Story - FoH: Prelude

Created: 9 June 2020, 23:57:43 EDT

Last updated: 4 May 2023, 12:42:16 EDT

Prelude

Somewhere in a far off land...

With a strong push, Mosaic opened the set of gilded doors before him and strode into the room without hesitation. He kept his head high, exuding an air of confidence as the sound of his footsteps broke silence enveloping the darkened chambers. His entrance was illuminated only by the soft glow of fire lining the path before him, flickering in a silent warning from the maw of the golden dragon statues in which they resided. Pairs of them lined the red carpet of his approach, judging him silently as he headed towards someone -or something- far more powerful than himself.

Had anyone else been summoned by the King, this encounter would have been intimidating to say the least. For Mosaic, it was far too familiar. He glanced around the room and took his time, inspecting the intricately designed wall patterns as though something might have changed from the last time he had arrived. Some would consider his demeanor too casual for something as important as this, but he didn’t show the slightest hint of concern. He stopped once he reached the foot of the throne, a large smirk now carved onto his face as one hand set on his hip in a manner almost disrespectful.

Mosaic by Browbird

Mosaic

	“My dearest King, you have called for me yet again~?”

Seated before him on a grand chair melded from pure gold rested another, his posture leaned back and his head propped on one arm as he stared at Mosaic. His gaze was piercing, the intense red color seeming to glow in the dim light as he stared towards the browbird before him. If one were to glance towards his face, his expression seemed to border on boredom, if not annoyance. His other facial features remained obscured, though the flames at the bottom of the steps glowed just bright enough to show that this being had golden scales on their form. Another browbird, perhaps?

???

	“You would do well to remember who you speak to, Mosaic.”

Mosaic

	“Ah, of course, of course!”

Mosaic leaned forward, bowing in such an exaggerated manner it would be hard for anyone to take it as sincere. Still, a bow was a bow, and he slowly rose to lock eyes with the King once more.

Mosaic

	“I meant you no disrespect, my king… It’s just rather late, and unlike very powerful and immortal beings such as yourself some of us still need to sleep.”

The king raises a hand quickly, the motion clearly ordering Mosaic to shush.

???

	“I do not care about your sleep. I called you here to speak of the item you retrieved from the Astrean temple for me. The Luminahedra.”

Mosaic

	“Yes! I quite enjoyed that little expedition - feels like it was yesterday... I should hope it is serving you well?”

Rising slowly, the king waves a hand, summoning forth the Luminahedra to his hand from his possessions through a tacit spell. He turns the object over in his hand for a moment, inspecting it.

Luminahedra by Browbird

He raised his other hand to meet it, starting to turn and twist parts of the glowing cube as if it were a puzzle box. While Mosaic would rather not irritate him further, the browbird could not help moving up the steps before the throne so he could be closer to the king, watching him handle the legendary item with a finesse and grace that few could match.

With a few quick turns and several loud clicks, the Luminahedra activates. A bright blue light shot out of the top, engulfing the area around the two with a very large sphere mapping the universe- or at the very least, any immediate galaxies. Despite Mosaic’s amazed expression, the king remained stoic, raising a hand to quickly scroll through the map and sending it's view spiraling across the stars in only a matter of seconds. Then, just as fast as he had started, the king brings the spinning map to a sudden halt and hones in on a specific world. Mysterious runes swirled around the planet marking it with a clear ring that stands out among the rest.

???

	“This planet. Do you know what it is?”

Realizing this was likely a not-so-subtle test, Mosaic stood up straighter and cleared his throat.

Mosaic

	“I do, my King. It is the central world of the kingdom of Harara, also known as the Eternal Sands of the Sun. Considered one of the many jewels of the universe, it is the kingdom of a very powerful and revered ancient, the Pharaoh Heru...”

Feeling the stare intensify, Mosaic smiled sweetly, pointing towards the ceiling with his index finger.

Mosaic

	“Not as powerful as you, of course…”

For the moment, the king seemed satisfied with that.

???

	“Go on.”

Mosaic

“...They say that night does not truly exist on that planet, for the sky only darkens during the daily eclipse that world experiences. Long ago, whatever kingdom had previously claimed that land had completely abandoned it for unknown reasons, and allowed it return to barren sandy dunes. It is said that Heru later came along and revitalized the landscapes and summoned a great barrier to protect the lands from the harshest of the sun's rays, allowing people to return. This happened well over a thousand years ago!"

Mosaic

	"These origins are hard to believe, as Harara now is a flourishing metropolis that is best known for the Pharaoh's casino by the name of the Harara Brouhaha. Each year an event is held there for only the most accomplished sorts to compete, this of course causes many visitors to flock to the place. This year there will be-”

While he was listening intently at first, the king's expression quickly changed from neutral to the same twinge of boredom and annoyance as when Mosaic first entered. He waved his hand again, forcing the other to stop talking.

???

	“Enough. You need not lecture me on details I am already aware of. I simply asked if you knew what it was. Clearly, you do.”

Mosaic’s expression very obviously displayed his displeasure at the king’s dismissive tone, but he said nothing about it; instead he crossed his arms and drew his mouth in a firm line.

Mosaic

	“So then. What do you need me to do there? Sending me off on another errand to collect something for you?”

???

	“The Pharaoh you spoke of, some time ago he and I made a bet over a game. After a series of er... events, he made off with a relic of mine that, at the time, I thought served no great purpose. It seems that, according to this cube, the very artifact is one of the so-called legendary items crafted by the gods. I need it back.”

He clenched his fist, brows furrowing.

???

	“He is arrogant and full of himself. Do whatever you must to get it from Heru, I do not care what methods you use. I imagine with your "charms", it should be easy for you. However if you are found to be breaking some law, I will decline any involvement and you will not be paid.”

Mosaic

	“Oh? My charms? You flatter me, my King~! I’ll get you this artifact of yours back, just fill me in on the details. Though I do have one concern, what ever will I do if he or someone else were to give me a better offer? I love working for you of course, but in a city like that... Anything could happen.”

???

	“If you accomplish this task you will be given double your pay. You WILL bring me that artifact. Do not take my kindness for granted.”

Mosaic

	“Wonderful, wonderful! I will not fail you, my king."

???

	“Good. Now get out. I will send coordinates and details to you shortly. You will leave at dawn, no hesitation. We must retrieve this item before anyone else realizes what it is.”

And with that Mosaic gave another bow, this one more believable than the one before, and turned to leave the throne room. His hands rubbed together, mind already racing at the thought of gaining more riches. This mission, whatever it was, couldn’t possibly be any more difficult than the last.

Written by Uwi

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