Designed and created
by
CarolAnn at
CreativeAnswers
The
walk from Oak Street to the Guild Hall, although a rather long one, is
by no means a dull one. Strolling through one of the only residential
areas in the old section of Rhydin always proves interesting. The
homes are well kept and the sounds of family life lilt through the open
windows as you pass by. The park, which provides a shortcut around
the piers and the more dangerous part of town, is always beautiful regardless
of the season. The town square with its cobblestone street is seldom
empty despite the hour and the opportunity to window shop makes this part
of the journey always too short. Past the town square are a bevy
of taverns that line the outskirts of the town proper. Glancing in the
windows might reward you with a peek at some of Rhydin's most illustrious
residents. 
Beyond that, the main road narrows and it is only a short walk then...long enough to let your mind daydream about some romantic encounter...until the Allies of Rhydin property begins on the right hand side. Two acres wide and two acres deep, most of it's natural beauty has been left untouched. A 10 foot high stone wall topped with wrought iron finials faces the main road and accompanies you on your journey to the gates.
Two
guards dressed in livery greet you and swing a smaller door within the
iron gate open to let you pass. Behind the gate, the cobblestones
form a concentric pattern that seems to lead your gaze to the gray stone
building. Built during the time of Gothic influence,most of its windows
are long and narrow with thick lead glass and pewter mullions. It is hard
to judge the number of levels...four? Five? And you don't even
attempt to guess at the number of rooms. As you stand before
the steps, you look up and admire the large double oak doors with pewter
hinges and locks.
Before you enter, you
take a walk around the property adjacent to the Hall. The cobblestones
follow around the building to the left and behind the building leading
out to a long stable of stone and gray weathered wood.
The pens alongside it
are built for herds of horses rather than the few you see grazing on the
grassy sod. Beyond the pens a field of wild flowers bow and dance
in the gentle breeze.
Past the stables a garden invites you. The garden always seems to look most beautiful at night. Perhaps that is because it has always been loved by so many who sought its beauty by the light of the moon.
If you time it right,
you can catch the garden in its late spring symphony where colors and perfumes
blend into an exquisite work of art. Exotic shrubs with delicate pale flowers
scent the air so vividly, that if you close your eyes, you can picture
the loveliness of the blooms by their perfume alone. Even the scent
of lilac still plays lightly in the background. 
Take a deep breath again;
you will be able to find its fragrance weaving with that of the newer blossoms.
In the wildflower beds, the lilies and irises have just begun to open while
the last of the brilliant poppies stand like red beacons in the shimmering
moonlight. 
And,
oh, the promise of things to come..that too is there in the music of this
mystical garden if you listen carefully to its melody.
Welcome to the home of Allies of Rhydin! I hope its magic captivates your imagination and keeps you with us for a long, long time!
Zaleta Al'Muirnan