King’s Banquet

Emile wore a brown vest buttoned over a black button down shirt, matching black slacks and dark brown dress shoes. To top it all off, a soft black cloak hung over Emile's shoulder and fell just above his ankles.

Emile was dressed appropriately, the high fashion here resembles much of what the people of Earth wore as well, apart from the capes. Everywhere he looked, the men of the banquet were swimming in unique and stylish capes.

Emile's cape was prepared last minute, a simple black cloak that hung over half his body. Elder Zegris's cape was much more extravagant; dark crimson red with black fur adorning around his neck, it reminded Emile of a lion.

Other than the capes, Emile didn't pay much attention to the banquet. Instead of forming meaningful connections and strengthening his political prowess, Emile spent the banquet at their table; his head leaned back, his arms crossed, and his attention glued to the chandelier hanging above them all.

There was something spectacular about watching snowflakes form and flutter through the air, it never quite gets old. Although Emile and his fellow Elders had already arrived, they were still waiting on a few key guests for the King's meeting.

For one, neither Black Gates King nor Fallen Sky's King had arrived yet. King Victor was present, although in name only. He appeared a short time ago and made his rounds greeting the important nobles around the hall, but after that he returned to his private quarters and awaited the arrival of the other Kings.

The first of the missing Kings to arrive was King Ulmor, the King of Black Gates. The instant he passed through the doors and into the main hall, the atmosphere grew quiet.

Dressed in a suit of onyx armor with the entire carcass of a brown beast hanging from his shoulders, Ulmor exuded authority. He had a mess of gray hair and a strong jawline coated in stubble.

Apart from his overwhelming size, the second most unique feature about King Ulmor was his face, or rather, the eye patch attached to it. A black eye patch strapped around King Ulmor's head and covered his left eye; the remnants of a scar poked out from the edges of his patch.

Interested in his King, Emile watched Ulmor patrol the banquet. Like Victor, he stopped at the large groups of nobles and spoke with each of them for a bit, but afterwards he had nowhere to retreat to like the Rising Tide King.

So instead King Ulmor cast his gaze over the hall until he found his Elders, Zegris and Willow, who were each holding a glass of some beverage and standing beside the dance floor.

King Ulmor approached the duo and greeted them. A couple of seconds of small talk preoccupied them up until Willow pointed her finger across the room directly at Emile.

Catching King Ulmor's sight in the process, Emile raised his arm and waved at his fellow leaders. Soon, he found himself two feet away from King Ulmor as he decided to take the available seat next to Emile.

In a low and raspy voice, King Ulmor introduced himself:

"Willow's informed me that you defeated Eudo in a duel and were only recently appointed Elder, is that true?" King Ulmor immediately opened with an interrogation.

"Yes, that's true." Emile made sure to bow his head at the end of his sentence, hoping that was a universal gesture of respect that applied in this world as well.

"I've also been told you possess a particularly interesting set of skills, is that also true?" King Ulmor continued, seemingly unperturbed by Emile's behavior.

"I suppose they're quite unique, my fellow Elder's words flatter me." Emile turned his dial of kiss*** way up and made sure to smile as authentically as he could.

"Please—" King Ulmor asked, "enlighten me of them."

Emile had prepped for this question prior and he also confirmed that the lie detector from the storage facility was not present as well, so in a nonchalant manner Emile replied:

"I suppose you could call it healing, but I can only heal myself unfortunately."

"Even so, you recovered remarkably fast in your duel with Eudo, and from such a serious wound as well. You are quite impressive!" Willow boasted.

King Ulmor rubbed his stubble with his gauntlets, the thick leather material used for his palm made an audible scratch each time he touched his face.

"Even I must admit it's a powerful Gift, tell me Spright, can you heal from anything?" King Ulmor asked.

"As long as I have essence I believe so." Emile said.

"Hmm—" Noticing the commotion coming from the tunnel of ice, King Ulmor concluded his talk with Emile, "it seems the time has come. I understand you're still learning about your position as Elder, don't feel pressured to speak today. If you have something to add, you may add it, and if not, there's no necessity for you to speak."

Just as King Ulmor turned his head towards the main doors the King of Fallen Sky pushed through them. Wearing a solid white suit with a sky blue cape, he had short dirty blonde hair along with more unkept facial hair.

The man looked rugged and tired, but even so he pushed his lips apart and dazzled the guests of the banquet with his blinding smile. The King of Fallen Sky, King Alexander, had arrived.