Sculpted Shadows 43: And the two became one...
{Jace's POV}
It's been several weeks now since I've met with the Golgari and implemented many of the agreements we had outlined in a new "contract". It was really no different from their already in place mainfesto, but it helped to draw a new agreement as to where the Guild and their bond, the Guildpact, stood. Many of the Golgari's issues still seem to come back to the Izzet and their little stunt during the Implicit Maze. However, when the time came to meet with the Izzet, which means Ral Zarek, I'll have to mention. Granted, all of the Guilds had some issue or another with each other and were always acting like spoiled children when they didn't get their way. But, I'm glad that they finally came to an agreement and showed interest in drafting a fresh manifesto to completely return to their old duties and possibly fix the rising situation with the Guildless and those who aren't too pleased about the Guilds.
I rubbed my head in distress and put the paper I had been staring at for what seemed like hours, down. All of this planning, work, schedules and intricate sctructural blue prints of upcoming projects have kept me more than busy lately and I haven't really had a moment to breathe. I looked to the clock that hung on the wall in my lofty, comfortable office and decided that I went for a bite to eat and perhaps, ease some tension in my mind. I stood up from the desk, grabbed and fastened my cloak on and headed out the door.
"If anyone is searching for me, I've went out for lunch, I'll be back in an hour or so," I tell the secretary. She nods in agreement and I head out of the "waiting room" and down the massive corridor to the central acropolis. Once again, the light was shining through the stained glass and the sigils of the guilds were on the polished marble floor. The giant central circular room, that spanned out into many corridors, much like a spiders web, was by far the most breath taking part of this place. I've been working from inside this building for almost three or so years and I never grow tired of this place. Well, at least the beauty of the architecture. I proceed to the exit, passed the guards with a nod of my head and off into the district of Ravnica where the Chamber of the Guildpact resides.
This wasn't exactly a district, but more appropriately it was the center of all of the districts of Ravnica. Each district of the Guilds met at a singular point and it was decided that there, the construction of the Chamber was to be carried out. Before, I had just traveled from one Guildhall to another, often taking days to reach one. Other times myself and the Guild representatives would meet at a predetermined position, heavily fortified with wards and other spells to prevent assassinations or other harmful affects to take its toll on myself or other guild ambassadors. Much like the conference rooms of the council, all the rooms have been recently enchanted to prevent the use of "violent" spells, to preserve the lives of all of the Council members. I wonder if that had anything to do with the Ice spike I sent deep into Domri's shoulder...
Walking the streets of the district, I felt the coursing energy of all of the rich wells of mana deep within Ravnica. The brilliance of the plains, the flow and ebb of the water, the dark pull from the swamps, the fires burning within the forges and the call of the wild from the forests. Every single bit of energy coursed through Ravnica, stronger than ever, now that the Guilds are back and are actually attempting to improve their homeworld. Every once in awhile, the Guilds will pull some, rather undesireable act or take certain matters into their own hands and cause a stack of paperwork higher than my bookcases at home to form on my desk. But, at least it wasn't as bad as some other worlds I have visited. At least they haven't had massive, unholy monsters released upon their world to literally rip it asunder. A smile formed on my lips as I thought back to the time I ran into Anowon who led me to Chandra. We then had to fight a deranged dragon mage on Zendikar. If I remember correctly, his name was Sarkhan Vol.
I arrived at the cafe located not far from the Chamber and took my usual seat. The waitress came up to me and asked if I wanted the usual. After placing my order, I looked out over the balcony on the outdoor patio, the infinite skyline of Ravnica off in the distance. Floating towers and massive towers littered the sky as drakes, dragons, rocs and other larger flying creatures could be seen, doing eterntities knows what. The bustle of the city life continued on, moving about their business and going from store to store or traveling home with their arms full of groceries and other parcels. This may not be the most hospitable place, nor the safest for that matter, but Ravnica was still home to me in may ways. I've lived on Ravnica for more than a decade and I wouldn't take back any moment of it at all. Well, except Kallist's death. That by far was the biggest regret I had in my life. His face came rushing to my memory and every contour and wrinkle on his face was burned into memory. If only I could've have had once last chance to say goodbye or, well maybe even sorry, I would. I would apologize for everything. For ruining his life, getting him killed and tearing a rift in our friendship. For some reason, I couldn't shake the feeling that he was still alive or here next to me. This feeling would often come whenever I thought about Kallist, but I would just brush it off and continue on about my day.
Soon the waitress came and interupted my deep train of thought, which I was grateful for, and I ate my lunch in silence, observing the world I'm supposed to protect. I paid for my meal as I finished and left the waitress a tip, as always and began the short walk to the Chamber. Roughly fifteen minutes later and I'm back in my office, pouring over the same boring paperwork. Hours seem to pass, but has only been roughly and hour and forty-five minutes, when a knock is on my door.
"Enter," I say, not bothering to look up from my paperwork.
"Well, is that anyway to greet your wife?" Liliana's familiar cooing rings out.
"No, but this is," I say, as I practically leap out of my chair and plant my lips on her's, kissing her deep. I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her in a deep embrace. "Aren't you a pleasant way to brighten up my day."
"I thought I sensed bad mojo from the house, but I'm here now. I trust that you're ready, husband?" she said, her violet eyes gems in the sunlight.
"Ready? For what?"
"Well, today, you have a meeting with the Azorius and you asked me to be here, remember?"
I mentally slap myself in the forehead and feel my cheeks turn rosy red. "I..uh...shit. I'm sorry," I say, putting a hand to my forehead.
She interlocks her arm through mine and begins to walk me out of my office, "It's alright my love, but you can make it up to me later. We're going out for dinner. Sound good? Of course it does," she says, giving off a little laughter, brightening my day further.
"Of course, dear."
We walk towards the conference room, catching up on our day as we are in no hurry to be to a meeting we are almost a half hour early for. For once, I will be on time, thank goodness. Soon, we are sitting in the conference room, just the two of us occupying the enormous room, talking about this and that, enjoying the company of my wife and not having to be stuck in my office.
"So, I went to the cafe today," I started.
"Did the waitress flirt with you again?" Lili immediately asked.
"No," I said flatly.
"I'm just teasing, continue."
"I know you were. I was sitting there thinking and, well...we haven't..." I trailed off.
"Haven't what, Jace?"
"Well, we haven't went to see Kallist's grave in awhile. I was just thinking...I was just thinking about that night all over again."
Her delicate arms were around me, not knowing she had stood up. "I understand, my love. It's not your fault, no matter what you say. He knew you loved him. He knew you cared for him, no matter what you two stubborn asses said, I could tell you both deeply missed each other."
Hearing Lili say it, over and over sometime helps. I've been letting it bother me more and more lately and for some reason those years come rushing back in floods. If this is supposed to be the eternities telling me something, it's not helping.
"You're right..." I started, but suddenly the doors to the room opened and the familiar blue and silver armored figured appeared in the doorway. It was Lavinia, but she wasn't alone. A troope of blue and white robbed men and women entered the room and approached the table taking their seats. There had to be at least a dozen senators and lawmages at the table, not including myself. I knew this was going to be a long meeting. Lavinia took her place at the table as my scribes walked in and took theirs, the guards taking their positions at the exits and entrances.
"Hello, Lavinia," I said to her.
"Guildpact," she nodded. A moment of silence passed, before I cleared my throat.
"How are you this morning?" I asked, trying to maintain my formality, especially in front of Lili and the other Azorius senators.
"I'm doing well, Guildpact. How are you today, Ms. Vess? Are you finding this morning pleasant?" Lavinia responded.
"I'm doing excellent, Lavinia. But please, call me Liliana," Lili spoke up.
"Yes ma'am," she responded. She maintained her level of formality, even in front of Lili. Normally, she isn't as uptight as now, but this is just ridiculous. The senators looked around the room and one of the senators cleared his throat intently.
"Guildpact Beleren, we've assembled many of our best and more veteran senators and lawmages to discuss the proposal of your 'contract'. We are ready when you are, however, we have written articles of disputes and claims we would like settled. Would this be a problem?" one of the elder looking lawmages said.
"Not at all, however, I'm sure that Arrester Lavinia related my wish for the documents I requested?" I told the lawmage, keeping my tone even. I was supremely nervous and very anxious. I couldn't believe that we were just a few signatures away from being 'official'. The idea made me smirked and I turned to Liliana, the smile wide on her face. I didn't have to read her mind to know she was excited to finally get this done. When she had told me that she wanted to get her name changed, I honestly was shocked. She wasn't the type of person to change really anything, but I knew she loved me and wanted to have my name.
"We do," the lawmage signaled to one of the senators, who handed a small stack of paper to one of the guards. The guard handed the stack of papers to me and Liliana snatched them from me.
"I'll handle this dear, you do your meeting Guildpact thing."
I just gave her a small smile and reached into my pocket to hand her a special identification card that she would need to fill out the documents, I then turned my attention back to the representatives of the Azorius who was going to discuss the terms of the mandates.
"So let's begin..."