Indecision
January 2023 | by Dani
Fiction | Ittoril
Mulsura 6th, 210 Leonid Era.
Across the echoing breadth of the guild hall of the city Leona, a large crowd was gathered. People had pushed their way through the barn doors at the front of the building, and were now crammed into the large space. The more wealthy residents — consuls and noblewomen — sat in raised stands on either side.
A collective feeling of anticipation pervaded the room. The air was warm, and smelt of sweat, but despite the large quantity of people in the hall, it was inexplicably silent. All eyes were on the empty stage.
A woman walked out onto it. She wore standard military garb — white breeches and a red coat — but her clothing was complemented by several more refined details. The coat was embroidered with gold, and overtop it all hung a ruffled tie.
She walked across the long stage towards the dias at the centre, and it felt like hours passed, the only sound being the clicking of her boots. Standing at the podium, she looked up at the crowd. Her face was brown, and beneath its solemn, regal veneer, it was a face of possessive pride, much like the face a mother might make when looking at her own children.
And nestled atop her dark hair was a golden crown.
Three knocks on the back door. The woman pulled it open, and looked out at the evening sky. She recognised the man standing there immediately.
"Get out of my sight, Johannes."
"Oh, please, Aria-"
The woman's glare was deafening.
"If you can call me Johannes, I can call you Aria." He grinned.
"Okay then." The woman tilted her head and smiled. "Get out of my sight, Mosr. Astrophel."
"Well, Your Majesty, I'm actually here for a very important business proposal. I have my colleagues with me."
The woman looked around the doorframe and saw four other figures outside, each of whom stood with varying levels of nervousness. All of them were looking away from her.
She looked back at the man. "What do you want?"
He smiled cheekily. "Well, at the moment I'd really like to start a secret society, but I don't think the consulate would approve."
She sighed. "Sure. Of course. And you want my protection?"
"Yes."
She took a deep breath. "Fine. Come in."