The actual walk would be brief. The deep cavern the city of Halcyon occupied had long been divided into three teirs. The First tier held the Wards and Sensate building. It was where the powerful worked, thrived, and artfully managed the rest of the city. The Arcane Ward set close to the drop off of the tier, shaped partially from a stalacmite, the compound had grown to encompass the fractured pillar. Across the marked path sat the squat Blade Ward, having been built on relatively flat ground. While not as tall as the Arcane, the Blade was wide enough it encompassed the jist of the tier.

But that was not where Niorsam was going. Decorated in the robes of his station, which set off on his shoulders to expose the intricate blue markings on his neck, he and any other marked by the Azure Lord were invited to attend the ceremony. Never a requirement save for Allure Priests, he had opted to include himself this time. By the buzz of conversation along the road, he’d made the right decision. Niorsam always did hate missing important things. Even if this was important for a different reason. What would change if Diton came out of this alive?

“You always have such a serious expression, Niorsam.” The man that spoke peeled away from a collection of likewise important figures who happened to be loitering. Previous contemplations aside, Niorsam greeted his friend with a brief smile and an appraising eye. Isslyer was an Allure Blade, and a Rogue. Tall, well built, with a short stock of slightly curled blue-violet hair and dark eyes to match. Niorsam had yet to meet a shadelv that did not have to look up at Isslyer, nor one that carried a blade as long as his.

“I dare say this is important enough to pull even you away from your training?” Niorsam teased, indicting they should walk together.

Isslyer smirked, though his attention seemed to wander to those around. The warrior did always have trouble paying attention to things unless fighting. “I can’t wait to see the faces of some of those Sensates when Diton walks out.”

The sorcerer did not share in the amusement. “There would be an upheaval. The Allure Lords, I’ve heard, have shunned the ceremony.”

This didn’t seem to phase the tall shadelv as they made their way through the crowd in front of the God’s Ward. Where the other two Wards were set out on the Tier, the God’s Ward had been built into the wall, the tunnels chiseled out by the first inhabitants of Halycon. During their digging in the oppressive rock, they found the Sanctuary. “Let them,” he said at last, actually glancing at his companion as they walked. A rarity. “The Blade Ward has supported the God’s and Arcane Wards before. The Lords won’t cross us when we are united.” Niorsam wished he believed it.

The walkway to the entrance was worn smooth by the passage of time and feet. While there were no doors, the entrance always reminded Niorsam of some fearsome maw, devouring anyone that entered. While typically low lights were used in the city, the God’s Ward was utterly black. Nothing that would deter a shadelv, but Niorsam did miss the hints of color light brought. Stepping into the deep darkness, all he could see were shapes and vague slashes of greys. Accurate, but hardly stimulating.

The tunnels here were chiseled out of the rock, leaving the scored marks. Rough, almost natural. Given the penchant for the Compounds and Wards to be decorated, not only was the hall colorless from the lack of light, but almost boring. There was space enough for both of them to walk next to each other. Even so, four or five Shadelv could’ve fit. After a short walk down a twisting hall, it opened up into the main receiving area of the God’s Ward. What’s more, it was –filled- with shadelv. Priests, sorcerers, Rogues... males from most walks of life had been invited. The hum in the air was tense though, conversation hushed and hurried.

“Is this what a unified group looks like?” Niorsam asked flatly, feeling the displeasure radiating off of the only shadelv he’d consider brother.

Isslyer, never the one to wait around for answers, pulled a younger male out of a conversation with his friends. Literally. The smaller male stumbled as Isslyer turned him bodily. “What’s going on?”

There was a brief moment when the youth looked as though he’d snap at them, but even in the lack of light, the markings on their necks were visible. Blue-gray tracings on dark skin, almost delicate around their neck with some lines sneaking up their jaw. Recognizing superiors, his tone was almost respectful. “The Allure Lords have taken Diton captive...”

That’s all he got out before both Niorsam and Isslyer cursed. How had he not known? One evening spent in the warmth of Iora and he’d missed out on news –this- big? That the Allure Rogue had been unaware as well wasn’t much of a surprise. Isslyer did the killing, Niorsam handled the politics. “On what grounds? The God’s Ward tries criminals... That’s why we have the Sanctuary.”

The younger shadelv shrugged before looking around. “I heard they were calling him to stand for civil unrest and treason.”

Both shadelv stared at the youth. It was neigh unheard of for one marked by the Azure Lord to be called on for treason. Rather, Niorsam couldn’t recall a record that stated as much. “This can’t be,” he hissed before pushing away from the pair. It wouldn’t do to stand around in the crowd and listen to the rumors, he wanted the truth. Isslyer was a supportive shade at his side, silent, but his mood seemed to clear a path faster than their title would. No one stood their ground when a Rogue with a blade taller than some of the youths here wanted to go somewhere.

They ascended a set of stairs that would lead to the Altar, and beyond that, the Theater that housed the entrance to the Sanctuary. Only those having already passed through the Sanctuary were allowed in the Theater, to bear witness and welcome those who returned marked. That was where the serious discussion would be.

The Altar, the most decorated space in the God’s Ward reserved for daily prayer and supplication, was likewise filled. Older shadelv claimed this space, speaking in small groups of whispers. Niorsam could feel the trail of rumors leaking off of them. Niorsam was the attending Allure Sorcerer of the Arcane Ward, and Isslyer was one of the most renowned Rogues... important figures like them invited gossip, now more so than ever. Next to the black statue of the Azure Lord which was accented in blue crystal, was the door to the Theater. As always, it was guarded by a Rogue. He didn’t say a word, simply stepped to the side and pulled it open. Isslyer and Niorsam didn’t even break stride.

The Theater was set up much like one would imagine. Rows of tiered seats looked down at a neatly cut doorway along the far wall. There were several rows, more than could currently be filled by those marked. The pair continued down the steps to the staged area before the doorway. Niorsam couldn’t help but be drawn to that almost simple looking doorway. Tall enough that even Isslyer could fit properly, it was the darkest thing Niorsam had ever seen. It wasn’t just lightless, it was as though the space itself was gone. A void in the world with a weight to it that the miles of cavern overhead never had.

The handful of Allure Priests, Sorcerers, and Rogues were at the bottom of the stairs, close but not so close. No marked Shadelv wanted to press his luck and go back in the Sanctuary, even by accident. There was never a guarantee you came out. The hushed conversation ceased as the pair joined them. While there was little love between Niorsam and the Allure Priests, he was fairly irked they’d not sent word to him. Or that Rerisray hadn’t told him. The silence was not comforting.

The attending Allure Priest stepped forward to greet him. Morcer was one of the oldest Shadelv he’d ever met, and set in his ways. Which happened to be stubborn, willful, but more importantly, powerful. There was a weight of experience to his eyes that belied his slender, lanky frame. Morcer’s robes, like Niorsam’s, revealed the extensive blue designs on his neck and jaw. Prominent against graying skin. The Allure Sorcerer respected the authority of the priest, and Morcer had voiced his approval of Niorsam’s ability to handle the Arcane Ward... but the nature of their business often led to the pair rather disliking one another.

“So you have heard,” the older shadelv murmured, voice a whisper as though it were some secret. He always sounded almost feeble until crossed. Then those near white purple eyes sprang to life with a fire Niorsam wished to have at that age. The rest remained silent out of respect... or confusion.

“Yes, I heard from a priest in the Reception Hall.” He knew he sounded bitter.

“We had thought it best you managed the Wards from without.” Morcer had a way of scolding, as though Niorsam had known that was where he’d belonged this whole time and was acting childish.

“Even word of that plan would’ve been satisfactory. Rerisray...”

The Allure Priest cut him off. “Did not return from the Sanctuary.”

That made Niorsam pause, rocking back on his heels. He barely registered Isslyer shift from one foot to the other next to him.

Seizing on Niorsam’s momentary shock, Morcer continued. “Allure Diton was on his way to rightfully walk into the Sanctuary.” There was steel in his tone. “When the Allure Lord Buend and his men took him into custody.”

“They can’t seriously think to charge him with civil unrest and treason. Diton’s been holed up in his Compound for the last 150 years. Not even his daughters have left,” Isslyer snapped.

Morcer’s eyes briefly closed. “The Sensate themselves called for his detainment. On the grounds he was disobeying his initial punishment, and that they would look into his treasonous behavior.”

Niorsam was trying to think their way out of the situation. This wasn’t about the Ward’s bickering amongst themselves over supplies, able bodies, and work load... no, this was the Allure Lords attempting to exert authority –over- them. The Lords controlled the lower Tiers. Those at the Wards were here for learning before they eventually went back to their own Compounds... so their loyalties were shoddy at best. It left shadelv like Niorsam, Morcer, and Isslyer to cultivate loyalties themselves. Neither of which could withstand the whole of the city if the Lords pushed the issue. “Has anyone spoken to the Sensate?” he mused aloud.

That’s when the Allure Priest actually smiled, and Niorsam knew he was not going to like what was said next. “We have nominated you.”

Niorsam actually cursed aloud.