mother of sorrows
𝘮𝘦𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘻, 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘣 𝘮𝘪𝘳 𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘵
It was a blazingly hot night in Hiereum, the dry air like sand paper when you breath in. It was a quiet night, with only the occasional monkey calling out into the dark. For anybody who was familiar with the city, the silence was unusual; the capital city was always bustling. Music, laughter, singing and merchants hawking their wages were an almost constant in Hiereum, even at night when the nightlife woke up. But tonight, silence was hanging over the city like a cloak. It was like nobody dared to make a noise, lest they disturb the tense peace. There was not a soul on it's streets, everybody too afraid of what's lurking outside. Hiereum was a neutral territory for now, but that could change in a matter of an hour. The peace was fragile; even one provocation from either side could destroy that. The Imperial Palace just stared from it's place on the hill, not the beacon of hope it used to be.
Just outside the city's borders, a man walked alone.
Leone checked if anybody was following him at least five times now; he knew he was being overly paranoid, but well, could you blame him? This was dangerous. If somebody found out what was brewing, it wouldn't be just his head on the line. A group striving to bring peace to Plaed Clia would be a thorn in more than just one heel. So yes, the scholar thought his constant glancing was justified; altrough, he supposed a limping priest would hardly made anybody think 'oh, that's guy's definitively suspicious, better follow him'. Still, a person walking outside at night during this situation was bound to raise more than a few eyebrows, which is why the group wasn't meeting in the city. A small path branched away from the main road, leading through a forest; inside was a house he knew was abandoned. More and more places were left behind as people struggles to escape the battles or to catch a steamship away from Plaed Clia altogether. The perfect place to meet when you don't want unwanted ears to listen in.
The wooden door creaked in protest as he stepped in, blinking owlishly. The house was small; just two rooms connected an open archway. And hey, the people actually left the furniture behind! The house was rather dark, only illuminated by a few.... candles. Candles. Who in the hells still uses candles? Leone couldn't help but shake his head in distaste as he stepped inside. Suddenly, he wished he was back in the south; at least there they used gaslights. Somebody must have lighted them before the meeting just so nobody will break their ass walking in here; it was still relatively dark, but he supposed too much light would be unwanted. Didn't want anybody to see it.
Leone sat on one of the chairs, glad to finally put pressure of his bad leg. The chair wobbled so hard that Leone saw his life flash before his eyes mre than a few times, but it was preferrable. Now it was just a matter of waiting for the others. He's met the leader, albeit very briefly, though rumour of rumours and hushed whispers. As for the others, Leone had no idea. But that's why they were gathering here tonight, anyways. To meet each other and discuss the most imporant things.
Just outside the city's borders, a man walked alone.
Leone checked if anybody was following him at least five times now; he knew he was being overly paranoid, but well, could you blame him? This was dangerous. If somebody found out what was brewing, it wouldn't be just his head on the line. A group striving to bring peace to Plaed Clia would be a thorn in more than just one heel. So yes, the scholar thought his constant glancing was justified; altrough, he supposed a limping priest would hardly made anybody think 'oh, that's guy's definitively suspicious, better follow him'. Still, a person walking outside at night during this situation was bound to raise more than a few eyebrows, which is why the group wasn't meeting in the city. A small path branched away from the main road, leading through a forest; inside was a house he knew was abandoned. More and more places were left behind as people struggles to escape the battles or to catch a steamship away from Plaed Clia altogether. The perfect place to meet when you don't want unwanted ears to listen in.
The wooden door creaked in protest as he stepped in, blinking owlishly. The house was small; just two rooms connected an open archway. And hey, the people actually left the furniture behind! The house was rather dark, only illuminated by a few.... candles. Candles. Who in the hells still uses candles? Leone couldn't help but shake his head in distaste as he stepped inside. Suddenly, he wished he was back in the south; at least there they used gaslights. Somebody must have lighted them before the meeting just so nobody will break their ass walking in here; it was still relatively dark, but he supposed too much light would be unwanted. Didn't want anybody to see it.
Leone sat on one of the chairs, glad to finally put pressure of his bad leg. The chair wobbled so hard that Leone saw his life flash before his eyes mre than a few times, but it was preferrable. Now it was just a matter of waiting for the others. He's met the leader, albeit very briefly, though rumour of rumours and hushed whispers. As for the others, Leone had no idea. But that's why they were gathering here tonight, anyways. To meet each other and discuss the most imporant things.