Urban Planning

When King Sarmasso returned from his visit to his royal brother, he forthwith convened his magi.
"I am sick at heart," he told them. "I think of my brother's realm and my stomach trembles. How can it be that his city is grander than mine? How can it be that his home floats gently in the beautiful sky while mine is restricted to the ground? I ask you this in hopes you will alleviate my distress."
Magus Relo spoke. "My king, we have investigated these floating cities and how they are made. We can raise your city off the ground if you wish. However, your realm is exceedingly blessed by the wind. Your city will be buffeted violently and give you no pleasure."
"Then I enjoin you to accomplish one of two things. Either solve the problem and create a calmly floating city or devise some other alteration suitable for increasing prosperity." The magicians bowed.

Months later, King Sarmasso made an inspection of the atelier outside the city he had assigned the magi for their project. The building was not where he had ordered it, however. Instead of sitting on the ground it was on the side of a wall made of earth, showing its roof to the king.
"We have created an example, o lion among men," Magus Bemda told the king from above. All the magi's feet were firmly planted, keeping them sideways as though nothing were more natural. A cow and a chicken were performing the same feat. "It is safe to inspect from up here, if you like."
The king walked up a small earthen ramp. His stomach danced for a moment when he started up the sheer wall, but his legs carried him up the side without interruption . He surveyed the ground behind him and the sky all around, untroubled by the wild winds, and said, "I am gratified."

The city's buildings were soon rebuilt on great slabs of earth rising high in the sky. At first the slabs, later called districts, were set in a line with spaces between them so as not to block the west winds entirely. Further districts began curving to guard against the north winds as well, and soon the city assumed a quarter-ring shape.
Complaints about travel arose, since one could not walk from district to district without returning to the ground. To remedy this, the magi put up slats between districts where roads could be built. They further erected an outer ring of slabs covering the gaps between districts in the inner ring.
The city, so constituted, became prosperous. The districts freed most of the ground to be used for other purposes. Farms and orchards protected from strong winds sat at the bottom of the great slabs like supplicants at the feet of a kind master. The double ring calmed the winds that before made it difficult for ships to use the city's port, spurring a surge in commerce. Astrologers flocked to the one city where they could study the stars and planets at unusual angles.
King Sarmasso grew wealthy beyond all measure and beloved beyond all bounds. He invited kings and sages worthy of respect to tour his resplendent capital. One after another praised what he and his magi had done.

When King Saruesko returned from his visit to his royal brother, he forthwith convened his magi . . .

Of all the gods who bless mankind, the most beneficent must be Envy.