The Walker Family

"Are you sure this thing is necessary?" Sola asked. "This thing feels so uncomfortable,"

The large grey-haired man made his way to a large building alongside Ordan and Yulia. He was dressed in a black dress shirt with a pair of turquoise pants, a matching jacket and fitting leather shoes. The suit felt tight around Sola's muscular mass. Even the shoes felt constraining on his usually bare feet. Yulia had been the one to pick out his outfit at the clothing store Ordan had taken them to. The old man kept insisting that this kind of apparel was necessary for the kind of meeting he was coming for, though his odd smile made him seem disingenuous.

"For the last time, yes," Ordan said, smiling still. "Now let's go in before it gets too late for us to meet them,"

The three walked through the double doors of the large building. Waiting on the other side was a small crowd of people surrounding two barely visible figures who gave them an audience. Unlike all other states, cities and towns on Pedtro, Minar was the only one which practised a system government Ordan described as a 'pseudo-monarchy'. The ruling government had not been elected but one which had inherited the post from their familial predecessors.

The two men in the crowd had stark white hair. The first was older with longer hair with half tied back in a bun and the other flowing down his neck. His yellow eyes stood out with their small size and almond shape as they contrasted against his pale skin. He smiled as he spoke to the people around, the sides of his mouth creasing ever so slightly to express a sense of enthusiasm that seemed absent from his posturing. The younger man was the complete opposite of the first. His hair was cut short in a buzz cut and his green eyes were sharp and stern. His demeanour was harsh but he was not unwelcoming as the people were still willing to converse with him as much as they were the other.

The older man noticed their approach, causing his smile to widen. He excused himself from the crowd and walked towards Ordan with open arms. The two men hugged each other heartily while exchanging a brief mirthful laugh.

"It's good to see you Ordan," The white-haired man greeted.

"It's good to see you too Edgar," The old man replied.

"Had I known you were on your way, I would have prepared something for you,"

"Don't worry about it! Plus, I'm not here for any personal business," He gestured to the suited man beside him.

Edgar looked at Sola with a raised eyebrow.

"That's quite the interesting look you have," He said. Sola glared at Ordan who did his best to stifle his laughter.

"Well, if it's you who has something to do with me then we should attend to it right now. Nero!" He called to the other white-haired man. His green eyes shot up from whom he was talking to face who had called him. "I'll need you to continue this without me if you don't mind,"

The short-haired man gave a deep grunt before going back to talking to the members of the crowd. Edgar beckoned for the tree to follow him and led them out of the large hall. He brought them out to a large veranda by a small pool of water. Covering this body of water were several lotuses in full bloom floating across the water's surface. After a few seconds, a man dressed in black and white came over with a tea tray. He set four cups and poured out a pale liquid, filling the air with a fragrant, perfume-like smell.

Sola took a sip of the tea and found himself surprised by the flavour. Due to its pungent smell, he had expected the tea to have a flavour of similar intensity. However, the lotus tea was very floral and sweet while being mild. Before he realised it, he had downed his tea in one go and was reaching for a refill. Edgar simply laughed as he sipped from his tea.

"I'm glad it is to your liking," He said. "Lotuses have always been a favourite of mine, whether it be aesthetically or in my teacup. It always seems to stay beautiful regardless of where or what it is,"

"I guess you're a man of good taste," Sola replied before downing his second cup.

"I guess so," He smiled. "Well then, what brings you to seek an audience with me?"

"I need the permission of the Walkers to go to the Moonfall Mine," Sola stated. "Ordan said I can't go unless you approve,"

"That is one way to put the situation," Edgar scowled. "Do you mind telling me why you need to visit the mine,"

"No,"

"Well, even if you had neither I nor my father could grant you the permission you seek. The mine in question is directly under the federal government of the planet. We only control the routes that lead to it,"

"Then I have to go to Shandel to get the permission I need?" Sola asked. He was already dreading the tedious journey he would have to take to get to the capital city and how long it would be.

"That's one way to do it," Edgar stated. "Fortunately, you happened to come to Minar around the right time,"

"In a couple of days, the Walker Family will be holding a tri-annual fighting tournament here in Minar. Everyone from around the planet is free to participate if they want to,"

"What does that have to do with me?" Sola asked.

"Well, I reckoned you'd be interested in joining since the prize for the winner of the tournament is to have a wish that is within the reasonable power of the family's patriarch granted," Edgar smiled. "And helping you get the required permission to go wherever you want to go, is something we can help you out with,"