Author's note: There are some darker themes in this chapter. Hopefully you guys will enjoy it. Thanks again to everyone out there who voted and commented on my stories. As always I welcome any and all feedback. Thanks again!
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Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, places and characters are products of my imagination and used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual people and events are purely coincidental. All characters are over the age of consent.
The author does not condone the abuse or any untoward treatment of women. Please treat everyone with respect in the real world. Thank you!
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Minister Orvon
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The large blue-iron gates swung open forebodingly as Orvon strode through with his trusty steed. He patted the beast gently as he dismounted and handed her reins to an attendant.
"This way, your lordship." The attendant gestured.
Orvon followed the journeyman mage down a path through a thick patch of woods. Soon, the trees opened up to reveal a large clearing in which stood a single tower. Smaller spires stood around the tower, topped with large magic runestones which hummed with power.
The tower wasn't particularly large, and barely looked big enough to house a single mage, let alone a whole guild. But Orvon knew that the inside of the tower, powered by magic, was large enough to fit an entire army.
"I must ask you now to leave any magical artifacts or items with me outside, my lord." The attendant said as he bowed. "The auras inside may alter the properties of any magic you bring inside."
Orvon nodded. "I didn't bring any." He said. It wasn't his first time visiting the mages.
The attendant led Orvon inside the tower, and the stone door grated shut behind them. The interior of the guild looked exactly like what one would expect the inside of a mages' guild to look like. Men and women dressed in simple but elegant robes roamed about the libraries, perusing over scrolls and scribbling away with large feather pens. There were very few windows, but somehow the entire place was filled with strong natural light. The light was source-less, but appeared to come from every angle, since no one inside the tower casted any shadows.
The mage led Orvon up a long set of winding stairs, and they stopped outside the door of a study.
"
Ooooh yes, archmage...
" They heard a voice inside moan.
"
Ahh... You slutty little minx..."
A second, male voice also floated through the door, along with the sharp sound of a slap, followed by the female's moan.
The attendant mage looked sheepishly at the minister, slightly embarrassed. "Ahem..." The mage cleared his throat, and knocked softly on the door. "Archmage Istrum... Minister Orvon is here to see you."
The voices inside fell silent, and a few seconds later, the male voice said. "
Please, come in.
"
The attendant mage held open the door for Orvon as he stepped through, and a blonde female mage brushed past Orvon. "Excuse me, my lord." She murmured, red faced, as she adjusted her robes and hair.
"Ah, my lord." Said the archmage behind the large desk in the room. "Welcome to our guild." He stood up to bow slightly to the minister.
"Archmage Istrum, was it?" Orvon asked. "Where is the Guildmaster Zoneus?" He raised an eyebrow at a wet spot on the desk.
"Ah..." The archmage leant back in his chair, unabashed. "The guildmaster is unavailable at the moment."
"I specifically requested to meet the guildmaster."
"It's simply not possible at the moment, I'm afraid." The archmage said. "The guildmaster is performing a ritual that has taken him days, and will continue to occupy him for a week or so. He personally authorized me to make any and all decisions for the guild during his absence, however." He added. "Please sit down, minister Orvon."
Orvon sat in the large chair opposite the archmage, and said. "I assume you know of the Candran threat on the borders?" He knew that the Mages' Guild was very effective with its own ways of gathering information.
The archmage nodded, and sipped at the tea on his table. "Oh," He said hurriedly when he realized that the minister was without refreshment. "Karissa!" He called, and the blonde mage came in, still not looking Orvon in the eye.
"Yes, archmage?" The blonde said meekly, looking fine in her tight robes.
Those robes don't look to be standard issue...
Orvon thought, slightly amused.
"Fetch some tea for the minister, my dear."
"Yes, sir." The blonde complied demurely, and soon brought a steaming cup of tea for Orvon.
"Thank you." Orvon said, and the blonde blushed as she quickly shuffled out of the room.
"Looks like my little Karissa has taken a liking to you, minister." The archmage winked, and Orvon realized that the whole thing had been a show planned for him ahead of time.
"I'm only here for business, archmage." Orvon replied. "I must ask the Guild for assistance in defending the kingdom against the Candran army should they invade."
Istrum sipped his tea with a great show of leisure. "Are the weapons we've already provided you with not enough?"
Orvon shook his head slowly. "Not against the military might of Candra. And they're eager to prove themselves. Ever since their unsuccessful campaign against the Mandorans half a century earlier which shattered their imperialistic dreams, they've been itching for a fight."
"Well..." Istrum said slowly. "What's in it for the guild?"
Orvon raised an eyebrow. "Its survival, for one."