The walls to the sanctuary were no more. With the blaze finally put out, the mountain top returned to its chilly stillness. Ruik worked with a shovel, making a proper burial for his master, his friend Kivic. A single tear rolled down Ruik's face, as his minor burns were apparent in the daylight.
"I'm sorry." Ruik completes the burial and starts to scavenge the remains of his home. A few burning embers were all that was left of the proud structure. "I need supplies for the trip," Ruik spoke quietly to himself. He checked the entrance to the underground storage, where the lock was completely destroyed. Very little food and water remained after what looks like someone beat him to it. His hands were dry and rough as he carried what little was left back up to the remains of his room. Finding a usable sack, he threw it over his shoulder, took his hammer and headed off west to leave his home behind.
Lion's Arch was a place full of bandits and thieves, the people who lived there either made their living hurting others or travelling. Being here at the wrong time could mean a lot of unnecessary trouble. Ruik treaded quietly hoping to avoid confrontation with the mercenaries. In a book he read, it described this town 240 years ago as the bustling capital of Kryta, ruled by a group of a malevolent cult known as the White Mantle. Kivic himself was involved in the over throwing of the White Mantle, during the Krytan Civil War. Through that conflict, Princess Salma rose to her proper place on the throne, an ancestor of her majesty today.
Ruik was already running really low on supplies but he didn't want to stay here too long, so he stopped by a local pub to pick up standard travelers goods. A large beast creature that stood on two legs, with a feline appearance, except for those malicious horns protruding from its skull walked over to the Norn guardian.
"Aren't you a little far from your mountain Norn." The Charr sneered, obviously trying to pick a fight. The pub grew quiet waiting for Ruik's response, hoping to see some action. It isn't every day a Charr gets to fight something bigger than itself.
"I'm not looking for any trouble." Ruik responded quietly. Ruik never wanted trouble, in fact he would do anything he could to do the opposite of trouble, but that wasn't on the mercenaries of Lion's Arch menu. "I just came here to stock up on supplies; I'm heading to Divinity's Reach as soon as the store keep' comes back."
"Well then, looks like this one is going to have to be quick." The Charr laughed, as he left his sword sheathed, he held out his paw and extended his claws trying to intimidate the young Norn. Ruik thought nothing of the threat, but he took a pose similar to that of the Bison Tournament, relaxed but ready. The Charr swiped at his face, cutting his cheek with a long deep gouge. The Charr wasn't expecting him to not move like that. "You moron, if you had flinched you wouldn't have gotten hurt."
Ruik wasn't hurt though, what the Charr, or anyone else in the pub couldn't realize was the insignia inside Ruik glowed with a green fire, a fire of willpower. With a swift hand action, Ruik floored the Charr. Picking up his hammer, he paid the pub owner for any expenses, took a jug of water and left. Ruik wasn't sure what had just happened, but now the cut on his face is taking its toll. Just outside of town, he noticed to blood trail down his face. Bandaging his wound, Ruik utters a short healing prayer for a swift recovery, and marches to Divinity's Reach.
The walls that surrounded Divinity's Reach were among the largest the Norn had ever seen. It has been a few days since he set off from the mountains and he hasn't gotten proper time to rest yet. But how could he rest, he has so many questions that need answers. He stumbles into the city limits as human guard, dressed in a silver chain mesh with the Divinity's Reach tabard symbolized on his attire, stops the foreigner.
"Welcome to Divinity's Reach, the Norn section of the town is down that road, if you have any questions, feel free to ask a guard standing by." Well that was a nicer introduction than he expected. For being so close Divinity's Reach and Lion's Arch couldn't be more different. Resting for a minute in the Norn district, Ruik needed a way to gain audience with her majesty.
"Oh sorry, no can do son," The guard explained, "You need to have been summoned by the Queen herself if you wish to speak to her." Ruik wasn't the type to get annoyed so quickly, but the discussion was causing a scene. A Seraph knight, one of the Queen's personal guards even inspected the situation.
"Look guard, my name is Ruik Materious, and I have an urgent message for the Queen! This is a matter of world-wide security!" Ruik's voice grew frantic, he had never actually used his Materious surname out in public before since to most people it has no meaning. The Seraph knight intervened.
"Ruik Materious eh? Your name sounds familiar, what business do you have with the Queen?" The Seraph questioned, being the Queens most trusted guard, he recognized the Materious name but couldn't recall from where.
"I was sent by my master Kivic Materious, I have an impor-…" The Seraph stopped him there.
"Say no more sir, I can grant you audience with her majesty." The Seraph wasn't acting on his own accord. His will was being influenced by the Queen herself, being a Mesmer; she can tap into the minds of her subjects. "You will meet with her majesty at once; we will take you to her now." Ruik was confused but glad to finally act on his master's wishes.
"So you are the newborn Materious." Queen Jenna spoke into his mind; she didn't even need to use her lips. Ruik felt violated, having someone just breaching into his thoughts like this. Every time he tries to speak she already knows what he is going to say. "Interesting, you have a twin brother. Where is he now, I wish to speak with him."
Ruik's thoughts told the whole story, how he is honoring his master's request and searching for his brother simultaneously, but the Queen seems to be ignoring his questions. "Ruik, I know where your brother is, but I cannot allow for you to see him right away. Your mind is not in the right place for such an encounter." Ruik was more confused than ever. Not only is she probing his mind, she is completely hiding information from him. "I will handle everything from here, stay in the Norn quarters for as long as you need, but set off back to Hoelbrak, your task is done." That was it? Ruik simply nodded and left for his quarters. What was her majesty hiding from him now, he couldn't stand all of these secrets. And what did that whole bit with his brother mean? Ruik was more baffled now than he was before he started this journey.
"So you are the new Materious? Ruik was it?" A calm, friendly feminine voice called out to him before he could get inside the inn. She was a tiny person, though not much smaller than the other humans in this city. Dark brown hair, with a soft smile and wore such a regal gown. "You are Ruik, I can see it in your face."
"Yes, but who are you human?" Ruik was getting awfully tired of the other races, Charr for being unnecessarily violent, humans being so secretive. All he wanted now was for a Norn to come along and tell him the answers to all of his worries, then maybe go hunting around the great Drakkar lake, but sadly that day wasn't today.
"That's no way to treat someone who can help. My name is Jayda, I'm a member of the Royal High Council here in Divinity's Reach. And I know where your brother is."
