Thread: The Masked City (Sylvene & Erebus)

I see your diplomatic grace hasn't lost it's edge, my Queen. With her gaze still set on the wide desert outside her city walls the Queen of Tera smiled at the sound of the old, rough voice behind her. There were a handful of people in her court who would dare to speak to her in such an audacious terms and the telltale scrape of a wood across the smooth stone floor of her throne room gave the speaker away before a hunched over figure appeared in the Queen's peripheral vision. Atlas Gustine was Tera's Head Librarian and Historian, a disfigured old man who prefered his books over people. Life had not been kind to the poor man who had dared ask the wrong questions in his youth but in the employee of the Queen had found himself filled with renewed purpose. Hobbling to the Queen's side the librarian barely reached her shoulders. Wrapped from head to toe in soft white fabrics to hide the scars of his past the librarian looked more akin to a Tahurovian priest than a scholar. His left hand gripped a short wooden cane to help support his body, one leg having been cut away and replaced with a clawed wooden replacement, and his golden circular sun mask gleamed brightly in the light of the desert sun Let us hope that the beasts finish the bastard off before he makes it out of the sand. It'll be that much easier to explain when the next emissary comes knocking. The Queen didn't mind Atlas's coarse way of speaking. So many of her subjects worked to keep up appearances around her that the older man's lack of civility was a breath of fresh air We have nothing to fear from Dragonia at this time. After failing in their surprise offensive against the Kingdom they have found themselves locked in a war of stalemates. Pride is now what remains on the line for those two The Queen replied with a slight shrug of her broad shoulders A newly crowned king with a thirst for vengeance against an empire whose mantra is conquest? I would be surprised if they even remembered to check in on their emissary to us. Atlas snorted from behind his mask A pity. One would hope that clearer minds would prevail and finally remove us of our refugee crisis. The crowd outside grows larger everyday, so the guards tell me. I fear it may get to the point where I may start to hear the cries of those pitiful creatures. Do not worry my dear librarian, I have a plan for them. Of course you do, my Queen. Placing a gentle hand down upon Atla's shoulder, the Queen caressed along the smaller man's shoulder I must see to my people now, Atlas. I except that I'll see you at dinner this evening, provided you can be pried away from your books? A harsh cackling chuckle erupted from behind the sun mask, followed by a series of coughs that shook the old man's body My Queen, I have no doubt I'll be found dead among my dear books in due time but for now I shall not deny you my charming company. Taking her leave from the throne room and leaving her pair of attendants behind, the mysterious Queen of Tera made her way outside the grand palace alone. A habit and tradition that frustrated her guards, the Queen enjoyed taking time out of her schedule to walk out among her city and her people. A ruler needed to feel safe walking among their people, to have their trust and loyalty. Even in a city of secrets where people were required to hide their true selves the Queen walked in the markets and the pathways like any other citizen. Her first stop was to the large market located just past the gates that led into the city itself, a thriving center of commerce and exotic delights. The smell of spices, roasting meats and livestock wafted down the winding streets, leading the way for the nostrils to follow. Standing at the entryway to the market the Queen allowed herself a moment to take in the sight of it all. A chaotic mass of storefronts, trade caravans and people, all moving about together like specs of sand in a storm. The sounds and smells were an assault on the senses as vendors called out their wares in bidding wars for the customers attention and children laughed in delight at the entertainers who juggled swords or breathed fire. Entering into the swirling chaos the Queen made her way straight to the food stalls, getting herself a piece of spiced meat skewered on a stick and finding a bench to sit on and enjoy her food. Sitting beside her was a young woman in blue with long blonde hair tied behind her wooden half mask and two younger boys with similar half masks of their own. Smiling to the family, the Queen began to eat her snack while listening to the woman scolding whom the Queen assumed were her two sons. Apparently they'd wandered off on the mother while she'd been shopping and it was thanks to a passing guard that the mother had been found. Pardon my eavesdropping, I couldn't help but overhear The Queen interjected as she listened to the mother's tone grow more and more worrisome But you really don't need to worry so much about your children. Tera is the safest city on the continent. No harm would have come to your sons, I promise you Behind the wooden mask, the mother's eyes narrowed slightly I...appreciate the advice miss but... See over there, on the fountain in the middle of the market? The Queen motioned over to the ornate stone fountain in the center of the market, barely visible among the throngs of people moving about. Nonetheless the woman nodded, confusion in her eyes Well sitting on the edge of the fountain, sits a cup. A gold cup, decorated with jewels. Since the founding of this city, that cup has remained on the fountain, unguarded, as a message to the people of this city. That even the simplest crime of taking what does not belong to you does not go unpunished...because, as the story goes, the man who initially stole that cup was trapped within the foundation of the fountain as it was built and that on dark, windless nights, you can still hear him tapping on the stone for someone to free him... The Queen winked from behind her mask at the two boys now staring up at her in fascination. But I'm sure that's just a story