Familiar Face

Twenty-one. That's the age I was when all the peices were finally set for my plan to go into action. Ten years of service to Master Arlan. Both of us pretending that Arlan was my adoptive father and teacher. Me knowing to him I was nothing more than a pawn, and him not knowing that it was I who was using him. Learning and mastering all the skills, tricks, and arts I would require for Master Arlan's plan, as well as the ones I would need for my plan. Ten years of preparation, manipulation, and training. All of it almost went down the drain when I opened the door.

Never have I ever been in Master Arlan's study, and when I was called there for the first time, I knew it was finally time for the plan to begin. I walked in, closed the door behind me and looked around quickly. Arlan's study was a relatively modest room. The walls were hidden on all sides by bookshelves filled to bursting with books organized horribly. The floor was covered with a thin blood red carpet, the same type of carpet in all the rooms of the fort. Sitting in the middle of the room was a large desk, papers and books piled atop it in a haphazard manner, behind which was a large backed cowhide chair, stained the same blood red as the carpet. Two medium sized magic glow balls hovered around the chair where Master Arlan sat analyzing the papers on his desk.

"It is about time you arrived my boy, I was starting to worry about you." Arlan said faking a kind tone.
"You needn't worry sir, I was simply preparing dinner." I replied monotonously.
"Well you'll have to make sure to plan for another two people dining with us. I believe we shall be having some rather distinguished guests tonight."
"I'm assuming uninvited guests from the Empire sir?"
"Uninvited indeed, but distinguished all the same. I think you'll Be happy to hear that they are around your age. It is the crown prince and high preistess themselves who are coming to visit us."
"I see, then I shall prepare for their arrival then. I'll call you when they arrive."
"Thank you very much my boy, and I'm sure I don't have to say it but don't forget your training."

As I left the room I couldn't help but smirk, after all who better to exact my revenge on then the two symbols of the empire highest establishments. The church and the Kings Court. By the time I heard the knock on the door, I was fully prepared to do whatever it took. However when I opened the door and saw the face before me, that resolve all but disappeared.