Trials Of Geia: Salvation Chapter 2

       Chapter 2

It was nearly an hour after the Rites of Mastery were performed, and everyone gathered in the palace ball room to enjoy the after celebration. Nobles and members of the court danced to the lively music, trying to keep up a joyous illusion.
Geuos sat amongst the other Generals of the remaining legions. They all congratulated him on his promotion, and wished him the best of luck, considering the enemy they faced. “Truly, you have thy hands full”, joked Canius, the General of the 6th Legion. “Aye, he does”, responded Thaddaeus of the 2nd Legion. “Yet I have nothing but confides that he shall deliver us from these forsaken beasts.” “Thank you, my friends”, Geuos said humbly. “My only regret is that I will not be serving in the thick of battle any longer.” Canius breathed a disappointed sigh, “you shall be missed, Geuos; though I’m sure your replacement shall lead the 3rd to glory just as you have.”
Suddenly, Geuos was reminded that he had not seen his replacement at the celebration. “Speaking of whom, where is she?” Thaddaeus pointed over towards the musicians. “I believe I saw her dancing by the musicians earlier” Geuos got up from the table. “Excuse me, comrades. I shall go bring her.”
Geuos snuck around the dance floor to make his way to the musicians, they were playing a beautiful and lively rhapsody, one that could move even the densest eurythmic.  At the fore front, Geuos found her, she danced gracefully, in perfect harmony with the traditional music of the band. Theresa Aquillius, Genoese’s former second in command.
    Geuos could not help but watch. His was the happiest he had ever seen Theresa. She was a hard woman, always trying to prove that she earned her position as Legatos of the 3rd Legion.  As the music finally drew to a close, only then did Theresa seem to notice Geuose’s gaze upon her. In a nervous panic, she turned to him, resting an open hand upon her chest in friendly salute, “My lord,” She said slightly spatially. “How long where you watching me?” A slight laugh escaped Geuose’s lips. Theresa’s nervous smile began to fade, turning to a scowl of embarrassment. “You never cease to amuse, Legatos,” her face turning red. “Correction,” She stated bluntly. “That is General Aquillius, to you”, she said, giving him a playful brush across the shoulder. “And you just brushed the shoulder of the new Grand Marshal,” Geuos responded, brushing her across the shoulder.
“Anyway, are you going to join us or not?” Theresa began to calm down. “surely, “she responded, “the music simply got the better of me, that is all.” Geuos lead her back to the table, where she was welcomed by the Canius and Thaddeus with open arms. Canius greeted her as warmly as he could, while Thaddeus did that and more.
“Truly the 3rd is privileged to have such an appealing General to lead it.” “I can assure thee General Thaddeus, that I am more than just a figure head.” Thaddeus couldn’t help but snicker at how stern Theresa was. “Relax Theresa.” Geuos pleaded. “This is to be a day of celebration, before we must return to the war. You can afford to indulge in luxury this once.” Theresa sighed. “I am still to sober for this.”
“Serf”, she called to the servant passing behind her. The servant approached, she was a Halfling slave; short, wide-eyed, and oddly well clothed for a serf. “Aye, mi ’lady.” She asked in a strange Halfling accent. “Fetch us some fresh grape wine, in a hurry.” The Serf flinched back at Theresa’s aggressive tone. “Aye, mi’ lady, with haste.” She scurried away, back to the kitchen on the far side of the large room.  
“Even when off the battlefield, you command like a termagant.” Geuos joked, Theresa looked back at Geuos, and Geuos at her. Theresa wore the same cloths that the other generals wore. A navy-blue dress coat with silver embroidery. Though hers was slightly more feminine, in how the uniform leggings where replaced by a long skirt. Her brunet hair was tied back into a short ponytail. Her face was young, and expressive; but marred by a recently earned bruise after a battle with a demon. Geuos could not understand how such a pleasant looking woman could be so rigid.  
Suddenly, Geuos sensed someone approaching behind him. He looked behind him, but saw no one, “Is something wrong, Geuos?” Canius asked. Geuos got up from his chair and stood next to it. “Nothing is wrong,” he said casually.  Suddenly, he heard footsteps to his right, and with a single quick movement, he kicked the chair on its side, causing whatever was running to trip and fall to the wooden flooring.
The invisible mass dropped to the ground with a grunt of pain, the chair tumbling with a clatter under its legs. Upon tripping, the perpetrator reviled itself. Whoever it was, it was clothed in the iconic red and purple robes of a high-ranking Sorcerer. “Intruder!” Theresa shouted, reaching for her Gladiolus. Canius and Thaddeus were quick to stand from their seats and come to Theresa’s aid. The musicians stopped playing and all eyes turned to the Generals.
“Wait! Wait!” the Mage pleaded. “My friends…it’s me!” He pulled his hood back, revealing his face; his face was similar to that of Geuos, though his face was softer and younger. His head was shaven, though you could still see the remains of his black hair.  Where his forehead and crown met, he bore a tattoo of a four-pointed star, this was enough for Geuos to realize who he had just tripped. Titus Conrad, his younger brother.
“Novel try, Demon!” Theresa shouted, raising her blade. “You shan’t fool me twice with the same trick.” She began to swing down, ready to cleave Titus’s head from his shoulders. Halfway through however, her sword was intercepted by Flaming edge of Sol Blade. “Stay thy hand, Aquillius.” Geuos commanded. Theresa hesitated, but relaxed her arm and canceled her attack. Geuos took Sol Blade, and pointed the scorching tip at Titus. Geuos took looked down at Titus, watching his shadow. “He’s no Demon.” Geuos confirmed. “If he where, the Enchantment on my sword would have shown through his disguise.” The Generals all breathed a sigh of relief.
Thaddeus told the crowd to carry on, while Geuos helped Titus back to his feet. “Why did you do that?” Geuos asked. “I am sorry, brother” Titus admitted. “I was needed at a meeting with the other members of the Magnuarchy. I did not wish to intrude, so I cloaked myself until I felt it less awkward to revile myself. I meant no……” Geuos stopped his ramblings with a pat on the shoulder. “It’s fine Titus, I sympathize” Titus nodded.
“So, what was needed of you at the council?” Geuos asked. “Ah, yes” Titus said in realization. “Come with me to the balcony, I can show you from there.” “Aye, excuse me comrades” Geuos said, departing with a salute.  
The brothers walked out to the small balcony, jutting out of the right side of the Terran Capital Palace. Geuos leaned over the railing, staring down the hillside to the city bellow. Terra, sacred home of Humankind, Holy land of the Geian Faith, and Motherland of the Terran Empire.
“It should be just over there,” Titus said pointing towards the horizon. “What is?” Geuos asked. “You don’t see it?” Titus asked. Geuos squinted his eyes, trying to focus. After a moment, he made out the vague shape of grey clouds forming over the over the sea. “another Miasma Storm?” Geuos asked. “Aye,” Titus responded. “But not a normal Miasma storm; If what the Soothsayers predict is true, then this will be a major threat to the capital.” “I need specifics brother,” said Geuos with a hint of worry.
“The Soothsayers predict that this next storm will be so dense, and rage with such force, that it will cut mages off from the Celestial Sea. If that happens, then we will be forced to only use Alchemical and other ‘Worldly’ based magics, we won’t be able to call upon the energy from the universe.”
Geuose’s eyes widened in realization. Miasma storms acted like rifts into the Arcane realm. Demons could appear out from the fog, and draw mystic power from it. The storm itself also acts like a weapon, summoning torrents of Arcane energy to destroy anything in its wake. Now, if the storms have the potential to block the Terrans best weapon against the demons. It was a grave foretelling indeed.
“When will it arrive?” Geuos asked, “tomorrow at daybreak,” Titus responded. “We will need to prepare our defenses then; I will speak with the other generals, you….” Geuos was suddenly interrupted by a small, meek voice from behind him, “excuse me, mi ’lord” the Halfling serf asked. “I brought you your wine.” Geuos walked over and took the finely crafted goblet from her tray, he smiled at her. “Thank you, servant, this is just what I needed.” He took a large swig of the well-aged wine, as the serf walked away.
“Anyway,” he continued “you go speak with the mages and see if we can combine our efforts,” Titus nodded. “They are already making extra stock of potions and enchanting agents.” “Good,” Geuos said. “I will go tell the other generals of this.” As he entered the ball room again, Geuos began to feel slightly light headed. He saw the table where the generals where sitting.  Thaddeus and Canius seemed to be normal, but Theresa seemed calmer then when he last saw her.
“My comrades,” Geuos began, “I am afraid I return with unfortunate news.” The generals looked back at their new Grand Marshal, who seemed to be in a slight daze. “It would seem that…” Geuos paused, suddenly having a tight pain in his chest, he grunted, pain spreading throughout his torso. Thaddeus and Theresa got up, trying to help Geuos to his seat. Canius dashed towards the doors calling for a Physicians. Thaddeus and Theresa hooked their arms under Geuose’s limp elbows, when suddenly, his legs gave out from under him, causing him to slip through their grip, and fall to the ground in a heap.
Moments later, Geuos gasp for breath, trying to regain his bearings. His brain began to throb painfully, making him barely able to focus on anything around him. His hearing was leaving him, the cries of the crowd and the generals being drowned out by a piercing, incessant, ringing. His vison blurred slowly, the features of Thaddeus and Theresa gradually disappearing. “Is this truly my end?” Geuos wondered. “After all I have strived for, must I leave my people in their time of greatest need.” As he though this, tears began streaming down his face, as his breathing began to slow.
Suddenly, the ringing in his ears began to change, it began to become audible, like it was speaking to him; he could make out some of the words, “Man, Leader, Greater, Holy.” This voice was calling out to him. The voice became gradually louder. Geuose’s breathing finally slowed to a complete stop, his eyes began to close. The generals panicked as they called the Physicians over. When his eyes where completely closed, the voice called out one final word “SALVATION!” With that, Geuos lost complete consciousness.