They had eaten in the tower's main dining hall. The food was as extravagant as the setting. The exuberance of wealth annoyed SJ.
Several came and spoke to Zigferd, many giving SJ a look of uncertainty. Their distaste for her race was clear. An overwhelming sense of anger and frustration consumed SJ as the evening came to a close.
SJ mentioned not having seen another fae in the tower.
"It comes as no surprise," Dave commented.
"I know you have warned me enough times, but experiencing the looks from so many is..." SJ trailed off.
"Upsetting?"
"No. It infuriates me."
"Understandable. Unfortunately, you will have a lot of mistrust and hatred to overcome."
"It makes me wish I had never chosen fae as my race."
"No going back now. You cannot change who you are. People either accept you or they don't."
After striving her whole life to combat bigotry, misogyny and racism, always treating everyone as she wished to be treated herself, feelings she hadn't felt for a long time now were coming to the surface. Night had encapsulated the city, and looking out of the room's window, the twinkling of lanterns and fire light broke the night from across the city. The window opened onto a narrow balcony, and stepping out into the cold of the night, SJ listened to the noises of the city that reached her even as high as she was in the tower.
"I am going to go on a wander," SJ said. Focusing on her dress, she changed its colour, making it a dark grey, almost black colour. Then, shrinking to her miniature form, she took off from the balcony. SJ didn't want to keep using the spiral stairs, but was uncertain about the positioning of her room in relation to the outside of the tower. Flying down from the balcony, she noted features on the tower and, reaching near its base, identified an entrance that was aligned beneath her room. Once she got her bearings, she rose again and went over the city's streets.
With her dress the colour it was, she knew there was little that would give her away when she flew at night. She had changed her dress colour several times to find the best colour with the skeletons at Farleck cottage to discover how well the differing colours worked. Those with keen eyesight may, but they were the few who would see her at night.
The city's streets were still busy, and the sounds of music, laughter, and singing filled the night sky from many of the plentiful inns along its streets. Darren had said she should visit the Bugbears if she could, but did not know where it was. Shouts rose from the streets below, and SJ flew towards the sound. Hovering well above the street level, she looked down at an argument unfolding between two groups of beings. She knew she was well within the outer area, and the streets were narrow and congested. This area was at a crossroads, with a group on either side. Intrigued by the disturbance, she watched as one from each group approached the other.
As the two did, SJ noticed the glint of metal as they drew weapons. This was not a friendly meeting. On the left side, a large-looking orc held a dagger; on the right, a human carried a similar weapon. Their gang mates were shouting now, cheering on their members. On nearing each other, they circled until the human made a move. Darting, he appeared to blur as he struck out with his blade. The orc pulled back at the last moment, the flickering silver blade missing. The orc slashed back in response, the human jumping back this time.
This continued for several moments before the orc made the mistake of overreaching. As he did, the human attacked. He raised his blade and caught the orc in the arm that held the dagger. A cry of pain and cheers sounded from the group supporting the human. Fascinated by the fight, SJ hadn't noticed the large group moving towards the crossroads. It was only when a horn pierced the angry shouts of the combatants and their followers that SJ noticed that a guard force had moved in to surround the area.
Realising that the guards were present, the groups tried to break free and run. Several disappeared into the night, but the guards grabbed and roughly handled others, dragging them towards caged wagons situated back from the area. The injured orc was one of them. As the guards captured him, he cursed and swore. Noticing that each group wore a coloured band on their arms, SJ assumed they were gang colours. It surprised SJ that there would be gangs fighting within the city.
'Is this normal?' SJ asked.
"Yes. In cities, there are various gangs and factions. Especially in the poorer areas," Dave said.
'The guard reacted quickly.'
"They must have been aware that it was going to happen. It's too organised otherwise, especially having wagons ready to take them away."
Once the guard sorted out those involved, the streets where they had been fell silent. Moving higher again, SJ continued her journey of discovery. After travelling around the city awhile, SJ felt tired and returned to the tower. Locating the point beneath her room, she flew back to her balcony before landing and growing. It was an interesting experience to see how lively the city was, even at night. SJ decided she would have to visit some locations when she had free time after the inauguration ceremony.
The council chamber was oval, stretching over two hundred feet and eighty wide. In the middle of the oval, there was a raised platform where the chancellor sat with his council of leaders. At the chambers sides rose tiered seating. SJ was sitting next to Zigferd in a middle row in front of the main platform. The chamber had arranged seating for the city council members, with the members of the regional council seated above them. There were at least four hundred seats in the chamber. Many races made up the number, and SJ noticed two fae for the first time. They were sitting behind the chancellor's platform at the highest level of seating.
Zigferd had explained to SJ that the lower down the seats you sat, the more influence that beings held in the region. Being positioned at the lowest seats was one of the best positions, especially for those assigned to regional representatives. The central platform was currently empty and more were continuing to filter into the chamber and take their assigned seats. The general sound of conversation filled the air until a tall ent dressed in white robes walked into the chamber carrying a wooden engraved horn. It stopped at the base of the platform before raising the horn to its lips and blowing.
The deep, clear resonating sound quietened those in the chamber and as silence fell, a procession of beings entered. At the centre was a large kobold, taller than most SJ had seen. He wore the city colours and had blue colouring to his scales. It had to be the chancellor and his entourage.
The kobold climbed onto the platform with two other beings. A female draconian dressed in robes of the church like Lythonian, although her armour had a golden trim to it, and a male elf. The elf wore flowing red robes contrasting with the white of the church.
'I assume the elf is a mage,' SJ thought.
"Guess so. I don't know his class specifically. I can tell you he is level 45," Dave replied.
The draconian and elf took seats at opposing ends of the platform while the chancellor remained standing. The kobold turned in a full circle, taking in the chamber and its occupants. There were a few unoccupied seats, and he nodded his head.
"Welcome to Asterfal," the chancellor began. His voice was crisp, and clear, easily heard around the chamber because of its acoustic design. "I extend a warm welcome to all of you at the annual inauguration. I see some of our fellow members have not made it yet, and only hope they arrive soon. Looking around the chamber today, I see many faces of old friends and many new," again turning and viewing the chamber. He appeared to pause his gaze slightly as he noticed SJ for the first time. She had returned her dress to its original green, its bright colour contrasted with many around. "I will now hand you over to the master of ceremonies."
A burly-looking dwarf stood from one of the front rows of the chamber and walked to the platform. Climbing the steps, he turned to survey the gathered. He wore a brilliantly polished breastplate, with Asterfals emblem embossed on its front.
"Dear Councillors, old and new. We are here today to welcome those within the council to swear their loyalty to Asterfal and the region. The list is long of those who are joining us for the first time at the inauguration. As each name is called, please stand, so that we may learn who our newest members are and greet them according to the traditions of the council." Many in the crowd stamped their feet in response to his opening comments.
"What does he mean, greet them according to tradition?" SJ whispered to Zigferd.
"You will see?"
"We will begin with those within the city council and then our regional brothers and sisters," the Master of Ceremonies said. "Jelart of District 3, we welcome you as the newly appointed lieutenant."
A figure rose from the lower seats, the dwarf turning to look at him. He was a large man, overweight, and his clothes appeared to be close to bursting. He turned and looked around the chamber, raising a hand in appreciation and acknowledgement. His face was ruddy, and he had a large red nose. SJ recognised the signs of a man who had spent too many years drinking alcohol.
"Jelart. Would you kindly introduce yourself to the council?"
"Fellow councillors, I am Jelart, second son of Kelart, who had been the council member for District 3 for the past twelve years until his recent passing. I hope to bring the same stability to the district as my father before me. I know many of you in the council already and I look forward to working with you closer over the coming years."
The stomping began again with those gathered in the chamber, and SJ noticed Zigferd was not as enthusiastic as he had been after the master of ceremonies opening comments. And so it began. The speeches that some had given had lasted a ridiculous length of time. One in particular had lasted over thirty minutes as he ran through his lineage and history within Asterfal that his family held. Some were interesting listening to the backgrounds of several, and others even humorous. By the time the Master of Ceremonies called for lunch, it was 1300hrs and the introductions to twelve new members had taken place.
"I can see why the inauguration takes three days," SJ said.
Zigferd turned to SJ and remarked, "For some, this might be their only chance to have their voice heard in the chamber."
"Do you know how many new members there are?"
"Not exactly. I would guess if, like usual, then there will be over one hundred."
"I can see why it takes three days then."
"Let us go eat. I wish to introduce you to someone as well," Zigferd smirked.
Zigferd's unusual response intrigued SJ and who he wished to introduce that made him smirk. Furrowing her brow, she didn't ask and followed Zigferd from the chamber to the dining hall. The hall was vast, with rows of tables and benches.
When they had eaten there the previous evening, it had been quiet and today, with so many present in the tower and in the hall at once, it felt oppressing. A fleet of servers flowed around the hall, carrying plates of food and trays of drink. Lunch would last two hours and the afternoon session would run until 1800hrs. Although the hall appeared chaotic, there was an order to it. All the tables had name plates, and Zigferd led them to their assigned seats. SJ nodded at the others already sat at the table as she took her seat at the end of a bench with Zigferd beside her.
"All," Zigferd said, sitting, tipping his head in acknowledgement.
"Zigferd," a bright voice said.
Looking down the table which sat twelve members Zigferd met the eyes of a female bugbear.
"Othelisar. Is that really you?" Zigferd said. "You look younger today than the last time we met."
"Ha. Don't try to sweet talk me, you old troll," she laughed. Then turned to a troll sat at the end of the table who frowned deeply at her. "No offence meant Gullifer."
The troll grumbled, not replying.
"And who do you have with you?"
"This is SJ. She is our ambassador."
The comment of SJ being an ambassador caused several at the table to raise their eyebrows. "Ambassador you say. Killic has never had one before, to my knowledge."
"No, we have not, but with recent changes, we deemed it appropriate."
"What changes do you refer to?" a goblin asked, sat opposite.
"The boundaries and territory amendments."
Muttering broke out around the table. "We have heard rumours, although we have seen nothing of change in Hillewort," the goblin replied.
"The level alignment is something that we are all eventually going to have to contend with," the troll Gullifer said.
"Have you experienced it also?" Zigferd asked Gullifer.
"Yes. Only recently. The area around Easthilioc had always been like any starter area. Legionnaires came and went as with others towns, but the latest one once they reached level 10 triggered the change. Since then, several unwanted elements have frequented us. Those Legionnaires have a lot to answer for."
It was the first time SJ had heard about another starter area apart from the one Darren had mentioned, piquing her interest. Though, as the troll finished with his comment about Legionnaires, SJ frowned deeply.
Gullifer noticed SJ's response. "Have I upset you with my comment?"
"SJ is a Legionnaire," Zigferd said before SJ could respond.
This caused several to turn and look at her with varying expressions on their faces. "You are?" Gullifer asked.
"I am yes," SJ replied, forcing a smile onto her face. "And a fae."
The comment about her being a fae made some at the table look away, and she could sense their embarrassment.
"I apologise for any offence made. I didn't realise Zigferd lowered himself so far." Gullifer replied.
Zigferd scowled at Gullifer and said, "Gullifer, be careful, my friend. We have known each other for many years, but I do not take kindly to you commenting on my thoughts. SJ has been nothing but a remarkable being since her arrival in Killic and has the undying respect of the town."
SJ blushed at Zigferd's comment. It was the first time she had heard him speak so openly about his opinion of her in public like this.
Gullifer smiled at Zigferd without replying. Othelisar spoke again. "A fae and a Legionnaire. An interesting mix indeed. I have only met a couple over my years who were fae."
SJ was about to respond when she felt a hand on her arm. Turning, she looked into the pair of greenest eyes she had ever seen. The fae who stood next to her was beautiful, wearing a flowing pastel blue dress.
"SJ isn't it?" the soft voice asked. "I have heard good things about you."
"Larianco. How are you?" Zigferd asked as he saw the fae.
"I am well Zigferd. Do you mind if I borrow SJ?"
"Of course not," Zigferd smiled.
"SJ, please accompany me. I have some things I would wish to discuss with you."
SJ looked at Zigferd, who just nodded before she stood and followed Larianco. Walking from the dining hall, the side doors opened into a large walled garden.
"How do you know of me?" SJ asked as she walked by Larianco's side.
"Do you think that a fae being a member of the council of Asterfal would go unnoticed? The rumours of your position have travelled far across the south."
The statement took SJ aback. "Are you not a council member?"
Larianco scoffed, "No. I am but a fae representative. I am not a councillor. You are the first ever fae councillor to be presented at the Asterfal council."
"Representative?"
"Yes. I suppose you could call me similar to your ambassador role. Unfortunately, I spend most of my time resolving issues caused by our kind."
"I have been told that we have a poor reputation."
"Most races do not appreciate the fae. Over the millennia, many of ours have caused issues for others."
"I am familiar with some of the history."
"Yes. Not some of our best moments." Larianco nodded.
"What did you wish to discuss?"
"Your future."
