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Varnalia
2. Duties

2. Duties

Illya slipped on the alabaster cloak, clasping it with a crest adorned with the Royal insignia. A shield adorned with two scythes crossed on a black and white checkered background. She ran a finger over it slightly. "Never thought I'd end up here. Let alone with him.." She smiled faintly to herself. She then pulled the hood up and over her head. Her white furred ears sticking out of the thin holes on top. Reaching over to the table, she lifted her crimson gloves, pulling them on, flexing her fingers. Dressed and ready she headed out of the room, towards the courtyard.

She arrived in the library. Ancient and vast in size the rows and rows of books and scrolls towered over her. She stopped to think. "It was... History of the Sable Church Volume... hm.. 6?" She walked further in, feeling like a Might in a cathedral. Her finger traced along the spines as she walked, quickly scanning each book, trying to find the right one in this sea of knowledge. "Here we are" She pulled one out, looking the cover over.

A sable dyed book, adorned with gilded lettering. Each letter painstakingly sewn in. She opened the book, taking a glance to either side of her before leaning in and smelling the pages. She smiled to herself. "No matter how old and dusty. They always smell new." She hugged the book close and headed out, off to delivery.

"BAR VULMA!" A swirl of wind burst outwards before dissipating only a second later. "Again." Said a tall, thin man. His staff making a tap on the stone. "Y..yes sir" A young boy held his hand out, aiming it at a rather large stone. "B..BAR VULMA!" The wind struck the stone, but did nothing. The tall man let out a frustrated sigh. "Do not stutter. Confidence in your words squire" tap, tap. "Y..yes sir!" The boy looked at him nervously.

"Durba don't be so harsh on him he's only 8!" Illiya came into the courtyard, walking over to the man with a slight glare. The tall thin man turned to her. His age evident by his slow, but careful movement. "The boy is not a toddler anymore and is royalty. My words are nothing compared to the weight of his crown in the future. He is a Dire besides. We are strong willed." He boasted, huffing at her. His hand twirling the gray moustache under his pointed nose.

"Just be nicer, here's your book." She knew arguing with the Queen's court mage was like talking to a wall. He was as stubborn as he was old. Durba reached out with a surprising amount of speed and took the book, holding it under his arm. "Finally. Took you long enough.. that is all I need you may go" He turned away. Illiya glared at him more but gave up on it, heading to the throne room. "You're welcome!" She shouted back at him. "Im late cause of you.." She muttered under her breath.

The large black doors were in front of her. The gold armored guards bowed, moving away and letting her through. She pushed the door open, walking into the throne room.

A white carpet led down, further into the room. Huge draping flags hung along the walls on each side. Each one displayed the Royal Insignia. She headed to the throne, looking up the obsidian steps to it. At the top it sat, imposing but beautiful. A large tree sat at the top. Its giant limbs stretching outwards above, like fingers, adorned with crimson leaves. The throne was a part of the trunk, carved into it. The white wood a contrast to the red leaves occasionally falling. The throne was not empty today.

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"Good morning Your Majesty" She said with a bow. "You always make the mornings better my dear" The man on the throne said, sitting up. She gave a slight smile. "Well until I deliver your schedule for the day." He sighed, beckoning her forward. "Right.. well its better to start now and get this done."

Hunuki was coming up the steps to the castle, being let in by the guards. He headed through the gardens, waving and taking a moment to chat with a maid before heading to the throne room. Upon entering he was met with a line of people, obviously there to speak with his father. He headed down the line, taking the time to greet them. Shaking hands and talking with them for a few seconds. They were his people after all. Someday he'd be ruling over them. "I wish I could meet and remember all of you.." He thought as he went to his father.

"Bandits... brigands and thieves have been all over our market district sire!" A local merchant said, clutching a staff in his hands. "We've had dozens of people all reporting the same thing! It's the church! Those robes.. They're the ones!" There was a bit of a stir over the man's words. Illiya silently raised her hand, quieting the crowd to let the king speak.

"We have heard these reports for a few weeks now. I've had my soldiers and the Court Mage putting together evidence. Once again, we have inquired and questioned the members and Preacher of the Market Districts sect and found nothing." He stood up from the chair, placing his hand on the pommel of his sword. " I will double the guards and we will unfortunately have to enforce a temporary curfew. Until these thieves are brought to justice I think that is fair." Illiya moved forward, looking down at the concerned citizens. "Please.. if you know of anything that might help us. Speak to the guards and soldiers in the district. I'll be making my visit there later today to see if I can't use some magic to help.." She bowed to the people. "I'll make this right, I promise" The crowd seemed satisfied. Illiya gentle voice seemed to calm everyone in the room. She watched the people being escorted out, noticing Hunuki waiting there.

"You could soothe a devil you know that.." He went over to her. "I mean.. I did manage to get you didn't I Hunu?" She gave a smirk. "That is true. I still don't know how you did that."

He looked to the King. "Yer gonna become a part of that tree if you stay in that throne all day" His father gave a chuckle. "You could help you know.. oh right, You were having to be at the school. Why again exactly? You're mother mentioned something about being late like always" Hunuki glared to Illiya, then back to him. "Yeah yeah.. Well Your royal highness. Fourth Lord of Belfeia. King of all the lands. Lord Hamanao." He paused for effect. "Wanna grab some food?"

Soldiers headed into the Market District. Bolstering the ranks of the few that were already there. One of the largest district in Belfeia it was constantly filled with the chatter of business, haggling, and coin. An area of Belfeia that housed over one million people of all walks of life.

The doors of the church of the twin dragons opened. A woman in black and white robes came out, fanning herself lightly. She watched as the march of soldiers passed by, noticing glares from a few citizens. The church being blamed for the trouble, which concerned her deeply. She was on her heels with the situation, fearing possible violence towards the church. Her attention was brought back from her troubles when a voice spoke to her. Someone was standing in front of her. A cloaked and hooded woman. She just seemed to appear there out of thin air. "I... I'm sorry my child what did you say?" She looked at the woman, a bit confused. The woman lowered her hood, violet hair coming into view. Her eyes were closed. The woman's hands moved up, taking the Priestess' in her own. She slowly opened her eyes. "You're going to help me." She said softly. The holy woman had gone completely stiff, unable to move, or speak. Only gaze into this strangers eyes. If they were even eyes at all. Fear, and Madness crawled up her spine, clawing at every inch of her to run. To scream and flee, but she couldn't. Those eyes.

The cloaked figure walked into the church. The Priestess followed her as the door shut behind them.