Legend of Ransera

20th of Ash, 123, The Skyharbour

Axel steered the airship skillfully into the designated space at the port. “Zyth One. Zyth One.” He spoke into the lore stone relay. A protocol that all of them knew. Axel took out his firearm, checked it, and holstered it. The others in the cockpit area did the same.
“We won’t look suspicious, right? It isn’t exactly a safe passage from Gel’Grandal to here. There’s the threat of Zyths and the instability in Zaichaer.” Dino said.

Axel chuckled at Dino’s remark. “I mean….” He looked back at the crew members checking their rifle ammunition, “It’s a bit overkill, though. Good thing the 175th stayed somewhere near the Zyth border.” He then adjusted the lore stone relay to be tuned in to the 175th’s relay. “Spitfire, this is Stallion. We have landed. Over.”

After a few moments, Claudia’s voice crackled through the relay, “Roger that Stallion. No Zyth’s airship so far. We’ll be doing another round and head back to the rendezvous point. Over.”

Axel and Dino made their way outside of the airship. He could feel the stares from those in the port area. Axel had heard rumors of the Palace being involved in the kidnapping of some noble or influential person from Kalzasi. He dared not ask his father as he didn’t want to be further involved with matters of the Palace. After all, he’s just the ‘glorified courier’ of the Palace, as Claudia always teased him. Besides, being re-enlisted meant he needed to be more careful of his actions, especially regarding foreign dignitaries. He found the timing a bit too suspicious. Just as he met with Kala, a representative of House Leukos, he received approval for his business and not from any investors he had pitched his idea to but from the Palace itself. With the seal of the emperor, nevertheless. He rubbed his hands to keep them warm as he exited the airship. I began to regret the day I received the letter from the Palace. But, well, I needed the emperor’s backing to do what I needed anyway and not get tied down like that geezer. He thought to himself.

“Nothing beats that cold, fresh northern air, huh?” Dino chuckled as he blew warm air into his hands, breaking Axel’s thoughts.

Axel stopped, chuckled, and fished a pack of cigarettes from his jacket pocket. “Yeah, nothing beats the northern cold.” He took out a cig, lit it, and offered the box to Dino.

A group of what Axel presumed to be soldiers approached them. “Makes you wonder how Zaichaer could be having a hard time against these guys,” he whispered in Kathalan.

“It’s not like we’re having an easy time either against a bunch of pirates and tusk-faced with flying lizards and giant sticks.” He replied in Kathalan, referencing the Zyths and the Orks of Ecith.

One of the soldiers approached him while the others kept a safe distance. Axel raised his hand for a handshake. “I’m Axel Steinsaltz of the White Stallion Shipping Company. We have an appointment with Fraulein Kala Mizal of House Leukos.” He greeted.

The soldier looked at the airship. Axel noticed the concern in the soldier’s face. “Feel free to confirm our identity with Fraulein Mizal. We’ll be waiting here, within sight.” He added as he took out the pack of cigarettes and offered it to the soldiers.

Dino took a long drag before a portal opened up not far from where they were standing. “Yo, is that the white-haired chick? Damn.” He said as he took another drag, “A stark contrast from your girl, huh?”

Axel scoffed as he took another drag, “You know she can hear us, right?” he lied.

Dino gave a quick look at his surroundings, “Ummmm, Claudia, I didn’t mean anything by that, yeah?” he whispered.

As Kala approached them, Axel threw his half-burnt cigarette to the ground and stomped on it. He smiled as he gave a slight nod, “Vielen Dank für die Begrüßung, Fräulein Mizal.” He greeted. “It’s good to see you again. It’s been quite a while, huh?”

He then looked at Dino and motioned at the airship, then turned back to Kala, “And as an apology for not being able to bring you to Reiger’s last time we met, I brought you something from there instead.” Axel said as he made his way to the airship. “I think it would be a good drink to enjoy with the cold Northern air, while catching up.” He chuckled.

Four crew members carried out a wooden crate and placed it on the ground nearby. Dino took a crowbar, pried the crate open, took out a small pouch from inside the crate, and handed it to Axel. Axel opened the small pouch, poured several coffee beans into his hand, and showed it to Kala. “A little something from my hometown.” He smiled as he motioned Kala to come closer.

“Yes, it will indeed,” Axel replied, bringing his nose closer to the beans. It was good that he got the beans with him, or he would end up empty-handed, which wouldn’t be a good impression. “They’ll be happy to join us for supper. Most of us came from further north from the capital, so we’re a bit used to cold weather, but I didn’t expect it to be this cold up here.” He chuckled as his gaze lingered a bit longer than he intended to. Out of the corner of his eyes, he could see Dino moving his body slightly to get his attention. “Ah, yes. Do you have someone in mind who would be a great guide to help my crew member procure samples of trade goods to be sold in the Gel’Grandal? We already had some things in mind and would like to be introduced to the merchants?”

Though he hated it, his mind had been conditioned to pick up on what was happening around him. One thing that stood out was Kathar walking around freely. A stark contrast from back home. Though he never wanted to participate in the political playground, he got a gut feeling that the Palace knew when he met with Kala the first time and gave him a leash in the form of the writ and approval from the Palace. Just like the Palace’s way of saying we own you. “It would have different flavor and aroma depending on where it was grown. However, the higher the altitude, the better it is for the coffee plants. As well as coffee beans from Kalzasi would be pretty popular with the coffee enthusiasts in the capital.

Axel smiled at her comment on the aroma of the coffee, “Wait till it reacts to hot water. The aroma would be much more pleasant. Even the tasting notes would change as the temperature of the water cooled down.” He explained as he pulled his jacket. “Shall we continue the discussion in your office? It’s getting quite cold.” He chuckled. I wouldn’t want to pilot the older plane models this far North. I’d die of frostbite. He shivered at the thought.

No wonder everyone in the family was leeching off that geezer’s reputation and connection. I haven’t even fully used the perks of being the official courier of the Palace, too. It is good to have friends in high places. He thought to himself as he followed Kala through the portal. Warm air greeted them, and he was happy to escape the freezing winds.

“Reminds me of our first meeting….” Axel commented on the room. His gaze fell on the strange figure warded up in the office. He instinctively moved for his gun holstered underneath his jacket but stopped halfway and reached for his pack of cigarettes that was kept in the inside pocket of his jacket above his holstered firearm, “…….and I miss the cold air already.” He chuckled awkwardly as he took out the pack of cigarettes.

Even though he was wary of the abomination, curiosity got the better of him, and he took a step closer but kept a safe distance in case the wards malfunctioned. I know some people have weird taste regarding office decorations, but this is just absurd. He thought to himself as he observed the warded creature.

“Ah yes, you could ask for Herr Creuzberg. He would be at the ship.” Axel replied. It was something Axel never would’ve addressed Dino as, unless they were on official business from the Palace or the Ministry of War. As the Aviale guard left the room, Axel moved closer toward Kanedama. He turned toward Kala, “What happened? Is it something from the eclipse? Felt more like something else, though.” Even though he was a licensed practitioner of magic, he hadn’t been exploring the arcane arts as he was someone who trusted magitech rather than pure arcane arts. Never have I seen an abomination like that. Well, the shadow creatures were fascinating enough. He thought to himself as he observed the creature longer.

Axel looked at the Aviale guard, the creature, and then at his holstered gun. "But I'm not sure if my firearm would have any effect on that……." He muttered to himself before realizing he wasn't alone in the room, "….on your former assistant."

Axel listened closely to Kala's explanation. It's a good thing if it was something born out of the Eclipse. My firearm is useless against it. Rune of Summoning? I've heard of it but never seen a practitioner up close. No wonder you need to be licensed by the Imperial Academy. If something like this were roaming the streets, it would be dangerous. The shadow creatures were annoying enough. Axel wasn't a keen devotee or student of the arcane despite being a practitioner himself. He sometimes regarded the arcane as parlor tricks.

His ears perked up when the creature finally spoke. So, the creature hasn't lost himself completely.

Axel looked at Kala and then at the creature, "The enemy? Weren't you the one colluding with an enemy of the living?" he asked Kanedama. He waited for the creature's response as he locked eye contact with the creature. After a few moments, he broke eye contact and looked at Kala, "I apologize for my action if it seemed offensive." He bowed slightly at Kala.

He paused momentarily, wanting to get a sense of normalcy, "May I?" he gestured at his cigarette pack. "I would also appreciate the coffee, Fraulein Mizal." He then turned his attention back to the creature, observing it at a safe distance. Rune of summoning, huh? He thought to himself. "So, Kala, how have you been?" he asked.