42nd Brightening of Cyraxatum
Era II of the Celestine Mandate
Era XIV Post Fractum
The city of Vortex was far bigger than any surface city Meiroth Vhilraaen had ever seen. He had not been a messenger for his house for very long however, having only been adopted and accepted by the Matron half an era prior. Meiroth was only 110, his bones still growing, his limbs too big for his body. His dark brown hair was trimmed short the way the Matron preferred, and the gold loop through his ear still pulsed with pain when he touched it, so fresh was the mark.
He clutched his papers close to him as he went through the gate, the light color of his skin gaining him entrance unmolested. Part vysstichi, part sea elf, Meiroth was a strange gray color that gained him second looks, but little racism from either quarter. He nodded his thanks as he passed through the gate, and headed towards the Academy.
Matron Zynoir did not have many spies in Vortex, or so the servants said, because she preferred to keep her eyes and ears in her own town, not others. But she did have a few, and her information brought him here, to the D’Rinishad Academy of Arcana, a great black building that shone in the summers suns. Meiroth had his mothers’ eyes, a fact that his Matron frequently murmured with disappointment, but it made him an ideal messenger for above-surface travel.
He inquired as to his destination at the counter, exuding every ounce of innocence he possessed. To be truthful, his occupation here was innocent enough that it was not difficult, and the clerk gave him the number and directions to the room for which he searched. He smiled toothily, and watched as the clerk blanched slightly. The Matron had recommended he sharpen his canines as a matter of whim, and he did not disobey his Matron’s will.
The door was simple and wooden, hardly a fit place for one of his Matron’s family, but that was all about to change. Hiding the canines by closing his mouth, Meiroth knocked firmly on the door.