Rhoynar felt the cool wave of relief crash against the bay, pushing his worries back into the gates, locking them away. He pulled his eyes from the ears of his horse and up to Illinfer. 

"Thank you." He spoke. To have someone by his side, against his back, was comforting. Yet to have that same person so calmly offer to keep him family alive was a blessing. He would thank her again when they were safe; all that mattered was travelling home. He knew his family were safe, he believed they were, but the overwhelming concern and worry had robbed him of hope. The Knight returned the woman's smile thrust two heels into the sides of his steed, bursting into life once again. Irregardless of the concern at hand, they had a task, a mission- a quest. Rhoynar knew the journey into the Second East was useful. They had old friends, no doubt he could stir enough pots and ring enough bells to gather a powerful enough guard to send over to his family.

The journey passed in suitable silence. Little words needed to be said. Their journey had been exhausting and the knight knew he would need to relax before their journey onwards; even if it meant remaining at home for a little longer than they had originally planned. Slowly, on the horizon, a glow formed. Dimly lit stars against the horizon, shadows of great towers lingering in the dark. Astipor; the First East. It was an insulting name but it's people embraced it. The wind whipped down through the valley behind them, causing flags to ripple in the wind further out into the bay. Rhoynar let out a small exhale of breath to see his home safe from harm. He pushed his heels in more and galloped against the now stone path towards the city. Before him stood two great gates, wrought from steel and iron, above it rippled the flags of his family, bronze and red decorated with a symbol unknown to the people in the West. The Knight's horse slowed before the gates, waiting for them to creak open before him to display the flood of the city behind them.

Astipor sang at night. The culture of the Second East echoed throughout its streets. Vibrant colours and the freedom of so many danced about the stone streets, bouncing off every street corner until the citadel was reached. The courtyard below was a square, with a ceiling made from grape vines, sweet and somewhat bitter. Behind it loomed the great fort he called home. Rhoynar eased his horse into the courtyard and handed the beast over to the first person that offered. With hastened footsteps, he rushed inside and paused inside a room covered in the same vibrant and lively colours as the city outside. It stood stark against the capital, against the north and against the whole of Illium.