Welcome to Scale City
Hanna and the King make the long journey to Scale City where Fire Carnival preparations have taken over the gargantuan city...
In today’s story, Princess Hanna and the King set off for Scale City for the Fire Carnival…
Here’s a link to the first part in Princess Hanna’s story:
And here’s a link to the previous part:
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It was a long, bumpy, and wretched carriage ride from Courage Town to Scale City.
The road was narrow and harsh. Hanna felt nauseous for most of the trip, like her brain was in the bottom of a butter churner getting constantly squished and folded. It went on like that all day. Hanna’s face was as green as pea soup. When they finally stopped to rest for the night, she leapt out of the carriage. She had never felt such relief.
They had stopped just as the sun was setting. They tied up the horses and set up camp at the side of the road under an enormous chestnut tree.
They were in a beautiful area of open hilly countryside. The shifting sky was a cosy warm orange colour.
“Isn’t it lovely out here?” said the King.
“I guess so,” said Hanna.
They started a small campfire then began preparing for dinner. Hanna’s mum packed a bunch of food for them and gave stern instructions on the cooking process.
They ate a wonderful stew and it tasted to Hanna exactly like the feeling of a hug from her mum.
Once they had finished eating, her dad found a fallen chestnut on the ground and heated it up in a pot for Hanna. She had never tried a chestnut before. It was delicious.
They then went around collecting a whole heap of chestnuts and cooking them up and eating them for dessert.
Bright and early the next day, Hanna and the King were back on the road.
It was only one more half-day of travel and then they would be at Scale City. Hanna didn’t feel as ill in the carriage that second day. As they got closer to the city, the roads got smoother and her brain didn’t feel as much like mush.
As the day went on, they began to come across other dragons on the road. Things were getting slightly busier. More and more farms were popping up around them.
And then… there it was, standing tall and spiky in the distance — Scale City.
The heart of the city was a circular cluster of staggering stone towers like spears sticking out of the ground. Each tower was taller than the tallest peak in Courage Town.
It was like seeing a fairytale come to life. Hanna had grown up hearing so much about Scale City. She had daydreamed of it and drawn pictures of it. And there it was right there in front of her…
The carriage followed a cobblestone road through the part of Scale City outside of the enormous towers at the centre. The buildings were normal-sized but crammed close together, pressing up against each other.
The place was full of action. There were dragons everywhere. Some were in carriages, some were pacing up and down the sides of the street, some were flying just above the crowds. There were traders selling fruit and vegetables and all sorts of things.
As Hanna took in the city, she felt exhilarated. It was exactly where she wanted to be – somewhere big and busy and bursting with life.
They carried on along the cobblestone path until they came to the enormous towers at the centre of Scale City. Looking up at the peaks of those towers, Hanna had never felt so small.
The towers of Scale City were arranged in a circle around a big open space in the middle of the city. That space was known as the Plaza and it was the heart of the city. It was the key location for a range of Scale City events, like the holiday markets, all major city celebrations, and the opening ceremony of the Fire Carnival.
Hanna and the King followed a path in between two of the towers and entered the famed Plaza. Inside the Plaza, there was action everywhere. The place was one big worksite. Dragons were sweeping and mopping and scrubbing. There were bonfire pits being prepared and banners being hung up.
The King brought the carriage to a stop and they both stepped out.
“Quite something, isn’t it?” said the King.
“I thought the opening ceremony for the Fire Carnival was tomorrow,” said Hanna. “Is everything going to be ready in time?”
“I’m sure it’s all under control,” he said. “They move quickly here in Scale City. Many hands make light work. You’ll see. I’m certain the ceremony will be quite the spectacle.”
Hanna was looking up at the circle of gargantuan towers that surrounded the Plaza. It almost made her dizzy.
A girl’s voice then appeared out of nowhere: “Your Royal Highness and Princess Hanna of Courage Town, I extend to you both the warmest of welcomes to Scale City.”
The dragon was standing by the carriage with a big smile. She was young – Hanna’s age.
“My name is Alice,” she continued on, “and I will be your local guide to the city.”
“It’s very nice to meet you, Alice,” said the King. “I trust we are in good hands.”
“First thing’s first,” said Alice. “I’m sure you’re both very tired from your journey. Would you like to take some time to get set up in your rooms?”
“That sounds good to me,” said the King. “What do you think, Hanna?”
Hanna nodded.
“Excellent,” said Alice. “You guys will be staying by the Plaza in the tower just over there.”
She pointed to one of the enormous towers at the edge of the Plaza.
“Now, please let me help you with your luggage,” she said.
The King reached into the carriage for two suitcases – his own and Hanna’s.
“That’s ok,” he said. “We’ll manage.”
“Well,” said Alice, “you guys are way up high at the level with the red flag. I will go and take your horses to the stable while you guys settle in.”
“Thank you kindly, Alice,” said the King.
She hopped into the carriage.
“I hope you both enjoy your stay here at Scale City,” she said with her signature big smile.
Alice then eased the horses into motion and steered the carriage out of the Plaza.
“Ready?” asked the King.
“Ready,” said Hanna.
They took off into the air and flew up to the high level of their tower with the red flag.
The place was enormous and luxurious. Hanna took it in for a moment, but then turned back towards the Plaza below.
Tomorrow, it begins.
Thanks for reading!
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