Sunlight filled the sky above glistening off of the large courtyard pools. The staff of the palace hustled around not wanting to stay in the heat for too long. Meanwhile, the guards stood under small shaded areas along the walls. Christoph runs down the steps skipping over quite a few as he does while Luke follows slower chucking at his pupil's excitement. Walking down the steps and onto the large white stone path Luke looked to the rather flaunted gardens full of flowers and beautiful plants from all around Luran. Thoughts of when Christoph was just a small thing filled Luke's head as he looked further into the garden's display. Memories of them wandering the living maze talking about the future and how things would change when the young prince was grown.
Here we are young lord, your time to change things for the better....
Luke kept walking lost in his warm memories of the past.
" Luke, come on you're taking forever, should I call some servants to carry you ??"
Christoph was looking back at Luke with a playful mock in his tone. He bowed in a silly manner, making a few staff around smile and then quickly look away.
" No need my young prince I was just testing your patience of course" Luke retorted
The prince laughed and kept walking, Luke catching up, the two soon made it to the courtyard gate. The guard nodded and tapped the wall next to him 3 times, the code the guards use to talk with needing to waste words. With a soft rumble, the large golden and purple metal doors slide open revealing the long stairs leading down the hill the palace was placed upon to the second circle of the city. Christoph moved forward and stretched his arms out.
" Soon enough Ajamar, soon enough I'll walk your streets as the new emperor!" he exclaimed happily
Luke smiled " Remember you still have some time before the crown is yours, I'm sure your father would be appreciative of that as well"
Christoph turned with a sheepish grin "Well yeah, mean...in a few years of course"
In Creedia the Emperor reigns until the age of 60, around the age of 50 they declare the next one to rule. A child of their choice must at least reach the age of 17 by the time the current emperor turns 60. Young Christoph was 17 and his father Kranzel was 55. This would be considered ideal as 5 years would give Kranzel time to set in motion plans to help the young new emperor at the age of 22 take the throne with no issue. Patting Christoph on the shoulder Luke walked by beginning the descent. Soon after the prince followed bouncing down the steps gleefully. Reaching the bottom of the stairs a sprawling suburban area of silver and blue appeared on both sides. Children played with small flying toys resembling birds or dragons while the older citizens set up the shops, restaurants, and other businesses. Most of the houses were further down the paths. Turning left and continuing down the road deeper into the city the sights and sounds continued. Many bows were given as the duo proceeded to the great forge of Ajamar.
At any time they could have taken a carriage or even mounts of their own but walking is good for the spirit as Luke always said. The energy in the city was infectious, everyone knew about the grand celebration to be held this evening. Anytime a coronation was had the whole city shut down early and a massive city-wide festival was held, food, drinks, games, and more were held. If invited, anyone wanting to see the coronation itself could go to the palace grounds to see it in person. Anyone else could use the vision fountains around the city to watch it. Today was one of the few days the magiqueless races could come into the inner parts of the city without reason to watch the event and partake in the festival.
After a lengthy walk and a few stops here and there for refreshments or for Christoph to stop and talk to familiar faces, they finally reached the Grand Forge of Ajamar. In front of the two was a large and bulky-looking building. Built into the side of a small hill it was one of the sturdiest buildings in all of Ajamar. Mountain Kin built this marvelous structure and were the same ones who operated it. These shorter stocky creatures with skin made of grey or black rock made great smiths and amazing architects, even if the building was a tad uncouth its glory was obvious. Both men walked up the steps into the front opening. Sounds of hammering, roaring furnaces, and the hum of magical energy filled the air. Bravindel was at the front counter that stretched from wall to wall, he was a particularly grumpy Mountain Kin. Luke bowed slightly and the prince followed suit.
" Master Bravindel, how are you on this fine day?" Luke warmly asked knowing Brav would have some story as he always does.
Bravindel snorted some before saying " I would've been fine my lord had it not been for those 1st-classers calling a damn dwarf. Do I look like a dwarf?! do I have a beard longer than my own body? No, no I do not"
Lukes's smile turned to a frown as he was well aware of the situation. Many of the 1st-class citizens didn't consider the Mountain Kin to be a part of their caste. However many times the Mountain Kin had to prove it to them. Their magique was just as natural and respectable as theirs. The ones living here were blissfully unaware of how the Creedian soldiers owed their lives to the craftsmen of the armor they wore. His head tilted down, his hand on his face Luke was in thought for a moment about how it would be great to show these cushion sitters how dangerous the world is and how lucky the Creedian empire was to have the Stone kin. Christoph looked to his teacher for a moment before walking forward some
" I for one think you're better than any dwarf Brav, and I'll make it clear when I show to all of Creedia tonight the sword you made for me. They'll be forced to admit its beauty and the skill its crafters have."
Brav's look of anger slowly faded and a smile took its place. " Thank you my liege, I know you'll do me and my people well"
Luke's chest filled with even more pride in his pupil. The boy's natural talent for leading and making people believe in him will serve him well. Brav with a smile waved his hand and the desk he was behind furled up like a thread on a loom enough to let the two through. Everything in this building was imbued with charms and magique. Brav led them into the building past multiple smiths working fervently on their tasks at hand. Tools and materials floated through the air to where ever they were needed. Smiling as he walked by Christoph loved coming here and seeing all of the amazing things the Stone kin were working on. Cool air eventually hit the three as they continued further down into the building and eventually to a shiny silver door that slid up revealing a moderate-sized round room. After all three entered the room Brav pulled a small lever on the wall and the floor began to move down. Elevators like this weren't common in Creedia but if anyone would have them it would be the Mountain Kin. Taking some time the lift came to a stop and another silver door slid up into the wall. From here the two could see a long room with tools and materials on either wall and in the center was the Ajamar forge itself. Glowing in hot molten glory the forge made enough heat to chase the chilly air away this far down, vents above were installed to let the heat and other fumes out and up through the top of the building. Closer to them was a circular stone table with multiple runes engraved into the ancient stone. Table and Forge alike have been here for 300 years in the capitol, the rest of the structure was built up over time.
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Brav stepped forward snapping his fingers, A large metal case raised from the forge and began to slowly float over to the table before opening on its own revealing a simple but beautiful wooden box that moved and laid down on the stone table. " Per tradition, the sword never leaves the forge till the emperor is ready to claim it"
Christoph's eyes filled with amazement and excitement but held his hand. Bravindel smiled and gestured for him to open the case. Luke was happy for his prince to finally acquire his sign as emperor but he wondered what the blade's color would be. For 300 years the Mountain Kin would take just an ounce of the to be emperor's blood infusing it into a magique bituminous, the best coal for forges around, then when the sword is ready to be started they introduce this coal to the forge letting it burn for 5 days and nights before even beginning to work on the metal. This allowed for a few things, firstly it made the finest and most magical of blades in the whole of Luran, secondly it changed the blade's color based off of whose blood was used and the quality of their magique. Some even said the soul. Christoph's father, Kranzel himself wielded a blood-red blade as a testament to his fiery passion to grow Creedia's strength as a whole and to valiantly protect it from any hostile forces no matter where they come from. His father before him had a Dark ocean blue which reflected his calm demeanor at all times, and his level-headed decisions, he kept the empire safe and collected in a time of strife nearly 100 years ago now. However now it was time for Christoph, the new emperor of Creedia, to claim his sword. As a tradition, the blade wouldn't be shown until the coronation. This still wouldn't stop the young prince from wearing it on his hip.
Reaching forward Christoph opened the box moving aside the layers of soft fine cloth keeping the sheath and sword well-kept. Even the sheath alone was a sight to be seen, adorned with dark purple and black leather, Golden elanou steel around the tip and base of the sheath. Elanou steel was reserved for only nobility and has taken place as the strongest magically crafted steel in Luran. Following the sword up to the guard, grip, and pommel, all the guard was more golden steel while the grip was wrapped in more leather similar to the sheath. Finally, the pommel was shaped into a phoenix, its wings outstretched. Luke and Christoph both gasped seeing just this much of the sword in its glory.
Christoph through slight tears " You've outdone yourself Bravindel, this is beautiful, when I unsheathe it at the coronation the glory will be shared"
Bravin smiled and bowed deeply " Your words humble me my lord, but I do believe it's almost past mid day you haven't much time"
Luke had lost track of time himself and he laughed some " Come, Christoph, we must go, it is now time for your surprise of the day. This will surely make the coronation all the more grand."
Christoph nodded knowing they must leave. Soon after the prince and teacher were leaving the Grand Forge, Luke was hurrying along only leaving Christoph to wonder what the surprise could be that his teacher would have so much excitement for. This time they did take a carriage pulled by two powerful Nirsunes. These powerful animals had large Shelled bodies like that of an insect with 6 legs ending in long spike-like feet. Their body's shells resembled heavily plated armor. Long necks ending with a large heavy set head and powerful segmented jaws with 3 eyes on each side clustered in a triangle shape, on top of their heads was a large insectoid-like horn similar to a beetle. From the looks of it, they would be slow but to most Creedian's surprise they were rather fast and could outrun even horses if need be. Only the military or higher nobility was allowed to use them. Taking only a quarter of the time it took to walk to the forge the duo made it to the palace courtyard once again. Sending the driver and the Nirsunes on their way Luke led Christoph past the gardens and to the open field on the left side of the palace. It was mainly used for entertaining sports, small parties, or even war games for the nobles. Christoph had been here many times for all sorts of occasions over the past 10 years.
As the day progressed the sky became clouded with colossal white clouds like cotton balls in the sky. They cooled the Ajamar off nicely and to everyone's approval. Luke looked up with a smile
perfect, I was scared the clouds wouldn't show today.
Christoph had begun looking around his hand on his new sword eager to unsheathe the blade but remaining calm. " So...an empty field? or are you here to teach me some new spell perhaps?" he wouldn't mind learning something new like that but today would be a strange day to learn that.
Luke laughed some " No no my pupil although your magique knowledge isn't always too sharp this isn't a lesson but a gift....from me and your father."
Looking around the prince seemed confused but now excited. " My father, he's here now?! I thought he was going to astral project himself here since he's been dealing with issues in Ekora this month" Christoph smiled wide very happy with the hopes he could show his father he was ready to take the throne when his father retired.
Peering up Luke replied " Originally he was going to have to, but taking a few days to travel here wouldn't be an issue he said"
Something moved above the clouds casting a humongous shadow. It was here. Christoph not looking up and the clouds stopping the shadow from hitting the ground kept him ignorant of the shape above the cloud line. " A few days? he can use the slip gates, surely he wouldn't take a boat or even a normal Cloud cutter. They can't make that distance in a few days...what's happening here, Luke?"
As soon as the words left his mouth a sound reverberated throughout the palace and city. It was the horn to announce the Emperor's arrival...where was it coming from? Luke smiled as Christoph searched the city around them in clear view from this high up, then he looked where Luke was looking. Emerging through the clouds pushing them aside how a breaching whale emerges from the depths of the ocean a massive airship of shape and design, Christoph had never seen before, lowered itself casting a large shadow over the city behind it as the sun was now more westward.
"What... that's not a Cloud cutter, it's huge and far too nice for something meant for the military." Christoph gawked
Luke walked next to the amazed prince " No my lord it's no cloud cutter this is the first of its kind, a sky colossus, not only that but...she is yours"
Christoph's eyes widened as Luke said the last bit. " it's...wait...this is...from you and Father?! you two got this for me?!" His chest filled with eager excitement.
In no time at all the large vessel landed behind the palace on the large open field of green, the ship itself hovering seemingly 20 feet above the ground as a large door on the side of the vessel raised open and a field of golden magique formed a walkway of sorts. Luke and Christoph began to walk toward the impressive craft. Guards walked out making a wall of steel on each side of the ramp their golden and purple armor shined in the light. Emerging from the entrance a man dressed in a large red flowing cape, and ornate golden armor with decorations of all kinds. Long dark hair fell over his shoulders. Standing well over a few heads compared to his guards Christoph easily recognized the stature of his father. Christoph breaking his princely demeanor ran toward his father who at this point had been gone for over 4 months in the southern district. His father's face, chiseled and stone like almost broke into a warm smile as he embraced his young son on the ramp. A father is still a father and he wasn't without compassion. Luke followed behind smiling as the father and son embraced, he could hear the prince chattering off about his day and how excited he was to see the emperor.
Walking closer to the to two lords Luke's head snapped to the right as he swore he saw a fleeing shadow around a corner. He studied the area for a moment before hearing Emperor Kranzel speaking.
" Luke my old friend come greet this old man, it's been some time " he walked with a very happy prince towards the teacher and the two embraced for a moment as well " How have you been keeping? my sons have not been too difficult I assume?"
Luke laughed some " No no my lord your son has been a ideal student and a great prince to teach, Christoph how do you like your gift?"
Christoph looked at the ship from the ramp the size of the vessel seeming colossal this close up " It's beautiful, I can't even begin to imagine this is mine....how long did it take to make? " he then began to ramble questions that his father answered calmly.
Today was a good day and just seemed to get better, a showing of power and magnificence such as this was just what the city needed to see on the day of the coronation. After some time the prince had explored almost all of the ship taking the better part of 3 hours. Kranzel and Luke talked on the main deck about the vessel, the future, and the future emperor's ambitions. Now only the coronation remained, much was still to be done.