Of the King's Descent into Thames

The night was full of smoke and now that beast had flown thoroughly into the sky, the darkness had dissolved. The sun once again peeked through the clouds and Casamir was able to make conversation. 

The future king spoke in a nice tone, for that was what he was taught. The soldiers did not know his name nor his plans and so gave him the same respect they gave to all. Which is to say, not much. However when one man returned, on horseback from the city, the rest kept to themselves. 

Casamir spoke with him, a man of good stature, taller than Casamir. The man did not just stand tall, no, rather he felt taller than every other man in the area. His presence was palpable even before he'd approached. His eyes demanded truth, and if you refused to meet them, you knew, without explanation, that you would be cut to pieces. 

So upon this day, the future king met his best of friends, Kadeus of the city, Renous. Kadeus was a descendant of the regent from many generations before this time, and his brow was that of the drakan. His eyes were pupil-less, and black as the bottom of the sea. His teeth were like that of a Casamir, fangs adorned his mouth, and yet his figure was much more intimidating than Casamir. 

Within the conversation the future king Kadeus of Renous discussed his plans. Kadeus did not like the idea but revealed nothing to his subordinates, as he knew they would take action. Casamir talked extensively of plans, but ultimately Kadeus extended no help. He stated, "A king, you say? That is what you will be? Then a king you must be now, you do not become of a title after you have it." 

Therefore within a fortnight, Casamir left the city of Renous, with direction towards the great city of Thames. The farther he traveled the more he was glad he'd been offered directions. 

Such an important tome wouldn't be held in some run down city unless it was of importance to this Tomys. However Casamir knew nothing of the customs of Southeresse or their history; indeed he only knew they were Meliusse and they held the similar ears he did.Something only Southeresse possessed, no Middlesse had such ears. 

Despite his lack of understanding, it did not stop the future king from descending upon the great city. A few fortnight after his leave of Renous the young king came within miles of the great city. It was over a mile in each direction, with walls high and made of beautiful grey stone. Many miles of land for farming crawled into the city. Like a patchwork circle, they surrounded the stone city and yet he saw not a single man as he approached. It was in these moments he'd begun to realize that the city of Renous had no men working on its fields either. 

At this time, it was winter and so many Southeresses were not growing food unless they were in Hadros or Yonora. Those were the only two kingdoms that were growing food at this time, and considering the two kingdoms just came out of war with Riconus, many doubted any help would come from them. 

Note: At this time, none of the six kingdoms really acknowledged the existence of the seventh, Qunqua because they still believed it to be cursed and full of devil people. However, this would change with the rise of Casamir.

As Casamir approached the city, the famine was clear as day to him. Thousands of people lay near the city wall, like props on a stage. Yet every few moments you could see them move, and it never once bothered the future King. Casamir would've been just as starved as the people in and out of the city if he had not been given rations. 

Therefore he had to pretend to be lacking food, any reasonable man with the resources he possessed would. Soldiers helped him and hundreds of others to a place they could eat and rest. Of course it was not of the greatest taste, but what could he do about it, besides eat it. 

Of the city Thames's size and description, Casamir went to lengths on it. The city was a mile long in diameter, he'd walked it every day he was in the city. However the inner workings were like a maze, one turn and you'd be out of the city. Casamir had searched at length for a map of the city, yet whenever he spoke to someone, they protested against the idea of possessing one. As if he would put their heads on pikes for such a suggestion. 

Then later on in his stay in the city, he heard much gossip about the cartographer who'd planned the city. He'd never been seen again after the process, and neither were the builders. So Casamir learned it would be better to be lost and alive than fear for your life and know where to go. With this knowledge, he kept his books which contained his own self-made map, close to him at all times. Though he also often remembered he was a fugitive of the law, and so kept even lower. It might've been hard to distinguish him and a rat on the ground.