Chapter 86
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[The next morning]
"Excuse me! Excuse me! Great Lord Mikael, are you there...?"
A voice called out loudly from outside Lars/ Mikael and Charley's room, jolting them awake as they stirred themselves from their sleep.
'Wha... So early...? Who could it be...' Lars rose drowsily and yawned as he peeked over and saw Charley awakening too. He looked at the sky outside through the window and saw that it was still dark - it was not even 5 AM and they woke him already?!?
"Who is it?" Lars shouted out, hoping that whoever it was would just go away quickly.
"Great Lord! You really are here...! Our deepest apologies, we had not meant to trouble you, nor did we intentionally trail you to this place. However, it is an emergency and all the great Lords and Ladies of the nobility are summoned by Duke Leanne. And, she wondered if you would wish to participate together, to grace us with your esteemed presence!"
Charley stared at Lars, seeking his decision - but based on his expression of reluctance, it was clear that he sorely preferred to just get some sleep!
After all, the two of them had barely slept 4 or 5 hours before being rudely awakened!
"Ah...? Ah...! Alright, alright... I'll join you... Just give me a moment... To wake up and... Change..." Lars sighed and slipped out of bed heavily and stretched before beginning to get ready. Tempted as he was to just tell them to f*** off so he could go back to sleep, he might as well sow some seeds of cooperation while the relationship was still at a budding stage.
Then Lars glared at Charley who continued to lie in his bed under the sheets and was looking at him helplessly with an expression that said, "Do I... Have to go...?"
Lars glowered at him until he gave in and got out of bed.
* * * * *
When Lars and Charley arrived at the palace grounds once more, the two stewards and four guards leading them bowed deeply and handed them off to a feminine looking man in luxurious purple garb. He had thin eyebrows that looked like he groomed them along with long lashes adorning large sultry eyes. His lips look slightly too red to be natural while his black hair was slicked back, making him look rather handsome. His face and skin were clean and unblemished with nary a spot or wrinkle.
Truly a perfect example of a metrosexual man!
The man gave them a once over then sneered, the disdain clear in his gaze and expression. Then without saying a word, he beckoned them to follow, turned around and began to walk, not even deigning to tell them his name!
'...What a pompous ass!' Charley wiggled his eyebrows as he glanced at Lars, the meaning in his movements clear.
'I know right...!' Lars smiled wryly and shook his head, but they both decided to just follow along without complaint.
They followed the man for what seemed to be forever but was probably only 6-7 minutes, at which point they approached an anteroom where several groups of servants and armed guards sat waiting. At one end of the anteroom was a large set of double doors - Duke Leanne's audience chambers were most likely through those doors. As was to be expected, the Duke's own guards stood at attention on either side of the entrance to the throne room.
However, even from where they stood afar off, they could already hear sounds of heated arguments going on from through the doors!
One man stood up as they were approaching and stepped forward to greet their purple-attired guide. He waved from the distance and called out as they walked closer.
"Ahh! Butler Rashid! There you are! Oh, are these the representatives of Lord Mikael?" The grey-haired man greeted them, his bushy moustache and beard moving up and down as he spoke.
Lars and Charley stared at him and wondered how the man could eat through the forest of grey hairs... But decided not to comment and injure his pride.
"Tch, Head Butler Idris, how dare that Mikael reject our Duke's invitation! And he dares to send these--" The feminine Rashid shot a resentful glare at the boys out of the corner of his eyes, "--whippersnappers in his stead!"
"Now now, Rashid... In the first place, as a near-Mythical combatant, he is our Duke's equal! He does not owe her any allegiance and yet chose to protect the city. And he has even taken on some serious injuries while defending our helpless citizens, even saving the General and Jamal boy's life! How can you find fault with him for such a small thing...? Isn't it normal for him to be recuperating after such a battle? Can we truly begrudge our benefactor such a thing...?"
The wise and knowledgeable looking Head Butler spoke at length with a comforting voice, both encouraging and rebuking his subordinate for his disrespectful attitude.
But Rashid clearly did not take the advice to heart, instead harumphing and storming off after shouting out only a short sentence, "Fine! Take care of things your way! Who does he think he is, just a commoner but he thinks that he can stand on equal status with the noble lords and ladies? Preposterous! If I were the Duke..."
His muttering trickled away as he grew further and further away, leaving a bemused trie of 2 boys and 1 man who was shaking his head in pity.
"Don't mind him, come, come, I'll lead you in. Her Grace instructed to bring you in as soon as you arrived."
Lars and Charley shrugged, glanced at each other and followed the man as he brought them past the guards and into Duke Leanne de Caldis' great throne room. He stopped for a moment to inform the man in charge of announcing guests' arrival and then nodded as the doors were opened for them.
"...The Great Tree Sect! What use have they been! I paid them so much, so so much just for the promise of protection and a trial in their disciple exams, but he didn't even appear during the whole past 48 hours! We need to send our own people, not some outsiders! This is family we're talking about, FAMILY!!!"
"I told you, it doesn't matter if it's family or not, we can't afford the manpower. If we leave our city defenceless, we--" A dispassionate voice spoke, one that was weak but still powerful and carried an air of dignity.
"FARHAN JAMAL!!! HOW DARE YOU! WOULD YOU SAY THE SAME IF IT WERE YOUR CHILD??! I DARE YOU TO SAY YOU WOULD!! COME ON!" An indignant man roared in response, obviously one who bore at least the same level of authority.
"Gentlemen, let us be calm." A booming deep voice interjected, the familiar voice of General Weres. "I believe that Farhan is just saying that we don't have the people! Who would you send? That's exactly why we need to ask them for help...!"
"Hmphh! Don't think that I don't know what you're doing. Don't forget you are the very one who failed to protect my beloved Natalie! You and that Estreya pansy! You've both failed completely!! How are you going to be responsible if they don't return safely??!"
"LEYO! How dare you! Don't forget that my Astrid is among those kidnapped as well! And don't forget also the reason behind their kidnapping!" A gentle sounding man rebuked the earlier speaker, though at this moment he was not gentle at all and raised his voice in anger.
As they stepped through into the grand throne room, the heated discussions within could be heard for a moment before they fell silent; the speakers watching to see who was entering.
"Announcing the arrival of Great Lord Mikael Tumijo's representatives! His disciple, Miller Knight Larsson and his agent, Charley Charlemagne!"
Lars and Charley walked into the hall and saw there was a grand wooden table laid out in the centre of the throne room. The rectangular table looked like it was originally for dining.
The patriarchs of the Four Noble Houses looked like they had been seated together along the rectangular table with General Weres who looked to be trying to placate and keep the peace. At the head of the table were 3 people: Prime Minister Gurdev, Duke Leanne de Caldis and one more older man with a spear who looked far older.
Right now, 3 of the four patriarchs were standing, engaged in an aggressive argument. Only one of them was still seated with a solemn expression on his face - presumably the only one who had not engaged in the argument, the patriarch of House Trenel - Patriarch Mallard Trenel.
Rounding off the attendees was the older man who was seated on Duke Leanne's left hand; a wizened gentleman with long white hair who sat with his chair pushed far away from the table. He had his eyes closed as he sat with one leg up on the chair, his knee pressed against his chest. The wooden spear he had propped against his chest with point facing the ceiling was embraced by him lovingly.
Despite his senile appearance, the valiant aura he exuded caused even Lars to feel threatened as the man's eyes flitted open to gaze at the boy for a moment too long - before he closed them once more and seemed to return to his slumber.
"Gentlemen, seeing as I am the only lady at this table, as usual, it befits me to humbly beseech you: Shut up and sit down! We can talk it out calmly, that will get us results quicker!" Seeing that the guests had arrived, Duke Leanne finally spoke her mind, asking everyone to take their seats and have a civil discussion. Though still fuming with anger each for their own reasons, the patriarchs smoothed their robes down and sat down, albeit while still throwing glares at one another.
Then Leanne turned to face Lars and Charley. She smiled slightly, although her brow still looked strained from the stress and demands of running the ailing city! If Lars were not mistaken, she had not slept a wink since last night, based on the dark shadows under her eyes.
"Greetings, young man. I presume you must be Lars, the disciple of Lord Mikael. Was he unable to make it...? Is he still in his secluded practice...?" She continued to smile as she spoke, though Lars could sense she was slightly disappointed that his alter-ego had not come himself.
Nevertheless, Lars pretended not to notice as he smiled broadly and bowed deeply, exhibiting the elegance in his movements and then eloquence in his speech.
"Yes, your Grace. My master professes his greatest regret that he is unable to join your illustrious gathering today. He sends his regards and states that whatever the request is, he will do his utmost to support and comply..."
Then Lars continued smiling, but like a smiling tiger as he added one line that sent chills up the spines of everyone gathered there, including Charley.
"...For the right price, that is."
"Preposterous! Who does he think he is! We should have you hanged and send back your corpse as a lesson to that stuck-up fool!" Leyo Sarouneh shot to his feet once more as his face turned red and a vein bulged on his temples. Then he swayed slightly and coughed, then trembled slightly as he shakily sat back down. The servants behind him quickly came to his side but were waved away.
At those words, Duke Leanne sighed loudly as a sign of her stance on things and shook her head while looking at the grey-haired Sarouneh Patriarch.
"Earl Leyo! May I remind you that Lord Mikael has contributed greatly to the city! If not for his presence there at the stadium, perhaps it would not just be Natalie and Astrid who were captured by Leocadius! General Weres and Yusof might have perished with none of us the wiser to Gaius Trenel's fall into the Abyss! I understand your worry for Natalie, but your words are not getting us any closer to a solution!"
Leyo's face turned sour as he scowled more and more. But he harumphed and continued sitting, obviously not willing to risk his blood pressure shooting through the roof.
Then Duke Leanne turned back to Lars and Charley and smiled as she spoke.
"I hope you don't mind Leyo - he's a passionate man especially when it has to do with his beloved daughter; a stance that I too would understand fully if placed in the same circumstances." She closed her eyes momentarily and sighed once more before reopening them to observe the two boys' reactions.
"Yeah, sure." Lars just shrugged nonchalantly, while Charley pretended to dig his ear - which made not just Leyo sputter with anger but also the other three patriarchs frown in displeasure!
"Very well, I would like to thank Lord Mikael once more, please communicate to him our thanks and gratitude! His presence is much welcomed and we hope he will join us for a simple dinner tonight."
Lars and Charley both nodded in acquiescence, though not committing on their master's agreement, then Duke Leanne introduced those seated in the room one by one.
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[The next morning]
"Excuse me! Excuse me! Great Lord Mikael, are you there...?"
A voice called out loudly from outside Lars/ Mikael and Charley's room, jolting them awake as they stirred themselves from their sleep.
'Wha... So early...? Who could it be...' Lars rose drowsily and yawned as he peeked over and saw Charley awakening too. He looked at the sky outside through the window and saw that it was still dark - it was not even 5 AM and they woke him already?!?
"Who is it?" Lars shouted out, hoping that whoever it was would just go away quickly.
"Great Lord! You really are here...! Our deepest apologies, we had not meant to trouble you, nor did we intentionally trail you to this place. However, it is an emergency and all the great Lords and Ladies of the nobility are summoned by Duke Leanne. And, she wondered if you would wish to participate together, to grace us with your esteemed presence!"
Charley stared at Lars, seeking his decision - but based on his expression of reluctance, it was clear that he sorely preferred to just get some sleep!
After all, the two of them had barely slept 4 or 5 hours before being rudely awakened!
"Ah...? Ah...! Alright, alright... I'll join you... Just give me a moment... To wake up and... Change..." Lars sighed and slipped out of bed heavily and stretched before beginning to get ready. Tempted as he was to just tell them to f*** off so he could go back to sleep, he might as well sow some seeds of cooperation while the relationship was still at a budding stage.
Then Lars glared at Charley who continued to lie in his bed under the sheets and was looking at him helplessly with an expression that said, "Do I... Have to go...?"
Lars glowered at him until he gave in and got out of bed.
* * * * *
When Lars and Charley arrived at the palace grounds once more, the two stewards and four guards leading them bowed deeply and handed them off to a feminine looking man in luxurious purple garb. He had thin eyebrows that looked like he groomed them along with long lashes adorning large sultry eyes. His lips look slightly too red to be natural while his black hair was slicked back, making him look rather handsome. His face and skin were clean and unblemished with nary a spot or wrinkle.
Truly a perfect example of a metrosexual man!
The man gave them a once over then sneered, the disdain clear in his gaze and expression. Then without saying a word, he beckoned them to follow, turned around and began to walk, not even deigning to tell them his name!
'...What a pompous ass!' Charley wiggled his eyebrows as he glanced at Lars, the meaning in his movements clear.
'I know right...!' Lars smiled wryly and shook his head, but they both decided to just follow along without complaint.
They followed the man for what seemed to be forever but was probably only 6-7 minutes, at which point they approached an anteroom where several groups of servants and armed guards sat waiting. At one end of the anteroom was a large set of double doors - Duke Leanne's audience chambers were most likely through those doors. As was to be expected, the Duke's own guards stood at attention on either side of the entrance to the throne room.
However, even from where they stood afar off, they could already hear sounds of heated arguments going on from through the doors!
One man stood up as they were approaching and stepped forward to greet their purple-attired guide. He waved from the distance and called out as they walked closer.
"Ahh! Butler Rashid! There you are! Oh, are these the representatives of Lord Mikael?" The grey-haired man greeted them, his bushy moustache and beard moving up and down as he spoke.
Lars and Charley stared at him and wondered how the man could eat through the forest of grey hairs... But decided not to comment and injure his pride.
"Tch, Head Butler Idris, how dare that Mikael reject our Duke's invitation! And he dares to send these--" The feminine Rashid shot a resentful glare at the boys out of the corner of his eyes, "--whippersnappers in his stead!"
"Now now, Rashid... In the first place, as a near-Mythical combatant, he is our Duke's equal! He does not owe her any allegiance and yet chose to protect the city. And he has even taken on some serious injuries while defending our helpless citizens, even saving the General and Jamal boy's life! How can you find fault with him for such a small thing...? Isn't it normal for him to be recuperating after such a battle? Can we truly begrudge our benefactor such a thing...?"
The wise and knowledgeable looking Head Butler spoke at length with a comforting voice, both encouraging and rebuking his subordinate for his disrespectful attitude.
But Rashid clearly did not take the advice to heart, instead harumphing and storming off after shouting out only a short sentence, "Fine! Take care of things your way! Who does he think he is, just a commoner but he thinks that he can stand on equal status with the noble lords and ladies? Preposterous! If I were the Duke..."
His muttering trickled away as he grew further and further away, leaving a bemused trie of 2 boys and 1 man who was shaking his head in pity.
"Don't mind him, come, come, I'll lead you in. Her Grace instructed to bring you in as soon as you arrived."
Lars and Charley shrugged, glanced at each other and followed the man as he brought them past the guards and into Duke Leanne de Caldis' great throne room. He stopped for a moment to inform the man in charge of announcing guests' arrival and then nodded as the doors were opened for them.
"...The Great Tree Sect! What use have they been! I paid them so much, so so much just for the promise of protection and a trial in their disciple exams, but he didn't even appear during the whole past 48 hours! We need to send our own people, not some outsiders! This is family we're talking about, FAMILY!!!"
"I told you, it doesn't matter if it's family or not, we can't afford the manpower. If we leave our city defenceless, we--" A dispassionate voice spoke, one that was weak but still powerful and carried an air of dignity.
"FARHAN JAMAL!!! HOW DARE YOU! WOULD YOU SAY THE SAME IF IT WERE YOUR CHILD??! I DARE YOU TO SAY YOU WOULD!! COME ON!" An indignant man roared in response, obviously one who bore at least the same level of authority.
"Gentlemen, let us be calm." A booming deep voice interjected, the familiar voice of General Weres. "I believe that Farhan is just saying that we don't have the people! Who would you send? That's exactly why we need to ask them for help...!"
"Hmphh! Don't think that I don't know what you're doing. Don't forget you are the very one who failed to protect my beloved Natalie! You and that Estreya pansy! You've both failed completely!! How are you going to be responsible if they don't return safely??!"
"LEYO! How dare you! Don't forget that my Astrid is among those kidnapped as well! And don't forget also the reason behind their kidnapping!" A gentle sounding man rebuked the earlier speaker, though at this moment he was not gentle at all and raised his voice in anger.
As they stepped through into the grand throne room, the heated discussions within could be heard for a moment before they fell silent; the speakers watching to see who was entering.
"Announcing the arrival of Great Lord Mikael Tumijo's representatives! His disciple, Miller Knight Larsson and his agent, Charley Charlemagne!"
Lars and Charley walked into the hall and saw there was a grand wooden table laid out in the centre of the throne room. The rectangular table looked like it was originally for dining.
The patriarchs of the Four Noble Houses looked like they had been seated together along the rectangular table with General Weres who looked to be trying to placate and keep the peace. At the head of the table were 3 people: Prime Minister Gurdev, Duke Leanne de Caldis and one more older man with a spear who looked far older.
Right now, 3 of the four patriarchs were standing, engaged in an aggressive argument. Only one of them was still seated with a solemn expression on his face - presumably the only one who had not engaged in the argument, the patriarch of House Trenel - Patriarch Mallard Trenel.
Rounding off the attendees was the older man who was seated on Duke Leanne's left hand; a wizened gentleman with long white hair who sat with his chair pushed far away from the table. He had his eyes closed as he sat with one leg up on the chair, his knee pressed against his chest. The wooden spear he had propped against his chest with point facing the ceiling was embraced by him lovingly.
Despite his senile appearance, the valiant aura he exuded caused even Lars to feel threatened as the man's eyes flitted open to gaze at the boy for a moment too long - before he closed them once more and seemed to return to his slumber.
"Gentlemen, seeing as I am the only lady at this table, as usual, it befits me to humbly beseech you: Shut up and sit down! We can talk it out calmly, that will get us results quicker!" Seeing that the guests had arrived, Duke Leanne finally spoke her mind, asking everyone to take their seats and have a civil discussion. Though still fuming with anger each for their own reasons, the patriarchs smoothed their robes down and sat down, albeit while still throwing glares at one another.
Then Leanne turned to face Lars and Charley. She smiled slightly, although her brow still looked strained from the stress and demands of running the ailing city! If Lars were not mistaken, she had not slept a wink since last night, based on the dark shadows under her eyes.
"Greetings, young man. I presume you must be Lars, the disciple of Lord Mikael. Was he unable to make it...? Is he still in his secluded practice...?" She continued to smile as she spoke, though Lars could sense she was slightly disappointed that his alter-ego had not come himself.
Nevertheless, Lars pretended not to notice as he smiled broadly and bowed deeply, exhibiting the elegance in his movements and then eloquence in his speech.
"Yes, your Grace. My master professes his greatest regret that he is unable to join your illustrious gathering today. He sends his regards and states that whatever the request is, he will do his utmost to support and comply..."
Then Lars continued smiling, but like a smiling tiger as he added one line that sent chills up the spines of everyone gathered there, including Charley.
"...For the right price, that is."
"Preposterous! Who does he think he is! We should have you hanged and send back your corpse as a lesson to that stuck-up fool!" Leyo Sarouneh shot to his feet once more as his face turned red and a vein bulged on his temples. Then he swayed slightly and coughed, then trembled slightly as he shakily sat back down. The servants behind him quickly came to his side but were waved away.
At those words, Duke Leanne sighed loudly as a sign of her stance on things and shook her head while looking at the grey-haired Sarouneh Patriarch.
"Earl Leyo! May I remind you that Lord Mikael has contributed greatly to the city! If not for his presence there at the stadium, perhaps it would not just be Natalie and Astrid who were captured by Leocadius! General Weres and Yusof might have perished with none of us the wiser to Gaius Trenel's fall into the Abyss! I understand your worry for Natalie, but your words are not getting us any closer to a solution!"
Leyo's face turned sour as he scowled more and more. But he harumphed and continued sitting, obviously not willing to risk his blood pressure shooting through the roof.
Then Duke Leanne turned back to Lars and Charley and smiled as she spoke.
"I hope you don't mind Leyo - he's a passionate man especially when it has to do with his beloved daughter; a stance that I too would understand fully if placed in the same circumstances." She closed her eyes momentarily and sighed once more before reopening them to observe the two boys' reactions.
"Yeah, sure." Lars just shrugged nonchalantly, while Charley pretended to dig his ear - which made not just Leyo sputter with anger but also the other three patriarchs frown in displeasure!
"Very well, I would like to thank Lord Mikael once more, please communicate to him our thanks and gratitude! His presence is much welcomed and we hope he will join us for a simple dinner tonight."
Lars and Charley both nodded in acquiescence, though not committing on their master's agreement, then Duke Leanne introduced those seated in the room one by one.
The next morning"Excuse me! Excuse me! Great Lord Mikael, are you there...?"A voice called out loudly from outside Lars/ Mikael and Charley's room, jolting them awake as they stirred themselves from their sleep.'Wha... So early...? Who could it be...' Lars rose drowsily and yawned as he peeked over and saw Charley awakening too. He looked at the sky outside through the window and saw that it was still dark - it was not even 5 AM and they woke him already?!?"Who is it?" Lars shouted out, hoping that whoever it was would just go away quickly."Great Lord! You really are here...! Our deepest apologies, we had not meant to trouble you, nor did we intentionally trail you to this place. However, it is an emergency and all the great Lords and Ladies of the nobility are summoned by Duke Leanne. And, she wondered if you would wish to participate together, to grace us with your esteemed presence!"Charley stared at Lars, seeking his decision - but based on his expression of reluctance, it was clear that he sorely preferred to just get some sleep!After all, the two of them had barely slept 4 or 5 hours before being rudely awakened!"Ah...? Ah...! Alright, alright... I'll join you... Just give me a moment... To wake up and... Change..." Lars sighed and slipped out of bed heavily and stretched before beginning to get ready. Tempted as he was to just tell them to f*** off so he could go back to sleep, he might as well sow some seeds of cooperation while the relationship was still at a budding stage.Then Lars glared at Charley who continued to lie in his bed under the sheets and was looking at him helplessly with an expression that said, "Do I... Have to go...?"Lars glowered at him until he gave in and got out of bed.* * * * *When Lars and Charley arrived at the palace grounds once more, the two stewards and four guards leading them bowed deeply and handed them off to a feminine looking man in luxurious purple garb. He had thin eyebrows that looked like he groomed them along with long lashes adorning large sultry eyes. His lips look slightly too red to be natural while his black hair was slicked back, making him look rather handsome. His face and skin were clean and unblemished with nary a spot or wrinkle.Truly a perfect example of a metrosexual man!The man gave them a once over then sneered, the disdain clear in his gaze and expression. Then without saying a word, he beckoned them to follow, turned around and began to walk, not even deigning to tell them his name!'...What a pompous ass!' Charley wiggled his eyebrows as he glanced at Lars, the meaning in his movements clear.'I know right...!' Lars smiled wryly and shook his head, but they both decided to just follow along without complaint.They followed the man for what seemed to be forever but was probably only 6-7 minutes, at which point they approached an anteroom where several groups of servants and armed guards sat waiting. At one end of the anteroom was a large set of double doors - Duke Leanne's audience chambers were most likely through those doors. As was to be expected, the Duke's own guards stood at attention on either side of the entrance to the throne room.However, even from where they stood afar off, they could already hear sounds of heated arguments going on from through the doors!One man stood up as they were approaching and stepped forward to greet their purple-attired guide. He waved from the distance and called out as they walked closer."Ahh! Butler Rashid! There you are! Oh, are these the representatives of Lord Mikael?" The grey-haired man greeted them, his bushy moustache and beard moving up and down as he spoke. Lars and Charley stared at him and wondered how the man could eat through the forest of grey hairs... But decided not to comment and injure his pride."Tch, Head Butler Idris, how dare that Mikael reject our Duke's invitation! And he dares to send these--" The feminine Rashid shot a resentful glare at the boys out of the corner of his eyes, "--whippersnappers in his stead!""Now now, Rashid... In the first place, as a near-Mythical combatant, he is our Duke's equal! He does not owe her any allegiance and yet chose to protect the city. And he has even taken on some serious injuries while defending our helpless citizens, even saving the General and Jamal boy's life! How can you find fault with him for such a small thing...? Isn't it normal for him to be recuperating after such a battle? Can we truly begrudge our benefactor such a thing...?"The wise and knowledgeable looking Head Butler spoke at length with a comforting voice, both encouraging and rebuking his subordinate for his disrespectful attitude.But Rashid clearly did not take the advice to heart, instead harumphing and storming off after shouting out only a short sentence, "Fine! Take care of things your way! Who does he think he is, just a commoner but he thinks that he can stand on equal status with the noble lords and ladies? Preposterous! If I were the Duke..."His muttering trickled away as he grew further and further away, leaving a bemused trie of 2 boys and 1 man who was shaking his head in pity."Don't mind him, come, come, I'll lead you in. Her Grace instructed to bring you in as soon as you arrived."Lars and Charley shrugged, glanced at each other and followed the man as he brought them past the guards and into Duke Leanne de Caldis' great throne room. He stopped for a moment to inform the man in charge of announcing guests' arrival and then nodded as the doors were opened for them."...The Great Tree Sect! What use have they been! I paid them so much, so so much just for the promise of protection and a trial in their disciple exams, but he didn't even appear during the whole past 48 hours! We need to send our own people, not some outsiders! This is family we're talking about, FAMILY!!!" "I told you, it doesn't matter if it's family or not, we can't afford the manpower. If we leave our city defenceless, we--" A dispassionate voice spoke, one that was weak but still powerful and carried an air of dignity."FARHAN JAMAL!!! HOW DARE YOU! WOULD YOU SAY THE SAME IF IT WERE YOUR CHILD??! I DARE YOU TO SAY YOU WOULD!! COME ON!" An indignant man roared in response, obviously one who bore at least the same level of authority."Gentlemen, let us be calm." A booming deep voice interjected, the familiar voice of General Weres. "I believe that Farhan is just saying that we don't have the people! Who would you send? That's exactly why we need to ask them for help...!""Hmphh! Don't think that I don't know what you're doing. Don't forget you are the very one who failed to protect my beloved Natalie! You and that Estreya pansy! You've both failed completely!! How are you going to be responsible if they don't return safely??!""LEYO! How dare you! Don't forget that my Astrid is among those kidnapped as well! And don't forget also the reason behind their kidnapping!" A gentle sounding man rebuked the earlier speaker, though at this moment he was not gentle at all and raised his voice in anger.As they stepped through into the grand throne room, the heated discussions within could be heard for a moment before they fell silent; the speakers watching to see who was entering."Announcing the arrival of Great Lord Mikael Tumijo's representatives! His disciple, Miller Knight Larsson and his agent, Charley Charlemagne!"Lars and Charley walked into the hall and saw there was a grand wooden table laid out in the centre of the throne room. The rectangular table looked like it was originally for dining.The patriarchs of the Four Noble Houses looked like they had been seated together along the rectangular table with General Weres who looked to be trying to placate and keep the peace. At the head of the table were 3 people: Prime Minister Gurdev, Duke Leanne de Caldis and one more older man with a spear who looked far older.Right now, 3 of the four patriarchs were standing, engaged in an aggressive argument. Only one of them was still seated with a solemn expression on his face - presumably the only one who had not engaged in the argument, the patriarch of House Trenel - Patriarch Mallard Trenel.Rounding off the attendees was the older man who was seated on Duke Leanne's left hand; a wizened gentleman with long white hair who sat with his chair pushed far away from the table. He had his eyes closed as he sat with one leg up on the chair, his knee pressed against his chest. The wooden spear he had propped against his chest with point facing the ceiling was embraced by him lovingly.Despite his senile appearance, the valiant aura he exuded caused even Lars to feel threatened as the man's eyes flitted open to gaze at the boy for a moment too long - before he closed them once more and seemed to return to his slumber."Gentlemen, seeing as I am the only lady at this table, as usual, it befits me to humbly beseech you: Shut up and sit down! We can talk it out calmly, that will get us results quicker!" Seeing that the guests had arrived, Duke Leanne finally spoke her mind, asking everyone to take their seats and have a civil discussion. Though still fuming with anger each for their own reasons, the patriarchs smoothed their robes down and sat down, albeit while still throwing glares at one another.Then Leanne turned to face Lars and Charley. She smiled slightly, although her brow still looked strained from the stress and demands of running the ailing city! If Lars were not mistaken, she had not slept a wink since last night, based on the dark shadows under her eyes."Greetings, young man. I presume you must be Lars, the disciple of Lord Mikael. Was he unable to make it...? Is he still in his secluded practice...?" She continued to smile as she spoke, though Lars could sense she was slightly disappointed that his alter-ego had not come himself.Nevertheless, Lars pretended not to notice as he smiled broadly and bowed deeply, exhibiting the elegance in his movements and then eloquence in his speech."Yes, your Grace. My master professes his greatest regret that he is unable to join your illustrious gathering today. He sends his regards and states that whatever the request is, he will do his utmost to support and comply..."Then Lars continued smiling, but like a smiling tiger as he added one line that sent chills up the spines of everyone gathered there, including Charley."...For the right price, that is.""Preposterous! Who does he think he is! We should have you hanged and send back your corpse as a lesson to that stuck-up fool!" Leyo Sarouneh shot to his feet once more as his face turned red and a vein bulged on his temples. Then he swayed slightly and coughed, then trembled slightly as he shakily sat back down. The servants behind him quickly came to his side but were waved away.At those words, Duke Leanne sighed loudly as a sign of her stance on things and shook her head while looking at the grey-haired Sarouneh Patriarch."Earl Leyo! May I remind you that Lord Mikael has contributed greatly to the city! If not for his presence there at the stadium, perhaps it would not just be Natalie and Astrid who were captured by Leocadius! General Weres and Yusof might have perished with none of us the wiser to Gaius Trenel's fall into the Abyss! I understand your worry for Natalie, but your words are not getting us any closer to a solution!"Leyo's face turned sour as he scowled more and more. But he harumphed and continued sitting, obviously not willing to risk his blood pressure shooting through the roof.Then Duke Leanne turned back to Lars and Charley and smiled as she spoke."I hope you don't mind Leyo - he's a passionate man especially when it has to do with his beloved daughter; a stance that I too would understand fully if placed in the same circumstances." She closed her eyes momentarily and sighed once more before reopening them to observe the two boys' reactions."Yeah, sure." Lars just shrugged nonchalantly, while Charley pretended to dig his ear - which made not just Leyo sputter with anger but also the other three patriarchs frown in displeasure!"Very well, I would like to thank Lord Mikael once more, please communicate to him our thanks and gratitude! His presence is much welcomed and we hope he will join us for a simple dinner tonight." Lars and Charley both nodded in acquiescence, though not committing on their master's agreement, then Duke Leanne introduced those seated in the room one by one.
