Daven Alyrra, Lord Commander of the Royal Guard, stood stoic on the ramparts of the walls overlooking the Sprawl. He loathed that name, making it seem like those making their living outside the city were unorganized and filthy. The Sprawl was the home of the poor, the destitute, and the reviled. Many had no control over the circumstances that led them to leave in the shanty town of run down homes and unsafe inns. The nobles saw no issue with the name, feeling it was a fitting albeit unofficial one, but Daven was disgusted. It certainly didn't help that merely two rings behind him sat the Royal Village, where opulence and money were in full display.
He couldn't help but reminisce on the past. His enlistment in the Thalorian military, and the gradual rise in rank until trying out for the Royal Guard. He was the youngest Ward Knight ever promoted to Sentinel, and the youngest ever to join the elite Shield Wardens. The battles he had fought, friends he had lost, and opportunities he had given up on all weighed on him. He might be the senior most military commander in the land, but that didn't make up for that faint feeling of missing out.
His displeasure was still plastered on his face when a companion joined him. "See this is why you always lose at Dragon's Bluff, your face shows your emotions, regardless of your attempts to mask them." Daven turned, looking into the eyes of one of the few people around here he called friend.
"Priv, I swear you just enjoy getting a rise out of me." The old man smiled slightly, his tunic waving gently in the breeze, gnarled staff held loosely in his hands. "I've been serving Thaloria for a long time, and it's the small things that bring this old soul joy." Daven scoffed, he knew damn well the senior mage had a predilection for pranking his students. Granted, it meant they were much more aware of their surroundings, and had a healthy wariness about anything involving an unfamiliar space. For a brief moment Daven thought about doing the same to his subordinate, but shook it off in the same instant. He was not one to joke around, and his subordinates could only take so many heart attacks before keeling over face down.
"Priv, you're a menace to those around you." With this Priv laughed properly, "says the man who is called unapproachable because you exude anger in perpetuity." Daven thought about that for a moment and left the retort unsaid. It was true, he did have resting bitch face.
"You looking for your childhood home?" Priv asked gently. Daven nodded, trying not to look surprised that Priv knew. "I started to get curious. Took my agents nearly a decade to figure it out. I can see why you choose to not speak of it. I'm sorry." Daven shrugged, but nodded his acceptance of the apology. "It was decades ago. I have left the sins and traumas of the past behind me." They both went quiet, looking together over the crenellations at the Sprawl. Time crawled by,
"Dav." Daven turned slightly, Priv only used his nickname in private, and when things were serious. "Something feels off." Daven nodded, he'd been unable to explain why he was feeling so tense, and now he knew.
"Aye, but we've got no indications of a force building at the border. Nothing going on in the realm, and even the bandits seem to have calmed down along the main roads. There hasn't been a reportable monster attack in a month. A whole month! Only thing concerning was that report for a year ago, but there's nothing to go on with that. Realistically we have nothing to indicate we should be on edge." Priv frowned slightly, he wasn't sure about the report, but his own spy organization corroborated the same. Daven cracked a neck, massaging it gently, "Care to join me for some tea? I have plenty of paperwork to do." Priv nodded, shocked at the change in subject before turning to follow after the man.
The two wandered back towards the keep, guards saluting every so often. The guards manning the wall were less surprised to see the two together than most. Lord Commander Alyrra was fond of staring out over the walls, even if he looked angry doing it. Master of the Aegis Priv Upwin was also a known frequenter of the walls, every once in a while seeming to stare off in the direction of the coast.
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As the two passed the inner ring into the city of Elaris proper, the guards grew more martial. Salutes were more crisp, and the call of "Hail Lord Commander" was more frequent. Daven knew full well it was just for the citizens, and bore it in stride. He hated the formality, and when in the keep they simply referred to him as Lord or Lord Commander. He knew them all by name, and gave subtle nods to each. They all respected their Lord, for he was fair and respectful, and unlike his predecessor, had actually earned his position as their commander.
It was nearly sun down when the duo made it to the Gilded Gate. The guards at the post outside the gate saluted quickly before getting back to watching the streets. Daven nodded subtly to the senior guard, glad to see that despite his rank, they were still focused on their jobs. Daven and Priv continued in silence, not bothering to enjoy the splendor of the Royal Village. Priv was concerned, Daven was always serious, but this was something else. He could feel his anxiety rising. He was the senior most mage in all of Thaloria, the master of the Arcane Library and the Aegis Academy and had fought nearly every conceivable monster in Eldranor, and here he was, getting anxious about some uncharacteristic quietness.
Priv couldn't help but be in awe as they came to Thalorian Gate, the gate to the palace grounds, and saw how stern and professional the guards here were. They were imposing, great swords sheathed in black leather. Their enchanted armor looked almost like it were painted, with enchantments to reduce glint and shine. Black cloaks with a red trim denoted them as Tower Guards, those entrusted to guard the palace grounds proper. Great helms covered their faces, covering the tattoos of oath on each man.
They brought their shields up in salute but said nothing as Daven and Priv walked past. Two massive Ward Knights, their rank and position denoted by the gold filigree on their helms and shields, opened the gate. Once both men were through, another set of Knights saluted and closed the gate.
This part of the estate was not familiar to Priv, as his office at the college was off to the west, and the Library was to the northwest. He never had reason to use the main entrance to the palace grounds, as even when he was selected as the Master of the Aegis. Priv was impressed, though he was loathe to admit it. Nothing at the Academy was so regimented or perfect. In all fairness, no one at the Academy was responsible for the safety and security of the Queen.
The walk continued, quicker now. Priv struggled to keep pace with his much younger companion, and was going to ask for them to slow down when Daven did so anyways. Priv nearly ran into him, so quick was the change of pace. He looked around the man and saw why he had slowed. Two gentlemen as well as a young woman stood in front of him. All three snapped to attention and slammed their left gauntlets against their chest, the unarmed salute of the Royal Guard. Daven returned it and turned to introduce his comrade.
"Priv Upwin, Master of the Aegis Academy and the Arcane Library." All three nodded politely. The older of the two men smiled, saluted, and introduced himself, "Tower Marshal Aric Valenwood, commander of the Royal Guards." Priv nodded before turning to the other man who went straight into his introduction, "Shield Marshal Alem Thorne, commander of the Wardens."
Priv's eyebrows went up momentarily. He certainly wasn't expecting to meet the commander of the Queen's personal guard today. He turned to the woman, stunned momentarily by her beauty. The twilight made her eyes pop. Priv was captivated by the violet color but before he could ask her about them, she glanced at Daven, who nodded slightly. "Blackwood. Chief." Priv wasn't prepared for how curt her response was, and was nearly personally insulted until he realized it was more than she'd normally have said. This young woman was important enough to be standing with the commanders of the Guard after all.
"What brings all of you out?" Daven asked. "Looking for you lord, there has been…an incident." Daven looked irritated, an incident should have been solved well before reaching his rank unless the fate of the Queendom were at risk. Blackwood spoke gently, "Lord, you need to hear this." Daven's head snapped towards her and she gave him a look that spoke volumes. Daven and Priv both looked at Valenwood, concern etched onto their faces.
"Explain. Now."