The Palace Foyer (A Few Minutes Later)
Orpheus moves swiftly through the hallway and reaches the double doors, grasping both handles he quickly opens them apart and enters the foyer. Glistening light shines through the opened doorway as it covers the recently entered foyer, with the bright intensity dazing his eyes, he quickly turns to his right to see the opened doorway. The sun's rays pour into the room illuminating the area prompting his eyes to adjust, before immediately beginning to survey the area. To his right are four well-armoured guards in steel breastplate armour, along with short swords at their waists. To the left are four similarly well-armoured guards post at the opposite doorway to the throne room, each guard was standing to attention, like unmoving golems waiting to unleash their wrath upon intruders.
In the centre of the room are three individuals, one was a well-dressed elderly man with grey short hair, hazel eyes and visible wrinkles, wearing a black and white suit and an air of high-class dignity. Behind him is a young woman with short brown hair tied up into a neat ponytail, dark hazel eyes, lightly dark skin and eyes that seemed to be moist from prior weeping. Standing in front of the butler is a well-dressed, tall and well-built man, wearing a cream coloured doublet visibly stretching against his overwhelming mass. With his square jaw, pitch-black piercing eyes and short well cut blonde hair, the man was a manifestation of an unmoving and unshakable stone wall.
Orpheus slightly deturbed by the large mass of a man before him, he then steps back for a moment, then immediately regains his confidence and presses forward to meet them. Entering the range of their presence he immediately recognises the butler as none other than the Royal Butler Walter. Not acknowledging his presence yet, Walter and the man gently speak to each other as Walter places his hand upon the man's right shoulder.
Walter speaks in a reassuring tone as he tilts his head forward. "The culprit has been slain, justice for your daughter has been done, please take solace in that." His words attempt to cheer up the towering man as he lowers his head as if holding back tears, yet his face remains as stiff and expressionless.
For a moment he continues to stare upon the floor, but eventually lifts his gaze to the comforting butler, placing his right hand upon Walters, he begins to speak in a meek voice. "Thank you, Walter, she spoke of you many times of how you cared for her." His gaze filled with regret yet from an outside observer it seemed as though he exuded nothing to the untrained eye.
Walter continuing his comforting presence, steps forward within the man's personal space and continues speaking. "Your daughter Ashley was a beautiful soul; the kingdom is less bright without her presence." Appearing with true honesty in his dignified presence, with such words he reveals a considerate side of himself that warms the heart of the man before him. Walter then hears the footsteps of a man to his right and spots Orpheus standing just a few feet away. Acknowledging his presence all three stand up and forward their gazes to him, Walter after witnessing his presence turns to the tall man and speaks. "Earl Franklin Wolfcroft may I present the Hero Mage Orpheus, the man who brought your daughter's killer to justice." After speaking he turns his gaze to the confused Orpheus.
Earl Wolfcroft turns to Orpheus and stands up straighter than any man and bows his head in respect to Orpheus, witnessing this unfamiliar act from a noble his mind begins to race with possibilities as he internally contemplates. "Justice for his daughter, what..." His thoughts were faster than he can fathom as he examines every trace of memory he possesses. "Could be the deceased maid that Kyran killed, perhaps that woman was his daughter, hmm a unique opportunity to capitalise on the..." With his thoughts suddenly ceased by his very emotions, regret fills his heart as he continues his thought. "Does that mean I have to use Kyran's death to my advantage... again." Wrath directed inwardly begins to steam from his chest as his right-hand clenches and his expression becomes stiff.
The Earl still bowing raises his head and meets Orpheus eye to eye and begins to speak. "Thank you, Orpheus you have given my dear daughter justice, I am forever in your debt and express the gratitude that any father would." Remaining upright with a stiff posture the towering Earl desperately holds back his emotions as faint sadness and respect leak out.
Keeping with his façade he clenches his fist harder, digging his nails into his palm drawing blood, holding back his raw emotions he thinks to himself before speaking. "I'm sorry Kyran." With that thought appearing in his troubled mind he quickly relaxes his body, closes his eyes and opens them before speaking in a dignified voice. "I did what any hero of the kingdom would do, I brought that vile fiend to justice for his deplorable crimes against this great kingdom." His dignified and heroic posture emanates from his firm gaze inspiring all present to his noble intentions. "Take comfort that your daughter can now rest easy within the grace of the merciful goddess." Keeping his posture, he returns the man's gaze who replies with a strange and contorted smile as if the action was unfamiliar.
His contorted smile reshapes into a more amicable expression as the Earl nods his head in gratitude before speaking again. "You have my gratitude and the gratitude of the Wolfcroft house." The Earl speaks in a more comfortable tone as his gaze turns to the young maid next to Walter.
Prompted by the man's eyes the maid quickly moves forward and bows her head to Orpheus and speaks in a meek voice. "Th... Thank you, Hero Mage Orpheus, for avenging my older sister." She speaks as she raises her gaze to him and sighs deeply from the emotional pain.
Orpheus nods in acknowledgement just before Earl Wolfcroft turns to his younger daughter and wraps his large tree trunk-like arms over her shoulders. "Come, Phoebe, we must make arrangements for the funeral." With the Earl speaking in Phoebe's ears, they both turn to the doorway and move to exit the palace, disappearing into the distance.
Both men look towards the exit and then back to each other as Walter begins to speak. "I apologise Sir Orpheus, breaking the news to the esteemed Earl and his daughter was a deed few should bare." Walter states with an exhausted look as if all his vitality has been drained from a single conversation, his upright postures droops slightly but immediately snaps back in an instant.
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Seeing his exhausted demeanour hidden behind his posture, Orpheus drops his gaze to his right clenched fist as blood seeps out. He then quickly moves both his hands to his back and cups them together as a painful sting flows up his hand. "No need to apologise Walter." He states as if to reassure the uneasy man before him, Walter nods in acknowledgment with a slight smile as Orpheus continues. "But I did have a question if I may." Orpheus asks as he bends his body forward slightly to gesture a request.
Witnessing this gesture Walter immediately replies in a swift and lightning-like manner befitting the servant of the royal family. "Of course, Sir Orpheus I can answer any questions you wish." Speaking in an amicable and dignified tone he eagerly awaits the question silently.
Staring back at Walter, Orpheus appears as if about to speak but his mind is steeped in tireless contemplation as he thinks to himself. "Answer any question... excellent now I wonder if he will be able to assist me in securing the candidate, but first... I require something." His mind internally plans his next move before putting his request forward to Walter. "I have recently learned from his majesty that there have been goblin attacks on the kingdoms trade routes... I wish for an audience with the High Merchant... Lord Dandridge if I am correct, to discuss this." Orpheus gestures with his right palm as he speaks, whilst gaging Walter's reaction.
His eyes widen with a slightly confused and confounded expression as Walter quickly replies in spite of that. "Very good Sir, I will put in a request for a meeting, I'm sure he will allow it." Walter replies to him in a pleased and sincere voice, just before nodding in acknowledgement.
With his words, a wide grin appears upon Orpheus's face as if satisfied with that reaction. "Thank you, Walter." Orpheus quickly conveys sincere gratitude, as he as well nods in return. With his descending gaze, his mind begins to spin with several facets hidden behind his sincere eyes. "Good, let's see what can be learned from this little Lord." Orpheus thinks to himself as his forehead rises to meet Walter's gaze.
Walter then speaks once more. "Your Welcome Sir Orpheus." He then turns to the doorway leading to the outside and moves towards the left side guard. As Walter moves from sight, Orpheus turns to the other doorway leading to the throne room. Making a few steps forward he begins eyeing the four guards on each side of the doorway. Their faces glued forward, with their ramrod straight postures conveying alertness as if an unshakable boulder is gazing back.
The guard's eye's immediately cast to Orpheus as he stands directly in front of him, each of their originally stone-cold faces, immediately soften at the sight. Their prior cold expressions immediately change to jealousy mixed with respect, as if they were peering at an unclimbable mountain with an unreachable peak. Orpheus notices their gazes upon him but immediately disregards as he begins internally pondering this situation. "The guards are substantially less relaxed than before, perhaps the small coup and Kyran's little bloodbath has made everyone a little on edge." With his thoughts stirring a small chuckle in his heart he pulls his gaze to the ground, just before returning his clenched fists to his front.
Looking down at his right fist he slowly opens his hand, whilst concealing his palm from the guards who have suddenly cast their gazes forward as if scared. Three small indents in his palm are visible in the centre, covered by a small amount of blood. Contempt immediately crosses his face, with his left top lip gyrating with rage, directed inwards consuming his mind. Shaking his head from left to right as if to centre himself, he then starts whispering while focusing his magical energy upon his palm. Imperium Sanguis. The blood covering his hand suddenly begins seeping back into the wound, causing Orpheus to lightly grunt from the discomfort. Guiding the blood back into his wound he then whispers another spell. Percuro Vulnere. Faint ethereal energy appears over the wound causing it to slowly close, after a few seconds the injury vanishes without a trace as if time reversed.
Placing his arms at his sides he flashes a smirk to the guards who in response hold at attention. Orpheus then turns around and moves back towards the doorway he just entered from, leading back to the hallway. Entering through the door's he cast his gaze briefly back to Walter as he speaks to the guard, pausing for a moment he smirks in satisfaction and continues. Turning right down the corridor he begins making his way towards his room as he thinks to himself. "Now while that is in motion, there are other concerns... such as my missing staff, as much as I don't want to admit, I need that to continue this whole charade as a hero." Swiftly moving through the corridor, his facial expression tenses as he contemplates his situation. Passing the doorway to his room he stops for a brief moment.
Turning his gaze to his door, his mind continues to cast to aberrant thoughts. "She's spiralling... I can see it even though she hides it well, I of all people know... wounds like that, can't be healed as simply as my hand." His tense expression fades into soft eyes as he gazes at the door longingly with faint sounds within. Orpheus begins to sigh as if the simple act of peering at the door is too much as his thoughts continue. "I don't know if I'm up to the task, though I can empathise with her... can a person like me be a positive force in another's life, can I be there for her, can I truly care for her the way you cared for me." His heart begins to beat faster than normal as slight condensation of sweat appears on his forehead, his right hand begins to shake at the notion, but quickly calms. With his gaze drooped to the floor, he quickly rises as he continues his contemplation of the issue he is unsure of. "Can I be what she needs, can I help her become whole again, the way you made me whole... Evirus." Clenching his right fist as he endures the barrage of emotions he experiences whilst also recollecting upon the visage of a man.
Still, in contemplation, the appearance of a man forms in Orpheus's mind as clear as if he were standing right in front of him. The man had a short white beard surrounding his mouth and a long scar along the left side. With incredibly dark hazel eyes and white hair dangling down to his shoulders as well as looking to be around fifty years old. The man that permeates his thoughts was none other than Evirus Elmore Atano an accomplished mage and teacher, belonging to the Atrasal Societies prestige's Magical Acadamy. The thought of this illustrious man fills Orpheus with a sense of pride and respect as he smiles at the thought. The considerate and sincere smile quickly dissipates as the man's image evaporates from the loud sound within.
Listening intently, he hears footsteps and incoherent voices stomping around in a ruckus. Being taken aback at the familiar voices he quickly turns to his right and continues down the hallway. Reaching the end, he comes upon a familiar door, the large two doors made of refined wood and excellent craftsmanship appears in front of him. The doorway leading to the study of the court wizard Arnas Ekron, whom he met some time ago. Placing his right hand upon the left side door he begins concentrating as he slides his hand across it. Turning his gaze backwards he surveys the area for the presence of others, becoming satisfied he quickly turns back.