Forces of Nature [Palace of the Sultan] (Atl)

[Darkmavrck]

Continued from HERE

The guards were hesitant at first, did the man not know that magi were not highly respected in the city of sand, or perhaps was it his royal position that he hoped would elevate respect in the men. Either way, the fellow atop his horse was perhaps two of the least popular ideas in Arakmat, but none the less, the sultan would not tolerate such ideas near his home and the small contingent was quickly welcomed into the gates of the palace after the inspection of his official documents.

This nearly completed the entire upper echelon of high ranking officials to enter the city since her gates opened in early fall. Since that day when Rafiq Al-Hakaar declared the pearl of the desert open once more to foreigners they had seen A Barbari duke, the former governor, a new consul, the archprelate, the imperial judicator, the crown prince and his minister of war, and now the royal magus. A busy few months indeed, but such could only be expected when the great western realm had at last been reborn.

Walking down the long marble road, the horses had already been taken and moved along to the sultan’s stables for tending, the group stood in the middle of expansive lawn. Walled from the outside, only the crowns of a few trees stretched over the heights of stone, but within, the lush green grasses were well trimmed and decorated with every type of flower, plant, and tree imaginable, and then a few more that weren’t. The air here was fragrant and pure, cleaned of the harsh desert atmosphere, and laden in arcane power. For another high ranked mage, it was easy to tell that druidism was well at work within each of these plants, especially so here at the fringe of winter.

A young man had been sent ahead to announce Atl, and his wife, also insuring they would not have to wait long to hear from the sultan. It was a small climb to ascend the great, gleaming white marble stairs up to the large archways of the palace, but as they stepped into the dim halls and their eyes adjusted they were rewarded with a visual masterpiece. The dark pink granite shone like a mirror in the dim flickering light of the giant oil caldrons placed about the outskirts of the rooms, in the center rested a large throne atop a small platform, all of which were adorned in stunning jewels and gems from across the empire. Above though was the true gift, a massive dome made of pure gold and engraved and formed to depict ancient battle, and interpretations of the gods both new and old all about the warriors.

Then as they stood in the silence, a door to one side slowly creaked open, a youngish looking man with flowing ebon hair draped over his shoulders and complementing his darkly tanned, yet surprisingly smooth skin emerged. The fellow wore a polite smile on his face as he approached in silence, giving a soft bow to the mage, and then to his wife, offering to kiss her hand in respect before standing tall and proud to meet them eye to eye. "Serale to you Magus, I am Sultan Rafiq Al-Hakaar, how may I be of service to you on this most fine brightening?"

[Atl Myrsa]

Atl and his wife looked at each other as they walked through the gardens. the Adapt and Master Druids could feel the powers of Nature spread through out this garden. Hmm that was most interesting, they employed a druid or druids here in the sultans gardens. That didn't surprise Atl as he had run into druids a number of times in place outside of forests.

The Lauryalian druids contiuned their walk down the path, impressed with the edific, but both had lived in Mystique and Prime. Edifics of wealth were common, weather the statleness of the Ancient Allerians buildings, or the grace of the Crystallian structures of the wood shroded Mystique.

They paused before the throne, and looked around both expressonless. His nimalni features expressionless, and her graceful looks with a slight smile.

Each bowed as the sultan of Arakmat entered the room and approached them. "Serale it is a pleasure to meet with you." Tariel allowed him to kiss her hand. "Atl Myrsa, Royal Magus, and my wife Lady Tariel Myrsa." His wife nodded his head again.

"We arrived in Arakmat recently, and felt that it would be impolite to visit the city with out calling on its estimed Sultan." Atl said smiling for the first time. It seemed to light up the druids face. "The Magus council and myself were planning on looking into the veil around Silrosia. I was also curious as to the arcane situation in Arakmat, I haven't heard anything of it and wished to visit with your self about that." Atl smiled. "I also have a passion for seeing new place and never have had a chance to visit the jewel of the desert."

[Darkmavrck]

The sultan gave simple nods to the words spoke, carefully flattening his robes as he listened, trying to make himself more presentable. The royal magus had dropped in unexpected, and perhaps contrary to some people’s beliefs he was a very busy man. Smiling softly he replied to them in an even diplomatic tone, confident yet humble. “The pleasure is mine, Magus Myrsa, Lady Myrsa, I hope that you can excuse my appearance I was deep in study at your arrival, and had not expected guests of such high standings today.” He gave another soft bow and motioned for them to walk along side of him with a wide sweep of his arm.

“This room is mostly for show, often only used when holding conference with large or open groups. I myself prefer a more personal and less formal means of visit. If it is the arcane you hope to discuss then I find it best we go to converse with my consul of arcane affairs as I admittedly know very little on the subject matter.” Rafiq led them out the back of the side of the throne room and through a short series of halls to another exit from the palace on the back side. Slipping through the door, they stepped out into the main area of the sultan’s garden. It was expansive, stretching on for acres in every direction paths running through it every witch way. Having a good idea of where to find the man they sought, the sultan wasted little time choosing a path and proceeding through the mass of greenery.

“Dwendir tells me that we keep one of every plant on the face of Telath in this garden. I do not doubt the man as he has been around long enough to know, but it is quite impressive none the less. You should see the rose garden, countless types of size and color, absolutely gorgeous in the spring, though they carry blooms year round with his help.” The trio continued around a few bends until they came up on a large oasis that could have doubled as a small lake in other parts of the world. Near the edge of the lapping crystal waters, dressed in long pale green robes sat an aged Nairu man, the high collar of his robes fastened tight just below his chin, emerald eyes resting beneath the dark flesh of his face. Slowly standing, the swirl of gold and green covering all of his body with the exception of his face, the mage slowly moved to meet the group. Rafiq moved to his side and introducing the man. “Royal Magus, I present Archdruid Dwendir, my consul on all matters arcane.”

[Atl Myrsa]

Atl nodded his head. "What were you studing your Higness?" He asked with sincer curiosity. Atl was glade to see that this was a man who did more then just sit in his palace.

"This place is lovely." Tariel said as she stopped and smelled one of the roses, and then admired another tree that they had passed. "I must speak with him about this garden for it takes true talent." Atl smiled at his wife, some times her nymph training did cause her to loss focus, but in all honesty Atl as a druid was having a hard time from exploring.

The two nodded their head to the Archdruid. "Serale sir it is a pleasure to make your aquaintance." Atl said. Tariel nodded her head as well showing respect in the nymph way verses the royal.

[Darkmavrck]

“I had been researching law, both current and historical on the imperial, provincial, and city level, our current civil code is a bit dated for my taste and I plan to sit with my council to discuss alterations and amendments to it. I wonder, does the new kingdom plan to create a new set of laws or will they simply adopt the articles of the former empire?” He smiled softly, to show he meant little harm of the musing but enough seriousness in his tone to hint that he did in fact want the magus’s opinion on the subject.

The tall Nairu gave a brief nod to both of them, sizing them up silently as the proper introductions were made and the answer to a previously asked question was presented. It raised an eyebrow from the Archdruid who turned to the sultan speaking in a calm, slightly raspy, yet mellow and flowing voice for the first time since joining the group. “An excellent question my lord…” There was a brief pause as his eyes drifted back to the two magi before him. “For what is the reasoning in forming a new kingdom, if we simply live by the laws of the memory of former greatness?”

He smiled, his eyes flashing gold for just the briefest of moments, it was there and then gone, only noticeable if either of them had been staring into the deep dark green eyes. “You both have a good aura about you, one of nature, the essences of the mother. Tell me magus, are my deductions correct that you and your wife follow the same path as myself?”

[Atl Myrsa]

Nodding his head, the former Thane turned Royal Magus nodded his head. "The Articles are being worked on for some reformations for the new kingdom yes, but unless I am mistaken it will still be the basis that the new kingdom will be built upon. I do admire you though. I once served as Thane of Mystique, and I can understand trying to keep a law codes up todate, especially as you have to take local traditions and laws into account."

Atl and Tariel turned back to the Archdruid. "Your assesment is correct. I am a Druid from Mystique, and my beloved her was trained by the nymphs of the Forest of Light. It is a pleasure to meet a fellow druid," he waved his hands to include the gardens. "Especially so talented a druid."

[Darkmavrck]

Dwendir let out a soft chuckle as his gaze passed over the gardens of his creation. Giving up soft nods his tone lightened a bit adding a carefree twinge to his voice as the ancient man spoke. “Ah yes, my life’s work, thousands of era carefully crafting this fine dedication to the power of one’s mind. With time you could create something just as amazing magus, it simply takes the ambition to create.” His eyes shut for just a moment, perhaps a second at most and then as he looked to Tariel and extended his open palm you her, the flesh of his aged hand twisted and greened, slowly… growing! From the center of it a small thin vine sprouted and grew up, forming a bulb under the other magi’s gaze. It paused its growth for a moment, and then suddenly broke and bloomed into a large headed yellow rose, paper thin petals slowly fading into crimson at their edges. The archmage ‘plucked’ the flower from his palm and handed it to the elven woman with a gentle smile. “Gifted you are to train with such teachers in the heart of such a sacred land. I commend you with the rose of the desert, more rare then any other breed in all the empire.” The gently fragrances filled the woman’s nose, smelling of the fresh winds of the sea, carefully dried in the petals of the flora.

Turning back to Atl, Dwendir got back to business. “What is it that I can help you with today Magus, it is not often the sultan brings his guests to visit with a relic such as myself.”

[Atl Myrsa]

Tariel took the flower from the archdruid's aged hand she smelled it and nodded. "It is lovely." She held onto the flower. "They were defently interesting teachers, and more then that they have become my sisters. It does make life interesting though." Atl face briefly took on a exasperated amused look, but quickly sheed it before his wife could see it.

"It is a pleasure. I have come inquiring about the city and its arcane." He said with a shurg. "I feel that the desert can defently provide some interesting alternatives to the regular arcane pratices."

[Darkmavrck]

“Ah, indeed, the proof of it is all around you. Countless year’s worth of study to learn how to properly manipulate this plant life so that it can grow and flourish in these environments.” Dwendir circled about his arms outstretched pointing to all of the plants that surrounded them. He slowed again however and looked the elf in the eyes, a twinge of cynicism filling the emerald orbs. “I have also read your letter about registries, I regret to inform you that after the elemental hurricane that struck us down, Arakmatans have a bitter taste toward magi, and further, we have no schools left to teach these arts in.”

The arch druid seemed to stare off into the distance at that point becoming rather oblivious for the time being. It came at a fortunate enough time for the sultan to break in and continue the conversation. “It is quite true, at one time we were a center for the arcane and now brightenings, it has very little to do in our day to day lives.”

[Atl Myrsa]

Atl nodded his head. "It is sad when magic is used for such destructive nature. I have heard of the hurricane, but that it happened was all that i heard. What exactly happened?" Him and his wife both had a look that spoke loudly that they viewed that type of magic as a waist of energy.

OOC: sorry for the short post.

[Darkmavrck]

Dwendir spoke up, his tone sorrowful his eyes slowly filling with regret. “I remember it perfectly, Rafiq was not yet apart of the city and so he can not speak of the atrocities that took place but I… I saw it all. I can still remember the weave of the spell, dark and scornful, should that Vis ever pass into these walls again I will make the mage weep for death. Thousands of people died, good people, families were destroyed and the entire city was leveled for unknown reasons. It has taken us patterns to bring the city back to even the half respectable manner it is in now, and the deep seated hatred toward magi still sits in many hearts.”

There was a pause as if the Archdruid was reliving the atrocity in his mind, and likely was. There were few things that could turn the heart of a man after thousands of years of life but genocide was one of them. “The spell was fast, I remember it well, there was a natural talent to it, and the mana was poured in quickly. By the time I realized what was happening it was too late; never in all my years had I thought that a mage could be so dark in his spell craft. It took every bit of my energy to use the rains to put out the fire, to weave spells that protected the oasis and the palace, the walls, and the military, the great symbols of Arakmat’s faith. I would have liked to have done more, but I am still only one man… it is easy to destroy, but to protect is something more.”

[Atl Myrsa]

Atl nodded his head. "My own city suffered under arcane tyranny for a while, but they didn't suffer to that degree. Sadly some magi are like that, and also sadly they are the ones we usually hear about. Their are some many magi who actually help build the world instead of destroying it." He motioned to the gardens.

"This is a work of art and a great addition to not only the city but the empire. If only we could see more of this then maybe arcane wouldn't have such a bad name." He said shaking his head. "I am sorry to hear about the hatred in their hearts, I notice though that they seemed to admire you. Which is good after your hard work on their behalf."

"Are they fearful of all the spheres?"

[Darkmavrck]

“The man who is cut by an edge is then shy around all blades is he not? Yes, all spheres make the citizens cringe because they know all to well that for every light side of an object there is an outstretched shadow. Perhaps the reason they accept me is because my contributions to this city are just as old as the walls or palace or any other relic well past its prime.” Dwendir let out a hearty laugh as his hands found his hips and rested upon them, Rafiq rejoining the group with a small smile watching closely, trying to read the magus’s true thoughts.

His chocolate eyes scanned the figure of the royal representative carefully putting the words in his mind to tongue. “That is why we have taken our time with introducing a new school. It would first be expensive to erect a proper establishment, and further take time. The people of Arakmat are still building homes and looking for baths and sanitation for us to accommodate their very fears when that money could be valuable elsewhere would be a mistake in my mind. It is a point both the Archdruid and I agree on.” Behind the young sultan the elder druid gave a soft nod and let his eyes scan across the gardens taking them in, paying such close attention it almost seemed he were having a silent conversation with the foliage before slowly returning his gaze to the visiting pair.

“What would you suggest magus?”