-Meridio Ensis Callis Nomene?- A voice asked. Callis knew without a doubt that it was Chalearii Aemilianus. He had been to many meetings among the traditionalist faction, and Aemilianus was one of the lead speakers.

-Yes, Chalearii Aemilianus, Prophet of the Ancients?- Callis replied without raising his head, understanding the rank difference and abiding by protocol and etiquette as closely as possible.

-Please, just call me Aemilianus.- The Chalearii approached Callis. He was a tall man, slender of build. He was around 50 years old, bald, and sporting a carefully trimmed black mustache and goatee.

He was dressed in long flowing black robes with a blue mantle, trimmed with silver thread.

He also had a delicate silver sash, made out of Cibus infused fibers. He carried a small book in his hand, one that he carried everywhere. Rumors said it contained the words of wisdom the Ancient Magus bestowed on him. 

On his other hand he carried his Arcanist Staff, a sleek and crystalline rod made out of pure Cibus, that instead of carrying a crystal on top, like most other arcanists, it had a thurible, the source of the characteristic aroma Callis recognized, each time he swayed it while moving scented smoke came out.

-And please stand up, talking while bending my neck will give me a headache later.- He added, in a much softer, jesting tone. 

-As you wish Cha…- Callis interrupted himself mid-sentence, stopping before completing it. He knew that it would be rude not to obey the orders of his superior, and he had more respect for Aemilianus than what he had for his cousin. -As you command Aemilianus.-

Many of the Cidens Ensis surrounding the Chalearii couldn’t avoid showing open disgust to him when he stood up, but Callis knew that he couldn’t avoid it. He learned how to live with it.

-Do you require anything from me?- Callis asked, hoping to get a task that would allow him to leave this awkward situation. He still kept his formal military stance, even if he couldn’t bow, he needed to show the appropriate respect to a man such as Aemilianus.

-Just a small favor.- Aemilianus made a short pause. He tilted his neck and gently curled the tip of his coatee in a moment of deep reflection  -Thinking about it, they would be two favors.- 

-What can I do for you?- Callis asked, still maintaining his stance and ignoring the glares of the Cidens Ensis, who felt quite insulted for having to even be in the same room as Callis. 

Even if they supposedly worked towards the same goals, each of the four orders of Ensis disliked their colleagues, holding their own order on a pedestal and considering the others a failure. Just another subproduct of the silent conflict between the Traditionalists and the Reformists.

The Cidens and Septen Orders were inclined towards the conservative faction, while the Meridio and the Entem Orders were more inclined towards the reformist faction.

Most of the Lower Nobles had more to gain with reforms, while the High Nobles tended to be in favor of keeping the current status quo, thus their children either went to one of the two factions forming inside the four orders.

-Firstly I would be thankful if you send my kind regards to your esteemed grandfather when you visit him next.- He gestured to one of his aides to move towards Callis.

The young man dressed in simple black robes approached the Half Blooded Ensis and extended a closed scroll, which was sealed and had two thin Cibus fiber threads keeping it tight and secure, a usual security measure for any document handled by an Arcanist.

Releasing the knots without the proper incantation would end up burning the parchment.  

-Next time you visit him, please deliver this letter to him.- Aemilianus smiled cordially, a real contrast with all the sullen expressions and hateful eyes surrounding him, focused on Callis.

-Sorry Mes Aemilianus.- Callis replied, while softly rejecting the scroll with a gesture. -I recently returned from my last visit and I will not be visiting my grandfather in the foreseeable future.- The Half Blooded Ensis really couldn’t take another break so soon after his last one.

-I think it would be for the best if you gave this task to one of your personal aides or your escort. I recently received orders for a new assignment and I am not sure how much time it will last.-

-I see.- Aemilianus cordial smile wavered as he thought of something, turning his face away for a split second before resuming. -It’s a shame that one of the finest fencers among the Ensis won’t be guarding the message, but I’ll have to make do with a small contingent of Ensis.-

An errant thought passed by Callis’ mind. “I have never fenced in the castle or nearby Chalearii Aemilianus, why does he hold my skill in such high regard?”

But that only train of thought was quickly replaced by the anxiety of feeling the killing intent of half a dozen Cidens Ensis really pissed off for being not just compared, but underestimated against Callis’ skill.

Under such pressure, the Half Blooded Ensis’ brain decided that those kinds of questions wouldn’t be an appropriate usage of attention at the moment.

Multiple people already looked seconds away from drawing their blades against him. Surely the Chalearii was well informed of the comings and goings of everyone in the Royal Castle.

-My second favor is, casually, related to your new orders.- Aemilianus asked as he gestured his aide to return and put the scroll away. 

-What do you wish to know, Mes Aemilianus?- Callis asked, a bit puzzled about the question.

-Are your orders related to your recent visit to the Magnus Chalearii’s office?- Aemilianus’ tone changed, it wasn’t as jovial as before, and while he kept his smile, his eyes grew colder. 

Callis was pretty bad when it came to basic social cues that didn’t depend on protocol and etiquette since that was normalized among nobles and one could know how to properly behave.

He usually couldn’t pick on certain things, like sarcasm and he was quite blunt himself. But what he could sense was killing intent or any overall threat; his Saevus side was quite keen to sense by instinct if it was time to fight or flee.

Right now that instinct was flaring up like a burning forest.

-Yes.- Callis replied as he pulled out his orders. -I was requested to serve as the escort to the newly appointed apprentice to the Magnus Paeoniis.- 

There was a moment of stunned silence among the entourage of Aemilianus. It was broken by a very faint chuckle from one of the Cidens Ensis, caused by the idea of an Ensis being lowered to protect a lowborn.

Callis, knowing that reacting would only cause trouble to him remained standing with a stoic expression painted on his face.

He learned quite early that reacting to provocation will only cause trouble for him and much worse for his grandfather.

To Callis’ relief, it didn’t take long for the rude Cidens Ensis to be silenced by a glare from Aemilianus. The Half-Blooded Ensis knew that the Chalearii only did it out of the political need to stay in Callis’ grandfather’s good graces, as he was a member of the Council and his vote was important not only because of its value but of the weight it has, influencing allied Regio Dominus, the governors of the provinces and members of the Council.

But that didn’t matter, he thanked the Ancients Magus for Aemilianus’ intervention.

-I see, if it’s not much to ask, may I also get updates about the progress of young Igneus?- He asked, returning to his more relaxed tone. -I read his thesis and I must say as a fellow arcanist I find some of his theories quite intriguing.- 

As dense as Callis could be, even he understood what was happening. If both Conatus and Aemilianus showed interest in Novus Igneus, he was a very important piece for the game both played, leading the opposing factions in court.

His grandfather always told him never to get dragged into court politics. Callis already broke that rule by showing favor towards the traditionalists, but that was just a passing interest in people he thought shared his ideals and code of honor.

Right now, he was about to be placed at the frontlines of the silent battle.

-I will, Mes Aemilianus.- Callis bowed and took a couple of steps backward, as the procession following the Chalearii towards the Gate of Tempestis, leaving behind a trail of smoky herbs.

The Half-Blooded Ensis watched them pass him by, from the shadow cast down by the crystalline pillar, his blue eyes focused on them as they left.

He knew the situation was only going to get worse and he was preparing for it. His only hope was that Novus Igneus was a sensible and understanding young man that wouldn’t get involved in any trouble. He could only let out a silent prayer to the Ancient Magus that Novus would have a good head above his shoulders.