Introduction to Destiny, [Closed]

[RavenXI]

The quartet found themselves atop a high mountain, bare except for a single dead tree. Below, not far in the distance, a sizable city over-watched by a grand castle.

A soldier marched forward, he carried the standard spear and shield and wore silver chain mail. He spoke in the same accent as Alexander. "Welcome back sirs. Heading back to the castle, are we?"

"Yes, sergeant." The circular symbols on the man's garb marked him of the position. "Seats for four, as you can see."

"I'll get you a ship and river right away." The man left and return several minutes later with a small airship in tow. It was small, about the size of a sailboat and had only a small canopy for a roof. At the helm was another soldier, this one designated as a pilot. Once it landed, Demetrius led the way on board with the others in tow.

[cielo]

Eriad tried not to let the sudden transition in locale bug him very much, and was immediately interested in the airship that was sent to pick them up. "I've never seen a model like this. What's it called?" he asked the pilot.

[RavenXI]

"A skyshuttle, my good man. Haven't you ever seen one?" The pilot responded.

The sun began to set as they flew through the sky, slowly finding its way behind the snowy mountains in the west.

[cielo]

"Sounds like a dumb way to say airship. Is this the only kind you have or are there others?"

[RavenXI]

"Well, airships are completely different! Much larger than a shuttle. Where did you say he was from Alex?"

"That's Sir to you, pilot, and we found him on the Otherside." Demetrius response was stern, though held a hint of irony. Alex noted this.

[cielo]

Eriad snorted. "Otherside? You know Demetrius, that just sounds charming. You're charming. I think I'll pull an Errai and give you a nickname, how's Demmy sound. Not Demi like the spell, Demmy like an endearing nickname between pals."

[RavenXI]

"Yes, charming indeed. You just bristle with charm, it fills me with envy." There was no end to Demmy's sarcasm, it went on about as long as the universe itself. Something he tapped into whenever he seemed appropriate, which was almost always.

"Quiet. we're almost there." Sure enough, the airship began its decent to the palace hanger.

[cielo]

"Yeah man, I get that a lot. My pulchritude is incredible."

[RavenXI]

The palace itself was quite large, easily the largest building in the city. It had seven towers, one for each Circle. The towers formed a heptagon, which was also the shape of the outer walls. At the center was the main hall and common areas, as well as the hanger, which was partially underground. A vast network of dungeons ran beneath the palace and into the sewers of the city.

The city was divide into four quarters: The Merchant Quarter, filled with shops and services of all kinds. The Military Quarter, this one was closest to the palace proper and was where soldiers gathered for training and other basic exorcises. The Commons, this was indeed the largest and where most people lived. And lastly, the Old City. This section was filled with historic buildings and museums and was where most of the richer citizens lived. The nobility lived at the palace and consisted of the royal family and anyone closely involved with them.

A group of soldiers came to greet the group as they disembarked. Behind them was a older man dressed in lavish purpled robes. His brown hair and short beard were graying and he beamed with a general pleasantness. He approached with his arms outstretched and a glowing smile upon his face. His now parted robes revealed a short sword to his left side.

"My son! Welcome home! It is so good to see you again! And Demetrius, you Bastard, I'm glad you managed to find him in such time. Good work!" The man laughed heartily as he spoke, his smile never fading.

[cielo]

Eriad stayed quiet for once.

[RavenXI]

"Come, come!" The man wrapped his large arms around his son, squeezing tightly. "I am so glad you are back, your mother will be delighted to see you! And who's this? A guest? A friend of yours?"

"Yes father, his name is Eriad, he is a member of a small Clan from the Otherside."

"Welcome! Welcome! You all must be hungry! To the kitchen! Tonight, we feast!" Every night in the castle was a feast. But the king seemed to think it was special nonetheless. "Demetrius, go fetch my wife, she is our quarters."

"Yes, your majesty."

[cielo]

Eriad smiled politely, all the while thinking 'he is insane'.

[RavenXI]

The king was, in fact, slightly insane. But it was this insanity that made him popular among the people. He was almost always cheerful and regularly held state sponsored events that were open to the public.

Soon, they were all in the dining room. As opposed to the dining hall, the dining room was much smaller. It had a nice fireplace that was always lit and a long mahogany table at its center that sat up to 12 people. The king sat at the head of the table, the fireplace was behind his seat. His wife, Isabella would sit to his right and his son sat to his left. Alexander was the only child Isabella had and ever will produce. Demetrius sat next to her, as well as two other men. A space was left next to Alexander for Eriad next to a young woman and another man.

There would be time for chatter before the meal would be ready. Alex was eager to ask his mother about her health as she seemed in perfect condition. Either Demetrius had lied or perhaps she had been cured prior to his arrival. His father's constant joy made it impossible to tell which it actually was. Alex often wished his father would show his other emotions more often. A lifetime of cheerfulness can really begin to grate on one's nerves, ironically enough.

[cielo]

Eriad had actually eaten at bigger tables, but still appreciated the finery. They weren't always at Saeun's mansion, after all, and this would be the first large meal he'd had in about a month.

[RavenXI]

"Mother," Alex began, "Demetrius said you were ill, yet you seem in perfect health, did you recover then?"

"Yes, it was quite shocking in fact. I just suddenly felt better, like some dark cloud that had been hanging over me suddenly dissipated. I have the mages of the 6th investigating it now."

Meanwhile, a man sitting across from Eriad, and down a seat from Demetrius, engaged the foreigner with conversation. This man was fairly large and had an eye patch over his right eye. His hair was cut extremely short and he was showing signs of light stubble. Despite his size, his voice was calm. Although it did project very well.

"You sir, have the look of a seasoned veteran. Am I correct?" The man's tone was very polite and somewhat impressed. He pointed to Eriad as he spoke and smiled reassuringly.