The Elementalist

Chapter 6

Seriously, do they have on-staff tailors or something? There is no way they just had clothes lying around that could fit. When did they even get my measurements for this?

I stood in front of a full-length mirror, looking over myself as I combed my hair, taking in my appearance. The clothes given to me were the nicest I've seen, let alone worn. It wasn't overly fancy, but it didn't need to be. The tunic was surprisingly light and stretchy, with a fine and tight weave with little spears patterned into the linen around the collar and dyed a rich forest green. It almost felt indecent to wear just because of how light it felt worn.

With it came the least coarse set of pants I've ever worn. They were less finely crafted but still leagues better than anything I knew could have made. I don't know what it was made of, but whatever it was, it took to dye well. The pants were a deep blue, almost purple color that didn't stain no matter how much I rubbed or wet it. It almost made me want to wear pants more often.

Ignoring how it somehow had a better fit than my clothes that I stitched myself, the pants and tunic both were works of wonder. They had to take weeks to make each.

I wanted to stay and marvel at how they were made, but sadly, I can't. I don't wish to Lantos to get mad at me for taking so long.

Sighing, I get back to fixing my hair. I didn't notice how tangled it got during our trip here, but it turned into a rat's nest.

I got most of the way done before a knock at the door came, startling me slightly.

"Sister, you ready?"

"Almost, give me a moment," I reply.

A couple of minutes later, I was as ready as I was going to be. Meeting up with Daniel and Lantos, who were waiting outside the room, we walked back to the meeting room. After more waiting, the same servant from before comes to collect us and leads us to the throne room.

Two guards stood in front of the large double doors. With a wave from the servant, the guards push against the door that slowly yawns open.

The first thing I noticed was how sparse the room was. It was a long hall with a tall vaulted ceiling and no decorations outside of the throne itself.

At the far end of the room sat the throne, made of wood and inlaid with gold and silver, forming a spider web pattern across its surface.

And sat upon the throne was a dark-brown-skinned woman in her late twenties. Deep purple eyes stared across the room, focusing on Lantos. She wore a conservative green-silk ball gown that flared out at the waist and plunging neckline lace with silver. The hem of the dress was that same three-spear symbol repeated. I didn't know that Lady Hallon was a Vinna.

Golden bands decorated her arms and on her left arm was a clawed gauntlet with a red ovoid gem on the back. The gauntlet pulled at me in a way that made it hard to look away from it. Like a soft beckoning call from a faraway hill. Or a lighthouse in a storm.

Standing next to her was an athletic-looking man wearing just a loincloth. Why a loincloth? I know they have better clothes than that.

"Lantos, I thought I said you need an appointment to speak with me?" She spoke with a silky voice tinged with annoyance.

"A Beast was at your walls, yet you talked to me about needing an appointment. How about we speak on why you didn't deal with the situation. I wonder what the Margravine was busy with as her civilians died."

"DO NOT-" she yelled, pushing forward on her throne, her face twisting into a scowl. The gauntlet flickered. Taking a deep breath, she continues, "The business of the margravine is mine and mine alone, and it would do well for you not to try and accuse me."