The sound of the school bell was heard for all students of Lionheart Academy to hear, signifying the end of class for the day.
"Oh my, I'm afraid we have to continue our lesson tomorrow." The Instructor, a beautiful brown-haired woman said to her students. "I recommend that you research at more details regarding the battle of the two Titans many years ago. Even if such a historical battle is famous and already well-known, you will still find some remarkable details behind every part of the battle. I'm sure that you'll find them quite beneficial in your overall pursuit of magic."
In a short while, the instructor eventually left the class after giving out the assignment to her students. With their instructor's departure, the students are now free to do as they please. Some opted to leave in favor of fulfilling their club activities while others stayed for some short gossip and cleaning assignments.
"Hey, have you heard, Cecille?" A redhead young lady spoke to her blonde female friend while sweeping the floor. "Apparently, we are going to have a transfer student in our class, tomorrow, and he's from the Northern Kingdom of Uppsland no less!!"
"Yes, I heard the rumors, Anna." The woman Cecille nodded in confirmation while wiping the desks with a clean rag. "Hopefully he or she won't be too much trouble. We have enough troublemakers, especially in this class. The Creator knows how much we need order in these troubled times, especially with the gangs rising up the streets and waging their petty selfish shadow war against one another."
"Oh, Cecille, always the prim and proper lady," Anna remarked with amusement. "I suppose I won't expect less from the great-granddaughter of the illustrious Conrad Augustus himself. You nobles and your sense of authority and pride."
"Shut it you." Cecille chuckled at her friend's teasing. "Aren't you something of a noble yourself as well? Last time I heard; your father was offered a sit in the council and he accepted."
"My dear, we are but a family of simple merchants," Anna said with remarkable pride about her lineage. "Still, even if he is the leader of the Merchant's guild, he wishes no involvement as much as possible in the affairs and squabbles of the nobility."
"You know, you could be judged for treason with that tongue of yours." Cecille sighed at the redhead's statement.
"And you will be there for my heroic rescue I'm sure. Such is the perk of being your best friend." Anna retorted with exceptional sassiness, causing Cecille to chuckle lightly in return.
While they enjoy each other's delightful company, a question was raised by Cecille, an inquiry that dampened the friendly mood vibrating between them.
"So, is Livia is still not talking to us that much, huh?"
Anna saw her best friend's sad look and also started to feel the same way. Although she remembered a while ago this morning when she witnessed the woman in question radiating a somewhat sparkling spirit. It's a strange sight though, given how Livia is typically depressed and broody at all times. Although it's understandable, given Livia's tragic circumstances which is also a public knowledge.
"I supposed she is starting to improved. I saw her smiling with a lively disposition just this morning." Anna assured with a smile. "It will only be a matter of time until we are all back to being best friends once more. Just give her some more space."
"I see." Cecille nodded and only hope for the best. Livia was not the same ever since her parents' and sister's death at the hands of the Northman two years ago. Deciding to change the subject so depression won't take over the sanctity of their conversation, Cecille asked. "Anyways, what's your plan after this? Are you going to be busy?"
"I'm afraid so. Father had some errands for me in the marketplace. You go on ahead without me. I'm sorry if I can't grab a snack with you this time at the local cafeteria in town." Anna responded as she secured the broom back to the cabinet.
"I see. Well, be careful then." Cecille said. To her credit, she does not sound disappointed and simply shrugged her shoulders at the prospect of going home alone. Not that she needed the company, but it's still nice to be with a friend after academy hours.
"I will." Anna smiled at Cecille's kind words. She then went back to her desk, got her bag, and said her farewells to the blonde-haired lady.
With the departure of her red-head friend, Cecille too made her own preparations in leaving the school. Since she was the sole heiress of the house of Augustus, her after-school activities involved serious training about the usage of her family's unique magic tutored personally by her father. She was also taught on the ways of nobility and politics, given her family's influential position in the Holy Bahamuth Empire. Of course, she wished sometimes that she was just a normal young lady unbounded by the shackles of her family, but given the privilege and status that was bestowed upon her, the pros outweighed the cons for her, and she eventually learned to respect the duty and responsibilities of her current position as the heiress.
"So, this is the Empire town of Danusta that everyone spoke of?"
Arriving at the huge gates is a black-haired young teenage man equipped with a black leather scaled armor that covered his long-sleeved blue shirt. He has a round blue shield strapped on his back with the insignia of the yellow raven and a sword hanging on his right hip. His eyes consisted of remarkable blue color.
"Halt there, Northman, state your business."
The young man was stopped by a man equipped with a full set of plate armor that was covered by a tabard bearing the insignia of the yellow eagle and blue background.
The young man turned his utmost attention to the man in response. Although he already knew what the authorities wanted with him, given his overall appearance and northern heritage. Of course, the business that he was about to conduct here had to do with the mentioned factors, but it was much more than that. His task involved strengthening the alliance between two entirely different cultures.
"If you must know, I am the one that was sent by the good King Arne "Iron-heart", and my father, Earl Ulf "Wolf-kin" to mingle with you folks of the Empire." The Northman answered without hesitation.
"I see." The guardsman said in realization. "The Emperor is indeed waiting for your arrival, Thane Siegtyr Ulfsson if I'm not mistaken?"
"My birth, perhaps, haha, but the name, no." The now named Siegtyr smiled as per his to humorous personality that many of his kin have known him to be mostly. In this context though, one can consider to be a dark humor, but nothing of a sort that is deemed to be serious. Siegtyr has the habit of adding some unnecessary remarks to his statement, much to the annoyance of some people.
The guard simply nodded and gestured for Siegtyr to accompany him to the palace so the Northman can meet the Emperor and to proceed things in a smooth transition.
With the Northman's arrival, most of the townsfolk could not help but lay their eyes upon him in a scrutinizing fashion, given at the way he carried himself in addition to the armor that he is currently wearing.
As a man of the north, Siegtyr "Raven-blessed" Ulfsson spared no effort whatsoever in being discreet at his actions. He was seen walking with great pride, his chest up with posture unyielding for the public to bear witness.
Thankfully, the Empire is currently in alliance with the great northern kingdom of Uppsland and Fjormark, the former of which Siegtyr is part of. This meant that his northern brethren or the Uppish from Uppsland and Fjorish from Fjormark are now welcomed to come in and conduct their business as authorized by the Emperor himself. Unfortunately, the same can't be said about the other northern kingdoms and the two brother kingdoms were promised great riches, lands, and fortunes in exchange for protecting the Empire's northern borders from the other Viking invaders and opportunists.
Despite the alliance, the Empire citizens are still wary of their northern allies, given the Vikings' reputation as fearless raiders and brutes who wreaked havoc throughout many parts of the Holy Bahamuth Empire back when they were still at war a year ago. The tension is still present and many still could not forget the atrocity that these heathens have performed to their people and lands.
Nevertheless, Siegtyr remained unfazed by the stares as he kept on walking to his designated location. He was tasked personally by the High King of Uppsland and his loyal vassal, the Earl of Hofsteigr mingle with the people of the Empire as a gesture of goodwill. Siegtyr was considered recently as a great warrior of renown by his people, even at his young age of 17. He faced the High King of Skorna in single combat when the said King and his army invaded Uppsland two months ago. It was said that a raven was witnessed directly above, guiding the young Uppish warrior while on his fight to the death with the Skornish King and also serving as his second set of eyes. Thus, the High King of Uppsland bestowed him the title of Thane of Uppsland Hold, one of the youngest one in history.
Because of his status of nobility and young age, he was chosen to perform the King's task of strengthening the alliance between the Uppish and the Empire.
"Father mentioned of his friend, where I'll be staying for a long period. But first things first, I needed to visit the Emperor himself to confirm my presence in this big town of his." Siegtyr muttered while marveling at the sights of the town.