Welcome to the A to Z Challenge. This year I’m blogging about the Behind the Scenes for the Echoes Trilogy – a story a started writing about six years ago.
![A2Z-BADGE-100 [2017]](https://lydiahowecom.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/a2z-badge-100-2017.jpg?w=620){kind=icon}
When you travel to a different country, it’s generally pretty important to know at least a little bit about what to expect and how to act. For instance, is it safe to travel alone? Is it customary to tip? Where’s the best place to visit? What are some of the big social taboos? So, today I’m posting a list of information that you’d really want to know if you were going to be visiting the Royal City in Kios.
If you were to visit the Royal City of Kios…
- Requesting an audience with King Dalan or Princess Rylie isn’t impossible – in fact they often have onlookers watching them while they rule in the Judgement Hall. Princess Rylie is known for talking with commoners, and even inviting them to stay for large communal meals
- If you do take Princess Rylie up on the offer to dine at the palace, wear your best attire. As the leading clothes makers in this part of the world, Kios boasts many beautiful and colorful fabrics, as well as elaborate clothing styles
- Fish is a stable in the diet of most Kioskins – especially those who live in the Royal City
- If you want to start a conversation with a Kioskin, but can’t think of what to talk about, simply mention: Sheep, the Clothing Industry, how Amazing Queen Lena (may she rest in peace) was, Kios’s Strides Forward in Learning, or the Benefits of Eating Dried Canta Berries. The conversation will take off and you’ll soon be fast friends with the person you’re conversing with
- If you want to avoid topics that may be controversial, stay away from talking about: Echoes, The Island of Outcasts, Saying Anything Negative about Queen Lena (may she rest in peace), or Princess Rylie being too young to rule effectively
- The Royal City is a relatively clean, safe, and friendly city. Strangers are often amazed at it’s charm, considering not many years ago Kios was dubbed as “barbaric” by the neighboring countries
- As in all countries during this time period, it’s unadvisable for a lady to travel alone
- Places you do not want to miss out on seeing while in the Royal City: The Square, The Judgement Hall in the Palace, Squabblers Marketplace, and The River Docks
And there you have it folks. If you have any more questions about visiting the Royal City, ask away!
Noveltea 
Thanks for the tips. 🙂 I’ve been enjoying your A to Z posts!
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Thank you, Cheryl! I’ve been enjoying these posts, too. =)
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The only Kios I’ve heard of is in Turkey and also known as Gemlik. That’s a country my son has visited but not me. I guess however that isn’t the same place as your Royal City.
Victoria and Albert’s Osborne House http://bit.ly/2pO70kP
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No, this is for a realistic fantasy book I’m writing. 🙂 That’s neat that your son has visited Turkey. Thanks for stopping by!
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How cool to create a city.
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It’s been a lot of fun! And still, so much work left to do!
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Ooh, your world seems really well developed! ❤ I loooooooove the concept of Echoes.
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Aww, thank you so much! It’s quite delightful to see someone who likes the concept so much! =)
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Thank you for visiting my A to Z blog. Some nice world building is going on here. I’ve been a fan of science fiction and some fantasy since I was a little girl. I would very much like to visit this city.
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Yay! I’m glad you would like to visit the Royal City. As a writer, that makes me very happy indeed. =) And thank you for stopping by my blog, too. I hope you come again!
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You had me there! I was reaching for the Atlas to check where this is! Would love to visit the Royal City! Will be back for more.
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Oh wow! That feedback is quite inspiring to me, since world building for a fantasy world isn’t something I’m quite proficient in yet. I’m glad to see that I’m at least getting the hang of it. =)
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Sounds like an interesting place.
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I’m glad you think so. Thanks for stopping by!
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Kios sounds like a fascinating place to visit – I would absolutely love to have dinner with the royal family, although that would be pretty nerve-wracking. 🙂 It would be really fun to dress up and meet Princess Rylie…I never outgrew the love of dressing up, apparently. 😀 I loved your vlog, it’s so cool you got to bring that one favorite book to the Swiss Alps! What an amazing memory!
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Ah yes, I daresay it would be nerve-wracking. But, at least they don’t throw anyone in the dungeon simply because of not knowing palace etiquette, so I think it would be worth it. 😉
And aww! I’m so glad you liked my vlog – that makes me happy indeed! Thank you. And YES it was amazing!
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Lydia,
If ever I find myself in Kios, I will remember these important tips and maybe I will look less like an outsider. 🙂 I love how you involved your book in the A2Z challenge. 🙂
Art Sketching Through the Alphabet “O” (Owl)
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Haha, wow, if you ever find yourself in Kios, please come back and get me and take me along with you! 😉
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My family LOVED “Derwood Inc.” and the other books in that series. A couple of my siblings even purchased their own personal sets of those books.
-Bekah
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YAY! That’s one of the best books ever! And yes, I need to buy some of that author’s books. Our family has bought several copies.
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