Aurelius extended a polite nod towards Captain Alerion, acknowledging his presence. The captain responded with a solemn nod of his own, his eyes scrutinizing Aurelius as if trying to decipher the truth behind him.
"Aurelius, my boy," the headmaster began, his voice rich with both warmth and authority, "we have convened here to discuss the current state of affairs and your role in these tumultuous times."
Aurelius felt the weight of responsibility settle upon his shoulders once more. He had expected that being the Chosen would bring him to the forefront of events, but he was still surprised.
"Firstly," the headmaster continued, "I must express our gratitude for your swift actions during the recent attack. Your intervention undoubtedly saved many lives."
“But, I have a question I must ask you. What did the captive tell you? He doesn’t seem to want to talk after you left the tent in such a hurry. Did he tell you anything valuable?”
Aurelius’ expression turned slightly guilty as he remembered the conversion with Kael.
"Apologies for leaving abruptly, Headmaster," Aurelius responded, his voice carrying a mixture of earnestness and concern. "I did indeed gather information from the captive, but it's a complex story, one that is definitely troubling."
Aurelius proceeded to recount Kael's story, from the Dark Elf's origins in the city of Qar'Malan to the devastating reign of terror imposed by Maledrakor. He spoke of the cities vanishing without a trace, the corrupted warriors, and the chilling abilities of Maledrakor to control and manipulate the minds of his victims. Aurelius also mixed in some of the information about Maledrakor’s powers he had learned from Augustus.
As Aurelius concluded his narrative, the air within the tent seemed to grow heavier. The headmaster's expression shifted from curiosity to a deep contemplation. Captain Alerion, meanwhile, had a furrowed brow, his gaze shifting between Aurelius and the headmaster.
"Such an account is difficult to fathom," the headmaster murmured, his fingers tapping thoughtfully on the table. "Maledrakor's power… it goes beyond anything we've encountered before. The ability to corrupt and control the minds of others, to raise the fallen as undead soldiers, it's a terrifying prospect."
"Aye," Captain Alerion interjected, his voice tinged with a grave seriousness. "This Maledrakor is a force to be reckoned with. If he could lay waste to entire cities and command such unnatural abilities, then our people are truly at risk."
Aurelius nodded, listening to their words. "Indeed, Captain. Kael mentioned that Malaki's objective was the High Elven capital city. He was sent by Maledrakor to lead the assault, and the Dark Elves were coerced into carrying out this attack. It appears that Maledrakor seeks to expand his dominion."
The headmaster's gaze sharpened, and he exchanged a meaningful glance with Captain Alerion. "We cannot afford to underestimate this threat," the headmaster declared. "Aurelius, your role as the Chosen has never been more vital."
"What do you propose we do?" Aurelius asked, a determined glint in his eyes.
The headmaster leaned forward, his expression resolute. "I think you must first introduce yourself to the council and the people,” the headmaster said, turning towards Aurelius.
“The Council?” Aurelius interjected questioningly.
“It is a leading group of noble, lords, and High Priests that have been governing the city for the past few months. Now that you have stepped up to your role as a Chosen you must either work alongside some of those members or figure out how to run the empire.”
“More importantly, however,” the headmaster continued sternly, “you need to let the people see you. After years without a Chosen, it will be inspiring for the people to see a Chosen both alive and healthy. It will hopefully bring light in this time of chaos.”
Aurelius nodded, recognizing the importance of the actions the headmaster had described. Although Aurelius wasn't the one to like to make public appearances in front of crowds of people, he knew that it came as part of his responsibility, a responsibility which he had been shirking for long enough.
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“I want you to come with me when I meet the council though,” Aurelius said, looking back at the headmaster.
The headmaster's eyes bore into Aurelius', assessing his resolve. After a moment, he gave a single nod of approval. "Very well, Aurelius. I will go to the council with you if you promise me one thing."
“What is it?” Aurelius asked, slightly curious of the headmaster’s intention.
“You must show your authority as a Chosen to the council. You cannot back down to anything in that chamber, and you have to remind them that, despite your young age, you are the powerhouse of the empire. Any sort of weakness will be immediately pounced upon by every single member in that council, you cannot let that happen.”
Captain Alerion chimed in, his voice firm. “I concur. I’ve known some of those old bastards for a while now, you do not get to their position without a keen sense of politics and manipulation. They are High Elves after all. You can’t mention High Elven politics without backstabbing and subterfuge.”
Aurelius took in the gravity of their words, somewhat understanding the challenge that lay ahead. Contrary to what he was used to, the council would be a battlefield of words, a place where power dynamics and agendas would clash, and he needed to assert his authority firmly.
"I appreciate your guidance," Aurelius replied, his voice steady and resolute. "I won't allow any weakness to undermine of authority as the Chosen."
The headmaster's lips curved into a small, approving smile. "That's the spirit, Aurelius. Remember, you possess the power and the destiny that no one else does.”
“For now, however,” the headmaster continued, “let us rest. It has been a long day for all of us and you are going to need sleep if you are going to face the council tomorrow.”
“Oh yeah, that reminds me. Why do we still have these tents up and why hasn’t everyone moved back into the city?” Aurelius asked.
The headmaster leaned back in his seat, a tired smile gracing his lips. "The city is in a state of disarray after the attack. Rebuilding is underway, but it will take time. As for the tents, they serve as temporary shelters for the citizens until their homes can be repaired. Many structures were damaged, and we are prioritizing the safety of our people."
Aurelius nodded in understanding, realizing the ongoing crisis. "Thank you, Headmaster. I'll rest now and prepare myself for tomorrow's meeting."
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The following morning arrived with a sense of anticipation. The sun's rays painted the sky in hues of orange and gold as Aurelius made his way out of the tent he had spent the night at.
He took a deep breath, inhaling the crisp morning air. The camp was already bustling with activity as people went about their tasks, tending to the wounded, preparing food, and organizing supplies. Aurelius knew that the day ahead would be a defining moment for him, one that would set the tone for his role as the Chosen.
He had spent the night in deep thought, running over the details of his impending encounter with the council. Despite his determination to show strength and assertiveness, a knot of nervousness still lingered in his stomach.
As he made his way towards the center of the camp, he saw captain Alerion and the headmaster waiting for him. The headmaster looked up and saw Aurelius walking over, offering him a reassuring smile. "Good morning. Are you ready for what lies ahead?"
"As ready as I can be, I suppose."
"Alright," the headmaster nodded, his voice firm. "Also, I forgot to mention something last night. You should specifically be watchful of the nobles. They are likely to show the most resistance to a change of power. On the other hand, the High Priests may be more receptive to your position since you technically lead their religious order."
"Aye," Captain Alerion interjected, "the High Priests were the ones responsible for the execution of a noble who had placed a bounty on your head. What an idiot he was."
Aurelius gulped, not sure how he felt about the news. “Thanks for the information,” Aurelius said, making sure his tone stayed even.
"With that matter addressed, let's proceed," the headmaster declared, a hint of a smile in his voice, as though the council meeting were a trivial affair.
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Walking through the streets of the city, Aurelius couldn't help but be struck by the efforts underway. Citizens went about with their tasks, repairing minor damages and restoring a sense of normalcy after the recent attack. The sky above was a clear blue, and the sun's warm embrace seemed to infuse the city with a renewed sense of hope.
Approaching the city hall that housed the council chambers, Aurelius couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation. He had faced many challenges before, but this was different. This wasn't a physical battle; it was a battle of words, intentions, and power plays.
The imposing stone structure stood tall and proud, its intricate carvings and graceful archways giving it an air of timeless elegance, weirdly reminding Aurelius of his chronomage powers. The towering marble pillars and intricate engravings spoke of a long history of governance.
The entrance to the council chambers was flanked by two statues, regal figures frozen in stone. Aurelius paused for a moment, admiring the craftsmanship and taking a deep breath before pushing open the heavy double doors. The chamber within was bathed in warm, golden light, the tall windows casting long shadows across the polished marble floor. A circular table dominated the center of the room, surrounded by ornate chairs where council members were seated.
As Aurelius and the headmaster entered, a hushed silence fell over the assembly. Council members, a mix of nobles, lords, and High Priests, turned their attention toward the newcomers, their expressions a mix of curiosity and expectation.