Leather shoes clacking against the mottled stone roads of Coldbell, Leon and his companions navigated the bustling beast glades market town, home to one of his mother's favourite imports.
The trade town of Coldbell was rather well guarded considering its location. Most towns in the best glades had few walls enclosing them and marking their distinct territory; Coldbell, however, had been entirely surrounded by high stone walls, with archers and sentries occupying the watch towers. Additionally, multiple stationed guards monitored all entry and exit.
With a quick show of the mark of House Snarner, the trio were allowed within the walls with little question.
Coldbell was said to be one of the more civilized towns in the glades. With modern architecture resembling the brick and marble pallete of Xyrus City, many red brick shops and inns lined the stone paths as locals leisurely strolled and windowshopped.
For a small town in the Beast Glades, Coldbell resembled a bustling kingdom city - a testament to its trade success.
"What's the plan now, my loyal knight?" With a mischievous grin playing across his lips, Leon addressed the man standing just behind him.
"I will go find us a carriage home. In the meantime, you're free to look around. I doubt you'll have much reason ever to return, so enjoy yourself a little." Reid's calm tone dismissed his young master's antics. "And please don't call me that."
"I shall guide the young master around the town square." With a slight bow, Daly addressed the young boy before extending a hand toward the central market of Coldbell.
"Very well. I will be in your care then, Daly."
*****
In the centre of an ancient cathedral of illusory white bones illuminated by a strange artificial yellow light permeating through, two figures sat opposite each other at a pearlescent marble table.
An aged, wise voice vibrated throughout the illusory cathedral.
"This is merely my guess. I could be spot on or dead wrong. Take it as you will." The man's golden eyes shone for a brief moment as he gazed at the man opposite him before returning to a muted yellow colour.
"A guess, huh. Oddly detailed for a guess." Raising a brow, the dark-haired man draped in a strange rug-like cape depicting an unknown mural spoke in a sarcastic tone, crossing one leg over the other. "And how exactly did you come to this conclusion, my dear priest?"
The man with yellow eyes and long golden hair produced an ancient brown leather book from his white clergyman's robe and placed it on the table.
The simple brown book had no distinct markings on its surface other than clear signs of age. Wordlessly, the man in the white robe flipped to a seemingly random page.
Slowly, delicate strokes of pitch black ink danced across the once-empty page. Within seconds, a word had been produced.
"W-what the? What's with the creepy book?"
"Look."
Sliding the book across the table, the man in the strange carpet cape watched in slight horror as an invisible hand and pen finished inscribing a dark prophecy.
The Fall of Kings has begun;
The Black Emperor shall prevail;
Seek the treasure of Pale Angel.
"The Age of Calamity has dawned, dear hermit. We can wait no longer." Radiant eyes shining once more, the old golden-haired man spoke with frightening severity. Gone was the previously calm and gentle tone, like a mentor teaching their student. Now, there was only the voice of conviction.
*****
Adorning a silver crystal monocle over his left eye, a strange man donning clothing from many separate time periods and materials stalked a young boy and his guide as they leisureed in the central market of Coldbell.
Hiding behind a daily newspaper, the strange man's thyme-green eyes scanned his surroundings, careful never to linger his gaze on his target too long.
Despite being a young, naive and largely untrained mage with Pale Heart's disease, Leon Snarner's perception and instincts proved his lineage. Focusing too hard on the young blonde would give the strange man away.
Slightly adjusting the crystal monocle with the knuckle of his index finger, he silently gauged the core level of the blue-eyed boy before raising a brow.
Dark red? Is this not the boy that pious old fool said would be our 'golden ticket'?
He placed the newspaper on the table and stood, strolling slowly towards the young boy and his guardian with his mysterious rug-like cape flowing gently in the breeze.
*****
"Daly, is there anything you want? On me, as thanks for guiding me through the dungeon."
Peering down at the small collection of jewellery with resplendent gemstones mined within various dungeons across the glades, Leon Snarner and his companion, Daly Thorne, couldn't help but ogle at the show of craftsmanship.
"Thank you, young master, but you don't have to do such a thing. It was my pleasure to fight alongside you."
"Well, if she won't take it, can I?" A sudden, amused voice rang from just behind them, and the pair swiftly turned around to be met with a peculiar man with shoulder-length straight black hair, curious green eyes and a unique sense of style.
Momentarily taken aback, the pair stood motionless, gazing at the stranger, before Leon spoke,
"E-excuse me, Sir, can we help you?"
Without giving a response beyond a faint hmm, the strange man leaned in closer before speaking quietly under his breath.
"Perhaps you can. I'm a scholar of sorts, researching magic. Tell me, boy, are you knowledgeable in the realm of arcane sorcery?"
"Being from a powerful military family, I happen to be well educated in magic. Tell me, sir, what is it you wish to know? I'd be glad to help - assuming it is within my abilities."
The man regarded both Leo and his guard for a brief second before lowering his voice yet again,
"What do you know of The Nine?"