Triccity's Travels: Shenkuu

      I had spent the autumn in Avis and Altador, and now I was headed for the final region on my tour of Neopia: Shenkuu. Originally from Moltara, I had been travelling the surface for the past couple of years. I had been to so many places, met so many Neopians and learned so much. I had felt homesick for the past few months now, but with only one region left to go, I was determined to see my world tour through. I didn’t want to return home until I had checked off the final region and the final Wonders of Neopia it had to offer, off my list.

      I crossed back over the kingdom of Avis. Situated between Altador and Shenkuu, I had unexpectedly arrived there after getting caught in the storm over Lutari Island. Thankfully, their port city was technologically advanced, and I was able to make repairs to Flight of Fancy, my airship, with relative ease. Outside of its port city, however, the kingdom was mostly woodland with mountains ringing its edges. I had enjoyed my time there, but I remained airborne, unwilling to stop in a region I had already been.

      That portion of my journey was uneventful, but as I entered the mountains, I could feel a jangle of nerves. I had had a bad experience earlier that year when I crashed on Terror Mountain. I did not want a repeat of that experience. These mountains were taller, sharper than Terror Mountain. There was snow on the peaks, but that wasn’t the real issue.

      The mist was thick here, obscuring my view. I had discussed my route with Henry, a Shenkuuvian attending Altador University. He had given me a map and told me the best way to navigate. I trusted his judgment and kept my cool, following the map and recalling all of the tips he had given me. At last, I saw something through the mist.

      The Imperial City.

      I took several moments flying around the city before finding an available grassy knoll to land Flight of Fancy. I disembarked and took a moment to survey the city from afar. As Henry had told me, the Imperial City was not a central location but rather dispersed across close-set mountain peaks. As I had already discovered, clouds and mist swirled around the city with streams sweeping down from great heights and falling away into oblivion far below.

     Though the detail that intrigued me most was that the city was connected via rope bridges with wooden planks. I made my way down the slope and towards the nearest such bridge. As I took my first steps, I noted that it felt secure but swayed with the wind that swept through the peaks. There was nothing below me except swirling mist that obscured whatever lay below. It was a good thing I didn’t have a problem with heights, or else I probably wouldn’t be able to travel comfortably through the city. Instead of frightening, I found the route exciting.

     As I crossed the first bridge, I recognised at once that navigating the city was going to be more difficult than I had initially expected. I had only gotten a map of navigating through the mountains, not the city itself. While I wasn’t opposed to exploring the city and everything it had to offer, I also had specific destinations in mind to visit, and I wanted to prioritise those. I didn’t want to waste time trekking back and forth across peaks and bridges if I could be even a bit more strategic about it. As such, I stopped in the nearest shop, hoping to get help with directions.

     As I entered, the first thing I noticed was the stacks of small game tiles that reminded me of dominoes, though they were cream coloured and did not bear the small black dots of dominoes but had more intricate designs on them.

     A Red Kougra rose from a rug on the floor to greet me. “Welcome to my humble hut. My name is Linae. Are you here to play a game?”

     “Well, no, but I suppose a game couldn’t hurt,” I said.

     Linae explained the rules of the game that she told me was called Kou-Jong. It was basically a matching game and as I played, she told me the history of the game as well as what each of the designs on the tiles represented. I finished the game after several moments of deliberation and felt pleased with how quickly I had managed it.

     “It would appear that the winds were with you in this game, with how swiftly you completed it,” Linae commented. “Now, you said you came here for something else? What was it?”

     “I am a newcomer to the Imperial City and don’t know my way around. I’m in need of a map of the city. Do you have one, perchance or know where I could procure one?” I gave the Kougra a hopeful look.

     “No, a map I do not have,” Linae said with a shake of her head, dashing my hopes. “But, I do know a guide.”

     “Oh?” I perked up at this news at once. “That would suffice. How would I get in touch with them?”

     Linae turned her head and yelled. “Min!”

     A clatter, sounding as if some boxes had fallen to the ground, came from a back room before a young Yellow Mynci stumbled out into the open. “Yes, Linae?” She looked at me and hastily bowed. “Welcome, honoured guest!”

     “This is Tris, a visitor to the Imperial City. You will guide her wherever she’d like to go,” Linae ordered the young Mynci.

     “Yes, Linae!” Min bowed to the Red Kougra before walking over and looking up at me with a bright smile. She waved a hand towards the exit of the hut. “Please, after you.”

     I left with Min at my heels.

     I looked over at the young Mynci. “Thank you for being willing to guide me.”

     Min straightened her shoulders and puffed out her chest proudly. “I know the city like the back of my hand. Just tell me where you want to go, and I can take you straight there!” She leaned in with a conspiratorial look. “I know all the best shortcuts!”

     I smiled at her enthusiasm. “Then it sounds like I’m in good hands.” I explained the areas of the city I wanted to visit.

     Min nodded enthusiastically. “I know the way! Follow me!”

     The young Mynci darted off down the nearest bridge, as light and carefree as a Pteri. Laughingly, I followed on her heels, though at a much more sedate pace. Thankfully, she noted that I didn’t attempt to keep up with her and she waited for me to catch up before darting off again. She led me along narrow, crowded streets, winding paths that led up and down the many slopes and over more rope bridges without losing a drop of her apparently boundless energy. At last, we arrived at the very heart of the Imperial City and the first destination on my list: the Imperial Palace.

     As with other royal residences, it was considered a Wonder of Neopia. Having been built centuries ago, it still stood as an emblem of the remote mountain region. I had learned that the palace did not offer tours and one had to make an appointment to meet with the emperor, but I was fine with that. Min gave me a running commentary on the history of the palace as well as the current imperial family that resided there. As she did that, I took some pictures of the grand structure.

      It was a multi-tiered building, with red walls and golden roofs that swooped up at the corners. It was raised above street level with a long, broad stone staircase leading up to its entrance. A pair of golden Razumi stood one on either side of the stone steps; the one on the right held a small cub while the one on the left rested a paw on a ball. The walls of the palace were decorated with Kazeriu. It was certainly unique compared to the Meridell or Brightvale Castles or the Sakhmeti Palace.

      Once I was satisfied, I directed Min to lead on to the next destination on my list. On the way, we decided to stop at a street stall to get something to eat. I bought us some large buns full of meat, vegetables and covered in soy sauce.

      “These look delicious, but do you have any hot sauce, perchance?” I asked the street vendor.

      The street vendor’s eyes twinkled. “In fact, I do, but I warn you, not many can handle it.”

      I gave a confident smile in return. “I think I’ll manage.”

      Min watched me with wide eyes. “You eat hot sauce?”

     The vendor handed over a small bottle of dark red, almost brown sauce with unidentifiable flakes of something mixed in. I peppered my buns with the sauce and took a bite. The sizzle of flavour that burst on my tongue sent a pleasant zing through me. I gave an appreciative hum as I ate.

      “You like?” the vendor asked, not with some surprise as Min was still watching me in stunned amazement.

      “This is delicious! What is in this?” I asked with wonder, holding up the hot sauce bottle.

      The wizened vendor suddenly snatched the bottle back from my grasp, holding it close to his chest as if it were precious. “I no tell! It’s a secret recipe passed down in my family for generations!”

      “I didn’t mean to offend,” I said placatingly. “It’s just unusual for me to come across spice strong enough to please me. That’s why I always carry my own from home.” I patted my bag where I kept the said hot sauce bottle.

      The vendor seemed to relax at this, putting his hot sauce bottle carefully away. “Ah, I see,” he said with a sage nod. “Every ingredient adds just the right touch to make a meal not just good but delicious!” He rubbed his own plump belly in demonstration.

      “Too right!”

      Min and I finished our meal before we continued on our way. As near as I could tell, our route led us to the northern outskirts of the Imperial City, but at last we reached the next destination on my world tour: the Lunar Temple. Another Wonder of Neopia, it was one of the oldest buildings in Shenkuu. Recalling what Henry had shared with me, Shenkuuvian culture revered the moon and one of its biggest festivals was centred around the Lunar New Year held at winter’s end. As such, the temple was an important building and was a centre of learning for anyone who wished to dedicate their lives to divining the moon’s secrets.

      Early afternoon that it was, the temple was bustling with acolytes and visitors alike. Unlike the palace, the temple offered tours to visitors; Min and I were just in time to join one. We strolled through the sprawling gardens and entered the main temple building. I learned about the role that the temple played in Shenkuu and more about how highly they valued their study and honour of the moon. I took pictures as we went, including a rather charming picture of Min peering over a short red bridge that crossed a stream with Goldys swimming below.

      After our tour was over and we were leaving the Temple, I noticed that Min’s happy demeanour had dimmed, appearing almost pensive.

      “Is everything alright?” I asked my young guide.

      The Yellow Mynci looked up at me. “Yes.” She cast a look back over her shoulder to where the temple was growing steadily smaller behind us. She looked back up at me. “I didn’t know all of that stuff about the temple. I thought it was just stuffy old ‘pets that did boring stuff, but that was…” she cast another glance over her shoulder. “Nice.”

      During the course of our brief acquaintance, we had learned a bit more about one another. Min came from a big, lower-income family, and as one of the younger members, I had a sense that she slipped through the cracks and was often left to her own devices. I felt for the young Mynci, and I chose my next words carefully, not wishing to overstep the boundary of our relationship.

      “The Lunar Temple is an integral part of Shenkuu society. For those who choose to follow the path that it offers, it appears that they would lead an honourable and comfortable life. It is certainly one to consider for any young pet as they imagine a future for themselves,” I said.

      “Yeah,” Min said slowly. Then, she seemed to shake off the mood she had fallen into, the smile returning to her face as she looked up at me with a twinkle in her eyes. “Are you ready to see the next spot on your list?”

      “Oh yes!”

      We continued on our way, heading for the east side of the city. I was thankful all over again for Min’s assistance; I would not have been able to travel nearly so efficiently on my own. There was a point when we left the narrow streets and crowded buildings behind, the landscape opening up before us. But it wasn’t the sweeping vista that made the breath catch in my throat. Rather, it was the vessel illumined in the golden afternoon light.

      The Cyodrake’s Gaze.

To be continued…