The Celestial Paladin

by Gil Hough

CHAPTER 6

  LUNCH WITH THE ENEMY

  With an eager stride, Van’dret climbed up the stairs to the rooftop solar of the Guild Dealer Taiga’s tower fortress... He was excited by the honor to dine with the great Immortalist. He followed a servant dressed in expensive silks of a drab brown color through the well lit passageways and stairs, all the while nervously straightening his own expensive wardrobe.

  As they approached the top of the tower, the servant silently stepped aside and, with an open palm, waived Van’dret forward. The top of the stairs had a small platform where two massive Immortal Guards stood. At first they showed no signs of movement, though Van’dret could feel their eyes on him as they weighed his right to enter the private solar of their master.

  In their full plate Night Bronze, the two guardsmen who stood perfectly still at full attention looked to be more statues than actual men, and something that was not beyond the magic of the man was whose door they guarded. The double doors leading to the private solar were also of Night Bronze, however the door was covered in intricate wards and symbols. The guardsmen's armor was less decorated and held only an engraving of their sigil animals. The guard on the right had an engraving on his Pauldrons, the piece of armor that protects his shoulders of the Celestial beast know as The Stag while the man on the left had an engraving of The Mastiff. After a moment, that seemed to stretch longer than was polite, the Immortal Guard to the right slowly nodded and with no hand touching it; the two massive doors opened to welcome him into the sanctum.

  Van’dret hurried through the open doors before the guard changed his mind. He normally found the sight of the Immortal Guards reassuring; the great sigil warriors were sworn to the protection of Immortalist, like himself, but he knew these two would cut him down like a common pauper if they sensed he was a danger to their Master.

  There was a short hallway leading from the doors with slim white columns on each side of the hallway, in between each column hung great pieces of art; paintings, sculptures and even a small wall hanging with amazing vibrant colors with a strange abstract design were all preserved in the space. Van’dret was a man of some refinement and appreciation for art, and he wished he had dared to stop and inspect the pieces; they had to be some of the greatest art works in the Realm to be so on display where only those who had been invited to a private meeting with Taiga would see them. However Van’dret dared to do nothing more than glance at them as he hurried forward. It would not be smart to make the Guild Dealer wait for even a moment.

  The Guild Dealer Taiga was not such a common man that he did his work from a desk; his desires and commands came during parties and social events. However, if you were truly honored, though personal invitations to dine with him in his personal solar overlooking his city you would get told his wishes.

  As Van’dret stepped through the arch he was struck by the bare simplicity of the solar. The city known as the Menagerie of Sky, Earth and Water that Taiga ruled and had created over the centuries was a lush place, full of pleasures and growing things. Anything that could be found in the world was said to be found within its gleaming walls and exotic gardens. However, the private place where it’s Master worked, was a stark contrast. It’s marble columns and arched ceiling spoke of simply sophistication and understated power, and much more accurately reflected the nature of its owner than the over the top shows and pleasures of the Menagerie.

  Two small intricate waterfalls softly trickled down each side wall to the, providing a soft soothing sound. The back of the room was an archway leading to the terrace, overhead the incredible crystal ceiling let in the natural daylight of the late afternoon sun and would illuminate the top of the tower under its own power during the night. In the middle of the room was an enameled silver table set for two, with Taiga lounging in his throne like chair on the opposite side of Van’dret. Van’dret hurried forward and fell to his knees with his head lowered; he did not say a word until after Taiga spoke.

  “Please, my friend, there is no need for subservience here; let us enjoy a meal together. If you don’t mind, I have a few thoughts I would like to share with you over the food.”

  “Of course, my lord,” said Van’dret as he stood up he dared to focus on the Guild Dealer for the first time. Taiga wore the form of a High Elf male that was slim and graceful, as was most of its kind. His hair and eyes were a striking pale violet color, and his skin was a light nut color which made a strong contrast with his hair. This was highlighted by the similarly colored silk toga he wore. He wore no rings or accessories, his outfit simple, but extravagant. Van’dret suddenly wished he had thought to dress simpler for the occasion his green and emerald outfit with its gold trim seemed garish in comparison; and his human male form that normally seemed attractive and robust seemed ungainly and drab in comparison.

  Taiga’s manner continued to be friendly but inquisitive. The conversation started with a polite discussion on new spells that Van’dret was working on, and then moved to his thoughts on the recent political and economic tensions with the Romig Empire. Wine and food appeared on the table; Van’dret never saw it come, or the empty plates go. It simply was. The food, like everything in the tower, was of the finest quality. They were fed incredible grilled silver salmon, greens from the Northern Kingdoms, and small pastries from the Korin Islands. Taiga seemed in no hurry to get to any point, Immortalist had nothing, if not time. Finally, Taiga brought up the point that Van’dret believed had gained him the honor of joining Taiga in his solar.

  “So I understand that you are to journey to the Cathedral of the Heavens for this year’s open tourney?” Taiga asked his voice as melodic as one would expect from an elf, but just a tad deeper than one would think.

  “Yes, my lord, I leave in the morning,” Van’dret replied.

  “Excellent, you will have to keep your eyes open for potential talent worthy of the Immortal Guard,” Taiga stated.

  Van’dret nodded, that was one of his main responsibilities, but it could not be why he had been invited up to Taiga’s solar.

  “I would encourage you to be careful on your trip over. You did hear about what happened to Ravenhurr?” asked Taiga.

  Van’dret almost felt his eye brows rise, “of course, but what should I watch out for? I heard it was just some sort of accident. I was not aware that any of the Knights of the Order were implicated.”

  Taiga smiled and waved a hand in a dismissing motion. “Oh, don’t misjudge my words. I did not mean to imply any misdeeds of our valiant Knights of the Soaring Heavens. I am not aware of any of them doing much of anything, much less kill an Immortalist.”

  “Than what should I keep my eye out for?” asked Van’dret. He was becoming even more curious to the direction of the conversation.

  “You, my fine Van’dret, are more in the world than most of us. You are out traveling and adventuring, while most of us Immortalist just sit in our towers. I have always thought that our one weakness was our isolation. It is hard to know what is exactly happening when we are not out to see it.” For a moment, Taiga paused, looking up at the crystal roof overhead in apparent contemplation of the possible implications of their isolated natures.

  After a moment, in which Van’dret waited patiently, Taiga continued, “You are one of our best, and yet you are also in the world. The tournament draws the powerful and those who wish to be powerful. I would simply suggest that you keep your eyes open, and keep your mind a little more focused both on your journey and at the Cathedral,” Van’dret’s tone almost dismissed his own comment as a simple chatter of no import. Accept Van’dret had been invited to have lunch with one of the most powerful people on the planet to drop the simply suggestion that he should keep his eyes open for something unusual at the Cathedral of the Heavens.

  The rest of the dinner quickly wrapped up, and Van’dret soon found himself caught up in thought as he journeyed down several floors to the Great Hall that served as the gathering place for the other Immortalist in re
sidence in the city. His questing mind was rudely interrupted by a woman stepping to his side and asking him, “so did you ask him?”

  “Ask him what?” Van’dret asked. The Immortalist Sorcerer in the form of a tall athletic human female with spectacular long red hair and blue eyes gave Van’dret a silent glare before responding.

  “Last night at the arena party you agreed to ask Van’dret where Oreintvenir is,” She replied in a clear clipped voice.

  “Actually,” Van’dret responded, “I think I said that my visit to his solar would be a perfect opportunity to ask him if he knew the location of our missing Grand Master.”

  “So why did you not take advantage of the opportunity? If anyone knows where Oreintvenir is; it is Taiga”

  “My lovely Gracella, you are an Immortalist of impressive power and intellect. But we are Immortalist, time is on our side and Grand Master Oreintvenir has been gone for less than a year. It is not unusual for one of his power to be gone for such a length of time. He could be anywhere on this world or beyond it. There is no need to be in such a... rush to ask questions.”

  “Van’dret doesn’t play your word games with me, you know, and I know that this is not a normal disappearance. Not with one of the great cosmic alignments coming in such a short time. Neither of us would be surprised if Taiga had killed him and taken his place. But, then he would simply have called a concave and be elected Guild Master if that was the case.”

  “You’re not suggesting that Taiga is involved in some foul play against the Grand Master are you?” asked Van’dret his tone equally outraged and surprised.

  Gracella almost physically jumped at the suggestion and could not help herself from a quick glance around the hall before responding. “I don’t think Taiga has any interest in becoming Guild Master, or he would be Guild Master. I am just concerned about Master Oreintvenir.” She said.

  “I think the Guild Master can take care of himself just fine, for all we know he quietly ascended and is in the Celestial Heavens laughing at us now.”

  Gracella nodded, but Van’dret knew her thoughts were the same as any Immortalist at the conversation of Ascension to the Celestial Realm. If you succeeded people would know a new God walked the Heavens. If you failed the ceremony the only sign would be silence.

  “So what did he want?” she asked.

  Van’dret hesitated for a moment, not sure if he should respond. But, Gracella was an impressive Immortalist and a rising star in the Guild. She had been Oreintvenir own Adapt when she was young, and as a favored member of the Guild, her friendship could prove important some day. “He simply wanted me to keep an eye out when I travel to the Cathedral of the Heavens,” he responded.

  The two of them were slowly walking back to his suite through the gleaming marble corridors with their wide windows and breath taking views of the city below; they both shared polite nods to other Immortalist, mostly young Adapts who resided in the city. She did not respond to his answer at first, finally she asked “Does he want you to keep an eye out for Oreintvenir?”

  Van’dret shook his head and said. “He mentioned Ravenhurr as a concern.”

  “But, he simply went mad. That is not uncommon,” she said with a voice laced with surprise.

  “Actually,” said Van’dret, “it is very rare for a Master of Ravenhurr’s level to go mad. I am not sure if you ever met him, but he was good, very good.”

  “Then in that case we had better all keep our eyes open.” She said.