Robert was looking at a big golden gate. At the center of the gate was a majestically forged figure of a rider sitting on a unicorn with a lance in his hand. Everything on the rider from the lance to the armor of his steed appeared to be high end gear. This was Andrej Piast first of his name and ancestor to the great Piast dynasty. His image could be seen on every gate and entrance to any manor or house of the Piast family and once it even decorated the gates of its castles, but those times were long gone. The guards at the gate opened it for him and Robert entered a long driveway to the front door of the manor. Big cavalry shaped bushes were plastered on each side of the way and when Robert reached the doors a butler opened them for him.
"Thanks, Edward."
"It is my pleasure young master. Lord Piast and his family, as well as our esteemed foreign guests are waiting in the main hall for you."
"Thank you, Edward. I will join them immediately."
-foreign guests?-
After briefly greeting the butler and getting the location where his grandfather was waiting for him, Robert was left confused. He knew that he was supposed to talk about his engagement options today, but this sounded more like his grandfather already decided on these matters. Robert started to get a little irritated. He knew that his marriage had to further enhance the standing of his family and he was prepared for it from a young age. After all his big brother also went through the process without batting an eye and he seemed always a little bit more cheerful when he spoke about his wife and daughter. But still, his brother was given a selection of would-be brides and even if this selection was heavily influenced by my grandfather it is a matter of giving face to at least pretend he chose of his own free will. Denying Robert the same option rubbed him the wrong way, but maybe he could use this to his advantage. Worrying without knowing any more facts was pointless so he walked towards the main hall and waited for a butler to announce him. Said butler arrived shortly after, opening the door he said:
"I have the honor to announce Robert Piast of the house Piast."
A lot of effort for a simple entrance into your own house, but being royalty came with a price. In the large room was an even larger table. His grandfather was sitting at the head of the table, with his family on his right and the two guests on his left. His grandfather was a stern looking man in his 60s. He had short white hair and a massive equally white mustache. He had blue eyes that resembled a sunrise, like all members of the Piast lineage, but his seemed to have a touch of grey, that made them appear cold. He had a scar on his left cheek that continued down until it disappeared behind his armor. To Robert's surprise he wasn't wearing his usual Lord robes but instead he put on his old MASTER class armor. It was crimson red with golden highlights and had a cloak made out of phoenix feathers. It was one of the most important heirlooms of his family. It was radiating power just like his grandfather himself. The fact that he was putting on this much of a show only meant that his guests where of utmost importance, so Robert couldn't help but steal a glimpse at them while bowing at their direction as it was custom. They made up a rather strange couple. The man was wearing a dark green robe with a dark green hat. The brim of his hat was rather big so if he only slightly tilted his head down his face would disappear behind it. A brown scarf with many runes laid around his shoulders with both ends running down his front side. It was a stola, that symbolized his religious authority. The simple attire of a cardinal from the church of Yggdrasil. At least it seemed simple to those who didn't know where the yarn came from or to those who weren't able to perceive the runes weaved into the fabric. The cleric had dark eyes and was smiling fatherly at him but judging by the aura he was giving off he might as well have been on a battlefield. Robert thoughts were racing. Most of the guest's body was covered by his outfit, but if he had to guess by his eyebrows his hair was probably also black. That were the features of someone that came from the Sagrada family.
-A Grand Inquisitor! Grand Inquisitors are only sent on the most important diplomatic missions given by the pope himself. He can't possibly be thinking of marrying his daughter of to us!?-
Just when he believed he couldn't be more surprised his eyes fell on their second guest. He suddenly understood why his grandfather and etiquette teachers had beat the customs of nobles into him as a child when he felt like most of them were obvious and self-explanatory. Sometimes only years of conditioning could keep you composed. Because sitting a distance away from the Grand Inquisitor was someone he could only describe as a…
-Nubian Medjay!?-
Nubian Medjay were stuff from rumors and legends. Royal guards to the direct heirs of the ancient Qa'a dynasty. They never left the dessert because their protegees were forbidden to leave the dune monarchy until they were at least MASTER tier at which point the Nubian Medjay either went into secluded training or were assigned another heir. Stories about them only circled around the most established assassination syndicates. Rumors said that every assassin who knew something about his craft refused any contract involving them. Centuries of failures and whole organizations disappearing overnight had left a lasting impression on people that could use their head. The only thing that they could ever bring back from beyond the sand ocean where descriptions of their appearance and currently Robert was just looking at such a description. A woman with crossed arms above her chest wrapped completely in bandages. Her neck was decorated with massive golden jewelry and hieroglyphic earrings where floating on the sides of her head. She was wearing a black mask that resembled Anubis, the jackal god of death. From her waist down she was wearing a black dress that was kept in place by a big and of course golden belt around her waist. But the most distinct feature where the two giant golden artifacts that were shaped like claws and were hovering above the ground on each of her sides. Not mentioning the immense pressure, she was giving of, her appearance was imposing. Most news organizations would have killed for a confirmed picture of her, but all Robert could think of was that she was a royal guard and where a royal guard was there also tented to be…
-a princess.-