Chapter 912

Chapter 912: A bleak welcome

“Prime minister, what brings you to the general channel today?”

“Asmodeus,” returned from a massive screen, “-I see the princely charm and wit hasn’t left. Mammon, lady Kul, I see but three in attendance. No matter,” there laid a hint of disappointment over the call, “-do glance at thy screens.”

“An invoice?” commented Kul.

“And from a restaurant, damn,” gasped Mammon, “-so much money lost in food, what were you eating, gold bricks?”

“No,” said the nonchalant butler, “-tis a greeting card from the master.”

Silence shook the conference room, and Mammon – more or less the thinker type, stayed neutral. Asmodeus and Kul on the other hand, well, they looked at the bill with further intrigue, “-right, a greeting card...” the prince turned to Kul, who nodded, ‘-it’s very Masterish,’ spoke her gestures.

“Yeah, it is masterish,” agreed the room.

.....

“We move into a new stage of the game,” said the prime minister, “-matters shall escalate from now on. The reason for the meeting is the Ayder Bill of taxation. Master has plans to foil the invasive prospect. I don’t have details as of yet, master’s on a trip to Arda. Let it be known, Raven, on parliament when the Adrosian council rejoins to vote on the matter, we shall strike and make it absolute who’s the leader of Hidros. Enough rest on thy laurels, Princes – we will need thy influence. Have Starix flown to Hidros soon as possible,” upon delivering his message, éclair simply toggled off the call. Shadows loomed in a hallway, ‘here they come,’ he narrowed with arms crossed at the desk. Narrowly built men waltz inside, paid heed as to no to make much noise, fixed the door, and clopped to the grand desk, “-Minister,” said one in the middle, shorter in size and conniving in the eyes, “-what is it I hear, the King’s returned?”

“Yes,” he replied, “-the king’s returned from the jaws of death. We’re reserving publication rights on the triumphant story. Imagine the headline,” he rocked into the chair and gazed into the distance, “Return of the Hero King. Has a nice ring to it, yes?”

“My dear prime minister, must I remind who’s in charge here?” the Alrosian insignia tied at the breast pocket shimmered, “-parliament is ours. The royal family’s nasty secret is yet to be made public. What happens when news gets out that Queen Eia’s child isn’t the king’s. What happens?”

“Nothing happens,” replied éclair, “-Oxshield has lived under Alphia’s senseless greed for years. Don’t threaten a man too much,” he rose, “-for when the man runs out of fear,” he smirked, “-tis the devil who manifests. And I’m sure,” he narrowed, “-our king’s not one to fear conflict nor repercussion. As from today, do thy worse, I dare you,” he laughed, “-dirt on Hidros’ name is dirt on Alphia’s reputation. What happens when word gets out that the richest empire’s stealing from those they vowed to protect. I’m sure media junkies will have a field day ripping apart the leadership. Who knows, Hidros may offer to sell their secrets to the Wracia Empire. Either way, we’re screwed – however, a dying man has the option of choosing how he dies and how his legacy is remembered. Trust, for when Hidros does end per actions of greedy nobles – Phantom and their allied companies will wage war – a simple press of a button,” he loomed, “-a simple command and what happened at the shores of Whuotan is repeated ten-fold. Now, take this to your master,” he threw a letter, “-tis an official statement on the king’s return.”

“You’re making a mistake, éclair.”

“I don’t care,” he echoed, “-if it comes to war, then let it be for Hidros thrives in war. I’m sure the people won’t mind changing targets from monsters to humans. Scurry along, messenger, leave the decision to those capable of using their brain, not horny old men who move per inclination of their member.”

Ire filled cheeks sharply grasped the letter, “-we’ll see who lives and who dies, éclair,” he whispered, “-horny old men have their way around politics. The battlefield is our territory, come, I challenge thee, bring all those who stand before us, bring those who give such false sense of bravado for when the hammer of justice hits, the sparks of the anvil shall be remains of a fallen Hidros – egocentric warlords. The world’s a place of verbal battle, not a show of sword and blood; you’ll learn soon enough, youngster, yesterday’s enemy is tomorrow’s friend, and today’s friend is but a stepping stone.” The door crashed, shaking nearby decorations, ‘-feels nice,’ exhaled éclair, ‘-the first pawn moves. We’re headed to war without foresight, I hope you know what you’re doing, master,’ the couch buckled.

*Achoo,* scenery changes from stonelike and clean to rustic and green, ‘-where am I?’ cars and carriages shared roads, buildings were a mix of concrete, wood, and brick. Sky, or what was there, burnt vibrantly, ‘-infused stones?’ he squinted, *touf,* “-watch where you’re standing,” cried a hurried figure dressed in armor. Akin to a river, people rushed the sidewalk, some crossed streets without checking both ways, ‘-I recognize some of the names.’ Blade’s End, Pegasus, independent guilds shared a portion of the city’s ground floor- each building held the guild’s crest, ‘-that’s a throwback,’ he watched, ‘-speaking of guilds, I wonder what’s happened with them,’ reference made to the adventuring classmates he made during the stay at the adventuring academy. Budding groups shared laughter and joy, others shared pain and torment – overall, a well-balanced experience.

“Cab,” he rose a hand, a reptile-drawn hand cart skipped to a stop.

“Where you want to go, mister?”

“The upper floors.”

“Get on in,” said the muscular lizardman, Igna obliged. Many side alley’s later, Igna stood before an open magical circle of blueish hue, “-here we are,” said the lizardman, “-the central teleportation. My fee is fifty coppers.”

“Have two silvers,” said Igna flinging the coins.

“Thank you, my lord,” and off he disappeared. Fondly, hand-drawn carts were common, supplies to livestock, seemed they had no problem answering the call of work.

‘Changed quite a bit,’ pondered Igna, ‘-there used to be stairs and lifts, a central teleportation spell’s conveniently large. Looks like there are a few dotted around the city, it’s changed, got to love it.’ An elf in uniform, after taking accounts of those on the platform, scribbled on a notepad and flicked a lever – a flash of blue cleared the circle.

“Second level,” he gasped, ‘-whoever designed the circle is an idiot. The aftershock’s too much for an ordinary pers-‘ to his pleasant surprise, the travelers shrugged the teleportation and went about their day. Youngin’ to elderly, all brushed the affair.

“Get out the circle,” said a similarly dressed demi-human.

“I need to get to the castle.”

“Castle?” blinked the worker, “-who are you exactly, mister? Transport to the royal castle is done at the northern gate.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, if you’d kindly get off the platform – people are waiting.”

“I do apologize.”

“Head on straight,” added a bystander, “-the northern portal should be there after a few minutes walk.”

“A few minutes’ walk?”

“Yes sir.”

“Thank you for the courtesy.”

“Don’t mention it,” smiled the visibly lesser fortunate couple, “-Arda’s a good place, mister, don’t let the rumors say otherwise. We may look scary and off-putting, however, we’re pure from the heart, everyone’s willing to help lest the luck takes thee to a rogue.”

“I see,” he nodded.

A loud announcement foiled the conversation, “-next batch headed downstairs, please make way to the circle!”

“Later, mister,” said the couple picking up their bags.

‘Friendly people,’ he headed North as told by the couple, closer the north got the more vacant seemed the street and much more decadent in terms of building architecture. ‘Noble district?’ went across the mind as he arrived at the clearing – the narrowly spaced buildings thrust themselves as a hallway which stopped at a bright purple light yonder. ‘-Plaza?’ passed the opening, an octagonal shaped area held a purple circle. The octagon carried other similar hallways akin to whence Igna exited. A dark elf sat at a timid kiosk at the edge of the circle, “-is this the portal headed to the castle?”

The elf rose her head from a pocket-sized novel, pushed her locks behind her ears, and revealed golden jewelry, her small eyes quickly examined Igna top to bottom, “-and who might you be?” said a misleadingly stern voice, “-castle access for nobles only, council ordered.”

“I’m of noble blood,” explained Igna.

“Forgive my saying, I don’t know any nobles who wear shorts and a t-shirt to visit a castle. Clothes make the man as they say; not going to get fired so quick after my promotion.”

“Right, my outfit, I forgot I wore beachwear,” *snap,* fabric wove into a three-piece suit and firmed onto the devil’s body, “-how do I look?” he tied the hair in a messy-long bun, “-neat, yes?”

*Cough, cough,* “-Creation magic?”

“Magically entuned?”

“I’m a dark-elf, of course, I know about magic. I’ve read about creation magic and the power to turn mana into anything one wishes, which was on the book of Magiology published by Founder Staxius Haggard. Was a theory... how did you?”

“My name’s Igna Haggard, nephew of Staxius Haggard and son to Queen Courtney Haggard.”

“Holy mother of Earel, the king of Hidros’ here,” she choked.

“Calm down,” he said reassuringly, “-I came to visit mother. Yet, I find myself drawn to the mystery of why a scholar would spend her days working for the magical circle?”

“Oh, simple,” she said, “-maintenance of the magical circle is a big responsibility. Depending on which cardinal point gate one uses, complexity differs. It was a member of the University of Rotherham who suggested the idea. Don’t know much save what I barely remember. Move to the center, I’ll activate the lever.”

A flip and off he flashed to the second floor, “-where am I?” he scanned and noticed the castle’s watchtower. The first and second floor’s architecture resembled more or less the same. Exquisitely dressed figures threw knowing nods at Igna, who returned the sentiment.

“Castle is closed for today,” hailed a guard, “-my lord, the queen’s asked for the area to be cleared. I’m sorry, please return at a later date.”

“Is my hair not familiar?” he blinked, “-please don’t tell me everyone’s forgotten about the queen having a loveable son?”

“King Igna’s been missing since the plane crash, what are you talking about, my lord?”

“I’m right here?” he pulled onto the noble crest, “-see?”

“Holy Mother,” he gasped, “-I’m so sorry,” dropped on one knee, “-my tone’s inexcusable, majesty.”

“Raise your head,” he said, “-no harm done, can I enter?”

“Yes, you can, my lord,” the gates stretched.

‘The castle seems empty,’ he wandered into bare corridors and looked about for naught, ‘-did everyone evacuate or did a plague hit the residents?’ footsteps caught his ear, ‘-there,’ a silhouette jumped, “-stop!” he called, no reply. The chase soon landed him at one of the bedchambers, once occupied by Staxius and Shanna, he pushed the door ajar, a gentle breeze flapped, “-who’s there?” the door pushed further, “-I said no guests!” silvery hair whipped and locked onto the intruder.

“Hello, mother,” said Igna, “-long time no see.”

“Igna?” she paused, “-is that you?”

“Yes?”

“No,” her expression tightened, “-éclair pulled that stunt before, I’m not falling for the disguise, Vengeance.”

“It’s me, mother,” he summoned the watcher’s mark, “-I’m back.”

“Igna,” her guard lowered, “-you, my son, are an idiot,” to which she turned for the view.

Silence befell his regard, “...”

“DON’T STAY THERE!” she echoed, “-why the long face?”

“I half-expected a hug or a slap, didn’t think I’d be blessed by such a morose welcome.”

“You never left,” she said, “-doesn’t look it but I’m happy.”

He followed her curiousness, “-is something the matter outside?”

“The circles,” she said, “-have the sinking feeling there’s much to the little invention.”

“Flashbacks of the church’s invasion?”

“Yeah, the fear is always present. Can’t know too much about these things. Tell me,” She moved aside, “-have you come for a reason or?”

“Yes, I came to visit my mother. Why’s the castle empty?”

“Long story, I’ll change my clothes. Be with you in a bit.”

“Right, I’ll wait in the dining hall.”

“See you there,” said a bleak, uninspired Courtney.