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At this time of the year, a sunny day with a delightfully clear sky wasn’t of anything special to the folk of Determino, even so most of them were only visitors. But for a son of a place such as Integreco, with the skies uptight in steely gray clouds, a day like that was nothing short of exceptional.
Wilhelm puzzled now, about how his district came to be so connected to giant birds, and gliders, airborne high above everyone’s heads, and stars, hardly pecking through the clouds that made every night much darker. Although, if the sun was out in the open as often, his poor sister’s shaved, uncovered head was certain to be stricken by the heat, and there would not be anyone to appreciate the stars and what they could provide, to begin with.
He giggled at the thought. He decided he would try to hold it until he could pass it to Danica back home.
Until then, he only held back the urge to stir in his seat from excitement, for the fear of staggering his carriage so hard it would turn over. The man had already passed the ever-growing red-leafed black-trunked trees and the street cleaners around them, that made sure to sweep all the fallen leaves off the ground. The roads laid out by faervonite, flaring with purple light from plentiful and omnifarious people and monsters that stepped on it, and which could, at least partially, be ceased with a single step of Wilhelm’s sabaton-covered foot were behind as well. Now, looking out opened a picture of a varicoloured mass ,more so than a crowd, swallowing the stands of merchants away from the man’s view.
Aloft them people walked on blue disks of integrity magic and Monsters floated by the means of what their peculiar forms provided. He would have followed their example too, had he any magic. He’d heard enough of horror stories of people falling over and being stomped to death in those large, uncaring rabbles.
But the sight of the market square only meant that his carriage was advancing closer to its final destination - a guard post at enormous gates, and then, the looming tall building of the Gaea Complex. The traitless man was only a little saddened by the thought that once he was there, there wouldn’t be anything thrilling for him to look forward to for a while. He was already assigned the Knight Captain position by his queen, at Integreco, his badge had already arrived there from Determino and was presented to him, and even the celebratory feast had been already held. At best, once everything was done at the Complex, he would still have crashing against his bed after a tiring journey to anticipate.
The flat deepening of the arena atop the building’s roof peeked out into the view from inside a hollowed out cliffside. The Knight Captain felt a little unnerved at the idea of going all the way down there by a road, albeit one that was protected with railings. He pondered, for a moment, how his predecessor felt, arriving at the Gaea Complex for the first time, first of his kind to step foot in there, no less.
Wilhelm must have been around ten years of age, when Kalith Galaras was no longer departing to Determino on occasions that his presence as Integreco’s Knight Captain was required and received his own bedroom at the Wizard Council’s living quarters, as a deserved member. His successor had only really seen him on the rare portraits that were not curtained off after Councilman Galaras’ passing, and as a statue overtopping his tomb. The man’s head was lined up by cornrows that looked painfully tight. Some strange endurance exercise it must have been. Wilhelm voiced, once, that he could feel his own scalp aching just by looking at them.
“Yes” Queen Marcella would draw out a sigh “If you got a chance to meet him, you would not hear the end of how much they hurt”
She then would move her gaze from the statue of a traitless man, to the one standing in the flesh beside her.
“His hair was undone so he could have a proper rest” she would add, grimly, as if trying to remind Wilhelm where they then were.
Wilhelm would only feel his own head of greatly cherished hair, and compare the blackened stone of the sword and the shield in his predecessor’s hold to the sword and suit of armor he now wielded himself. On top of that, the successor’s face was adorned by a slice of a scar. He truly was an improvement on all accords.
The purple eyes of the guard on the monitoring post traveled a couple times between a tiny bejeweled shield of the Knight Captain’s token and the man’s face. Wilhelm knew it were his own brown eyes and not the balls of epoxy with all the six kingdom insignias inside or the golden shapes resembling peacock feathers on his badge that invoked that interest— which was more of a suspicion, really.
As the gates were finally open for him, he decided to not allow for it to ruin his experience, but to not let it simply slide out of his memory. Perhaps, he could even find someone to report the guard to.
What did serve as a surprise, however, was the person waiting for him at the steps of the Gaea Complex. He did expect some sort of guide. After all, the countless floors housed a public museum, a couple dining halls to store every one of the residents, kitchens, washrooms, more storages and meeting rooms than mind could imagine, living quarters for the Wizards, the servants, the high-ranked guards and any other staff, a forge, a vault, a garden, a few grounds for training and exercise, libraries, two solars, and surely something else that Wilhelm had forgotten. The Complex could make for a functional town, and it wouldn’t be reasonable to have the freshly appointed Knight Captain find his way around on his own. But he imagined that expecting his arrival between the sturdy columns topped by an embellished pediment at the entrance would be one of the place’s attendants, and not one of his fellow Commanders.
It was fit to rub his eyes in order to make sure that the irises and well-groomed beard of yellow and orange on an enervated with early wrinkles face all really belonged to Julius Goldburn, involuntarily squinting his eyes as he smiled.
Wilhelm gave a once-over to the Justeco’s emblem engraved into the pad of the armor on the other’s shoulder and kept restricted in a circle of his earring. Before locking eyes with Commander Goldburn, and squeezing the hand he offered for a handshake, he was already firm in his decision that the wavy lines of rays and an endearingly smiling face of the sun in his own earring looked much better.
“Commander Maffei” the dual nodded his head “How are you liking Grancuil?”
Wilhelm only grew more confused. He didn’t see how that information was of any interest to a person who didn’t call Determino their home.
“It’s nice, thank you” he replied, still “Though, the person on the guard post is quite a boor”
The corners of Julius’s mouth slowly lowered, as did his brows.
“How so?” He inquired carefully “Were there any issues?”
“It appears to me they had a hard time believing a traitless person was demonstrating them the Honorable Knight Captain badge” the man answered, being the one to raise his eyebrows, in an empathetic manner.
“Oh” the Justecan’s lips tightened uncomfortably “You have to understand, they are old of age…”
“Ah” Wilhelm nodded, communicating with the rest of his being that he was not at all convinced that age changed anything.
“But I apologize” Julius assured him sheepishly “I will have a word with them… personally” he added.
“I appreciate that” the traitless man nodded his head, trying to catch the fellow Knight Captain’s gaze, which he tried hard to avert.
“I will let it be known to you that we had a traitress in the Justeco military ourselves!”Commander Goldburn said, suddenly, almost out of place “A good kid. Remarkably talented spy. I have not seen him around recently, but… I hope he is doing alright”
“That’s nice” the Integrecan gave him a reserved smile “But I am not entirely sure why are you telling me this”
“Well…” the dual brought a fist to his face, clearing his throat into it, as he realized he did not have an answer. None that would be comfortable to give, anyway. “Nevermind that” he settled “I suppose we have no time to waste on such trivial matters. First and foremost, I have to Introduce you to the Gaea Complex!” He titled his head back. “I will lead the way”
“Thank you” Wilhelm followed his fellow Commander inside. It still wasn’t clear to him what Julius Goldburn was trying to achieve by assigning himself as the newly arrived man’s escort. Surely he didn’t simply have too much time on his hands.
Possibly, it was just the way of things here, but he wouldn’t have liked it if it meant Justeco was playing the navel of the continent.
“I will be taking you to the Argus room, to meet the other Knight Captains. I believe, they have already arrived” the dual traited filled in courteously. He looked like he cheered back up, but only by a bit.
The two were passing through a corridor on the first floor, before the entrance to a display room, which safely kept many relics and artifacts from all around the continent. Wilhelm thought he could see some of the people inside.
“You will be able to visit the museum once we are done with the rest of the Complex. I’m sure you will find it an enjoyable experience” Commander Goldburn went on, motioning towards the doorway leading inside.
“Certainly” the newly appointed Knight Captain agreed, absent-minded.
The two men stopped by a door on the wall’s side; decorative door knob and ornaments carved into wood. It was opened in no time after Julius’s knock, by a person with two blue front ponytails separated from the rest of their hair. The Integrecan quickly noticed the muddy-white arnicite of the floor and the small chair by the wall inside.
Hallways that went up and not to the left or the right originated from his homeland. An arnicite platform, powered by an integrity traited operator who could carry it to any height of the building. He remembered fondly how he, just a little boy at the time, would ask the present servants to ride him through every floor of his family’s manor, and how the first platform operator to witness his armor in all its glory looked petrified at his request to use their magic. Less fondly he remembered how often the attendants of the tallest hallway of the Royal Castle would be stuck at the first floor, apologetically explaining how Lady Ward and her priest friend were using it for one of their races, that the former always emerged the victor of.
“Good afternoon, Commander Goldburn” the Integrity mage in front of them spoke, before looking at the traitless man “Good afternoon, Commander Maffei” they echoed, apparently informed of the newest arrival. Not informed enough not to pronounce the “e” way too softly. They quickly corrected themselves, at his prompt.
“My apologies, Commander Maffei” they began, this time pronouncing the last name right “I’m not sure if I will be able to carry you in your armor” they nodded hesitantly at the dark metal.
“Oh, no need to worry about that” Wilhelm smiled warmly. “It’s only an alloy of rudalite and other things. Just enough to not disturb your work… not entirely” his grin turned apologetic “But I am afraid you will have to use much more of your power when transporting me”
“I see” the integrity mage nodded, mechanically patting the pouch on their side, where the platform operators usually kept charged arnicite. Still, their eyes were affixed to the traitless man’s armor.
“Do you want to touch it?” The Knight Captain suggested, a sigh only adding to how he beamed, moving his arm in front of himself.
“I-“ The platform operator blinked “Can I really?”
“Well, I suggested it” The Integrecan chuckled and spread his other arm out, reassuringly.
The integrity traited person was only daring enough for a quick poke of his elbow pad, but that alone made them amazed, and confident enough to let the two Knight Captains on the platform.
“Where to, sir?” they turned to the dual traited with a polite smile.
“The Argus room, please,” Julius told them.
As they went up, the attendant still regarded the traitless man as they would one of the oddities in the museum below.
When the Integrecan looked back, they pursed their lips and shamefully stared down.
After that, Wilhelm only looked at the closed doors they passed, as the platform carried them up. For a couple floors he caught the aroma of something edible, but they rose higher up from the smell.
The man still felt a little surprised that every one of the Knight Captains of the remaining four districts had made time to meet him. Imagining how he’d have to travel to Determino, in an event that a new person would be appointed only to greet them made him convinced to not think down of the other Commanders if they meet him with boredom and exhaustion barely hidden in their expression.
Two Monsters with chroma magic, from Kurago and Pacienco, two humans whose magic manifested in ways that were rare to find both among those of their traits and generally humankind,from Persisteco and Amikeko and finally, his dual guide. In many corners of the world, people of their sort would think highly of themselves even without a greatly respected position of a Knight Captain. From so high up they didn’t normally bother to notice traitless, like their newest fellow Commander. But now, he was about to be shoved right into their faces, whether they wanted it or not.
He would be a perfect addition to their diverse bunch, Wilhelm mused with a confident smile. That, at least, made them more interesting than the Wizard Council with their one person per trait requirement.
The platform shook slightly as it came to a stop and with it did the three standing atop it. The doors were opened from the outside almost immediately, by another attendant, bowing their cyan-haired head down.
As the two Knight Captains said their thanks, the Integrecan used his hands to push the waves of his hair up, even though they fell right back as his arms were dropped.
“Do we have mirrors here?” he questioned, stepping a little up on the solid floor, leaving the vertical hallway behind. From over his shoulder, he could see the integrity mage dig out two parallelepipeds or charged arnicite from their pouch, inspecting them and reaching for the third, before the door in front of them was closed.
“You look great” the dual chortled, as his eyes moved across the other’s frame and face “Don’t you worry about that”
“I suppose I’ll have to trust your judgment” the newly appointed man shrugged.
The space between the doors to the hallway with the platform and the doors to the meeting room, reserved specially for the Knight Captains and any assistance they could need, such as mediators, was short enough. As the two passed, the traitless spotted two more doors, with two more people waiting by them, by his guess, leading to two more vertical hallways. And the walls of the living room were lined up in the shape of a hexagon, or a pentagon. He would have to go inside to tell for sure.
In a matter of a couple steps, it was only the high outstretched doors blocking the two Knight Captains from their goal. Fashioned into the wood were the same elegantly bent rows of peacock feathers adorning the Commander’s badge. The guards at each side of the door saluted, movement stiffened by mechanical precision, before each side was swung open in front of the pair.
Instead of six eyes, each without a pair, on the symbol cut into the door, there were now four pairs of perfectly alive ones, with the curiosity that only left Wilhelm feeling as if he himself was being cut into for a more elaborate inspection.
“Revered Commanders” Julius began with a solemn voice of someone familiar with having to give a speech in front of a large crowd. His arm moved in front of himself, pointing at an area between the other’s shoulder and chest. “I would like you all to please meet the Knight Captain of Integreco, Wilhelm Maffei! He had been appointed to the position five weeks ago and had just arrived!” He announced.
“Hallo!” The traitless man raised his arm too, but in a greeting gesture. He was a little disappointed the four others did not dignify him with a round of applause or something similar, so the one thing remaining for him as his guide leaned closer, and told him in a whisper that he could now get to know everyone present, was to stare back with the same, nearly aggressively prying curiosity.
There was something uncertain in the gaze of the person Wilhelm chose to approach first, their look not quite like the shape of their light blue eyes or their features - sharp, as if cut out from one of the many mountains of their homeland, to the west of Integreco.
The gaze was still on him, close to getting too intense for comfort, as the two gloved hands shook each other.
“Commander Maffei” their voice was tepid as they greeted him. It left the man not expecting any questions about how his trip went or if he was liking Determino. “Congratulations on your appointment”
“Thank you, Commander Veleir” the traitless nodded, realizing their handshake must have been taking too long. He took it upon himself to break it.
Yet, the action only left the two in silence, both waiting for the other to perhaps say at least something, until the time of them staying quiet and ill at their ease neared two minutes, causing Commander Veleir’s brows to slightly, nervously flinch.
“Good talk” the Integrecan rounded off with another nod, and a clap of his hands. He gave the fellow Knight Captain an amiable last smile.
“Good talk” the conceding echo came with a sigh. Wilhelm picked up on her shoulders, covered by the purple fabric of a shapeless jacket growing significantly more stiff as their hands separated from a second, goodbye handshake.
Taking a few steps to the side from the patience traited, the newly appointed Commander took another look around the room, determining the next person to accept greetings from. To the Northwest of his kingdom, bordering Persisteco from the left, was Pacienco, perfectly characterized by the fur, other than their own, on its Knight Captain's clothes, additionally ornamented by the signatory hourglass and diamond shapes. He only stood up from his chair once the Integrecan entered the room, and now was trying to conceal the fact he couldn’t wait to rest his legs again.
Another Monster, that of Kurago, on the East, as far as Wilhelm could tell, wouldn’t be allowed to comfortably sit down due to the solid stone back of the Argus Room’s chair, and therefore couldn’t be looking forward to taking a seat. To him, Commander Youmei had always been referenced as a peahen… her looks, however, bore much stronger semblance to one of a male peacock, with an unmistakable bouffant train hanging down to the floor.
For a second he even considered if he could be confusing the present Knight Captain with her mother. He had heard significantly more of Zanshi Youmei, after all.
But unquestionably, the two were the only ones on his range of options. He looked forward to approaching the short person in the emerald greens with the same amount of enthusiasm he’d grace the mackerel on his otherwise emptied dinner plate with, leaving the worst for the last.
The people of Northeastern Amikeko abhorred the kinds and branches of magic different from the one that, in accordance with their beliefs, was bestowed upon them by The Creator with fierceness only comparable to the one they abhorred the Traitless with, one which left it suitable to assume they cared about both subjects more than anyone else on the entire continent did. It was quite a miracle that the other aspects of their religion and precious gardens were still left with any attention at all.
Though, related to both foul and corrupt magic of the stats and lack of the soul magic, Wilhelm had to admit that he was pleasantly surprised by the way in which the Knight Captain of the district was yet to start a spit-hawking scandal over a traitless claiming the honorable spot and walking the same halls many powerful mages once walked, and continued to do so now.
Following the squint of his eyes at that thought, the Integrecan decided to then meet the Kurago’s Knight Captain. That way, as he came to say his greetings to everyone, he’d change between the West and the East. Not that there was a specific etiquette rule regarding that. It only seemed fair.
As he proceeded closer, Wilhelm came to see that at the time he spent pondering the restricting chair designs, the peahen Monster was inspecting him with the heed that left her appearance lacking a quill and a piece of birch bark to write notes down on. Her red eyes only rested once she took a formal bow, the tail feathers he so worried the stone seats were not accommodated for now spreading open in front of him into a display of all seven colors of the trait magic.
“Commander Maffei” The tone of the bird Monster’s speech lacked the natural feeling of disinterest that Commander Veleir’s had. Even for polite reservation it still came out too stilted, the her voice brittling at the end of each word “It’s an honor to meet you”
“It’s an honor to meet you too, Commander Youmei” the traitless man returned the gesture, as his uncertainty on what to make of the two Knight Captains he met after Julius Goldburn wore off more evidently on his face, in a small frown.
As the bird inquired about his journey with learnt courtesy, he concluded there was no way to tell if their strained behavior was attributable to him specifically. But there was no reason to form grudges without being able to confirm it, either.
The fox muzzle of Commander Kitsu from Pacienco turned reading his expression into an endeavor quite challenging, too. Wilhelm found his entire appearance hard to figure out if he was being honest with himself. He’d heard the Monster was close to his own age, but his legs were already demanding a rest, and the traitless was quizzing whether the light patches on his fur were truly going grey. He did not realize it was possible… with regular foxes or Monsters.
It could be that aging affected Monsters differently, or that Commander Kitsu was exhausted, stressed and even injured past his years. Or, and Wilhelm thought of that prospect with horror, it would take himself a mere couple of years or even months before he looked like a crooked man way up in his age.
The Older Knight Captain’s handshake was firm, at the least. The younger one could not feel the light-red coat through his thick gauntlet and he worked out it would be rude to look down in order to check if the Monster’s paw-like hands had beans on them. Awfully so after Commander Kitsu was genial enough to wish the newly arrived Knight Captain luck in his service. He spoke with strictness, but in a manner that almost suggested he did so in spite of whatever way of delivering himself was more natural to him.
Wilhelm was not certain what that would be. A nurturing grandpa, perhaps. Or an uncle; He recalled that the old Commander had a nephew.
Another, younger fox Monster worked alongside the Wizard Council, so he had to be somewhere in the building, unless he, of course, was not.
Maybe, Commander Kitsu would even visit him after the meeting would come to its end. The Integrecan knew he would much like it if he had a relative to lean on for support so close, now that he was nearing to the ineluctable coming face to face with the woman in charge of the Amikeko kingdom military.
The traitless man sent his heartfelt wishes of breaking a leg back to himself, granted that it seemed natural to him that as he’d give the short woman his goodbyes, he would wish she broke a leg instead, in a manner of speaking, however, far more literal.
Perplexing that was, dealing with that sort of person. Beyond a doubt, they had long exhausted the things which could tell or call the Integreco Knight Captain, that he had not previously heard from one of them. But be that as it may, and in spite of the fact he managed to find the extreme grievances towards his mere existence chucklesome, there was little else pleasant to hearkening it. Draining beyond reason, as well. And what was he to do if lady Alusfaen called him something truly novel, and he’d have forgotten the word by the time he reached home, where he could jeer at it together with his sister?
The green of Commander Alusfaen’s was balanced out by the leathery browns and deem gold of armor hugging her chest, stomach and forearms. As she bowed with orderliness, one of the braids, and it were braids which that of her hair not collected in a bun was held in, slipped out from behind her shoulder. It was as if the serpent, golden and inanimate, with tiny purple gems in substitute of eyes, coiling around the braid had come to life and moved forth for the traitless man to see. Or to say hello to him, if that was how snakes expressed that… he was now seeing that he must not have been much of an animal enthusiast.
Then the purple of her eyes, significantly more vibrant than one of her hair, and more alive than the ones of her jewelry,opened up at him again, with a moderate interest, that however, made it quite evident that the woman was sizing him up, now that she could see him up close.
“Commander Maffei” Wilhelm heard for the seventh time that day, in a voice deep and low. It felt as though it would not take much strain from Commander Alusfaen to make it sound truly thunderous. Although, she also gave an impression of a person who not once had to raise their voice in order to explain themselves, and for their words to be heard and abided by.
The Integrecan felt a fleeting dissonance between the woman’s voice, along with dispassionate expression and the soft curves of her body and face. He soon figured that to most, her stature and the way she bore herself would not be one’s they’d incision in a perseverance mage, either.
“Commander Alusfaen!” The traitless man gave her a slightly exaggerated simper, after realizing, with a blink, that he had been spending too much time unmoving, in expectation of something that never came “It is delightful to finally meet you in person”
After a sight that the Amikekan did not attempt to either hide or hold back, Wilhelm squinted briefly, and just as quickly concluded that he could always stop being purposefully and demonstratively too chummy, if Commander Alusfaen turned out to be more pleasant than he expected.
“It is a delight for me too” she replied, eventually, with reservation growing stronger somehow; likely aimed at his attitude rather than the man himself.
Following that was another pause, that the newly arrived Captain had only managed to drag out for so long before cocking his head.
“Is it really?” his eyebrow arched in curiosity “And you don’t have any problems with me?”
“Do you?” The Knight Captain of Amikeko raised both of her eyebrows, looking at the man as directly as he was at her.
“Well, I do not as long as you do not either” Wilhelm shrugged, crossing his arms with a proud smile and tilting his head to the opposite side from where it was previously “But I was wondering here” his voice grew much softer, but no less excited at that that “Do your people dream each night about hanging me and demonstrating me around the kingdom so that they could throw rocks at my corpse? Or is there some sacrifice for the red one that lives in the tree they want to make of me? I must be quite famous there, yes?”
As if in contrast to the traitless man, Commander Alusfaen’s face did not shift in the slightest. The pause she was now making, though, left him under the impression that she was giving him a chance to think his words over and subsequently take them back.
When that did not come to happen, and the Knight Captain of Integreco continued to grace her only with his beaming smile, her eyes flickered.
“As you have guessed” she began in her usual, unmoved voice, yet one that included the smallest hint of judgment and disapproval “That is not the kind of fame you want”
“Ah, but bad fame is still fame, at the end of the day” Wilhelm differed gleefully, chuckling warmly at another one of the fellow Captain’s sighs “I’m only kidding of course”
It took another prolonged gap between a response for Commander Alusfaen to lean her head from side-to-side, her half-closed eyes following.
“Let me tell you this instead” she said, fixing her gaze on the Integrecan again and lowering her voice to the volume suitable to share secrets with “Lady Rutrow” the man’s ears immediately perked up. “Will be departing soon. Commander Goldburn would most likely want to introduce you to our honorable Councilors. But I suspect he will not be able to restrain himself from wasting the time before Lady Rutrow’s departure should you find another place you want him to show you…” the perseverance mage’s eyes traveled up “The arena at the top of the complex, perhaps”
“I was looking forward to seeing it the most, if I am honest” Wilhelm assured the woman, with a series of nods to confirm his words “Sacrifices have to be made, it can not be helped. I suppose I will have to meet Lady Rutrow another time, then” he spread his arms out in acceptance of such an awful fate. Whatever was he going to do without meeting the Kindness Wizard? How would he even sleep at night?
“Indeed” the woman agreed, for once not following the other Captain’s act with a sigh, but with understanding in her voice instead.
“Yes, yes” he nodded a couple more time before switching the position of his head to turn a little, taking a peek behind his shoulder. “But speaking of Commander Goldburn” the perseverance traited’s eyes followed the motion of his chin towards the dual warrior “What is… with him?”
“I would not happen to know” Commander Alusfaen shrugged, in a deprecatory manner, immediately understanding just what the other meant “But I am certain he only means well, if that is of any help. It’s best to just play along with whatever it is he thinks to himself”
“Well” Wilhelm watched as Julius was attempting an idle chat with the Knight Captain of Kurago, who was responding with what was only remotely better than one-syllable answers commonly used to hint to a person trying to engage with you that you wished to be left alone “Since this conversation of ours is going so well, what do you think of him? In general?”
The Integrecan looked back at the woman, now pursing slightly her full lips before relaxing them again.
“I understand that in your homeland those things are viewed differently” she tilted her head, scolding “But at any other place it is not an appropriate question to ask.“
“Ah” the man blinked. He was aware that six out of seven kingdoms viewed conversations based on honest opinions about other surrounding people as gossip, even if he found it hard to understand why. It had always made more sense to him that hiding those opinions was the rude thing to do. And even then, the advice Captain Alusfaen gave him did feel like what would be classified as gossip… but he decided not to ponder too much. “In any case, it was a pleasure talking to you” he gave her one last, energetic and sharp nod.
“Likewise” the Amikekan nodded back, before the newly arrived Knight Captain made his leave.
All the pleasure he found laid in the help the woman provided with avoiding the princess of her kingdom, really. Of course, Wilhelm was ready to admit that his expectations were subverted. But he did not believe that either Commander Alusfaen, or Commander Goldburn, or anyone else deserved a special kind of credit from him for not jumping at his throat because his eyes and hair were devoid of any magical color.
When the dual saw Wilhelm approach, he quickly apologized to Commander Youmei for having to interrupt their talk. As Julius turned to face the newly arrived Knight Captain, who took his turn to apologize as well, the peahen did not seem disappointed in the slightest.
“You’ve met everyone already? That was quite fast” Commander Goldburn smiled encouragingly at him “Well, what are your impressions so far?”
“Hm” the traitless man rubbed his chin. He was not yet sure what to say, but it wasn’t as if he thought the other’s questions were all that necessary. So, he only replied shortly “They are alright…they are nice” he tilted his head at his own thoughts, in accordance with how his speech flowed.
“That is wonderful” The dual knight gave him two nods “Now, if I could just finish my conversation with Commander Youmei-“
“Please” the Knight Captain of Kurago raised both of her wings in front of herself “It is quite alright. I’m sure that the tour you are giving to Commander Maffei is more important.“
“Oh” The mage nodded again “That is very thoughtful of you. We will be leaving now, in that case” he bowed to the bird Monster in a polite gesture. His tone was softer once he spoke again “Take care of yourself, Commander Youmei. And may the luck and power be with you during your service”
The peahen repeated the bow, and so did Wilhelm, before following after Julius and drawing up with him. He seemed to be leading the two of them to leave through one of the doors on the opposite side of the room to which they entered through.
“If it’s alright with you” the Knight Captain of Integreco started, immediately having the Justecan’s full attention on his person “Could we see the stadium at the top next?”
The traitless man did not have time to add anything in a dramatic fashion about the magnificence of all the powerful people who had dueled and trained on the grounds, or about the scenic view he imagined it would open from so high above, before the other’s honey-colored eyes lit up.
“Of course!” Commander Goldburn exclaimed with enthusiasm that turned it into a challenge for him to contain his voice at a reasonable volume “I’d be glad to” he stopped, momentarily, shifting his gaze between his companion and the floor “Ah, I don’t think anyone before you got interested enough to ask me about a specific location!”
“It appears you are in luck today, then” he gave the Knight Captain of Justeco a solid pat on his shoulder, the two clashed metals emitting a clanging sound.
The dual’s involvement with that little cause made him internally speculate on the subject whether or not he could be one of the people who had originally founded the complex, and who had ,by some means, managed to preserve the life within themselves to make it to their days. But it was only in a second during which he hadn't reminded him that the dual one of the two founders must have had some different traits.
“We are going to use a different platform, yes?” The Integrecan asked, shaking the silly thoughts of mild annoyance away “The operator on the one we used to get here seemed tired”
“Of course” the dual agreed, with an approving look on his face “But even if they were not, there wouldn’t be any need for us to walk the entire way back there”
The two Commanders came to a door at which another patience traited waited for them, the light blue swirling through their light hair. In his life, Wilhelm came to notice that it would usually be the ones who had earned their magic through assiduity who were hired for such jobs.
The servant greeted the pair of men, bowing and gestured for them to wait before turning towards the doors. They then opened them, leaned down into the emptiness, almost dangerously, and drew in a breath.
“The Argus room!” They screamed out at the top of their lungs, their voice echoing through the walls of the vertical hallway.
Just as casually as the patience mage did so, they closed the doors and turned back to the duo, folding their hands behind their back.
“Please wait a couple minutes” they smiled.
The Integrecan glanced at the belt they wore and only moved the satisfied gaze away as he made sure they carried a small, neat flask on it.
It wasn’t before long when the humming sound of magic passing through a large construct reached them, and with it a shake of an output on even the solid floor they stood on. The servant with patience magic held the doors open for them, leaving the two commanders under the care of a platform operator whose short hair curled softly around their skull. They had greeted them just like everyone else, gulped nervously at the sight of the traitless man’s armor, but said nothing, only readily taking Julius’s directions request.
“You know, I thought you would be more curious about the Tartarus vault” the dual traited tapped his knuckle on Wilhelm’s rerebrace “To see where this comes from” he then clarified.
“Ah, well” The man tried hiding his attempt to move his shoulder away behind a shrug “There is some rudalite in the arena grounds too, isn’t there? It’s an alloy, too. So it’s even more similar to my armor”
“You would be right” Commander Goldburn hummed in agreement “I can’t imagine what would have been of the building if it were not for it. The roof would collapse right on everyone’s heads if not at the first then at the second or the third duel!” He breathed out, relieved “But let us not mourn the lives that have not been lost”
“Right” The Integrecan absently agreed. He really wasn’t planning to.
As he stepped onto the open roof, he picked out the pale grey of the scratches and dents on its otherwise dark surface. Chuckling to himself, he stomped hard on the floor beneath him, a bid for checking if his companion’s concerns had any ground in reality, even with the rudalite protecting it from being critically affected by the blows of magic.
Raising his head up, Wilhelm noticed he and Julius had walked into the arena from a passage built inside the rows of seats for spectators, surrounding it from all four sides.
“Pah” he took a couple steps back, walking on backwards to see the lines of benches on the side they came from “So I’ll have to climb all the way up there to look down?” he asked, disappointed.
“I admire your courage” the dual let out a short laugh, gazing even higher up, as his palm, positioned against his forehead, shielded his eyes from the sun.
“Are you afraid of the heights, then?” The newly arrived Knight Captain joined his companion’s side, mimicking his gesture before squinting and tilting his head back, too.
Up, on the edges of the cliffs around them he could spot groups of looky-loos, the ringing of their indiscernible chatter barely reaching his ears. The bystanders were not only separated from the rooftop by the height of the fall but on top of that by tall, straight and smooch shields of kindness preventing the aforementioned falls from taking place. The cliffside was trailed around by lanes of charged arnicite, dug into the ground and regularly tended to.
“I really mean it when I say I admire you” The Justecan spoke again, and his voice swelled with just the feeling he voiced when he lowered his hand and looked over at Wilhelm.
He looked back from under his palm.
“Thank you” he raised his chin at the other man.
“Those people, watching us now. They admire us and rely on us as well. Perhaps not as much as they do on the Wizard Council, and, perhaps not as much as the people of our respective kingdoms do, but they do too, still” the dual knight looked aside, and when his eyes were on his Integrecan companion’s again, his arm was placed on the other’s shoulder. “They take us as an example. Undeniably, all of us have to make sure we’re a good one. But you, Commander Maffei…” he stopped to let out a breath for a dramatic effect . “You may just be one of the most important ones to give to our entire society” his gaze remained on the other Knight Captain, but it was distant and heavy now “You must be aware of that yourself, but you… you and your predecessor. Are the first traitless to ever be truly welcomed in Determino. Those people can not afford even the cost of traveling here, but t-“
“I am sorry to interrupt you” the Knight Captain of Integreco found it hard to hold back his jeer, as his hand moved from his forehead, now standing in a gesture that asked Julius to stop talking. “But are you meaning to tell me that things are different in your kingdom?” the dual’s fingers slowly slipped down from his shoulder, when the man stepped away, outstretching his arms to show something grandiose “That, if I come to visit the Filikati, I will find the traitless at every corner? Working jobs or going about their day and not just begging?”
“Well…” the Justecan let out, his tone falling into timidness from the confidence that was used to deliver a speech he considered to be so bright.
Wilhelm’s brown eyes only hardened under the shadow of a scowl. He proceeded, knowing that the other Knight Captain was trailing into nowhere and had no sensible answer to give him.
“Because I hear you hide them away somewhere when important guests arrive. And I am only asking you about this because I expect you to know for certain when it comes to your capital. Other places-“ he stopped himself to roll his eyes and point a finger out at Julius “There. Right there, you are making that face”
Guilty read all over the dual knight’s features. Not the kind one would feel for the faults they genuinely regretted. The kind when one was pulled by the pretty little bun that the locs of their hair was styled in, so their head was positioned perfectly to look at what they tried to hide, to not ever acknowledge, and were now upset only that it was ever found out and they were asked of it.
As Commander Goldburn’s lower lip trembled slightly, the traitless man could not believe that moments ago he was starting to feel pity for him, putting effort to ensure a warm welcome for the fellow Knight Captains but never receiving any appreciation for it.
Finally, Julius closed his eyes, taking an especially long time to let out a breath. He fixed his face then, to channel a strange kind of sorrow Wilhelm could only find himself annoyed with.
“Of course, of all people, you would be the one to see it too” the Commander nodded to himself, saddened, in confirmation to the idea that only he, for now, understood. “Many would not even think about such a thing. They would not even bother paying any mind to the traitless beggars on the streets that they pass every day. But some of us…” he sighed into his tightly pursed lips “Some of us are forced to remember that they exist. And that our entire society, and with it every single one of us are continuing to fail them every day”
“I’m sorry” Wilhelm shook his head in utter disbelief “Do you mean yourself?” his mouth stayed open as his eyebrows traveled high up his forehead “Do you think yourself a victim? A victim- of having to recognise the suffering of people who you’re far from ever reaching close to?“ he didn’t register the moment when his voice grew so loud it began scratching at his throat.
And all the Knight Captain of Justeco could do was raise his arms with the same deeply self-pitying expression on his face.
“Commander Maffei, I believe you misunderstood-“ he began, never to be able to finish.
“I think you are tired” the newly arrived Knight Captain hissed out at him, his torso moving in the direction he’d take the first step in to leave “From that tour. You should rest. I will find my way around just fine”
“Please, wait!” Julius’s armor rattled from the step he took towards the Integrecan, nearly covering up the sound of his voice.
“Enjoy your rest.” Wilhelm gave him his last look “Cherish it as a privilege we have”
It took the little of what still remained of his composure to not stomp his feet as hard and loud as he could, as he was leaving towards another passage in the seat rows. His mind was too preoccupied with how deeply baffled he was from what the dual knight had told him, to decide where he would ask the platform operator to take him.
He could recognise only, that over half a week that would be spent returning back home would be a dreadful one.