The great palace of Argus, also known as the Monolith, stood at an impressive one hundred and fifty meters tall, it's imposing obsidian walls rising impossibly high over the bustling city below. It had a circular structure, with a hollow interior, closed off from the outside world only by the intricate and mesmerising stain glass roof depicting the flourishing tree, Argus's symbol.
Hundreds of doors lined its sombre hallways, leading to rooms housing all manner of individuals. From the crystal guard, the order of knights loyal only to the grand marshal, the second most important man in the entire city, to the ministers, selected by the lord protector to aid him with the administration of the subterranean metropolis, to even the servants, hired to keep every corner of the giant obsidian tower spotless. It was generally well known that the higher ones room was, the more importance that person held.
The Monolith was, in many ways, the backbone of the city, and it stood tall on e slightly elevated plateau in the very centre of Argus. Encircling the Monolith was the golden road: the area of the city where the roughly 200 noble houses of Argus claimed residence, separated from the rest of the city by a low wall, only about 15 meters high. behind this wall was the silver street, where the many wealthier citizens lived, as well as the many craftsmen and merchants, all people that had made their fortune through a keen mind or precise handiwork.
Finally, behind the silver street was the iron avenue, home to the majority of the population as well as most public facilities. It was important to note however, that despite the seeming divide between the people, discrimination based on class was a rare and frowned upon practice, most people instead remembering that golds, silvers and irons alike were all part of one big machine. And if that machine stopped working due to a golds pride or an irons resentment, they would all meet an unfortunately gruesome end.
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-''No matter how many times I look at it, it never ceases to baffle me.'' Commented a boy from the balcony of one of the highest rooms in the entire Monolith.
-''The way it's all superbly organized, put together, and run as though it was a well oiled machine. It's so impossibly immaculate It almost feels wrong.'' He continued as he watched the city stretch out before him, bathed in the pleasant glow given off by the star.
-''Nothing and no one is ever perfect, my lord. There are plenty of despicable and unforgivable acts committed in the star's shadow.'' Said a man in his late twenty's who, from the intricate yet light armer he wore and the elegant sabre he wore at his side and the purple cape fastened around his shoulders, appeared to be the boys bodyguard.
-''Is that so? Tell me of some of them. After all I scarcely have the time nor the means to observe these things for myself.'' The boy asked the soldier in a curious yet somewhat amused voice.
The soldier looked at him for a few moments and couldn't help but be impressed by what he saw. Even though the boy had just turned 16 he already exhibited a keen interest in city affairs, not only that but he was also quite intelligent and was also very proficient in the art of swordsmanship for a boy his age. But his most captivating feature by far was his deep blue eyes that looked as though they perceived more than a regular person should. That coupled with his neatly trimmed chestnut hair and his tall frame served to give the boy a rather regal appearance, uncommon for a boy his age.
-''As you wish, my lord. For example, some of the soldiers take fees from brothel owners to turn a blind eye, or in many cases ear, to many of the... disturbances, that tend to occur off cycle. Or the farmers who illegally sell their products to some of the wealthiest noblemen for triple the price that the granary pays for them, who buy them simply to ensure that they receive the best of the best. These are just two examples but I assure you my lord, there are many more.'' Answered the soldier as he observed the pensive look on the young lords face. After a while the boy answered in a rather nonchalant tone:
-''A necessary evil. The city watch ignores some trouble and let's them sort it out on their own, in return the business owners are cooperative and pay the due taxes. Same with the farmers who sell to the nobles, the city after all simply can't afford to buy at a higher price than we currently do en masse, but the nobles can. In this way the farmers make more money and the city saves money, in fact if you ask me it's quite ingenious, though technically illegal.'' He continued saying:
-'' When I called the city immaculate I meant all of it, good and bad, light and dark. It would help no one if the Monolith suddenly decided to sweep away all injustice, only for the city to descend into chaos.''
The soldier hesitated a moment before sighing and nodding:
-''It is as you say my lord, still, no matter how many times I try to convince myself of the veracity of your words it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth.''
The boy merely chuckled and looked out once more over the city. After a minute or two he asked the soldier:
-''Tell me Gus, how long do you think it will be before the lord protector names his successor?''
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The soldier Gus had a thoughtful look on his face for a little while before answering:
-''Hard to say, my lord. The lord protector is a very work oriented man and he seems to be in relatively good health, at least as far as I could tell. That said I believe it won't be too long from now seeing as he has been in power for nearly 30 years, and that amount of work on a daily basis is bound to take it's toll on his body eventually. I would guess he would name a successor in the next five years, no later.''
The young lord nodded at his words and fell into thought once more. Finally turning to look at his trusted bodyguard with a serious look in his eyes before opening his mouth:
-'' Tell me honestly Gus, what are the odds of the lord protector naming me his successor?'' He asked as he fixated his gaze on his stalwart guardian.
Gus shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. While he didn't want to offend his lord, he also realized that sugar coating his words would do neither of them any good. Noticing Gus's nervous demeaner, The young lord exclaimed in an annoyed voice:
-''By the Allfather Gus, out with it! If I wanted someone to tell me what I wanted to hear I would hire a whore for the night and be done with it. The reason you are still by my side when so many others aren't anymore is because of your honest and honourable nature, not because your some half-witted bootlicker.''
Upon hearing this Gus merely sighed and addressed the boy with tired voice:
-''My apologies, my lord but I do hope you understand where I'm coming from, after all you have done rather horrible things to others for much less than speaking their minds.''
The young lord simply scoffed, saying:
-''Those fools deserved every single thing I did to them and even worse. They got off lucky if you ask me. Last time I checked your pride would never allow you to lie to me, much less badmouth me behind my back, so enough of this and tell me your honest opinion on the matter of succession.''
Gus just sighed, before beginning to inform the young lord as he had been commanded:
-''As I previously stated, lord protector Ragnel will have to choose a successor in the next five years or so, and I believe the most likely candidate for the position is duke Ferells son Oliver, as fo-''
-''WHAT ? HE WOULD MAKE THAT SPINELESS FOOL INTO THE MOST POWERFUL MAN IN ALL OF ARGUS ? SURLY HE IS NOT THAT FOOLISH.'' The young lord exploded, gripping the balcony's railing so tight his knuckles turned white.
-''My lord, you asked. I am simply laying out the facts as they are. You knew you wouldn't like them when you commended me to speak them.'' Gus said in response to the boy's sudden outburst.
The young lord simply waved his hand, indicating he should continue.
-''As far as naming you lord protector, I'm afraid it's quite unlikely. Maybe a 20 out of 100 if even that. From what I can tell this is largely due to your somewhat... capricious personality, as well as the fact that Oliver is very well like by the silvers as well as the irons. He is known for being kind as well as quite intelligent and studious, why, he has even decided to join the communion and learn magic witch, as my lord knows, is quite the daunting task.''
-''Sounds to me like you agree with the lord protectors judgment.'' The boy said, looking at Gus accusingly.
-''Don't get me wrong, your accomplishments are just as if not more praiseworthy. What 15 year old knows the entire history or Argus as though he had written it himself ? or has mastered both fencing and archery to an outstanding degree? My lord, I merely speak the truth, and the truth is that with your particular talents and personality, you would be much more suited to be grand marshal than lord protector.''
The young lord considered his words for a while, and was about to respond when suddenly a knock came at the door of his room and a feminine voice, probably one of the maids, was heard from the other side:
-''My lord Simon, Lord protector Ragnel has summoned you to the dining hall for the second meal. He asks you to be punctual, as he you will not be alone. That is all.''
A look of surprise flashed across the young lords face before turning into a small smile
-''Tell the lord Protector I will be present.'' He replied to the maid, who acknowledged it before quickly departing.
-''Looks like you'll be able to speak with the lord protector yourself about the succession.'' Remarked Gus as the young lord turned to head to the bathroom to begin preparing for the meal.
-''That won't be necessary, after all I wouldn't want to bore the lord protector with my childish worries.'' Replied Simon with a smile on his face. This time though, Gus noticed a hint of something a tad more sinister flash in his eyes before disappearing near instantly.
-''Would you like me to call a maid to assist you?'' Inquired Gus.
-''Don't bother, I don't mind washing up by myself. Besides, I have a lot to think about.'' He answered before closing the door behind him as Gus took up his usual post in front of the door, ensuring no harm come to his lord.
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Noah walked down the Main road of the silver street with a gloomy expression marring his otherwise good-looking face. He couldn't believe the instructor would punish him for being 20 seconds late to the hall, making him clean the entire thing once the cycle had ended. He had wasted at least one and a half hour for such an insignificant mistake.
He continued down the road hoping his grandpa wouldn't be too mad at him for being late, and began looking in his pockets for something to relieve his nervousness when his hand close around the silver coin the strange man had given him, the incident that had led to the mess he was in right now.
He had never seen a coin like it his entire life, after all the coins in Argus didn't have any designs or patterns on them, and were just perfect circles of either bronze, silver, gold or wood, wood being the most valuable due to it's rarity.
He flipped it around in his fingers a few times, examining it and even biting it to check if it was fake, but to no avail. He then thought back what the man had told him:
-''Sun side up means forgive, while moon side up means judge. But witch side is the sun side?'' Noah pondered as he looked at both sides of the coin. One side had a long crescent shape engraves into the edge with beautiful intricacy, while the other had a strange looking circle that covering most of the surface, the outline of witch seemed to be intentionally uneven.
-''What an odd coin, maybe grandpa will know something about it. Definitely wasn't worth the trouble though, I'd best ignore similar situations in the future.'' He thought to himself as he pocketed the coin and quickened his pace.