Elemental Thief Part I : Child of Calamity

Ranks

Nero leaned back in his chair, watching the angry, pompous human stride into his office, which was a little more than a hard sided campaign tent in the work camp. The man's clothing was expensive and even his weapons were ornamental but not of the high quality steel that humans called Vayan Steel. Few humans had access to the steel crafted in Rulin and Vayana, and it was a standard that even money could not buy though this man seemed to make up for it with useless ornamentation on a blade that was a quarter the width of a Rulin blade.

Only select people got steel blades in Clairval, and that told him enough about the man's importance and character. He wasn't close to those whose ancestors had fought with Nero and the rest of Rulin. If he hadn't already been told about the history behind this man's presence, he would have disliked the fool in front of him immediately; still, he humoured the man's pomp, to the point where he had allowed him an audience.

But Nero, knowing that the Clairvalan expected to be showered with a show of respect and deference, remained in his desk and watched his approach.

"Lord Corvin. I understand you are requesting information regarding one of the prisoners that has been employed by Rulin as part of a trade contract between our two nations." Nero said slowly, arching a brow as the man stumbled to a halt.

This man was clearly used to being shown a great deal of deference, and was far too full of himself to understand the differences in their two nations. Nero watched the man attempt to catch himself and hide his emotions from the slight without reaction, baiting the Lordling along with breadcrumbs.

"General Nero?" The man said sharply, crossing his arms over his chest. "I've been through this up with your guards posted in the City."

Nero shook his head, smirking at him, allowing his tone to dip into condescension for effect. "Those aren't my guards, which could probably explain the difficulty. They fall under a different command, a different General. He reports to the Queen. I report to the King. We are entirely separate entities. They have no involvement with Clairvalan prisoners."

Corvin narrowed his eyes and snorted. "As fascinating as that lesson is, General, I would expect a little more cooperation from a nation we've been closely allied with for several generations. Cooperation and respect in the way of assistance with these minor differences and I would think that the respect due for ranking court members transfers between our two countries."

"You've been shown the appropriate respects for a courtier of similar rank within Rulin society, Lord Corvin." Nero said dismissively, shaking his head. "But I will remind you that most of the people you've spoken to remember a time when Clairval wasn't even a concern in Rulin's considerations. We were there for the forging of that alliance that you're mentioning. We were parties to it."

"I am a Peer of Clairval, one of the thirteen founding families, and an advisor to the Regent herself. I have not been shown the due respect to my rank and station." Corvin snapped, his face going red with anger.

The idiot human drew himself up then, puffing his chest out and making himself look as large and important as he could.

Nero stood then, letting his wings fall open as he leaned forward on the desk, still over a foot taller than the man. "And I am a General. Our nations are different in what warrants rank and station, human. Rulin hierarchy recognises the Regent, their spouse, their children in order of birth, Generals and the Regents Advisors, then those of the Inner Court, then courtiers and commanders, followed by other military ranks." Nero was furious now, growling at the man, seeing Corvin's fear and uncertainty and growling more in spite, or perhaps because of it. "You throw your titles at me, thinking they will impress me. There are very few humans that impress me, and fewer still that carried such titles. But the men and women you think you are equal with, the Peers of Clairval that I knew, were so far removed from the snivelling coward I see before me, that you bring shame upon your ancestors and kingdom just mentioning it."