Sam 24th - New beginnings

[Ashtallion Urdil]

“Eabh ta seodhiu inaidha,” a young woman called in greeting, sweeping into an appropriately gauged curtsy. She was clad in the traditional sari, and the pale green of the cotton fabric declared her position as a servant of the palace. “How may a Page of the Great Palace be of service to you?” she asked, with a polite smile.

----

Ashtallion acknowledged the woman's greeting with a respectabe bow of his head. His blonde hair, falling to his shoulders, was swept back so that his face and radiant smile would not be concealed, golden eyes took in the woman, commanding and confident. Well, he hoped so anyway. The Palace was an intimidating place for him, not because of it scale and grandeur, after all he had attended the University of Magic, and in comparison, few places would leave him in such awe. Though the graceful beauty of the Palace was still something to marvel at.

" Greetings. ", a flash of teeth, " You must excuse my naiveness, however I am new to the City and more so to the Palace. Would you per chance be able to tell me if there are any Institutions of magical study here in the City, or perhaps a Sorcerer within the Palace. ", he paused, realising that he most likely looked stupid, " If you know not the answers, would you be able to point me in the right direction? ", he wore his plain, but fresh looking, sky blue robes, tied with the silver satan sash, and prayed he did not look common. Though at the mention of Magic, perhaps the woman would simply see him as a Sorcerer and not some common peasent. Neither did he mention that he was a student of magic, not wanting to appear lower that any but a powerful Wizard!

[Twilight]

The strawberry blond woman smiled and nodded as Ashtallion spoke of his interests, then replied, “Milord, I am pleased to be of service,” as she curtsied once more, perhaps a little more deeply than the first time.

“There is no academy in Cerleann, milord, but there are several mages in the city. The Battlemage Royal and his staff reside within the palace. I don’t know if they will be able to see you without an appointment, but, if not, mayhap you would be able to schedule one. May I show you to their chambers, milord?” the young servant asked, as though it would be her fondest wish to do so.

[Ashtallion Urdil]

He frowned, for but a fleeting moment, Well it makes sense. Citadel had a larger population..hence more Wizards..., he sighed mentally, secretly having hoped there would be some grand Bastion of Magic as the University had been, for he was already missing its large halls and how the very air held a scent of magic and mystery. Ceruleann was not without its own graces and airs, he would just have to find them, and perhaps the Battlemages here had other magicks at their disposal.

" That would be most kind. ", he stopped short there, not knowing how to address the woman, what was her title? He merely nodded once more, " So long as it serves as no inconvience to the Mages.......uh....is there a Mage Falgan resident here? I had heard is name mentioned from a friend... "

[Twilight]

The green-clad woman smiled, as if to allay Ashtallion’s concerns about inconveniencing the mages.

“Ah yes, Master,” the servant responded to his enquiry after Falgan, as she gestured for him to follow her. “He has recently risen to the position of Battlemage Royal. Please come this way.”

The servant led Ashtallion through the vast, pillared main hall and down one of several arched corridors that wandered away from that fundamental chamber. Doors opened off the corridor at intervals, some of which were labelled to indicate the occupant of the chamber beyond. It appeared that the serving woman was leading the mage through the administrative offices of the palace.

[Ashtallion Urdil]

The hem of his robes dusted the polished floor, rustling about him as he followed the servant through the corridors and passed labelled offices. The fitted upper part of his robes made not a sound, moving smoothly with his body. A fine slim figure, one emphasised by the fitted material. Ashtallion tried to take everything in, the twists and turns, the names and any faces he passed. It was too much though, even for him. There were so many questions he wanted answered, so much study time lost.

Yet there were the three books he possessed, taken from the Library within the University of Magick. And one in particular he had yet to open. The Secrets of Creation!

The title had sent a chill down the mages spine, and still he hesitated to learn its magical secrets. The other books were just as interesting, filled with factual information rather than spells. Supressing a sign of longing, the battle sorcerer turned his attention once more to the servant. " I do hope I will intrude upon the Mages? I do not desire to be a nuiscence. ", he smiled, though she would not see it.

[Twilight]

That feeling of recollection returned as they traversed the public office section of the Great Palace. After a time, Ashtallion recalled that he had heard the name Falgan at the University of Magic at least once. But was he a student? A teacher? Or perhaps an author of one of the many tomes of arcane knowledge the graced the shelves of the university’s library? He could not yet recall.

“Here we are, Master,” the young woman declared, gesturing with a graceful sweep of her slender arm at a highly decorated set of arched double doors. The young woman rapped upon one of the doors before opening the pair wide and stepping aside to let Ashtallion pass by.

A woman sat writing at a desk almost immediately inside the doors, but looked up from her scroll as they swung open. Streaks of grey in her brown hair and laugh lines on her face hinted at the advanced age of the Achadhiel woman. She was immaculately robed in the traditional garb of mages; hers a deep, rich burgundy.

“Namaste, good sir,” she greeted Ashtallion as her assessing gaze took him in from head to toe and back again, the quill still in her hand. “Welcome to the offices of the Battlemage Royal.” Without asking why he had come, the woman sat with an eyebrow quirked, as if expecting him to supply the answer to this unspoken question.

[Ashtallion Urdil]

Where have I heard that name before...Falgan...., he frowned ever so slightly, allowing but the tiniest line to form between his eyebrows. But as he heard the servant woman announce they had arrived. Master. The adhiel thoroughly liked the sound of the title. Banishing the frown, he thought at first to display his most dazzling and radiant smile of white teeth and glittering eyes.....and thought again..... Ashtallion may have adopted such a pretense, Lustros will not.

Smoothing his face of expression, allowing but a hint of honesty to cross his eyes, the adhiel mage entered and nodded gracefully to the woman behind the desks' greeting. " And the same to you my Lady.... I am Lustros Goldeneye and have seeking an audience with one Mage Falgan? He was recommended to me by a friend, he may even be expecting me.. "

In all honesty he was not sure if Idris had informed this Falgan of his presence, it mattered little though, he would offer his own introduction.

" Would it be possible to speak with him? I can understand though if he is busy.... the Lady Irdis had spoke highly of him... ", at this he let through a crack of a smile, remaining emotionally elusive and keeping his golden eyes clouded, reflecting everything, never betraying the thoughts behind them.

[Twilight]

At first mention of the Battlemage Royal, the woman almost scoffed, but Ashtallion’s mention of Lady Idris curtailed that expression in mid-formation.

“Of course, honoured Mage,” she replied, respect almost ringing in her voice as she rose from her seat. “Please wait here while I announce you,” the woman indicated a couple of chairs to the left of the double doors with a gesture of her hand.

Disappearing through one of a remarkably large number of doors disbursed around such a small chamber, the older mage was gone for only a couple of burns, returning with a youth of about 16 yahren in tow.

“Young Kedar here will take you through, Mage Goldeneye,” the woman announced, stepping aside to gesture to the honey-haired youth.

“This way, please, milord,” the young Adhiel bowed respectfully, holding the door open for Ashtallion to precede him through into the corridor beyond.

[Ashtallion Urdil]

Somewhat startled by the treatment, yet thoroughly pleased, Ashtallion hid his confusion and excitement behind those reflecting eyes.

You have helped me again it seems, Lady Idris, I must remember to thank you when I see you next, for no doubt we will.... and I can assume you have neglected to tell us the full extent of your influence. Well, we shall see how far I can pull it..

He took one of the seats motioned to him by the woman, settling himself for the few brief moments before the elder adhiel returned, his escort behind her, " My thanks, Lady. ", he rose gracefully, nodding to her as he passed and then also to the young boy in passing, " And to you, Kedar. ", he walked through the door held open for him in a flourish of blue robes and with as much confidence and self control as he could muster.

[Twilight]

Kedar led Ashtallion down the corridor that opened into an atrium, a common feature at the centre of a smaller building, or a section of a larger one. Here plants flourished and birdsong filled the air. Open to the sky, sometimes several stories above, an atrium offered fresh air and full light, with the benefit of cool shade, thus making it a virtual architectural necessity in the hot, humid climate of Kislovan. Here was no different, and several chairs and many large cushions offered placed to relax and contemplate a reflecting pool at the atrium’s heart.

“Welcome, friend and colleague,” a deep baritone greeted Ashtallion’s arrival in the private garden. An Adhiel of indeterminable yahren and average height rose from one of the chairs, setting the tome he had been studying on a small nearby table. “Lady Idris said I should expect you,” he chuckled, his deep voice contrasting his unassuming stature.

Kedar bowed to both mages and grinned when he received a wink from Falgan. Then he disappeared off down another corridor that departed the atrium, leaving the two men alone.

“Please, join me,” Falgan offered, gesturing to a chair with friendly informality. “I am Falgan, as you have probably guessed, and you are Lustros Goldeneye, who has so impressed our little princess?” It was more of a statement than a question, but it did invite clarification from Ashtallion, as the elder mage made ready to resume his seat if the younger took the proffered chair.

[Ashtallion Urdil]

Princess?! My, my.... we should count ourselves both very lucky sister to have become aquainted with the royalty already. , but his own thoughts darkened slightly as memories of the Caesar resurfaced and Ashts' own part in the Great Adhiels' grievous demise. " My Lord Falgan. Tis an honour...Lady Idris is most kind to speak to you of my coming. She presented a friendly face to both my sister and I upon arrival, even despite the current events transpiring. ", and by that, he of course the funeral. He did not allow his own surprise abour Idris being the Princess of Kislovan show through his eyes, and so took the seat offered him with relaxed grace.

" And I must thank you also for this meeting, Mage Falgan. I realise you must be busy. ", Ashtallion returned the polite formality, not wishing overstep his bounds. Smoothing his robes down, a habit of his, which had few creases in them anyway, he regarded the Elder Mage with a glancing eye and had not missed the smile to the young Kedar.

" It is regarding my sister and I that I come to you actually. ", he paused, wetting his lips, " As I understand it there are no large institutions of magical learning here in Kislovan. Both of us are still relatively new to studying magic, my sister more so than I, while I possess some skill and power, I still consider myself an Apprentice Mage. ", he flushed slightly at this, evidently somewhat embarrassed at posing as a senior mage, or perhaps in frustration. " In short I am here to enquire after a mentor that would be willing to take our education further in Battle Magery, it being what we studied before coming to Kislovan. Lustra, my sister that is, is a most apt and able student herself, quick to learn and master new skills. ", it was clear in his voice he was most proud of her himself. " And I.....well I am proficient in elemental combat, some skill with the blade and staff and shielding. "

All the while he spoke, more and more of his nerves started to break through the calm and collected facade of a confident war wizard. " That Lady Idris did mention that you would be the one I could speak to about such matters... ", and perhaps you could tell me whether or not I am still apprentice! He hid the thought behind those golden eyes, smiling apologetically as if to bid the Mage to excuse Asht for whatever naivety he exhibited.

[Twilight]

Falgan nodded at his visitor's reference to the Caesar's death. Then, as Ashtallion went on, he smiled. His demeanour suggested that he had anticipated the reason for Ashtallion’s visit.

“Our training never ends,” he commented philosophically, patting the tome on the table at his side.

“Well, my friend, we shall have to assess you and your sister individually, of course. Lady Idris’ recommendation, although enthusiastic, can hardly be considered definitive,” he winked.

Then came the question that Ashtallion had likely hoped to avoid.

“Have you studied then at the University of Magic in the Citadel, or perhaps in World’s Mouth?” Although he still appeared relaxed and his tone remained rather informal and friendly, his pale violet eyes watched Ashtallion closely now. Where and with whom he and Alustariel had trained was as important as their potential for further learning.

[Ashtallion Urdil]

Damn.

Appearing relaxed and calm himself, Ashtallion rythmed off a response, " Worlds Mouth, Mage Falgan..... a strange place it is. We studied with a solitary mage well versed in battle magicks there, however our previous mentor met an untimely and cruel death at the hands of religious zealots....despite his power he fell eventually. My sister and I have fled from Worlds Mouth in fear of our own lives and as Kislovan is but a memory from younger days for us, we came here to rekindle them. ", he allowed an expression on intense grief and pain from his features, which was not hard seeing as he had bottled much of his emotioins up over the passing days.

" Forgive me, Lord, I have been through a trying time recently. ", he offered a smile, wiping away the grim expression. " As for assessing us, that can be most certainly arranged and is greatly appreciated. I am at your disposal and indulgence. "

[Twilight]

“Ah yes, followers of ‘the One’, as they call their god,” Falgan remarked with a hint of derision. “I understand that Adhiel are no longer welcomed in the west. It was wise of you to flee while you still could,” he went on, although his voice lacked a certain degree of conviction. Perhaps he was not entirely convinced of this story? In any case, the mage did not pursue it, but sat listening once again, pale violet eyes still intent on Ashtallion’s face as he spoke of his recent trials.

Waving a hand to dismiss the younger man’s apology, he then replied, “There is nothing to forgive, Lustros. You have obviously experienced much of late. Perhaps one day you will wish to share the details, but I shall not press you now,” the mage smiled, as though he understood far more than Ashtallion had said.

“I am expecting another visitor today,” Falgan said, rising now to his feet. “Can you and your sister return on the morrow? Early Tradetide, perhaps?” he suggested. “I have others of my staff that I want you both to meet, of course.”

[Ashtallion Urdil]

The adhiel mage rose, smoothing down the pale blue robs once more, " Certainly, Mage Falgan, the time you have given me today is immensly appreciated. I can see what the Lady Idris said of you is indeed true. ", he smiled, his eyes lingering over the higher mage as he spoke, " I shall return with my sister tomorrow then, I know she will be pleased and as excited as I am, Master Mage. ", bowing his head in respect, possibly a little lower than would have been acceptable, he smiled once more, presenting a dazzling array of white teeth and glittering eyes.

" Until tomorrow, Mage Falgan. I look forward to it. Again, my thanks. ", he allowed a few moments of silence incase the Mage wished to speak also, then turned on his heels in a flourish of blue robes and lef the room he was in, passing the woman at the desk and muttering his thanks..... as he got to the door, he stopped, turning back to her.

" Um, excuse me, Lady. Would you be able to direct me out of the Palace? "

[Twilight]

((OOC: Please pop over here))