am-books Chapter 285: Ripples in the Water
Chapter 285: Ripples in the Water
After entering through the gate for the noble district Violet and Luna made their way down the main road. Instantly the very atmosphere of the city seemed to change.
The road was just as wide, yet it was both cleaner and better maintained than the road for the rest of the city. The buildings too took a noticeable improvement, in both scale and scope.
Where the middle and outer rings were closely packed together to maximise space, in this district the building were spread out. Each residence stood apart from one another allowing for decorative gardens to allow for a splash of colour to brighten the city.
Close to the wall the buildings were not that much different from the more prosperous ones in the middle district, yet the discrepancy only grew the further in they walked.
Buildings got larger, soon having their very own gates and guards that ensured the privacy of those that resided within.
The citizens walking the street also changed, here in this district reserved for the richest of merchants and those from noble blood, wealth was not a near statement to make, it was an expected facet of life.
The people wore luxury like a birthright, which for some it was. And to the companions annoyance the blatant discriminating against them increased.
Whilst none seemed willing to openly approach them to cause trouble, they received plenty of looks, be that of displeasure or outright contempt.
It took some effort for Violet to not fire a void spear at some of the more distasteful individuals.
Still they held themselves back with the knowlage that soon they would act, and that soon they wouldn’t need to hold back. They followed the guards directions, soon finding themselves standing before a truly opulent building.
It was built out of stunning white marble with decorative artwork carved into the large double doorframe, in front of the building was a small but elegant garden full of colourful flowers.
The building was 4 stories tall and looked large enough for Violet to lay out fully in her dragon form multiple times over. It was truly an inn for the elite.
The two companions approached the doorway, outside was a smartly dressed middle aged man with silver hair and a professional smile adorning his face.
He did not even bat an eye at the approaching pai, his gaze swiftly took in their appearance, halting briefly as he took in the outstanding quality of their attire his eyes opened ever so slightly wider before snapping back to their previous state. Then with a more genuine smile and a small bow he opened up the door to the establishment and gestured for them to enter.
"Please be welcome my Ladies." He said with a effortlessly elegant manner of speech.
With a quick smile and nod towards the man they both walked past him and entered into the establishment.
Unlike previous inns that the girls had stayed at, this was an entirely different kind of establishment.
The room that they walked into could only be considered as a reception. It was plainly but tastefully decorated with white marble tiles on the floor and oak pallenling on the walls. In front of them was a long reception desk behind which sat a young woman in a smart uniform.
To the left through an open archway stood a room filled with tables and a couple of guests sitting down to eat a meal. To the right was both a grand staircase and another open archway which led to a different room, this one adorned with low couches, comfey armchairs and low tables, in the back a grand fireplace stood with flames warming the interior.
In their approach the woman behind the counter smiled at them, her eyes opening in surprise at their appearance but she swiftly controlled her appearance and greeted them.
"Welcome to the Sirens Rest, how can I help you this day?"
They both stepped up to the desk and stated their desire to stay here for several days whilst they were in the city. After a brief conversation and a hefty sum of coins had been spent, the two were guided up to a suit on the third floor.
It was a delightful room, with its own lounge and dining area along with two large bedrooms with positively giant beds that could easily fit half a dozen people on them.
They were also informed of some of the features of this establishment, that being the option for room service with the simple pull of a rope bell by the door, along with the main dining room and lounge/ bar downstairs.
After that the maid that had guided them gave them a curtsy and left them alone in the room.
The two companions smiled to one another as they carefully observed the suit that they were now to reside within for the foreseeable future.
"Well I suppose it is time that we got to work." Stated with Luna with a small sigh.
Violet, feeling slightly mischievous answered with a coy smile. "Well no need to rush into things, why don’t we properly test out our new room!"
With a smile Luna could only agree.
**
Louis Warren, the guard Captain of Solantis sat behind his desk in the headquarters as he worked his way through a small mountain of paperwork. He never though that after reaching such heights in both power and prestige he would find himself fearing paper of all things, yet here he was working dispodently through endless forms.
He had joined the guards as a young man, quickly working his way through the ranks as he excelled in all aspects of the job. Now as he entered his 6th decade in the job he found himself missing those early years where his only worries resolved around dressing correctly for a parade.
Still he knew he shouldn’t complain, many a man would be eager for his job and he was proud of the work he had achieved during his career.
His musing were interrupted with a swift knock on his office door. With a tired voice he called out. "Enter."
He looked up to watch as Sargent Gree entered into his office. He was one of his better officers, recently entered into tier 4 and had a promising career ahead of him.
So when Louis noticed the slightly troubled frown on his subordinates face he instantly sat up just a touch straighter and focused in on the man before him. "What is it Sargent, something is clearly troubling you." It was less of a question and more a statement so the Sargent did not mince his words and explained.
"Well sir, we have two new visitors to the city, visitors of considerable strength." Louis frowned at those words, wondering why something as simple as powerful individuals would cause such a report, people in tier 4 were rare sure, yet plenty arrived in the city every week.
Yet Gree’s next words disproved those thoughts quite quickly. "You see they are not human, but beastkin. And they just waltzed straight into the noble district."
The captain frowned. "And why are you bringing this to my attention? Sure beastkin are rare but plenty enter the noble district."
He seemed to squirm somewhat before answering. "Well sir, Martin, the idiot, instantly provoked and then insulted them." He winced as he said that likely recounting the memory.
Louis let out a tired sigh. "That boy, will he ever learn? Go on then what happened next."
"Well then they released their presence, or at least one of them did... I think. And Martin was nearly crushed to death from the force alone." This caught the captains attention and he fully sat up straight.
"I tried to use my own presence to relieve some of the pressure on the boy... yet my presence was effortlessly rebuffed from even approaching the boy, no that’s not right... it was as if the area around the boy had become separated from reality itself somehow. I don’t event truly know how to describe it, even then, I couldn’t even begin the guess the strength of that woman, it... it kind of reminded me of your own presence sir."
Hearing those words the captain sat back in his chair whilst he sucked in air through his pursed lips. His mind raced as he processed the information.
A high level Lord, perhaps matching his own level? Or at least someone with impeccable presence control. Honestly he wasn’t sure which option he would prefer, high levels were manageable whilst troublesome. But high level control indicated something more, it indicated a rock solid foundation, high strength for their current level and, most importantly for the future a high likelihood of being able to accend into sovereignty.
"Anything else to report?" He asked after some time had passed.
Gree did not take long to reply. "Well after that display I was able to talk her down from pursuing the matter any further after promising to dish out appropriate punishment for the boy. Then gave her directions towards the Sirens Rest, so we at least know where they will be staying."
The captain nodded at that. "Good job focussing the situation, for now we won’t make any moves. Have the guards in the inner ring be made aware of their presence and strength. No one else antagonises them." He then let loose another long sigh of resignation.
"Urgh, I’m going to have to report this to the city lord aren’t I." With a shake of his head he stood up. "Alright, good job today guardsman, your dismissed." Captain Louis stayed behind for a moment before sitting back down and drafting a letter towards the city lord.