Lord Octavian

Rory and Cecilia approached the guards who blocked the way into the Lord's manor. The men looked at them coldly, holding their pikes in a loose but ready stance, though they weren't as derisive as the guards at the city gate. Rory noticed their eyes flicker to the silk robes both he and Cecilia wore, denoting their status as sorcerers.

Cecilia's robe was only visible because she had left the magic tower in too much of a hurry to bring a coat. Now that they were done sprinting across the city, her sweat was cooling, and the Druid could already see her shivering.

"We have important news to share with Lord Octavian," she said with firmness and urgency. "It concerns the safety of this city. Please inform him that we request an immediate audience!"

The guards shared glances. No matter how out of the blue it was, disregarding a potential matter of security was not an option.

"Who shall we say is calling?" A guard asked.

Cecilia pressed a hand against her chest, "I am sorceress Cecilia Viatrix from the magic tower."

Rory nodded politely, "And I am Aurelius Glorianus, independent sorcerer and Druid of Jahreszeiten."

The guards shared a look. "We'll announce your presence. Please wait here."

One of the two guards split off and headed into the manor. Rory and Cecilia moved to the side to wait.

Looking at his friend, shivering and blue-lipped, Rory asked Jahreszeiten, 'Is it possible to inure her to the cold as I am?'

'Yes, would you like to?'

'Please.'

Rory felt his hand rest gently on Cecilia's shoulder, and his mana moved under Jahreszeiten's direction. This required much less mana than blocking the wind did, and Rory realized that he should consider his requests and their scope more carefully in the future.

Cecilia had stiffened when he put his hand on her, but she blinked in surprise when he took it away. She didn't feel cold anymore. If anything, the slight breeze in the winter air was pleasantly cooling.

"What spell was that?" she whispered. "Teach it to me!"

He smiled apologetically, "It's Druid magic. I don't know if well enough to teach yet. Without Jahreszeiten's help, I can't even use it myself."

She pouted but accepted his explanation. For now, it was good enough not to freeze out here while they were waiting for the guard to report.

Before he could return, however, the sound of a horse's hooves rang out against the pavement behind them.

Both sorcerers turned to look and saw the Arc Knight approaching on his dark steed. He spared them a glance with his cold copper eyes before dismounting and approaching the remaining guard.

"I have a matter to speak with Lord Octavian about regarding the city's security," he announced.

Silence echoed in the square. What… what were the odds?

The guard glanced over toward Rory and Cecilia, who stood there wide-eyed, and suddenly their issue seemed more important in his eyes.

The guard looked back up at the Arc Knight and nodded.

"As soon as my colleague returns, I can show you to the waiting room, Sir Kaiser. Actually, the two sorcerers over there also had a matter of public safety to report."

"Oh?" The knight turned his head to look at the two sorcerers more closely. He saw the other guard returning from the manor and suggested, "Shall we go together in that case?"

"As long as we get an audience, sure!"

Cecilia replied eagerly, which saved Rory, since he found himself suddenly tongue-tied.

Walking behind the handsome knight made his heart feel like he was sprinting again. Aurelius himself was already about six feet tall, but the Arc Knight, Sir Kaiser, was still a whole head taller than him. The gleaming curves of his armor glittered in the winter sun, and he moved with incredible grace considering the burden.

'Focus on the mission, Rory,' he scolded himself.

The city might soon be buried in ash. Now wasn't the time to discover new romantic interests.

They were led into the manor, which was essentially another world compared to everything the forest boy had seen until now. Inside the manor, everything was polished and gleaming. The floors were entirely carpeted with deep, plush fabric that must have required magic to clean properly. The walls were lined with artworks of all different disciplines, and servants moved discretely in the distance.

'I wonder how many coppers a place like this costs,' Rory wondered.

Thinking about how light his own coin pouch was saddened him instead.

Finally, they reached a waiting room, which was just as opulent as the hallway outside. The room was populated by velvet couches and chairs, the Arc Knight took a seat in one, while Cecilia and Rory claimed another.

The sorceress was trying to sit close to Aurelius, but not too close. Rory was trying not to stare at Sir Kaiser like a fool. The Arc Knight shut his copper eyes and waited patiently for the city lord to arrive.

Lord Octavian entered the waiting room a few minutes later. He was dressed in warm winter robes made from animal furs—heavily dyed and embroidered. Gold jewelry adorned his person in the form of rings, a broach, a necklace.

Aurelius found his eyes being drawn to their Sunny sparkle. He had never seen gold with his own eyes before despite being named after it. He rather liked the look of it.

But all of those were superfluous thoughts at the moment. The city lord took his seat in a velvet armchair where he could easily view and converse with all three of his guests. There was a seriousness and a gravitas about him.

"Sir Kaiser, Sorceress Viatrix, Sorcerer Glorianus, my men tell me you have matters to report concerning Pompeii's safety." He turned to face the Arc Knight. "You first, Sir Kaiser. What concerns you?"

The knight nodded gravely. "As you know, my lord, my expedition into the hills took longer than usual this time."

Lord Octavian nodded. "Yes, we expected you to return almost a week ago. What delayed you?"

"Dragons, my lord."

Octavian froze. "Dragons… as in more than one?"

"Respectfully, my lord, I would not be concerned over one dragon."