[Concordia Incola] - Morning Commute (Private)

Keldon Elsdragon · January 25, 2007, 07:59 PM

Second Brightening of the First Cycle in the Month of Aperitus in the Season of Spring; Era I of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIII Post Fractum. The First Era of the Regency of Milo L'Evienne.

The city of Primus Gaudeo rose up in concentric circles from the Outer City, to the Inner City, to the Rich Sector and finally to the Concordia Incola. A tower rose from the middle of the Concordia Incola. It did not reach up to touch the clouds... It was a short tower, thickly built of white marble. From this tower a great bridge travelled over the back of the city and into the mountains behind where rested the Doli Castle. Because of the design of the city, and the levels with which it rose, the Concordia Incola was viewable from all other places in Primus Gaudeo and in truth from far out into the wilderness. All could see the immense complex of buildings known as the Concordia Incola. The Seat of Government for not only Primus Gaudeo, but for Centripax.

Once surrounded by an immense wall of white marble, more than 100ft tall and featuring buildings much, much taller. The wall remained, but most of the towering buildings had been destroyed. Now the tallest building in the complex was the Bridge Tower, it rose fully another 100ft above the wall and at its top was a huge flag baring the Dove of Centripax. This complex made completely from white marble reflects the rays of light from the twin suns and refines it into brilliant rays of light that can be seen on clear days from cities as far away as Midpoint. This is why Primus Gaudeo has been given the name of 'The Jewel of the Empire'. It was suiting for the second largest city in the Empire and the Capital of Centripax. Towers dot the circular wall evenly spaced out, with 60 ft between them, rising 30 ft above the wall itself, on their top holding tall flagpoles, featuring the banners of Centripax.

Only one known road leads to this immense complex of structures, namely the Concordia Road, leading all the way from the King’s Road and in a straight line, running the miles to the grand gate into the almost fortress like center of government. The road itself, paved with marble and more than 60ft wide, is flanked with tall statues of unknown Concordians, clad in their robes and wielding the Scrolls of Law, the symbol of their offices. These statues had not fallen during the disaster that had seen the Concordia Incola rebuild. At the end of the road, one can see the two immense gate-towers, flanking the 60ft wide and 80ft tall mithril gate, made by the dwarven master-smiths of Zerdagia. The entire law of Alleria can be read on the inside of these gates, which never close, as a symbol of the openness, which is a feature of the Centripian government. The letters of the law are made from gold, always seeming to shine, reminding all that passes these gates that law will never fail in its vigilance.

Keldon made his way up the emmense Concordia Road followed by his enterage of guards as normal. He would cast a glance towards the statues as he passed by them, having idol conversation with the guards as they walked. By now many of those who worked in the Concordia were very well aware of who he was, as he was normally the first official to arrive to the great building as the sun raised, and the clank of metal on the road from his guards escorting him.

Kyonos Weatherstone · January 25, 2007, 11:31 PM

He had reasons to go to the big city, he needed to get things done but the sight of the tower attracted him. After all, he had been propecting for the entire winter, a bit more time would matter much. Besides it would be against his nature for Kyonos to hurry. The Dwarf was seated on his gaunt ridge pony, Butterbean. They moved along very slowly. Butterbean might not have been able to go any faster and Kyonos was not going to hurry the ridge pony.

The sound of hoof beats agains the road came from behind. They gradually came closer and closer. After all, even a person taking a casual stroll would be moving faster than Butterbean. When the sound came very close, Kyonos turned his head to look back and saw an impressively dressed Elf on a fine looking horse. The Elf was being escorted by a substantial guard contingent. He must have been important, at least he probably thought he was important.

It took but a very gentle tug on the reins to bring Butterbean to a halt. The ridge pony was as dependable as the rising of the suns, but not one to hurry and always ready to rest. There in the middle of the road sat the mounted Dwarf, staring at Keldon.

Keldon Elsdragon · January 25, 2007, 11:51 PM

Keldon and his guards moved up the road slowly, as Keldon enjoyed the conversation with the guards early in the morning, every now and then a new guard would be assigned to the post who was extreamly dedicated and normally paid more attention to the alleyways then the front of his own horse. Those had become the rather entertaining morning where a guard was embarrassed infront of him thinking it was the end of there career. However the norm was Keldon was well guarded with very experienced and seasoned guards with the odd guard being the prodigy of some noble in the city.

Keldon was discussing something with the guard closest to him when his horse started to slow down drastically, turning his gaze forward to see why the lead guard was now coming to a halt he noticed a dwarf mounted on a rather small horse. The two guards at the front behind the lead horse moved forwards beside the lead guard in a defensive position, Keldon jerked his horse forward infront of the guards slightly as he saw no threat as of yet. But two guards still moved forward beside Keldons steed. Keldon merely smirked as they moved then turned his gaze to the dwarf. "Serale, I am Lord Keldon Elsdragon." He said in a warm voice, still a dozen or so feet away from the dwarf who was standing in the center of what soon would be a extreamly busy road as the rest of the city was beginning to wake.

Kyonos Weatherstone · January 26, 2007, 12:30 AM

The lead guard came to a halt when he got close and then two other guards moved beside him. Yep, that Elf sure must be some kind of an official or something like that. Then came a surprise, the Elf rode past the lead guards toward Kyonos. Seemed pretty sure of himself, but then a guard came on each side of him. Those guards were a persistant sort.

Then the Elf greeted him and identified himself as Lord Keldon Elsdragon. He spoke in a friendly sort of voice, not like most Elves.

The Dwarf then returned the greeting, "I am Kyonos, prospector". He then pointed at the looming tower and asked, "Is that tall thing yours?" For the moment, Kyonos showed no intention of getting out of the road or proceeding. It was as if he were still out in the wilderness. Actually, were it not for getting his nuggets assayed, refresh his blacksmithing skills and properly feed himself and Butterbean, Kyonos would have stayed at the mine. It was his workplace and his home.

Keldon Elsdragon · January 26, 2007, 12:42 AM

Keldon turned his gaze towards the tower in the Concordia Incola and smiled with a gentle nod. "Serale, Kyonos. The Concordia Incola belongs to the city, although it is operated and now maintained by the provincial government. But as Thane of this city you could call it mine I would suppose." Keldon said with a brief laugh. "So Kyonos, what is it exactly you are prospecting?" Keldon asked in a curious voice.

The guards around him were still watching the dwarf, and shifting there eyes to the location around them. Some had moved there horses to face the other direction to watch the flank, most of those that did were the four in the rear, the side guards kept a eye on there area but four, to five guards at the front were watching Kyonos and anything that happened to remotely move around him.

Kyonos Weatherstone · January 26, 2007, 11:06 AM

So this was the seat of the government, the provincial government as well as the city government. ..............and this here Elf was the Thane of Primus Gaudeo, the big fellow. Kyonos shook his head in momentary disbelief. As he listened, the Dwarf took note of the guards scanning the surrounding area but a few of them focused their attention on Kyonos. Just as a matter of curiosity he wondered if he could take them on. A moot point because some of the others would join in and they were probably formidable fighters. Even a Dwarf could not beat that many.

Addressing the simpler matter first, he replied, "Prospecting for gold in a hill I bought. Got a deed for it, not just a claim." That was easy enough. Then came the part that got him to thinking and Kyonos was not one to hold back just what he thought.

"I once worked in at the Smithy in Zerdargia. Now I came back to be with my own kind. So I heard that a wee Fae is Governor of the province. I had to laugh when I heard that, but its not funny. Now I learn that an Elf is Thane of Primus. That's even less funny. How did all you dainty sort of folks get the top jobs in Dwarven country? Smells a tad rotten to me."

Keldon Elsdragon · January 26, 2007, 07:43 PM

If Keldon knew what the dwarf was thinking he would likely laugh a little and tell the guards he was moving forward, or assume the man was drunk... or more then likely attempt to spark up a lengthy conversation with such a spirited fellow.

Nodding his head briefly he smiled slightly before he spoke, allowing the dwarf to finish what he was thinking, and listened as those thoughts rolled off the dwarfs tongue. "Perhaps you will find prospect in the smithy's in the city, or perhaps someone willing to hire you as a supplier for there metal requirements..." Keldon said as he paused for a brief moment. "But perhaps those who appear dainty, are in truth hardened by experience and the test's of life. Perhaps those who serve in office are there to serve the people, regardless of there race..."

OOC: Alrighty... yea... I read that and honestly I have no idea what the hell I just said... but alright! lol

Kyonos Weatherstone · January 26, 2007, 11:17 PM

After attentively listening to what Keldon had to say, a guffaw came from the Dwarf. This Elf might be an important individual but he did not seem to have any more sense than most of the other Elves that Kyonos had come across.

"Perhaps those who serve in office are there to serve the people? ....regardless of race? That's about as likely as my Ridge Pony, Butterbean leaping over that there tower of yours. Either you think you're talking to some sort of buffoon or mayhap you've been nipping a bit too much of that watery swill you people call Elven wine.

"I have found that those who are in office do not serve the people, they expect the people to serve them. And if the people do not serve them, then they will be crushed by the might of the Articles of the Imperium. Look at them there guards who stand ready to stop me from tweaking your nose. Is that how you serve them? By allowing them to risk their lives for you? I doubt there are many Dwarfs in the city who think that you are serving them.

"Then you talk like there's no difference among races. Do you really believe that or are you just trying to....................."

Kyonos stopped abruptly, realizing that he had talked much, much too much, and to an Elf at that. Must have been because he spent the whole season by himself that made him so talkative. He felt uncomfortable after all that talk and nudged Butterbean out of the middle of the road so the Thane and those he said he served could get by without getting too close to Kyonos. He continued staring at the Thane.

Keldon Elsdragon · January 27, 2007, 12:09 AM

Keldon listened as the dwarf spoke, and it was rather expected. Since his appointment to Thane he had met several people, perhaps a dozen or so who felt the same way. "I would agree with you Kyonos, many of those in the Empire whom serve in public office do so for there own motivations..." Keldon said as he looked over his shoulder, giving his horse a gentle tap moving him outside the circle of guards that encased him. The horse Keldon sat on was a fine breed, mainly for riding throughout the city from the Thanal estate, to the Thanal office and perhaps other locations. It was suited for a noble.

As he approached Kyonos he would reveal something at his waste line that was likely to not be at the side of most political figures around the Empire, and that was a longsword sitting in a Imperial Sheeth, the Emblem of the Imperial Officer sitting in the center of the handle. Although weather or not Kyonos would know what a Imperial Legion's Officers blade looked like was another thing completely. "In fact, I seldom drink wine good sir. Only on the occasions when those in my presence decide to take a sip, as it can ease there mood..." Keldon said as the horse trotted forward, Keldons right hand sitting on the reins, the other resting at the mans side. As the guards started to move forward Keldon heard there heavy horse's hit the road and he raised his hand in silence. The sound stopped, and Keldon was rather aware the guards stopped in there place watching the Thane.

"You see sir, everyone makes choice's in this world. It is true there are some under my authority that would follow me out of the fear of what I could do if they refused. However, there are also those who know the type of man that I am, and the things I stand for, and are well aware of those who I serve..." Keldon smirked slightly "After all, those Articals of Imperium you speak of, are not so mighty without the people that believe in what they stand for, and the people that stand behind those beliefs to enforce them."

As he watched Kyonos move himself and his horse aside Keldon just notched his reins slightly to move the horse in the direction he moved to. At this point he was standing perhaps four lengths of the dwarf away. Due to his height, and sheer size of the mans body, along with the height of the horse Keldon sat rather high compared to the dwarf. Which is why he kept some distance, so the dwarf would not have to '''' his head upwards to Keldon. Looking Kyonos directly in the eye he started to speak once more. "You and I bleed the same blood, regardless of which history we come from, where in this Empire, or what family tree. In the moment, and in the end we are born into this world the same way, and can be extinguished from this world in the exact same way given the circumstances..." Keldon trailed off briefly until he decided to wait for the mans reply.

In truth Keldon's mind was thinking about the blood, the lives that were lost, and the lives that were saved the night of the siege on Paxia. He had seen noble blood, military blood, and the blood of those who were considered second class citizens mix together. As all fought for there lives, and what they believed was freedom.

OOC: Below is the physical description of Keldon. Incase you would like further detail to his appearance since he is now rather close.

Quote:

Physical Description:
To the any normal eye that is formiller Keldon is a original sight. Although his height was that of a average Medonian , standing at Six foot four (6'4), his hair was a stunning sight like many other elves aswell. Long golden brown strands gracefully flowing down his head just past the ridges of his shoulders. His skin appeared, and was to the touch silky smooth, the texture of a rose, and from a distance it appeared just that way. Although Keldon had a very original feature over most elves. Many elves are slender, weaker then most but far more agile. However the elf before you is very well built, his muscles toned, strong and refined. They were brought this way from endless training with the sword and countless hours in the fields of his step-fathers castle were he was put through vigiours training. His eyes were also unique, they were for the most part a stunning sky-blue, however somewhere along the lines in his gens was the trait of his eyes shifting colors, depending on his mood, very few knew what color meant what mood he was in.

In general Keldon is a remarkably attractive elven male, that to the first glance and perhaps with the right lighting has been mistake as a angel set from the heavens above, at times from various other deitys, however since he now almost always carries a longsword he has been referred to more commonly a angel from aslan, strong, attractive, with a commanding presence.

Kyonos Weatherstone · January 28, 2007, 10:13 AM

Well, at least this Elf did not talk in the aloof manner affected by so many of that kind. He even sort of agreed with some of what Kyonos said. The closest he had come to an Elf who made some sense was the one who came to the Forge in Zerdargia and tried to convince him not to charge higher prices to Elves than others.

Then Keldon gave his horse a gentle tap moving him outside the circle of guards that encased him. Even seated there in his saddle it was apparent that the Elf was taller and more muscular than others of his kind. He just might be able to handle himself in a scrap. He handled the comment about Elven wine without getting touchy or uppity, that was unusual. Now he did come closer yet, signalling the guards to stay back. Kyonos nodded ever so slightly in approval. Then he said that he seldom drank wine. He said it as if he did not drink anything stronger either. That was a weakness. He once again mentioned people who he served. That was a notion that the Dwarf did not comprehend. He knew right well that the people were required to serve the Thane, not the other way around.

He replied to the comment about the Articles of Imperium, "The people who stand behind those and enforce them are the Guards and Constables who serve you, not me. You have them, all I have is my hammer and battle axe. The Articles protect those who have strength to enforce them. Those without strength have nothing."

The Thane said, "You and I bleed the same blood, regardless of which history we come from, where in this Empire, or what family tree". That too was bit much for Kyonos, "I bleed Dwarven blood, you bleed Elven blood. They are not the same. We are different on the inside just as we are on the outside."

Another lengthy dissertation by Kyonos. Was it his recent solitude or was this Elf worth all that gab?

Keldon Elsdragon · January 28, 2007, 02:39 PM

Keldon nodded his head when the dwarf first started to speak, agreeing that those who enforce them are the guards and constables, not the average man. He waited until the dwarf was finished before looking over his shoulder with a flick of his head, the guards started to move towards the side of the roadway due to the traffic on the massive road was starting to increase. Last thing Keldon wanted was one of the main roads blocked due to twenty some odd guards standing around idle. "You are correct Kyonos those who enforce the Articles of Imperium are normally just that, Guards, Constables, Militia, and Military men. However take off those uniforms and what do you have? Nothing more then a average person looking for work, perhaps one is better bathed, better paid, or perhaps one has a more attractive women at there side. But take the uniform off, the fancy clothing aside and put them all side by side you have people who are working for a paycheck, many working in something they strongly believe in and take the orders of those above them with a strong drive, and sense of pride in there service." Keldon sighed ever so slightly "Although it saddens me to hear you only believe the Articles protect the strong, as it is far from the truth. The Articles are there to protect everyone, every last person in this city. Even those who are knee deep in the life of crime in the Hidden City, to those who reside in the Western City's lavish buildings. In a time of need, or crises I do not discern who is more important by the value of there life, as life has no value. They are all priceless,"

Keldon glanced down to his sword and then upto Kyonos, "I have stood alongside dwarves, elves, dorin, katta, humans. Many who wore the uniform of a military force, but also those who wore no uniform and took up arms to defend themselves, there family, and there city. I have stood atop a fortress wall and watched a army of thousands assemble and lay siege to those "I" serve, and I watched as everyone there fought with the same strength, the same passion, the same desire not only to live, but to save those who we were protecting." Keldon stoped short again, leaving out the fact that the army was thousands of orcs who were battle trained and intent on killing everything in there path, he also left out the fact that it was Paxia, he was the one who commanded the troops there and led those in the Citadel who lived to safety.

Kyonos Weatherstone · January 29, 2007, 12:28 PM

Even when the Guards moved toward the side of the road, Kyonos did not pay attention to the increase in traffic as their conversation went on. Such a lengthy discussion was not something the Dwarf was accustomed to, yet he kept up his share of it.

"The Guards and Constables may be ordinary people before they serve the strong but once they agree to do the bidding of the higher officials, they are just tools of those officials. A bit like my War Hammer." He patted the weapon hanging from his belt. "The Hammer does what I want it to do. No more, no less. Your Guards will do what they believe is best for you, not what is best for me or for others.

"Both the Code and the Articles have what you are talking about, the protection of the masses. Let me tell you this, I have seen the common people punished for violating the law but I have never seen a high official punished. The laws are not enforced against the mighty. They are enforced mostly against the rabble, because nobody cares. Mostly the rabble need to be punished. You might care for them, but do the people who work for you care for them? Do you think that a Constable would arrest the Aedile if the Aedile were accused of taking a bribe? Have you ever heard of a high official being punished for violating the law? I haven't. Does that mean that they are all perfect? Or does that mean that they are above law?

Keldon Elsdragon · January 29, 2007, 05:16 PM

Nodding his head once more he smiled. "Well no matter what we attempt there will always be bureaucratic, however it is also a matter of who wields the 'hammer', if someone who is just, and believes in what they do is in control, then that would carry over to any other position below them." Nodding his head once briefly. "Anyone who... serves me as you say will have the laws of the city, and empire upon there shoulders. Regardless of position, if the Aedile was caught taking a bribe then yes, the guards would indeed be escorting them to the cities prison cells.... no one is above the law, they are there to protect all of us. Regardless of our title."

Kyonos Weatherstone · January 29, 2007, 09:58 PM

"You passed over my question about which high official has to your knowledge ever been put to trial for breaking the law. I do not know of any. So, either no high official has ever broken a law or more likely, high officials are not called to task for their deeds.

When the Thane said, ".....however it is also a matter of who wields the 'hammer', if someone who is just, and believes in what they do is in control, then that would carry over to any other position below them." Kyonos shook his head and wondered if Keldon really believed what he just said. "So, what you tell me is that anyone who works for you will be honest simply because you are honest? Do you really belive that no one who works for you can be corrupt or be currupted? Do you really believe that your influence on others is so strong that they will never yield to temptation?"

Keldon Elsdragon · January 29, 2007, 10:04 PM

Keldon sighed for a moment. "No I am rather away there will be some who break to the temptations that are around in this world, and that comes with a governmental role. However what I do speak of is the fact that unlike in some locations, or offices around the world. Anyone caught doing so will not merely be slapped on the wrist. I make it rather clear I will not stand corruption within my government. If it appears I shall remove it, by and force nessicary." Keldon looked to the dwarf and smiled.

"There is nos such thing as a perfect official, we all in our own right have our flaws. Regardless if we wish to admit them or not however, but for those who have been put to trial for breaking the law I am sure there are some who have been, but you would be correct there are many who were merely let go due to there position and influence, and that is one thing I shall not allow within this city and within those that are under the jurisdiction of my office."