The dust of the earth filled the air as horses stormed into the Rhea-Nori. Their riders were clad in white, with orange tunics upon their shoulders. It was clear to all the inhabitants, high and low. These were the Emperor's personal guard: the Seket. They were a small group of about twenty mighty men and women. This was the Inquest division of the Seket; known by the commonfolk as the Eye of Karakh, the Erref.
A magnificent white horse led them; its rider valiantly clad, more magnificent than the others. The rider unmistakable, it was no other than the fearsome Inquisitor, Adrel. Their white cloaks billowing in the wind, they galloped onwards to the city square.
The people were prepared to meet them. Heralds had done their work, days in advance, announcing the coming of the Seket, the Emperor's hand. The city streets were cleared up of unruly beggars and drunks. Buildings were painted, and draped with the banners of the Seket. People filled the streets as word of their approach reached the city. The city guards escorted the Erref as they trotted through the city. People praised them, following the procession, their screams filling the air as men, and women with their children threw flowers and sang songs.
They entered the city square, and the guards blocked the entrance. The crowd soon dissipated, as people got back to their business. As much as there was great joy in the city by the entry of the Seket into a town as distant as Rhea-Nori, there was also fear. Deep inside, people wondered what would cause the Emperor to suddenly have an interest for this border-city.
The city council members met Adrel at the entrance to the Council Hall, respectfully, bowing their heads.
The head of the city council; Matek greeted,
"Well, if it not the Inquisitor himself, the great Adrel. Rhea-Nori welcomes you. We are unworthy of the presence of the Eye of Karakh …"
There was a hint of fear in the old man's voice. But of course, he had to be afraid. The Seket were ruthless in their dealings. Order was their symbol, and complete subservience to the will of the Emperor.
Matek continued, "Please, enter our Hall. Let us discuss the grand purpose for which you have blessed us with your presence…"
Adrel dismounted from his royal steed, and the Erref followed suit. Stepping forward, his men followed him, their swords and armor clattering with each step they took. They wore light armor, as expected for the Erref, which dealt more in inquisition work and information for the empire. Each of them was highly intelligent, and had worked their way up the ranks of the Karakhian army to reach the pinnacle they sat upon. Sharp eyes, noses and tongues, they walked valiantly, into the Council Hall.
The Erref walked through the corridor leading to the Inner Chamber of the Council Hall, where extremely important matters were held for discussion. Tall pillars lined the corridor, with impressive tapestry. Upon them symbols of the Empire and impressive feats of the fire god, Calor, were embroidered. The corridor itself arched ominously, etched with bronze inscriptions. The light of the sun shone through the tapestry illuminating the corridor, seemingly emphasizing Calor in his greatness. Echoes of boots rang as the Erref moved through the corridor in a neat formation. The guards who lined the corridors adjusted their spears in nervousness. Scribes and other council attendants rushed forwards, desperately keeping up with the unconcerned Seket, announcing titles and carrying large scrolls. The crimson-gold tassels and white cloaks of the council members and the Seket respectively, swayed gently as the group processed towards the impressive entrance of the Inner Chamber.
The metal doors were opened, and its metallic groan rang through the corridor.
Adrel's voice rang like a storm as he addressed the Erref.
"Legt, Patriarch, Ruhl, Sek'en, follow me. The rest of you stay behind. We'll be done with this quickly."
The four Erref whose names were mentioned quickly stepped out of the group and drew close to Adrel. The rest of the Erref stepped back in an unspoken, silent yet definite obedience. Metal doors groaned once more as they were shut. Attendants quickly stepped forward and led the remaining Erref to a lesser hall, their footsteps still unsettling the servants and even the attendants who led them. They were not used to seeing the white boots of the Seket trampling upon the carpets.
Within the Inner Chamber, the council members and selected Erref along with Adrel, took their seats. Matek acted cool and collected, but drops of sweat silently rolled down his face. He could only imagine what would cause the Emperor to bring the Seket down to Rhea-Nori. He was sat in anticipation along with the rest of the council members, as Adrel spoke.
"Council members of Rhea-Nori…", he began, his voice ringing across the round table.
"I'll keep this short. We have come here in search of someone; a certain inhabitant of Rhea-Nori."
Matek's old eyes sharpened as he listened. Adrel spied the faces of the old men and continued, "A young girl, being around the age of ten. We know that she dwells in the slums of the city…"
The city council members took turns to look at each other's faces, slight expressions of disappointment written on each of them. What the Erref presented to them was somewhat sub-par to their expectations.
Adrel continued, "We desire that you give us any legible information, although we plan to interrogate the denizens as well…"
The city council spied one another with harsh looks on their faces. Why would the emperor send his glorious Erref to search for a mere commoner, a mongrel? Were there no commendations from the emperor? The hard work they had done governing Rhea-Nori should have been enough to get them into the higher positions in Karakh. The disdain on Matek's face was becoming obvious.
Adrel upon noticing the slight frown on the old man's face, spoke,
"Council Head Matek, why do you glare at the Erref?"
Matek's heart began to race. He had made a big mistake by letting his dissatisfaction be so conspicuous. Adrel's sharp eyes scanned the old man's face. Whispers began to break out amongst the council members as all turned their gaze to Matek, waiting for his response. What he would say next could very well determine the fate of the city council.
Matek's face broke out into a sharp, forced smile. The sweat began to pour from his face as an attendant wiped his face with a cloth.
"Surely you jest, Inquisitor! H-How could I be displeased with the Emperor's decree? A mere city council head as myself? P-Preposterous!"
"Really?", Adrel replied, "It must have been my eyes then…"
A sharp grin formed on his face. Matek couldn't afford to make one more mistake.
"Inquisitor Adrel,", Matek started, "this is the city council's response to you. We give you whatever you may require in your search. We simply desire that you give us more information on the child, to better aid you in your search. After all, there are many children in Rhea-Nori…"
Matek's voice was rife with caution.
Adrel spoke, "I am getting to that. The girl is the daughter of a foreigner; a woman from a faraway land. We aren't clear on the circumstances, but we know she arrived here in Rhea-Nori many years ago. She has light brown hair, with streaks of cream within them. Her eyes are amber, and her complexion is lighter than that of the average Karakhian. Her daughter, resembles her perfectly…"
The chamber was drowned in silence. The slight clink of a spear rang through the chamber, nervousness rushing across the wielder.
Adrel continued.
"We have been tasked to find this girl and present her to the Emperor…alive. The Emperor stresses with great importance the gravity of this matter. For the girl…", Adrel paused looking around at the council, "…is the direct blood relative of the Emperor himself; the emperor's daughter…"
The Inner Chamber burst into a cacophony of gasps and whispers. Commotion began to fill the chamber, as Matek stared at Adrel in shock. How could a mere commoner, be the emperor's daughter?
The cacophony began to transcend into chaos. It was a serious matter, for the purity of bloodlines and royalty determined Calor's relationship with all of Karakh. It was said that Calor would only accept the pure blood from the Emperor, which was his direct lineage. Calor only spoke through his own blood, and delighted in them. He despised impurity and falsehood. Any impure child born would die exactly one week after birth. Any fairly educated person in Karakh knew of this. But what had met the ears of the city council, from the mouth of the Inquisitor Adrel, was something completely different. The child was of impure blood, and had somehow lived for years, not as a royal but as a mere commoner in Rhea-Nori, unknown to the world. This dangerously implied that there was a discrepancy with Calor's will: it was not as definite as they believed it was.
No wonder the Seket had come to Rhea-Nori, it was a matter of national interest.
As the bellows of commotion and chatter filled the Inner Chamber, Adrel turned his gaze to Legt, his subordinate. With the sharp glint of Adrel's silver eyes, Legt understood everything.
Legt breathed in, and a bellow rang.
"SILENCE!"
The commotion suddenly disappeared, as all were turned to the large man from whom the shout had come.
Silence rang in the Inner Chamber.
"City Council of Rhea Nori, we seek this girl. For your own interest, and of that of the emperor, give us everything you have on the girl."
Adrel's voice, confident and authoritative cut through the stale air in the Inner Chamber. His gaze landed on Matek, who's face with drawn with alarm.
There was a long pause before Matek spoke, his literate intonations filling the air.
"We shall offer any service you require, Inquisitor Adrel. You and your Erref. We believe there is purpose behind this. Perhaps Calor would only want to glorify himself even more, with the resolution to this sensitive issue. We understand the gravity of the situation, Inquisitor Adrel. You may put to use everything Rhea-Nori has to offer. For the glory of the Emperor, for the glory of Karakh and for the glory of Calor."
The voices of the city council rang in a chant repeating his last line in thunderous unison.
"For the glory of Calor…"
Adrel stated, finally, concluding the meeting.
"Indeed, for the glory of Calor."
His sharp, silver eyes seemed to tear through the space of the Inner Chamber, alongside his voice. Nothing was hidden from his gaze. Everything covered would certainly be uncovered, in due time.
"We search for the girl!", he announced, all eyes and minds drawn towards Karakh's new case.
Those in the room knew very well that what had been said in the room would not leave. Their very lives were on the line. And with the Erref in consideration, no falsehood would stand.
Far away in the safety of a hidden cove, a little girl sneezed. She didn't think much of it, but little did she know that on a surprising turn of events, she had become the most sought after person in all of Karakh.