Since leaving the doctor's office, Draco had been thinking about the healer. Despite his terrifying voice and scarred body, the man was very friendly and kind. At the same time, he seemed extremely devoted to his profession, although one might say that it was his calling. While pondering Dr Herpetes' situation, the dragon did not notice when they reached the summit overlooking the whole of Atlantis.
-Draco.- The master wanted to get his pupil's attention.- It won't take us long. I'll just take a few documents and check if I've received any letters.
-All right, Master,- Draco nodded, realising that they had just arrived in front of the Luminous Palace.
-There will be crowds in the corridors, so stay close to me.- Bleist smiled kindly.- If you get lost, don't try to find me, just go straight to the carriage. It will be easier for us to find each other that way.
-Of course, master.- The dragon couldn't imagine how crowded it must be inside if Darius described it that way.
-Let's go.- The carriage door opened and Bleist got out.
Draco followed his master's lead and also jumped out of the carriage. He looked around. The vehicle had stopped in a huge square covered with white marble slabs, on which an eight-pointed star had been carved and filled with gold. In the very centre of the forum, in the heart of the emblem, there was an irregular, shimmering crystal about three metres high, filled with a full range of colours, with a hole in the middle. One glance at the sky dispelled any doubts. The artificial sun of the underwater city hung directly above the multicoloured pedestal and must have been its missing element.
A three-winged palace was erected next to the square. The central part had an irregular shape, like a cluster of adjacent stalagmites, transitioning into a soaring spire that seemed to reach the skyline. The whole thing looked as if it had been cast from opaque, milky glass. A double-winged, carved door about four metres high led inside. It also looked as if it were made of glass or crystal. On both sides of the closed gate stood nine sentries, on the west side the City Guards, and on the east side members of the Golden Guard.
The side wings were mirror images of each other. Long, simple buildings rose from the main structure and were built of perfectly white stone reminiscent of obsidian. Both were intersected by four rows of windows, and the only distinguishing feature was the entrance area. The protruding portico covering only the entrance resembled an ancient Roman temple. A smooth white wall, the only distinguishing feature of which was a dark wooden door obscured by a colonnade of eight slender columns supporting the roof.
There was little traffic on the west side of the square. Apart from the Golden Guards standing at the entrance, there were only a few military couriers and officers from various formations milling about. It looked quite peaceful. On the eastern side, however, the situation was completely different. A river of people flowed constantly through the Palace's entrance doors in both directions. Carriages, horses and other mounts constantly stopped at the front door, and it seemed that the riders made it a point of honour to get as close to the gate as possible. The City Guard tried to regulate the flow, but it seemed like a Sisyphean task. No one paid any attention to them. The crowd also consisted of a mixture of officials, nobles, wealthy merchants, a cross-section of officers and soldiers, couriers and various other petitioners.
Now Draco understood what Darius meant when he said to get down to the carriage if he got lost. Indeed, he would be able to find the carriage, but not his master in this crowd.
-I know, it's impressive.- Bleist didn't seem too happy.- You'll see that it's worse inside.
-And I thought there were crowds on the Royal Tract during the holidays.- The dragon shook his head.- I've never seen such a crowd.- He admitted honestly.
-Let's go, because it won't get any better, and believe me, it could get worse.- Darius moved forward. Straight towards the door.
Draco caught up with his master, but quickly gave up on staying by the mage's side and began to follow right behind him, not straying more than half a step away. He simply had no other choice. He was able to move through crowds, but in such a tight space, he had no chance to use his abilities. Of course, he could easily push his way through the crowd, as he doubted he would encounter another dragon here. He refrained from doing so because it would probably not be well received, and he did not want to hurt anyone in the process. The only indication that they had entered was the dimming of the lights and, somehow, the crowd becoming even denser. Draco felt uncomfortable, to say the least, and began to fear that he would indeed lose his master. He slowly began to consider whether he should grab Darius's belt.
Suddenly, he almost tripped. For a split second, he looked down at his feet and realised they had entered a staircase. Draco cursed silently, worse than Doctor Xian'qett had when he last set his broken ribs. He smiled to himself, knowing that his aunt would not approve of such language.
Bleist stubbornly pushed forward, higher and higher. The master paid no attention to whether he bumped into anyone and unceremoniously knocked over people who did not get out of his way in time. Although it seemed that everyone around him was following this rule. Draco, willy-nilly, began to do the same. Surprisingly, it had a positive effect, and it was easier to walk without looking around. After a while, they descended the stairs and flowed with another river of people heading in the same direction.
Suddenly, Draco almost bumped into Darius. The master stopped abruptly. The dragon looked around, but saw nothing but the constant flow of people.
-Holy crap...- Bleist blurted out.
Intrigued, Draco tried to peek out from behind his master. It wasn't easy because of the crowd, but he managed. The crowd parted a few metres in front of them, revealing an empty vestibule, but what caught the dragon's attention, and seemingly Darius's as well, was a group of richly dressed men arguing fiercely with a short official supported by four burly City Guards. The oldest of the petitioners was shouting and shaking his fist at the clearly irritated official. Considering that the Guards were nervously shaking their spears every now and then, the argument had been going on for quite some time. One of the guards leaned over to the bureaucrat and said something to him. The official immediately perked up and began to look around. A smile lit up his face as soon as his gaze fell on Darius.
-Colonel Bleist!- The official's voice cut through the noise in the corridor.
-Damn it...- Even without seeing his face, Draco knew that the master was not pleased with the situation. - Stay close and don't react to these... gentlemen, - he said, turning to Draco. However, the dragon was sure that the mage had completely different words for those arguing with the official. Certainly, they were also much less censored.
Unable to pretend he hadn't heard, Bleist raised his hand in greeting to the clerk and moved towards him. The dragon, as interested as he was uncertain, followed in his footsteps. Surprisingly quickly, they found themselves next to the official, who stood somewhat dismissively with his back to the angry men.
-Colonel Bleist, how fortunate...
-You have the nerve to show your face here!- The oldest man cut the official off abruptly.- I thought that after yesterday you would hide away in your estate or comfort that elven whore...!
-Count Kerling!- The bureaucrat turned indignantly to the aristocrat. -One more word and I will have to ask the Security to escort you to the exit!
-How dare you! - The man blushed even more. Draco, looking over Darius's shoulder, saw the count's companions trying to restrain him. - Who are you to speak to me like that!
-The Grand Master's Secretary. - The official said through gritted teeth. He was clearly fed up with the argument. - And you, Count Kerling, are trying to insult a diplomat from a friendly kingdom in a public place. - The companions of the angry, high-born man were whispering something to him feverishly. - Not to mention your attitude towards the officer of the Azure Guard.
-I'll deal with all of you...- The count threatened and turned on his heel. -You'll regret everything, Bleist!- Kerling shouted before disappearing into the crowd. The aristocrat's companions looked at each other and, without a word, rushed after the count.
-I'm very sorry, Colonel. - The civil servant cleared his throat. - I thought I would be able to dismiss them before you arrived.
-Please don't worry about it.- Darius tried to smile. -It would have happened sooner or later.- He sighed. -Back to the matter at hand. I didn't know I was expected.
-Hmmm...- The secretary blinked several times. - The courier must have missed you, then. In any case, it's good that you're here. The Grand Master is expecting you, Colonel. - The official pointed to a door at the back of the vestibule. The City Guards standing behind him parted and returned to their normal positions.
-Do you mind telling me what this is about?- Darius followed the bureaucrat. -I didn't bring any documents with me.
-Unfortunately, I was not privy to that information.- The Secretary headed straight for the office door.
Draco followed his master, his attention focused on the official the entire time. Suddenly, crossed spears appeared right in front of the boy. The dragon jumped back half a step, ready to defend himself. The City Guards did not move after blocking the passage. Surprised and slightly nervous, Draco was about to speak, but he didn't have time.
-He's my apprentice.- Bleist waved his hand casually, pushing one of the spears away.- He's under my protection, so he can come into the vestibule with me.
The sentries looked at each other but made no comment. They must have accepted Darius's argument because they returned to their previous positions. The dragon gave them a suspicious look, but, urged on by his master, quickly joined him. It was strange to suddenly break away from the human throng, where someone was constantly bumping into him or jostling him. The vestibule, though only a step away from the crowd in the corridor and the City Guards, was very quiet. On the desk, which must have belonged to the Secretary, lay two piles of neatly arranged documents, an inkwell and a pen. Further into the room was a waiting area. Four relatively private alcoves had been created using several filigree screens made of golden wood intricately carved with a star motif. Each waiting room contained two chairs upholstered in navy blue fabric embroidered with golden stars and a low table between them.
-Draco, make yourself comfortable and wait for me.- Darius turned around and the dragon saw irritation on his master's face. In addition, slightly nervous glances towards the corridor explained the reason for this behaviour.- No one should disturb you, and if you need anything, ask the Secretary.
-I'll announce you, Colonel. - The official was already standing with his hand on the door handle.
-Yes, of course. - Darius said over his shoulder and turned back to his student. - I hope it won't take long. - He smiled crookedly. - I have no choice, Draco. - The mage sighed at the end.
-It's nothing, Master.- The dragon knew perfectly well that Bleist had duties he could not neglect, and a summons from the Grand Master himself was clearly one of them.
-The Grand Master invites...- The secretary left the office and opened the door wide.-... both gentlemen.
Draco, who was already heading towards the furthest waiting room, froze mid-step. He looked at the clerk, then at the master.
-Someone wants to meet you.- Darius said this much more calmly than before. It seemed that if he had been worried about something a moment ago, everything was fine now. He turned and headed for the office so as not to keep the Grand Master waiting.
-But we've already met.- Draco muttered, and Bleist almost tripped over his own feet.
-Excuse me?- The Master stopped, glancing at the dragon and then at the door.
-The day before yesterday, at the ball.- The boy approached the Master and looked at him.- Well... I didn't know it was the Grand Master...
-Ahem...- The Secretary was still standing by the door, signalling that they shouldn't delay.
Darius closed his eyes and headed for the office. Draco followed him.