Disorder: World of the Wicked

Brocken Spectre

Not to bore you with every detail of my life, we're moving forward to about two years later, where I felt as if things were looking up.

I was at this banquet—one of many I've had to endure this year. Can't remember exactly what it was for, probably celebrating a peace treaty with the kingdom of Achin..

Achin is a sultanate, similar to Yogyakarta, but with a more diverse culture due to its proximity to mainland Asia. This diversity is reflected in its buildings and attire. For example, many nobles from Achin are of East-Asian origin. These influences were visible on their buildings and attire. Like the one I am currently sitting at; the newly opened ambassador building of Achin.
It was quite the spectacle, the grand ballroom was huge, with chandeliers decorating its ceilings, casting a golden glow over the assembled dignitaries.

Some of you may be wondering, why the devil was I attending a banquet?

I question that meself sometimes, the short answer is, I somehow rocketed up the ranks in the Glaciers. My rank is now something called "Praetor", although I am positive that that is not the correct usage of the rank Praetor. Why? Well for instance, a praetor is someone who closely resembles something of a Military President, where those with the rank would have held power over both the nation and the military. Yet here, the rank Praetor means that you are skilled enough in the field to become... A semblance of a royal guard.
Sure I outrank most Glacier members, but this still places me as some sort of a servant of the king, which I highly despise.

Loads of folks in the Glaciers would kill for the Praetor rank, but I can't stand it. Being stuck here babysitting the king while the Brigantines roam free, they are still out there, Azazel's murderers. thriving in the shadows. I gritted my teeth at the thought, when a sudden burst of laughter pulled me back to reality. 

I took a deep puff of my cigarette, attempting to relax. When that failed, I walked to a table, grabbed a glass of wine, and carefully navigated back through the crowd to my seat. I took a swig.

Focus Midas, you're on duty! Do not lose yourself!

The noises seemed to get louder with every passing second, I then sat upright, scanning the room around me. My table was slightly elevated compared to the guests. I watched as a handful of Praetors moved through the crowd, their black and gold uniforms a stood out in the sea of colourful and elaborate attire. 

Despite the lively atmosphere, my thoughts kept drifting back to that day.

I needed a moment away from it all. The idea of a brief respite on the balcony grew more appealing with each passing second.

The room is packed with guests and nobles alike, the echoes of laughter fill the room as they get acquainted with the foreigners from Achin, accompanied by the soft tune of Jazz being played on the stage of the ballroom. The more I tried to relax, the more my mind wandered to the day of the incident. This is all too much, I started to roll the loosely worn ring in my middle finger, yet the more I twist it around, the more I felt frustrated. A tap on my shoulder suddenly drew me back to the present.

"You alright Midas?" It was Glade, she had noticed that whenever I felt stressed, I would fiddle my loosely worn ring or the cat amulet which she gave me a long time ago.

I glanced at her for a moment. "Aye I'm fine, captain." I said, forcing a smile and nodding. "Just lost in thought, that's all." I tried my best to sound nonchalant, but I reckon she was able to see through me.

"I am no longer your captain, you know?" She chuckled, pausing for a brief moment. "We'll find a way."

She then took my glass and took a sip from it before carrying it away.
"Oy! That's my glass!"
"You're not allowed to drink while on duty, remember?" She said smiling, sipping from it and continued to walk away.