TFW - The Fallen World

It was after his report to the Commander that Kyriel would go check on he and Jehoel's guests on the other side of the Villa. Bellamy was outside of the room that he and Charlot were given. The curtains had been pulled back, but the sheers flowed with the breeze and Bellamy was exercising. Working the muscles and bones that had received the damage though it was gone now, was something Bellamy always did to keep him limber and more in physical shape than many of his own kind. He had already checked on the furball in the bed before he went out and hadn't been in for at least an hour.


Kyriel had knocked on the door before peeking his head in to see if anyone was awake. There was a tray of food that was half eaten so he knew Bellamy was awake. The bedroll on the floor being empty was another sign. He came in and closed the door quietly behind him as not to awaken Charlot. Moving silently, he went to the sheers and pushed them aside and watched the elder Lycanthrope. He had done the same many a time himself, and probably for the same reasons if not others. Bellamy had been caught offguard and had barely made it out with Charlot, which had to be eating at him at least a little bit.


There was a crackling sound that occurred behind Kyriel that didn't strike him as odd at first. He was too concentrated one watching Bellamy ready to inform him that Caesar wished a meeting. It wasn't until the soft lupine whine hit his ears that Ky turned his head quickly to see that Charlot was changing and painfully as his body had to not only transform but heal at the same time. "Captain!" He called out which got Bellamy's attention quickly.


He stopped lifting the large log by dropping it with a thud near his feet and turning and racing in as Kyriel moved to the foot of the bed. Charlot didn't know him and posing as a Lycanthrope, he knew very well not to approach an awakening Lycanthrope whom had been injured to unconsciousness in battle if there was someone there that could ease the young one's mind. Bellamy moved around Kyriel and to the side of the bed that Charlot was facing. He spoke quietly in French, "Bonjour mon Prince. Se relâcher et permettre les douleur se faner loin à vos modifications." {1}


The gutterally growled French words from the younger Lycanthrope could not be missed as he tried to not allow himself to feel the double intake of pain. "Facilement ont dit que fait Être le capitaine de. Où êtes nous? Où êtes les autre?" {2}


Bellamy dutifully answered the questions posed. But his eyes showed that he didn't want to at that moment. The answers would be harsh and he was uncertain how the young one would take them, but the answers were given nonetheless. "Nous sommes dans Rome Étalon , seulement à l'extérieur de de le réellement , dans les villa de une Allié et membre Lycanthrope. Nous sommes sûr , mais nous sommes les unique soi même à font le." {3}


Charlot's hands came up, still mostly claws. It, for a moment, looked as if he would revert back to his Lycanthrope form as his arms and hands shook with the rage he was bottling up within. "Mais Souci!" {4} Charlot exclaimed in anger, it was not wonder he was attempting to control himself as the news came to his ears. Bellamy pulled the young one to him in an effort to console him enough for him to continue to heal and shift back to his human form.


Kyriel's hands would come to his trouser pockets and he would look down. He knew the whine and growl within the voice, it had been heard many times by many a Lycanthrope that had lost a mate or a potential mate. He was uncertain whom this Marie was, but there were only female humans and Lycanthropes within the small band that was nearly obliterated. Silence befell the three until Charlot's change had completed. Kyriel would move in the ending stages and gather up clothing that Bellamy had picked up for the young one so that he had clothing to wear since his clothing was destroyed by the shift or in the raiding of their wagons. He placed them on the bed near the foot. Speaking in French to Charlot, he would begin by offering his condolensces. "MOI proposition mon condoléances pour votre perte , fils de Charlemaigne. Là responsable pour un jour morts de votre Tasser ont été poser à mort. Tant que Je sais justice était être utile , le était pas fait près de votre écriture. J'espère que non thanksggiving vous can trouver soulager à entendue là responsable vouloir pas font ça à nouveau à quiconque. Ça villa c'est une situer de refuge pour vous pour aussi long que vous nécessité le. Les soutien a se rassembler habillement pour vous à votre Être le capitaine de requête. Ils devez équiper. J'aurai une se baigner et récente pâture préparé pour vous. À la suite vous avez baigné et café-restaurant , J'ai une message pour tous les deux de vous , une important une , de l'empereur de Rome." {5} With that Kyriel would leave and make the said preparations, leaving Bellamy to tend to the Prince. This was not news that Bellamy had imparted to him, and he was doubtful that Charlemagne knew his son had chosen a bride either. His son had been spirited away so quickly and believed dead. This could also lead to a sour meeting with the Emperor, which Kyriel definitely did not want. He would have to judge Charlot's emotional state before making arrangements for a meeting with Caesar.

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{1} "Good morning my Prince. Relax and let the pain fade away with your change."


{2} "Easier said than done Captain. Where are we? Where are the others?"


{3} "We are in Rome Sire, just outside of it actually, in the house of an Ally and fellow Lycanthrope. We are safe, but we are the only ones to make it."


{4} "But Marie!"


{5} "I offer my condolences for your loss, son of Charlemaigne. Those responsible for the deaths of your Pack have been put to death. While I know justice was served, it was not done by your hand. I hope that you can find solace at knowing those responsible will not do this again to anyone. This villa is a place of refuge for you for as long as you need it. The staff has gathered clothing for you at your Captain's request. They should fit. I shall have a bath and fresh food prepared for you. After you have bathed and eaten, I have a message for both of you, an important one, from the Emperor of Rome."

Kyriel moved out into the patio garden and waited. It would be a while before even Bellamy would show himself and he knew Bellamy would not allow Charlot to harm any of the servant that he and Jehoel had rescued from different atrocities. He meditated and cleared his mind. It would seem almost as if the posing Lycanthrope was melding into the earth and with the earth mother, but it wasn't the case. Kyriel needed to calm his mind of the worry that Charlot would not make it and the fact that Jehoel and he had already had several conversations about the seers being tracked for capture AND the fact that they seemed to be losing ground with too many of their brethren turning up dead. He was trying to remember, even if it was futile, who was the Fallen that had taken it upon himself or herself to guard Mani's lineage, but that wasn't going to happen. The last sighting of said Fallen was before he was reborn. The situation with Amaros's grandchild being missing wasn't helping either and it was still too early to contact his twin or Uriel about the missing girl. And his last contact with Uriel was short and snappy, which he knew what that truly meant, though he was not sure who the father was of the child Uriel was carrying. He knew however that Ishmael had yet to figure this out or she would not have been out and about fighting. Ishmael was too overprotective and that would be something he would not favor.


Inside Bellamy worked to get Charlot fed and bathed and reduce his emotion state to a dull anger. Bellamy and Kyriel had already talked about a meeting with Caesar, but he had not been told that Caesar wished to truly set one up and when. Luckily the Lycanthrope healing ability through the shift had done its job other than the soreness that was normal for such injuries.


Charlot barely touched his food, though bathed as was needed. The water was blood red when he finished, but his hair was no longer matted and his skin was more of the soft milky white with a hint of the kiss of the sun he had gained through his daily workings. Kyriel would not be met for a couple of hours as Bellamy and he would have a long talk to attempt to coll down the younger Lycanthrope and be ready to speak with their host, who happened to be the one that saved them from their attackers.

As the footfalls neared Kyriel he came out of his meditation. He was much more refreshed than he had been during the finding of Charlot's awakening. He rose from his kneeling position and turned to face them. His deep brown eyes showed only a hint of their brilliant blue and only for a matter of moments. It was Charlot that spoke first. "I thank you for your aid and your hospitality while I was covering Kyriel. I apologize for anything that I may have done that could have offended you. I.. was..."

Kyriel shook his head slightly and raised a hand in an almost halting motion. "There is no need for apologizes Charlot. I am glad you are well and the other whom this villa belongs to will be pleased to know you are awake and healed." He moved forward toward him and offered his hand. "I am Kyriel. My last name has long been forgotten and my twin, whom was taken amongst the Vampire families has changed his own. The Emperor has been awaiting word that you have risen not wishing to speak only with your Captain. He wished you to be as close to full recovery as possible. There have been a few that have come to Rome's bossom that have been quite ill or in need of recovery in the recent months."


After he and Charlot shook hands, he would release the missing Prince's hand and his own would meet the other behind his back and he would begin slowly walking, in the direction of the furniture that was upon the patio for them to sit. He motioned for one of the servants to bring tea for them. He offered Bellamy and Charlot a seat and took one for himself when they both sat. "I am certain there are many questions you have, if the Captain here has not already spoken to you about them. As I told the Captain. Caesar wishes to meet with you both. I will send word when I have your acceptance of an audience and it will be arranged. But I have also, as I have told your Captain, informed the Emperor of whom you are and he is. I know of Captain Bellamy from my travels as well as those of my compatriots whom have been attempting to stop the spread of the ill that is infecting the lands and has found a much stronger hold here than we had last expected. While normally I would request that Caesar send you back to France to be reunited with your Father, I cannot request such. Your attackers were not from the area. They spoke gutteral French, meaning they were most likely forces from Gaul, whom have been trying to find a way to capture your Father's Empire and have yet been successful. This attempt has been over a century in the making according to the accounts of my comrades at arms."


He looked between them for a moment. "Only Caesar and his most trusted as well as my compatriots know you are alive. I doubt this is something Caesar will allowed to be spoken out in company that has not proven worthy of trust."


His arms folded so his hands settled just over his stomach as he leaned back in his chair and crossed his left ankle over his right knee. He waited for Charlot or Bellamy to speak. Bellamy spoke up. "A ruler of another Empire would be daft to not use the fact of this knowledge to gain control of the Frankish Empire. Are you certain it is safe that he knows this information?"


Charlot all but looked stunned at Bellamy, and his voice almost showed just how stunned the question made him. "Captain! This war is not just the Frank's responsibility. If they got through the Roman troops, then it is all of our responsibilities. Do you think so little of the rulers of the world to ask such a disrespectful question so bluntly?"


Kyriel began to chuckle, which was not something he was known to do. "Gentlemen, gentlemen. Remember, we are not in the days of kings that thrived on power anyway they can get it. Well perhaps we are. If Caesar was so untrustworthy, trust me, Jehoel, the other owner of this land would not be gathering the information from our little group and feeding it to Caesar's ear. I have heard of attempts to compromise Rome, but thus far have not found any attempts successful."


He motioned to them all, "The Lycanthrope numbers to very few now. And the Vampires of this area have yet made contact with me to see what I know as a Lycanthrope who can walk around in the sun. The Vampires are moving against the threat and have sought audience with Caesar, if my information serves me correctly, through the High General Tiberius Meridius." The servant brought the tea tray out and poured the tea then left quickly, though this servant didn't know the language they were speaking and even if the conversation was overheard, she wouldn't know what was being said anyway.


Both Bellamy and Charlot looked at each other confused then back to Kyriel with the same expression and Bellamy came through with the words that seemed to fail Charlot. "But Charlot saw the General's demise after he did not make it out of the pass... He is ... alive?"


Kyriel nodded. "He is, but was barely when the Bard from your area found him. After getting him back to Rome however, she was poisoned and is recovering. I was watching over her only an hour or so before I heard the howls your pack was crying into the night with the battle, which brought me to you."

"A Bard from our area? Who?" Charlot asked curiously, leaning forward slightly in anticipation.


"Elita of the Esperanza..." Kyriel said quietly as if it were a secret.


"L'Esperanza..." Charlot looked to Bellamy.  Bellamy only nodded and they looked back to Kyriel without revealing the thought processes that they were both on the same wavelength thinking. "Is she going to survive?" Charlot asked all but worried.


"I believe so, that is another reason why Jehoel has not been around to tend to you. She is in the Palace under both guard and physician's care." Kyriel said informatively as he picked up his tea and took a sip of it.


Charlot looked to Bellamy then not long after a quiet conversation, Charlot would return his gaze to Kyriel. "If you could send word to the Emperor about my recovery and willingness to meet with him on his terms, I would be much obliged."


Kyriel would nod. "Consider it done then. And in the meantime, unless Caesar requests a change of venue for your accommodations, please enjoy the Villa. But please do not go out alone at night. Remember, the Vampires here are not aware of your presence yet, which I will request that Caesar inform them when he meets with them of our presence, mine as a return, so that all will be well and there shan't be a repeat of injuries."


The three would drink their tea and Kyriel would excuse himself to sup as he had yet to this day and then he would send a missive to the Emperor through courier to be delivered to Jehoel and through Jehoel's hand to Caesar.

Kyriel sat down at the only desk he and Jehoel used within the Villa he would scribe two missives, one to Jehoel one that would be short, and one to Caesar, which would be slightly longer.

Kyriel sat back after curling the letter to Gaius up, sealing it, with a wolf's head sigil, and then taking the note to Jehoel, but curling it around the one to Gaius. He would also seal the letter with the wolf's head sigil, letting Jehoel know it iwas Lycan business and from himself. He sat back for a few moments, steepling his hands and looking up at the ceiling. They were going to be busy, but most likely with things that Kyriel loathed. Protection, fighting, aggressions had become his tools of trade once again as they had in his past life, which he hadn't remembered. But things seemed similar somehow and nagging thoughts pulled his attentions away and his mind to drift into thought again.

"Master Ky?" A soft voice called to him from the garden doors.

Kyriel looked over at the young girl standing within he entryway. A smile came to his lips and he motioned her over to him. When she was within reach, he picked the girl of perhaps five years of age up and placed her in his lap. "You look worried Master Ky... Are your guests healing up correctly?"

Kyriel nodded. "They are and they will be going to see the Emperor soon I think. He wanted to meet them. Surviving a battle as fierce and against enemies such as they have is noteworthy."

"Can I come? Can I meet the Emperor?" The girl asked excitedly.

"I do not know where they will meet my sweet child, but perhaps he wouldn't mind you tagging along. But business and war is not a conversation for young ladies." Kyriel responded without a hint of faltering. He hugged the girl and settled her back to the ground. "Send your father in will you please? I have an errand for him to run, which you are not to go on."

"Si, Master Ky." The girl said in response and went running through the Villa to fetch her father. It wouldn't be more than a couple of minutes before a tall but skinny man came through the opposing archway, from within the Villa. "You called for me Master Kyriel?"

Kyriel had moved to the garden doors and was looking out them, his hands at the small of his back. He did not turn to face the man whom had been a successful courier for them since he and Jehoel took him and his family in. "Yes. I need that bundle of scrolls delivered to the Tutor in the Palace before nightfall and for you to return before the same time. If you need to take a horse to do so, than do so. If he is unavailable to hand the scrolls to directly, then have them placed within the room of the Bard. It is the one place he is most assuredly to go." He turned his head slightly to catch sight of the young man, "And thank you, Jepheth."

The man nodded and moved to take the bundle of scrolls as Kyriel had asked then moved out to the stables and mounted a horse, leaving within a few minutes of the command and headed into Rome to deliver the bundle either to Jehoel or Elita's room, whichever was the best and most opportune at that moment.

Bellamy and Charlot had left Kyriel to do as he had said. Outside, they walked about the garden slowly. Bellamy did not want Charlot to overexert himself and Kyriel had been the same with him when he had first awakened. The return to a natural setting had always been something htat had helped them recuperate. But with times as they were becoming, what would have been the easiest route to recovery was not the safest.
They spoke upon a great many things and there were a couple of the children that took interest in them but in a hiding way since they were strangers and they had heard the adults speaking of the two as something other than like they were, human. The Conversation occurred in French.


"An Esperanza, but they had been slaughtered trying to take back Gaul, had they not?" Charlot inquired.


Bellamy shrugged slightly, "That could very well be Sire, but it is not unlike any group to not attempt to get warning either to your Father or his allies. This could have been one that didn't know he was still alive. I do not remember one named ..." His eyes looked off to the side a moment, "Unless..." He let out a grumbling hum in thought.


"Unless what Captain?" Charlot inquired after a few moments of silence. "Do you know this woman?"


Bellamy's eyes blinked quickly as he pulled himself out of his thoughts. "I never met an Elita, but there was said by some of the Esperanza, that one of their family, a female could go undetected by even themselves if she felt threatened. The one that created me told me of a few of them that were very good at blending in the with those of our kind, in their mannerism, though they couldn't become like us. I wonder if she knew her? They were a family that comprised of humans and Fallens."


"Like..." Charlot started to speak a name and Bellamy raised his hand knowing there were other ears around them.


He nodded, "Yes, like him. But I only encountered one such being. She was the one that took you from the battle field and because she couldn't heal you, I had no choice but to make certain you came into the pack. We didn't need the Frankish Empire to be without an heir, but it would not look good if you didn't age as your father was."


Charlot grinned a bit, "And I would be a secret weapon should they claim there were no more of the Royal Lineage and tried to assume the throne, oui?"


Bellamy nodded a bit, "I suppose you could look at it that way, but since it has been some time since you were supposedly killed and you look like your paintings in the Palace and wherever they took your father to hide him and rule protected, it would make it difficult to gain the trust of the people."


Charlot nodded. His eyes looked to the earth, "I wonder what happened to those who traveled with us. Do you think they made it to Rome? I... I can't stop thinking about the man... Seth..." Seth's name seemed to carry on the wind a bit, almost as if a calling or searching.


Bellamy looked toward him listening to him and the concern riddled through his liege. "I am sure they made it. The male seemed resourceful and the female, though has a knack for getting in trouble is very ... very well adept at hiding and sneaking... Trust me..."
Charlot looked up at Bellamy, "Then it was her?"
Bellamy nodded. "Oui, it was Zita. She shouldn't have been in the territory. So I am not certain what is happening in the Carpathians that would send her so far away from them, nor why her Sire would let her out of his sight."


It was Bellamy's turn to sound worried. "Do you think the Demon knows she is alive?"


Bellamy shook his head, "If he knew, Rome would have troops upon their doorstep already. I do not know if he figured out the reason she was so special or not and her family sold her to him because her abilities, which they refused to teach her to control, caused them problems. Had they taught her, I do not think she would be running, nor do I think she would have had the problems with the Demon that she had."


Charlot's hand came to Bellamy's shoulder, "We can pray they are alright Captain; it is not a bad thing to pray for that."


Bellamy gave him a brief smile, "Our daughter was taken to a safe place to live out her life so the demon couldn't find her. There has been no word from the one that did so, so I believe everything is still in accordance as it should be..."


Bellamy's words didn't completely ring true in Charlot's mind, but he didn't let on. He didn't need Bellamy running off into the unknown to see what he could find out, possibly making things worse. "In accordance." He would comment softly as they rounded a turn and Charlot and Bellamy were back in sight of the garden doors and Charlot could see Kyriel staring outside and took note of a runner making his way away from the Villa in a direction he didn't know, nor did Bellamy, but they assumed to the Palace.

Ky would wait until the two seemed to be at a lull in their conversation before he stepped outside to head out to meet them. "Pardon me, I hope I am not intruding," Ky stated as the two seemed to be coming out of a prayer. Inwardly this made Kyriel smile, but in the area they were in, he remained stoic. "Silent prayers are good here if you both still follow the way of the Church over the Pantheons." His voice was quiet when he spoke this as the workers were still milling about doing their duties, especially getting ready for the second harvest.


Charlot looked over to Kyriel and stated in a very compliant and gentle voice, "I am aware of the rules within the Roman Empire, 'tis why we did not speak our prayers. We have though been attempting to put the past few weeks together to see if we could answer any questions that arose with our conversation earlier."


Bellamy decided to remain quiet for now. Kyriel's head tilted a bit and he switched to Charlot and Bellamy's native tongue something he knew for a fact would keep their conversation from being understood as the servants here spoke Latin or Italian (a slang version for the commoners). "And what questions would those be?"


The trio began walking again. Kyriel placed his hands behind him folded and his features showed stoicism, while he walked beside Charlot and Bellamy walked behind them a few passes, more like a guardian would. "The Esperanza woman... We were under the impression that all of the Esperanza were killed in the attempt to remove Gaul from the clutches of the defiled that had taken it over with a group of Vampires. Are you certain she is an Esperanza?"


Kyriel let off a slim smile, "An Esperanza she is. Does this surprise you? Are they not known for being adept in their abilities? If I am not mistaken, they have always favored the Lycanthropes, so rumor has it?" Kyriel did not want to give off too much to anyone, but just a little to get tongues waggling, never hurt.


Charlot responded, "My experience with them is limited, but I have not been in that region in a few years and we did not have enough members within the pack to safely confirm the allegations that they had all been slaughtered." Charlot looked over his shulder to Bellamy for a moment then back to Kyriel before continuing. "If at least one survived then it is a good thing. We only know that the family known as Esperanza have been comprised of humans with abilities and those with wings, but we do know for certain that all have a brilliant attribute that sets them apart from others in the Empire... They all have brilliant red hair and either brilliant green eyes or brilliant blue eyes that rivals either the perfect midday sky or the seas and oceans. I remember playing with several children as a child, before my change, though I did not know back then what I have come to learn since become Lycanthrope. I am uncertai my Father would know the things I do. But, I would like to meet her, as I believe Bellamy would to see if our paths have crossed before. Is that possible?" The inquiry was set.


Kyriel thought for a moment and there might have been an eerie silence that accompanied that thinking time. "Well, Charlot... She was poisoned and to save you and your Captain, I had to leave her side. I am fully confident with the one I left her in the company of, but I do not know how long it will be before she is able to receive visitors, should she fully recover. The problem is she is not know for sitting still from my understanding. Perhaps we can, with the next missive to Caesar ask that she attend the audience as well. My fastest and most trusted courier is gone as you have noticed not long ago. But I will be certain that the request is made." Kyriel would look over at Bellamy and nod, letting him know he understood their inquisitiveness. In fact, if Elita had been able to escape this might open a new pathway in this little war. His eyes came back to Charlot, "Is that the only question?"


Charlot did not speak for a while, patience was something he had come to know, but when it came to a nagging question such as this, it was a bit hard for him to hear that ~no~ was a potential answer.

Bellamy watched Charlot with the interaction and when he didn't speak up for a few feet, Bellamy cleared his throat. "We were wondering if a pair made it through to Rome before the attack? A male and a female. The female is Romany and the male, I think ... he was Roman, but I am uncertain."

Kyriel looked between the two. "I met two of that description on this side of the pass. They were traveling on foot. An unpleasant scent they carried with them, but they were no real trouble. As far as I know, unless the Marileus had anything to say about it, they would have made it to Rome just fine. Neither of their Gnerals that I have limited contact with have come to the Villa since I came back from scouting." His eyes watched them, "Are they important to either or both of you?"

Charlot spoke absently without thought, "She to the Captain and I believe he to me, but I can't... place him nor understand why thoughts of finding him again seem to creep into my mind more frequently as the day passes."

Bellamy cleared his throat again as Kyriel's eyes narrowed. Bellamy's hand slowly moved outward and came to rest on Charlot's shoulder as he closed the distance between them. His voice lowered, "Sire?"

Kyriel took a couple of steps away from the pair but listened intently. "If they are plaguing your conscious thought it could be a sign of something Charlot."


Bellamy nodded and before he could say something Charlot's voice said in all but a whisper, "I know... But... I am blinded by light... and haze..."

Bellamy retorted quietly, "They are vampires, Sire. It might be more difficult to pick up on things during the day."


Kyriel crossed his arms and his right hand came to rest in a curled manner against his chin. "Vampires, both. So I did happen to see them as they were headed to Rome. But now... If they are in Rome, they should be more than safe..."

"They are not together..." Charlot said under his breath with a conviction to his words.

Bellamy blinked just before his eyes darted to Kyriel then back to Charlot. "He was to protect her, this can't be right. Sire, are you sure?"

Charlot only nodded once, "I do not know why, but she searches for him... and she is ex...hausted." Charlot's eyes came to look between the two others with him. He looked confused as if there was something else he couldn't explain he was feeling, and his featurs seemed to show weathering of age or exhaustion themselves as if he was suddeny tired after a long rest. After a moment, he turned and moved toward a tree more near the fields where workers were working on the wheat. He stood there in watch, in silence.

Kyriel motioned to Bellamy to follow him and he would move himself into his own chambers within the house, where others wouldn't be able to enter without him knowing. Into meditation he would go... this time with a bit more purpose.

The day reaked havoc on Charlot's senses. There were strange feelings he was gaining from his surroundings. He and Bellamy went inside as Charlot was finding it a bit too much for him to handle at the moment. They found a place within the sitting room to take rest.

"This area seems to be too much for you to handle m'Lord."

"Non, it is only a new area, but with important people Captain. I will be fine."

"I am not so sure. We know nothing of what Rome has going on within it or around it. Even Lord Kyriel seems distracted at best."

"I am not distracted Captain. I have many things to make certain of. As soon as I hear word from Jehoel I will let you both know when and where the meeting will take place. I would be most certain however it will be at least with Jehoel and the General, and in the Palace. It is too dangerous for the Emperor to leave the protection he has." Kyriel would state as he came to sit down. "And while Jehoel and I own this land, we are not Lords. We do not and will not take titles such as those. He is the Master Tutor because when he left the militia he became an advisor a few Emperor's prior to this one. It has not been a point of needing to be here and advising however for quite some time."

"Commendable that you would not wish to be called Lord, Kyriel, but why do you own the land, have servants, and wish not the title?" Charlot would ask curiously, for nobility was not without its flaws, even he knew that, but it was very seldom with someone who humbled themselves before others.

"Sire, I believe that is a bit personal...."

"No not at all Captain." Kyriel would interject before he looked between them. "Jehoel and I ahve been around long enough to  understand that nobility is not a priviledge but a way of life. We believe in being noble, but no title will grant us the path of such. I serve as a courier and information gatherer between here and Greece in most cases, but I have traveled other places. The Isles however are under my brother's eyesight. Anyway, I have not lost my love of the fight where Jehoel has. He believes that through educating others many wars can be avoided. I do partially agree with him, do not mistake my words, but I am not a politician while he can mingle in the crowds without feeling awkward. He is an excellent warrior, but his path has not been on the battlefield for a great many years."

"What manner of creature is this Jehoel, Kyriel?" Bellamy asked curiously, taking the question out of Charlot's mouth.

"He is a human, though his origins have been sketchy at best. He was raised in Greece for a number of years then was moved to Rome to join the military. It was the path of his adoptive family. Jehoel does not remember his parents. We never talk of his formative years for that reason. He does care for his adoptive family, but he has always felt different because he was not like them." Kyriel explained.

"Not like them Monsieur?" Charlot looked to Ky with a look of great interest.

"Oui Sire. I do not know their differences, but they do have some that I know has led Jehoel only to visit for short timespans. But as I said, he cares for them no less because they took him in as a babe and raised him to be the man he is now."

Charlot was feeling a little better as he was inside the house and not being so bombarded with waves of undecipherable visions. They would talk for a while, as Ky hoped he would get word from Jehoel soon.

All seemed to have come to a great ease while the threesome spoke, learned of each other and those around them, especially those that Charlot and Bellamy would come to meet, well perhaps. But as the day began to turn into night, Charlot would look to the doors outside.

"Last evening there was a great rumbling. I do not know what was happening and it was what partially brought me back to consciousness. Did anything foul happen last evening Kyriel?"

Kyriel and Bellamy looked to each other and then back to the Prince of the Frankish Empire. Kyriel shook his head, "Nothing I know of Sire. There seemed to be a storm brewing for a few hours, but nothing came of it that is known. Jupiter seemed to be having a fit about soemthing, but there has been no report of foul play that I was called to look into."

Bellamy watched Charlot as the Prince seemed to be staring out for an extended period of time. He would finally reach over and touch his hand that had settled upon the arm of the chaise he had taken up. "Sire? Is there something you saw while the thunder occurred last nightfall?"


Charlot's eyes would come to Bellamy's, shift to Kyriel's and then settled toward the table in between them. "Non, the only thing I felt was anger. It was almost uncontrollable, like a rage, then it faded."

"The Gods more oft than not show their anger around these parts without anyone to foretell what it is about. I had suspected we would have gotten an uncharacteristic rain with as loud as Jupiter was in his anger, but it seems that Neptune nor Venus were around to give us the water to back Jupiter's anger. It was quelched though Sire, I would not worry upon it."

Kyriel did his best to keep Charlot at ease. He had felt a great deal but had not been able to go investigate to see if what he felt was foundated. There were presences of other fallen in the area, but without a line of sight confirmation, he did not mention it and both seemed quite old in fact, and perhaps old enough to effect the plain in such a way. He knew he would have to get with Jehoel and perhaps the Commander soon, but he had not been informed on much going on in either the palace or Egypt, and therefore with these two before him, it was best he stay put. Those with gifted sight were usually safeguarded by the Fallen, and without another in the area to safeguard them, Kyriel would have to stay put for now and assure this one's safety.

One of the servants came in to let them know that the evening meal had been completed and was awaiting them in the dining area. And so the three would retire to the table to eat, before Bellamy and Charlot would make their way to rest for the next day and perhaps it would be a day of meetings, one of which Charlot hoped, would be with Rome's Emperor.