Tale of Four

”I have returned.” Seth threw open the door into Isis’s room and saw her sitting, a servant wiping her hair with a towel. ”Look at you. Already getting accustomed to the rules of this place.”

Isis rolled her eyes, ”I couldn’t refuse. Even when I bathed, she forced a few of her servants to wash me. I have never felt so uncomfortable in my life.” Seth smirked and took a seat, taking the mask off, letting his face breathe.

”Well, it hardly seems to bother you.” Seth looked up at the woman’s collar and faint smile, making Isis lower her head in shame. ”I’m not judging. I’ve enjoyed these benefits as well.”

”Are you alright?” Wishing to move the conversation on, Isis asked, making him nod.

”They shouldn’t bother you for a while. I am quite the persuasive person.” Leaning back, he let himself stretch. Isis smiled and turned to the maid drying her hair.

”That’s enough. Thank you.” The maid bowed and walked off, leaving the two. ”What about the bounty?”

”That...” His voice trailed, ”That is an unsolvable problem right now. If we can prove it’s more of a hassle than it’s worth to cash it in, we won’t have an issue, but for now, keep your wits about you. I need more knowledge on how much they have placed on us to really gauge if it can be waved off with a bribe or not.” Isis went to speak, but Seth raised his hand to stop her, ”I’ll speak to some people. In the meantime, if you wish to explore, let me know. No going out alone for the time being.”

”Didn’t plan on it. Not until you’re finished with the book.” Seth smiled and got up.

”It will take a few days. Just hold off until then.”

----

Underneath a large glass skyline, Augustus sat wiping his numerous sets of jewellery, enjoying the smells of flowers in the garden that surrounded him. Flying around him, numerous butterflies and other colourful insects danced, jumping from one plant to another, before dispersing into the fauna. Behind him, a servant held his long silver hair, applying cream to keep its silky texture, whilst a second knelt at his feet, cleaning his shoes.

”Lord Evangelist.” A voice called out from beside the Pantheon preacher, making him look up from his rings. Putting the ring down, he clapped his hands and the lesser both backed away from him, bowing and walking off.

”Justinian. How many times must I tell you, just call me by my name.” Augustus stood up and walked over to the man, spreading his arms and bringing him into a hug. Unlike him, the man was reserved in how he presented himself, his brown hair and eyes like the majority of the city, his light blue set of robes bare of riches. Breaking from the hug, Augustus pulled a seat opposite him and retook his place, picking up the mirror on the table and opening the box next to it.

Flashing his jewelled teeth, he carefully took them out, finally revealing his clear white teeth hidden underneath. Licking them, he smiled and pushed the two things aside, staring at the brown-haired man, ”It’s rare you visit me.”

”Forgive me, my friend. I find your presence suffocating.” Justinian said, earning a laugh from Augustus.

”A man blessed by the Gods has that presence about them.” Going back to his ring, he began cleaning it once more, always keeping one eye on the man opposite him, ”Have you been to my sermons lately?”

”I have been busy, unfortunately.” Reaching underneath his robe, he pulled out a large scroll and slid it across the table. Augustus peeked at it and continued to clean.

”This is...”

”Our friends in Cras have sent word.” Augustus frowned in disgust and nodded.

”And?”

”Two criminals recently arrived within the city. A man and a woman. Inside is the bounty and a description of the two. Word has already been sent to those who need to know.” Augustus barely paid his words any mind, slipping the rings back on his fingers. Holding his hand up, he stared at his nails and clicked his tongue. Clapping his hands, another lesser stood in the distance and walked over, holding a box, placing it on the table. Taking out a file, he slowly got to work on his nails.

”I have made it clear that the city should not be involved in Cras affairs. They are godless slavers who justify their craft through brutality.” His voice was lathered in contempt as he thought about the grey city that lacked any beauty or justification, ”What did these so-called criminals do?”

”Damaged a good, destruction of public property and finally, crimes against Cras values.” Augustus stopped and raised an eyebrow. ”They planted a tree within before the crystal tower. Specifically, a Moonlight tree.”

”Lunarian?” Augustus smiled, ”Such beautiful people.”

”Usually, I wouldn’t bother you with issues from Cras, but this one is a little complicated. The man is a Lunarian noble, but not a Lunarian himself. I had them send a detailed description of the mask.” Justininan paused, ”According to the Lunarian I know, it’s the family mask of a Martyr.”

”And the woman?”

”A travelling companion of this man. I had assumed a Lunarian based on her hair colour, but she had no mask. Whilst Cras has decided to leave the man’s bounty low, the woman’s is very high.” Augustus raised his eyebrow again. Justinian sighed and leaned back, ”Six months’ worth of Cras’ yearly income.” Augustus paused and stared at Justinian, trying to see if he was lying. Seeing he was completely serious, he smiled and burst into laughter.

”Surely you lie. They planted a tree.”

”A tree that the city is struggling to remove. Word is, Runecraft was used to grow it, and whatever runes were applied made the wood tough. A simple axe can’t cut it.” Justinian failed to hide his smile, ”They claim that it has already caused more of their product to need re-education and messes with the function of the crystal tower.”

”You sure have been told a lot, my friend.” Augustus looked into his eyes and saw the brown eyes form small slits that curled with his lips.

”Perks of knowing the right people.” There was a momentary silence as Augustus continued to work on his nails, trying to make himself look perfect.

”It’s an opportunity. For a long time, I have wanted to destroy that abhorrent system they have in their city, and if a tree is already enough to make it shake, it proves my theories correct. They are wrong. Lessers aren’t slaves nor products.” Augustus happily said.

”If those fools from the Chained Brothers heard you, they might believe themselves to have an ally.” Augustus’ eyes sharpened at the mention of the group and frowned, staring at Justinian, warning him not to make such a joke again.

”Our actions are ordained by the foundation on which our world was created. I will not have my beliefs mocked, and I shall not be associated with scum like them. Behave yourself now.” Justinian offered a smile as an apology and leaned on his fist. ”I wish to meet them, but what do you want me to do first?” Augustus asked.

”Speak to whom you can and begin preparations.” Looking down at the scroll, he took a deep breath and smiled, ”As for these criminals, leave them to me. I think I can use them to help us. If not, then I can always get the bounty myself.”