Novis

chapter 2

Horns blew through the street and the caverns. Crowds of people gathered at the iron gates, leading to the mansion, whispering to each other with concerned expressions. On the other side of the gates, four figures wearing black cloaks, entered the stone-grey mansion. All four held their heads high with a book in hand.
A large table was set at the entrance of the mansion and after the doors were shut, the four figures sat there with their books in front of them.
"So then, shall we begin?" One of them spoke. He wore a wooden bracelet on his left wrist and poured himself some sort of green liquid into a glass as he spoke.
"Sir lance...surely you know the issue we have come to discuss?" The man sat opposite him spoke.
" Yes, of course. But why should that mean I can't have a refreshment?"
"Because! Sir Lance, because this is a case involving a human...a Novis..." the man lowered his voice as he continued speaking. "it needs to be taken seriously!"

Sir lance put down his glass and sighed. He looked from one to another, "And? A Novis is in our presence and Alium will fall? Is that it, Sir Chastain? It is one being, what do you suppose to do?" 

The other two glanced at each other then looked down at their books.

"Fine...do as you wish. But do not put anyone in danger." Sir lance stood up and walked towards the door. "That includes the human..." With that last note, he walked out of the mansion.

"If I was in charge, I tell you now, I would bring that Novis down!" Sir Chastain stood up, pushed the table forward and stormed off with his book in hand. "For now, we'll follow the rules, Lance. But we all know that Novis is not welcome here." 

***

"Father, you're back?" a female voice spoke. Sir Chastain opened his cloak and laid down his book on the small table beside a brown, leather armchair. 

"Yes, I'm back. But for what good!?" he plodded himself down onto the armchair and poured a drink from the decanter into a small vial. "Celia, where is the maid, tell her to run the bathwater."  

Celia, walked towards her father, her arms crossed across her chest. With deep blue eyes she stared at her father, taking a seat opposite her father's armchair. 

"You failed, didn't you?" she raised a brow. Her father glanced at her then quickly took a sip from his vial. The flames from the fireplace crackled.

Celia smirked and leaned back into the chair, tutting. " Typical. You always seem to be like this. Giving in that easily..." 

"What! Give in? I didn't!" he threw the vial down onto the table. "It's that pompous Lance that always gets in my way! If it weren't for him, I-

"You'd be the head of the Council?" Celia interrupted, "but you're not, Father. You work under him."

Her held her gaze. 

"Listen to this child..." he muttered, looking at her, "I can become the head if I wanted to!".

Celia smiled, flashing her sharp teeth. She stood up, then looked at her manicured hands.

"Sure, you keep trying to do that. But I'm going to do something useful and bring that Novis in myself."  

"You? Ha! you may be my child but you have a long way to go to be able to do anything by yourself." he emptied his vial. 

"Maybe you forgot," she sauntered towards him, "I'm not those other girls hiding behind their so-called strong fathers." She leaned towards him and to this, he stumbled but tried to stay composed. "Don't underestimate me, I'm not like you. A Novis, huh? I'll put a stop to it." With a final sneer, she strode off.

With a gulp, he began pouring himself another drink as his hands trembled, "I must have raised a monster." 

***

Celia walked out of the mansion, through a small gate and followed a stone pathway. It was silent with only the sound of her black heels clicking against the ground. As she continued, the sounds of laughter and murmur grew louder. She arrived at a large area, with huts and small stalls all around. People were stood in groups, in pairs and alone, enjoying themselves. She came to an archway that canopied over a large cave. Two men with swords around their waists stood on either end of the entrance to the cave. 

Celia smiled, fixed her hair and then approached them.

"It's lovely to see you again," she said with a gentle voice. They both looked at her and gave a small bow. "my father certainly chose the warriors here quite well. Listen, is there any chance you both can do a job for me? I'd do it myself but I need help." The soldiers both looked at each other and then back at Celia.

"We'd love to help you, but Eric-

"Oh, don't worry about Eric, I'm sure he'd understand since it's me that you're helping." 

"Eric has been agitated lately though...but I'm sure he'd be happy we're fulfilling our duty as warriors here." one of the soldiers spoke. "He is always saying how we never do our job properly."

Celia clapped her hands together and grinned. 

"I'm glad to hear that. I look forward to working with you. If you both would follow me, I'll explain what I need along the way." Celia turned around, with both warriors following behind her.