~Talfen, the capital of Coldshore~
~The Royal Palace~
Andras got up and got clean, putting on the brand-new robes that had been freshly tailored for him.
He tied his long black hair up to keep it out of his eyes, packing up before striding out of the room at Nellie's insistence for him to eat breakfast with Mr. Wilton before they headed out.
He wasn't about to turn down the man that had shown him such hospitality.
Malcer was already seated at the table, dressed in lavish robes worthy of his wealth. There was little need for conversing and Malcer seemed particularly somber at breakfast. This was just fine with Andras who preferred to not speak much if he could help it.
"Get your things, the earlier we start out, the better." Malcer directed when they were all done eating.
He just bowed quietly and left the grand Hall in a swish of robes. It was much to his delight when he found out that the new robes tailored for him had been done in dark shades, mostly black.
He made his way back to what had been his room for a mere scant number of hours. Laid on the table in front of the fireplace were the sheathes that had been specially made for 'Outlaw'.
He picked up the sheathes and wore them around his waist, going to the box that had previously held the sword up till then. He flipped open the lid and took out the sword, unclicking the mechanism that made it a double-bladed sword, separating the beautifully crafted sword in two.
He slid them skillfully into the sheathes strapped on both of his sides. It was a perfect fit.
He didn't have to log the box around anymore now that he had a proper place to keep the sword. His clothes and effects were already packed in a bag that could go over his back which made it easier to transport.
He merely slipped the package that Malcer gave him into a safe pocket on the bag, hauled it over his shoulders and he was ready to go.
Malcer met him across the hallway and he followed the other man. A carriage was already prepared and waiting outside the stately manor for them.
The carriage ride was peaceful, Andras far too occupied with looking out the windows to drink all the sights in to notice that Malcer kept staring at him.
Malcer already lived in the wealthy part of the city so it didn't take them very long for them to get on the path that led to the Royal Palace. They came across the first gates and Malcer had to get down to talk to the guards stationed around before they could be let in.
As soon as they went past the walls, it felt like they had entered an entirely different world. Sprawling gardens were on both sides, as well as countless fountains and statues. The pinnacle of exquisite interior decor.
The carriage was pulled down cobbled roads and they went past a couple more gates before they could disembark.
A couple of guards led the way to where they would meet with the Head of the Royal Guard. They gave Andras inscrutable looks as well as every other guard that had caught sight of him.
Andras barely paid them attention, far more interested in sightseeing. It was fascinating to see how building structures and decoration varied from what he was used to.
They were still a long way from the main palace but there were smaller palaces here and there that belonged to members of the court. He paid little attention to other people, his eyes instead roving over the style of architecture and the plant life around.
They walked past a pool and Andras couldn't help but stare at it, it was beautiful with whitewashed rocks surrounding the natural pool. From where they walked a distance away he could see colorful fishes swimming, a lady bent over the pool to feed the fishes.
Before he could look away, she looked up at him and they shared a glance, Andras walking out of her line of sight before he could register her features. Not that it bothered him much, he had forgotten about her as soon as they moved to a different part of the palace.
They were led to a different part of the Royal Palace, where Royal guards were seen running around in groups. This was evidently the part of the palace where the guards were assigned living spaces.
The guards escorting them stopped in front of a living quarters that was far more lavish than the others they had passed by and it was easy to guess that this belonged to the Head of the Royal Guard.
The guards in front of them went ahead to inform the Head of their presence and for the longest time, they were made to stay outside.
Andras almost started to worry if they would be turned away after all when a booming voice beckoned them in. The space inside was far bigger and spacier than he had predicted from the exterior.
"I don't like to be kept waiting, Captain Gautier," Malcer said tartly when they were ushered into the main reception room, settling down on a cushiony chair before the Captain could even offer.
Andras just stood stiffly at the edge of the room, preferring to be on the fringes.
The Captain of the Royal Guard that Malcer had referred to as Gautier was a huge man, he dominated the space around him. His nut-brown hair was down to his back, and a matching bushy beard sat on his chin. A hairpin sat at the top of his high ponytail, keeping it up, and a gold headband with the King's insignia was wrapped around his forehead that depicted his status.
Andras had seen guards running around with similar headbands, with different colors. Perhaps status was shown by the color of their headbands.
Captain Gautier managed to look sheepish at Malcer's complaints, scratching his bushy beard. "My apologies, Malcer, I was preoccupied." He excused himself in a low voice.
Andras was surprised but he didn't let it show, he hadn't expected that Malcer would be on a first-name basis with the Captain of the King's guard.