Chapter 381 - Travels (1/2)
”Excuse me, my lady,” said a tall, clean-shaven man with little to no hair remaining. Blue eyes, a common trait among those in high-standing, or so what was written once in an article, sternly placed itself to she who spoke. A brown-suit in a peculiar style, two bodyguards stood outside the room. Dorino's secretary found information linking the man who saved him to this very building. Stood at the epicenter of the district named Leonval, to the north of Melmark separated by a bridge over an ever-flowing river. Leonval; described many as the heart of Alphia for it was there all major companies, conglomerates, and more, made their headquarters. From industrial to magical, any factory or research facilities had to have their base of operations here. An unwritten rule as it made traveling and trading with one another easier. There also were those who chose to have their main-offices at the port located to the East.
Amidst the endless tall-offices, skyscr.a.p.ers, each differing per their finance, one stood equal to many o' offices. One owned by the imperial family, one named Alpht. It was here were meetings concerning states and such were discussed. The Emperor held the highest floor of the building. Rare was it for people to go up and meet him for it was a privilege.
”-May I ask to see the man who saved my life?” asked the man courteously.
”May I know who you are?” said Amber, the famed ruthless medium to the Emperor. It was impossible to get one's point across to her strict and vigil personality. Brought up to be but mindful of others, she trusted none, not even blood. Cynical to her very heart – nothing, and it meant nothing, would ever get by her.
”Director of Meldorino, Dorino,” he said with authority.
”Ah, the company on the verge of collapse. Pretell, have thy come for sympathy or?”
”Nothing of sorts, my lady, we made acquaintance yesterday, have thy forgotten?” said with underlying frustration, the face kept strong.
”I remember,” she said sat further back into the chair with cross-arms, ”-I asked the emperor of knowledge for the man you spoke of. I got no response, so, I can but say one thing, do leave us alone, there's no time to be wasted on a manhunt of an imaginary man who punched an S-class to death.”
”You jest, I saw the whole scene unfold, I can have hero Starlight vouch for my claim.”
”Starlight,” she gnarled, ”-the presumptuous showman who thinks about popularity opposed to being a hero, what a joke. Words from his mouth are tantamount to finding a needle in a haystack.”
”Enough!” hands slammed against the table, ”-disrespect me as you may, the heroes are people to be held in high regard. I can not for what thy opinion is on the matter, what I believe stands firm, if it wasn't for heroes, we'd not have seen such a peaceful life,” pushing aside the chair, he dashed for the door.
”Mind thy step,” said a man in the doorway.
”What a surprise!” said Dorino stopped short of blowing a fuse, ”-fate does has its way into one's life.”
”Yes, yes,” said Staxius peering the lady behind the desk, her face was emotionless, a boulder none moved for years, ”-Mr. Dorino, may I ask why thee here?”
”Surely the truth mustn't be so blinding.”
”You've come to meet me?” he shrugged.
”Yes, more precisely,” an invitation card glimmered with the light, ”-it's a soiree organized for celebrating the new-years. Many guests of interest would be present, I'd appreciate it if you were to accept the invitation.”
”A social gathering, I graciously accept,” with a nod, the man left with his bodyguards.
”Are you simply going to stand there gawking or are you coming in?” said Amber insolently.
”Cut the attitude,” said Staxius, ”-is that a way to treat an acquaintance.”
”Please, even though we've worked together in the past, it doesn't mean we're friends, and anything closer to that.”
”Hard to get,” he said mockingly, ”-nevertheless, Amber, thou need be vigilant. Mr. Dorino may come off smug, a smugness based on fact for he's successful. There are many things to consider during a tête-à-tête, best learn, the great-wall of Alpht isn't as sturdy as in youth.”
”Here's the more reason I despise you, King of Arda, always lecturing and treating me as if I were a kid.”
”You are one,” he took a seat, ”-one as hard as a mull and as dumb as a doorknob.”
”How flattering,” a few gasps of laughter escaped provokingly, ”-why are you here?”
”I've come as a counselor to thy brother. We're family now,” he stood, ”-bear that in mind on my next visit, Amber.”
Well-lit and spacious, he headed to the elevator. 'An invitation to a new year's party,' thought Staxius as it opened, '-I made better progress than I thought. Taking over Meldorino is the next goal. Establishing good relations is a priority. 31st of December is in five days.' Opened to a large hall, turned to the left, a red-cushioned double-door stood from the minimalistic décor.
”Father-in-law,”
”Emperor,” opened to an even bigger room. File cabinets were to the right in rows as if allies in a super-market. To the left were taller bookshelves arranged alphabetically. Before Sultria's desk stood another more casual, couches with a little table for keeping nonessentials.
”It sure is dimly lit here,” commented the king.
”No worries,” a push of a button had the curtains parted with minimal effort. As if unveiling a treasure, the landscape behind was of the blue sky with spots of white. Brighter compared to the sky in Hidros, a little difference changing the perception of many.
After seeing Godfather Renaud off, Staxius took to the capital in haste. Mr. Dorino came for a visit, he wanted to see the savior. Instead, as Sultria reported over the phone, the efforts were in naught. The Director was met with the great-wall. Amber's mood was of no joke, she didn't care who or what stood before – sentence after sentence, the modern-day Gatling-gun, each word she spoke pierced the fragile soul of visitors and potential partners. A few hours later, he arrived at an already empty office. Thoughts of how to restart the connection with Dorino took most of the previous night away. Surprising was it that the man was persistent. 'I'm so glad for the mentality of not taking no for an answer,' thus the day continued.
”What now?”
”I suppose we should head to the AHA?” said the Emperor rhetorically.
”It's not supposed, we must go to the AHA. I've yet to forget the reason I'm here,” facing the door, ”-let's go. You'll explain the situation in the car.”
Silence to thunderous, they drove north. AHA's headquarters were the exception. Their headquarters were to the north, a long drive, a very long drive away.
”Emperor, could you plot down all the airfields on this map?” a holographic display came from the phone.
”Sure.”
Melmark, the capital city, was located inside the province of Scaica. Directly north were two provinces, Dostein and Subrea after which came another named Whuotan. Those were the four-provinces consisting of the North-Alphia.
'There's an airfield close to the border, the drive there will be a day or two at most. AHA's headquarters are in the far north of Subrea. Going from south to north will take a week or not two, at most. The sheer-size of Alphia is grand – the best is to travel by air.'
”Is there something the matter?” asked Sultria.
”I spaced out for a bit,” said he stuck in traffic. The number of vehicles on the main-road was vexing.