The palace was named Argentum, due to its own presence on the kingdom, its silver color couldn't be ignored if they tried. The best they could do was find a way to dim the shine of it during the day since at midday, the sun often had a tendency to blind quite a number of people, kids included because… well… every kid wants to stare at something shiny. In the couple minutes they were given, Alloy and Ivy had to report to King Zed's room. Meanwhile, Lore was finishing up with giving her condolences to the families of the fallen. Regretting her level of power and promising herself that she would definitely be better, should there be a next time. She moved her head so much whilst giving the commands to her soldiers, her dark blue hair, short and always in a ponytail, let itself go, straightened, a bit dishevelled and not passing her shoulders.
She had finished her work a few minutes earlier due to someone else who showed up. Every Noble Commander of the king was the last line of defense, and they were only three due to the three towns that needed them, Lore Makin was one of them, another was named Trogan Sohyu, he was the one who showed up, a 34 year old man who towered over most with his 6'0 height. His muscular, imposing build reflected his strength and combat experience. Unlike Lore, he had dark brown short hair that didn't extend past his ears with his helmet held by the straps on his waist. He had a short beard that ran to the ends of his jaws, his knight armor held both elements of Zephro and another party, a dark blue and silver pattern, designed for more durability than mobility. He was a very good friend to Lore since joining the king's army and he knew the toll the dead took on her. He had brought his own knights and they all had the families of those who fell in the Sanctuary within minutes after the orders were flying. Trogan had quite the responsibility to deal with since he wasn't just part of Zephro's army. Because of this, he refused a commander, a right hand, what Ivy was to Lore.
"Thank you, Trogan." Lore said as she walked with him inside the town, toward the palace. "You need a commander. Just pick one."
"So I'd have to follow up on someone like you do Ivy??"
"Truth be told, they're supposed to follow up on you. My case is different."
"I'll pass. Besides, Qete-san decided on me staying alone. I'm content with it."
"Is she also here today??"
"She should be, the Syndicate takes that faction very seriously. If they're this persistent with Zephro, we might have to take more action to eradicate them."
"That's a bit much for one girl."
"One girl, who I just heard, stole a legendary sword that was under your protection."
"Well…" Lore said, looking up to the west side of the palace.
"Alloy… huh??" He chuckled.
"No one believes she is a princess. She's quite the free spirit, isn't she??" He continued.
"She is. But from what Ivy tells me… she still doesn't feel free."
"Unfortunately, it seems the king still can't fulfill that one desire…"
By the end of their conversation, they had arrived at the palace entrance. Looking at the shinier than ever royal knight guards still talking about what just happened. The ground was still scorched in one place, killing a tiny patch of grass around the entire green area. There were already gardeners at the scene, digging out the dead and planting new ones.
"Alloy and Zed-san's usual spat…" Trogan noticed.
"How many times will they replace this grass?? The lengths of the leaves no longer match." Lore added.
"Let's go in." He said as they passed the royal guards to enter the palace. They had headed straight for the throne hall on the Northern side of the palace. All they had to do was climb the stairs and head to a room above them. They entered the massive doors leading to the palace. The two found a man standing before the king, ignoring them. They walked and stood beside him. Behind them, right before the doors closed, two people were running toward it. The ebony-black haired girl jumped through the space that was there and made it through before it shut.
"Ha! I'm first!!" Alloy declared.
The door opened once more. "You're second last. Look around." Ivy spoke.
She did, the throne hall, however massive enough to hold nearly half of one of the noble towns, was graced with the top officials of the King. In the front of the hall were four seats, each lushly made and cared for with the same urgency of attending to royalty. In the center sat King Zedlis Ariel, with his advisor, Naja Xea to his left. A circle of people had surrounded him. And not all of them looked back at Alloy since they all knew how she was. The incomplete circle entailed of three people, the Noble Commanders that led each Noble town, the knights there, as well as the towns beyond the bridges. Someone was missing though. To Alloy's right were Lore Makin, the Noble Commander in charge of the Noble town of Zeron, the Zeron bridge and Navi, where Soran lived, which all lay in the Northern side of the kingdom. Trogan Sohyu, a Noble Commander in charge of the Noble Rale town, the Rale bridge, and to the Northwest, Gar. Another town. The last one ignored both her and Ivy as well while the doors closed. Kal Nerami was his name. A knight as well, Noble Commander of the Southwestern side of the island, it held the Noble town Aubir, the Aubir bridge, and Autler town to the ends of the kingdom.
Qete Arinsa, who was also to be there was different. She wasn't from Zephro. She belonged to the Arcane Syndicate. A very powerful government faction that oversaw justice in the world. They made deals and treaties with kingdoms in order to keep them protected under their name and force. In Zephro, Qete is the representative of the Syndicate as a Commander, which was a different rank within the Arcane Syndicate. She stayed in Korra, a town to the East of the kingdom where a port made by the Syndicate is where she dominates. Nothing got past her port without her knowing about it. She was highly loyal to Zedlis since he'd been a great king to them too.
Ivy took Alloy's hand to remove her from her gazing position and dragged her to the left side of the room, right next to Zed. Where the princess should seat. She was essentially pushed there and sat. Because Zed was a very informal king, the knights were always confused on what to do before him, so they stuck to the formal full bow from the waist as a formal greeting for the king. He never liked this, especially among his Noble Commanders and ordered them to stay at ease when addressing him. Lore, Trogan, Ivy and Qete always stayed at ease, however, Kal figured he owed the king more than his life, and he was always a bit full of himself, so he always bowed fully before him.
"At ease Kal." Zed said.
"Sir." He stood, taking a step forward and revealing his unkempt short orange hair, his squared jaw and his not so sharp black eyes. He wore as he wished, a brown leather jacket adorned with the silver cyclone symbol of Zephro on the chest. He paired it with a plain black T-shirt that was barely seen and slightly black pants with brown boots.Thatwas how casual the king of the knights of Zephro was.
"How goes Autler?? How's the mayor??" He asked.
"Mayor Balta is well. The town has had no complaints for the past few weeks, sir."
"Keep up the good work. And send him my regards!!"
"Thank you, King Zedlis-Sama!!" He responded and stepped back where Lore commented.
"You don't have to be that formal when addressing him." He scuffed as she stepped forward. She stood at ease, but had her right hand on her chest, right above her heart to signify her respect regardless of his casual insistence.
"My King. My sincerest apologies for making you wait."
"Don't mind it. Tell me what happened last night."
"Of course."