“With all due respect, sir, I’m going to need you to settle down,” I warned. “I can assure you that no harm will come to you or yours within the safety of our city.”
I stepped over to one of the Pyrhhan guards while Levi continued his tirade towards anyone who would listen… which was essentially just the Viscount and the poor younger guardsman who didn’t know any better.
“Did you witness any legitimate threats of assault or harm, corporal?”
I was fairly familiar with the rank and file of the Pyrhhan guard, recognizing their status immediately based on uniform.
“No, sir. They were causing a scene, but it was mostly just an airing of various grievances,” the Pyrhhan guard explained. “They maintained a reasonable distance. We didn’t even notice they were following us until we passed the border.”
“I see,” I said, glancing back towards that small group of townsfolk.
I could only presume they were from Freyston, if they had a bone to pick with the Mirkovic family. It was a clever move, really, to wait until the noblesse had passed through into the territories of Sophrosyne before beginning to cause a ruckus. Clever… and a little bittoocalculated, for what appeared to be a gaggle of disgruntled farmhands.
“Deering,” I called out, motioning for my second-in-command to join me momentarily.
“Captain?”
“I want you to take down their names—all of the Pyrhhan folk who were following the Mirkovics. Once we have their information, they’re free to go.”
“Free to go?!” Levi snapped, craning his overly-long neck towards me, his gaunt features fixing themselves into a portrait of disbelief. “Surely, you must be joking.”
“I’m afraid the Elder Guard does not hold authority to arrest Pyrhhan citizens without due cause, Master Mirkovic,” I replied simply. “Without evidence or a direct order from the Lord of Embers himself.”
“Useless,” Mirkovic sniffed. “Trust that Lord de Laurent will be hearing of this soon enough.”
The High Advisor picked a stray bit of lint from his shoulder before glaring back at me. His eyes narrowed.
“You look… familiar. Have we met before, Captain?” he inquired.
“Nope,” I lied cheerfully, beckoning his group towards the Western Gates. If Levi Mirkovic didn’t remember me, I much preferred to keep it that way.
“Do enjoy your stay in Sophrosyne,” I offered with a dazzling, forced smile—not that any of them could tell the difference. “And be sure to let us know if we can be of any further assistance. I trust you know where to find the Guard.”
Before any of the Pyrhhan pricks could respond, I turned on my heel and made my way back to my own men.
“All sorted?” I asked.
“Yes, sir,” Hans replied, handing me a small sheath of parchment which I promptly pocketed for later.
I would have to have my sources in Pyrhhas keep a close eye on these ones. I had a feeling that there was more to this little protest than met the eye.
“In that case, you’re all free to go. But a word to the wise,” I offered. “If you’re going to start fights with your figures of authority… Consider sticking to Pyrhhan territory, where the worst thing waiting for you is just a wealthy,mortalman. Got it?”
It was a bit of unnecessary intimidation, if I was being honest—but I wanted this crowd dispersed quickly. No disrespect intended to the Pyrhhan Guard, but the colors of the Elder Guard did have a tendency to foster more… compliance, so to speak. Even in the other territories, the gold emblem on our coats always served as a reminder of who and what we stood for. The Seed of Creation represented more than just the ultimate balance between blood and aether, life and divinity. It reminded them who we reported to at the end of the day. Who we served.
The Aetherborne.
We were the sworn sword & shield of the City of Gods, after all.
“Well then,” Hans said, after Jeremiah had dismissed the younger guards and the three of us made our way back into the city. “That was interesting.”
“You can say that again,” Jeremiah muttered. “Sort of strange though, wasn’t it? You don’t often hear about protestors. Not in Pyrhhas, of all places.”
Exactly.
Despite my own personal opinions on leadership within the House of Embers, Jeremiah was right on point. The people of our neighboring territories were, generally speaking, very well taken care of. Pyrhhas had been peaceful, content and thriving for decades.Yet another reason to raise suspicion, I thought as I toyed with the parchment in my pocket.
“We’ll be looking into it,” I said. “And here’s hoping that the Mirkovics went straight to the Admin Quarter for business or some shit, I donotwant to deal with that asshole again today.”