Two days had passed after the meeting. As I was with both dukes, we had come into an agreement to meet today at The Temple of Artemis where we had been stationed by the Emperor.
I arrived at noon—an hour earlier than agreed.
I wandered through the Temple of Artemis, exchanging greetings with the priests and priestesses, before stumbling across a rather
strange sight:
A Bard. He is sitting upside down at the fountain, holding his lyre-harp at midair. The Bard noticed me and stopped tuning his lyre-harp. He smiled at me before speaking
"What a lovely woman." He said in a light hearted tone as he stood up.
"I am a man" I replied
"Oh? And here I thought beauty was reserved for the gods." he flattered, but I gave him nothing.
"Who are you?" I asked, my tone skeptical
His smile widened
"A bard"
"And a strange one" I added.
He chuckled at my comment and tilted his head to the side
"The name's The guide—a bard." He introduced himself
"That's not a name" I said, irritation creeping into my voice
He only shook his head, clearly amused by my irritation.
"How cute"
"Insulting me already?"
"Was that not a compliment?no?"
"No" I said flatly
"Ha!How amusing!"
"Talking with you is like talking to a child. What a way to waste my time," I said coldly, my tone firm.
I walked around the temple, observing the behaviour of the priests and priestesses and taking mental note, but so far it was nothing but a strange reaction they were giving. Maybe because of that damned bard. Who's following me like a lost puppy or at least I thoughts.
I investigate every building, from the enterance to the storage house while waiting for the dukes to arrives. But yet I found nothing, this place is weird to say at least. The architecture of the buildings are very strange.
It was fruitless investigation, then suddenly the guide who has been following me speak up
"How long you are going to wander around, princess?" He asked, his tone flirty.
"Please save your words if you has nothing to say." I replied, annoyance creeping into my voice
"How stubborn, here I am trying to show you something" he shrug
"What is it?"
"Not gonna tell unless you ask me softly"
"Fuck your dick ass"
"Pft—BAHAHAHHAHA!!" He crack up, dying from laughter
I ignore him and look at my pocket watch, keeping in touch with the time. It's been an hour but the dukes still has yet to arrives.
I look around and noticed there is no one except us in this area, and this is the exact same area where we first meet.
I walk around, taking different routes but I end up in the same place. 'A loop?' I thought to myself then I realised something, that bard. He didn't move at all and stayed at one place.
"Have you come to your sense? Little princess" He smirked
"What have you done?"
"Nothing."
"Liar"
"So what if am I?I didn't say about me being a liar. Also oh!where is your precious duke?"
"Where are they."
"Dunno"
"Pray tell."
"Why should I?"
"You trapped me inside your illusion"
"Aw you caught me red hand…Hahahaha!"
The illusion start cracking up into a depth of void. I immediately reacted to the sudden change and wasted no time and immediately chant to use my magick
'O' The World Tree—hear my voice inside this endless void. Guide me to the light and release me from this abyss. Hail'
After the chant, a white glittering glow start appearing and slowly forming into a symbol of The World Tree, Yggdrasil. The symbol shone lighter and the light consumed the dark of this internal void making it become a pitch white realm once again.
The sight of both dukes appears, and the person disappear.
The Duke of North ran up to me "We are searching for you" he said in feign concern tone.
The Duke of South just watch from afar, deep in thoughts.
I look at the Duke of North and ask "Duke Llewellyn, how long has it been?"
"2 days" he replied.
"Did I delay this mission?"
"No, you are trapped in strange magick."
"Have you investigate?"
"Yes, I have with Duke Cassius." he said in reassuring tone.
The Duke of South finally decide to speak "Enough the chatter Phoebus" he said coldly.
Duke Llewellyn look at him and pout but before he could answer Duke Cassius cut him "Pray tell, what has happened. The emperor wait for your answer" he said with a glare.
"Hail Apollon" I replied and left, with the flash of the magick I disappeared into thin of air.
Both Dukes look at each other and tilted they head
"Weird one" Duke Llewellyn commented.
"Extremely" Duke Cassius added.
And with that, they mind their own business and left too.