My Lady is the Queen (Aedre, Open)

It was indeed one of those days, whereas the skies were blanketed by a sea of grey and cotton figures that separates the heavens and the earth, gloom befell on the land as the hue grew to the point that it produced the radiance of the monochrome. Bricks, marble and stone that made up the body of the dominion were painted black as they succumb to the rays of black and white, the air was moist and mist befell on their land, perhaps it’s all because the Oldest of the Dark Guilds nest at the very heart of the Marsh, a scentless environment forgone of urban society and only the glowing flames from the torchlights and lamps were able to limit gloom’s reach. The scent of Jack Frost tainted the armor frames of those who were posted at every check point, as droplets of water began to form, causing silver and iron to glitter. The heavens then mourn before the sight of the Guild, those exposed out in the open, seek refuge from the downpour and only the sounds that came from rain droplets reminded those forlorn that the world was still alive.

In the Dining Hall, the knight sat as he reads the book “Charlotte” which he received via mail from the Old Woman back in Peace Village, along with him was his furry little friend which wagged its tail as it sleeps silently on his lap. There was only but silence, Savage Skull wasn’t one of those places that aren’t as festive as the others. He read through the book coming into one of those chapters that explains a little girl blessed by destiny who is also cursed by it, his eyes scanned line by line, sentence by sentence as his vision warps into the point whereas the words themselves became the image to the actual story. His read was cut short by the sound of the head guards requesting Dubhlainn to do a simple chore for them.


Hearing that, he closed the book Charlotte and placed it under his arm as he carried the small puppy with the other and attended to the task at hand. He was to serve warm tea and crumpets to where Lady Aedre is. Aedre Crawford who is Lord Harrigan’s niece, was blessed with a seat of power and someone who doesn’t want to hear unnecessary talk from her subordinates, she’s also noted to be a perfectionist and if he fails to make an impression, he’s earn her scorn immediately.

~Or that’s what is spoken among her guards.

To Dubhlainn it was of great honor for him to serve her just as it was to Harrigan and make no mistake, he’d wore it with pride and confidence. First off he couldn’t trust the guards to take care of the small puppy nor that would he trust that the book will remain untouched so he had to make haste and carried both his book and his little puppy to his room where they’d be safe at least. It would anger him greatly if anyone were to tamper with both the animal and the book itself. The worst possible scenario was that one of the Guild’s Cannibals would devour the little critter.

As soon as he set the puppy down on his bed and the book under, he’d not hesitate but answer the call of his duty as a guard. He had to fill in since security in the Citadel is now lacking as ever, hoping that he’d be a more “durable” member than those that fell before the mercy of treachery. He wore his usual suit and received the delivery tray containing a variety of things for Aedre to eat. The guards now wish Dubhlainn good luck as they’d usually chuckle but they not need to for that they envy him, envy that he was chosen to serve under Lady Aedre as one of her guards. Dubhlainn traveled upwards reaching to the very floor where Lady Aedre’s quarters is located. It was something similar to a penthouse and the moment he enters the hallway, he was greeted with a few of her personal guard and a few of Mikomi’s men who were just about to leave. Well she is a perfectionist and if she doesn’t have a suitable environment to at least sleep in, she’d no less than dissatisfied with the entire guild. Her uncle Harrigan would always reserve the best for his family which is the perk of being the Guildmaster’s niece. Finally he arrived at the door as he knocked a few times and rang the delivery tray’s bell, alerting Aedre that the catering service has arrived. She was also informed that one of the new guards would be serving her this rainy day.

However he was unaware… the puppy he thought that was in his dorm room was now asleep inside the delivery tray’s lower compartment, covered in cloth.

Words of the wise “Honor is in the heart and not the name” regardless of ever earning a title it would mean nothing if their heart is fickle as the weather itself. He’s neither confident nor timid rather he simply do as he was told, as he entered to grasp the sight of his Lady’s Room, simple and unlike the dorm rooms, lavishing with such quality furniture and room decorations thus it was a shame the shades ruled all. A vibe struck his spine for he was uncertain how this feeling was shot, there were no other presences other than the guards posted outside and Lady Aedre who waits for her service inside, a feeling of deva ju maybe? He had not gaze at Lady Aedre directy, holding such high regard for the mistress as if she were of royalty and much like the queen. As he entered the nest, he poised to uncover the top tray, revealing a nice warm meal and some tea as well as condiments to match only to have his eyebrow raise at the sound of a little puppy’s bark.

The sound of the door unfolding awakened the little critter, its ears twitched as it raised its head, awakened from its short slumber as it was dragged into the air without explanation. Just as the knight was about to make his introduction, the little pup hovers across the room, putting Dubhlainn in silence. Many things caught his eye, Lady Aedre, the flower she detached from her eye to the table and finally the floating little puppy he was nurturing. She has her back turned on Dubhlainn, perhaps it was just the way she acts, and prays that Lord Harrigan hasn’t spoiled his young niece too much.
It was best he explain himself immediately for if not such rude act would spoil her appetite and thus he would have already failed before he even truly begin. Dubhlainn choose to be a man of few words even among his guildmates, the Pillar leaders and even Lord Harrigan himself and only speak when spoken to, obviously set ground rules to himself, reserved if you must say, not to actually make an impression but pretty much the kind of thing you would expect from fresh meat from the oven. This was his first time serving Lady Aedre but unfortunately the canine might spill milk.

“Yes” were all he had ever said, a direct and honest answer. He nodded his head down only slightly in such an apologetic manner, thinking that he’s insolent as he brought vermin that would spoil her appetite and now he’s ready to face the consequences no matter how severe they maybe.

“My sincere apologies Lady Aedre, I Dubhlainn Du Lac have come to serve you a simple chore and yet failed to do so.” His glove landed on his chest for him, the slightest flaw in serving Aedre is already considered failure to him as his tendency to compensate for foolish actions would increase greatly. In contrast to her, Dubhlainn was pretty much the opposite, he doesn’t possess vanity.

The heavens roared like a church bell’s toll that marks the beginning of judgment, impulses shattered the atmosphere breaking the ever silence that ruled the rain. However such dominance was all but fleeting it came only to disappear and thus recovery of how it was and how it should be, peace under the rain. Majority of its Guild members had always presented themselves with such cruelty over life, holding such ill manners and by chance, killing each other. Though Harrigan discourages fights between his mages, perhaps if he did allow it, only the strong survives. Care and nurture on a canine may not be a weakness to his strength; rather it’s regarded as a weakness to having not seemed to care at all. His eyes opened by the sound of lightning that made its impact across the surface of the marsh as he as he raised his head returning to his proper stature.

His attention was on nothing else but the Lady Aedre and only Lady Aedre ignoring the distraction that came from the whimpers of the pup that was only just startled by the sudden shock. He had considered himself to be on thin ice and Aedre’s words confirmed it. One thing he finds remarkable was how her magic works and from his own speculation, it was control over matter. Was it gravity? Psionic energy? If that’s the case and if Aedre will it, she would probably shoot Dubhlainn off the room by then but perhaps it would be foolish to think that someone like her would be so easily provoked, if she’s more than willing she’d probably do it in another way without him knowing.

Fingers commanded to serve their mistress as the white vixen helped her to the serving. A question followed and is quickly followed up by an answer. “I am not a Mage Lady Aedre, I’m simply just a man who serves as lieutenant of the guard, a man who has magic.” Much of what he said is true; Dubhlainn has never been a mage but always been a soldier. Dubhlainn has the distinct impression that Aedre is somewhat of a temptress; there were indeed a lot of those like her back in Mirai but only this time he was serving someone who possesses knowledge over their magic.  Next the vixen offered him to enjoy himself to the liquids.

“I’m well Lady Aedre.” A response of decline, after all, this tray was meant for her and her alone. A new subordinate being welcomed by Aedre is quite unheard of even to her personal guards unless of course she had a motive. He noticed her words when she said “If you’re not just one of the Guild master’s butlers.” It caused him to raise an eyebrow only for a moment, perhaps hinting that she’s curious of why someone like Dubhlainn was recruited by Harrigan in the first place, same goes to the other mages and the guards that already met him. He flashed a small smirk as it disappears, reverting back to his stone-like face.

The pulses of magic Aedre was sensing confused her, uncertain whether is actually her own or Dubhlainn’s or perhaps the little canine he nurtures? No matter how hard Lady Aedre tries, she can’t scale the level of Dubhlainn’s magic. Naturally mages have a clairvoyant ability that allows them to make an estimate of one’s own power and craft however if one would try to make of Dubhlainn’s magical potential, it would be like having to use a weighing scale, only this time the value keeps on increasing and decreasing constantly only to never arrive at a result. In the end it’s hard to completely identify the level of magic he has, including the power of his magic. The downside of it all is that the magic cannot conceal its presence, only information about it is concealed.

His answer managed to surprise Aedre, perhaps she finds the idea of a mage like him serving in the lowest ranks utterly ridiculous, however it’s not like Dubhlainn had much of a choice since security within the walls have been made too thin due to unforeseen circumstances.  His hand briefly caught his lip as his cough was shut off only to brush the hand that held the lower part of his face after. If Aedre is confused then perhaps Dubhlainn should provide a meaningful answer, otherwise she’ll think of it as ludicrous. What worries him is that he might already have bored Lady Aedre just by giving such an answer.

Someone who’s of magic are mages and some who’s been given magic are artificial ones, its by this saying is hence the reason why he can never truly call himself a mage, that is according to “him”.

“Indeed, I am missing out a few opportunities out there in the world; It gives me honor for you to think that I a lowly servant of the guild would have such greater purpose. I have been through war Lady Aedre, serving the Nobles of the Guild had been a suitable haven for me, despite the alignment, there’s finally… peace.”

“I actually do partake on a few missions but that was only when I’m running errands.” This was indeed quite a surprise, Lady Aedre was ever so curious about this knight, perhaps she’s suspicious of him.

“I harvested as much knowledge as I am living but sadly it was only meant for conflicts and engagement.” One sentence says it all, there was no need to describe it but perhaps now it was clear to his Lady Aedre of who he was that made him who he is today. However, he too is curious of Lady Aedre herself. Cruelty may seem like a mask in order to hide perhaps what fate granted her.  Perhaps if “HE” were here, he’d know what kind of person she is almost immediately and that Dubhlainn’s inquiry be answered without ever to ask her. He knows well he is in no position to ask Lady Aedre of anything, he only knows he’s here to serve.

Thus he couldn’t blame Lady Aedre for her confusion for the hierachry of the guild starts from the Guildmaster which is the highest, Second-in command, Pillar Leaders, the Mages, the elite guard and finally the militia. Someone like Dubhlainn working among the militia is questionable. Perhaps he was trying to maintain a low profile? Or was that he really  had something to hide?

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Its worth the wait, I just thought you forgotten about me, or that I disappointed you with my reply. XD