Another Day

Gabriel's morning began with a sluggish drawl. It was difficult to drag himself out of bed and the bright artificial light that lit his apartment made his head throb in protest. He blamed the stacks of prescribed medication. But after three days confined to his bed, Gabriel wasn't going to allow any more time tumble by without getting work done.

The TV buzzed in the background while Gabriel pulled his uniform over complaining bruises. "We are now here with Professor Nemone to discuss the fall of House Javanis. So, Professor, what kind of changes should we be expecting after the recent horrific events at a once well-known noble house?"

The toaster clicked and Gabriel had to carefully step over the mess of forgotten notes, coffee cups and empty bottles to get to the kitchen.

"Well, you see, the fall of House Javanis is actually an interesting case. We know that Javanis was far from the most influential of Noble Houses. At the same time, it's safe to say that we'll soon be seeing some major changes in the Adrosian Court's political climate."

"And what makes you say that?"

"House Javanis was in a very peculiar position prior to this development. While the head of the House, Lord Theoran didn't publicly favor any of the Princes, his eldest son, Sir Jacob clearly supported Prince Aryon, while his heir, Lady Anita was a direct subordinate of the Lord High Paladin and by proxy, endorsed Prince Kaighle."

Gabriel crept towards his fridge, wondering it was worth opening it. Who knew what could be growing on the inside in those take out dinners left and forgotten. He'd been told to hire a maid like a normal member of nobility but Gabriel didn't trust others touching his belongings. Holding his breath, he quickly opened the fridge and grabbed the tiny bit of butter before slamming it shut. He'll clean it, eventually.

The interview with the skinny, half balding professor in the TV screen continued. Gabriel had half the mind to pay attention while he made enough room on his kitchen counter to spread butter on his toast, "…direct involvement in the illegal ARC trade was what made House Javanis a target for execution in the first place. We have to think about how this became possible."

"Didn't Sir Jacob create a business network that dealt with guilds? Illegal guilds operations are much more difficult to monitor compared to traditional companies."

"And is it His Highness Aryon that is behind looser policies facilitating commerce done by guild networks."

Without much grace, Gabriel shoved the buttered toast down his throat, being only careful with wiping the crumbs off his clothes and washed it down with instant coffee.

"Consider this, Prince Aryon's liberal approach encourages the development of this country's economy, meanwhile His Highness Kaighle's conservative approach to laws focuses on maintaining order and national safety-"

The interviewer's smile seemed a little strained, "Are you're implying that the shift in the Adrosian Court is possibly a way for certain Houses to cast off any public doubt of their involvement with guilds…"

The TV flickered off. After locking the door behind him, Gabriel remembered that he should probably take some of the trash out.

Ah, well. There were more important things to see to.

With his arm still throbbing and mending, Gabriel opted to call for a taxi to take him to the castle. Morning traffic stalled him enough that by the time he arrived the sun crawled above the horizon and shed its orange dawn glow. Gabriel met Prince Kaighle at the hidden pavilion, as always, where he was greeted by a bright smiling young man.

"It's good to see that you're doing better." Kaighle poured him some tea, making pointless small talk about his morning. "I was honestly quite worried about you after hearing the news from Lady Laurette."

"It is hardly that serious." While it was a tiring endeavor but Gabriel tried his best to smile in order to put the young prince at ease.

"I read your report…" Kaighle eventually sighed, his smile falling. "To be completely honest, I'm still shocked at the events with House Javanis. It is such a horrific tragedy."

Gabriel nodded, "Yes, that is why we must prevent this from happening again."

Kaighle sighed, "Of course, I will do everything I can in order to help, even if it isn't much."

"You're doing plenty," Gabriel lied, "even if you have yet to see or understand your own value."

"Thank you, Gabriel. I can always rely on you." His face immediately brightened at the praise, shoulders relaxing.

"And I, you." The tea was hot and left a floral aftertaste on Gabriel's tongue. He didn't particularly like it but drank it anyway. "I also came to tell you directly about the progress so far with Lord Theoran's son and the guild they've been collaborating with."

Prince Kaighle frowned and tilted his head, "Oh? What were they called again?" He wasn't quite used to be given such extensive details about cases from Gabriel, the High Paladin often preferring to setting issues on his own. However, a future King must at least be mildly informed about the state and direction of affairs and Gabriel wanted to ease the young royal into that mindset.

"The Firebirds, your Highness," Gabriel resisted the urge to cross his arms, "and judging by their records, and how they were able to operate extremely efficiently despite being a brand new guild, I have a feeling that they're a subsidiary of a bigger guild. Or at least have some sort of direct support."

The prince frowned, "Huh? Do you know which guild?"

Gabriel had an idea. "Unfortunately, we have yet to find any concrete proof. But I assure you, Your Highness, that those responsible will be soon exposed."

Delicate fingers tightened against a hand-painted porcelain teacup, "I have trust that you will. I cannot thank you enough, Gabriel."

The High Paladin nodded, "You've been gaining more popularity of late." He said, hoping the words would encourage the prince.

Kaighle smiled, cheeks tinged with rouge, "It's only because of your help that I have come as far as I have."

Gabriel nodded, "As you know, I am more than happy to support you."

When they parted ways the sun had crawled to the sky's peak. Prince Kaighle invited Gabriel to join him at the castle for lunch but the High Paladin declined, choosing instead to go to a tiny hole in the wall near the Knight's Headquarters. Anita once brought him there raving that the grandmother who owned the place made the best shepherd's pie. It was secretly his favorite but he never did have a chance to make that confession to Anita.

He was technically still on medical leave but Gabriel found himself in the office anyways. He was itching to read the reports done on the Firebirds and allocate orders properly around the Knights.

A knock came at the door. "Come in." The files on the Firebirds minimized on his computer screen, papers set aside.

"Reporting, sir. You called for me?" Clovis stepped in, walking towards Gabriel's desk with that ever lazy smile upon his face. His eyes trailed to the office's decor, landing on the jade unicorn that still reared up next to the keyboard. Gabriel half expected the young man to make a comment, maybe something about the old gaudy painting at least. But Clovis remained silent, only waiting to be spoken to first.

"Are you aware of why you're here?" Gabriel asked.

"Uh," Clovis rubbed at his neck, "I have an idea but, why me Sir? Can't really say I'm all that cut out for this kind of work." His smile never for a moment faltered or quite reaching his eyes either.

"It was either you or Kline. I made the decision that you were somewhat more trustworthy."

Clovis laughed, "Really? I guess I'm flattered. Did you find Anita trustworthy as well?"

Gabriel narrowed his eyes, instantly feeling his patience run out. He managed to hold onto it by the barest sliver, with the reminder that this was Clovis of all people he was talking to. "She was much more trustworthy than you will ever be."

"Oh I suppose that's true." Clovis blinked, feeling the chill of the High Paladin's glare, "Sorry! Did I say something rude? Erm, I didn't really mean it that way," a nervous laugh accompanied more neck rubbing.

"It's fine. Aside from your less than favorable personality, I know you're capable of getting things done at the very least."

"Oh wow, should I be offended? I mean I guess that's kind of true, huh?" He tilted his head. There was something playful about his personality that vaguely reminded him of Anita, but this fool didn't have an ounce of her sincerity in his body.

That was fine.

As long as he could get things done.

Gabriel held back a sigh. "From today on, you are appointed as my assistant. Your first task is to set up an appointment with Lord Silver to give a professional opinion on the special ARC discovered at the Javanis estate. Frankly, I'm flabbergasted this hasn't happened sooner."

"Ok, uh sure. Wait but, this might be inappropriate but I heard that you and Lady Laurette are close friends or something, right? Wouldn't it be easier for you to contact her?" Clovis asked with a much of an innocent tone as he could muster. Too bad for him, Gabriel could easily see through his guise and shot him a very pointed glare. "Or…not. Haha. I was just kidding. Yup! So when would you like for them to come by?"

Satisfied with the productive question, Gabriel relaxed back into the cushion of his seat, "As soon as possible."

"Ok sir. I'm on it." With a lazy salute, Clovis excused himself from the office and Gabriel was finally able to let go of a breath he didn't know he was holding. Maybe he really should have gone with Kline after all, despite Clovis being more capable overall.

A blinding headache began to throb as he reopened the report file. His shoulder screamed in protest against any kind of focus. Bracing against the sharp pain, Gabriel squinted at his computer screen. The report from Paladin Sareena outlined the events of hunting down and cornering the leader of the Firebirds.

Unfortunately, the woman, identified as Rubeka Esren was able to commit suicide after escaping captivity at the knight's hands. A pity. Some details blurred in front of his eyes, the lights from the screen blaring at him aggressively. He managed to catch something about closing in Sir Jacob's location before giving into the feeling of nausea that sat heavily against his skull and chest.

With hands shaking he grappled for a small bottle in his pocket and almost emptied the entirety of its contents into his hands. The prescription was a strong one, but Gabriel still found it to work too slowly for his liking.

The sound of the door creaking snapped him out of his daze. Eyes going wide and alert, Gabriel almost activated his Resonance Core if he didn't catch the sight of Clovis peaking in.

"Have you not heard of knocking?" he hissed, biting back a pained grunt as he straightened in his seat.

The newly appointed assistant laughed nervously as he snuck inside, "Sorry about that sir. But I did as you told."

Gabriel huffed, "Good. Did you get a time for their arrival?"

"Um," Clovis glanced down at his wrist, "in maybe, an hour?"

"What?" Did he hear that right?

"You should see that look on your face, Sir!" Clovis's laughter echoed as he slipped away.