Xevia
Bust :(
It was not his intention to be up and about all night as he did, but Ivan could not help but pore over the large table repurposed for the entirety of a kingdom - one he had lived in, one he vowed to save, one he said he's make whole again from its shattering and dust pieces. In the hall of a Council Room that held no council, this little sanctuary for thought and advise was understood to be his, directly below the king's and his siblings' own quarters, as if his very quarters and his very presence was the last stand against all and any that threatened their place in this world - symbolic, but never odd. Alexander's father had taught him many things, just as he taught His Highness, and that was why he still stood there today. He was a shield, even if he did not carry one.
Many would find him easy to blame. He rose far too quickly for a young earl from a barony leagues out of the capital, and to believe purity was the only trait of his climb was foolish. Or so they thought. Ivan only considered himself lucky - blessed with intellect, an understanding of things one could only start so late into their lives, and a title that helped. Perhaps it wasn't a title to sing songs about, but one that lent a hand anyway. The king he served was moved by fate to be timed in his own, and that was even luckier. A young boy catching the eye of a king as he gathered his vassals in its plight against the outside and its corruption inside. He found himself missing the late king dearly as he worked night and day for the new one. A remarkably peaceful man, he was. Only he and Alexander knew why he was taken from this world when death did, a secret they both held and promised not to breathe out.
An indirect breeching of their pact came when Alexander attained the years he needed to rule. He took his army, one that he had helped him build and strengthen, and set it loose like dogs to the innocent. This act of separatism, he bore with as much grace as he could muster, unable to keep the reins at bay. As one born to ride a horse, that was not something he found easy to swallow. At his side, Ivan still stood, thinking of the ones who could not or will not take up their arms against their own leader - victims all, similar to the ones that they put to the torch. But he never stood idle. He had eyes, he had ears, he had a brain in his head - they were constantly being used, and would never stop. He was merely a servant, but not to any man. He was to the land and all its peoples. One of the select few who had the luxury to get to be on two sides at the same time.
He knew who they were, he knows what they do. He had spent enough time in courts to know how to play.
But that was not his only concern, for he struggled with his own mortality. The talent in the dark arts that he possesses is beginning to prey on his earthly body - soon he would have to leave it, until he learns to get a proper hold again.
The map with its careful and delicate pieces stretched before him in the silence of flickering candlelight until the dancing ceased and he was accompanied by the steady stream of day. No one but him has been in this room since Alexander deemed it unnecessary for a council - why have more people in position when you have one you could trust? - and the place was in constant disarray, intentional or no. Entrance was not prohibited, it was just unnecessary. Though the guards that guarded the entire building they were in said otherwise.
Ivan sighed. He was not tired - he did not really need sleep. Sleep deprived him of precious time. He was bothered.
The central atrium of the palace granted this place easy access to the rest of the buildings and halls, and that was where he and what was left of the royal family resided. Known to anyone with proper infrastructural education, it overlooked its surrounding areas, even as none from beyond could do the same. This allowed Ivan to view the early morning spectacle that took place, making it plain who were already up and about. The usual disturbance in the energy field told him most of the maids would be in full motion soon, and the entrance of the king's personal guard outside his door to get to the upper level was a sign Alexander had called. The night shift was over, making way for a new dawn for the guards, and there seemed to be a returning band of them as well.
One day more.
Ivan did not usually exit the Council Room that he had made his quarters until the sound of breakfast, but yet another disturbance was made, sensing something within the perimeter of the palace. Outside, it would have made little matter, as the sensation was only a ripple, but inside, it was his immediate concern. The cause was something he hadn't felt before; made a presence he was sure had not set foot in these walls since in the entirety of the time he worked for two kings. Consecutive ripples followed, until a final drop into the usually stagnant pool plopped, closer to another.
Whatever that was, it was his business to know.
Pinpointing where it had occurred was easy enough - this was his home as much as any. If there were anyone that knew of all its passages, it would make sense to be him. He didn't like taking advantage of this feature, and to use it now was not very fitting. Without warning, he opened the doors of the Council Room, came face to face with four guards that were left to guard the place, and bade them good morrow. He received a stiff salute, so he thanked them for their attention and continued on his way. His steps were slow, his expression was cool - he knew where he was going, and he knew for what.
Turning one winding corner to the area the servants would call "cavern entrance", his footsteps could be heard by anyone around the area. He was in no hurry, as he had already spotted them heading somewhere, but before they could reach their destination, wherever it was, he was upon them. He arrived with an embarrassed sigh of relief.
"I... truly hope I was not interrupting something important," he said as an apology. "A little bird called my senses... tapped on my anxiety for an intruder."
He gave a respectful bow first toward the maid, as he would most females, no matter the rank, and straightened. "I thank you, young miss, for finding this lost one wandering around here. Oh, what a pretty flower to adorn you," he commented with sincerity, nodding admiringly at the rest of her. She was indeed pretty, though he dared not overstep. There was a little princess to think about - one he could not help to be rumoured and paired with, and god knows what would circulate. Maids are often chatterboxes.
He turned his attention to the hooded man - the obvious source of this mysterious ripple even if he could not feel it. The attire was trying really hard not to draw attention that it does. Only those that has something to hide would do so behind a hood.
"If you're here for what I think you are, let me tell you I was the one who sent out those... invitations," he said the last part in a more hushed tone. Even if the king's interest for dark magic was known, Ivan needed to push those who can to step forward. No one would - or even should - just go around admitting that, most especially if they are not royalty. So he sent out notes to trusted people to search for this ability in individuals across the kingdom. "You'd have to inform me who found you, I promised a reward... I don't want to be known as another corrupt official that does not pay back for honest work. Owing 1,000 gold does no credit to anyone."
He looked over at the man with a tilt of his head. "If you are not here for what I think you are, however, I'm afraid I would need to have you escorted out. Sneaking in here is grievous offence, sir."
Inheritance Ms. Sparrow
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