The castellan was a dark elf that observed the latest fashion trends. Dark blue, leaning into grey, his skin contrasted starkly with his pure white hair. He wore it long and combed back, letting it cascade over the fur trim of his elaborately layered garb of blue and black cloth. He had a beard, a pointy one that extended his chin in a stylish manner. The rest of his handso face was clean-shaven. His dark eyes inspected the incoming quartet with deep interest.
“Thank you for obliging my request so swiftly.” As he spoke, he put the expensive pen he had used aside, resting it on a specifically made wooden holster. It was just one of many items of luxury on the massive table.
“It is our honour,” Aclysia assured.
They were inside a dium-sized chamber. The castellan valued appearances, but he also valued functionality. The room was neither bigger nor any smaller than he needed to fit his office. A fireplace provided warmth, the elf’s coat of arms displayed on a steel shield hung above it. Extra chairs around a round table in the corner allowed for tea with guests, while the broad main desk worked for business. Five bookshelves held official records, primarily, and so leisure books of all kinds, including picture books for the children of visiting nobles. An armour stand displayed proudly enchanted armants.
From the materials, the party gathered that he could not have exceeded level 15. A fine level for one that governed largely normal people.
“It is mine,” the castellan responded, eyes lingering on each of them. “I admit to a degree of nervousness. It is rare I et four people that individually could simply kill .”
“Certainly, the empire has ans to hunt us down if we transgressed this way?” Aclysia asked, partially out of curiosity, mostly to signal the Inevitable party’s reasonability.
“Certainly,” the castellan agreed. “The Waking Guardians would enact vengeance before long if the bounty did not entice your fellows to do it for them.”
“The Waking Guardians?” Apexus asked, to the castellan’s confusion. “Forgive if this is a stupid question, but we have not engaged much with the politics or structure of the Sleeping Empire.”
“I see,” the castellan tilted back in his chair, trying to calculate whether this was good or bad for them. “Then let , as Viceroy Azureas’ chancellor, answer all your questions. The Waking Guardians are a state-sponsored Adventurer’s Chapter, consisting primarily of young noblen and won. They represent the elite of the Sleeping Empire’s military, acting as the Empress’ precision instrunts.” He let those words hang in the air for a mont, then added, a little bit jovially, “It is also a way to give those outside the order of inheritance a reliable inco. I have personally benefitted from this.” He gave a sideways glance at his armour.
“Thank you for informing us, castellan…?” Aclysia bowed her head and let the trailing tone be her question.
“Ah, my manners. I am Lord Baras of the Deepest Dreams.”
Reysha barely bit back her laughter at the man’s family na. ‘Dark elves, man,’ she thought. ‘So many jokes I could make if they weren’t so important.’
“I am–“
Baras raised a hand, stopping Aclysia at the beginning of their introductions. “There is no need to waste ti with that. I am aware of who you are and, as of now, this is a purely informal visit. Please, sit,” he gestured at the chairs in front of his broad table. “First off, let express the viceroy’s gratitude for slaying the Blizzard Drake. Though you have been graciously rewarded in gold already, he feels it inappropriate to leave it at that alone. With your agreent, he would like to hold a ball in your honour.”
“Not asking, I fear, would risk a greater social faux-pas than not,” Aclysia thought aloud. “Is it acceptable for us to decline?”
“Only if you wish to be ostracised from the noble community on this Leaf and beyond,” the castellan responded candidly. “The nobles of the Sleeping Empire always seek excuses to network. Refusing to have a celebration held in your honour, especially as commoners refusing a viceroy, is seen as rude beyond asurent.”
“We graciously accept, of course,” Aclysia responded two seconds later. “re curiosity.”
“Of course,” Baras agreed and pulled a map of the Leaf out from under the table. “I shall explain the local intricacies, if you would like?”
“We would,” Aclysia agreed. “We have only heard of the economic position of this Leaf so far.”
“Yukana’s water and ga exports are most appreciated by the nobles of the capital, but they are only part of the greater picture. For the empire, the primary use of Yukana is as a place to train future mbers of cabinets for our more important Leaves. Nobles get sent here, to the Sleephold, to Where Fishes Sleep or kept in the Cold Embrace, where the viceroy and I assign them various duties.”
Reysha was mightily struggling not to laugh at the nas, even having to suck her cheeks in. She was lucky that Aclysia held the chancellor’s attention on her own.
“I see. I assu this ans that many of the greater houses of the capital have a presence here?”
“Directly or indirectly,” Baras confird. “Many of the houses here are what are called ‘Broker Clans’ – though I suggest you do not use that term in front of them. These are houses with very little in terms of personal assets but plenty in the way of networks. They form the connective tissue that keeps the Sleeping Empire together.”
It struck Apexus as odd to have entire families dedicated only to operating as glorified ssengers. The longer he thought of it, the more sense it made. The Sleeping Empire had dozens of Leaves under its banner, none of which were smaller than the one they were currently on. People that had the necessary connections to get intel delivered from one place to another quickly and efficiently were of great value.
“These are the three factions representing the Sleeping Empire on this Leaf,” the castellan continued. “Those that are involved with the local economy, those are being trained for future tasks, and those that position themselves to get family mbers trained here. In addition to them, there is also the clan Yukana.”
“Judging by the na, they are the original inhabitants of this Leaf?” Aclysia asked.
Baras gave a deep nod. “Indeed. They are Yuki-Onnas – snow won. When the Sleeping Empire arose, they swore their fealty imdiately. They hold influence in the Court of Drowse to this day. It is best to stay on their good side.”
“The warning is appreciated.”
“Then, if you will allow , I would give you a quick summary of your ceremonial role in the festivities…”
They sat there for the next five hours.
User Comments
0 comments from readers