Blood, Barrier, Bastards (Open) [Archive]

Arden

02-10-15, 06:42 AM

Prologue

Wintered descended over Concordia like a requiem for summer. Succumbing to the cold all too quickly, the guards of Ixian castle became lethargic, irritable, and distracted. Before long, campfires became impromptu barracks, and the nights watch failed their duty to keep vigil through the dark.

"Though the dangers of the Cult have abated for now, we must remain ever vigilant."

A clerk read from a piece of parchment drenched in blood. With disdain visible on his face, he did his best to project his shrew-like voice across the icy courtyard. At the heart of the castle, clad in fur and black, he appeared deathly and gaunt.

"We will begin training drills from today at sunrise. You will learn rudiments of siege warfare and the layout of the castle as though it were the scars on your skin." He paused, raised an eyebrow, and turned to the fearsome creature stood to his right.

Arden Janelle, newly returned to the ranks of the castle guard, folded his arms across his chest and returned the expression to his subordinate. Dictating his thoughts via the medium of blood magic, he had to add emotion and intent through grimace and growl. The clerk cleared his throat, dry from the chill, and continued as the carnal calligraphy shifted into the next line.

"You will report first and foremost to me. Captain Edison is no longer your superior, and the Orlouge family can contend with anyone who has a problem with this change in hierarchy."

Arden turned attentions to the fifty rank and file guardsmen arrayed before him. Atop a stage, used for entertainment as much as display, he was an imposing figure. His eyes glowed red, the sole colour and life in the courtyard. A book on his right hum glowed with a faint aura, but whenever someone tried to look closer, it disappeared. Magic was thick in the air, and few knew what to make of the man before them.

"You are dismissed," the clerk continued.

It did not take long for the men to disperse. They marched away in four loose groups, ill-timed footfalls and loose sword arms a disappointment to the captain who watched them leave. He shook his head and sighed, a whisper of false hopes that froze into steam before trailing away into nothingness.

"Am I dismissed, sir?" the clerk asked. He walked to the stairs to the left of the stage and set a booted foot atop them.

Arden could taste the man's hatred and loathing. He could not blame him. Since his return to the castle, the rumour of his true nature had spread like wildfire. He nodded, and waited for the clerk's hurried scamper to fade into a memory before he opened his book and turned to the last page containing bloodied scrawl. He ran his index finger over a fang and drew blood with relish, before adding an addendum to the journal of his renovations to the Ixian Knight garrison. At sunrise, Sei would want a report.