Re:Creation Book 1: Allegiance

Thir:teen

"This isn't a good idea," Telk muttered. He, Reif, and Therias were nearing the gates to Castle Ralhana.

"We were turned away from the Prison District." Reif kept his eyes forward as he walked. "Unless you have another idea, we're going to at least try speaking directly to the royal family."

"I meant it's a bad idea to bring me along." There was a bitter flair to Telk's tone.

"Bargaining coin," Reif replied. "It's easier to negotiate if you have something of interest to the other party."

"That again?" Telk groaned. "I told you I didn't do anything wrong."

"You crossed the royal family," Reif replied. "That's wrong enough."

"I didn't cross the entire family. I crossed Ura."

"Children, please," Therias interjected. "You made it the entire walk here with out going at each other. Don't screw it up now."

Both Telk and Reif fell silent as the trio reached the front gate to Castle Ralhana on the edge of Syllict's Market District. A large wooden door between two stone walls stood between them and the royal family. The castle grounds marked the third and final section to Syllict's walled premises, the other two being the city and Prison District. As expected, knights from the Sable Oath were stationed on either side of the gate, blocking all entry.

"Excuse me," Reif said as they approached. "I'm-"

"We're under strict orders to not allow anyone in," one of the guards sternly stated. "Even to the public areas of the castle. King Ura is very wary after the attack on Castle Tyveren."

Reif paused, slightly taken aback by the interruption. "Well, that's actually why we are here, in part. I am Lord Reif Valera, the priest of Kinsae, and it is quite urgent that I am given audience with King Ura."

Both guards examined Reif, Therias, and Khel with dubious gazes, and understandably so. Neither Reif, nor Therias bore the well kept proper grooming that those of high status were typically given. To knights who'd never seen them before, it wouldn't be farfetched to believe they were of common birth.

"Do you have any proof as to who you claim you are?" The first knight said.

Reif looked at Therias who simply shrugged in response. With an annoyed sigh, Reif held out both of his hands, one palm face up and the other face down. After a few seconds of concentrating, the hand facing upwards burst into flame while a small stone on the ground flew upwards to be caught in his other hand. Though it was a simple trick of his, accomplishing it required much more effort than it should have - a sign of Reif's waning power in fire and earth. He'd already known about the Book of Earth vanishing from its altar, but his steady decline in flame control likely meant that the Book of Sun had been taken as well - or at least that something was wrong regarding it. The time when he would have to focus on finding the grimoires and Jeyre was quickly approaching, but he had to help Lev first. He had to know the prince was safe.

Fortunately, the display of power was enough to convince the guards of his identity, as the both respectfully bowed in his direction. Their acceptance prompted him to extinguish his flame and continue. "I must speak with King Ura regarding the current status and well-being of Tamras, and Myral as a whole, as well as the Myralian royal family. Particularly, Prince Lev Tyveren."

"They're dead," the first guard said. "Nothing to talk about."

"I-I'm sorry?"

"Please pardon this man," the second knight chimed in. He sounded somewhat nervous to be speaking with Reif, unlike the first. "He's ill-equipped to speak with someone of such lofty status. He's newly recruited into our ranks and has not yet been acclimated to the nuances of speaking in the presence of one as esteemed yourself." He bowed again. "Lord Valera, the news of the demise of the Tyveren family has already spread throughout Taëlas. I'm afraid that it is part of the reason King Ura has shut the gates."