The ruler of Armastus was a man by the name of Father Arin. He was old, wise, and known to be fair in judgement. Father Arin boasted an egalitarian society and a strict court system. Not only was Father Arin the ruler of Armastus, he was also the head of the Assassin’s League. In Euphasia, however, the League was known more simply as Euphasia Trading Co., which was mostly a diversion- but a good one, as Father Arin’s position allowed him to keep up appearances pretty easily.
They had barely made it through the city's western gates, and already Tempest could see the large crowds of people bustling on the streets. Surely there were many different types of people; people making their daily runs, workers, and travelers passing through. Tempest observed the way the denizens of Armastus dressed, and observed their behavior.
Farah and Rune watched Tempest's curiosity carefully. Rune already understood exactly what Tempest was feeling, but Farah could only imagine what thoughts occupied Tempest's mind. There was no "typical dress" of the great grassland Farah and Aneurin called Euphasia- and home. People wore styles that were popular in their time, and it had been that way since the days of old. In style at the time were scarves to be worn in many fashions and, particularly for women, hand bags with which to carry belongings on a person's body for short travel. Handbags were a recent invention and therefore expensive, which meant handbags were only worn by the wealthier. In other words, they were luxuries. Being who they were, neither Farah nor Aneurin were able to conform to this type of fashion. As short-sleeved dresses hemmed just below the knee were popular for women, straight-cut pants and long-sleeved shirts or sweaters were popular for men.
"It is a strange new world." Tempest passively acknowledged Rune. "Tell me, is weather here really so fair and society so backwards that these people are able to dress with such little clothing?"
"Society isn't backwards here," Rune snapped at Tempest, "it's just different than what you're used to. It's acceptable in Euphasia for these people to dress this way. They call it 'style.' You better get used to it now."
"...Interesting." Tempest's voice trailed off as he continued to stare. Rune huffed, as this was not the reaction he was hoping for nor expecting.
Armastus was a large city with the tallest buildings of the kingdom, as it was only in Armastus where buildings were allowed to be build that high. Cities of the mountains in the far West spread rumors that Armastus touched the clouds, giving Armastus its nickname of City of the Sky. Now, Tempest could see for himself why.
Farah and Aneurin led the group through the winding streets of the city. They were eager to get home, but avoided main streets because of Tempest’s flashy clothing for fear of drawing too much attention to themselves. The city was split into two districts; a lower and upper district that mirrored economic class. The gates the group had entered had taken them directly into the Lower City District. Their destination was a large located in the city’s Upper District known as Father’s Keep, which housed Father Arin himself. As they entered the Upper City District, the crowd lessened but they could not drop their guards just yet.
The group made their way through the city’s central plaza, also known as The Market. People set up shop stalls here, blacksmiths selling their wares, grocers selling their foodstuffs, and many more. As The Market was busy, Aneurin drew his hood farther down his forehead. Farah did not care much, as so far they had not risen an alarm. Tempest earned himself quite a lot of attention, and he threw his cloak behind him, flashing his clothes and brightly colored jewelry.
“Tempest, what are you doing?” Aneurin snapped at the desertman, despite knowing he could not understand. “Rune, tell him he needs to stop.” Beside him, Farah nodded her head in agreement.
“Wrap your cloak around yourself. You’re drawing too much attention.” Rune looked up at the nobleman.
“And why should I? It is no question that they would be gawking in amazement at my fine jewelry and envying me.” Tempest waved off Rune’s criticism. “They have no reason to suspect what business we have in this place. So why worry? If anything my fine jewelry proves that I belong here with the richer.”
Rune stared at Tempest in disgusted amazement. Sadly, the desertman had made a good point. Knowing they were not going to succeed in forcing Tempest to stop, they gave up and let him continue on with his flaunting. They crossed a bridge in The Market that led them straight to the door of Father’s Keep.
Farah and Aneurin both met eyes with the guards guarding the doors. They nodded to one another before the group passed through the door. Tempest had caught this gesture, and was confused.
“How has the guards allowed them in so easily?” Tempest questioned Rune without looking at him. “Shouldn’t they have questioned their business, at least?”
“Father Arin practically raised those two. They meet with Father Arin before they leave for every mission and the moment they return. The guards recognize them.” Rune sighed. This answer satisfied Tempest, and he remained quiet.
Upon passing through the doors, Tempest himself gawked at the beauty of Father’s Keep. It was simply a long hall that led up to a throne, with adjacent rooms on either side. But the hall was lavishly decorated, down to every last detail. There was a carpet, which Tempest recognized immediately from his home country. On both sides of the carpet were decorative pillars, made of marble and carved with designs that boasted Father Arin’s wealth and power, and all the past Fathers had accomplished before him. The glass in the windows were stained, so that when the sunlight hit them just right the entire spectrum of visible color shone on the walls,the pillars, the floor, and on the throne itself. Upon the throne sat a man, dressed in long royal red robes and bearing a circlet on his head.
With Tempest and Rune tailing behind them, Farah and Aneurin approached this man.
“Greetings, Father.” Aneurin and Farah bowed slightly, Rune bowing behind. It took Tempest a second, but after making awkward eye contact with the man Tempest bowed himself.
“Welcome back.” Father Arin’s face was long, and his blue eyes were hard like rocks, yet deep like the ocean. He set his stern gaze onto Aneurin, who was not intimidated. “Do you have a reasonable explanation as to why you are late?”
“Tempest’s boat was late. Very late.” Aneurin shot Tempest an angry side glare, but the desert native looked rather lost in translation. “Farah, Rune, and I were out there waiting before sunrise, but his boat did not come ‘till almost noon. I am sorry, Father Arin.”
“Ah, Tempest.” Father Arin turned his attention to the mentioned Sulvikian. “I welcome you to Euphasia. I hope that you will find everything to your liking, but keep in mind that you are now in a place where your nobility means nothing to these people. They will treat you the same as they would anyone else. Don’t let this be your downfall. But I now officially welcome you to the Euphasian Assassin’s League.” The man’s voice boomed. He waited for the adolescent boy to translate his words.
“Thank you, Father.” Tempest accepted this, having been told that he should treat Father Arin with the same respect he had to give Father Ramnill.
“I will excuse your transgressions this one time. You are home and safe, and that is all that matters. Now, I must tell you about your new mission.” Father Arin paused, waiting for any opposition. Their bloods boiled. They had just arrived home and Father Arin would not let them settle even for a day before sending them back out? But they quickly accepted this. They had been trained for this, after all. Rune quickly translated for Tempest.
“Normally I would let Tempest settle a few days before being sent back out, but this mission is of great importance.” Father Arin looked around to make sure there were no close ears, then carried on. “There is a small village a few miles northeast of here named Carius. We have a stationed Assassin living there who informed me just this morning about a potential ransack by the Ray’as. I need you all to leave early tomorrow morning and stop this ransack before it even beings. In the meantime, find out what you can about the Ray’as and what they are doing. It has been a while since we’ve heard from them, and it would be useful to know why they are coming back on such a small scale. Is it that their troops are weakened, or is that what they want us to believe?” Father Arin paused again. “I could have chosen another team, but I decided on you four because of your skill, and because this will be good to unite you all as one with your new comrade. I expect you all to learn from each other. Do not prove me wrong in my decision. Now, you all may be excused except for Tempest. I wish to see him alone.” Aneurin and Farah turned and left, but a though occurred to Rune.
“Don’t you need me?”
“It is alright. You are excused as well.” Father Arin lifted an arm and gestured towards the door. Confused, Rune passed through it letting it close completely behind him, and catching up with Aneurin and Farah.
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