Jamtara, Kingdom of Divinium, Eastern region of Rohana Federation, 2051 S.C. 150th day
"Hello?"
"Hello?"
"Hello? Do you hear me?"
"Hello?"
"Grandfather, you absolute idiot!"
"Who are you calling an idiot, you punk?"
That is how the conversation between Richard and Arthur Pridens began.
"So, what do you want?" Arthur said, annoyed.
"Well, now it doesn't matter, because I don't feel like sharing!" Richard responded, also annoyed.
"Well then, goodbye."
"Hello?" Richard asked, but there was only static. That old geezer, I will duel him to death.
The voicebox was sending the signal again.
"Welcome to Divinium Voice operations. To whom may I address this call?" a female operator answered the call.
"I'd like you to connect me to voicebox 16, Pridens' residence," Richard asked politely.
"I will open a channel right away. Please hold," the operator responded. There was static at first, but then it changed, and suddenly it felt as if Richard were in a tunnel, with a gentle breeze as the only sound until a voice echoed.
"Hello?" Arthur answered.
"Why did you disconnect, you old fart?" Richard yelled.
"I have no problem doing it again if you are going to disrespect me."
"Wait!" Richard changed the tone to be more conversational. "We're not going to get anywhere like this. I have news about an old event that very much may interest you."
"Richard, whatever you think it is, I don't care. I want to rest in my house by the lake."
"Not even if it is about the events that cost you regency?" Richard asked tauntingly.
There was no sound on the other end.
"Are you still there?" Richard asked.
"This is not a matter to joke about, son. What claims do you have?" Arthur asked. His voice was devoid of any warmth.
"Marcus came over asking me for a favor to test a kid he'd like to stay with him. But the kid was too stubborn and insisted on going to a town in another country. When I met him and rejected him, he pleaded with me to give me a soul crystal."
"Richard, I advise you to be careful what you say over this line. I think this requires an in-person meeting. You are four days' travel for me. Can you keep the boy around until I get there?"
"Yes, I can manage to be here for a few days, though my party staying with me instead of working costs me money."
"Consider the expenses covered. Tell them to gather supplies and whatever else they need; I'll cover it. But it is essential to confirm whether the boy's claim is valid. Our family status relies on it."
"Understood, grandfather. I'll keep him in my proximity until you arrive."
Five days later, in a luxurious room on the top floor of the Altaria hostel, Richard met Arthur.
The room was saturated with a heavy, rich aesthetic, featuring notable velvet designs. The crimson curtains, tasseled and drawn back by thick golden cords, framed tall windows that overlooked the bustling town of Jamtara. The walls were paneled in dark, polished mahogany, interspersed with sections of embossed emerald wallpaper.
On the table, a silver tea service gleamed under the soft light filtering through the heavy curtains. A small, round, highly polished mahogany table was set between two plush, winged armchairs upholstered in deep forest-green velvet, with the two men seated in them.
Arthur was dressed in a tailored, dark-gray suit, while Richard wore his crimson uniform.
"You certainly love the lavish life, don't you, grandfather?" Richard said while holding his teacup.
"Oh, when you work all your life to achieve status, you should be able to reap the fruits of that labour," Arthur smiled.
"Well, you could have chosen some other place to stay. Us being in the same building may cause me unneeded attention." Richard said, unamused.
"Worry not, the staff are very discreet. This is, after all, the best room they offer, and they care not to advertise its existence. So you should be safe."
"I don't think you should waste money like this," Richard complained.
"It is not nearly as expensive as you think, about 50 blue coins, I reckon. Don't let the design fool you. It is outdated compared to what modern hotels offer."
"I think regency has spoiled you. And now that you are back to regular nobility, you are coping with overspending, to prove to other rich friends you are still strong," Richard said, and then took a sip of the tea.
"Influence is everything in the upper echelon. Do you think citizens care who the king is? They are just cogs in the machine. You give them the magic tools, you provide food and shelter, and they wave away their rights to question your decisions. The real battle is among those of us who profit from their labor," Arthur responded with a smirk.
"I always hated this side of our family," Richard groaned. "With all the power and talent you have, you choose to play political games."
"It is because those political games give you a chance to play your adventuring game. You are lucky, you are third in line to be heir. Your brothers don't have that luxury."
"I don't think they mind drinking wine and visiting escorts," Richard responded bluntly.
"Well, they have access to the money our mines provide."
"Anyway, do you want to hear about my findings. All this family discussion is making me want to leave."
"Yes, please report what you have discovered."
"The boy was telling the truth. He had a soul crystal."
Arthur jumped out of the chair. "Well, where is the crystal?"
"Easy there, old timer. Do you think he'd give it so easily?"
"Why didn't you just take it from the boy and be done with it?"
"Have you grown senile? Didn't I tell you he is related to the events that made you lose the regency?"
"It was always temporary until the king turned adult," Arthur scoffed at the remark.
"Still, you had two more cycles until it was found out about the attempted coup. You weren't paying attention to our ranks."
"To think the nobility would join forces with those heathens. Well, we eradicated those from our midsts."
"Yes, but you haven't found Haran, have you? A man whose disappearance made its way to the highest levels of the clergy."
Arthur's eyes darkened. "Have you found the man?"
Richard lowered his cup and crossed his arms. "No, but I found the next best thing. His son."