Though the cries of the slayer rang throughout the streets of Aleris, people seemed to move their focus away from her pain stricken face. It was not as if they were turning a blind eye from her misery, but there was another sudden presence diverting their attention elsewhere. The Aleris citizens, like a wave, fell back parting to make a pathway and dropped onto one knee - bowing. Before Sorvynia, Bansca and Verial... King Alerion would finally appear.
When he reached the scene that was unfolded before him, Alerion surveyed his surroundings before making any judgments. Despite the chaos, his eyes were rather calm and collective. He was seemingly unhurt and kept his near ethereal glow about him in contrast to the dismal situation. He had been away for a while, but nothing about him suggested there had been any trouble that kept him from his beloved city.
Beside him stood a boy who would have been no older than 14 years of age. The boy looked much like a younger version of Alerion, with ebony hair slightly waved, and held onto the king's gloved hand. He said not a word, but kept his eyes straight ahead as well on the new comers who had stepped into the realm. Then, as the boy turned his cheek upwards to look at the tall king, Alerion spoke to anyone who could hear him.
"Alerians, it is with great regret in my heart that such a travesty has befallen our city. I would like to earnestly apologize for my absence during the situation at hand. However, it is with pride and such admiration that I look upon you all with eternal thanks for the efforts you put forth protecting your city. Rest assured, much will be rebuilt over the next few days and I will certainly be present within the castle walls more often now."
The speech was small, but was followed by an almost instantaneous flood of questions. Where had he gone? Who were the people of the Earthen temple? Why were they seeking an alliance with them? What was to become of the woman who was still lying in torturous pain along the street?
Some of the questions were answered and others were avoided, like where he had been. Alerion seemed to passively wave it off with his hand and a comforting smile, which did satisfy most people. The woman slayer was shortly ushered off to the castle infirmary, though even with great healers, her wounds were questionable. Broken in many spots, it was unsure if she would recover fully and if she did, if she was to be thrown into jail right away.
The Earthen temple was explained also. As the dragon eggs were a gift to his sisters, so were the blessings of Earth to the citizens of Aleris. This did not seem like much, but the small clergy who resided in the forest temple offered their protection and with it, the forests around Aleris would flourish unlike ever before. All the clergy had wanted in return from Alerion was likewise protection and a chance to be understood - not as heretics. It was perfectly fine with Alerion that they chose not to follow either of his sisters, the deities of the realm.
And so despite the catastrophe, there was a calm that flowed over the city. The king was back and with him a newfound hope for the people of Aleris. Any doubts that their city might not be rebuilt had been replaced wholly with his appearance.
News had also reached that Grand Duke Antonio Desiderio was in the city and had helped greatly in removing a substantial portion of the flames. King Alerion was relieved to have such a man on his side and called for Antonio at once wherever he was in the mess of the city. Nevertheless, when the King had asked where his high priestess was - Jezika Fehr - he was bitterly disappointed to hear she had fled away to somewhere. There had been no sign of her for a few months now. It was then that he felt a twinge of regret for leaving his city without any proper care and silently vowed to himself that he would be extra careful next time and plan more properly.
Alerion stepped forward towards Bansca where the Druid still guarded the twin dragon eggs. The king knelt towards Bansca and dared not to reach a hand out towards the shell, not yet anyway. This sudden action might have startled Bansca and so he refrained.
"Thank you for your protection in watching over these dragon eggs," Alerion began. "You have my sincerest gratitude and if it is of no trouble, I would ask you further assist me in delivering them up to the castle."
Pushing himself up from his knee, Alerion turned his attention to look at Sorvynia Dreamer and then Verial Akilara who was still distracted by the presence of his young son sitting on the horse. Alerion had gathered that the three were not of his city and were possibly traveling together. And he was not wholly unaware of who Verial was, having requested several missed audiences with the fallen King of Oneiro.
"M'lady," Alerion said turning to Sorvynia, "please accompany me and the Druid to the castle if you will. It seems you have come into my town together during quite an episode. I would like to give you both a much, more proper introduction and praise for helping the Alerians."
After he had requested their audience, he then shifted his gaze to Verial and spoke once again. "And Verial Akilara, I can offer you endless apologies, but I believe it would be best if we finally meet together. As you can see, I am not the phantom I may have presented myself to be."
Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 8:21 pm
