As the duke stops, the baron freezes, the Wartners hold their breath, the bystanders stand in awe, the guards sweat cold. Gholan grabs his son's clothes and tries to draw him away from the one who spoke, but Erynth is astonished and sluggish to react; the moment his father pulls with more force he slightly stumbles, having just realized the severity of the situation.
As the offended starts to turn, the mana detector of one of the Imperial Guards is triggered; on the soldier's chest a crystal attached to a necklace is emitting a feeble but insistent glare that is ever so slightly growing in intensity for each step the Duke takes in the direction of the Bishop. In the absolute hush of fear only the man's light but unexplainably weighty boots can be heard, as everyone and everything is still, not to interfere with the current of events.
As he gets closer every and all around them are as if frozen in quite; unimportant, insignificant, as if they were alone in the snowy yard where the Fire stands, as if they were the only two beings in the world, as if they were the last existence following the end of times.
"Please! My Lord! I'm sure we can talk this out, please! There's no need for fighting, you are known all around the empire for your patience and wiseness!"
Cried the guard helplessly trying to reason; holding with one hand the crystal while covering his eyes with the other, as the brightness from the detector is enough to thin out the shadows in the whole banquet hall, as if the sun was at its highest in the sky.
Noticing from the little he could see that Duke Shtern is not slowing down in his inexorable march, as a last attempt the loyal soldier quickly addresses a prayer to his God before putting himself between the two; casting with the crystal's glare two shadows, one of which is distinctively greater than the other.
As the duke stands right before him the crystal in the guard's hand becomes so hot that he's forced to drop it, causing it to shatter on impact with the hard marble that adorns the tiles of the floor. Enabling the few diners still present to look again their way, having the origin of the dazzle been destroyed.
"My Lord, I beg you, in the name of all that's holy, please stop!"
"Step aside"
"My Lord, I-I can't let you cause harm in the place I was assigned to protect!"
"I said step aside"
He does not shout but in the dead silence that surrounds them his command is heard by all. The Duke's purple irises are now glowing as a result of him manipulating mana, and the guard is staring right into those abisses for what to him feels like an eternity, without further resistance he compiles; understanding that the man before him, is not foolish or impulsive enough to actually cause trouble; unlike the young bishop.
"As for your will, my Lord"
With now nothing to divide the two Cassian firmly and courageously stands his ground while everybody stares, as if they are witnessing the lowering of a coffin during a funeral.
"I don't know how you were raised but not even the barbarians from the Farlands would disrespect someone whose body is still warm. What has your family become… to think that Mother Quennex was such a pure lady, I'm sure that if she were to see all that's left of her teachings just three generations after her passing she would be quite deluded, don't you think?"
"At least I still have a family"
« Damn! He has the tongue of a dragon! Spitting fire I'm telling you! To think that even when he was just a boy Father Tullivan already had that attitude, hahaha. I don't even know how Dan kept the straight face »
« Yes you are correct. Even in his late twenties he still was cocky and quite bold, even more than now »
"At least my family didn't sell me off to a hypocritical creed just to keep up with the influence of the emerging 'Jewel' households"
"This and much more, for the greater good, for my family"
Exclaims the bishop, with a resolution and a voice so firm that surprises everybody, even the duke himself seems left stunned by such powerful words in such short sentences; as he always thought very little of Cassian, viewing him only as a migre pawn on a grand chessboard of thousands of pieces.
But it's in this very moment he realizes that there's much more than what meets the eyes in this boy, as of now he may very well be an unimpressive piece, but every pawn has the ability to become a queen, or in this case a bishop. he sees a spark, he sees the potential for a great man.
The two are staring directly into each other's eyes. Contrasting and similar at the same time; despite being so far apart, they actually have plenty in common. From the refined clothes of a noble, who didn't get to choose notoriety, to the rich induments of another noble, who didn't get to choose religion; From the authoritarian speeches of a duke, son of his father, to the condescending arguments of a bishop, son of a marquis.
Both take care of appearances, for different reasons: One always composed and methodic, with tidy black hair with just a withe lock on his right side and purple daring and intimidating eyes. The other Elegant and refined for each occasion, brunette long hair with the latest hairstyle to match the ongoing trends and brown eyes filled with passion. One represents Secular Power, the other will represent Spiritual Power.
But one thing they truly have in common, that is a trusty sword by their side. Both priceless gifts from their late mothers, forged with the highest quality of materials by the most skilled blacksmiths, imbued with magic using the finest runes by the most renowned enchanters; without a worry about cost.
One intended as a weapon of war, the other as a show of status. Both impeccably excelling in what they were conceived for, both being masterpieces in their own regards. Unknowingly starting from two different paths they will walk side by side on the way of fate towards the same end, the same destiny. One could say that casuality made them meet, but providence keeps them together.
The Sword of Authority, The Sword of Power.
The two keep staring, for an undefinable amount of time, they just stand there, eyes locked into each other's soul, searching for weaknesses, looking for fragilities. While Cassian is just challenging his opponent, daring him to take a step; Dan is just observing his defier, analysing his every move.
Then, just a smile.
"Listen, maybe we just started with the wrong foot, how about we put everything behind up until now and start all over again. After all, you despise me just for who I am but you never got to actually know me; meanwhile I can't stand your presence just for your attitude but I never got to understand you"
Everyone who hears is taken by surprise, they know that the duke is one to give second chances if deserved, but they never expected such an outcome. The only one who doesn't seem moved at all is the bishop himself, keeping quiet and not disrupting his gaze from the violet eyes.
After some more agonizing seconds of intense scrutiny and speechless confrontations finally an answer is given.
"You know what? You are right. We really should know each other before drawing lines. I'll make you a proposal"
"You? Setting the terms of a deal? With me?"
"Do you want it or not?"
"Alright I will listen to you"
"I will visit your territories for some time and see for myself how the situation really is, but I will not tell you where or when exactly so that you cannot arrange things. I will see what I will see and afterwards I will draw my conclusion on whether or not you truly are the scumbag that many, such as my father, like to depict you"
"And what will happen if you are pleasantly surprised?"
"I will sincerely ask for forgiveness for all I've said and done"
Having heard the terms the duke is delighted, but for him this much is not enough, he wants to develop and utilize the potential of the boy as much as possible.
"How about I put just one condition as well? Nothing too extreme, don't worry"
"Let's hear it"
"In the likely event that I exceed your expectations, I would love for you to work together with me, not only as partners, but maybe as friends. We could focus our efforts towards the same goal, a better future; for everyone. After all, if I'm well seen by the vast majority of the people of my duchy, maybe there's more to me than what the rumors say, don't you think?"
The duke has put all his best cards on the table, it's now up to the bishop to choose.
A faint smile.
As Cassian delivers his reply a loud trumpet is sounded.
The Unswerving Council is about to begin! Please take your places! -
The voice of the page resonates in each corner of the palace, calling all the nobles back, most of them unaware of the recent confrontation, filling once again the grand hall. As the magnificent door is opened, Count Warthner and his son are heading for the entrance, as well as Duke Shtern and Bishop Tullivan.
« Wait! I wanted to hear what he said! Bring it back! »
« I'm quite sure you know very well what his reply was, If you really desire, I can do what you ask but I don't think there's any actual need »
« Yeah, you are right… Thanks anyway »
« Worry not, for I am here for you. Now, where were we? Oh yes, the council, now it gets actually important »