A man clears his throat behind me, dressed in a black suit with a bow tie. He stands he black hair messy yet tidy where it needs to be. he bows deeply. "Welcome to your new home, I am the head butler, Julius. I do apologize for making you brew the tea Princess Irene. I have shown your companions to the dining area, please proceed there while i prepare food and snacks."
Please rise Julius," Princess Irene states, "You were doing your job,in escorting his companions. I chose to make this tea on my own, therefore, there's no need to apologize. We shall make our way to the dining area while you prepare more delicacies."
"It is nice to meet you," I walk to the butler, my hand extended. "I am Ezekiel, I've been standing in as the leader for my companions. It is a pleasure to meet you, Julius."
"The pleasure is mine Sire." the butler smiles shaking my hand. "Please proceed to the dining hall as your presence will undoubtedly be a distraction to the kitchen staff." he winks with a sly smile.
Princess Irene lets out a cough, grabbing me by the wrist she pulls me out of the room with a indignant, "Hmph."
I walk beside her holding the tea kettle and my cup, I follow her as she drags me to the dining area. walking in I see all of my classmates, "Well, glad to see everyone's here." I move to the head of the table, the princess taking a seat to my right, Isaac at our college on a archery scholarship, already sat on my left beside his sister Isabel, who also is on an archery scholarship. Noah and his cousin Becca beside them, both majors in finances and economics. Across from them sits Tyler and Cole, brothers in pursuit of acting careers'. "So if I'm to hazard a guess you all want me to continue speaking for the group?" I pause as most of the heads nod and others just seem indifferent. "For me to effectively do that and to negotiate on your behalfs, I'll need to understand everyone's stance on what they would like to do."
Isaac nods his head, "As I'm sure you're aware me and Isabel would like to remain with you," he winks, "Since we've known each other since we were children."
I close my eyes, "I for one plan to train with each of the master's in order to see what i connect with best. If you still want to follow me, just realize we may fight actual people eventually, or grotesque monsters." I level a hard gaze at Isabel, "Are you certain you want to go down this path with us?"
Isabel opens her mouth, then closes it pausing before she answers. "Yes, I doubt it will be a walk in the park, but I want to help anyway I can."
I nod my head moving my gaze down the table, "As King Jacob stated, you do not all need to learn to battle but there are other ways to assist the kingdom. As many of us haven't been studying the most glamorous job's I'm sure you wouldn't gain as much recognition as a knight or a mage. However I'm certain your assistance, will not go unrewarded. I do not want any of your to be vulnerable, either. I will not force you to because I cannot do that, but I would like for everyone to learn to defend themselves in case of an emergency. This world is not our own, therefore the culture the patrolling and law system I'm sure revolves more closely to the 18-1900's where self defense will not be questioned."
Princess Irene interject's, "In our kingdom, theft is punished depending on the theft, it can range from a few knights in the cell's to loosing fingers. Killing someone outright without provocation, is punishable by death. However if it is done in self defense, then there will simply be an investigation followed by a small trial. The majority of the time, punishment is extremely light. Generally pointing towards helping the community. Of course sometimes you will not be punished at all. If differences are found you may challenge someone to a duel. This is fought with wooden swords to prevent the death of either participant." As she speaks she meets the eyes of everyone around the table, some looking away while others hold her gaze resolutely.
Noah stretches out, "I am fairly versed in economics' so I feel my help there would be best. If I could partner with a trusted merchant or business of the crown, I can see if there's anything I could help with or any process's I could refine. My Cousin Becca, is skilled with trade in our world, as well as economics'. I believe we'd be best suited to work in those fields." he bows his head politely, "I'd be interested in the spirit magic, or summoning. If Ms. Elaine would be kind enough to show us how use those magic's as well as some self defense from the knights."
"Master Elaine, Lito, and Raphael should be arriving shortly to answer and questions and give more in depth display's for all of you. Raphael has set up a tournament at our colosseum alongside Lito to showcase attacks and defense. There will also be a medical tent for people to observe healing magic's. Which the church will be in charge of, this will be ran by Saint Rani whom you will meet shortly as well."
A soft knock on the door echoes through the room, "I will greet our guest, I assume this is Saint Rani?" I ask directing my gaze to Princess Irene.
The princess lets out a long sigh, "You may just call me Irene, Princess Irene is such a mouthful. Is it not?" she stands walking with me. "I shall accompany you, it seems that Rani has ditched her guard, yet again."
"Ah, the saint is unruly then?" I smile as we walk to the door, opening it slowly to see a girl adorn in a white robe, her dress a simple stark white with golden embroidery on the sleeves and along the frills. Her hair a wavy golden ocean down her back. "Welcome, I am Ezekiel, You must be Saint Rani?"
Rani's eyes widen in surprise, looking accusingly at Irene she scoffs. "You had to go and spoil my surprise yet again?" Turning to me she courtesies, "I am Saint Rani, an expert in healing and cleansing magic's. I am certain I will be partied with you once you are setout to labyrinth's and camp's to provide the best support."
I return her courtesies with a simple bow, "I am Ezekiel Kaburagi, your summoned hero from another world." Taking her white gloved hand I place a gentle kiss in greeting. "Twould be an honor to adventure alongside one such as yourself miss."
Rani returns my greeting with a smile, "Come now, there is no need for such flattery. allow me to meet with the rest of your companions if you would be so kind, Sire."
"Of course, just be aware not all of us are accustomed or have as much interest as I in customs and courtesies from mid-evil times, so they may be a little rough around the edges." I turn to lead the princess and saint back to the main room. "You appear to be fairly young for someone to be called Saint, Rani." I strike up a small conversation as we proceed through the main foyer.
Princess Irene laughs lightly, The title of saint is simply bestowed upon the most talented healer and cleansing mage. She was in fact raised by the church as a devotee follower, although Rani is quite rebellious for her station."
"I'm sure ditching your guards would cause quite a headache with a status like Saint." I chuckle lightly, "The only reason I can attempt at courtesies' and pleasantries' is because I am a history buff focused on Mid-evil history. Which revolves around knights kings and queens' and the like."
"My my, that is interesting, how far in the past are these tales?" Saint Rani asks keeping pace with me.
"Thousands of years, our current technology is far superior. we can travel from continent to continent in a few days through these vehicles. However we do not have magic so that is why revolutions have played such a large part of advancement." I sigh, opening the door to the dining room, "These are the rest of my companions, Everyone, this is Saint Rani." After a short pause I explain who they are. "On the right is Isaac, Isabel, my friends since childhood. Noah and Becca, Financial advisor's in training, across from them is Tyler and Cole, who are in pursuit of acting and theatre."
"Tis a pleasure to make you acquaintance, as Ezekiel stated. I am Saint Rani, I will be accompanying any who desire to assist with adventuring as a healer and a cleanser of the Miasma. Labyrinth's that build up to much Miasma will increase the production of Monsters as well as the quality of monsters. This will cause a Monster Tide to assault nearby villages and even the capital in some cases. I hope from that simply explanation you can hazard a guess as to how important a role this is in protecting the citizens of this country." Rani says moving down the table she sits between Isaac and me.
Taking our seats I place my hands together resting my chin on them. "So as Isabel and Isaac already stated they wish to join me in adventuring, Noah and Becca wish to work alongside business's sponsored with the crown. Tyler, cole, What would you like to pursue? I'm sure you could come up with festival plans and theatre work from our world to bring joy to people as well as for your own enjoyment, You could join me in my endeavors to make this place safer, or I'm sure you could simply bask in the day to day life at the capital?" I look at Princess Irene, who nods lightly.
"There are always plays and festivals around the year, and you could learn the stories and legends behind those to create your own unique acts or plays." Irene pauses, In fact we have the Esparian Founding festival in a few weeks if you would like to partake in that? Of course we would prefer if you were to do something to help us however if you wish to live a simple life here there is no need to feel pressured into anything at all."
"We would like some more time to think, as this is all an overwhelming situation. We find it difficult to take this all at face value, please forgive us." Tyler bows his head, biting his lip. "We will have an answer for you all by the end of this week." Standing Tyler and his Brother Cole excuse themselves to their rooms.