Sounds of laughter could be heard from a magnificent and grandiose building. Unbelievably so, this establishment turned out to be a tavern, and not just any tavern- but one which was explicitly constructed for the Sake of the aristocrats. If one was of the opinion that its exterior was pleasing to the eyes, then, they might think it to be a dream once they are opportuned to have a full view of the interior. Not only where the individuals within its boundaries elegantly clothed; there was also a small group of maestro who orchestrated a delightful tone which caused one to fill in paradise, but there also hung, from its restraints in the ceiling, a magnificent chandelier which dyed everything within its reach with a golden hue.
The mirth making and the jubilous atmosphere was however brought to a temporal halt, when the doors of the tavern swung open. Although her prominence was but a little, her charisma still made eyes to become fixated on her being, and whatever direction her feet tended to take her. She softly flipped her luscious pale black hair with her hand, the bangles within jingling melodiously as the action was performed. Her black eyes, which seemed to sparkle whenever she spoke, was enough to captivate the heart of any man. She gradually made her approach towards the counter, of which the man behind stood in place, a glass in hand and a wine bottle at the other, nearly gaping at her sudden appearance. This, did not however, go unnoticed by her, and she sat on one of the chairs provided with a warm smile. From her head to her toes, she was embroidered with jewels, so much so that not even the stands of her hair Was spared out. With all this feautures being in combination, alongside the colorful regalia which she wore, made her to appear to the aristocrats, as some goddess of wealth. "What shall I offer for you to be satisfied, my lady?" The man in charge inquired, eager to please. The addressed raised her head up, gazing at him in a suspicious manner. "You speak as though you know of me." She stated, as she glanced at the man. "Oh, why yes. Are you not Andrea Baroli?" He interrogated. The lady however, frowned at him. "I was most certainly not expecting you to blurt my name out loud." She quipped, as she glanced towards the individuals, some of whom may gape at her In shock. "Now, even those that knew not of my identity has come to gain knowledge of it." She added. The man dithered around for a moment, a sense of anxiety befalling him after sensing the displeasure in her tone. "Would you like a chilled drink, my lady? Perhaps a champagne..." He was interrupted by the wave of a hand. "Fret yourself not for my sake. " She started, as she relaxed her hands on the counter, raising her head to acknowledge the man. "I have an acquaintance who is yet to arrive-you need not bother yourself till then." She affirmed. The man nodded, and went back to her occupations.
The Household of Baroli was one of the most prestigious in the country of Curintas- a nation which was renowned for its fertility and diplomatic trade. Although it may not possess half the wealth of some aristocratic families, it still was undeniably, one of the reigning families with a vast amount of influence. In addition, the Baroli Household also had certain industries in their name, such as the textile business, leather production and the likes. During the period of warfare and in the formation of diplomatic ties, their advice was also highly sought after- in order to ascertain, whether or not the imperial crown was actually making the right call- only a foolish nation would wage a war with those that are mightier than it. Diplomatic ties were also equally important- not only did it enable trade facilitation, but it also renders assistance to its allied countries currently undergoing a period of tribulation. And the damsel who was currently seated within the tavern, clasping her delicate hands to her mouth, was none other than the one and only daughter of the Baroli family- Andrea Baroli.
"My lady." The voice of a male came into her hearing. Upon seeing the face she knew quite well, a smile gradually formed upon her feautures, causing her to look younger than she actually was. "For a brief moment, I was of the opinion that you shall disappoint tonight as well." She quipped, while the man seated himself before her. A smile came to Erastiel's face. "Since when did I ever disappoint?" He inquired. The damsel leaned closer on him. "Ought I to count?" She asked, her demanour threatening. Erastiel avoided her gaze. "Unlike you, I do not have the liberty to move however I please." He mumured. "I had to ensure that the manor was still and silent, before venturing out- does that not sound as a plausible excuse to you?" He asked, but the woman grabbed his face, her sharp fingernails nearly causing him pain. "You have become... More daring than I recall." She remarked, before slowly releasing his cheek. "But also cuter as well. They really stress you in that household, do they not?" She inquired. Erastiel gave her a light sigh in response. "What can I do? My ambition at the moment is to make this family rise to the Echelon of society, even if it is ever going to be the only thing I shall attain in this life." He explained. A finger poked the man on his forehead. "The builder's main goal is not to build a grand and majestic palace; it is about locating the right resources so as to form an impenetrable fotress." Andrea explained, before leaning back on her chair. "So, how exactly do you intend to get to your required destination?" She interrogated. Erastiel pondered for some time. "That..." He began, but the bartender interrupted their discussion. "Is this the acquaintance of which you spoke of, miss?" He asked, eyeing Erastiel as though he were not worthy of her companionship. "What brewery should I fetch The lad and thee?" He inquired. "Kalarano wine." Andrea exclaimed, without the slightest bit of hesitation. The bartender gave a curt nod, before setting down the bottle from the shelf alongside two tumblers. "Why do you stare at me as such, Eras?" Andrea asked, the dimples on her cheek becoming more prominent. "Do you expect a noble lady not to drink?" She inquired. Eras could only look on helplessly, as Andrea gulped her glass down in one mouthful. "What is your cause of hesitation?" She asked, lightly tapping her glass against the table. The bartender immediately filled it to the brim once more. Eras sighed, before finally raising his glass to his lips. The initial sweet taste which incites the taste buds, as well as the bitter aftermath taste, was what made The Kalarano wine to be unique and highly demanded for. Unlike most local gins, which were harsh against the walls of the stomach, this fluid only gave it a comfortable and warm feel- altho there was one problem, and that was its high intoxication rate. "It is only when I come to Agretintia that I relieve myself of all the stress." Andrea declared, as she placed her tumbler on the table, beckoning for another. "Have you not had enough?" Erastilel inquired. Just one glass he ingested, but yet the world before him seemed to be swimming. "Do not restrain me, Adriel." Andrea warmed, with a glare. "Fill his glass As well." She demanded, pointing at Eras's tumbler. "Of what reason did you come here?" The man inquired, after taking another swig. "You do know that my father runs a textile business in the north- this is what he came here for, and I saw it as an opportunity to go sightseeing." Andrea replied. "As of late, it appears that your uncle's textile business has been able to contend for the number one position." She told him. Eras twirled the wine in his hand. "So you've heard." He quipped, while Andrea filled his glass yet again. "News travels round." The damsel replied to him with a smile, her cheeks rosy from the alcohol she consumed. "But I was curious- how was your uncle able to procure a rare plant?" She inquired. "Well, it was all due to Dennis- Beatrice's husband." Eras replied lazily. "Ah, Beatrice is wedded now?" Andrea inquired, a slight smile forming onto her face. "Yes, she has." Eras replied, before tilting his head slightly at her. "And do you know of how he attained such a valuable item?" She inquired, getting so close to him to perceive the alcohol in his breath. Eras gazed blankly at her. "How do you possible expect me to know- it is not as though I am an omniscient being?" He inquired. Andrea. Upon hearing this, recoiled further from him. "Besides, he and his family are theives." Erastiel stated, as he downed his entire Glass. Andrea rested her heavy head against her chin, staring at him intently. "How so?" She inquired. Erastiel sighed. "Well, it goes as thus.."
**********************************************
Not too long afterwards, a damsel could be seen emerging from thetavern, , dragging an unconscious body with her. "Eras." She called lightly, patting the man on his face, but there was no reply. Just as she sighed, a man strode over in their direction. "My lady." He stated, as he bowed. "Kristan." Andrea called, with a slight bow. "I shall take him off your hands now" He quipped, while taking the man off her hands, causing him to lean against him. "Are you sober enough?" He inquired. "Sober enough to think straight, at least." Andrea replied. 'Although I did not gain the information I needed, I still derived something at least.' Andrea thought, as she glanced towards the man. "Am we to Leave him here?" Kristan suddenly inquired, with a click of his tongue. "He is such a dead weight- just look at him, he is completely wasted." He added, the disdain evident in his voice. "Kristan!" Andrea called out, feeling a throb in her head as she did. "It would be too risky to leave him here- also, I do not want anyone tying him to us in the nearest future." She explained, walking some distance ahead. "The carraige is in that direction, is that not so?" She interrogated, pointing eastward. "You are correct, my lady." Kristan stated. Andrea did not need to cast a backward glance to her page, to know how unsatisfied she was with that concept of hers. But there was a much bigger problem that weighed her mind down. "I love you, Andrea." She felt a turmoil in her heart whenever she heard those words. "You build such lofty ambitions for yourself, Eras." She muttered to herself, as she glanced towards the man. "You ought to know more than anyone else.. ..that my father could never concur to such an arrangement."
*********************************************
The night was serene and quiet. Although most of the civilians would have preferred a night such as this- especially after they toiled hard during the day, it was considered the calm before the storm for some. "Where could they possibly be lurking?" One of men called out, while the other two subordinates trailed behind him. He put forth the flaming torch before him, so that he may behold what lied ahead of his path; but he was only greeted by the impenetrable darkness. "Ensure to Be on guard, all." The man with the flaming torch quipped. He appeared to be roughly in his mid thirties, his curly black hair nearly sticking to his face due to perspiration. The outline of his muscles was clearly visible from his clothing, proudly declaring his masculinity. His hands were filled with callouses, a clear depiction of the difficulties and challenges he had faced In his faced in his lifetime. His other two subordinates however, possessed not the charisma of their leader. They were both slender bodied men, none of them appearing to go beyond the age of twenty. "Ridoy, are you certain that they will be here?" One of the men began. He was the youngest of the three, weilding a club in his hand. His cautious eyes peered into each and every direction, for as far as those small eyes of his would limit him to see. "You intend to mean, Senior Ridoy." The other man spoke. He was other than his Colleague, and he spoke with such confidence as well. Unlike his companion, his level of self esteem was quite high. This was the only chance that he would possibly ever get to prove that he was indeed worthy of being a member of these guild. "Would you two be silent?!" Ridoy demanded, turning sharply towards his team. "This is not the time to strive one against the other, understood?" He inquired. "Yes, Senior." Both boys.. Men chorused simultaneously. "They are bound to be here, since the two units we dispatched earlier on are yet to return." Ridoy mused outloud. "Focus on the task at hand, and remain vigilant. I do not want to hear a peep from the both of you." He said, as he glanced ahead of them. But still, he could not Help but to observe them from the corner of his eyes. 'I honestly do not comprehend what it is that Vendazl attains by recruiting lads this young. They shall most certainly lose their lives within a heart beat, in the absence of our protection.' Ridoy stated, as he glanced at the one who weilded the club. 'Just his statue alone reflects just how feeble he is. And why in the name of Agerintia Is he slouched over like that? Should the enemy attack, how shall he be capable of defending himself?' He involuntarily clicked his tongue as he said so. 'That one would have to be retrenched, I am afraid. We do not need a weak vessel such as him.' Ridoy thought, before glancing towards the other boy. 'But he.. His name is Barlot, I believe? He is not that bad- even volunteering himself for such a difficult task. But.. it is not about confidence, but capability. Will he be able to withstand the storm, or shall he be devoured by the raging tempest?' He thought, as he observed the boy keenly. 'His choice of a weapon Is not terrible either- a spear. It may not be advantageous, but It is still a long range weapon irregardless. If his aim is correct, it is more than capable of dealing a tremendous damage to the antagoniser, were he to target the vital organs.' Ridoy analysed. 'But the profile of the other- what was his name again? Oh who cares- no one remembers you when your are dead, unless your contributions to the society were remarkable when you were yet alive. Of all the weapons..' He shook his head. 'You dare to come to this arena with a club, boy?! This is war! I could easily knock it out of your hands, and you would be rendered defenseless! What shall you do then? I doubt if you could even push a Cart with those shriveled muscles of yours!' Unbeknownst to Ridoy, he had made his movements a little too obvious- causing his disciples behind to stare at him with widened eyes. "He is surely not In need of a psychiatrist, is he?" The boy gripped his club tighter than ever, ready to use it should the man lose his sense of discriminating between ally or foe . The other turned to him, the disdain evident in his eyes. "And who are you to speak to me?" Barlot said, as he stepped further away. "Keep your distance." "You and that contemptuous pride of yours." The other stated, his brow twitching. "Did I not bid you two to be quiet?" Ridoy inquired angrily, turning towards the both of them. As though they were patiently waiting for the man to be caught off guard, a series of footsteps could be heard resounding from the distance. Ridoy, upon hearing this, quickly placed the torch before him once more, the ferocity of the wind nearly rendering it non- exsistent. Barlot squinted his eyes, he could see a figure approaching them in the darkness. If only the moon was not concealed by those clouds- then perhaps, they would have noticed the figure make its approach towards them earlier on. "To think I would stumble into you here, of all places." The man's voice came first, before the nearly exhausted flame highlighted his feautures. Nearly six feet tall, half of his shirt ripped in half; jet black hair, and those mesmerizing blood red eyes. "Revaparis." Ridoy muttered, through gritted teeth. "Oh, dear. You utter my name with such affection- did you long for me so?" Jamien said, with a smile on his face. 'Is that thing even human?' Barlot thought, as he subconscious*ly took a step backward. Something about him, did not feel right. "Whatever Is the matter? I only wanted to relay a message from your precious units." Jamien stated, a perplexed look on his face. "What have you done to them?" Ridoy inquired, In a booming voice. "Whatever do you mean? I did not touch them." He commented, but his facial feautures became more serious, and his voice deeper. "They were the ones that brought it upon themselves by thinking they could challenge me." While Ridoy's eyes widened in shock, a slight breeze blew past. "Barlot, no!" He called out hurriedly. But it was too late- Jamien had long locked his fingers against the neck of the unfortunate child. "My brother was among those you killed, you inconsiderate beast!" He exclaimed, tears flooding out of his eyes. "Oh, my. So?" He inquired with a smile, causing Barlot's eyes to widen in shock. "We are bound to lose those we cherish, kid. It is an undeniable part of life." Jamien quipped. Barlot could only stare on- why did this man appear so sad? But he had no time to ponder upon the issue, before he felt a sharp pain run up from his spine to his brain. "How pitiful." Jamien began, as he cast the lifeless body awys from his sight. "Is this what the zenith has come to? Recruiting those whose emotions precede their logical train of thought?" The man inquired, as he stepped closer to Ridoy. "He was just a child, you bastard!" Ridoy exclaimed, forcing his legs to move, but it only caused his instincts to scream at him even more. "Was he?" Jamien uttered, turning to glance at the corpse which laid on the floor. "He struck me as an adult, though." The man said, feeling absolutely no remorse, before proceeding to glance behind him. Ridoy spread his hands out in a defensive stance, as though that would give the child behind him,.a mystical shield to protect him from all danger. He was however surprised, when all Jamien did was shake his head. "Perharps, a change of name to abyss shall suit you better instead." Hearing no movement behind him, Ridoy cautiously glanced back. If Venadazl was present to see this, his blood would have most certainly boiled over. "D- don't come near." The unconscious boy muttered in his sleep, clutching the club In his hand ever more tightly, a frown on his face. A viscous liquid trailed on the ground, and the smell of urine could be prevented from the air. Upon taking a closer glance, one would notice that his underwear was saturated. "Darn it all!" Ridoy exclaimed, charging towards Jamien like one that had lost its senses. Jamien patiently waited for the man to approach, a smile on his face, before proceeding to knee him in the face. Ridoy skitted across the floor like a broken toy, before bringing himself to a halt. Warm liquid trickled from the orfice, causing blotches of red to be highlighted by the pale moonlight. Jamien just stood there, staring at him. That stare brought chills to Ridoy's spine-
he felt as though he were prey in the eyes of a predator. Before he could even move, he felt a weight crashing down to his spine. 'How come? But he is still a good distance away?' Ridoy thought, as he gritted his teeth. Ulcan stomped downwards with his foot, when he sensed some movement from the being underneath him. "It would be best for you if you stayed down, Ridoy." The movement ceased for a while, before it continued with much more velocity. Ulcan gazed at the body on the ground. "You could have spared him, you know." He stated, as he used his foot to push the head deeper into the ground. The man was surely still alive; Ulcan could still Hear his suppressed moans. "And let him become a parasite to the future? Absolute nonsense." Jamien said, as he ran his fingers through hair. "I intend to utterly remove the wings of that proud peacock, until he is no longer capable of flight." Jamien reported. Ulcan sighed. "But still.." He began, until he noticed the change in his brother's demanor. "Jamien?" He asked, as the man walked up towards the man on the ground. "Move. You are only incepting my plans." He stated, as he pushed him away. "But.." "They all deserve to die, each and every single one of them." The man simply stated. 'Darn, don't tell me." "But you will only attract Vendazl's wrath upon yourself." Ulcan said, as he attempted to distract his brother. Jamien frowned at him. "Did you not hear what I said?" He added. Ulcan did not expect to feel a powerful blow toward in his skull. "Jamien, don't.." Ulcan called out weakly, but the pain In his head made him to sink towards the ground, making his captive to regain his freedom. "Jamien gazed at the man with an indifferent gaze. Ridoy in question, froze when he saw the latter's gaze. "Jamien!" He yelled, after beholding the figure of the latter. "So noisy." He said calmly, slamming the man's head back to the earth, before proceeding to raise the man's head through his locks. "Here is the deal, I will give you a fair fight- and I shall also spare your life if you are able to satisfy me." Jamien said, as he threw the spear towards Ridoy, who caught it without the slightest hesitation. "I shall make you o
Pay." Ridoy assured him, as he gripped the spear in his hands even tighter. "No, that is not Jamien." Ulcan spoke with much difficulty, as he tried to avoid the ringing in his ears. The man who was addressed, simply placed his hand against his chin, gazing at the latter with a pondering gaze. "Show me what you are capable of." He simply said, his voice cool. Ridoy yelled, as he charged in with his spear. Perhaps it was because his nose was almost completely deformed; that his yell was more akin to the shriek of a woman. Jamien simply waited for him to get close, his gaze calm. "Is your brain filled with water?" He taunted, while gazing at the latter solemnly. Ridoy on the other hand, glared at his opponent with a slight frown. "My brain is not filled with water, but perhaps you have been possessed by a spirit." Ridoy replied. 'Well, you are not wrong about that.' Ulcan thought, as he struggled to his feet, gradually making his way towards them. "Jamien, please come back to your senses." Jamien glanced at him for a brief moment, with a slight frown. "Did I not instruct you to Stay out of this affair?" He asked, a slight smile coming to his face. "Or do you wish to seek death as well?" That tone made Ulcan to pause in shock. That statement confirmed his earlier suspicions. He only stood there, staring at his brother, who continued to grin at him maliciously. "But maybe, I wouldn't kill you, as of yet." "Have you become insane? Will you not spare the life of your own brother?" Ridoy inquired from the sidelines. "You, just stay silent." Jamien uttered, his voice cold. "I was thinking that you could entertain me for a while, but I guess I was in the wrong." He said, as he pointed his index finger towards the man's chest. "Your exsisitence is a waste to me." Ridoy could not explain it, but the vessels in his heart constricted suddenly, as though he were having a cardiac arrest. "You.." He began, but he was interrupted by a cough. Specks of a murky red color dropped to the ground. He gazed at Jamien in shock. "Goodbye, now. Say hello to the undead spirits for me." The latter waved, with a smile on his face, before turning to Ulcan. "Now, how shall I deal with you?"