1 The Lord High Paladin

Edenea's mornings began early. Before the sun peaked above the horizon her gray streets were already painted with angry horns and flashing headlights. The traffic forecast that played from the radio was useless, as all possible roads leading to the center of the city were packed.

As it was unavoidable, Gabriel had planned for the trip, intent on going over a few messages and reports as well as sorting out his weekly schedule during the ride. However, his assistant was proving more distracting than usual today.

"You imbecile…!" Anita cried from the driver's seat, shedding all notions of ladyship in favor of expressing her road rage.

Gabriel sighed. He was used to her antics now, but it didn't make it any less annoying. With his concentration widdled away, Gabriel tapped the power button on his phone turning the screen dark. "Shouting at them won't solve anything, Anita."

"Of course sir, I understand!" The young woman yelled from the front as though she wasn't seated just a few meters away from her boss, "However these fools obviously haven't earned their driver's license before getting behind the wheel because," The whole car jolted as she stomped against the ignition. "They don't seem to grasp the concept of moving out of my way!"

Instinctively, Gabriel grasped the hand rest, steadying himself as much as he could as they swerved. Eyes shut with an impending headache looming, he groaned, "Anita…"

Without any grace or skill, they wove through the dense labyrinth of honking vehicles and angry drivers. The capital of Adros was a sprawling and restless city, alight with the sparkle of all the new magitechnological advancements that burst into existence over the past few decades. To think that a little over a century prior, the car was nothing more than a doodled concept on some artificer's desk. Now Edenea's morning traffic was one of the most feared adversaries among city dwellers. That was something that Gabriel could certainly attest to. Perhaps even overshadowing the threat of demons.

"Oh darn!" Anita slumped in her seat, defeated as she pulled up to a section of the road packed too densely to maneuver, "We'll never make it on time now."

The silver watch dressing Gabriel's wrist revealed to him a time much later than he would have liked, with the sun crawling higher in the sky by the second.

In the distance, the echos of shouting and chaos could be heard, cars in neighboring lanes began rolling down their windows while officers dawning black and blue uniforms patrolled the streets with speakers. Their attire was not too unlike Gabriel's own, aside from the additional silver details that represented his noble house and superior station. "Please stay calm and remain in your vehicles! Failure to cooperate with the Imperial Knights could result in a fine." They chanted cryptically into the crowd, fanning a wave of dissent and upset.

"I suppose we have an excuse now if we end up missing that meeting altogether, sir." Now using the steering wheel as nothing more than a headrest, Anita squinted towards the commotion heading the roadblock. "It seems they have quite an area secured, I believe I see some Empyrean priests as well. I wonder what's going on…"

It was the click of the car door opening that startled Anita out of her idle pondering. "Sir?" Her red ponytail waved as her head twisted backward, hazel eyes catching Gabriel's tall frame exiting the car, "Where are you going?"

He didn't spare her an answer. The commotion was difficult to make out from where he stood but Gabriel was intent on finding out its source, especially when it concerned the Imperial Knights. He wove through the thicket of cars, ignoring the surprised salutes he received from the knights he crossed. "H-High Paladin!" Their backs straightened at the sight of the unexplained appearance of their superior.

Anita was quick to catch up to him, scurrying behind the High Paladin with a heavy sigh, "Please wait, sir. You can't rid of me so easily yet!"

"You left the car unattended?" He accused in a straight voice that would have easily unnerved the feint of heart. But Anita wore a carefree smile as she chased her boss's heels.

"I'd rather that than leave you unattended, sir." She chirped in response. Unlike Gabriel's calloused approach, she greeted each knight they passed in the street with a salute and friendly nod.

Beyond the roadblock was nothing more than a disorganized mess. There were Empyrean priests that run around in apparent disarray, with sweat matted hair and urgent ramblings. All the while the knights concentrated their efforts in crowd control, dabbling little in whatever affairs the holy men were preoccupied with.

Gabriel spotted the man whom he intended to have a word with. His uniform was marked with similar trimmings that Gabriel wore, depicting his noble house and rank. Gabriel recognized his face as well, even with blond hair grown out and a thicker stature he could hardly mistake those angular cheeks and long pointed nose that made Svorn of House Desterra look akin to a rat. He was no doubt the captain within this group of knights, a position easily won by his family name and arcane abilities granted by that line. Unfortunately for Gabriel, Svorn was preoccupied, exchanging heated debates with a high priest, who judging from the crossed arms and tapping feet, was not the least impressed with whatever Svorn had to offer.

"Excuse me, sir." His plan to join whatever foolish argument the captain and priest were having was interrupted by another knight. Though he was saluting politely, Gabriel did not appreciate the way he stood so resolutely between Gabriel and his goal. "Is there anything I can help you with? I must say, if you will allow me to, we weren't exactly expecting your presence here…"

Gabriel narrowed his eyes, glancing down at the noble crest that adorned this idiot's uniform. Of course, these entitled brats were never taught how to give proper respect. But in the end, Gabriel held back his tongue. He wasn't there to chide and scold, only to resolve the issue as swiftly as possible, "I need to speak with your Captain."

"The Captain's kind of busy. He's coordinating the operation with the priests as we speak. If you're in need of anything, sir, I can-"

"Coordinating the operation." Gabriel clicked his tongue. He gazed around once again, only to witness what he already saw and knew: the knights shepherding traffic and the priests dealing with whatever situation that was at hand.

Anita cleared her throat in response but the smile she wore was one of mischief. Gabriel ignored her in favor of focusing on the madness that was unfolding before his eyes.

Unbeknown to the High Paladin's displeasure, the knight rambled on, "Yes, the knights are in charge of controlling and protecting civilians while the priests take care of the possessed. As you can see, High Paladin, sir, everything is under control."

Gabriel's hand itched to cross in front of his chest but he held them behind his back instead, keeping his spine straight. He took a breath to steady his impatience."I can see that nothing is being accomplished. The priests are clearly doing their bidding while you, with the pretty length of steel you have there strapped to your hips, are sitting around lazily staring at what ought to be done. That, is what I see."

The knight reeled in shock while Anita offered nothing more than a patronizing and amused whistle. "High Paladin, sir," He began, voice stuttering, "I assure you we are doing everything we can."

"That's enough." Gabriel turned his gaze and pushed passed the knight, no longer dinging the fool worth his efforts.

"Sorry about that, he means well I swear." Anita singsonged an apology before she followed her superior towards the quarreling pair.

It was the high priest that noticed them first, eyes raised but brows still furrowed, "Well, what do we have here? Greetings to you, High Paladin Gabriel." He hummed. Though his voice was gentle and came with a welcoming bow, his shoulders were held taut, hands clasped tightly behind his back.

Greetings were interrupted when Svorn twirled around hands reaching out to Gabriel's shoulders with a smile too wide to be genuine. "My! If it isn't Gabriel! To what pleasure do I have to see you here?"

Gabriel barely resisted the urge to scowl, cautiously taking a small step back to disengage with the unwanted contact. Back in the Royal Imperial University, Svorn wouldn't even deem him worthy of a greeting but Gabriel supposed he should have expected the drastic change in behavior after he was promoted to High Paladin. "I am just here to resolve the issue at hand."

The atmosphere stilled.

"You are rather blunt, aren't you, Lord High Paladin?" The high priest chuckled, slouching ever so slightly farther than he did before.

"That's Lord Gabriel for you, Svorn" Anita supplied as she offered the Captain a friendly salute, "But don't let him bother you! I can attest to his big loving heart buried somewhere deep down. Very, deep down."

The high priest raised a brow, "Well, resolving the issue at hand is certainly something I could get behind so long as you may come up with a reasonable solution."

"Pardon my rudeness, Gabriel, but I assure you there isn't a problem here." Svorn began, head tilting at the underlying accusation thrown his way.

"I'm sure." The High Paladin's cold flat voice made it difficult to discern sarcasm but the man also cared little for misunderstandings. "You may return to managing traffic. I will deal with the high priest."

The clownish smile dropped for a measured gaze, fox-like eyes locked with Gabriel's own. But it was only for a moment before the captain shook his head and shrugged, "If that's what the High Paladin wants I suppose I have no choice." He whistled as he left.

"And there he goes." Anita commented absently while Gabriel addressed the priest.

"Tell me about the situation." He demanded.

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