The East and West Guardhouses both took the documents that were handed too them and did a thorough check to make sure everything was authentic.  As soon as they were certain everything was in order they returned the documents and shouted up at the gate, [b]"The White Rock Confederacy/Onyx Empire Representatives have arrived!  Open the gate!"[/b]

The guards retreated back into the guardhouse and the massive doors creaked open outward, making some have to move out of the way or risk being hit.  Behind the initial gate was revealed an iron bar gate that had to be wrenched up from gate control rooms on the inside.  Once that gate was also out of the way a female knight in green armor on the white rock side, and a female knight in red armor on the Onyx side greeted the parties.

[b]"Welcome representatives of the [color=82ca9d]White Rock Confederacy[/color]/[color=ed1c24]Onyx Empire[/color].  I will lead the way to Castle Grimm from here where you will be introduced to Lord Grimm.  I will ask that all members of your party stay together on the way to the castle as there is much to discuss.  We will not be held accountable for any accidents that occur should you happen to stray away."[/b]  The meaning was quite clear, behave or there could be unfortunate consequences to say, a spy trying to find weaknesses in the outer walls, per say.

With the view now open, both parties were now free to gaze into the Grimm Valley, a hidden marvel nestled at the top of the mountain ranges with a much more gentle slope than the journey up thankfully.  Obviously some engineering had been done to make the valley more accommodating to a population but most of it was natural and the land appeared remarkably bountiful for somewhere so high in elevation.  Interestingly a portion of the valley was lit up more than should be normally possible, due to a large mirror reflecting light down into the valley.

[b]"Please, follow me."[/b]  The two knights bowed to their respective parties and turned to lead the groups down into the valley and south, toward the castle.