Storm clouds

Featuring: Aramis Dunnal & Antoine Dur

The dim light shining from the remaining braziers in the hall was all that illuminated Aramis’s path as he made his way out of the Council room. Large grey clouds covered the night sky hiding the Moon from view. As the young councilman continued down the hall, the faint voices of Marco and Judah, whom had yet to leave the council room, all but faded amid the taping of rain on the window glass, now echoing throughout the castle walls. "Another overly long meeting at the behest of Judah." Thought Aramis. His two elder Councilmen had a knack for prolonging meetings by detailing all the most insignificant things. While the Princess did attend the meeting early on, it came as no surprise when she announced an early leave. Young as she was, Marco and Judah did little to help inspire her confidence or interest in political matters. Truth be told, Aramis shared this sentiment with her to some extent. Though he better understood the importance of his role and the decisions at hand.
The counsel had been largely no different than the last few. They had discussed the financial status of their city as well as the other Human settlements, the plans for the upcoming harvest festival, trades between the many neighboring Regions and more. While Aramis made his way down the central steps, two topics from the meeting lingered in his thoughts.
Once he reached the bottom of the stairs who should be waiting for him, grinning ear to ear, then Antoine Dur. “Another late-night, Councilman Dunnal?” Antoine asked with a hint of sarcasm in his voice. Aramis smiled in response and embraced his friend. “I should ask the same of you Antoine. I would have though you asleep some four hours ago.” The two began to walk side by side towards the East wing of castle Grandalheim towards the residential area.
The two shared news of their livelihood and exchanged recent experiences. For even if the two lived and worked within the walls of castle Grandalheim, their duties offered little time to converse let alone spend quality time with an old friend. “I say dear Aramis, you surprise me.” Antoine began. “How a man of your stature can remain Grandalheim most eligible bachelor for as long as you have! I Dare say you could have any girl you desire at a snap of your fingers. I simply don't understand you.” The councilman laughed at this. “You should know, as a member of the royal council, I am forbidden to marry.” He answered still smiling. “Is that right?” Retorted Antoine, surprised. “I swear I didn’t know, otherwise I would have never added your name to their list! And here I though this manner of fealty only applied to us Knights and soldiers.”
Aramis could do nothing but laugh. “Though that doesn’t seem to stop the Chivalrous Captain Dur from indulging in a little romance here and there?” Antoine puffed out his chest and raised his chin before responding. “The code only applies to marriage I’ll have you know. Besides, what the royal council don't know can't hurt them.” With a smirk and raised eyebrow, Aramis glanced at his friend before saying: "Except the royal council does know." Following this reply, the captain returned a similar glance followed by a fit of laughter.
Antoine composed himself before continuing. Placing a hand on his friend's shoulder, he spoke. “Aramis, my friend, I’ve missed that quick wit of yours. Come! Won’t you join me for a drink?” The young councilman, regaining his own composure, answered. “I’m sorry Antoine, I have much work to do. Not tonight I’m afraid.” The captain let out a heavy sigh. “I was afraid you’d say that. I know better than to try and convince you as well. You’ve got the stubborn head of Malisurne you know that?” As if to further demonstrate his wits, Aramis replied. “At least I don’t smell like one.” Another fit of laughter fell upon them.
Once the two had calmed down, the lingering though of the Malisurne promptly caused Aramis to remember his earlier meeting. “Antoine?” He asked. The large man, still in armor turned to him before answering. “Yes?”. “How much do you know about Malisurnes? If I may ask.” Antoine gave a puzzled look and began scratching his chin. “To be straight with you, being the Captain of the Royal Guard, I’ve had little face to face experience with those monsters. My duties keep me within the walls of Grandalheim.” From what I’ve heard, they are large and powerful creatures. Though all brawn and no brain according to the some of the Rangers.” In turn, Aramis took his had to his chin.“I see. And what of Grouchlings?” “Small aggressive monsters, usually found in packs. Why the sudden interest in these pests?” Aramis shook his head. “It had to do with the meeting I attended earlier. Still, the more I think about it the more it disturbs me.” The councilman turned away, now facing the opposite direction. Antoine quickly moved to his side in order to get a look at his friend’s pensive visage. Aramis raised his head before turning to Antoine. “I’m going to the library, care to join me?” Before the Captain could answer, Aramis had already started making his way back to the central step.
The two arrived at the library and, unsurprisingly, it was completely empty. Aramis didn’t stop to feed the nearby brazier and instead, navigated the darkness in search for what he had come for. Meanwhile, Antoine took the time set fire to the braziers which helped illuminate the room. He then let out an audible groan. “It’s always got to be books and… and… reading with you doesn’t it. You know I’m no help with this stuff right?” The captain's words fell on deaf ears as his friend was lost in though. Before long, he returned with two great tomes in each hand.
Aramis sat down at the table nearest to Antoine. “Antoine, do you know about the recent attacks from the last year or so?” Without hesitation, he answered. “Of course. I know that both Grouchlings and Malisurnes were among some of those attacks as well, but that’s their nature as monsters isn’t it?” Aramis, not looking up from his tomes, was flipping wildly through the pages. “That’s true, but these monsters… Something's not adding up.” Antoine paced silently behind while his friend continued to flip through pages. “You know, you bring me all the way up here, near one’o clock in the morning for a study session. The least you could do is have a drink with your old pal eh?”
As soon as he had finished, he removed a small flask from… Somewhere on his person before opening it and taking a sip. At the sound he made, Aramis turned around to see. “Hiding alcohol in your suit now too? Will you ever change?” The two laughed some more. “Alright, pass it over.” The councilman took the small flask and raised it up. After he had swallowed, his face contorted into a grimace. “What is that?” He asked while repeatedly opening his mouth trying to get the taste out. “What? What's wrong with it? Just beer... of some sort.” Antoine took the flask back before taking another swig. Aramis simply looked at him finishing the contents of the flask. “If that piss is what you’re risking losing your status as captain for, I’m afraid I underestimated the severity of which you needed me to join you during your outings. Next time, I’ll treat you to something that will make even a Burrodonian proud.” Antoine raised his flask all while pointing his index finger at Aramis. “I’ll keep you to that promise.” The scholarly man grinned before returning to his tome.
It must have been close to 2’o clock before Aramis would stand up from his seat. Antoine, whom had sat down near the library entrance and was now half asleep, stood up in turn and met his friend. “Well, did you find anything?” He asked. Aramis stood silent for a few seconds before responding. “In all the records we have, Grouchlings, Malisurnes or any other monsters for that matter. None of these beasts have ever displayed any competence when it comes to mounting attacks of this caliber. These tomes hearken back to nearly two centuries ago.” Antoine began scratching the back of his head before letting out a loud yawn. “Maybe, they are just getting smarter? I mean, things change overtime right? Just look at those quirky Namunians. We've had so much happen in the last 12 months or so. Actually, sounds like a lot more of them are being seen here and there lately.” Once Antoine had finished, Aramis’s eyes widened. He closed the two tomes he had brought out of the shelves. “Antoine, thank you! I know what I must do. Tomorrow, I’m leaving for Alnexia.” The Councilman began to make his exit, but before he could leave the library, Antoine stopped him. “Woah, woah, woah! Slow down Aramis. Would you a least fill me in here?” The two made their way out of the library. Along the way, Aramis would explain what he believed to have discovered. “Between the monster attacks from the last two years and the advent of the Namunian contact legislation around the same time. Could these be connected in some way? Alnexia’s archive is sure to hold some information about the Namunians, something. Anything.”
Antoine stopped abruptly making Aramis stop and turn around to face him. “You’re not implying that this is the work of those recluses… Are you?” Aramis looked at his old friend. “I can’t say for sure. I don’t want to believe it, but… On the one hand that my theory is correct… I’m not so sure we can afford to take that chance.”
END