As the mysterious rider approached the city, I called for Chloe to join me. When she arrived, the rider was close enough for me to see clearly. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow on the rider and his minions as they approached.

He dismounted from his horse and walked towards me, his boots thudding against the ground. I was the only one standing there who looked different from the other creatures in the area. I watched him as he approached, his movements confident and assured. Then, he bent down to greet me. I greeted him in return, but I didn't bend down because it wasn't my style to show such deference to my guests.

He dismounted from his horse with a graceful leap, his long cloak billowing out behind him. His boots thudded against the ground as he walked towards me, his movements confident and assured. I observed him, taking in his tall, muscular build and chiselled features. His piercing blue eyes seemed to look right through me as if he could see into my very soul.

"Raider, why have you come this way? I hope this visit will have good outcomes, or else."

"Yes, my lord. I am here on good terms from my king, Gandalf. He doesn't mean any harm to anyone else.""Who are you then? If Gandalf is your king, then who are you?"

"I am his friend. My name is Raymond. I come here by royal order from the king."

"If your king wants a fight, I am ready for it. If your king wants to scare me and demand resources, I am ready to fight. If your king wants to be friends, I already have a friend. Meet Chloe, my friend and valuable advisor to my kingdom." I said as I walked into the city, my footsteps echoing off the cobblestone streets.

​ The Minion manager ran towards me, his face etched with concern. I told him to take care of the soldiers who had come with Raymond and give the horse some water. I also told him to bring something to eat, as I was feeling hungry. I hadn't eaten all day, and now that Raymond was here, I wanted to show some hospitality. Chloe and Raymond followed me, and I didn't speak to either of them as I led them to Chloe's house. I didn't want to show Raymond my own house yet, as it might give him a poor impression of me if he saw that the king lived in a small house in the city. I am building a big city and have a large army, so I wanted him to see my house or at least hear about it later.

"You are building your city. You might need help with that," Raymond said as we entered Chloe's house.

"I have everything I need to build the city, as you can see. I have designed my city better than anyone else and have the resources to complete it without anyone's help," I replied as I sat on the bed, my arms crossed over my chest. Chloe and Raymond sat in front of me on chairs, their eyes fixed on me.

"I have resources, minions, and land to build my city. I don't need any help," I continued.

"My lord, I didn't mean any disrespect. I just wanted to offer help. Lord Gandalf would be happy to help another fellow king out if needed."

"Even if I needed help, I wouldn't ask anyone else. Once you take help from someone, you will have to repay them, even if you don't want to. So, I don't want to owe anyone anything in this world."

The minions' manager and a few minions entered the house with food on dishes. I was very hungry, so I stopped talking and focused on the food, my stomach rumbling with anticipation.

"You are building your city. You might need help with that," Raymond said

I turned to him, my eyes narrowed. "I have everything I need to build the city, as you can see. I have designed my city and have the resources to complete it without anyone's help," I replied as I sat on the bed, my arms crossed over my chest. Chloe and Raymond sat in front of me on chairs. Their eyes fixed on me.

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to keep my temper in check. "I have resources, minions, and land to build my city. I don't need any help," I continued.

Raymond held up his hands in a peaceful gesture. "My lord, I didn't mean any disrespect. I just wanted to offer help. Lord Gandalf would be happy to help another fellow king out if needed."

I shook my head, my lips set in a firm line. "Even if I needed help, I wouldn't ask anyone else. Once you take help from someone, you will have to repay them, even if you don't want to. So, I don't want to owe anyone anything in this world."

The minions' manager and a few minions entered the house with food on the dishes. I was very hungry, so I stopped talking and focused on the food, my stomach rumbling with anticipation. As I ate, I couldn't help but think about Raymond's offer. It was true that building a city was no small feat, and sometimes it was necessary to seek help from others. But I was determined to do everything on my own and not have to rely on anyone else. I had my own resources and my own minions, and I was confident that I could complete the task without any outside assistance.

As I ate, I thought about what Raymond had said. It was true that building a city was no small feat, and sometimes it was necessary to seek help from others. But I was determined to do everything on my own and not have to rely on anyone else. I had my own resources and my own minions, and I was confident that I could complete the task without any outside assistance.

After we finished eating, I excused myself and left Chloe's house, leaving Raymond and Chloe to talk on their own. I needed to return to my own house and plan out the next steps for building the city. As I walked through the streets, I couldn't help but feel a sense of determination. I was going to build the greatest city in the land, and no one was going to stand in my way.