Chapter 12 : Start of the Gathering
The air pressure around the inner estate increased.
A golden royal carriage glided towards the inner courtyard. Four royal guards marched in, deliberately unleashed their pressure in the surroundings. They did not hide their strength. A wave of pressure surged outwards, signaling the arrival.
The reaction was instant. Across the whole inner areas and along the estate walls, hundreds of commoners, merchants, visiting locals and Hayes’s Knight dropped to one knee. They bowed their heads towards the stone tiles in a silent display of imperial respect.
At the main manor entrance, Viscount Marcus stood still. Beside him, Vera and Roland also maintained a disciplined stance. As the carriage came to a halt, right before entrance, the three of them pressed their right fists against their chest and executed a deep bow.
The carriage door swung open and Prince Asher Aurelis stepped onto the courtyard. His eyes swept over the bowing local crowd before setting on the Viscount.
"Rise, Marcus," Asher said, his voice carried a noble tone. "In formal gatherings, we respect the throne but here let us drop the strict distance between family."
Before Marcus could offer a reply, a blur bypassed the royal guards and came straight towards Marcus. Sofia Aurelis threw her arms around Marcus and gripped him tightly.
Marcus smiled warmly as his stern expression melted for a second. He leaned down and hugged her back in a tight grip.
"You haven’t changed at all, brother," Sofia teased as she stepped back with an smirk. "Still as stiff as you used to be. Do you greet your own sister with a military salute now?"
"Protocol demands it, Sofia. I thought you would become somewhat wise after marrying into the imperial family," Marcus teased back, keeping his stern face.
"I became wise enough to know when rules are meant to be broken, Marcus," Sofia shot back, a genuine smile crossing her features as she turned to side beside Asher.
Prince Asher chuckled lightly, for a moment he began reminiscing the younger days when the royal brothers used to behave like real siblings.
"She has a point, Viscount. The border winds are cold enough, we shouldn’t add any more unnecessary etiquette. Let’s leave the deep bows for the capital."
As the initial greetings died down, Vera and Roland stepped forward to join Marcus at the front of the receiving line. Vera gave a warm nod to Sofia while Roland beside his father as he bowed towards the Prince Asher and Sofia with a respectful expression.
Sofia smiled warmly at the sight of her nephew and sister-in-law. "Look at you Roland. You’ve grown so much. You look exactly like Marcus in his younger days."
Turning to Asher, Sofia gestured toward the two of them. "Asher, you remember Vera and young Roland, though I believe Roland was barely walking when you visited for your proposal."
"Of course. Lady Vera, it is excellent to see you looking so well. And Roland, you have grown into the exact image of a Hayes commander," Asher greeted them as he scanned the Hayes family. "The capital hears many rumors but seeing the family together proves those rumors are entirely understated."
With the formal introductions concluded, the heavy sound of gravel drew everyone’s attention.
Master Dorren’s convoy rolled into the inner courtyard. His open carriage lacked the elegant of royal carriage but it carried an undeniable weight.
The massive earthen wolves stopped at the side of royal carriage. Dorren sat at the back, his short and muscular frame stable. Beside him was his young assistant, Bram. He looked exhausted.
The moment the wagon stopped, Bram hopped down the carriage. He rubbed his lower back with a loud groan.
"These human roads are a complete disgrace," he grumbled as he ensured his loud voice was heard to everyone. "Sigh, my back feels it’s been hammered. How do you humans travel these paths?"
"Shut up and secure the chest, Bram" Dorren grunted as he hit Bram’s back with a thud. "If you can’t handle a few bumps, then go back to the forge."
Before the dust from dwarven carriage could settle, a sharp gale cut through the courtyard. The wind pressure doubled instantly as a massive shadow of a giant hawk came from above.
But before the massive bird could cross into the inner courtyard’s restricted airspace, a streak of heavy and condensed crimson essence shot straight into the sky from the watch towers.
A Hayes Legion Commander, Garret, clad in dark iron armor intercepted the beast in mid air as he hovered in a platform of his own physical essence.
"Halt!" Garret’s voice boomed across the sky. "Present your invitation before advancing any further."
On the back of the giant hawk, Kellan remained still, not even acknowledging his presence. His hands was behind his back and robes fluttered as he stood there.
Seeing this, his wife, Elara sighed as she reached into her gown and produced a invitation scroll.
"The Ashgroves arrives by invitation," Elara announced as she presented the scroll.
The commander saw the invitation and immediately lowered his guard. "Welcome to the Viscountcy, Ashgroves. You may pass," he said politely as he nodded and returned to his post.
The hawk dived with a practiced grace, landing near the lower courtyard.
Carriages of all shapes and sizes were pulling up to the inner perimeter. Lord Zephyr arrived in a his carriage, his eyes instantly tracking the royal guards. Behind him, the battle hardened Harlan stepped down with twin broadswords behind his back. Gideon Wells had also arrived and he walked forward with slow and heavy steps.
As the human nobles approached the receiving line, the atmosphere shifted back. Lord Zephyr lowered his head, his voice respectful. "House Zephyr greets Your Highness. May the sun shine upon the Aurelis empire."
Lord Harlan and Gideon followed suit as they both executed perfect royal salutes.
Asher offered them a nod, the warm demeanor he had shown Marcus had been replaced by the mask of a royal.
"Rise, regional lords of the empire" Asher said smoothly. "House Hayes has gathered a formidable gathering today. Let us not keep them waiting."
Turning away from the human nobility, Marcus stepped towards the foreign delegates.
Master Dorren met him first, his boots thudding against the tiles. "Marcus," the dwarf grunted, offering a respectful nod. "Long time no see, my friend. I have brought our finest dwarven liquor for the night."
Marcus let out a low chuckle. "I expected nothing less from you, Dorren. We will drink that together after most of the guests depart."
He then turned his attention to the elves as Kellan and Elara Ashgrove approached the receiving line.
Seeing Marcus walk towards him, Kellan’s aloof expression softened. He lowered his hands and dropped his rigid posture as he offered a nod, acknowledging his old friend.
"It has been too long, Marcus," Kellan said, his voice warm and happy. "Forgive the grand entrance, You know how our kind is, we only acknowledge some, especially me."
"I understand, Kellan," Marcus replied with a faint smile before turning towards Elara. "Lady Elara, Since you travelled through the skies of the forest, I trust the journey was peaceful?"
Elara offered a slight respectful bow. "It was quite peaceful, Viscount, right up until your commander intercepted us. Your airspace is as fiercely guarded as ever."
Marcus nodded with pride as his eyes scanned the courtyard one final time. The royals, the foreign guests and the regional lords were all present.
"The hour has arrived," Marcus declared as his deep voice cut through the chatter, turning back towards the estate entrance.
As Marcus shouted, the massive doors of inner manor swung open. At the entrance stood Head Butler Thomas. He was tall, lean and looked good in his high necked coat pinned with Hayes Crest.
With a quite gesture, he coordinated servants. He effortlessly guided the royals, foreign delegates and regional lords to their respective seats.
On an elevated platform at the far end of the hall, Leon sat quietly in his high seat. Iris sat to his right, her eyes darting towards her friends. Nearby, Hanna stood straight near Leon to attend his needs.
To the rest of the room, Leon looked normal and exceptionally quiet child. But the silver pendant masked his soul signature and projected a perfect illusion.
Leon watched the guests. His gaze drifted towards the royals and several other guests especially the foreign guests. He curiously studied their statures and physical traits as he was seeing them for the first time. He only imagined them through the book descriptions.
Servants instantly moved through the rows, uncorking aged wine and pouring them. The grand gathering of House Hayes had officially commenced.