders made it a point of honour to get as close to the gate as possible. The City Guard tried to regulate the flow, but it seemed like a Sisyphean task. No one paid any attention to them. The crowd also consisted of a mixture of officials, nobles, wealthy merchants, a cross-section of officers and soldiers, couriers and various other petitioners.
Now Draco understood what Darius meant when he said to get down to the carriage if he got lost. Indeed, he would be able to find the carriage, but not his master in this crowd.
-I know, it's impressive.- Bleist didn't seem too happy.- You'll see that it's worse inside.
-And I thought there were crowds on the Royal Tract during the holidays.- The dragon shook his head.- I've never seen such a crowd.- He admitted honestly.
-Let's go, because it won't get any better, and believe me, it could get worse.- Darius moved forward. Straight towards the
