Chapter 547: Cursed Items (1/2)
No real arguments were made on the decision. Julius stood there, quietly, letting the draft sway the hair. In a bizarre twist, or so what Elvira had planned for them to believe, the Haggard siblings were residing at the same hotel as did Igna. This would only come to pass on the next morning where a very commanding text forced the prince out of bed. Breakfast resulted in an unexpected meeting.
”Cousin,” said Igna rushing downstairs.
”Cousin,” returned Julius already at the table, ”-I didn't realize you were here.”
”I suppose mother must have planned it so,” returned he softly, ”-about yesterday,” pulling the chair, ”-I'm sorry about the rude tone. I didn't mean anything malicious by it, I'm very sorry, Cousin.”
”Don't worry,” he nodded, ”-I don't hold any grudge. The news and all,” hesitant on the issue, ”-about heading to Arda, are you sure?”
”Yes,” returned he strongly, ”-I need my items back.”
”My items?”
”No, sorry, I meant my uncle's item, weapons included. I realize it's a tall order, however, I do have a right to said belongings.”
”It's no skin off my back,” he stopped and stared, the charismatic-hypnotic aura faltered, ”-I can't say much for mother,” a sneer showed the mistrust. Her actions trampled over his feelings. Selfish or not, right or wrong, who cares; she was probably right or was he right, the answer faded so very far away.
”I'm sorry for the trouble.”
”Oh, stop it,” the normal expression of joy and fulfillment returned, ”-it's no matter. I've already spoken to mother; she says it's fine to come around.”
No time wasted and without informing his companions, both cousins headed to Arda. The flight lasted little more than a few hours. Flying over felt nostalgic and scary, the brimming forest after the desolate war-torn Dorchester remained strong.
'The sheer scale of this province,' thought he staring towards Noctis's Hallow, '-always very impressive to see.'
”Igna,” jumped Éclair, ”-I've set the lenses to combat/infiltration mode. Arda's a place of unknown, I can't do much here. Please be careful.”
”I got it, thanks for the advice.”
'This piece of shit country,' he scoffed to a stop, '-why am I so angry?'
Between yesterday and today, something was off. The mind thought of multiple scenarios without even remotely controlling the process. More information added and the clearer the mental map of the world became. Opposing parties, people of interest, potential threats – they were all there waiting to be touched on and examined. Arda definitely held a high level of trouble. Even the fingers trembled in reaction after crossing the border. The way nature should have spoken felt more like a cry for help.
”Must be the first time here, huh?” said Julius leaping off the plane.
”Why are you in such a h-h-hurry?” stuttered Igna in the heat of the moment.
”I'll be honest, cousin, I do not wish to spend any more time than necessary.”
”Alright, I understand. As soon as we get the items, we leave, is that fair?”
”Yes, definitely,” a brotherly hug soon turned to a scan of the area. An airfield located in cleared out part of the forest. In bearing to the capital, well, not even Julius knew for it was an empty plot of land. Éclair managed to bring a map of the area; placing them about North-West of the mines.
”… Cousin.”
”I know, I know,” exhaled Julius, ”-just a moment.” Stood close to a modest hangar on which grew grapevines, ”-this place is an abandoned project by my mother. She wanted to make another public airport and ended saying it be a waste of time. Henceforth,” the fingers drew runes in an intangible white glow, ”-I built a portal linking here to the castle yard.”
”Really?”
No answered need be said, a doorway opened to a darkened mass. ”-Follow me,” said the prince leading the charge.
”As you wish,” returned he close behind. Weightlessness for a mere second to the pulling force of gravity, ”-nauseating…”
”We're here.”
Indeed, they were. The garden had bloomed into a fuller more vivid display. The stone-paths were redecorated and remade to have multiple crests. Statues were dotted about, and the castle door; big and heavy after which rested guards in adamantite armor. Glancing over the shoulder showed a crowded street of demi-humans. The uninhabited town of the castle-level expanded into another district for commerce and business. The noise made was very lively.
”Igna,” said Julius, ”-I have something to say before we go on.”
”What?”
”Thy appearance,” he paused, ”-the grey suit, the hair color, the heterochromia eyes; are you alright?”
”It's a bit embarrassing. My vampiric transformation didn't go as planned, thus the result.”
”Oh,” he chuckled, ”-well, I guess it's time then.”
The first step met with judging eyes. The prince wasn't royalty any longer. The guards watched in pain and anger. He had abandoned them, or so they thought.
'Portraits,' thought Igna, one thing became very clear. The less than invited reception, the change in décor, the statues and such, all pointed to a certain source.
”Lord Julius,” hailed a servant, ”-her majesty would like a few words.”
He cared not for a response and thus made for the throne room. 'Pillars, the red-carpet down the middle. The platform for the overlooking nobles. The banner and the artistic backdrop, it hasn't changed much.'
”Lord Julius, what a pleasure to see you again,” said a very charismatic man standing at the Queen's side.
”Lord Lucifer,” they bowed and knelt ”-what a pleasure to see you,” an obvious lie.
”Might I ask who this personage is?”
”My cousin,” said he, ”-Igna Haggard, son of Lady Courtney.”
”What brings you to the capital this fine morning-”
The queen rose her hand, ”-I'll take it from here, my lord.”
”As you wish,” he bowed with hands across the chest.
”You there, boy,” looking down her nose, ”-raise thine head.”
He did so in complete confidence.
'Impossible,' her bravado shook, '-he can't be…'
”Majesty,” voiced Julius, ”-we've come here in urgent business.”
”Silence Julius, I'll hear none of you today,” she stood with hands on the heavy gemstone stuttered attire, ”-are you truly the son of Courtney?” her heads reached to touch his cheeks.
”Majesty,” pushing aside her hands, ”-I'm not very keen on having strangers touch my person.”
”INSOLENCE!” cried Lucifer emerging out the shadows.