Detainee

The skies are a dull grey and the clouds a darker grey to indicate heavy rain pitter-pattering the dirty stone streets of Flumen, the capital of the Fractan Empire. The city is reminiscent of Victorian era architecture, with mettalic lamp posts lighting the streets and darker coloured buildings all lined up in neat rows.

In the midst of those dirty streets a dark, almost black, carriage with golden linings is rushing through the relatively empty streets. On the door to that carriage was the emblem of an open book with an eye above it surrounded by a laurel. Emblem of the Scientia family, renowned scholars and magicians of the Fractan empire serving a key role in many of its imperialist conquests.

Within that carriage currently sat two figures, an older looking man with dirty blonde hair and streaks of grey wearing what looks like a butler's uniform and a black coat. Opposite to him sat a small figure wearing a brown suit with yellow contrasting heavily against his smooth skin, indicative of his relatively good upbringing.

"Alden.", the small figure called with a slightly posh tone, "Yes master Davin?", the man in the butler's uniform responded.

"I'm sorry for interrupting you back in my study. Mind telling me about the man who wants to meet me?", Davin asked.

"You need not apologise master Davin, I understand how important Professor Mudaris was to you.", Alden then continued with, "The young man goes by the name of Ryu, it is suspected may be related to an affluent family from the east however he apparently would not divulge his family name."

"Must be a samurai judging by his name and nature of detainment." Davin mused. 'I wonder what his relation with Mudaris is.' he continued to ponder quietly in thought.

....

The ride continued on quietly until the carriage stopped in front of a large building about 5 stories high and occupies an entire block by itself. Metallic, black, pointed fences line the outside with a row of bushes set between both the wall of the building and the fence.

Davin put on a long black coat and with assistance from Alden, he got down from the carriage. They proceeded to then make their way through the large oak door that acts as the entrance to the building and into a large reception hall.

The reception hall itself has seating arrangements to the right and left of the entrance with twin stairs curving around the reception desk, leading to the same landing. Despite being a bit later into the night, the reception hall is still bustling with activity.

The pair made their way to the desk and Alden tells the receptionist, "Master Davin Scientia wishes to meet with the detainee known as Ryu.". The receptionist, a rough looking brown haired dwarf, looked at Alden and Davin then through a book and nodded. "Roight, I see your names in the meeting schedule. Just wait a moment.", the receptionist said. Our pair sees the dwarf pull out a letter and hands it over to Alden, " This the letter that the detainee claims is for Sir Davin, it's been inspected to make sure there is nothing worrying with the contents. I'll escort ya to the room just follow me."

As the dwarf guided both Alden and Davin through stone hallways towards the room where Ryu is, Alden hands the letter over to the Davin. Davin gives a slight nod to Alden and opens the letter. He reads through it quietly, 'I see. I shall take care of him master.', Davin thought. He folds the letter and puts it in his coat. Just as he does so, they stop in front of a wooden door with a guard standing outside, "Here we are.", the receptionist said.

"How much is Ryu's bail?", Davin asked. "I must apologise Sir Davin, I would need to check.", the receptionist responded.

Davin turned to Alden, "Post the bail and do the necessary paperwork so Ryu may have his sword back.", he says to Alden. Alden in turn gave a slight bow and gestured for the receptionist to lead the way.

"Open the door.", Davin tells the guard, who then takes out a small set of keys and unlocks the door. Davin goes in and within he sees a young man sitting on a chair, back completely straight and staring at him. He has piercing purple eyes and his hair is styled like a small ponytail. He seemed to be at least a head taller than most other humans.

"Senior Davin?", the young man asked, his face looking desperate.

"In the flesh, my precious junior.", Davin responded with large grin, showing of his sharp white teeth. The guard then closes the door leaving both Davin and Ryu alone.

"You are shorter than I thought."

"I see you've learned our master's very honest way of speaking.", Davin frowned at his junior's words.

"I apologise senior, I meant no offense, Teacher Maduris always expressed his annoyance towards roundabout ways of speaking", Ryu says as he stands up and bows deeply. Standing up straight from his bow, Davin stared in awe at Ryu's size, Davin had to look so far up he swore he was about to snap his own neck. 'He must have giant's blood within him, I should look into the Chujitsuma clan when I have time.', Davin noted to himself.

Davin dragged a chair out from under the table to sit on and gestured to Ryu to sit on his chair to. Davin then says, "We have some time before my butler comes back to pick both of us up. Why don't you tell me about why you stowed away on a boat and ran from your clan.".

Ryu surprised for a moment, focused himself, 'He must have read the letter,' ,Ryu thought. He then responded, "Times are changing in our homeland and while my clan is willing to change alongside it, I am unsure of what to do. I do not wish to lower myself to becoming some government worker or military officer yet I do not know what I wish to become in the current times. The samurai are slowly being replaced.", Ryu paused for a moment with his eyes looking down. Davin stared at Ryu's large figure, he sees a storm brewing behind his purple eyes. Ryu continues, " My whole life I have trained to serve my family, to serve a master as a loyal retainer, a loyal samurai. But now that is no longer and option and I have turned my back on the path my clan set for me. All my life all I had to do was follow their decisions and the path laid out for me. Now all around me, I only see unlit of paths to unknown destinations."

Davin sat still for a moment, thinking about his junior's predicament then jumped down from his chair with a grunt, "I know what that's like. But master helped guide me through that part of my life.", he said.

"How so senior?", Ryu questioned.

"A journey.", Davin answered, "Conveniently enough, I was already planning an journey to study the history of the natives living in the New World. So I would like you to join me on my expedition, maybe seeing the lives and stories of others will give you an idea.", He then offered.

Ryu looked conflicted, his face practically gave away the fact that he was doubtful of it but he put his hands together, bowed and said "Thank you senior, I shall graciously accept your offer."

"Drop the formalities Ryu, Mudaris never talked like. If you're willing to take on his brutal honesty than try also being as carefree about social norms as he was.", Davin requested. Ryu made a face like he was uncomfortable and Davin sighed then said "Never mind then, you don't have to. But please for the love of creation work on your poker face. You're gonna upset people with your horrendous face."

Just then the door opens and the two of them see Alden standing outside holding a pair of swords, both have a curved shape and are sheathed inside of a beautiful ornate scabbard, one of purple and another of blue.

"Come on now Ryu, let's go back to my place.", says Davin as he takes the sheathed swords and hands them over to Ryu. Ryu nods to Davin as he puts his sword in his sash.