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Loredas Morning, 31st Last Seed
“You know, I’d have never suspected you’d be against altering the future…” Veira wondered aloud, as she looked into the dresser mirror and deftly put an innocuous diamond earring in place. She reached for the other one, brushing her now cheek long hair aside to see her other ear. “….Given you’ve benefited immensely from foresight in the future.”
Maenriel came into view of the mirror, adjusting the pauldrons on his suit. The bestial edges of his bone armor had been removed a year ago, replaced with more conventional styling of more ceremonial armors. His aged glass sword was still firmly on his left, and a glass shield on his back widened his silhouette.
“That future was gravely dystopic.” He chastised kindly. “And that was another me that resorted to that.” He mused, taking his compacted helmet under his shoulder and taking Veira by the hand.
They proceeded downstairs. “And yet the idea of another achieving that – especially given the recent calamity – throws you into dissent.” She countered, pacing down with a hypnotising elegance as her white dress and boots flowingly found the bottom floor.
Maenriel grimaced a little, though whether it was from a good point was unclear as he followed her down as she retrieved her sword from the cabinet. “It is too soon to judge whether this is a decision born of fear rather than priority. Each province may not be perfect but it only gets better if it solves its own problems.”
Veira raised an eyebrow. “Which inevitably means letting a wandering adventurer or born hero take care of it – if one ever arrives. Surely you wouldn’t begrudge the weakest of us wanting protection before a tragedy happens.” She insinuated.
Maenriel opened the door, letting both of them through before locking it while he mulled it over. “It’s hard to dispute the results, yes. But eventually this will fail.” Maenriel hesitated, before putting his helmet on. “Nothing good lasts these days. I … just want you to know the uncertainties and risks that I’d never out you through.” Gladius responded.
“Oh, you are so overly dramatic.” She sighed, as they passed into the Imperial Palace district. “Worse things have happened.” She kissed his helmet on the cheek, waved a small goodbye and proceeded into the inner chambers, still facing him. “You worry too much.” She scoffed with a smile as she turned and slipped into the crowd.
Gladius’ eyes softened, as he joined the other side of the room.
——–
Once a chamber where the Elder Council convened, it was now more of a court. Four seated positions sat prominently at the end of the room, where the Regent and three factional representatives would hear the rest. Seven seats were behind them – the counts or their representatives, who had the opportunity to advise the four before them. Five podiums lay in the center of the room, facing each other, to allow an unhealthy level of debate to ensue. Seats spread apart to allow people to walk between them were layered like skins of an onion, guaranteeing someone would be left in tears after this unfolded.
For the sake of ease, everyone against the act sat on the left, while those for sat on the right. By anyones guess, they were the same, but more likely, many who agreed didn’t need to question the apparatus, and several who would likely didn’t want to reveal their faces here.
Imperial guards lined the interior walls, resplendent in heavy armor and legion shields. They were not expecting trouble but nonetheless, trouble would be easy to see.
For now though, there was time to mingle.