Chronicles of the Reaper - Chapter 4
On top of the carved rocky hill, central of the City of Vetropol and on the east Bank of the dividing river, was a large distinguished white structure that was marked as the Ministerial Office. Tall Corinthian columns held the two-story high building that sparkled power and order, the large garden laid out at the courtyard deceptively mask the powerful preeminence of the authorities' administrative reach of the city and beyond.
"It seems our cherished trade minister's safely returned," the bearded elder in black, ornate plate mail said. Anyone would be able to recognize the outstanding carriage from his perch, he stood with his trusty spyglass in hand, by the Northern window of his functional but lackluster office. By his side was shadowy sharp-looking lad that bears a constant smirk on his clean-shaven face. A battle-scar bore down vertically over his left eye from the temple across to his cheek. Sleek black leather with shades of red, wrapped his dangerous, dexterous posture tightly to paint him unmistakably as a ruthless character. "Something bothers you milord?" He asked with brimming confidence and a sarcastic tone, it was all in his cheeky character to size up his liege's weakness whenever possible.
"Yes," the older man said calmly. "Your uncanny abilities to judge my emotions, distresses me." He reprimanded sternly without hesitation, he knew from his wealth of experience that a wild, young man like Xi has the potential to spell trouble if allowed free to flaunt his overbearing arrogance and confidence.
"I would regard that as my finer traits, milord." Xi bowed his head low untroubled and calm, brushing softly against his shortly cut hair, and toyed his thin braided pony tail that slid over his shoulder. "After all, I remain by your side still."
The fierce, gruff man stayed silent for a brief moment. "It's been too quiet recently," the elder leaned his arm against the window sill, looking outward and frowning slightly at the recent inaction.
"The Night agency has done well, I would hope." Xi smiled with a deep, prideful arrogance, a statement that did not please his liege at all.
"A pity, Xi." the man said cynically, deciding to whip that wild cat into his own place, "…have you ever wondered why a talented young man as yourself could only get this far?" he bluntly directed a rhetorical question at that ambitious young man.
Xi frowned at that remark, half-expectantly aware of his liege's next words. "Ah…ego," the man immediately seized the young lad's emotions and met the eyes of his personal, Bishop ranked Night Agent. "…and arrogance. I do remember now why I placed you here instead of Ca…"
"Lord Horatio," Xi brushed off the Defense Minister's mind games and intimidations, "I have my due worth, and I do remember too, why you've placed me here by your side." He stared into his Lord's eyes slightly offended, slightly snarling.
Horatio I Veldanen suppressed a wicked smile, knowing the cat was slowly conditioned to play by his rules. He turned to view upon his city. "We'd have to step up our game, Xi, something foul brews in the air…"
At the Eastern Gate, Gerald, a freshly initiated Third Circle Paladin stood vigilantly by the gates, dressed in a standard pearl-white plate mail, his rank identifiable through a purple Coat of Arms on his right shoulder.
While filled with duty and passion, his dreamy eyes hidden darkly behind his horse hair helmet reflected the memories within The Virtuous Hall of Castle Valace., where its calm, opulent construct seemed to glow with piousness and ivies crawled all over tapestries and grand column like a maiden's caress. As a custom, he was required to be present before the High Lord Veldanen, receiving his Knighthood. It was his defining moment when Lord Veldanen recited the words of service and tapped the ceremonial sword on his shoulder that made him into a man of the Kingdom's strength and the Cathedral's love.
From a page to the siring of a knight, the strenuous path of knighthood has molded many to vigor, discipline and focus in times of pressure or routine. All knights and paladins had undergone a strict selection and a series of test in faith. From the becoming of a page, to the arduous trainings in combat and devotion, the undetermined and weak will naturally fall out, leaving only the strongest, fittest and the wisest.
One of his brothers in arms, however, was a rare breed. Darwio, with a fantastical illusion of promise and fantasy, dreamt of Paladin's life as one being full of adventure, glory and charm that draws women, like moths to fire. Remarkably, the promise was more than enough to keep him alive and motivated through the entire process of Knighthood, until reality came.
"I'm bored," he yawned tiredly. Darwio had never expected such mundane task after his siring, the days in the Cathedral as a squire was much more exciting. Although assigned to a post of significant importance, he felt otherwise.
Gerald simply looked ahead, focused on his present duties.
"You're bored, I can tell," Darwio looked at Gerald gingerly with tired eyes. "Very well! Let me tell you about my encounter yester eve, when I walked past this… beautiful young lass." He smiled to himself. "She flashed her shy smile at me! She professed her interest to me! She had these fair blonde locks that ties into a ponytail…" he described animatedly with his hands. "Incredibly innocent charm, a virgin too I hope and pray in Sune's name." he placed his hand over his heart in silent prayer. "I tell you Gerald, that lass is everything I've ever wished for in a girl."
Gerald coughed in irritation and spoke as inaudible as possible, "That's what you told me last week about Ul'lyra the Vivacious."
"Did I?" Darwio wondered. "Maybe, but you see what the problem is? An elf…" he glanced at Gerald. "…has an insane longevity in life, and we as humans barely live to the age of 100! We all be wrinkled old prunes while the elves remain young and youthful, not that it's bad thing, but…"
Cutting Darwio off, the younger associate pointed out. "Let's talk about this later. It seems we have a visitor." He straightened his pose and preparing mentally to serve with full anticipation and spirit. His head started rehearsing the list of procedure they had to run through for each visitor.
The approaching athletic figure paced forward with small, feminine steps, swaying her hips gently with an aristocratic flair. She was shrouded in a lavishly designed white silk hood and a long flowing amber red cloak that swept the ground, the bricks she walked upon echoed sharp clicks. With a perfect straight posture, she swirled gracefully towards the east where the Emerald Port lie, the carriage she rode upon slowly vanished behind the trees at the corner of the path. She then took a minute to admire the spiraling tower of Sune that was placed along the same direction of the Eastern Gates. Reaching her hands into her cowl, she tucked her hair behind her neck, before she breathed with anticipation, picked up her large leather case and started walking slowly towards the guardsmen.
"Good morning, milady," Darwio greeted unenthusiastically, expecting a crazy pilgrim or some poor old woman. "What business do you have with Vetropol City?" His head still swims with his views on Human-Elf relationships.
"Good morning, gentlemen," she greeted with a worldly enthralling voice that immediately caught Darwio's attention. "My affair…" she pulled down her cowl, revealing her pale and straight golden hair that brushed her shoulder. "…is one being matters of private." She purred in a harmonic, sweetly seductive tone, baiting Darwio and drawing him closer with her sweet arousing scent that snaked playfully into his nostrils. Gerald, while clutching onto his list of procedures, felt tense and rather shy around her unprecedented presence. He was not used being in authority, nor around girls of exceptional beauty.
"I would have to see your…uh…I'm sorry, can I have your name please?" Gerald fumbled. It was his first encounter with a lady of such profound elegance, although many have passed through the gates, they often ride in carriages and are too proud to neither speak nor show their precious visage.
The fair lady arched an eyebrow in amusement in respond to Gerald's question, "Long have I heard the roads to Vetropol City are set in grace, and the bells of Sune chimes in articulacy. Men…" she licked her lips while studying the younger Paladin carefully. "…alike respectful and refined. But such unpolished and ill-mannered welcome…I'm beginning to think I've set my foot by the wrong gates!" She smiled teasingly.
"I'm sorry madam…I mean miss…" Gerald could feel himself blushing with awkwardness. Darwio, regaining his senses, scratched the back of his helm in nervousness, "I beg your pardon milady, but such unearthly presence of beauty would leave anyone of their usual habits." He focused with all his might to pick the best flattering words, lest he be haunted by such enchanting encounter. "I apologize for our rudeness."
"Ah, that's more like it," she purred with a sultry smile. "such honeyed, eloquent speech, I might very well find myself at home after all." She set her sly, cat-like eyes on Darwio's and winked at him. "Now, the two kind Guardsmen won't allow a weary wayfaring lady to stand so eager beyond the Vetropol's gates, would they?"
Gerald immediately stepped forward to offer carrying her large case upon the panicky orders of Darwio, and the latter went to the gates to unlatch the personal access door.
"Thank you gentlemen, it was a pleasure." She smiled with her lightly shaded pink lips. "I wish our charming meeting is but the beginning of a wondrous journey."
Both guards smiled toothily at the wanderer's grace. "Milady, before you leave," Darwio bowed. "Could I be so bold to learn your name?"
"Certainly," she announced before stepping through the door, "Angel, Angel Jil'znha."
"Jil'znha?" Both men gasped at the name that reputedly saved Neverwinter.