Kasel
In the roan hills the capital of this mega empire. A behemoth city made of walls even though they were useless as the city was surrounded by the most powerful clans, no foreign arm could've have made it to this city. The wall rose in the night making it look like a turtle from above, imposing and dangerous. Here soldiers patrolled though not regularly since it was basically useless. Here in the city up the hills where many looked up to, where at first glance it looked clean, organised, a place the rulers were proud of. But here squeezed between the outer city wall and the first wall. Here between the wilderness planes and where those who were a bit richer lived was a place most rulers tended to ignore. Here where all the dirt the nobles swept ended up, where they hid their dirty deeds. Here where most peasants of this city lived in shanty buildings was a tavern that used the outer city wall as one of its walls.
This building housed more sins than anywhere in the continent, here there were murderers, slavers, kidnappers, highwaymen, thieves, whores, business men who specialized in organs, mutineers, one could even summon demons and primordials if one was lucky to find the one who specialized in such things and if one was extremely luck they could see a noble beauty. Now I know what your wondering. Why is this building still open and operational? Its simple actually, because the nobles were the biggest funder. They hypocritically preach against such people but wont hesitate to switch sides if it suited them. They preach against slavery but wont hesitate to buy an exotic beauty or trade an organ or seal whatever they wanted.
It had rained recently so the ground was still muddy. I trekked slowly along the narrow street that could only fit two people at a time. I got to the tavern with no name. I walked in to the sounds of ladies moaning, some legit some faking. Other bulky men were throwing their axes at each other, others were shouting their lungs out pointing to a game, this quickly escalated to a fight. there was a soldier passed out on his spit, another soldier had enough coin for fun but not enough for a room so they did their dirty deeds at the taverns wall. Naked whores passed out drinks occasionally receiving a light slap on their behind, others gambled and I could tell another fight was brewing. I walked to the bar where I found who I was looking for sleeping on the counter.
'You smell like a dead rat' I jested as I sat down and the barman walked to me. I tossed him a coin and he slid me a mug.
'I don't want anything your offering' The man turned his face away from me. 'please let me be' I took a sip of the beer and spit it back.
'Tastes like piss' I mumbled as I wiped my mouth. 'Morgan... is that anyway to talk to an old friend?' I smiled as I said this.
'You are no friend of mine demon' he dragged his body and stood to leave. 'It'd be easier to strike me dead'
'Why are you angry at me? Didn't I fill my part of the bargain? 'I asked not bothering to look at him. He stopped turned and went back to the counter where he stood facing my back. 'Immortality you said, so immortality I gave.' I chuckled. 'Why? Not enjoying immortality' I turned to face him.
'I haven't slept for the past twenty years' He scoffed unable to hold his anger. 'Immortality you say, if sleep they find me and I'd die, if get my head severed I die, I stand in the sun I die, I get bitten by your dogs I die, I get impaled by a wood that is so easy to find wood I die, you promised me fucking immortality now am just a cowered who hides in the dark too afraid to buy a bed.' He was fuming. 'I cant even taste anything. So please leave me alone sir' He sounded pitifully convincing but too bad I really didn't care.
'I gave you what you asked for' I smiled. ' do me a small favour and ill let you sleep' I could feel the uncertainty, fatigue and desperation coming from him. 'Do we have a bargain?' His uncertainty won in the end and he turned to walk away.
'You don't understand something, you have no say in the matter me offering you a reward was being overly gracious.' I was still smiling.
'Who do you want gone?' In the end he was lesser than a pawn in my hand and he knew it.
'Now that's how you should behave' I laughed lightly. 'His son. Get me his head' I stood and patted his shoulder on my way out. I could hear him grinding his teeth in anger. I looked up to the sky at my beloved moon and sighed.
'He really did come back' I set my coat well and stepped into the shadows.
Shin
I used my five minutes wisely, a quick bath, some perfume, a clean suit, polished shoes and I was ready. I met my uncle tying his binds and we both left. Shadow stepping into a moving carriage was tricky, one misstep and you might find yourself under instead of inside. We got in just as it was passing the palace's gate. There were no carriages waiting in line so we just pulled up to the palace doors. The door was held open and my uncle and I walked inside and headed for the hall. immediately we walked in I knew my blunder, the emperor had arrived before I did. I smiled nervously and looked at uncle who stepped back.
'Sorry am late' I said my voice though spoken softly echoed across the hall. I descended the stairs with uncle in toe behind me.
'Shin my boy glad you and your uncle could make it' the emperor gave the party the go ahead and everyone started minding their own business.
'Sir' I bowed my head slightly in respect and was about to excuse myself when the old master spoke.
'Let me introduce you to my flower, Layann' He introduced the young lady behind him.
'Your highness I've heard so much about you' She curtsied. Her voice was dreamy, a pitch that would make most people fall and dance to her whims.
'I am honoured. let me not take to much of your time then, sir' I bowed to the emperor again and took my leave. It was always wise to keep ones word short.
'I am ready to go home' I joked as I took a drink from one of the servants and downed it all in one gulp.
'You shouldn't drink too much on such occasions, you have an image to maintain.' it was Adriel
'You dare teach me courtesy when you snuck in like a thief.' I swung back.
'I had two babies to bath and cloth so I am sorry am late.' She smiled as she stood between me and uncle. 'How's socializing going for you?' She asked none of us in particular. I looked at uncle and shook my head.
'Its bad, two words to the princess and he was ready to call it a night.' uncle joked. Adriel took a drink down the glass in one gulp and took another.
'I thought we weren't supposed to drink?' I asked clearly pushing her buttons.
'I might need it later on. I've seen you two fight and win battles yet talking to people suddenly becomes a challenge?' She sighed. 'So which prince do you fancy?'
'None' I answered after considering for a while. 'I intend to keep away from Nurr's politics'
'Good. You should keep it that way.' she took a sip turned to the emperor who was busy introducing his granddaughter to everyone. 'What of her?' I was about to answer when I realised she'd asked uncle instead. He just shook his head. I grabbed another drink when the servant walked close to me.
'I just remembered. You gave asylum to some girl. Now where is she' She craned her neck searching the crowd. 'There they are' She hooked her arm onto mine and dragged me across the hall. on the way we were stopped by someone leading a group of people.
'Ah lady Adriel, your majesties' he acknowledged us and immediately my head went numb refusing to fabricate words of fluttery. He was a prince and he was here for one reason alone to try and get my support in securing the throne. He stood tall his eyes piercing in a way I didn't find comfortable and his words sounded rehearsed.
'Sir Nurr, fancy meeting you here' I could hear the irritation in Adriel's voice and of course the obvious lie. 'Am afraid my cousin is a bit tired now your majesty, how bout lunch tomorrow' Adriel was a born politician, in one sentence she got rid of the prince putting of the problem for another time all the while without offending him a lot. He bowed lightly.
'I will see you tomorrow' he left. That was all he really wanted, a date, the whole reason of approaching, wasn't to talk business but to get the opportunity to discuss later in length. I nodded not bothering to return the bow. Immediately he was gone Adriel continued dragging me across the room. She was smiling a bit mischievously it made me uncomfortable. The three of us got to a part of the hall where there were three ladies talking to a group headed by another prince.
'Your majesty' The three ladies and others from the prince group bowed. I smiled and nodded in greeting I still didn't understand what was happening.
'We will talk more later your highness' One of the three ladies whom I perceived to be the eldest told the prince who walked away with a mixed expression.
'Cousin let me introduce you to my friend Linda' Adriel said excitedly
'Its an honour for me and my sisters' She spoke softly and with elegance.
'Don't be so stiff he doesn't like it' Adriel casually spoke. Am sorry we ruined your discussion with the prince' even I could tell that apology was fake. she really didn't care.
'Nothing much' as Linda spoke the hall darkened and the emperor and Layann stood in the middle under the spotlight and stated to dance. Their moves were elegant and no movement was wasted. the hall erupted into cheers and claps as their dance came to an end. the floor was opened to anyone. some of the eyes in the hall turned to me and I felt a shiver escape my spine.
'Cousin how bout a dance' I was do decline.' you promised me a dance last year' Adriel continued. I couldn't remember promising her a dance but before I could say anything she had pushed me to the floor. Since I was here I held her hand and surprisingly they were not hers. it was an awkward moment as I stared at her blankly. I didn't quite know her name. The music started and to avoid more complications I pulled her closer and held her waist.