Snippet #2449484

The sun had just begun to rise upon the far horizon; its red gold tendrils spreading across the darkened world like a painter bringing bright new colors onto a black canvas. Calleus had been up for the last couple of hours, he had awoken to the sounds of a fierce thunderstorm. He had heard the last dying bellows of thunder only minutes before. It was as if the rising sun had banished the raging storm. Drips of water fell from the overhang of his balcony. Its vista seeing the wet world before him, and the brilliance that came from the damp reflecting the sun. Calleus smiled.

Calleus needed all of the cheer he could muster as his mind returned to the two letters that sat upon his writing desk. One spoke of peace and the other of trade, which normally would be a boon for Illia. "There is always a catch." He spoke aloud. Trade came from the Kingdom of Agara, and with it came the embargo from other nations. Peace came from the Perciferus Empire, and with that came treachery or battle with their enemies. Making a decision one either would have a profound impact on Illia and its role in the world. Ignoring them could cost Illia dire aid in a time of crisis.

With a nod to himself Calleus returned to the warmth of his bedroom. He slipped into his undergarments and laced up his hard leather pants. There is no such thing as undue paranoia when you lead a nation; he stated internally as he slipped on his chain vest and cinched it to his body. He on belted his bronze hilt sword, its keen edge ready to pulled at the instant. He pulled around a dark blue coat and slipped into it. It was a light material and was there mostly to conceal his armor and sword; he had the mantra that Citizen's grew restless if they see constant vigilance.

The table in front of him held the two letters, that he had been contemplating, they laid amidst an assortment of parchment and books. It looked like a giant had taken a book and sneezed into it like a handkerchief, and the tattered remnants of the book now lay sprayed out on his desk. Calleus picked up the two letters and hefted them in his right hand, as if he was determining their weight. He shrugged and placed the two letters into the inside breast pocket of his jacket. I won't have to deal with that till afternoon, plenty of time to check battlements and grab a fresh apple from market. He strode to the door and pushed on. Through the corridors and stairs of his home he eventually came to the front double doors; their hefty doors barring entry from any weak armed siege gangs.

He nodded to two of the three guards that where standing watch at his door. Trevor and Friggan, both fairly green in combat, but loyal. He walked forward into the main city street and began to head toward market so he could purchase one of first apples brought into town. "Apples always taste best after a crisp storm don't you think?" He asked his guards, he expected them to find it rhetorical and not answer but he felt like speaking anyway.