Chapter 83: Elder Erestor
Thaedric left his mother’s side in a very dark mood. The healer has explained that her mother’s illness isn’t something that was brought about by common sickness.
It was caused by the necklace around her neck when she used powers beyond the one she was meant to use. They knew no cure that could save her.
Because there was only one thing that could really save her. The God Emperor. Thaedric resisted a shudder. The God Emperor was the one that put the necklace around her neck so he must have a cure.
Immediately after the incident they have written to the Capital but no one held any particular hope for help. But something Luc Reginald said when he called him aside played on Thaedric’s mind.
Luc’s eyes had been dark as he looked at him. "Do you know about the Academy?"
Thaedric did. Even noble Clan across their world did. It was one of the closely shrouded mysteries in their world. Every heir or Scion that want to be recognized is expected to attend the Academy that only takes two years to complete.
No one will say anything about what goes on in the Academy but what they know is that if you can win in the Academy somehow then you can ask for anything from the God Emperor.
Thaedric knew where it was going but still, he asked. "I know of the Academy. Why did you ask."
Luc had looked at him. "Another one will be starting in five months. All the Scions and heirs have come of age. Including you, Thaedric Hydraeus." He had left it at that.
Thaedric understood, and he was a bit conflicted. The fears the God Emperor planted was still rooted deeply in his body, it’s not something that could just go away just because he changed souls.
"You are thinking deeply." Kagerou said.
They were making their way over to the main palace, most of the marks of the fight has been cleared away. "Of course I’m thinking deeply. There’s a lot to think about."
Thaedric didn’t fail to notice the way Kagerou was shooting him anxious looks, as if Thaedric would turn to his old self again under the mounting stress.
But that wasn’t it. Infact Thaedric was feeling an underline of excitement with everything that’s happening. This time, he would make things different.
When the main palace came into view though all that melted away from his mind because he was only looking at one thing.
The guardian.
"Wait," Kagerou stood in front of Thaedric. "We don’t know how it will react to you."
Thaedric was hardly listening. The guardian in a mana box, three of them layered together, a technique to keep it confined. But that wasn’t what was making him stare. The guardian has changed, it’s body was no longer dried out, it now has a fleshy body of deep brown but it’s head.
It’s head was a bleached white skull, with the sockets burning with purple fire. It stood as still as a statue in its confinement. Thaedric understood why. He was the one that ordered it to be so.
Thaedric didn’t understand but the guardian has changed and the connection between the was so strong if he should concentrate a bit he would be able to see the mana lines that connect them.
Malak whistled. "I said it already. I don’t want to fight that thing again. It’s more calm now. It’s fight won’t be something to scoff at."
"Yes. We should leave it be." Kagerou said.
"No. Come on, let’s get closer to it."
Kagerou tried to argue but Thaedric was beyond reasoning so he gave up ans instead stick close with his hand on his sword. The ground around the guardian was covered in small pegs driven into the stone ground.
There are guards standing around it. Blue shields and they are all tier four. Thaedric nodded. So the Elders had dragged high tiers here to guard the guardian, but he couldn’t help but wonder if it was to guard it from leaving or keeping it imprisoned until they found a way to control it. He couldn’t put it past them.
As they got closer the guards came forward, they held spears and swords around their waist. Two crossed their spears together. "Sicon Thaedric. This place is off limit."
"I can see that now, but what’s that got to do with me?"
They exchanged glances. "Only the Elders can get close to the barrier technique. We do not yet know how the guardian will react."
Thaedric looked at the guardian, he could feel it’s heavy attention on him. He tapped his lips with his fingers. "Sure. Why not? I will leave you to it them."
Then he left it behind and went into the main palace. The main palace is one of the biggest building in the palace groups. With arching pillars that formed arcs to passed under.
The golden door was pulled open and with a deep breath, Thaedric entered. There was a short hallway and then another door that led directly into the throne room.
There was murmuring but when the guards announced. "Announcing, Thaedric Hydraeus, Sicon of the Great Clan of Hydraeus, rulers of Vaidika Dominion!"
The murmuring stopped and if they were following normal p rotocol then they all should bow because Thaedric technically out ranked everyone in the room. Even the new High Elder.
But no one stood to greet him as his shoes of him and his companion click on the purple carpet that led to the throne itself. On lower platform stood the chairs of the Elders and it was few foot from them that he stopped.
It was a full court today and the throne room was packed with minor and high nobles from the capital. Most of them his mother’s retainers.
Thaedric stepped forward until he faced Erestor who was wearing some sort of blue headband around his head. He made eyes contact with him.
"Elder Erestor." Then he nodded in greeting.
