Chapter 67: Ch.62 :Undercurrents Part II

 

One was carefree, unshackled but a bit of a handful and never deigned to sit still in one place. The other, was somewhat soft spoken, readily conforming to instructions given. She was versatile and tranquil. But the four minders were not fooled. She, underneath her essence, was tempestuous more so than her sister if she wanted to be. These two twins were Diane, the elder and Aeris the younger.”  Excerpt from The Book of Realms: The Age of Elder Gods, Church of Thea.

The Trinaiad, the 33rd of the Second Moon of Aestas, AC 1527. Today.

“ Nora! Did you see my phone?” Arthur called out from downstairs. He’d just emerged from the workshop and was holstering his arcane pistol and dagger.  He had the holsters specially made by the same seamstress; from the most gossamer of silk to the toughest hides, there was nothing an Ahrakni [Seamstress] could not do . The other product of her labours were the cropped blazer that came to midriff over a white dress steel silk shirt with pleated plackets. 

Despite Nora's entreaty to have new clothes measured for him, Arthur had been rather adamant that  there was attire they could use to save on gold. The only compromise was of course, the blazer—nothing could have been done about that since they had to have matching outfits.

The cropped blazer was turquoise green that shifted to blue with a  capelet on one shoulder and ornamental epaulette in silver on the right. The lapel was a burgundy felt that folded over to his left breast, a sylvani twist on the design. 

It had two brass buttons and cuffs with inset tourmalines; a statement of fashion as well as status as a mage. Tourmalines were the choice gems for Aeromancers, serving as foci for mana reserves as well as lightning resistance enchantments. Arthur goggled at the wanton use of precious gems, six carats worth. Not as expensive as diamond but still, the disparity between his wealth pre-Eryth and then left him queasy. Everything was still sinking in.

Despite the fact, the expensive blazer was pragmatic attire that used to be and still was a staple of a mage knight’s dress uniform. As a result of its cropped design it allowed unhindered access to their spell swords or in the case of  pure mages, wands while boosting their mana reserves through the gems. The gemstones could also serve as foci for a variety of enchantments but Arthur had forgone that option. He could enchant the runic matrices himself.

For the rest of his evening attire, Arthur went with what Aeskyre had gotten for him. Most notable was the steel silk shirt that was tucked into a pair of self-adjusting slacks as well as a tan pair of brogues from Earth which completed the ensemble. Ultimately, the blazer was the only purchase Arthur had made and thanks to Margaery's association the price was knocked down. 

Even then, his outfit  paled in terms of cost when juxtaposed against the outfit Nora was currently strutting as she walked down the stairs.

“I have not had it for a while,” Nora said, checking something in her clutch purse . She had done her silver hair in a high bun with a braided knot at the side, showcasing her pink tipped sylvani ears.  Two hairpins with Lavandula flower gems held the bun in place, crossed like two ornamental swords. 

 Nora’s main outfit consisted of  a mermaid dress that accentuated her figure. It was a bespoke sylvani design, with the sylvani collar and a seam that flowed from her neck to her right armpit with embroidered fasteners.

 The dress was made of a velvet lace depicting vines and flowers over  turquoise green that shifted to blue like Arthur's cropped blazer. A sashlike accoutrement of the two intersecting colours hugged the middle of her stomach, giving the dress a trim hourglass outline. 

It came off as vaguely qipao-ish but it was worth every gold coin Arthur had spent on it. The missing phone was momentarily forgotten as he gawked at Nora. Like a chivalrous gentleman, he extended a hand to help her down the last of the stairs. 

“You dazzle,” Arthur said smilingly. “But do  we really have to bring them?” Arthur asked, motioning at the automata.

The automata maid was also dolled up in maid uniform that looked like a cross between a Victorian maid's and a kimono. It had the frills, apron and the puffy shoulders from the former, while the bowknot, collar and butterfly sleeves were from the latter. The shoes were well, Arthur could not tell whether they were wooden clog sandals or gothic doll shoes. Asaharu had very eccentric tastes but it was Nora who had jumped at the opportunity to play dress up with a automata.

“ The invitation did say we could bring at least one attendant,” Nora said, preening at the former half of Arthur's statement. She clutched at Arthur's bicep as they walked towards the door which opened of its own accord. Outside, one of the Lalilab’s spare carriages was waiting for them. 

“You did not have to take it literally, Nora,” Arthur said. He could not help but wince at Nora's grip as he the grimace off his face.

“Shush now beloved~, let's not sour the night shall we?” Nora cooed. Arthur groaned. Nevertheless he understood what cosplay meant from one of Asaharu's many memory crystals.

 Some of them had documented his flights of fancy with fictional characters and he was rather embarrassed that he was violating an unspoken rule of propriety. Still, he could agree the automata looked the part; they were going to be a headturner. 

Also, it was worth taking the automata along with them. Depending on the range it could serve as an intermediary for the manor, meaning they could watch the premises from afar. And so did the automata follow, clutching a leather tote, for what Arthur did not know. He turned his attention to the waiting carriage. 

‘Unicorns’ Arthur would have said the first time. The  beasts that drew the carriage had colourful horns of metallic blues and glossy chestnut brown coats. But there was a reason they were not called Unicorns. 

Unicorns were an actual sapient race in Eryth. They were a magical race; part of the wealdfolk even and were rare encounters in the Faeriwealds. Some walked on two legs, taking on humanoid forms, or so the stories went.

That aside, carriage was also memorable in its own right. It looked like the Rolls of Victorian carriages in its lacquered olive green and rose gold coat whose motif was repeated on the Lalilab’s coat of arms. 

The coat of arms depicted two rearing  cloud hind, over a branching tree growing from a mortar and pestle .  A pair of chromastone  lanterns were recessed into the overhang above the driver's cab. 

 Then there were the men, dressed in the livery of house Lalilab. Eldest, seemed to be a taciturn man of indeterminate age with salt and pepper hair.  He kept an immaculate anchor beard and had sharp, blue eyes that seemed to take in everything at a glance. He might have been a butler or a bodyguard for despite his formal dress, he was armed, with a rapier even as he sat at the reins.

The other was firmly within the archetype of bodyguard. He was a stalwart man who might have been a brute if not for the waistcoat, slacks and dress shirt. They suited him even if his coat seemed like a sneeze from bursting at the seams. The man was shaved bald with a tattoo on the side of his head and was standing right behind the carriage. He'd been standing on the extension right behind the carriage surveying the surroundings. Arthur had no doubt the carriage chest had his weapons.

“Master and Mastresse Löwenmaul I assume? Aven tidings . Your carriage awaits—” the last of the footmen , a youth with fair hair beckoned. Their veneer of composure looked like a crack away from an expression of awe at the house, and mostly at the man who had made it so people could come through the wards.

 It had taken less time than Arthur thought for the breaching of the mansion to spread through the town. All thanks to a certain centaur who loved to hear themselves talk. 

 If Arthur could say so himself, the Lalilab’s reaching out, with a carriage of all things, was meant to send a statement of their association. It was a well placed move to lease out their carriage. 

And what better way to make a political statement than in no other company than their daughter's? It was Hanna Lalilab who greeted them beaming as the footman opened the suicide doors. 

“ Master Arthur, Mastresse Nora, glad you could join us,” the peppy eyed teenager chimed. She seemed in her element. There was none of the fidgety disposition from before, and she seemed to have become fast friends with Nora.

“ Much obliged, Hanna,” Nora said as she walked up the retractable ladder steps.  Her gaze brightened up at Nora’s and Arthur’s outfits as they settled into the carriage. There was one other occupant in the carriage with them; the boy from the Guild.

“ Aven tidings Master and Mastresse Löwenmaul. I never had an opportunity to acquaint myself , Nevine Gilraugh,” he said with a subtle bow. Nora offered her a smile while Arthur just nodded. 

Much to the bewilderment of the attendants, they had an amusing moment as the  automata maid hiked  their dresses  to sit at the cab on the front.

 The doors closed and then the carriage lurched as they started moving. In the sky, the three moons, Oonaris the White, Ceralisa the Pink and Yrcinthe the  Blue, shone down on Eryth.

 It was an enchanting evening. 

And, in the deepest recesses of the manor, a soul stirred 

The Trinaiad was a Sylvani holiday commemorating the Selestrinity, the worship of the three moon goddesses; Oonaris, Ceralisa and Yrcinthe. It was celebrated over the course of three days, when the third moon waxed until  all were full. The third day was the climax and marked the first day of the new year, according to their Illvarian calendar.

Much like Christmas from Arthur's world, even those who were not devouts of the religion partook in the festivities. That was all plain to see as their carriage rattled down the Inner Circuit. Awnings and eaves were decked in streamers and lit by pink, off white and  blue paper lanterns.

 Garlands of the lotus-like nymph blooms decorated people's doorways. And the streets were alive  with a heady mix of aromas from streetside vendors, celebratory noise and raucous laughter of those who were already deep in their drink.

For a town on the frontier, Aldmoor had lots of residents. At least ten thousand or thereabouts with a quarter being Adventurers. Naturally, the ever watchful Aldmoorian Guard was also out in the streets. A contingent had also been dispatched along the Inner Circuit to direct a motley of carriages. Arthur's was not the only one—

 Arthur sighed, it seemed like things never changed whichever world it was. A nudge from Nora brought his attention back into the carriage; Arthur felt the tell-tale  sensation of the Dhampir casting [Shadow Shroud] as she touched his wrist. 

“The phone?” Nora asked, quirking her brow. Dappled light streaming past the tinted glass reflected on her face. Her lipstick was bubblegum pink while her eyeshadow was a shimmering ombre eyeshadow of purple, orange and pink, like the palette of the evening sky.

“Hmm,” Arthur nodded, kneading the ring on his fingers. Instead of his lamellar he wore a long-sleeved spell glove on his left, just so he could cover up the unusual appearance of his arm. The ring of obfuscation was a barely noticeable bump underneath the leather. 

After going without the ring for a couple of days, wearing it again felt like a pinching shoe. It meant that the ring had not been faulty but Arthur was the one that changed. The last time he checked, his mana depth was scraping  at least 32 [Spark Bolt] worth of casts every 75 kardions. Their lowest unit of time was measured in average systolic pressure after all. There was a correlation there somewhere.

 “  I'm not one for parties and it's not like I can wish this one away,”  Arthur said. “ The phone had notes  I could've used to while away the time,” he shrugged.

“ You forget that you might be the centre of attention,” Nora pointed out. “ I doubt you'll have a moment to yourself.”

“ Please~ just for  breaching wards?” Arthur drawled, chuckling in denial. It was finally sinking in that there would be no lack of personages out to interact with him and he was dreading every single moment of it.

“ On the other hand,you give yourself too much credit,” Nora said. “ I am sure most of the people have better things to do than pester you about an enchanter's manor. Knowing that you're one of them yourself,  they would think twice about propositioning for artefacts—crafters have their secrets no?”

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‘Did you just contradict yourself?’ Arthur left unsaid. “ Should've turned down the invitation then,” Arthur said grinning. He was still not convinced  the invitation had been sent without ulterior motives for all he was barely five days in Aldmoor.

“ Look at it this way  hmm? You need some respite from your work—You've been cooped up in the workshop for the last three days; you even missed the start of the festivities. They started two days ago,” Nora said motioning outside the window.

“ Still does not change the fact I hate parties,” Arthur groaned. He was that kind of introvert that, given choice, would lessen his interaction with people. Unless it was necessary, like say, having a job that paid the bills. Compared to the teenage girl across from him who was chatting up a storm with her work friend, Arthur was a wall flower.

“ Very well then. I shall help you,” Nora murmured tapping her telecry earrings. A look of realisation dawned on him and Arthur immediately retrieved his ear cuff and clipped it on.  

“Right, I forgot we could do that too,” Arthur said as Nora dropped her [Shadow Shroud]. Then she struck up conversation with their new found acquaintances—

“My gratitude for lending us your carriage on such short notice. Did I hear you mention titled families from out of Aldmoor and Jarls from the Grand Struhl?”

“ Yes, we also have the Xzerion Magocracy and the Kingsfellian League in attendance by proxy; everyone’s speculating  their presence this time. Not that they would not pass this way mind you. Mayhap they wanted a chance to hear about Ascal Cornieva’s manor.  Oddly enough, a couple of Gold tier adventurers like Destiny’s Edge are also in attendance…”

Arthur grimaced and listened with a half-ear. He suppressed the urge to slouch as he contemplated  his soon to be encounter with the bourgeois of this world.

The change in elevation was the sign that they were almost at their destination as the cobblestone road spiralled around the moorland that took up the centre of the town. It was so subtle that they would have missed it if they were not watching the rest of the town fade away beneath them.

 From what Arthur had seen on the first day they’d flown over the walls,  the built area on the slopes consisted of complexes that could be counted with one hand.  One of them was a branch of the Heptad,  a gothic style construction with six wings spiralling out from a central cathedral. 

It was a solemn complex of  grey flying buttresses  round stained glass windows, pointed steeples and bell towers. Instead of gargoyles for waterspouts, it had mythical beasts standing in for every order of the Heptad. 

The frieze  was also something worth looking at as it told of different stories that were central to the order’s dogmas .It looked like something straight out of Notre Dame with a flair of the fantastic. 

 The next complexes were the council buildings, the ruling seat of the township which managed to exude grandiose despite being overshadowed by the Heptad’s cathedrals they’d left  a terrace rotation behind. 

A plaza,  marble colonnades, cupolas on a clock tower on the roof, a reflection pool and a typical two wing architecture fit the motif of an administrative centre to a tee. It was even surrounded by a wrought iron fence and had an accompanying guard outpost manned even as they passed it on their way to the Founding Hall.

Now, the Founding Hall  was something else altogether. It was an ode to their Occidanian roots of ballrooms and galas. That was at least one thing they did not change as they shed away the aristocracy for meritocracy.  

From a distance, the resplendent  marble building sitting atop a series of terraces was reminiscent of the parthenon in Athens. It was not as large as the real thing but it had towering columns and  a frieze of bas relief commemorating the people’s settlement on Alkerd, battles against the wilds and would-be conquerors, and the rise of champions among the people. 

  Between the columns, Arthur saw the largest glass floor to windows on two levels. The top must have been the gallery which opened to a long balcony on the outside while the lower was the main ballroom floor.

Only when it finally came into view did Arthur  gaze in awe; it seemed that he was  not the only one as the other male in the carriage was practically falling over himself at the view.  

Their approach was heralded by monuments that marked a double gated entry. It opened into a plaza with a long reflection pool which then terminated at a fountain before a double ascent of stairs. And the plaza was large!

 There were so many posh carriages under the illumination of chromastone lamps. As many as there were unique coats of arms and livery. It was virtually like looking at a Concours d'Elegance for carriages. And it would have made a perfectly instagram worthy moment if Arthur had his phone. But then again, there was no worldwide net to share it with. Arthur felt a twinge of loss.

Surprisingly, their carriage was given a right of way as it glided down the plaza. The driver took them around the other side of the fountain where other carriages had stopped to let their occupants disembark. 

Arthur exhaled in anticipation of the night ahead. Nora squeezed his arm and just in time for the suicide doors to open from outside. The night was frenetic with much conversation and a riot of colours and fashions. A cool breeze blew, fluttering leaves across the ground and carrying with it the noise of an active Aestas evening.

Gowns seemed to be the staple for maidens while  males tended towards attire that seemed like mage and knight uniform. Important personages seemed to have something entirely different. In the face of it all, he was composed; it wouldn’t do to stare like a yokel after all.

It helped that Hanna seemed important that they were given the VIP treatment; VIP with a double V. While the driver took the carriage away, the two other attendants led them through the mass of people by cutting through the throng. They were suddenly the centre of attention and Arthur couldn’t help but hear the whispers and gossip. He wasn’t recognized outright so that was a plus for him.

The terraces on either side of their ascent had hedged gardens each with a couple of gazebos. The middle of the staircase had  gardens at every landing of the staircase, while artificial streams flowed down on either side of it. 

Hanna explained the terraces were used for smaller events or in the case of larger events, places that people could go to get away from the hubbub. They were also evidently for those who did not have an invite to the main ballroom. Arthur thought it could not get any more spectacular but oh it did.

 The largest of the terraces seemed to be as expansive as the plaza they’d left below. On it, a fleet of aersloops, sat on their berths, movable gangways abutting their hulls. 

A hive of activity was ongoing as servants rolled down casks of wine and liquor and other miscellaneous cargo. Livery, masts and pennants flew, a clash of  colours and affiliations while name plates in burnished metal emblazoned on hulls glinted under the light of chromastones.  Ostentatious figureheads jutted out from their forecastles, a display worthy of any craftsman's worship.

 A few vessels had TSS prefixes ; Titled Sole Ships belonging to Titled Families that could afford them. Others  seemed to have been leased as they sported an RGS prefix for Registered Guild Ships while RSS prefixes were almost nonexistent. The  RSS prefix  was Registered Sole Ship for private individuals and their low numbers was a testament owning a ship private was an expensive endeavour. 

‘Damn!’ Arthur left unvoiced. ‘ And I am about to own one of them. Never realised I was that wealthy’ he mused, briefly recalling the aership he’d left back in the manor. Besides a cursory inspection, he had barely gotten around to starting work on it. He was still taking stock of inventory. 

Nora gazed at him with a knowing look as they walked past and then, they were finally on the topmost landing. Five steps of stairs preceded the entrance to the stoa. A group of  relay mages from the Mages Guild checked invitations  against a directory on their mage slates before handing them over to valets. Arthur checked that the automata maid was following ―

“ Shall we?” Nora smiled, fishing for the invitation from her clutch purse.

“ Let’s,” Arthur nodded, putting his game face on.

 And elsewhere back at the manor,  shadows peeled themselves from the bark of a tree. They wisped into the silhouette of a person, dressed in a black so dark light seemed to recoil from it. Grey eyes had watched the premises from beneath a hooded cowl and had caught the carriage leave a few pars ago.

 Satisfied the carriage had gone out of sight, they hummed and leisurely walked across the carriageway. From within the folds of their garb, they retrieved a spell orb as they came to a stop some distance from the gate. 

They gazed at the artifices disguised as a strange sort of beast and then squinted past the gate as their eyes glowed with the workings of a skill. Content they’d found what they were looking for, they  pressed the trigger on the spell orb in a particular pattern as though in code. Then they faded into shadow.

Several kilia away, a man looked up from his ledgers as a knock was heard on their door.

“ Come,” he prompted, barely looking up as the door creaked open and then closed. The new entrant silently stepped into the private study. Beyond the arched window, the three moons shone against the man’s back, casting him in silhouette. Transient reflections of light  flashed from a monocle  as amber eyes finally left the ledger to regard the silent individual. 

“ M'lord, the dragonling has left the hoard,” the man said  simply.

“Hmm, after keeping in his castle, so he deigns to dally with the mortals. How goes the aegis?” the other master of the manor replied.

“ Holding steady at it has been for the last tricennial,” they paused as if contemplating. “However, there has been an anomalous decay today,” the man answered.

“Hoh? Interesting,”  the master said, steepling his hands.

“Should I dispatch them?” Despite their flat monotone, they still managed to convey who they were referring to.

“ Ah, at once,” the man said, smirking as he stood up. He walked around his chair and pushed the window a peep to gaze at the scenery from above. The whinny of einhyrnd could be heard coming from the courtyard

“ It shall be done M'lord. And shall I get your coat? The Mastresse is ready to leave when you are,” the man said, intuiting his master’s intentions.

“ Hmm, it's time already?” the master said, looking at a dwarven grand chroniker. “ Get me an Aestas waistcoat. Things might get a little hot tonight,” the man added.

“ As you wish,”  the [Butler] said with a subtle bow of their head that hid an insidious smile.

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