Dawn painted the sky in shades of pink and gold as the merchant caravan approached Valemir's outer walls. The mammoth fortifications stretched across the horizon, thirty feet high and said to be twice as thick, their ancient stones bearing the scars of centuries. Above them rose the city proper—a breathtaking marvel of architecture that made even the most seasoned travelers fall silent in awe.
Soaring white spires dominated the cityscape, reaching toward the heavens like gleaming fingers of stone. The rising sun caught their surfaces, transforming them into beacons of light visible for miles around. Between these magnificent structures wound the silver ribbons of numerous waterways, dividing the city into distinct districts connected by elegant arched bridges. In the distance, purple-hued mountains provided a dramatic backdrop to the imperial seat.
