Interlude: Aberdeen Sleeps

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Back in Aberdeen…

Archmage King Dante sat alone in his study, staring into the bottom of a half-empty glass of liquor. It was a normal evening in the Human Magic Kingdom, and Aberdeen slept soundly as it had done so frequently in the months since the Hundred-Year-War ended.

It was a shame that he could not sleep with the incessant knocking at his door.

“Let’s hear it, Silas.”

He had finally invited his advisor inside with a huff, only relenting after the man had insisted that it was a matter of the utmost importance.

“Lady Almira of Crestalis has sent another letter, Your Majesty.”

Dante’s expression soured immediately as he flipped his wavy black hair from his eyes with a hand.

Utmost importance. Of course.

“Burn it like all the others.”

The advisor—a knight captain with long blond locks and silver armor—hesitated before pressing the issue.

“She insists that her proposal deserves a formal response. Given your history together, and the tenuous relationship between our two kingdoms, I believe that it might be in our best interest to—”

“—I believe I gave her my response already, repeatedly… and I don’t quite remember asking for your counsel on this matter, Captain.” Dante scoffed. “Tell Almira that childhood friendship does not entitle her to my bed, or my kingdom. The matter is settled.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty. But the envoy, they journeyed long, and…” The man trailed off.

“You know, when I cleaned house after my father passed away, I kept you on because you were one of the few men willing to follow my commands without question.” Dante pointed firmly. “Was I wrong in my assessment of you, Captain?”

“No, Your Majesty...” The man swallowed hard under his king’s gaze.

“Good answer.”

Tiresome.

Knight Captain Silas remained as if waiting for something. Dante sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“Was there something else?”

“Yes, there was also the other matter we’ve been monitoring.” The man said. “We’re still waiting to hear back from our associates. It’s been… several days.”

Dante squeezed his drinking glass harder.

And still nothing…

“Leave me.”

“But, Your Majesty—“

“I said… leave, Silas.”

The man nodded silently, and the sound of the door closing behind him echoed, causing Dante to flinch. He stared at it for several seconds before bringing the glass back up to his lips.

“…” But it was empty, and he could not remember finishing it. “I suppose it was getting rather late…”

Later, Dante lay alone in his much-too-large bed, listening to the quiet crackle of the fireplace with his eyes studying the paint on the ceiling. It was layered with white and gold, like almost everything in the castle.

Little by little, the city was taking on the pristine image of its king, but there were some things outside of his control. Like a certain man who had disappeared without a trace.

“Still making me wait, are you, brother?”

That night he dreamed of a simpler time. Of his father, of days long gone, and of that very same man he had once thought would stay at his side forever.

If only things could have remained so simple.