The Realm of Austur Episode 1: A New Light

"You know, either one of those options sounds good right now. I'd do anything to get away from here," Elia said to Jet.

I really wish I was still at the palace. This place is horrible.

"As long as I'm away from her," Elia said as she motioned toward Wha-Wha. "I don't want to be a burden, so I'm not very picky."

I really hope she won't stalk me or anything over the next few days...

The Next Day

Hamon and Belinus walk down a crowded street, watching the locals go about their daily routines while the coachman went to pick up supplies for the second half of their journey. Belinus took the opportunity to walk Hamon through Cleatian customs and continue his lessons. Hamon absorbed the information intently, although any time he heard about a good mannerism or a cultural tradition, he seemed more committed to defying it than anything.

"You're better than you gave yourself credit for." Belinus tells Hamon in his fluent Cleatian. "And you pick up on your mistakes just hearing me."

"I suppose I had a good teacher." Hamon says casually. "Still, speaking this way... I feel... Not right."

"You feel like you've got a stick up your ass, so to speak." Belinus chuckles. "Your Cleatian is too formal."

"Ummm... Well, yes, if that means what I think it does." Hamon replies. "I would like to speak the way I speak in Alibaic. I would like to speak, how would you say... The language of the streets."

"You want to learn slang." Belinus tells him. "That's, the language of the street."

"Yes, just as you say..." Hamon nods in agreement. "Teach me this 'slang'."

Nine Days Layer

That morning, the jagged and bumpy mountain pass gave way to a smooth cobble stone road, unlike any Hamon had seen before. The endless sea of rocks and dirt finally washed into a verdant field of grass and trees. By mid afternoon, going at a leisurely pace, they arrive in Belinus' hometown. It's a prosperous little city in the shadow of a great mountain, which was the location of the Keltoi Mining resonite stores.

"Here we are!" The coachman announces. "Lugdunum. Former seat of the High King of Bretnia!"

Hamon leaps out of the carriage without even giving the coachman pause. "Finally!" He exclaims in Alibaic, before catching his slip and switching back to Cleatian. "...No more hay! No more horse s***! No more waking up in pools of my own vomit!"

"...And then you remember that we're leaving for Shaldra in two days." Belinus adds dryly. "That should be just long enough for us to get you looking like somebody who belongs in the imperial capitol. They won't accept a street rat where we're going."

"They'll have to damn well learn." Hamon says stubbornly. "You're not dressing me up like some noblemangina with a big-ass collar and-"

"I'm really regretting teaching you curse words." Belinus interrupts. "You're already getting creative with them. Think of it like this; while you're here, you can be a servant, a labourer or a merchant. The only way you'll get into Shaldra with any dignity is as my bodyguard. My bodyguards don't wear rags."

Hamon sighs compliently. "Well, I guess it's better than being your maid." He jokes. "I'll dress like one of your men. Just give me the threads in advance so I can work my magic."

Five Days Later

The journey to Shaldra wasn't long. Going a day South through the mountains and into the open plains, the longest neck of the trip was the fastest traveled. A dark skinned man in a gold trimmed brown cloak steps off of the carriage, flicking a coin in the air and slinging a sword over his shoulder, with leather padding covering the blade's edges. He wore a green tunic, with his old beige trousers, and fine fur boots with plated leather gauntlets.

"Seems like security's tight." Hamon observes.

"Aye, rumour has it the emperor himself is looking for something." Belinus says, as he approaches the castle wall.

Dressed in a loose-fitting robe parted at the front, a studded leather cuirass, a green kilt thin leather boots, not to mention armed to the teeth with a sword, a bow and quiver of arrows, a hatchet and two daggers, Belinus looked nothing short of intimidating. 'A non-magickal person never can exercise too much caution', as he says. Although as tall as he is, dwarfing even Azur, Hamon had trouble imagining Belinus encountering any real trouble.

"By order of the emperor Titus, we must ask that you lay down your arms and submit your caravan to a search." The gatekeeper says as Belinus approaches. "Show us your and your company's papers, and state your business."

"Belinus Andratorix." Belinus states formally. "I'm making a sale of precious resonite to a client who wishes to remain anonymous."

The guard accepts Belinus' papers, carefully examining them and then nodding. "You all check out. Don't get many Jafetites around here." He observes.

"It's a long story." Hamon says casually, watching the other guard's expressions as he searches the caravan. "From the sound of things, this must not be everyday business. What's the deal?"

"That's top secret information, I'm afraid." The guard says sternly. "Only Emperor Titus and his closest advisors and family are privvy to the details."

"So you don't know anything." Hamon states flatly.

"Ah, well... That's not..." The guard stammers.

"C'mon, you can admit it." Hamon says amicably. "...Nobody would expect a lowly guard to know anything anyway..."

"Okay, listen." The guard says. "Just between us four? I hear the emperor recently adopted a daughter. And moreover? She just went missing."

"Oh, that is interesting news." Hamon scratches his chin scruff, handing the guard a few gold coins. "Penny for your thoughts?"

"Well if you ask me, I think the man is losing it..." The guard whispers. "Don't get me wrong, Titus has been a great leader, but I've heard he used to have an... odd relationship, with his first daughter. And now, this new girl is supposed to look just like her. What was her name... Vanessa? Odrica?"

"I have no idea." Arcturus admitted as he shrugged his shoulders before getting a good look at Wha-Wha. "But I love her too, so it doesn't matter. Of course, we haven't done anything, illicit, so if you're worried about that then it's alright."

"It could be fun. So yes, we'll have a match to see who does better," Elia said, motioning for Jet to go first.

I need to somehow find the skill I used to have if I want to beat her.

"There is quite a thick line between love and lust." Arcturus remarked as he gently tugged on Wha-Wha's arm to get her to let go. "I know what side I'm on, but I'm not so sure about you."

I won't let you get in the way.