The new capital of Canaan inherited its grandeur from its predecessor, if not even more. The walls of the ivory buildings glimmered like the ocean under the toasty sun. Each infrastructure was built with staunch materials. Diamonds forged from the ashes of their deceased loved ones were embedded at the top corner of the multi-layered triangular roofs. The roofs' edges were outlined by stones that mimicked the waves of flames. Two rivers divided the city into three. At the very end of the city was the Holy Temple of Kairon, a temple that was dedicated to the sacrifice of the late king who believed that he could save everyone despite his people losing their faith in him. The castle of the royal family was also within that area. It was sky-high, protruding like a sore thumb.
The people here were cloaked in a soft, white, and loose robe. Everyone acted on their best behaviour. It was a rule not to shout, argue, gossip, or perform any acts that may paint the city a bad impression to outsiders. There were so many rules that Karma was surprised that no one slashed their necks yet from the pressure of living.
Jinx leaned towards Karma and covered the side of his mouth. "They look so prim and proper. I feel like I don't belong here..."
"It's been a while since you've come to this city. You used to liven the streets with your tantrums." Salem was in front of them. The cuffs that bound him and the viel were linked with a long chain. Rorik was leading the group with an indifferent expression. The handle of his hammer sat on one of his broad shoulders like it was as light as a flagpole.
Jinx rubbed his elbow. It was strange how he didn't remember getting on a carriage with the rest of them. Rorik obviously had his own ride which was probably the only animal that could carry him. His overly muscular bull Minos that was as quick to pass on judgement much like his master had the size of three horses fused together. The moment he stepped out of the carriage outside of the kingdom, Minos' nose released a hot steam. He tossed his head forcefully to the side and pawed the dirt, ready to headbutt Jinx to another continent.
He could vaguely recollect that when Kou and Rorik clashed, he was clobbered by Remorse. He had a dream while he was unconscious. It felt like it was something about Salem but he forgot what the details were when he woke up. The itch to know was causing him to be uneasy.
The women who were passionately conversing about recipes, new brooms, and God were silenced. The children who were playing pretend about being tamers and vessels stopped. The men who were already tamers and who were motivating each other to do their very best for the heavens tensed up.
To have the most wanted man on Canaan and a viel chained together was the first scandalous thing that had happened in the City of Hiraeth for the last seventeen years and that too was inspired by the very man that Cardinal Rorik arrested.
Karma didn't see any condemnatory bearings on the laities or even from those who seemed to belong from the higher chain of hierarchy of the Elysian church. They merely bowed their heads in submissiveness and slid their arms parallel to each other as if saying: "You are with the spirits of the Elysians now."
The viel was walking straight. There was no shame or uncertainty in his walk. Seeing this, Jinx felt his lips curl.
"You're doing great Kou!" he loudly whispered.
Kou's ears perked up. He turned his head to glance at the two younger boys and beamed. If it were anyone else, walking in a holy city where the people could be more scathing was intimidating. Salem simply didn't care and Kou was almost always reminded by his king that he should never look down. He should hold his head up high because he was a proud king's knight.
The temple was enclosed in towering walls. The security was heavy. Archers were standing atop of the walls. Fifty skilled priests stood guard on the ground, giving the same salute. The doors that looked like what one would see if they would stand in front of heaven's gates were cracked open.
A man who was in his mid 20s sauntered out between the gaps and welcomed them. He had a fair skin, huge and round specs that had almost his entire face accommodated, and a slender form underneath his shapeless Elysian academy uniform.
"Papa! The king has been waiting for ages, where have you been?"
"That's your son? Well I can tell where the eggs in your household goes every breakfast," Jinx joked after an obnoxious scoff. He eyed Rorik from top to bottom and then went back to staring at his son who seemed 'soft' compared to the cardinal.
"Theo, there were circumstances that took too much of my time." He moved to his side and showed Salem and Kou. Theo's jaw dropped.
"You caught Salem and a viel! You beat them on your own?" Theo's eyes had a sparkle of astonishment and pride. His knees bent and his fists clenched in excitement.
Rorik puffed out his meaty pecs and chortled, saliva splattering to the nearest face. The priests on guard tried to hide their wince. They would try to look at the bright side of things. The spit was from a cardinal's mouth, it was far too holy to detest and lose their stoic demeanour over. Karma and Jinx could only sway their heads in disapproval.
"I suppose we shouldn't keep the king waiting now. Son, do you mind if I leave these two boys under your care?"
Theo cleared his throat, a bit ashamed that he lost his cool there. "Of course papa. I don't think Pope Uri can manage to calm the king any longer."
"Wait, don't leave us here!" Jinx protested. Firm hands held them in place. Karma remained silent, glancing at the priests who were making sure that they wouldn't run inside.
Salem stopped on his tracks. "We'll be back shortly. Until then, follow your gut."
The double doors shut, leaving them in the care of Theo who gave them a welcoming smile. "How about I tour you around Hiraeth?"
The royal castle only consisted of one building towering after many floors that scraped the sky. They climbed twenty five steps of stairs leading to the main entrance that was occluded by two white crescent moons that leaned against each other, facing opposing directions. The priests tapped their spears on the ground, causing the crescent moons to separate and slide to the side. They entered a box of dead end.
"First time riding the hoist?" Rorik questioned in amusement.
This was just one of his son's genius creations. He was promoted from being a priest to a cardinal in the favour of the king. The king really liked this lift. There was always a great turnover of maids and butlers because of having to climb the Castle of Babel every day. They would leave the capital one by one and never look back to the cause of their trauma and muscular lungs.
"Is this a trap for Kou?" The knight slowly turned in a full circle, inspecting the compartment they were in. The box felt to have moved so abruptly in an ascent that it made Kou a tad dizzy. The box let out a ding, Kou's tails went erect and nearly stabbed Salem's eye if not for the seminarian's superhuman instincts to move his head away.
About twenty priests were in line on each side of the blue carpet that had golden hems. The floor was marble white, shiny and clean.
"Cardinal Rorik has arrived with the excommunicated Salem and a viel in his possession!" the first priest on the left side announced.
"Let them in!" The voice was deep and laced with authority.
The doors were pulled from the inside, Rorik harshly yanked the chain that linked to his two soon-to-be prisoners. The thrones for the king and queen were enclosed in white curtains. Pope Uri, who seemed to be too young to be a pope, was standing on the side. His white robes were too thick and heavy in the eyes. The pappal tiara that he was wearing had the ecclesia crest sewn at the front. He hadn't aged at all. Salem was sure that women still approached him in secret.
Only the king's silhouette could be discerned. His left leg was raised up with his elbow propped. That position only meant that he wasn't in a good mood.
Rorik knelt in respect. Salem did the same because he wanted to sit with folded legs. Kou bowed. The only royalty he would bow down too was obvious.
"Bow in the presence of His Majesty!" The priest reprimanded Kou who may look like a sweet boy in appearance with just a little enhancements of body parts here and there but was sturdier than Rorik's rock hard ass.
The king held his hand up. "No need. This viel no longer serves this monarchy. We have other issues to face. Severe their binds."
Rorik was startled. Lycus wouldn't usually let this opportunity pass. He had all the viels and their characteristics memorized by his cold heart and soul and he was very much aware that this viel was Kou.
The chains fell with a heavy thud on the ground. The priests were on high alert by the two lethal creatures standing behind Rorik.
"What was the mission you wanted me to do, Your Majesty?"
The king's arm reached out the curtains and he encouraged him to approach closer using his finger. The priests took a step forward when the convict stepped inside the curtains, witnessing the face of his majesty.
Salem leaned in, his ear a centimetre close to his pink lips.
"I want you to kill the prince."