?thel glanced nervously at his brother. ?thelred’s brow was filled with sweat. An alien sight in the Autumn-approaching-Winter of the current solar cycle. Nigh, the source of their nervousness lies with the rather ominous figure shrouded in pure white approaching the settlement walls. It was fairly tall, the cloak reaching entirely to the ground. He was certain that his brother had taken several large gulps of saliva. Not that he himself hadn’t most certainly done the same by now.

  The figure’s approach brought them merely fifty paces from where he and his brother stood guard, halberds gripped, perhaps tighter than what they were taught. Their white shroud reflected the setting solar light quite well. Inspecting closer, light should have illuminated the face within the shroud; no face appeared. If trouble were to happen reinforcements should not be far behind. The reflected light would be obvious to anyone in the watchtower as soon as they exited the forest. The tower should have sounded the bells by now.

  Thirty paces remain.

  ?thel held quite some alarm from the enchantment on the cowl of the shroud. He’d paid attention to Ms.Elga’s lessons. He knew that enchantment’s containing, utilizing and harnessing Celestial properties were endorsed. However, destruction of Celestial properties were considered blasphemous by the Clerical Council’s-

  Twenty paces.

  Belatedly, he realized that the figure was almost in conversation distance. What should he say first? Identify yourself? Halt? State your business?

  Ten.

  It was too late and he had frozen for too long. His brother beat him to the sword and swung.

  “Halt! Identify yourself and state your business.” ?thelred ordered in a booming voice. Right. All three. He knew that.

  With practiced ease, the brothers clacked their halberds together. Preventing any further advance to the town gate. The figure, concerningly, continued until he was a mere three paces from their crossed halberds. ?thel dared a quick glance at his brother. He held the stoic gaze that was becoming of a soldier. His eyes didn’t flicker to meet him. Focused on the threat presented before them.

  The tension that assaulted the two could be cut with a knife. The figure did not speak, nor move an inch, nor seemed to breathe for the matter. The status quo held for several seconds at most. But, to ?thel it felt like an eternity. Suddenly the tension was broken, he could see movement from under the cloak’s cover. Then, a gloved hand soon withdrew a fancily etched sigil.

  ?thel leaned closer, the sigil seemed to depict the twins moons, Luna and Selene. Luna, was far back in a half moon state, while Selene was closer, in a crescent-twilight moon. Another symbol was situated in the center, an odd one that ?thel could not recall ever seeing. However, the Twin Moons gave enough of a hint for him to gleen the identity of the figure. He was a clergymen of Luna, and while their town officially seceded from the Theocracy, all still held the faith.

  “Ah… my apologies Clergyman, I presume you would like to meet the Elder?” ?thelred said. His voice was no longer booming and held a sort of apologetic tone that- he knew- meant his brother was not genuine.

  ?thel blinked and tensed up, he contemplated if the shrouded Clergymen knew that and took umbrage or not. Fortunately, the figure gave no indication of that and presented the slightest of nods. In response his brother turned to rap the town gate.

  “It’s all clear out here, you can unlock the gate!” ?thelred called.

  In response there were several clicks and clacks, then a loud thud. The gates to the town swung open with the grunts of several men. There were a full ten men there, meaning the bell must have been rung. ?thel recognized and knew several, but it wasn't a time for meaningless small talk.

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  “If you would please Clergyman, you may follow my brother ?thel to the Elder’s home.”

  Again, the Clergyman gave a slight nod. ?thel glanced at his brother for confirmation, receiving a positive. Regripping his halberd to loosen his grip, he started a slow pace escorting the Clergyman through the main thoroughfare. His boots crunched the remnant gravel on the street. Several steps later however, he did not hear a second set of steps behind him. Was it possible that the Clergyman had ignored him? No, that could not be. His brother would have reiterated his request to follow him. If he decided to turn around it might be awkward to turn for no reason, if he didn’t and had left the Clergyman behind, he would have been a laughing stock.

  More steps passed and the footfalls did not appear. He decided to risk reprimand and took a glance and was startled by the sight of the Clergyman being merely a pace behind him.

  The Clergyman had stopped along with him, they were seemingly observing the town inhabitants, who were gawking at the sight of a mysterious figure. He peered at the void filled cowl, fascinated by the array that could provide so much privacy, He knew of several people that would gladly welcome additional cover for their activities. Lost in his thoughts, he saw the cowl returning from observing the gathering crowd to face him. It tilted to the side questioningly.

  He blinked. He realized that he had stopped for too long. He quickly turned and continued his path to the Elder’s abode. At least he knew that this Clergyman possessed at least a drop of humanity.

  Several hundred paces of awkward silence later and they were approaching the center of the town. The road narrowed from being able to accommodate two wagons with space for passers by, to only a single wagon and two men abreast. The space between buildings gradually narrowed until they were set directly next to each other, some even sharing walls. Sevillia was relatively insignificant on the scale of Empyreal cities. It was not even worth appearing on maps except as a stop over point for merchant caravans and travelers heading between the cities. Their independence was tolerated due to the insignificance of the mere six thousand souls living here. The number paled in comparison to the millions in the sanctioned cities.

  He led the Clergyman past the central market places. Their advance was significantly assisted by the town’s people parting and giving the pair ample space to move on. Chattering abounded, most likely about the unknown visitor of some wealth and mystery in their community. He did not blame them for talking, but he was nervous about what the Clergyman’s reaction would be. He knew that Descendants had significantly enhanced natural senses. Even if he could not hear what they were speaking, the Clergyman could. He took a small glance behind him. The Clergyman showed no offence to the whispers and gossip. In fact they seemed more interested in the buildings than the residents.

  He wondered what they could possibly be interested in. Sevilia was certainly no Tower of Babel nor floating Elysiums. He had heard legends and stories of the magnificent wonders. He had not seen them himself, but that does not detract from the Clergyman’s interest.

  Soon after, he stopped in front of a seemingly mundane house. Its walls were set slightly indented from the row of houses directly beside, allowing for a small porch-like area only enough to walk through. The building was slightly elevated with five steps separating the porch area from the dirt and gravel below. If he didn’t know better, he would have assumed this house belonged to a decently well off merchantman. It held no distinguishing features and was just as worn as the other buildings in the area.

  He turned to the Clergyman, his voice not as firm as his brother’s, but he thought it was passable.

  “Here is the Elder’s house, I apologize for the lack of a reception for a person of your stature.”

  The Clergyman nodded this time more noticeably. Then they turned to climb the small steps.

  “Ah, I nearly forgot. The Elder requests all guests to take off their shoes before entering.” He said belatedly, his voice lacked the sternness he put on before. However, he realized too late that the Clergyman might take offence to his request.

  “U-uh- h-however, a person of your s-stature need not subject yourself to-”

  His apology was cut off when the Clergyman faced him. He stared into the void in his cowl, entranced.

  “...I comply…” The Clergyman said in a remarkably young male voice.

  The Clergyman stepped on the elevated entry area, a convenient autumn gust of wind blew through the thoroughfare. It fluttered the Clergyman’s cloak to reveal his bare feet for a moment, before he knocked on the Elder’s door.

  Several moments later the gruff crackly voice of the Elder sounded from within.

  “Come in!”

  The Clergyman opened the door and entered.

  ?thel stood there, on the dirt, staring at the closed door for a long moment, simply paralyzed. Not knowing what to think, nor say.