The cool midday light peeked through the shadowy grey clouds. Between his white-gloved fingers was an even paler teacup, half-filled with a plum coloured liquid. His eyes were closed, long lashes casting shadows across his cheeks as he sipped the tea.
"My lord," spoke up a voice. Languidly he peeled open his eyes, peering up at the figure who had approached him. It was a soldier dressed in Prussian blue. "Your carriage is ready, sir." Slowly the lord lowered the cup halfway.
"I'll be there momentarily," he responded. As he returned the teacup to his lips, the large sapphire ring that was set on his pinky finger winked in the light. For a moment, the guard's eyes were attracted to it before bowing his head.
Down below the hills, the view from the lord's balcony was of the small market town of Asrin. It was well known as being the furthest provenance from Corvus. The town was buried deep within the forests of the south. High mountains sheltered it and often thick skies of rain would sweep over the lush green terrain.
The Asrin marketplace was bustling with visitors despite the grey skies. Men and women were huddled over the merchandise, buzzing with excitement. Shopkeepers were yelling out into the streets, beckoning customers to come closer. Beautiful silks of colour were thrown across wooden benchtops and trinkets winked in the afternoon light. The sun for brief periods of time managed to peek from behind the shadowed clouds.
A young girl, with dark hair billowing behind herself, walked with a pack strapped to her back. Her wide green eyes were drinking in the sights with curtain bangs curling down the side of her small, round face. She lifted herself up onto her toes, trying to peer over the heads of travellers, sticking out her tongue as though it would assist her balance.
Hirano Emi was way out of her depth in Asrin. Everything was bigger. Everything was overcrowded compared to the small cottage she shared with her grandmother, hours away from any city. But she liked it. The rustic sounds and overgrown nature that surrounded them was more than enough.
She felt a figure collide with her shoulder, jostling her. She spun around, hand clamping down on the floppy hat that was drooping on her head. She couldn't tell though, which passing figure had run into her. Heaving out a heavy breath, she advanced forward. Walking to the first stall master, she twisted the small pouch of coins looped on her wrist.
"What'll it be?" the stall tender asked. Emi didn't get the chance to answer as a boy with brilliant sunshine golden hair, his hair sticking out messily from beneath a worn, burgundy beret.
"Dirus Root," he requested. "If you have any."
"Dirus Root? I'm afraid that's not something you'll find here, young man," the stall tender answered, shock laced with his voice.
"Do you know where I can get some?" The salesman fidgeted before shaking his head swiftly. "Let me know if you decide to change your mind." The blond man started to retreat from the stall, his startling blue eyes like the ocean. Over his shoulders was a dark woollen coat that had collected mud from the ground.
"Miss, what can I help you with?" the man asked. Emi lifted her head, blinking in wonder. Once more she peered over her shoulder towards the boy disappearing into the crowd.
"What's Dirus Root?" she inquired.
"Something no one should be touching," the man vaguely answered her. "Comes from the Dirusium Tree. They no longer grow in these parts." Finally collecting the seeded and leafy ingredients Emi had sought. Her satchel was filled with paper wrapped flora that had been brought to Asrin.
What little light had been in the sky was beginning to fade. The wind had picked up making people feel unsteady on their feet. Emi's hair was knotting and despite her coat, Emi was beginning to feel the sting of the cold air seep through and touch her bones with its icy hand. She hunched her shoulders forward, her boots coming into contact with the watery puddles on the ground.
There were people yelling around her and the sound of hoofbeats striking the ground. The wooden rattle of a carriage neared. Trying to keep her hat on her head and navigate herself out of the way, Emi felt her foot come into contact with a particularly soft piece of mudded ground. Her foot sunk scarcely an inch but it was enough to throw her off balance.
She hit the ground hard, her satchel falling forward, mud-splattered up the side. But from inside one of the clipped pockets, bounced several balls no bigger than a large marble. Emerald green and glittering with silver stars they partially rolled from the bag. Against the dark ground, they stood out like a candle in the night.
Emi lunged forward to collect them quickly but she wasn't fast enough. A passerby had also stopped to pick them up. When she looked up at the bearded man, she realised he was in uniform.
"What do we have here? Mana Marbles," he proclaimed. Emi gathered the fallen marbles into her hand as she stood up, eyes fixated on the one in between his grubby fingers.
"May I have that back please sir?" she asked timidly.
"Do you know the punishment for someone in your station possessing something like this?" the man's voice rose. This drew the attention of people nearby.
"They're not mine," Emi tried lying, shaking her head quickly. "I was delivering them."
"To whom?" The girl was stumped. She opened her mouth to answer and no words were able to come out. With one hand she reached out to take the marble back from him when she felt a force throw her back.
The ground was cold when she landed but her fingers tightly held the other few that remained in her hand. The guard loomed over her, his hand reaching for the sword he wore at his hip.
"I hereby place you under arrest. And in accordance to the laws stated by The Decarchy, you shall be punished," he spoke. By their side, the slowly passing carriage came to a stop. People muttered to one another quietly. The horses whined as they came to a stop. A footman leapt down to open the door of the small hansom carriage. From within, a man emerged, stepping carefully down onto the soft ground gracefully.
"Lord Noburu," the guard stuttered, bowing his head quickly. As Emi looked up she was met with an elegantly dressed man. His hair was like silver frost. His skin was tanned and his lilac-blue eyes were surrounded by long lashes. His tailored clothes were as white as new-fallen snow. He had a soft face with a narrow jaw. He was tall with strands of silver-white hair falling into his kind eyes.
The guard was staring at him with wide eyes. Awkwardly bowing a second time as though he had forgotten he had already done so. Emi wasn't the only one ogling the handsome young man. A fur coat was swept around his shoulders, his lean body nearly covered by the pale coat. The silver buttons by the lapels of his jacket beneath it shone like polished pennies.
"I'm sorry to disrupt your travels. This commoner was in possession of Marbles, Your Grace, and as per the law it is my solemn duty to arrest any -" The lord held up his hand to silence him. As if he choked instantly on his words, the soldier fell silent. He swept his eyes down at the girl sitting in mud.
"Isn't it obvious," Lord Noburu began. "She's been sent here as an envoy."
"But...there was no notice of an emissary arriving, Your Grace."
"Of course not, I asked for discretion," the lord informed. "Alas, I wish for my guest to be escorted to my villa. See to it her belongings are returned and that she is taken care of until I receive her."
"My Lord -" The guard was prepared to argue. Lord Noburu's carriage door was opened for him by the footman who had his head bowed. He stepped into the carriage, the door held open. He glanced out of it with a calm expression. He dipped his head.
"I look forward to our meeting." He waved his hand and the carriage door was closed, concealing the province lord from sight.