It was nearly time for the evening meal when Kael finished cleaning himself. Constantly throughout his refreshing bath, Kael, was thinking about what connection his family could have with this lordly house. He assumed that it had something to do with old Rache bringing that token and those papers. Kael was starting to regret not asking about them, after all old Rache had flashed them around all day.
Whilst brooding about this, he had the servants bring him his travelling chests. He brought out some of his fine garments. It was a black pair of trousers of fine velvet, a shiny pair of knee tall boots in dark brown, and a white silk shirt. To top it off, he put on sleeveless doublet as black as night, it was brocaded with a fine pattern of dancing dragons in red. It was also lined with silver buttons. He then proceeded to inspect his shoulder-length hair, it looked shiny and sleek after his bath, he decided to go with a black silk band, and wrapped it about his hair, resulting in a ponytail.
As he stepped before the mirror, it was as if it was a different person entirely. He had always been brought up in a cordially at home, but once he saw himself now, he looked like some prince of myth. His grey hair and pale skin, strongly contrasted with his attire, he looked even more mystic due to his white pupil. He definitely looked handsome, but to others, he looked like a thorny rose. Even a bit terrifying even, a young man whom could demand respect, with his regal bearing.
He himself did not realize this, before stepping out from the bathing chamber door. The servants were struck dumb by the contrast, him entering and him leaving, were two different things entirely. They bowed deeply, barely daring to look at him at all. As he was led towards the dining hall, this became even more apparent, every guard posted by the walls leading to the great chamber, saluted in deference.
He was flabbergasted as he was led into a great hall, with many people standing about the chamber. This was due to the way the castelan introduced him, “ lords and ladies, his lordship, lord Kael, graces us with his presence.” He said this in a monotone tone, but even Kael can sense the oddity in his tone, was that reverence?
If the guards and servants had a reaction to his presence, he was even further dumbstruck by the noble's reaction. They gaped at him, normally they would whisper among themselves about a new noble being presented. At this moment however, they were too occupied with just looking at him.
Kael had never realized himself, what a striking figure he made when he tried his best to look good. The nobles gathered eventually began whispering about a foreign prince, a future monarch. Kael was put on the spot, not sure about how to act, when suddenly the handsome man seated at the back stood up and spoke with booming laughter, “lord Kael! I have long wanted to meet you! Come, come, I wish to speak to you, and introduce you to some of my friends.”
While the lord spoke, a surprisingly good-looking Rache appeared at his side, he smiled a Kael and nodded. Kael proceeded to walk towards the pair, under the admiring and curious gazes sent his way. He felt somewhat relieved by not having to stand about like an idiot.
Kael was soon even more flabbergasted, so was every member of the great hall, the lord Wade, actually made a deep bow towards Kael, as soon as he stood in front of him. He was all smiles as he looked at Kael, it was as if he only saw Kael in the room. His eyes were shining like torches, making Kael somewhat uncomfortable. This man, was far too interested in him for Kael's liking. He had heard about men liking men before, but he was not sure if this was what that was. He certainly hoped not.
Had Kael’s thoughts been heard by lord Wade, one can not be entirely sure of his reaction. Either he would gladly embrace such a thought, or he would cough blood and bear with it. There were not that many options. Lord Wade on the other hand, was studying this godlike being which now graced his halls. Just feeling Kael’s presence, he was sure of that this had to be the young master Kael. There was no doubt about it, that aura, such a regal bearing, this was the master he would serve for his entire life, and doing so gladly.
Before he could break free from this train of thoughts, old Rache spoke in a low voice, “young master Kael, as you can see, everyone here is sure you are a prince from a foreign nation. With the way you have been educated throughout your life, the way you have been raised, it's not far from the truth. It would be best to embrace this, there are no disadvantages from such an identity. Our family has strong ties between us and the Wade family.” As he said this last part, he sent a sharp look in lord Wades direction.
Lord Wade coughed once, looking a little embarrassed, but decided it best to ignore old Rache, even if it was close to a walk on blades, he needed to get some goodwill from his master at all costs. He smiled amiably, then proceeded to go up to Kael, and under old Rache's shocked and indignant expression, he grabbed Kael’s shoulder with one hand, all the while smiling and nodding appreciatively at Kael.
Kael, who was now sure this was one of those odd men, who liked other men, instinctively wanted to draw back. He decided that would be too rude in this situation, under the various gazes from the nobles. As he was about to politely ask lord Wade for some distance, the former spoke, “Ah! Young lord Kael, I want you to think of me as an uncle, I will carry the sky for you. I like young fellows like you the most, you have great promise for the future. Think of this as your home, as long as you say the word, you shall have it. Actually, I will gift you with your own mansion on my estate, as much money as your coffers can hold, some top servants, and my death sworn soldiers. This way I can feel at ease with you being cared for!”
Looking at this overexcited, over friendly, and over generous lord, Kael nearly began to panic. What the hell was this? Did this old man try to hit on him just like that?! Kael sent a pleading gaze towards old Rache, this man was far too much for this young master to deal with. He was even more sure about his assumption with the lords gifts. Just what kind of host did old Rache take him too?
The lord Wade, clearly having sensed Kael’s discomfort, began to sweat, to anger his master, this was his worst nightmare. So he once again ignored old Rachel's subtle threats, trying to placate Kael even further, by offering even more gold, guards and even his main mansion if he wished it. Of course, this had the opposite effect on Kael, who was getting even more frantic in his plight for escape.
At this moment however, they finally rang the bells for dinner. Kael politely declined lord Wades offer to sit in his seat during dinner, preferring to sit with old Rache between himself and this perverted, overzealous noble. During dinner, he was asked again and again about where he came from, who his parents were, endless digging about his true identity.
After having endured this dreadful gathering for at least an hour, Kael politely withdrew to the mansion assigned to him and old Rache. He signalled to old Rache with his eyes, that they would certainly have words when he came back.
It took nearly two more hours before old Rache appeared. He did not dare to look at Kael at all, he just stood before him with head bowed. Kael sat in a gilded chair in a grand chamber, which was his own. He was not used to such riches, but did not totally reject them. It was quite comfortable.
After waiting for a long while, Kael spoke, “well, what kind of host is this have you brought me to?! He looked like he wanted to take me to his chambers right there and then,” before he even finished the sentence, old Rache looked up with an expression filled with horror and indignation, the mere thought of this could get anyone killed! Kael continued, “as if it was not bad enough, he then proceeded to trying to bribe me with mansions, guards and gold!? Where did you find this fellow? I cannot possibly believe that someone like that would have ties to our family?” Having finished this tirade he looked expectantly at old Rache, who now was paler than the shirt he wore.
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Old Rache fell to his knees, shocking Kael, then proceeding to bang his head to the floor repeatedly, all the while babling for forgiveness for such blasphemy. Finally, he spoke in a begging and apologizing tone, “young master, forgive me for not informing you beforehand, that man is actually your servant. His family has served ours for generations. He is only overzealous, but he is entirely devoted to your well-being, but when he made you appear uncomfortable, he mistook your meaning. Lord Wade thought you were dissatisfied with his gifts, and so offered more and more, until deciding to offer his entire mansion.” Having calmed down, old Rache made a weak, pleading smile at Kael.
Kael, too relieved to think of anything else, said, “good heavens, that's good to hear. Please do inform me in advance of such matters… I thought you were offering me up to this lord Wade as some form of payment for some debt you had… To think that he is my servant, odd thought indeed.” Whilst Kael was high in the clouds in relief, old Rache nearly spat blood hearing Kael’s words. Offering the young master as a form of payment!? What debt between heaven and earth would be able to even justify such a sacrifice!? Not to mention he would be tortured for a few millennias should anyone even know of this. This was pure blasphemy!
Feeling a bit guilty, looking at old Rache's deathly pale face, he decided to go apologize to lord Wade. He had been so distant to his goodwill, he hoped it would not damage their reputation. Since lord Wade was his servant, he should at least try to have a good relationship with him. Suggesting this to old Rache, he immediately wondered what he did wrong, because old Rache, having regained some colour, immediately went just as pale as before.
Having the young master apologies to a servant of the dark!? What kind of day was this?! Would the prime god of light descend next to saint a donkey? If the master of the abyss knew of this, would he be mad, laugh or just straight out kill old Rache? He shivered at the thought about the master, everything considering the young master was of utmost importance, and here he was filling the young lord with doubts, misgivings and even got close to having him apologize to a servant not even of the abyss? Old Rache nearly fainted.
Deciding to wait upon the morrow, Kael said he was tired, but rather than being a bit tired, it was to let old Rache calm down. He looked like doomsday had come too early. Little did Kael know, that in the lord's mansion, lord Wade was shaking like a leaf himself, considering suicide for his disrespect, wondering what he could do to salvage the situation. It was a rather sleepless night for both him and old Rache, filled with terribly nightmares and deathly premonitions.
It was a rather refreshed Kael who met the lord and old Rache for breakfast. He smiled and chatted with the lord, offering a small apology for having misunderstood him, blaming it all at the ashamed old Rache for not informing him of the situation.
To his exasperation, lord Wade prostrated before himself, crying, “buuhuu!! This servant greets the young master! I was sure I had offended the young master, I was prepared to commit suicide to correct this error!” He was so relieved that he did not care about any servants, guards present. Luckily for him, the rest of his family member never showed up for this earliest breakfast. He would not mind, but he would have to execute any family member disrespecting the young lord in response to his attitude.
The guards and servants around the room felt heaven had fallen on to their shoulders, someone who was the master’s master?! What did that signify? Would they have to call this young lord, the greatest master? Little did it matter to them, a master was a master.
Having thought for a while, Kael spoke up, “I will take your gifts, as it was put out in good faith. I however wonder what you can tell me about the academy of magic in town?” Kael’s eyes started shining at the mention of the academy.
Lord Wade looked pleased beyond description. He then got a bit serious at the mention of the academy. He spoke, “young master, the academy is the strongest power in our region. They do seldom meddle in mundane, other than to fight threats. This changes however when the magi complete their training. Some have the option to continue towards the capital, if their talent is great, some commoners who become magi are offered a teachers job at the academy, but most leave the academy to help their family or travel the world. I am one of the latter.” He said this part with a little pride, before becoming serious once more.
He continued, “Can I assume you wish to join the academy? I shall refrain from informing you about the inner structure of the academy, as you will learn of this once you enrol. You are actually quite lucky, young master, the registration for new applicants start in two days. As a noble, you do not have to go through a screening process with the commoners whom have the talent. You can meet at the noble registration, which is less time-consuming.” Lord Wade refrained from asking about Kael's talents concerning magic, what a joke, doubting the young master of the abyss ability to use magic?
Kael nodded at this, he was starting to get excited. He continued to ask about the city and other topics that could interest him, before taking his leave. Kael wanted to check up on his animals, but also on the things lord Wade had gifted him. He was quite curious about the concept of a death sworn squad of soldiers serving him.
His hounds having had a bath, looked splendid as ever, greatly pleased by the food they were presented at this mansion. The only problem was that they would not let anyone but Kale come close to them. A self-confident kennel master had tried, he now lacked a finger. He however, had mysteriously disappeared after begging the lord to put the beasts down. Nobody asked after him though. The lord had made it perfectly clear, that any insult to the young lord or his entourage would result in catastrophic reprisals.
Soon, Kael was at his new mansion, it was only a few hundred yards from the lords' mansion, It was a grand building, built in dark grey marble, the insides were decorated in gilded gold and red velvet covered every thinkable surface. When Kale went into the courtyard he was met with a grand sight.
Thirty powerfully built men, wearing polished dark steel armour were kneeling in his courtyard. They were covered from head to toe in black, only their eyes peeking out beneath their veiled helmets. Behind them, grand cloaks billowed in the morning breeze. They were an intimidating sight. It was not made any less terrifying by the two curved swords each man wore at the hips. These were clearly sword users of great skill. Only swordsmen of some skill would wield an extra sword instead of shield.
As one, they stood up and bowed towards Kael, yelling in unison, “first Death guard of the Wade family, greets the young master! We will live and gladly die by your word!” They then kneeled down once again, waiting for Kaels command.
Kael, taking in the sight, asked, “whom here is in command? I was told I would receive only one squad, but this is clearly a platoon. Who is your leader?” Kael asked this with a puzzled face.
A man, nearly a head taller than the rest, walked forward, before kneeling at Kael's feet. He yelled out, “captain of the first death guard of house Wade, Silent Blade, greets the young master. Answering to the young master, the lord felt the young master could use a larger protection contingent. As such, we, the Death company, has been assigned to the young master. Reporting to the young master, we gathered here are the strongest members of the Death company. We have 70 more brothers on standby in the barracks located beneath the mansion, we are all ready to die for the young master at any time. Our last orders from the previous master, was to follow the young lord forever, or until you no longer have any use for us.”
Kael was a bit exasperated by this revelation, but went with the flow. More of these deathly loyal men, could not be a bad thing. It would be nice to have his own force in this world, only loyal to him. If any of the other servants of his family had heard him say this, they would not know what to think, what did they exist for, if not for the young master?
He spoke to Silent Blade, “Well, as you were. I want you and ten men to accompany me in two days time, as I go to sign up at the academy of magic. You may also pick some of your men to spar with me, for swords training in the days to come. Who knows, maybe I will be the one teaching you lot.” He said this last bit with a tad of humour to his voice, to his disappointment, he got no other reaction than the rather boring, “as the young master commands.”
No longer wasting time with his dull and monotone guards, he went into his mansion. There he found gold in droves, neatly stacked in bags in his chambers. He picked up one, counting it up. Just one of these small bags contained a hundred gold coins. One gold coins, was approximately a hundred silver, that again was a hundred copper coins. Kael pondered upon whether he would really need a hundred gold coins, but decided that at least one of these small pouches would be a good thing to bring with him wherever he went.
As he settled down in a fine chair on his balcony, he could see the entire city before him. He was quite content, he was set for the future, Kael would probably spend a long time in this place, knowing he did not have to worry about anything but working on his own skills and learning magic, was a great feeling. Kael did not go complacent however, no matter how great a talent, if he did not use it to his full ability, it would be too great a waste. Kael prepared himself mentally, before closing his eyes. In two days, he would finally start his journey on the road of magic. He was looking forward to it...