One day had passed since the people from Veridia left for Solara. Veridia's group included Rena Tharford, Anya Vesper, Jax Nightclaw, and six elite Throne Guards, led by the Lord of Veridia, Lorian Thorne himself. Valoria's group was led by Princess Selena Stormhold, along with six elite Paladins. The Veridians took their time getting there, and Valoria had to match their slow pace, though the Valorian Paladins seemed a bit annoyed by the delays. Still, for the sake of their princess, they kept quiet.
The whole journey was a drinking party for the Veridians. After every mile, another empty bottle of ale flew out of the carriage. The path was basically lined with glass. The Valorians did not join in. Instead, they joined their princess in exploring the road.
The woods were changing. The closer they got to Solara, the more orderly the trees became, unlike the wild, random look of a normal forest. Selena realized it was planted by hand, likely to supply herbs for the city's alchemists and scientists. She spotted rare plants arranged in neat rows. She wondered why no one stole them when nobody was around to watch. Then she felt it in her bones- they were being watched.
Instead of feeling uneasy, a smirk touched her lips. She had found the answer to one of her questions, and it pleased her.
Soon, the stone walls of Solara came into view. A sudden cloud of dust raced toward them, blocking their sight. Three dark shapes emerged from the dust, growing into horse riders. They wore silver robes edged in amethyst purple, with reinforced mithril over their vital spots. On their chests was the sigil of the Arcane Eye. They belonged to La Vigile des Arcanes, the Arcane Watch, the armed guard of Solara.
The lead rider pulled up to the group, sat tall in his saddle, and gave a slight bow.
"Gauthier de Mornay, Connetable de la Vigile des Arcanes," he said, "I welcome the Lord of Veridia and the Lady of Valoria on behalf of Grand Scholar Elana de Valois. I humbly ask your permission to escort your excellencies to our grand city of Solara."
Lorian kept his face hidden, but his voice came out thick and tired, "Oh, please do. I'll shower you with gold if you can lead me to a proper bed right now."
Gauthier gave a strange, unreadable look. The Valorian Paladins looked embarrassed by such undiplomatic behavior from a leader. To their surprise, the Throne Guards kept their faces like stone, completely unfazed. Selena wore a look of hidden amusement, which confused her men even more, given how well-known in Valoria were her ties to the Veridian Lord.
Selena urged her horse forward, "I am Selena Stormhold, daughter of Serana Stormhold, Lady Justice of Valoria. I have arrived in the Grand City of Solara on her behalf to represent Valoria in the Heptagon Accord."
"My pleasure, mademoiselle," Gauthier said, bowing his head before turning his horse toward the city to lead the way.
The two groups entered together, riding side by side behind the three Arcane Watch members.
It was the first time any of them had seen Solara, and it looked nothing like they imagined. The cobblestone roads were spotless, and the stone houses sat in rigid, geometric rows. Every house looked like a copy of the next. Lorian felt this arrangement to be a bit creepy, reminding him of cookie-cutter suburbs from his old world.
While the order felt suffocating to Lorian, it felt like a fresh breeze to the others, who looked on in wide-eyed awe- except for Selena. Lorian glanced at her through his carriage window. She tried hard to keep an amazed look on her face, but her body language gave her away. When she looked over, her eyes told him she felt the same unease, seeking his support. Lorian gave a tiny nod to let her know he felt it too.
The city ran like clockwork. Lorian barely saw any children playing in the streets. People moved with mechanical precision, doing their jobs and bowing stiffly as the carts passed. Lorian wondered if they were even human or just robots wearing human skin.
The architecture changed as they went deeper, moving from simple shapes at the gates to complex structures near the center. Lorian wondered where the famous universities and colleges were hidden among all these homes and shops.
Soon, they reached the Palace of Spire at the heart of Solara. The towers shot straight up like giant needles, stabbing into the sky. Lorian could not tell if they were really that tall or optical illusions built to intimidate visitors.
Six people waited outside the palace. Lorian recognized only one- Grand Scholar Elana de Valois. She stood with open arms and a wide smile to welcome them. Lorian climbed down from his carriage, stumbled slightly on the steps, and was caught by Jax Nightclaw, who waited by the door. A quiet, muffled snicker came from the five people standing behind Elana, though it was impossible to tell who laughed. Lorian squinted against the morning sun, trying to adjust his eyes.
Selena hurried over to the Grand Scholar, walking fast as if trying to beat Lorian to her.
"Lord Lorian, Lady Selena," Elana greeted them both in her warm and clear voice, "Solara welcomes you. You have traveled far through a broken land, and your presence honors our city." She nodded to their guards in a brief gesture of respect toward Valoria's paladins and Veridia's Throne Guards. She shook hands with both leaders, offering a warm, measured smile, and then gestured to the five people standing behind her.
"Allow me to present the minds who anchor Solara beside me," Elana said with quiet pride, gesturing down the line, "Maitre Guillaume de Saint-Clair, Grand Artificer and Master of Works; Maistresse Aveline de Rochefort, Arch-Alchemist and First Botanist; Maitre Thibaut de Vianne, Chancellor of the Seals and Keeper of the Ledger; Maistresse Yolande de Beaulieu, Director of Celestial Studies." She pointed toward Gauthier, "And Maitre Gauthier de Mornay, Overseer of the Arcane Watch, whom you have already met."
Each master and mistress gave a quick, respectful nod, avoiding any overly fancy courtly bows. Lorian and Selena returned the gesture with formal nods of their own. Since they brought key officers, Selena stepped forward to introduce her primary guard instead of the whole group.
"And allow me to present Justicar Commander Maeve Sterling, and Cillian Vance the third and fourth Sword of Valoria," Selena said, matching Elana's gesture.
Lorian followed suit. Speaking slowly and carefully, as if to make sure he did not slur or stumble, he introduced Rena Tharford, Anya Vesper, and Zara Sunstreak.
Aveline's eyes glittered, which Lorian caught, but he decided to let it pass as Elana spoke to them all.
"Esteemed guests from Valoria and Veridia, two of Solara's closest friends, are always welcome within our walls. Come, let us leave the cold winds behind. The chambers of the Directorate are prepared for our council." She looked at Selena and Lorian. "Let me walk you two inside myself."
Lorian and Selena nodded and fell in beside her. Once they had walked far enough ahead of their followers, Elana lowered her voice, "I was a bit worried about the future of both Veridia and Valoria, I won't lie. When I heard Lord Lorian had defended Veridia against impossible odds, I wondered if it was just pure luck or the incompetence of the pirates. But seeing you pull off the act of a careless, drunken lord made me realize it wasn't luck at all. You are sharp, a man destined to take Veridia to new heights." She turned her gaze to Selena, "And the stunt you pulled- acting like a child competing with the Lord of Veridia,- it was cute. And it was necessary. Both of your acts. Because you never know whose eyes are watching from the shadows."
Both Lorian and Selena felt a flush of shame, like kids caught stealing. Elana gave them both a gentle pat on the back.
"Let's see if your acts can fool the others, too. We'll find out over lunch, which is ready as soon as you freshen up. Now let me walk you to your rooms."
The two followed her like obedient students, not saying a word. As Lorian washed up in his room, he wondered if his act looked unconvincing, or if the Grand Scholar was just too smart. If she could see through his bluff, would the others?
He had wanted to act like a young lord, drunk in his recent big success, sinking into alcohol;- in an attempt to make his enemies let their guard down. Instead, he felt like a fool, as if he was suddenly stripped of his dignity and was left standing naked in the middle of the street while everyone was laughing at him. He kept splashing cold water on his face over and over to wash over the shame, until his skin turned white.
A knock came at the door. Selena stood outside to check if he was ready. Lorian stepped out, and she gave him a mixed look.
"A clever enemy is better than a foolish friend," she said in a quiet voice.
Lorian raised an eyebrow, "Do you mean..."
She cut him off, "I'm just saying even the worst-case scenario has a bright side here."
Lorian closed his eyes for a second to clear his head, then smiled. Selena smiled back, "So, let's go downstairs, my dear foolish friend."
"Too clever by half," Lorian said, giving the back of her head a playful slap, "Don't act too smart, or you'll outsmart yourself."
Veridia's people were used to their casual way of acting by now, but Commander Maeve Sterling, and Cillian Vance were not. Their hands flew to their sword hilt when the Veridian Lord smacked their princess on the head. Seeing no hostility and noticing the princess smiling back, the duo caught themselves before they started an international incident.
Downstairs, the large dining table held Elana, the three Arcane Watch members, and the five masters of the Conclave. As Lorian and Selena arrived, everyone stood up except Elana.
Elana sat at the head of the table, leaving the two seats right next to hers open for the heads of Veridia and Valoria. Guided by the staff, the sixteen people took their assigned seats. Solara's council members alternated down the sides next to the main guests. Tactical leaders like Commander Maeve, Cillian, Jax Sunstreak, and Rena Tharford sat a bit further down, giving the political leaders room to talk while staying close to their own officers.
Grand Artificer Guillaume spoke first, "I hope Lord Lorian is feeling better. Our city doesn't make good alcohol, but our food is wonderful. I hope you enjoy it, given your... fondness for drink. No offense meant."
"None taken," Lorian smiled, wondering if the man was mocking him based on his earlier act or just playing along.
Gauthier chimed in, "If I were in the Lord's place, I'd swim in a pool of alcohol for a year to celebrate such an overwhelming victory against all odds."
Jax smirked, "Many dream to be in our Lord's place, though I doubt anyone else in this land could fill his shoes."
Arch-Alchemist Aveline gave Jax a sharp look, "Friendly advice, my dear- please don't walk the streets of Solara without our guards. Your kind is prized here for our scientific work. Seeing someone like you in prime condition might cause a diplomatic incident, given your... status in Veridia and your closeness to the Lord."
Lorian's face tightened, but Selena caught it and met his eyes, signaling him to stay calm.
Jax didn't react. He stretched out his hand, inspected his sharp claws for a moment as if admiring them, and then looked back at Aveline, "Do you know that no Beastmen have ever been caught by other races in their own homeland? They are only captured and sold by enemy clans or when they wander far away alone." His eyes locked onto Aveline's, "Slavers are scum of your race, and a hundred of them are no match for Jax Nightclaw. He is not far from home anymore; he is with his pack. And with his master's hand on his head, he can pluck out any eye that even dares look at him in the wrong way."
Aveline quickly looked away, cleared her throat, and turned to Lorian, "I was just trying to warn our esteemed guest, my Lord. I didn't..."
Lorian raised a hand to stop her, "None taken."
Selena jumped in to change the subject, "I guess we're the first to arrive. Do you have any idea when the others are getting here?"
Elana's face darkened, "Honestly? I don't know. They were supposed to be here yesterday, but..."
"Don't worry, Grand Scholar," one of the Arcane Watch men said, "I sent riders out this morning along their route to see what caused the delay."
Lorian looked at the man, and then at Elana, who introduced him as Roul de Courtenay, Lieutenant-General of the Arcane Watch.
Elana turned to him, "Has anyone reported back?"
"Not yet, Grand Scholar." Roul replied in disappointed tone.
Elana's face grew grim.
He tried to give her hope, "They should reach us soon, I hope."
"Hmm," Elana nodded, "Let's continue our meal before it gets cold."
They went back to eating, keeping the talk light and safe. Then a servant walked in and handed Elana a small note. She read it, and her face went completely blank. She pressed the paper between her thumb and finger, and it suddenly burst into flames, turning to ash.
She sat in deep thought as the table fell dead silent. She looked at Selena and Lorian.
"Forgive me, my friends, but la Vigile des Arcanes has brought word of an anomaly that needs my immediate attention. Please, continue without me. Maitre Guillaume will make sure you want for nothing."