The Red Lands

A gathering of city nobles

The aftermath of the heavy snowstorm from the previous night littered the streets of Limerock City. Residents of the slums bustled about to earn coppers by sweeping the snow from the cobbles. Some fought for the right to cart away the buckets of last night's human waste before the smell became unbearable. The women and children prowled the alleys, hunting for bits of straw and wood to repair the damaged hovels.

"The storm last night was terrible. The Apprentices in the workshop this morning kept whispering that the White Giants commanding the clouds were angry at the Emperor. It's been ages since Demon Beasts roamed freely in the lands, causing havoc. I nearly died while stifling my laughter."

Sue said while stepping gingerly along the partially swept street.

"Snow is a type of rain that falls because it's cold. It's water from the rivers and seas that form the clouds and then return. Before we walked out of the Academy, I heard someone bragging that they saw a boulder rolling in the sky. If half of these Scholars sat down and contemplated the world like Chu, they wouldn't be so ignorant."

Sakura replied with pride. The two of them walked along the barely seen cobblestones towards the Blue Eatery. The freckled-faced girl with the straw-colored bob cut and the smaller brunette with shoulder-length hair might have drawn the ire of listening scholars for their crude words.

If they had belonged to the Major Clans and Houses in Limerock, they would have faced severe punishment. Nobody dared to cross the Tower or the Guilds.

Young as they were, however, both of them held considerable standing within certain circles. Since Chu captivated the masses with the biggest and innovative birthday banquet, they occupied a spot in tavern rumors. Mr. Thomas had gained a new occupation in staving off suitors daily. His house, after all, housed suitable girls for young masters.

Blending in with the rest of the bustling, hooded pedestrians, the girls split from the stream and climbed the steps to the premier eatery. An usher standing on the polished stones greeted them while surveying their appearance.

Sue returned the greeting and reached into her sleeves to produce a token. This one was not a 'borrowed' item like the one Chu flaunted, but one released for her own use.

While the man inspected the engravings, Sakura waved away the four guards from the Alchemist Guild.

"Ah, guests from the Academy. Welcome, welcome. Would young ladies like a table on the ground floor? We still have a few available."

"No need. We have an appointment on the top floor."

The man paused as he gave them a second glance.

"I'm afraid the fourth floor has been reserved and is filled for today. Young Scholars of the Academy should be aware that the highest floor can sometimes be reserved, no?"

"We are well aware, sir, so please don't think of us as trying to cause you trouble. Please inform Patriarch Yu that his guests from the Academy have arrived."

Sakura replied with a smile. The honest face of the little brunette disarmed the man. Leading them inside, he escorted them to the top floor after informing the reception desk. Letting the guards standing at the closed door notify Patriarch Yin, he waited, half expecting to be scolded.

The large doors burst open immediately, however, as the owner of the Blue Eatery himself rushed out.

"Lady Sakura, welcome, welcome. Ah, I see you've brought Grandmaster Sue, pardon our poor reception, but we needed to sort out a few problems."

Patriarch Yu apologized with a wry smile.

"No problem at all, Patriarch Yu. The staff at the Blue Eatery has shown the same level of service we received during the birthday celebrations."

"Haha, how many times have I told you to call me Uncle Yu, little Lady? I'm still crossing my fingers that your elder sister will marry my son."

The old man laughed without an ounce of shame while stroking his beard. Sharing a face of appreciation at the stunned usher, he personally escorted the girls inside the huge doors. True to the etiquette taught by Mrs. Thomas, Sakura positioned herself behind the old man to follow him.

Patriarch Yu, however, would have none of it as he called and waved for the girls to walk beside him. One possessed a sharp mind for business, while the older girl was rumored to be even more dangerous. Grandmaster Sue might probably be the most cheerful and friendly young woman in the city. Anyone who envisioned taking advantage of her, however, would soon regret being born.

Those in the upper echelons of society knew that one frown on that freckled, round face summoned the wrath of the entire Alchemist Guild. In Limerock City, the old geezer who occupied the head position in the Guild might probably decimate an entire clan if she complained.

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Scribes who returned to their families during the winter vacation also mentioned she had the backing of at least two Council Mages.

"Winter really takes its toll on people, doesn't it? I remember the hall to be bright and festive. Now, we have to huddle in near darkness."

Sakura commented. During the banquet, the wooden shutters had been removed to join the large hall with the open balcony. Today, the shutters had once more found their homes while thick curtains aided them in blocking out the biting, cold winds. The fountain had been drained and replaced with rows of thick candles to assist the overhead oil lamps in warding away the darkness.

Above them, a small speck of light from the small chimney helped in dispersing the gathered smoke. The exquisite painted and carved ceiling now hid behind a shroud of haze. Patriarch Yu replied with a wry smile as he ushered them to the vacant chairs at the table above the stage.

"Winter does this to all homes across the Empire. I dare say we yet have to break the shackles of the last few generations, which saw us living in caves and tents. Our Empire is young, and has promise since we have geniuses like you to boost us forward."

Patriarch Yu said while sitting at the table. He clapped his hands at the filled tables before them. Nearly all the heads of the larger clans and noble houses gazed upon him from below. This meeting consisted mostly of old men who determined the future of their descendants.

"Invited guests, thank you for responding to my invitation for this gathering. Luckily, winter is a time when most of our merchant families return home, so nearly all of the prominent leaders are here. I myself am in the dark as to the reason we have gathered, so let me introduce Lady Sakura, who requested this meeting."

Patriarch Yu moved the oil lamp on the table closer to the young girl. Before she could stand, a gruff voice sounded from one of the surrounding tables.

"I always considered Patriarch Yu to be a shrewd man, but it seems like old age has finally caught up. My father might no longer be present, but his sons are still alive. Have you truly gathered the most important clans in Limerock to hear the words of a little girl?"

The speaker sat on one of the tables directly before the stage. Obviously, he belonged to a house or clan of high standing. Unlike the majority in the audience, he sported the look of a young man in his twenties. The trimmed black goatee and a short crop of black hair highlighted the hunky face.

"Forgive my younger brother for his outburst, but he has only arrived home today. He has been out hunting demon beasts with the Military since they overran the north. His words do make sense, though, as to why one of the top clans in the city wastes their only right to call a meeting. Now, if the Yu Clan faces trouble, no one here is obligated to attend unless true friends."

Said a man who lazily shuffled to a standing position near the raven-haired man. Like the man sneering beside him, he possessed similar features, with the exception of having more years. His words and tone clearly indicated he did not express a heartfelt apology.

"Poxy Prickus, not even your father would open his mouth among this many old men. As for you, Aywanto Prickus, band your mouth. This is not a tavern in Frost City. We all know of your reputation in the Military."

Patriarch Long rose from the adjacent table while glaring. Ever since the birthday banquet, a steady stream of Healers and Alchemist shuffled across his doors while offering and performing treatment on his crippled grandson. The brat had already regained movement in his limbs and would make a complete recovery by summer. The Tower had even sent a letter stating his re-acceptance.

His grandson received an injury when he crossed the elder sister of the girls at the table, but one word of forgiveness from them reopened closed doors. Patriarch Long had stifled any resentment since then, but now found an avenue today. His harsh reprimand caused the other old men to turn their glaring eyes towards those hot-blooded brothers.

Did those disreputable bastards want everyone here to die with them?

Their wrinkled eyes then glanced at the two men standing half-hidden in the shadowy pillars behind the stage. Known or unknown to the freckled girl at the table, the Alchemist Guild had dispatched two Sersens long before this assembly even started.

Sakura rose and clapped her smooth hands. She raised her soft voice to reach the furthest ears.

"Honored Elders, no need to let the winter chill claim our hearts. Winter has a habit of raising our anger and gruffness. Patriarch Yu, Patriarch Long, and important guests, we will begin shortly. Please allow me a little more time to wait on a few associates."

Sitting down, she turned to Patriarch Yu, who was the only one present with them at the head table.

"Who are those two at the table?"

She questioned while Sue leaned in beside her.

"They are the sons of Patriarch Getsum of the Prickus House. They recently held a rank similar to mine and Old Long in Limerock City. Their wealth comes from providing guards to escort merchant families. The younger one is apparently friends with the young masters from Frost City, so please be wary of him."

Patriarch Yu muttered softly. His words, however, brought a flash of recognition to the faces of the two girls, which quickly disappeared. Out of courtesy, Sue asked a question.

"So did Patriarch Prickus send his two sons to this meeting? Is he unwell?"

"Unfortunately, no. Getsum Prickus was not an old man by any means. One day, however, he just up and vanished with the cream of his men. Rumor has it, he headed west and hasn't been seen since. The loss in searching for him, coupled with his sons who spend gold like no tomorrow, has taken its toll. I have never seen a House fall so quickly."

Old Yu replied. Given time, most of the nobles in Limerock city anticipated Getsum Prickus to lead his House into the forefront. The man possessed a sharp tongue and shrewd mind in dealings both above and under the law.

Some also said he was supported and favored by one of the powerhouses from the Capital, Clan Wu. No one knew for certain, but the rapid rise to power and fame crashed just as fast.

Sue nodded while shooting Sakura a glance. The three of them changed the topic to a healthier one, consisting of Patriarch Yu trying to pair them with someone from his family. The chatter from the other tables rose as the gathered nobles discussed and reminisced.

The only ones who remained scowling and pouting were the two black-haired figures. Continued complaints would draw the ire of the assembly, whereas leaving would indicate blatant disrespect.

"I tell you, Poxy, when this Military campaign is over, I will return to Limerock City with my friends and raze this city. We will bed all the young ladies from these houses and defame their names."

Aywanto Prickus snarled to his brother. Cocking his head he added another line on recalling the preferences of a friend.

"And also those young masters. I have a friend who will have them walking bent for days."