Ocular to the Dying Sun

Distracted Night Light’s; part 1

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Pale light marches through in between shadows of people walking in and out of the city coming from the shards of each lamp post from the main gates. Everything else is in a shade of color that blinds the senses with multi-facets not of origin within the All-Monarch kingdom.

The bustle and crowd gathering did not change from the norm, though it contributed greatly to the variety of sound pollution coming from the different languages each person spoke. Various fashions from neighboring cities merge and are displayed through the streets, filling the extent of mundane drab clothes now spiced over a drab of exotic tinges popping in and out.

The variety of clothes ranged from finely colorful woven sarongs, and turbans made of coarse leaf strands to posh velvet vests and sharply ironed brown slacks and petticoat ribboned dresses. Mixed cultures and traditional garb walked through the cobble-paved streets of the main city of All-Monarch, equally welcoming the businessmen, travelers, and vacation goers from the coming festivities and ceremony due to the start of the Ocular.

Here, people burst into jovial energy mixed with practical negotiations about the coming two years of their future. The middle of this coming event lies on the shoulders of the Prime Magician, all doing her best to organize every chore before the start of her rest day in preparation for the departure.

She organized easy errands to future difficult projects in line with the tasks she will be leaving behind and returning to after the Ocular. Nothing an assistant could fill in for her, but she already has ten hands working on each sector. Half handled all the possible activities and proposals to leave under the jurisdiction of the Academy, and the other half handled the Militia and provincial matters. All Lady Yphemu needed to do was to approve and deny.

Usually, this number of people doubles the speed to crunch time before the day of rest, but for some reason, there is a heavy list of duties involved for the Academy that many of the assistants are losing sleep. Enough that shifting was required in their roster, and as for the militia and provincial matters, they are rather lax.

Not that the several requests and proposals won’t be needing any form of managing, but the style of the militia regarding the protection of the Saturni lands does not utilize the men of the All-monarch city. The hands that shed blood and form callous for this specific province are of the same people within, and its only gripe is the distribution of finances and agricultural expenses. That itself gives stability for many even in the face of harsh seasons when the infected creatures hoard over certain areas of the land.

The days were not forgiving either to Mitt, who suffered quite an unprecedented accident from his last practice. Though he did not falter from any lack of motivation or loss of determination, no one held him fault over the several attempts he’s failed.

Even now as the tips of his fingers numbed magically holding the Spire while struggling to ascertain the correct veins within, he would stop when he finds a different avenue of sense getting overwhelmed by the people or the world around him. Moments of sparks igniting becoming dull, then pulled to the side by a sudden whisper.

Placing such importance on his mindset makes him detest his lack of focal prowess that he often resorts to fits of annoying people around him. If he didn’t end up going through his tutors at home, tricking them into believing they lack teaching materials because he hides them in impossible places, he sneaks into his friend’s classes and pranks them.

These happened through the days before lady Yphemu started preparing for the Ocular, at least the month before the departure. Epiro, whom she removed from the main offices of the militia so that he may be included in the roster of able guards to include in the Ocular, has been assigned as Mitt’s newly minted bodyguard starting this season.

Previous bodyguards of Mitt have been the old veterans of the militia, all of whom are well-acquainted comrades of the previous Prime Magician. They consider Lady Yphemu like their child, even if she was introduced to them at a young age and insisted to be treated as an adult because of her status as the coming Prime Magician.

These men were essential forces now on the front of the Saturni province and the other to the western forests, dealing with necessary monster subjugation. As if it wasn’t enough to pull untrained hands on the front, they have now no choice but to hire all the veterans to help with both teaching these hired hands and lending their strength.

Walls of flowing thoughts run subconsciously inside Lady Yphemu as she sipped her cup of tea while the silence started becoming awkward during her and Lady Tethea’s afternoon tea time. Much of the served desserts are ones Lady Tethea tolerated due to dietary restrictions for her delicate old body, at least ones that she approved. From unsweetened biscuits to raisin-topped bite-sized muffins, even to the type of fruits, all sweet with bread lacking sugar, an unusual type of combination Yphemu will never understand.

Silver hair coifed at the back with a wonderful golden clip shown glinting under the shine of the crystal sun, both enhancing the yellow light and golden gait of Lady Tethea’s ornament. Half of her outfit brings the idea that she is of noble birth and pride, while the other is making her seem a young frail lady of toughness by time.

“Mother, has Hyles brought the crate of exotic berries we’ve received as compensation from the neighboring towns back in the province? Somehow, it’s escaped me to inform you of it because they’ve stated that the terms of the trading agreement between Ignacio and Kapili need to be renewed soon.” Yphemu said as the thought did pop up in her mind out of the blue. “The fruits from the neighboring towns benefit from their protection through Ignacio, but they insist that they want to tighten the distribution to our side.”

Lady Tethea listened to her as she bit on the fork with a half muffin bite, she chewed as if savoring the taste before she said, “how quaint when they were the ones who insisted to be generous of their products as compensation. Things must be dire as we fear then Yphemu, knowing their loyalty to our province. None of them have ever declared ambitiously wanting more from our side until now, though I’m not alarmed. What you say?”

Nodding, a small crease displayed on Yphemu’s face while thinking, “nothing could be easily done if they’re going to change the terms. The parliament is still in talks about the provincial territories and sending reinforcements. These days, it’s much better to relocate the people instead of watching their lives dwindle one day at a time when the need arises.”

The old woman looked with alarm showing on her face. “I’ve read the reports on the casualties and damages, but it’s still not enough to control the situation. How much has it escalated?”

“Nothing to be alarmed about,” Yphemu waved her hand. “Since we do not know how much more of those monsters, I could defuse without resorting to overly using my magic. They’ve begun teaching the citizens a variety of self-defense and an extra measure such as what I mentioned.”

Signs of worry vanished from the face of the lady as she nodded, though it was clear that she was not satisfied. Her brows still creased, and it was not because of their provincial land, rather she was thinking of the event held during the coming-of-age season. Held during the Paglilipat days of Pagsibol or Tagsibol season, is considered the Spring for the new coming year.

The event is held for five days in the Chamber of Erienda. Each noble was given a chance to mingle with each other through open and closed-door parties for three consecutive days, more afternoon and night instead of the whole day.

Select children are allowed to stay in the residential rooms of the Court of All-Monarch, in the presence of the nobles living within to form guidance and social connections. At this event, the Saturni family has always been invited and given invite for their children of age to stay and bond with their peerage.

This is not just an event for a person who is to come of age, but for the adults to properly show their lifestyle and admirable lives to the younger generation. Even Yphemu who is adopted was allowed to attend this.

Just in time, as the light of the coming afternoon sun changed greening leaves into wonderful bright hues of orange, a maid walked through the garden path towards the shallow marble picnic table where Yphemu and Lady Tethea currently sat. Two other maids stood by the tea set and dessert trolley they used for this small gathering of the two Saturni ladies.

The maid is a woman who looked plump but elegant, with a tight bun and a tight homely dark green shawl with the emblem of the Saturni family. “Madame, the courier from the All-Monarch court has sent the invitation.”

Lightly clinking the teacup on its saucer, Lady Tethea’s face lit up as she held her hand out to receive the envelope. Emblazoned with wonderful golden swirls on the sides over the black paper and a maroon cover, this wrapper hides the thin slate invitation with magic that would send their acceptance and any other information necessarily stated for the event.

Written on the back is the name of the family member invited to the event, Coni R[ubigin], the youngest daughter of Lady Tethea’s second daughter. Though she doesn’t live in the residence anymore, she sends her children over to receive education from the city.

“This season’s Pamula will surely be wonderful, we all know how Lady Romiss celebrates,” said Lady Tethea as she touched the seal over the envelope flap. Deftly using her delicate thumb, she opened it to reveal the thin slate inside.

Everything on the slate hinted at elegance with a hint of mischievousness through the wonderful exotic fruits of the western forest up to the sea creatures of several south-eastern province isles visually showing, not on the surface, but rather over it as a projection. Showing in the middle of this eye candy presentation are the script-written words “Magandang araw giliw naming panauhin….”

With her clear voice, Lady Tethea continued to read in their normal dialect. “… Kinagagalak naming inaanyayahan ang inyong butihing kaanak para manirahan sa loob ng Erienda Residente….”

“Will you be attending?” Yphemu asked as the invitation is not only for Coni. “They still seek your guidance for the noble ladies of the Academy. Coni isn’t going to be invited to spend the night in the court chambers since she’s too young.”

“Hmph, I’m not that old to not consider attending this, but I tire walking around at the night dances these days. The Taglamig festivities I’ve attended are only a handful, but it was a dreadful few. Considering my old bones haunting me, I might skip this season’s Pamula. Can I entrust you and Mitt to escort Coni to the Pamula?”

Smiling as she sipped her tea, Yphemu replied, “I’d be honored to escort Coni. I’m guessing Mitt will have to follow, it’s still not his time for his social introduction but I’m guessing he could use a good introduction. Master did the same thing to me, if not for the rushed lessons on etiquette, then I would have brought shame to our name.”

“Remembering your debut is nothing but common tongue and wallflower moments,” Lady Tethea heaved a sigh. “I’m surprised you even got friends even though you were stiff and always following Estring. Sometimes I wondered if we had found you sooner, maybe you could have learned a higher form of mannerism for the noble parties, even the moral code.”

Yphemu’s face suddenly turned stiff, as she knew what was coming next.

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