-Mes Parvus, allow me to introduce myself, I am the Meridio Ensis Callis Nomene.- Callis started with an introduction, as manners and protocol dictated.

-I show my respect by standing in attention as any Ensis is taught to do during their education in protocol and etiquette, according to the laws of the Highborn I, as an Ensis can use my martial stance as a formal greeting to any other nobles among the Lower Nobility.- Callis talked with authority, but lacked any malice, basically dictating out loud the instructions hammered to him since his youth.

-Bowing and kneeling are reserved only for High Nobility and Royalty since bowing or kneeling to anybody else would mean dishonor to my house and my name.- With that Callis finished his speech.

Parvus and his employer Foedusius stood there in shock, nobody ever spoke back to them. For a moment the annoyingly talkative Stewart couldn’t utter a word.

The awkward silence remains floating around them like a morning fog in a seaside village. 

At first, there was only a low squeal, like a pig gradually getting more and more enraged, as Parvus’ face went from pink to red and finally to purple and he started shouting so wildly his voice cracked more than once.

-HOW DARE YOU, A LOWLY ENSIS, DISRESPECT THE BRILLIANT HERO OF THE BATTLE OF RUBPETRUM!- Spit was coming out Parvus’ mouth as he approached Callis pressing his finger against the Half Blooded Ensis’ chest. -I DO NOT CARE FOR YOUR EXCUSES! NO GO ON YOUR KNEES AND BEG FOR FORGIVENESS.- 

Callis didn’t react. He stood there in the same stance, as he was instructed. The Half-Blooded Ensis was unyielding in his beliefs and wouldn’t budge even if somebody was shouting at him. 

-As I said before.- Callis began calmly. -I do not have to bow or kneel when greeting individuals with the same rank as myself.- The Half-Blooded Ensis was looking directly at Parvus, who after blustering out the orders he was, incredibly, out of breath.

-If you desire to complain about my behavior please talk with my superior, Magnus Chalearii Canes.- 

-Y-you’re working f-f-or the Magnus Chalearii?- The mention of the Prime Minister froze Parvus in his tracks. 

-Yes.- Callis pulled out his orders and opened the scroll, pointing at Conatus’ seal.

-Here. You can see his personal seal. I was heading towards the Gate of Tempestis, to perform a task ordered by him.- Callis just stated a fact, his tone lacking arrogance or malice.

He wasn’t taking a twisted pleasure by pummeling Parvus with protocol and procedure, he was just following orders. Many didn’t understand this aspect of his personality, thinking he was as wicked as the Saevus in the stories their mothers told them to scare them when they were children.

Parvus, visibly shaken, turned around and whispered to Foedusius. -My grace, I think it would be for the better if we retire from this location, we do not want to lose the support of the Chalearii Aemilius.- His employer nodded.

-You speak words of wisdom my friend, let us leave and ignore this rabble.- The Fat Highborn replied, as shaken as Parvus, in an equally hushed whisper. Callis, of course, caught most of it, thanks to his Saevus Bloodline.

-Pray to the Ancient Magus with fervent gratitude in your heart, you ill-mannered knave.- Parvus managed to regain his haughty tone, but there was a hint of unease in his voice.

-The esteemed hero of the battle of Rubpetrum has graciously pardoned your insulting behavior and will allow you to leave without any punishment.- 

Callis, once again without a hint of self-aggrandizing enjoyment, replied. -I thank Vicus Magister Foedusius for his benevolence and I will continue with my orders, by the 7 Ancient Magus, please have a pleasant stay in Rigel.- Callis, without breaking his posture, turned around and left at a brisk pace. 

This was something that happened more often than not to the Half-Blooded Ensis, not exactly like this though. On this occasion the ones mistreating him were ignorant about his lineage, so they acted from sheer petty arrogance.

Others attempted to use the same trappings of etiquette to insult and humiliate Callis, but he learned quite quickly that the best weapon is to understand the rules of the court to a deeper level than anybody else.

It was almost like fencing, if you understood the style your opponent was proficient with, you could predict their moves before they could even make them and prepare accordingly.

This often didn’t work as Callis wanted or planned, but it was already bearing fruits.

“The clash of blades still is easier to understand than the clash of words.” Callis pondered philosophically to himself as he went down a set of stairs, leaving the flustered provincial noble and arcanist behind, still trying to fight off the sense of almost making a huge mistake.