The morning sun rose out of the frost-bitten, dark sky, rising above all else in the land, shining greater than any gold or silver was worth; and with its brazen heart it was higher in that anything ever would.
Below it, everything happens; and that included the steps against the floor of Vercia's mansion; as she had woke up very late due to her heavy drinking last night. Shari and Luth on the other hand were already up, preparing to depart from her abode, but stayed for a moment to give their farewells out of respect and gratefulness.
Vercia dismissed it as a simple favor and with that, they were gone, along the road of whatever fate holds for them. The good lady offered a carriage for them and seeing the snow-laden road they were obliged to accept.
Wheels soon began to ride on towards north. The sky was clearer than it had ever been throughout the entirety of the winter, for the clouds had already exhausted all their hailstones, pounding them down upon the earth's surface. And for now, the land a silver flower remain, as long as the coldness in the atmosphere is maintained.
Men and women, all unaware, all going about their day, some happy faces; shining upon like a sliver of faith while sadder ones masked themselves with scarves crafted out of tender wool. The lair of snow; stacked upon one another toppled under the carriage wheels, making way towards whatever direction laid ahead.
Shari gave a little sigh, seeing the figures pass by them while he sat in the carriage. The ride was slow; mostly hindered by the heavy amount of snow, clogging the ground all the way. But he could hardly complain when he was getting ride without any cost, especially in this state—when he barely had the mood to do any work, and would have optionally taken a holiday for this time; but his intent was strong and could not trust Luth to be safe on the first day of his within the head.
The carriage eventually came to a halt in front of the same building to where Armon had first brought him. the tall, stone-built structure that stood imposingly in his sight; with an impressive stature and even more of architecture. He had seen it once before—yes—but this time it felt different, very different that he had anticipated.
He had came to the place, as a boy—ignorant to the world and people around him; unbeknownst to the potentials he had held. He was scared and freighted, a timid little frog. Unknown to everyone in the building, undeserving of the steps he took. Now he came again, not even a month after with great improvement in every single aspect of his being—his body, had a scar, not uncommon on him but this was not a scar of abuse, of grief, only a scar of a fight. A fight he fought with is heart. Weather to hold pride in his heart for baring such a scar upon his body or to contempt the fate that led him to bear it; he was not sure but could only move ahead now.
He looked back inside the sac and found a cloak for the casters. He lifted in gently in his arms and surveyed the fabric with his fingers, lightly scraping the material. It was soft, like he had anticipated. He hastily wrapped it around his shoulder and prepared to move inside.
The Province Head—as it was called—bustled with several lively hollers and voices, that rung across the halls and rooms. Everyone were occupied with their works, and some apprentices looked around the place as they were grouped together.
Shari reached out and patted his back lightly. "Those are people like you. Apprentices. Always come in the winter, usually a fresh man like you; perhaps you know a level more than them but some exceptions arise. Hey, I used to be one some years ago, 'twas really awkward at a time, just seeing and nothing else." and it was true, they did seem awkward, and Luth certainly did not want to be a part of that.
"Do not worry," assured Shari, "you won't likely be fooling around and merely watching like the rest of them. The commander has personally assigned you as a member of the order, through recommendation. You would be likely put with somebody else, to learn the ways of the Order of Notis and adapt properly to the place; so, you would have a duty."
Luth was indeed reassured, partially that is, for he knew not what was going to happen. If he ever was o pair with someone unfamiliar, there would not be any guarantee that he would maintain his place. He was not yet confident in his abilities; and such was to be expected from a person who achieved Miero unconsciously.
Armon came out of he crowd and sighted both the men. He quickly motioned them.
"Come along."
He said plainly and walked away, both Shari and Luth simply followed the instructions and walked behind him. The hallway led towards a rather quiet part of the building in front of a door, which opened to reveal an office; Armon's office more specifically.
He silently walked across the room and sat o the eat opposite to them. They stood still near to the door, waiting to hear further instructions, and did not dare to do anything to interrupt the silence.
Armon searched his desk, moving the several jumbled letters aside. There was an envelope at the bottom of it, which he seemed to recognize. He took the envelope in his hand, the seal already broken as he had read it; a while ago, it seemed as the thing laid buried beneath the mass of incomplete paperwork and official document unread.
The paper was lifted near his face and he muttered, enough for both of them to hear. "Almost forgot about this." was what came out of his mouth, then he turned his gaze to the two casters and spoke in a higher voice, "Well, I suppose you'll be handling this. It is your first day here and I wouldn't want you to give you any other task." he said removed the letter from the envelope and slid it across the table towards both of them. "The Lord of Tribunal is sending one of the Member of the Tribunal's council. The reason do not ask me and neither them for the letters says it is confidential. They would come here and you are to stay with them, take care if their safety and ensure nothing wrong goes down. Head towards the Province Gate; make sure you reach there ere the sunrise, tomorrow morning." then he turned to Shari, "And you, Shari, will accompany him. I would assume that he won't know to traverse effectively; therefore for security reason, I shall order you to go along with him."
Shari nodded plainly and took the letter from the table, safely inserted it inside his pocket before inclining his head in a bow, leaving alongside Luth.
They walked along the hallway, leading the way outside the Province head. On the way Luth could not contain his curiosity and asked Shari.
"What is this Tribunal?" asked he, with some degree of anticipation.
Shari looked at him for a second then looked at the way ahead. "The Tribunal is the head of all law-making and maintaining within Zion. They create laws, modify them, according to necessities and requirements. All members hold a really high social rank since they all work directly under the king without any outside influence; considered a separate organ, detached from every other part that makes up this kingdom." said he as they both reached outside the building. Shari kept leading the way and Luth listened silently, "The head of the Tribunal is called the Lord of Tribunal, who works as the final decision maker in arbitral matters, and governs the whole body. They also act as the councilors for the king and other ministers."
Shari walked to the other side of the Province here where there lay a stable. Inside was a clean and tidy place, maintained by a few people, busy in cleaning the haystacks and feeding the horses. Shari walked over to his horse and took a saddle beside it, putting it around the horse silently.
"Can you ride a horse?" he asked, without looking back in his direction, busied with stabling his saddle.
Luth took a while to consider. He had leaned to rise a horse in Omir since the fields were usually snow-clad and carriages were scarce in such a village and thus the people relied on horses for travel between other villages. He had learned it too, as a young child when he lived with his foster father. But that habit stopped a few years ago and he does not recall how much he still retains of it.
"I do; but my skills might have rusted a bit." relied Luth finally
Shari smiled and motioned at a door at the far end of the stable. "Go in the back and see if you can find some horse suitable for you."
Luth complied and went in the back. He opened the door to meet the view of a dozen of so horses roaming amount—some of them branded, indicating ownership by another knight and others unmarked, yet to be claimed by a knight. There was a man cleaning one of the horses, who turned to him, eyes narrowing a bit, but then excused himself when he saw his cloak.
There was a soft tapping heard and he walked to the direction, dismissing the other horses. There, in the corner of the fences he saw a horse. He noticed its features, a bright body, white all the way and covered with yellowish mane. It was a beautiful one, but fragile as well. It was smaller when compared to the other horses, not by a huge magnitude but it was yet small, but so was Luth. He took note of the scars on it's body and slightly dirty lower body, likely due to the mud. It stood tapping its hoofs when he saw Luth, taking steps backward, only a bit, but cautiously.
The man in the field, cleaning the horses saw his interest and walked towards him.
"It is beautiful, is it not?" said he, "Indeed, but I do not suggest you take this as your own. It is not made for knights. Look at it, a fine body, delicate—delicate the most—but not made for riding by men. It was born here, a month before her mother was supposed to give birth. His body came out immature, barely breathing even. He is better of in an exhibit—"
"I will take it." answered Luth, something drew him, and he reached for it and caressed its mane, which calmed its moments down, the beat of the hoofs growing silent. The man immediately tried to protest such the decision but Luth spoke over him.
"Bring me a saddle." he said as he moved his hand to comfort the horse more.
The man tried to build an argument but knew that there was not much to his choice; knights were free to choose their horses and it did not matter whichever one it was. He saddle he quickly brought and wrapped it around the horse and then secured it with the reins hand them to Luth, who took them gently and headed outwards.
Shari sat outside, on his horse idly when he saw Luth. He smiled and saw the white horse walking along his side.
"Good choice," he muttered.
And thus they were off.