Cobalt Crown - Book One

1 A Kingdom of Stones

     Through the topmost window of a tower of stone and wood, a man with graying hair and blue-gray eyes sat at a small oak desk situated to look out into the sprawling sight of the City of Gold, and capital of Alain, Aurum. He wore a simple robe designed to display the holy colors of the city: blue and white. Occasionally from the window puffs of smoke would escape as the man read his letters. Sometimes the smoke would be formless, but other times his clouds would shape into various animals. On good days small elk and goats would dance about his tower's shingles, but on bad days, his window would be darkened by rage-filled smoke taking the form of fearsome beasts.

     This was all a part of his daily routine. One by one, wax seals would break themselves and parchment unfurled on its own, guided by a hand nowhere close to touching them. With a cup of tea, his pipe, and a constant stream of letters floating aloft in his chambers, he would read news from his colleagues.

     "Hmph, Dor'al, what a fool you are. There are too many components to compress an augury!" He blustered, setting his tea down to fling the letter into the nearby fireplace with a flick of his finger. "Besides, he doesn't even have a crystal ball. I assume this next letter is a request to borrow mine?"

     Another letter unsealed itself and opened in front of him as he read aloud, almost proud of his prediction:

     "Caiaphus, my friend, I trust my other letters have reached you safely. With that in mind, I humbly request to procure for my research one sphere crystal catalyst, and I know that you are in possession of such an item. I'll not tarry with small talk as I'm more than aware that you despise such nonsense." Caiaphus couldn't help but mock the gesture: "How generous of you, Dor'al" he said as he continued reading: "I'm willing to bargain for its use at the Arcanum Colloquium. I am requesting that you bring it to the meeting, as I'm certain I will be able to entice your academic curiosity. With respect, Dor'al Emmis Emberback III." Caiaphus glared at the letter, his brow furrowed in thought. "He seems quite determined that he can sway me. Perhaps I've underestimated what he could have in store. I guess it shan't hurt to bring the danged thing. But where did I put it?" He got up.

     Bumbling through the cluttered chamber, Caiaphus began to toss scrolls and small chests aside, books and parchment went scattering in all directions as he turned the room upside down to find the sphere in question. A few minutes later there was a knock at his chamber door.

     "Yes, who is it?"

     "It's Corinne, may I come in?"

     "Why of course, yes! Come in, come in!"

     The door opened, and in stepped a young woman in her early twenties, her blonde hair pulled back into a horsetail, dressed in cordial leathers. A short sword hung at her left side.

     "Princess! So very nice to see you this morning, are you here for your lesson, already?"

     "It's past noon, Caiaphus, and Stonesday. Are you feeling alright?" she said with a chuckle.

     "Oh, my apologies, your highness, for the confusion and for the mess. I'm looking for my crystal ball, the bloody thing has gone missing!"

     "You mean that one over there?" Corinne said, as she pointed to a small table in the corner. On top sat a cloth covering what appeared to be a spherical object.

     Caiaphus froze in bewilderment before striding over and pulling off the cloth to reveal a gleaming crystal sphere about eight inches in diameter. Grey clouds bounced and billowed within its confines.

     "Well, would you look at that, it was right here all along! I thank you, your highness."

     The wizard bowed reverently, keeping his head low and torso bent at the waist.