The heroes of Sword and Sorcery Inc. made their way to the city of Kakusareta Kyōi, the capital of the southern province of Lidan. The city's architecture was a far flung difference from Deneval. The buildings-
"How's that spelled?" Came a voice from the other world. It was Dave, controller of Cruxis, and he was holding up his handheld smartphone device. The one known as Jones smiled, as the man in the hat was usually the note taker of his group. With the eager Dave waiting he happily spelled out the city's name.
While unable to input the mark over the "o" in kyōi, Dave did get back an answer from the translator on his phone that gave him worry. He asked, "Why is this city called "Concealed?" Jone stammered, not expecting anyone to actually want to translate the city, but he recovered quickly and spoke, "There are a lot of trees around here, its a big city, but not easy to see unless you are already, like, there."
The people at the table nodded a few times as Jones tried to get back in the zone of describing the city. Sadly though, with his rhythm lost, he failed at this effort and eventually just spoke plainly, "Just imagine a medieval Japanese city from like samurai era."
The party walked through the streets until they came to a large ornate building that looked to be the castle of the town's leadership. The guards at the door looked well trained and with Lamellar armor and Eastern Weaponry. They halted the group at the door, and spoke,
"What is your business here, westerners?" The Prince took a step forward with a bow and said, "I am Prince Kranoc Deneval here to be received by lady Umie Xunchu." The two guards looked surprised for a moment, but they both bowed to him and allowed the group to enter.
They were led by one of the door guards into a large chamber with much more regal looking guards lining the sides and half as many robed servants collected at the hall's end. the servants each had symbols upon their silken robes denoting some form of caste or trades such as one to translate, one to recognize nobility, and so on.
The four most notable in the room sat at the room's far wall, past the servants, dressed in far more elegant robes with colorful tree and mountain designs. There were four of them sat at the top of a small staircase. Around them was a gold-trimmed elegant decoration. A man and woman that looked to be in their mid 40's sat at the top of the stairs with a young woman and child sat lower down the staircase.
The woman was immediately recognized by the bard, it was Umie Xunchu, the woman the Prince was here to propose to. Once stopped by the guard, Maldrek, Luther, and the Prince dropped to both knees, placed their palms flat on the ground and bowed their heads. Cruxis and May followed after they noticed, but Zilo, ever the oblivious one, just stood there staring at the fancy designs.
"Such artistry, I could learn much in this land." He whispered.
The man at the top of the stairs grimaced and in a booming authoritative voice shouted. "Torakichi, behead the man who insults the lord of this land." One of the samurai at the side unsheathed his blade and approached Zilo. May and Cruxis began to rise to defend him, but Maldrek gripped them both and held them as he spoke, "We've not been given leave to rise. Don't worry Zilo's got this.
The man dashed in and swung at Zilo with his blade, but his heavy armor made his swing slow enough for the bard to knock the blade away with a flick of the buckler. The bard stepped back and took out his own blade with a flourish. Zilo began to make a show of his speed and began to tap the samurai on the plates of his armor while daintily stepping around his swings.
The royalty looked shocked that one of their court bodyguards was being made a fool of, all expect for Umie Xunchu who had seen Zilo's skills first hand when he and the Prince had dueled. Once the samurai had separated from the bard, he began to concentrate. Zilo took that as he was beginning to get serious and began to do his ghost performance with his violin.
The samurai paused and the lord at the end of the hall spoke, "Hold Torakichi." Zilo looked to the lord as the samurai returned to his position. The floating violin returned to Zilo's hip and the lord spoke, "One who wields music as a weapon? You are a bard westerner?"
Zilo looked to his violin and said, "Uh, yeah trained at the Academy of Umbral Bards on the Plane of Shadows my lord."
"Then you may keep your life, and the rest of you may rise." Zilo returned to the lineup and the others rose. The lord continued, "You grace the court of Umie Takeshi, Kuge of the Han, Ruler of South Lidan and it's capital Kakusareta Kyōi. Third son of the late emperor Umie Seikichi and 10th in line for the Emperor's throne. What is the purpose of your visit?"
Luther stepped forward and motioned to the prince, who took two steps forward and spoke, "I am Kranoc Deneval heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Deneval. My entourage and I have arrived early to attend the betrothal ball discussed between you and my aunt Queen Consort Sheila Deneval."
"You are early indeed, the betrothal ball is not for another few weeks, care to explain your prompt arrival?"
"I could not be away from your lovely daughter for another moment my lord. She truly is deserving of her name, the Dove of South Lidan." Xunchu blushes as Maldrek tensed his muscles for a moment, he could hear Luther utter a small affirmative noise. The Prince motioned to the others and continued,
"I have brought some royal vassals, and my most trusted adviser to accompany me for the ball, and wish for leave to stay in your care until that fated night." Takeshi nods and motions for one of the nearby servants to go.
"I shall have rooms readied for you, though I do have a question for you Prince. Your vassals do not seem the courtly sort... and one is a bard. A rare sight in these lands, I wish to know who they are."
The Prince's eyes widen in panic. He was just expecting to be lead off to his room and sit there until the ball. Luther took a step forward and spoke for the Prince, as he had since the boy's grooming began years ago, "These are a group of mercenaries known in the Capital of Deneval as Swords and Sorcery Inc. The Prince has taken a liking to them and they have performed many high profile jobs throughout our Kingdom."
Zilo and Cruxis couldn't help but grin as Luther described their accolades. The lord leaned forward and spoke, "I have heard tale of this group, no wonder my man had difficulty with him. I am satisfied, and more so. I would wish to speak with the one who leads them."
Luther's face turns to shock as Maldrek snickers and walks past him to speak, "I am Maldrek my lord, Manager, and Strategist for Swords and Sorcery Inc. You pay'em we slay'em." Takeshi grins and begins to speak with Maldrek, "There is a matter I would like you and your band to contend with before the ball. I wish for you to stay, the rest of you may go to your rooms, my servants shall show you the way.
One of the servants comes forward and motions for the rest to follow while Maldrek stays to speak with the lord.
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