With each step forward, his mind spins with several possibilities as the enlightenment of new information delights itself in his mind as he internally ponders. "I think I'm getting a better idea of what kind of man, Arnas Ekron is." That single line of thought spurs a wide grin on Orpheus's face as he continues down the hallway, the grin would make an outside observer think he was finding something secretly amusing. "You're far more interesting then I gave you credit for; it seems you have quite the setup going on here in the capital." Orpheus continues his train of thought as his eyes narrow with concentration. "Your diverting merchandise when it's on route from the Atrasal Society, I wouldn't be surprised if there have been small losses in the past... wait a minute."
He immediately stops his footing and freezes in place, furrowing his eyebrows and narrowing his gaze further as he peers into the floor. "Could he be orchestrating the raids on the trade routes, perhaps recruiting bandits and making it look like the goblins." Lifting his gaze forward as if a light bulb appeared above his head, spurring his thoughts even more. "The records in his ledger signify that he is diverting resources, but could he be attacking and hijacking his carriages... the high merchant should have noticed by now... or perhaps he is involved." Several theories swim within his contemplative mind as he continues down the hallway and turns left at the corner.
Turning the corner, he reaches the closed doorway leading to the foray, he reaches for the door handles, opens the two doors and enters. Greeting him is the same guards scattered around the room as if stone statues lay at each corner. In the centre of the room is Walter along with a woman draped in fine purple dressing gown, dark hair flowing down to her shoulders and appearing uniquely beautiful at first glance. Moving forward slowly, the woman turns her gaze to him in reaction to his footsteps. Facing him was a pale beautiful woman adorned with a slight smile in contradiction to the rest of her unflinching face.
It was none other than Susanna, dressed and ready for whatever the morning may bring. Orpheus smirks at the wondrous sight before speaking. "Well don't you look ravishing my lady." A sarcastic yet sincere expression appears on his face as if he both meant what he said and was joking at the same time. Orpheus bows politely with a dignified and respectful bow, his sudden show of respect spurs Susanna to attempt a curtsy and roughly complete it. Both rise to their feet once more and give each other curt smiles, before stepping towards each other.
With roughly half a metre between them, they both exchange glances before Susanna speaks up. "Oh, you're such a charmer you dashing gentlemen, it's almost if you were nobility in another life." She speaks in a cute but artificial voice that was obviously meant to be sarcastic, her narrowing gaze and short smirk all convey the lack of seriousness in her words.
Sighing at the very statement, Orpheus thinks for a moment as several images flash across his mind, images of regal insignias, fine clothing, tepid balls and the opulence of past wealth. Dissatisfaction well up within his chest as he endures this sensation before regaining his sincere smile and replies. "Perhaps in a past life, long forgotten." He states nonchalantly before casting his gaze to the waiting Walter just behind her.
Spurned by his sudden gaze, Walter moves towards Orpheus and gives a steep bow before speaking in a dignified and respectful tone. "I have received word from Lord Dandridge's messenger, he is excited to meet the Hero Mage of the Kingdom and will be available in one hour." With a considerate smile on his face along with a jovial yet even tone, he speaks just before gesturing his left hand towards the door. "There is a personal carriage waiting for you, supplied by his majesty." With his gestured hand outstretched towards the door, Orpheus and Susanna interlock their arms and make their way towards the exit.
Leaving the palace and descending the stairs, they both swiftly move through the garden and reach the carriage. Orpheus gaze is quickly drawn to the man seated atop, holding the reigns, a brief sensation of recollection occurs as the man turns his gaze and speaks. "Hello, again Sir Orpheus it is a pleasure to see you again." The young man seated upon the carriage was the same man who travelled him to Kyran's grave and returned his misplaced sword.
Orpheus smiles curtly before responding to his statement. "It's good to see you too, mister..." Stepping just before the carriage with his arm intertwined with Susanna's, he speaks to the young man, just before stopping at the end of the sentence and pausing.
The young man witnesses his sudden pause and replies in a cracked and unconfident tone. "Um... my name is... uh... Shaun my lord." Stuttering and clamouring to remember his name the young man attempts to give a concise reply but fails miserably, causing his shoulders to slouch.
Orpheus notices his extreme nervousness and takes steps to reassure him. "Don't worry my friend I'm no lord." He replies to the boy with a sincere expression of goodwill that successfully puts the young man's mind at ease. Orpheus casts his gaze at the carriage and then back up to the seated young man. He then turns his gaze to Susanna with a cheerful smile before speaking. "Hey, do you want to sit up there." Susanna casts her gaze to the large seat upon the carriage, before turning back to Orpheus and nodding in agreement with a smile.
Orpheus and Susanna move towards the small step on the side of the carriage, Orpheus places his right foot on the step and gently helps Susanna up. The young man gazes at their actions with confusion, but untimely keeps his mouth shut. Orpheus and Susanna both move up the step and seat themselves next to Shaun, he then moves over to the right side, lending them some space. All three individuals just fit in this uncommonly large seat as Susanna whips up her dressing gown on to her lap and seats comfortably. Orpheus turns his gaze to Shaun and signals him to go, Shaun immediately whips the reigns causing the horse to buckle and jerk into action.
The sound of trotting hooves striking the ground along with the motion of the carriage providing a pleasant breeze as they traverse the streets. Orpheus turns his gaze to Susanna and delivers a sincere smile before asking her a question. "How is this, up the front of the carriage, the pleasant breeze in your face?" He asks as he bumps her tenderly with his right shoulder.
Susanna slightly moves to the left whilst chuckling at his cheerful appearance, she turns her gaze to Orpheus and then forward. With the wind in her face, jostling her hair as it flutters behind her, she shuts her eyes whilst experiencing the cool and calming breeze. Smiling sincerely as she begins to enjoy herself, she opens her eyes once more and speaks up. "It's nice." She states nonchalantly as she attempts to conceal her already protruding smile and cheerful glee.
With Susanna enjoying herself to the left, Orpheus turns his gaze to the right and gazes upon Shaun the carriage driver. "So, Shaun tell me about yourself." He asks with a curious expression whilst leaning back comfortably.
The carriage driver Shaun suddenly becomes flustered at the question, causing his tanned face to go slightly red. Shaun turns his gaze to Orpheus for a moment, revealing his incredibly young appearance, reddish hazel eyes and dark short finely cut hair. Still slightly flustered he finally works up the courage to speak as a small bead of sweat drips from his forehead. "Me Sir, well there is not much to tell really, I'm just a carriage driver." He replies curtly as if feeling uncomfortable with the situation.
Witnessing his uncomfortable expression and seeing his body adjust in his seat, Orpheus sighs softly before speaking once more. "You can speak freely with me... but let me guess where you're from... the Valintiyan Republic by any chance?" He asks whilst narrowing his right eye as if eagerly awaiting confirmation from his impressive powers of deduction.
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Shaun is immediately surprised and turns his wide eyes to Orpheus in a panic. "But... but how did you know?" He asks whilst confusion begins to seep into his mind causing his concentration to wane from the road. The neighing horses resound catching Shaun's attention as he reaffirms his grip upon the reigns and concentration on the road.
Orpheus begins sporting a slightly mischievous smile as he gazes back at Shaun with a clear interest in his eyes. "Huh I thought so if you really want to know, it was your accent... you hide it well but you still over pronouncing your r's." Shaun turns to him with a dumbfounded expression as if being caught red-handed and listens to Orpheus continued explanation. "Of course, there is also the slight reddish hue of your eyes... an old friend of mines mother had the same eyes, or so he told me." Orpheus turns his gaze away from Shaun mid-sentence and gazes upon the road ahead.
Shaun still dumbfounded regains his composure and replies in a semi-calm manner. "Well it seems you got me... impressive I thought I had completely gotten rid of my accent." He smiles at the end of his sentence and begins emitting a cheerful acceptance of Orpheus.
Responding to his bright smile, Orpheus eyes narrow in confusion as he asks another question. "Not that I have anything against you, but what is a Valintiyan doing driving carriages for the palace in the Theavalon Kingdom?" He asks as he tilts his head to the right and squints his eyes in complete confusion.
Shaun sighs and then chuckles slightly before replying. "It's because I'm half Theavalon on my father's side, my mother was born and breed in Valintiya and so was I, until my mother sent me to live with my father." Replying to Orpheus's inquiry, the young Shaun sighed softly as his sentence ended, leaving a sombre tone behind.
Orpheus gaze narrows further as if curious as to the origin of that expression. Piquing his curiosity, even more, he begins speaking again. "Half-blood huh, not many of you around the Kingdom, given how the old days treated people like you." He mentions this fact with a slight distasteful smirk towards the very notion.
Noticing the disdain in his expression, Shaun sighs once more in relief before speaking up. "I'm saddened to say you are correct, in the old days of the kingdom a half-blood like me, could have never gotten this job, nor even citizenship." Casting his gaze to Orpheus the young Shaun smiles bitterly, Orpheus returns the gaze and nods in agreement. Shaun then continues speaking whilst his gaze turns to the road. "But things are better now, his majesty has abolished the old blood purity laws and has reformed immigration, people like me have a chance for a better life in the Kingdom, I will always be grateful to his majesty for that." Shaun whips the reigns softly as he stares off into the distance, with insurmountable pride adorned on his young face.
Orpheus witnesses this and can't help but smile at the boy like a proud father smiles to his child. His smile eventually ceases as he hears a soft voice from behind him. "Blood Purity Laws?" Turning to face the source of the voice, Orpheus casts his gaze to Susanna who peers back at him with a puzzled expression. Orpheus glares for a few seconds before chuckling softly, causing Susanna to pout for a moment and then speak. "What's so funny?" She asks with narrowed eyes and a mildly annoyed tone, similar to a child.
He finishes his little chuckle session and reasserts himself before speaking. "Well, I guess you're not from the Theavalon Kingdom huh or at least not from the capital if you don't know something like that." Orpheus speaks whilst a soft grin is maintained upon his expression of inner joy that he is failing to conceal. Susanna observes this and returns to her familiar cold expression as if waiting for a serious answer. Witnessing this sudden change of expression, Orpheus holds himself firm and speaks. "The blood purity laws were a system put in place by the late King Hadrian, it's a rather ignorant belief that his people were somehow superior in comparison to others, it was simply propaganda to radicalise not only the nobles but the peasants as well." Orpheus speaks in a calm tone as Susanna listens intently to every word.
Absorbing this information, Susanna begins thinking to herself and ponders the topic. Her eyes squint as she gazes down to her lap, a few moments pass, she gazes back to Orpheus and speaks again. "But how can he radicalise not only the nobles but the peasants as well." Still puzzled at this, she tilts her head with her gaze cast off into the distance and then back at Orpheus.
Smirking at this question, Orpheus displays an expression that clearly states that he was waiting for that very question. Without even contemplating for a moment, he answers her very question. "It's quite simple, he preyed on an abhorrent part of human nature... the desire to be greater than something, see even though the aristocracy established the great divide between nobles and peasants... showcasing that nobles were greater than those beneath them, King Hadrian presented the people an idea that there was something less than a peasant... the people of other countries... even though they were peasants, they were still the blood of the Theavalon Kingdom and therefore nobler than the uncivilised." Speaking in a semi-mocking tone as he explains in a long and informative sentence, to the interested Susanna eagerly listening.
Susanna turns her gaze back to her lap as she contemplates the information for a few seconds before replying. "The King played on the human's aversion to the archetypal other, whilst simultaneously fabricating a system, that both placated the peasants with a false sense superiority and ensured that he had ample means to justify conflicts with other countries." She explains her point in great detail as an amazed Orpheus merely gawks at her every word.
Smiling proudly, Orpheus immediately asks her a question. "Where did you learn the word archetypal?" He asks with a faint expression of confusion on his face.
Chuckling for a moment, Susanna immediately gives a clear and concise answer as she raises her eyebrows. "It's from one of your books, The Archetypal Other by Fredland Horos who wrote about the divide between social classes and culture." Gesturing her right hand forward she begins to explain her point to the listening Orpheus who gently smiles in return. Seeing the genuine smile on his face, she turns her gaze forward, casts a slight grin before speaking again. "Whatever happened to Fredland anyway, I couldn't find any more volumes?" With her gaze still cast forward whilst speaking to Orpheus to the side, she squints her eyes in curiosity.
Orpheus lowers his head and sighs softly before chuckling in a mild tone, he then lifts his gaze and replies. "I believe he was stoned to death in the Dreburg Empire, I guess the Emperor didn't like his books." He chuckles slightly louder as his shoulders bob up and down with his gaze lowered to his lap. Susanna turns to him with a confused expression, but a second later she erupts into laughter and begins chuckling along with him. Shaun the carriage driver turns his gaze to them as his eyebrows furrow in concern of their nonchalant laughter, but quickly turns back to the street and spots the destination.
Reaching the memorised destination Shaun pulls on the reigns of the carriage, causing its momentum to cease immediately as the horse's neigh and kick off the ground. With the carriage stopped near side of the street, Shaun turns his gaze to the left and begins to speak. "We are here Sir Orpheus, Lord Dandridge manor." Speaking in a respectful and monotone voice, he casts his eyes to the side, spurring Orpheus and Susanna to survey the area. They had only travelled a short distance as the palace was just a little way back down the road.
Looking around they spot several smaller but no less well-built stone buildings surrounding the street, a dirt road stretched forward towards a large castle in the distance. Behind them was the road leading into the heart of the city, to his left was a small road surrounded by a large fence with a pathway leading inside. Shaun whips up the reigns, turns the carriage to the left and down the pathway leading to a large building. The stone building was 15 metres high with a large double doorway in the front, to the left the building curved in an L shape with several large domed windows indented on the sides. The building was grey and lacked any apparent colour as if size and functionality were the only things of importance during construction. The building was no less magnificent as it emitted wealth and stature within its large and imposing presence, towering over all present.
The carriage wheels over to the front door and stops abruptly just to the left side of the pathway. Orpheus and Susanna depart from the carriage and step down onto the manicured grass area to the left side. They both move around the carriage and head towards the door as Shaun descends as well, standing just beside them. Stepping forward, suddenly the double doors swing open and a woman exits, stepping down the small steps. She is roughly five and a half feet tall, has long flowing ginger hair trailing down to her shoulders, hazel eyes and tanned skin. Her slightly smiling face and narrow eyes combined with her discerning but intense gaze denote a commanding and serious presence.