The naked footsteps of Rhenathorhia echoed through the near empty corridor as he made turn after turn, step after step climbing the steep stairs of the cathedral housing the Order of Maghia’s Truth and its pious branch. The angular, pointy ended dome ornated in chromatic marble spreading the glow, mixing it with the shadows on the surrounding towards and the walls of the mountain in the carved space housed not just the upper echelons of the order, but served as house of teaching for the members of the ruling family.
Here the children of the Elhyrissiar on the threshold of proper adulthood were sent to be informed on worldly matters, the state of the colonies and the dangers of the continent across the azure waters of the Haubrian Ocean the isles floated on for centuries, eons even. Most of these facilities were molded into the top levels of the angular dome whilst the topmost level held a vast library where the tomes of the greatest magusos of the planes flocked onto the myriad shelves. Adjacent to the vast library of an expanded space sat the office of the highest member of the Order, the Urhdemos – the title held by the Elhyrissiar within the Order.
Although since the death of the Terrianis’s predecessor, the office was passed onto the Sectarch, the title held by Angura for his many accomplishments throughout his long years spent with the Order. The advancement of the cleansing runes in the sewers across the great cities of the Empire; the refining process of living alloys strengthening the pure legions guarding the peace and prosperity of the southern colonies; minor improvements on the greigor gates connecting the cities and towns which before took twice as long to traverse through; and now his Talos Endeavour aiming to further improve the military might of the Empire as the shadow of War and Discord looms over the great Elhyrissian Empire.
Feats that awoken envy within the heart of Rhenathorhia as he followed a few decades in the footsteps of his older brother, and rose through the ranks of the Order, even becoming the head of the Maerhiost Circle as he always held a fondness for the Magnificent Mother of aevhei kindred, the one who gifted the possibilities of forcing one’s will upon the world, maghia itself on all the races, with Her favored children receiving the most. A gift he wished to utilize as he felt the limits of his bodies reaching their end as clammy shivers ran across his slender silhouette after climbing through a thousand and more steps.
Yet he could not do so. Even if he is one of the purest child of Maerhia, he had to prove his worth to Iaurhon who molded their initial, draconic forms into their present state, a form they had to maintain through rigorous exercises like ascending a thousand or two steps without the aid of maghia – be it spatial or ones strengthening their resolve, their body. Though at least his lavish robes eased this occasional process with their cooling enchantments, keeping the saccharine, clingy sweat from enveloping her majestic, gifted vessel.
“Is everything alright Septarch Rhenatorhia?” The moment he rested on the oblique ledge where the warm, almost soothing light of the Illius cascaded in, a young aurhe member of the Mitriost Circle called out to him, noticing him heaving deep sighs, yet still divine looking as the young maiden’s gaze immediately fell upon Rhenathorhia.
Like her fellow Sisters and Brothers of the Circle, she wore a long, pleated and scaled mail lacking in sleeves, which nicely accentuated her lithe, honed form with an additional silken tunic with a sheen and metallic texture and a triangular, thick collar of a deep berry blue while the rest of the garment shimmered in a blazing red. Her mesmerizing aevhen visage of a fair amber complexion veiled by the angular helmet evoking the image of both a stalwart eagle and a wise owl with feathery, pointed ends resembling wings protruding at the back.
For a moment, his eyes squinted as she passed through the entering light, reflected strongly, almost violently upon the smooth, scaled surface of her long armor reaching down to her hip at least where the layered skirt continued protecting her shapely, delicate legs. At the same time a primordial desire raised within him and he forced his trembling hands behind himself as he strained his being, straightened his posture to mask his struggling – not out of his own will.
“Oh I’m fine Sister. It has just been sometime since I had to ascend to the top.” He said firmly as he forced those words out from his throat and lips in an imperious but also kindly manner as he offered a smile to guard who lifted her helmet off to reveal her enticing visage – well within his untainted preferences. A gesture he was glad for as it aided him wrenching back control over her gifted vessel. Or maybe it was just an illusion as his hands continued their quivering and the pain of his soul shredding into motes of primordial matter, each miniscule mote carrying a memory and a piece of him.
“Oh I see. Just preserve yourself Septarch. Sectarch Angura is haven’t returned yet from his business.” She said still drawn to his presence, to his looks as her soft hands touched his bosom and he felt the gentle warmth of dawn easing his suffering. Not a primal, lustful beckoning more of a devotion worthy and aimed towards a Deos. One that awakened her primeval anger.
Rhenathorhia forced a smile as he felt the pain fading – or maybe him getting used to it at last to his horror – and thanked the guard who excused herself fitting the helmet back into its place, her soles echoing through turning corridor whilst Rhenathorhia watched her back before continuing his long journey in a silent suffering, whilst his thoughts moved towards the hope that his older brother shall finally notice.
**
Aurelithae slowly followed in the footsteps of Mirayroth and Middias as they traversed through the winding hallways of the latter’s mansion. The two arrived not long at the height of noon when the lights scorched the brightest and vibrant on the alabaster streets bereft of life. People still avoided certain areas as the tactics of the cult seemed to shift.
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Instead of randomly attacking in the streets, forums and markets’ they shifted their attacks on residential areas of merchants, patricii and patricios, the junction point, headquarters of the First Legion and the Order. At least when it came to self-immolation of great range and length, they were still attacking the common and poor folk by simply stabbing or by spells before fleeing from the custodiir. A tactic that seemed to leave a mark as deep as seeing the blackened forms of their beloved on the alabaster pavement.
Aurelithae herself questioned Mirayroth and Naghig for meeting with Middias – who upon her return showered him in praises as his gratitude was overflowing for saving not just him, but his children and beloved mate for life – here where there was a large chance, they would get interrupted and seen by the Legion or the Custodiir. Each time the three adults shot her down saying that they would not meet before precautions were setup for such inevitabilities.
“Bring them the beverages!” As they reached the top floor, the aging yet still good-looking head-steward Munatius closed one of the doors and bowed upon noticing the trio with a kind, elderly smile on his face and still dense hair showing the first wrinkles and grays. Upon receiving his orders, he quickly left in the opposite calling for the dwarven maiden as they entered the spacious office of Middias looking out towards the street.
Out of instinct, she meandered mildly towards the windows – still a bit dizzy from the astral tunnels the New Dawn used to traverse the city unseen – and glanced out through the thick, soft curtains of deep reds and purples with golden trims. Her anxious nerves soothed as she noticed the few New Dawn members on the roofs keeping watch, wreathed in medium grade spells erasing their silhouettes and presences.
“Told you, no need for worry. The best of the best within the New Dawn makes sure no one disturbs our meeting.” Mirayroth said, his voice leaking clearly through the white mask of eastern origins Aurelithae concluded as she still tried to decipher the enigmatic niuvhe whom was barely mentioned in the journal of her sister. At this point, her only theory was simply he was the sword-dancer companion of Moirstyria, yet the way he looked deviated from the image reflected in the penned words. In addition, she knew one could alter their whole being in any way, evident from her uncle Augermil who was now a bipedal dragon.
“Your Highn… I mean lady Luelia?” Her thoughts were broken by Middias holding out a padded, cushioned daybed that beckoned her legs, still not tired but nearing towards it slowly. She kindly refused as she leaned against the section of the wall between the windows, with her arms folded. “Currently, I’m here as a bodyguard.” She added cheekily staring at Mirayroth already making himself comfortable in the large daybed just as the cold beverages soothing not just their perched throats, but their dizziness arrived on a silver plate carried in the still firm hands of Munatius.
As soon as the head-steward left without uttering a word, the two wasted no time and began talking in veiled words. For the most part, she pretended to be enamored by the stacks of books and tomes on the shelves breaking into the walls; by the paintings of masterful strokes of those no doubt the previous heads of the family whose name spread across the continent as she learned not long after returning to the city. A family who owned a small army themselves comprised of renowned adventurers and mercenaries who wrestled with great beasts like hydras and chimeras assembled by magusos and faernologists lacking in ethnics.
When their first talking point of logistics, of Mirayroth wishing for supplies – both smithed and alchemical – rebuked solemnly by Middias as it seemed the colonies had their own problems. Cults and covens appeared in myriad colored deserts of the south, some revering the long deceased Black Pharaoh; savages and witch covens allied themselves using the Wilds to destroy supply and merchant roads in the heart of Vhalleryon; and what made her twinge with subliminal worry was the north where rumors spread with some conjecturing on the cults of the Nightscale bearing their fangs, the lords of the Woodland moving as if they were preparing to break through the defenses erected by his father and lastly of forts fallen already to the surreptitious Host. Whilst Middias showed a little concern with small movements, twitching of his fingers, Aurelithae noticed Mirayroth’s strange calmness.
Yet she remained silent, and a bit more excited when Middias changed the topic towards the Metilian District and how the cult possibly dug one of their cells in the low district overlooking the great forest stretching on the steep lands towards the southern shores. “Seems a shepherd of the Magnificent Mother showed himself amongst the poor residents, his words spreading like a mind plague as more and more flock and began to rile up. Just this morning my agents reported the murder of two patrols in the district.” Hearing those words, Aurelithae could not help but jolt her head towards Middias almost spilling her precious cherry beverage sweetened by southern crystalline sugar giving it an iridescent faint glow in the light besides increasing its saccharinity. A kind smile adorned his face upon noticing her reaction.
Mirayroth remained wordless, pondering behind his mask he lifted occasionally to sip his drink. “We shall do so. I was planning of investigating it myself.” He said calmly, then turned towards Aurelithae who nodded in agreement with an almost listless expression.
“Then that should conclude our current business.” Middias said as they all finished their drinks and the ivory specter rose from his seat. Aurelithae followed as he glided seemingly across the wooden floor, making little to no noise approaching the door opened by Middias holding it for them. “I did not want to bring it up as it maybe beyond my business but, if possible, I’d like to show my gratitude for your friend who saved us too.” At those words, Aurelithae froze a little then turned whilst Mirayroth stood in the shadows near the turn.
“I am afraid lord Middias for now that won’t be possible. But I shall inform him when the chance shows itself!” She said in a low voice to the man feeling a bit dejected as he deciphered from her lowered intonations and faint twinges of her widely contoured eyes brimming with a faux azure tint. “I see. When he arrives here, say that if he ever desires a fine treat or desires fine garments or panoply, I shall offer the best of my family’s.”
“I shall convey your kindness! Be well Lord Middias, I wish you all well!” She said with a smile before she turned around when she heard Mirayroth’s soft steps descending the stairs. “And I wish you both the same, Lady Luelia!”