Another excerpt

See ya on the next one

Vyr's right arm quivering as he removed his belt with the ruby decorated short sword, placing it in the sentinel's waiting steel gloved hand, but not letting go as though testing the guard.
A transient half smile and a nervous twitch of his left eye was his only reaction as the guard's green orbs glanced him over left to right, up and down.

Vyr's hand hovering over the ornate hilt of his sword, thoughts in a chaotic circle, chipping away at the question: why was he summoned here and why so early.. He couldn't have been found out, no, this wasn't to quietly arrest him, since the request for his presence included a note that he should wear his officer decorations.

‘Will my sister be there… I certainly hope this isn't so they'd tell me she's ill or something dreadful had befallen her…’

Reluctantly, he loosened his grip, the cold metal slipping from his grasp. A pang of humiliation flushed various shades of red through his androgynous, youthful face. Never before had he been disarmed, not even by the High Lord himself.

*

As Vyr followed the guard through the grand hall, a sense of foreboding washed over him. The once familiar surroundings now seemed alien, a stark contrast to the life he had known. The ornate tapestries, the gleaming chandeliers, and the polished marble floors all seemed to mock his diminished status.

Status that nothing seemed to validate anymore save for his gold buttoned dark blue uniform and the clan's insignia, the dragon head depicted mid-roar, on his ring's emerald gemstone.

Without his sword, Vyr felt naked, exposed, vulnerable and of no more import than the servants now clearing from their way, finding whatever tasks for themselves in the various side chambers. Those very same people who, out of trepidation and awe at their master's vast power and influence, came and went with the silent grace of shadows, they seemed more concerned about the armed guardsman than him, further salting and peppering the wounds on Vyr's ego.
He almost didn't notice, the way others looked at him, consumed in his glancing through doorways and behind corners, hoping to glimpse his dear Elara. For all his sensory abilities, Vyr couldn't even tell if she was in the mansion or not, the high lord's vast aura draping the estates had seen to that.

***

Tapestries hung from the walls, decorated with an all too lifelike image of the clan's insignia of the gargantuan fire-breathing beast, with its scimitar-like threatening fangs protruding from its open maw, beastly eyes gleaming with a raw malice and power, the hand carved wooden panels depicting ancient, epic battles from a time when those dreadful beasts were more than myth, none of it would prepare a newcomer for the lord's massive magical aura.

Lingering in the entire estates, but now, approaching the library and study section of the mansion, the High Lord's aura seemed almost tangible in the air, an electric force which Vyr expected would manifest fierce bolts of lightning at any moment. Electric yet heavy, threatening to crush his own, by comparison, meager powers.

The lord could have housed the capital's main library building and all of its staff members twice over in his own and still have room for the clan's most priceless collection of knowledge.


Vyr wasn't used to feeling so mediocre by comparison to someone, especially since he himself was considered among the top twenty of the clan, and, most others he dealt with were only approaching his own level or seemed insignificant by comparison.

***

Eyes glimmering with a stern seriousness, the guard, removing his open front helmet, halted his steps and stopped Vyr's by thrusting his right arm out before the nobleman.
“I will inform our master of your arrival. Wait here.”
The sentinel stated, hanging his helmet from his belt.
With nervous exhales and several deep breaths, the trooper finally headed in between the tall, carved wood shelves, straight toward the central study area hosting the oak table and behind it, the high lord himself, pouring over ancient, black leather covered tomes.

Vyr took delight in not being the only one affected by his master's radiant powers. He flashed an arrogant ‘I'm waiting’ smile at the guard before the latter left.

***

He was a few centuries younger than Vyr, though his appearance suggested the reverse, where Vyr's face remained boyish, the high lord's square jawline and sharp facial features fit the expected image of a young but powerful and ambitious leader figure. His sky-blue eyes played host to a set of magical lenses, a spell to confine his vast powers so that others could look him in the eyes, as the lord preferred eye contact with those he addressed.

Vyr, ever aware of his master's habits, didn't tear his gaze away, not even after the five seconds, beyond which without any prompting from the lord to maintain the connection, it would have been a sign of disrespect.

The lord's body matched his face in masculinity, well built and broad shouldered, as one would expect from a knight who's career required physical strength in addition to skill and wits. Yet, as Vyr noted on occasion, his choice of clothing failed to mirror his exalted status, as the high lord, while fitting a noble's image with fine, deep and vivid blue colored attire, tailored to complement his features, he wore no additional accessories, save for the gold ring testifying of his rank.
Even Vyr and other lesser officers saw fit to wear a cape, but their master shrugged off the comments, saying his tremendous aura was the only cape he'd ever need.
While from most others this would have been a sure sign of arrogance, from him it carried the effect of saying that others are overcompensating for a perceived lack of their own.

Reviews

[AYVID N]

It was interesting to meet the high lord in this chapter. An impressive build up was given to him throughout the chapter and his actual description met the reader's expectations. I like the way he's unassuming about his magnificent powers and doesn't believe in clothes and ornaments to embellish his aura. His and Vyr's nature's seem a bit contrasting in this aspect. The descriptions of the place are spectacular and play well in the reader's mind. Overall a very enjoyable chapter. Will return for more soon.

[Dennis Wolf]

Yes well.. Vyr is one of those arrogant sort who's quick ascension through the ranks made his head very big haha thank you for reading.

[AYVID N]

He has a flaw and it will be interesting to read how he upsets the order of things.
A very haha welcome to your haha thank you. 😁

[Dennis Wolf]

Well, he tries.. 😁Unfortunately for him that effort of his is all part of the plan, everything he chooses had been either accounted for in the plan long before he was born or it's not enough to derail the plan (yes, this is sort of like cosmic horror 😁) though all that will be progressively revealed with the end of each series.

I have a total of three for now, that's how long the main story ended up being 😶 I know, talk about keeping it short... 😁 That said, I've outlined the fourth(epilog, demanded by one of the readers in our local group) and started drafting an additional set of shorts, set in this same world with alternative plot/history/some new and some old characters... Yeah, it'll be a difficult birth 🤔🤣 I've heard of triplets but quintuplets aren't so common 🤔🤣🤣

[AYVID N]

I believe that most of our actions stem from what we have been ordained to become and what we'll be given, long before we're actually born. So that resonates.
You've been writing for quite some time and I can imagine the volume of ideas, plots and chapters that are waiting to be edited. So much work there. I'd be intimidated too. But I'm sure, you'll work through it when you decide enough is written. I wish you happy delivery 😁 without forceps and suction pump. You'll do it.

[Dennis Wolf]

Hahaha yeah, thank you 😁