Southern Fields
The Southern Fields district of the City League stretches just beyond the city walls and the imposing South Gate. The main road runs parallel to the shimmering River Lygol, dividing the district into two distinct areas of activity.
At the junction of the main road and the side road leading to the elegant South Bridge, a sturdy guardhouse and the bustling tax registration office stand as symbols of the city's strict governance. By day, this area hums with activity as officials and guards meticulously record every cart, wagon, and animal entering the city. Citizens and travelers alike must queue to have their names and goods registered, with taxes collected from all who seek passage beyond the gates. The clinking of coins, the scratch of quills on parchment, and the occasional grumbling of merchants form a constant backdrop to this controlled chaos.
To the east, a natural, gentle bowl sinks, its slopes alive with the vibrant energy of a tented village. Here, travellers and nomadic folk have made their temporary home, their colourful tents and wagons scattered across the grassy steppes. Horses graze freely or stand tethered near the camp, their whinnies mingling with the lively sounds of the village. Communal fires crackle and glow, surrounded by clusters of people sharing stories, laughter, and meals. The air is alive with the rhythmic pulse of dance, the joyful strains of music, and the lilting voices of song, creating a celebration that feels timeless and untamed.
To the west, the side road winds upward through a small, shaded wood, its canopy offering a brief reprieve from the open fields. This path leads to the South Bridge, a breathtaking structure that spans the River Lygol in a single, sweeping arc. The bridge's graceful design and commanding height make it a striking landmark, offering views of the rushing river below and the bustling shipyards along its western banks.
Comments