city on a hill

Chapter 3 of the Distollovph

They appeared in a flash at the southern gates of the city and were greeted by a large smiling man, who looked surprisingly similar to the Sentina who took Marguerite from her shop. Then he saw Marguerite, and a look of surprise appeared on his face for just a second. He spoke with strength as he embraced Isidore.

"Isidore! You have brought us a guest!" Then he took a step back. "Ah, but Agnelas awaits. He commands you come to him immediately."

Isidore nodded and took Marguerite's hand again. In a flash, both he and the girl flew down the streets towards the west end of the great city.

They arrived at the gates of the House of the Principality, and here they halted. Isidore leaned over and spoke to Marguerite, "Stay here, I shall return shortly. Should you need anything, ask the guard and he will attend to you." He winked at her as he passed through the gate and disappeared. The gate closed solidly leaving Marguerite and the guard. She looked up into the face of the huge guard, he neither smiled or seemed to notice her. After a few moments of looking at the guard, she finally began to notice her surroundings. They were high up on a mountain, up in the clouds. Yet it was neither cold nor grey. There were buildings nearby scattered all along the street where they flew up, all were made of large blocks of stone. From a distance, they seemed to have carvings and - but it was difficult to tell from where she stood. The grounds inside the gate were beautiful; trees, plants, flowers, vines all worked in and through the buildings and walls. Marguerite strained to see whether the plants were hanging onto the walls or were supporting them. Quietly, she hoped she would be able to observe the interwoven art much closer.

Isidore stopped at the bottom step leading to the garden. There, he began to walk up the steps slowly and quietly. At the top, he saw Agnelas, the Principality of the region. He was standing at the edge of the garden on the wall, looking down from the top of the mountain into the land below. Isidore stopped when Agnelos spoke. "You brought the girl here?"

"Yes. I have done as you commanded," the Sentina replied.

Agnelos sighed

"Are you are not pleased with my decision, my Lord?" queried Isidore.

"I am pleased with your decision." Agnelos paused for a moment. "Were you able to bring the elements?"

Isidore nodded and pulled the three metal objects out of his robe. "I drew them out of Marguerite's trunk as we left."

"Good." The Principality sighed. "And any books or writings?"

"There were plenty of books, but I sensed no such writing except -- " Isidore paused.

Agnelos turned about. "Except what?"

"The table," he replied.

"The words were carved into the table?"

"No, no. She drew them with her finger," Isidore explained.

Agnelos grimaced. "You may have to -" But as he was speaking another Sentina appeared at the gate and entered in. Angelos closed his eyes.

"Sir," replied the second Sentina. "He has entered the Southern Kingdom,and is now heading west."

"Well done, Ketigern, continue as we discussed."

"Yes, sir," Ketigern replied and then vanished in a flash.

Isidore looked back at his commander, whose face was full of thought and concern. "Sir?"

Agnelos shook his head. "There is more to this than you know, Isidore. Much more."

"I don't understand, I went to make certain to -- prevent her from exercising --"

"Yes, and you succeeded in doing so." Agnelos turned and looked at Isidore, nodding towards him in approval. "But now, Natiak is coming to muddle things up."

Isidore was even more confused. Then he eyed Agnelos' war sword.

Agnelos gave Isidore a heavy pat on the shoulder and then turned towards the still rising sun. "Things are now in motion that we cannot stop. Things that I knew would come, and hoped against." Agnelos unsheathed his great sword. "And that man may soon have all that he needs to make good his word of revenge."

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[Merovech]

Draft, minor editing done, nothing more.