One could not ignore a personal summons from the Archon of the Imperium. Not without committing social and perhaps literal suicide. Tiberius simply stared at the ornate scroll case, encrusted with indigo sapphires, for several minutes. Strangely, it had been delivered with a little porcelain cat.
This was either very good, or very bad. He wished he knew more about Demetrius, but there was little more than the publicly available history. Apprentice of Radonis – the previous Archon had also shared a fondness for felines. Married once, though he’d lost his wife and the baby both in the childbed. Curiously dependent on a half-elf bastard (sorry Mal) to run his secret police, which had to mean something. Unexpectedly interested in employing the future Lady Umbra to care for his pets.
Finally, the architect of the barrier that had protected Tevinter for half a decade. Which would make him the most powerful mage in actual ages if it were even a little bit true. Tiberius had his doubts but wouldn’t share them on pain of death with the way the winds were blowing. At last he opened the scroll and stared down at it for some time, eventually rising to fetch himself a drink. It, of course, explained absolutely nothing.
The next morning, he set out for the palace bright and early, dressed in the most formal and severe form of House Umbra’s uniform with the scroll case tucked under his arm. He was, evidently, expected – the guards let him through on sight.
Soon enough, an aide showed him into Demetrius Arvina’s office. Tiberius bowed and subtly looked around, too curious to school himself completely.
“Lord Archon. How might I serve?”
This was either very good, or very bad. He wished he knew more about Demetrius, but there was little more than the publicly available history. Apprentice of Radonis – the previous Archon had also shared a fondness for felines. Married once, though he’d lost his wife and the baby both in the childbed. Curiously dependent on a half-elf bastard (sorry Mal) to run his secret police, which had to mean something. Unexpectedly interested in employing the future Lady Umbra to care for his pets.
Finally, the architect of the barrier that had protected Tevinter for half a decade. Which would make him the most powerful mage in actual ages if it were even a little bit true. Tiberius had his doubts but wouldn’t share them on pain of death with the way the winds were blowing. At last he opened the scroll and stared down at it for some time, eventually rising to fetch himself a drink. It, of course, explained absolutely nothing.
The next morning, he set out for the palace bright and early, dressed in the most formal and severe form of House Umbra’s uniform with the scroll case tucked under his arm. He was, evidently, expected – the guards let him through on sight.
Soon enough, an aide showed him into Demetrius Arvina’s office. Tiberius bowed and subtly looked around, too curious to school himself completely.
“Lord Archon. How might I serve?”
07-23-2024, 03:54 PM
