Chapter 12: A Journey to Stardew

  As Favio and I left the castle behind us, the huge drawbridge closed with a resonant thud, sealing us off from the grand fortress. The paved road stretched out before us, smooth and well-maintained. The rhythmic clatter of the horses' hooves echoed in the quiet surroundings. I glanced over at Favio and asked, "Was this paved road your doing?"

  He laughed heartily, his horse trotting beside mine. "Of course," he said, stroking his beard with a boastful smile. "All of the kingdom’s infrastructure was either handled by me or my father before me. We have been the master craftsmen for the Kingdom of Starfall for as long as I can remember. My dad was a master craftsman who migrated from the Great Forest of No Man, located on the First Continent. He came here seeking new opportunities, a place where he could reinvent himself."

  "Why would your father want to reinvent himself?" I asked curiously.

  Favio’s voice took on a more somber tone as he replied, "My father was seen as a bit of an odd duck in our home country. People couldn’t see his wonderful ideas for what they were and called him a madman."

  "I think your father wasn’t a madman, but a visionary," I interjected. "Just look at all the amazing things you and your father have built, Favio."

  Favio nodded appreciatively. "You haven’t seen anything yet. Wait until we get to the city of Stardew."

  We rode in silence for a while, the beauty of the forest around us capturing my attention. The road was lined with plants I had never seen before, their vibrant colors and unusual shapes catching the light in a mesmerizing way. Small creatures darted across our path, their forms and colors unlike any in my world. Birds with iridescent feathers flitted through the trees, their songs filling the air with a melodic harmony.

  Favio cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "Alex, do you truly believe the kingdom doesn’t need drastic reform?"

  I nearly choked on my words, taken aback by his question. "It’s not that I don’t think the country needs drastic change. It’s just that in my world, I’ve seen what drastic change can turn into. Many wars have been fought over abrupt changes in government, laws, and even taxes. I think these things need subtlety and should not be rushed, even if we desire swift progress."

  Favio considered my words, then responded, "I understand, Sir Alex. But don’t you think doing the same thing will get stale? If it didn’t work before, it won’t work now."

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  I laughed softly. "That’s true, but before, I wasn’t running the show or overseeing things. Since the moment I arrived and accepted my fate, I’ve been thinking over every possible thing I could do to transform the Kingdom of Starfall into a place I could call home, a place I could be proud of."

  Favio abruptly stopped his horse and stroked his beard, looking at me intently. "Is this truly what you believe, Sir Alex? Is this something you’re willing to stake your life on?"

  I paused, thinking hard before answering. "Yes, of course."

  Favio jumped off his horse and bowed his head deeply. "Alex, I wasn’t sure about you at first. I wasn’t sure about your intentions or your motives, or what you would even gain from taking over the Kingdom of Starfall or leading us into prosperity. But I know now that your heart is in the right place, and you are truly the person I want to follow. From now until the day you die, I will be by your side as your faithful companion. I will help you guide Starfall into the new revolutionary path you see fit, something we both can be proud of."

  I took a long, deep breath, feeling the weight of his words. I jumped off my horse, helped Favio up, and shook his hand firmly. "I really appreciate everything you’ve done so far, and everything you will do to help me. I will hold you to the words you spoke today."

  We mounted our horses again and continued our journey to the city of Stardew, the sun setting behind us, casting long shadows on the road ahead. The road became more rugged as we traveled further from the castle, the smooth pavement giving way to cobblestones and dirt paths. The forest around us grew denser, the trees taller and their canopies thicker, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

  As the light began to fade, we reached a small clearing where we could see the faint glow of Stardew in the distance. The city was nestled in a valley, surrounded by rolling hills and dense forests. Smoke rose from chimneys, and the distant sounds of bustling streets reached our ears.

  "We should make camp here for the night," Favio suggested, dismounting his horse. "It's too dangerous to enter the city after dark."

  I nodded in agreement and followed his lead. We set up a small camp, lighting a fire to ward off the chill of the evening. As we sat by the fire, eating a simple meal of dried meat and bread, Favio began to share more stories of his father and their work in the kingdom. His tales painted a vivid picture of a man with boundless creativity and an unyielding spirit, someone who had faced countless challenges but had never given up on his dreams.

  Listening to Favio, I felt a renewed sense of determination. I realized that I had been given a unique opportunity to make a real difference in this world, to build something lasting and meaningful. I resolved to use my knowledge and skills to guide Starfall towards a brighter future, one step at a time.

  The next morning, we broke camp early and continued our journey towards Stardew. The city loomed larger as we approached, its walls towering above us. The gates were open, and we joined the throng of people entering the city. Merchants hawked their wares, children ran through the streets, and the sounds of daily life surrounded us.

  I pulled my hood up to hide my face, remembering King Tomo's warning about being recognized. Favio did the same, and we made our way through the crowded streets, heading towards the heart of the city. As we walked, I couldn't help but notice the stark contrasts around me. There were areas of wealth and prosperity, with grand buildings and well-dressed people, but there were also areas of abject poverty, with dilapidated houses and people begging for scraps.

  "Welcome to Stardew," Favio said, his voice tinged with both pride and sorrow. "This city is a microcosm of our kingdom. It shows the best and the worst of what we have become."

  I nodded, taking it all in. "Then let's start here," I said determinedly. "Let's find a way to bring hope and change to Stardew, and from there, to the rest of the kingdom."

  Favio smiled, a glint of determination in his eyes. "Let's do it, Sir Alex. Let's make Starfall a place we can all be proud of."