Sen stood outside of what used to be the Laptove town guild. Just like Laptove it too had changed. It stood majestic in the middle of the town with its white and light blue coated wall setting its magnificence apart from the rest. The guild itself had expanded its perimeter , at the center was the main guild building and as one moved to the front gate the guild members strode along the tiled paths while others sparred. At the top of the central building was glass made crest same that the two guards that were pushing him to move wore proudly on their uniforms. Its gentle reflection of the solstice sun shown onto the well maintained flora that greeted one as they approached the main building.
Sen was in awe of the new and majorly improved Octa guild. His eyes darted across the guild compound barely noticing the disapproving stares that gauged his every step. Behind him were the two guards , the merchant and one of the horse guard, each with a judgy look of their own.
" Wow ! So this is the new guild, huh. " Sen thought as he paced forward. His thoughts slowly shifted taking him back to when he ,Miss Chin, Neil and Mira said their last goodbyes, trying to make out where in the new complex it was.
" Hope you guys are doing better than I am. " he said in a low tone with a small smirk on his face.
" What you smiling for ? " a voice asked with a hint of irritation.
" Keep moving . " another said with a sudden force on his shoulder pushing him forward.
" Yeah, yeah I'll keep walking. " he said his eyes facing down to metal cuffs on his hands.
Sen could feel the sun's soft radiance on his skin. It was warm gentle and soothed his aching hands cuffed together with dark metal cuffs. He gazed up looking onto the central guild house in front of him. The reflection from the glass crest met his eyes causing him to quickly shut them. He proceeded to walk forward , eyes shut , with a tingly feeling still lingering.
" No wonder these plants look happy . "He thought as he ascended up the first step to the central guild house door.
He was still rubbing his eyes due to the reflection irritation when suddenly his hands got pulled back. The metal cuffs he wore were tethered to one of the soldiers , who was now bowing , with a rune arcane link behaving like an intangible arcane leash.
" … huh ? " Sen muttered as he gazed at the guild compound.
Across the compound all the guild members that Sen could see were bowing in silent respect. The only ones still standing were him the merchant and his horse guard. The once bustling murmur filled atmosphere was now gone with the only sound from the gentle breeze through the leaves .
" What's going on here ? " a female commanding voice beckoned behind Sen.
Behind him at the top of the staircase stood two girls. The first one, lady like, stood at the front with her imposing stance the obvious cause of the change in the atmosphere. Her garments shimmered faintly beneath the sun with the fabric, a blend of purple imperial wool trim at the ends and runed silk , a display of her status and rank . On her chest shone two silver stars as they dangled on the fabric that hid her cleavage.
The other stood behind her hands tightly clasped to a clipboard with some white papers on it. She was dressed the same as the rest of the guild members only that hers lacked the colored lining at the ends. She stood confidently in the shadow of the first with her wood brown hair blemished by the scarlet that ran down at the front of her hair.
Sen looked up the stairs looking at the two gaze down on the rest, his eyes caught by the shimmering silver stars dangling on the ladies chest.
" Who are these two ? " Sen wondered before he was pushed forward by one of the guards.
" This boy has been reported to have stole silver from the good merchant over here ,Lady Nexa. "
Nexa shifted her gaze from the guard addressing her to Sen. He gazed at the grey robed boy for a while then shifted to the merchant who had already gotten the drift of the situation and was also bowing.
" Are you here to Laptove ? " Nexa asked her eyes on Sen .
" Yes … " Sen said pausing as he surveyed the surroundings. " well not this Laptove . "
" Lower your gaze when you address lady Nexa. " the guard tethered to Sen said in an irritated tone.
Sen could feel the burning gazes from everyone surrounding him . He had barely being in town for one day and he was already the guilds public enemy. But that was to be expected especially for a person brought in for a crime to the imperial gentry.
The imperial gentry was a branch of the overarching kingdom guard, the Legion Logos. They were are structured and rank based gentry , noble and valiant to the core. The tier and member rank amongst the members was distinguished by the color of the lining of the individual's uniform , with gold and purple at the top.
Nexa's eyes narrowed then after a while brushed them of with a wave.
" Fine, take him inside . " she said then she made her way into the guild the girl with the clipboard still behind her.
" Yes lady Nexa. " said the guard.
They continued making their way up the stairs. Sen was still taken aback by Nexa's imposing atmosphere.
" She must be really strong. " he thought as they entered the guild's main building.
Just like everything in the new Laptove , the interior of the guild had being renovated. The formerly wooden floor was now tiled with the Legion Logos crest at the center crafted with polished marble. The guild hall was more spacious. A distance from the left and right from the hall entrance were staircase ascending to the upper floor. In the middle were guild members, all from the imperial gentry, conversing while others took on missions from the mission counters .
Gracefully ascending the left stairs was Nexa. The other girl stood next to a counter presenting her clipboard to the counter attendant.
" Stand here as I get the official. " one of the guards said as he made his way to one of the counters.
A few seconds later the guard came back and behind him was an old man . The old man walked sluggishly as he approached them. The merchant stood besides Sen, annoyed for the wait. His frown flipped when he saw the official walk towards them.
" Old friend, it's nice to see you. " the merchant said as he approached the official arms out.
The official responded to the handshake as they both laughed heartily.
" How long has it been ? Two years. How have you been? " the official said .
" Business is good … " the merchant said pausing as he looked towards Sen. " only that I have a small problem. "
Sen was still in cuffs standing next the other imperial guard . He was squinting his eyes as he looked at the official .
" Sen ?! "
" Old man Rusty. "
They both said few seconds after their eyes met.
The official staggered some steps back almost falling, his hand clenched his chest. He was supported by the guard that had fetched him barely able to stand alone .
" Are you ok ? Sir . " the guard asked as others who were worried came closer.
Suddenly the official stood up with his slightly wrinkled finger pointing to Sen.
" Arrest him ! Arrest him ! " he said his voice hoarse flaring with detest and anger.
Sen's eyes widened with confusion while the merchant's wide from elation restricting the grin that had started to crop on his face .
" Sir you haven't even heard … " the guard said trying to counter the officials verdict.
" Are you questioning my command ? " the official asked his voice flaring up with anger.
" Wait , wait … " Sen said trying to understand what had just happened. One minute he saw the old man he and Mira used to play childish pranks on and the other Imperial dressed guards were walking towards him under the command to arrest him.
" What's with all the commotion ? " a voice , male, asked. It was firm but still gentle with unbiased emotion.
Behind the guards and official stood a man. He was in a gold lined clothing with his dark silky hair was held back by two stars. Besides him was a woman draped in noble clothing with her attendant behind her.
The hall was silent as the they approached where Sen and the official were.
" Guild master Trojn ? "