Siana looked at the young man standing in front of the Eight Tailed Scorpion beast that was pulling the carriage along. He had a satchel slung over his left soldier, and wore a simple common robe that had nothing but a single insignia. This symbol gave rise to a wave of thoughts in Siana’s head that subsided to her anger. To think that a mere errand boy of the Faulkner family had prevented her carriage from moving forward.

Siana had received the important mission of winning an item from the Continental Auction House here in Alduin: secure the 1000 year old Wisdom Mushroom. It was likely one of the top items, and Sirelec Wessor desired it greatly for some reason. Thus, he sent Siana, his first subordinate, to ensure the item falls into his hands. Loyal to only Wessor, Siana joyously saw this as another moment to prove her skill and efficiency.

All was going to plan. She was given the option to take Sirelec’s personal carriage to the Auction House, a sturdy vehicle imprinted with the Raven of the House of Wessor. Driving the carriage was an Eight Tailed Scorpion caught in the Alberdan Mountains. This species of Beast increased in worth based on the number of tails it had, and the Eight Tailed variety was a sign of wealth and prestige. Thanks to the carriage, she was able to have a largely smooth voyage.

Upon seeing the raven with its outstretched talons, many nearby carriages and caravans made way for the House of Wessor. After all, among the noble families only the House of Wessor and the House of Faulkner had a chance at ascending the throne. Each only needed an opportunity to begin its reign. If anyone dared to front the Wessor family, Sirelec would ensure as acting head that the perpetrator suffer greatly. It wasn’t until Siana had appeared in the Alduin Plaza that her troubles began.

When the carriage first stopped, she yelled at the driver for presumably stopping the vehicle abruptly and not giving a warning. When the driver told her he didn’t stop because they had reached the destination, Siana knew that there were only two other possibilities. Either someone or a group of people were standing in her way, or in front was a carriage she had to respect.

She knew that the Alduin Plaza, as the land of the Continental Auction House, was sure to win a bit of attention. Her first thoughts were that perhaps an envoy of the Merister family or of a foreign noble appeared. She was willing to apologize for her actions if such were the case. The last thing she wanted to do was embroil Wessor in an undesired conflict.

With this in mind, she stepped out of the carriage to see this young man looking at what seemed to be two paintings. A Painter? Seeing the insignia of the House of Faulkner, Siana’s tone became frigid and cold. The houses of Faulkner and Wessor had multiple death feuds and irreconcible differences, yet a mere painter under the Faulkner family had blantantly given no face to her carriage.

Siana didn’t think that Mona was a subordinate to Faulkner like she was to Wessor. First of all, Mona was simply too young. Siana received her post at the age of 21 and had retained it for four years. The young painter in front of her did not even seem to be 18, let alone old enough to be a subordinate of either Eric Faulkner or Lord Faulkner. She spoke her icy words at this apparently oblivious young man for not giving face to the Wessor name.

However, not only did the young man not have dirty desires as he looked at her, nor did he flinch when he heard Siana proclaim herself as an envoy of the Faulkner family, he had actually revealed a resolute expression. Mona had set his paintings back into his satchel, staring at her with his focused gaze, channeling his Mortal level 9 Aura to the maximum. This inwardly surprised Siana, as she had never met such a young yet decisive character.

Mona looked at the young maiden standing before him, his gaze connecting with hers. Each of them had a similar nature, creating a mutually cold atmosphere. Mona saw the young lady wore a pair of leather gloves, and her long blue hair cascaded down her back in curls. From the corner of his eyes, Mona could tell that the crowd not only considered her a beauty, but also feared her. Mona thought back to his Lunar Tattoo, readying himself for battle if this confrontation became the worst scenario.

The crowd watched on, many merchants and nobles and other citizens watching the situation. They could tell that both were from the infamous Houses of Wessor and Faulkner, and this only piqued their interest further. Although many of those present had learned of the cold beauty Siana, they had never seen the young man who had revealed the stunning Paintings. Is he an envoy as well? The few knowledgeable ones among the masses understood that Eric Faulkner prefered his men to dress similar to him, thrifty and in simple clothing.

“Who are you? And how dare you stop this carriage from approaching the Alduin Auction House?” Although Siana felt her anger stoked by the silent actions of the painter in front of her. His defensive stance meant he was not going to give way to her demands. Just why did the Faulkner family send such a person? Didn’t they think of what was going to happen?

Siana took a step forward, raising her two hands. Her Warrior level 5 Aura gently seeped out, a frigid chill covering the entirety of the audience. A few onlookers shivered, watching the young lady’s two gloves transform into gauntlets.

Siana was an Aura Warrior Level 5, and her Aura was a pale blue that seemed to resemble the sky. Her Art was called the Frozen Knuckles Art, and was a Warrior ranked Body Strengthening technique with an Elemental effect. When an enemy was struck with the Art activated, the foe would feel the impact point solidfy like a block of ice. Each punch from her Art was sure to cause terrible damage to anyone of the Aura Mortal class.

Mona looked at the two gauntlets, shining with the color of the leather from earlier. Slowly the two gauntlets were layered with thick ice, forming small needlelike barbs on the front of each fist. Siana occupied an offensive stance, preparing to launch her first attack. Mona channeled the Primal Fold Technique, his body primed to take action. Although he lacked an Art, the Lord ranked Technique was better than nothing.

At this moment, the driver of the carriage could not watch any longer. The thin man covered in violet clothing jumped off, standing to the side of Siana. He spoke in a worried and hasty manner, looking occasionally to Mona with pity. The driver learned of Siana’s temperament long ago, and hoped that he could calm the anger of his mistress.

“Madame Siana, please don’t give this lowly servant any of your time. He is not worthy of being attacked by your Art, nor tortured by your Aura. The young master had told us to get the aforementioned item. This painter is not worth missing a single minute over serving young master Wessor. Please reconsider.” The driver pleaded with the young maiden, lowering Mona’s worth in an attempt to return Siana to her seat.

Siana looked at Mona, a tinge of displeasure in her eyes after hearing the words of the driver. She thought about whether it was truly worth reprimanding this servant. However, she wasn’t willing to let this painter act freely in public, regardless of his supporters.

“Your right Raltswell. Duke Wessor’s time is precious, and is not worth wasting on a lowly painter. I should have known that our carriage stopped because of a fool who didn’t bother to pay attention. Ready the Beast Raltswell. I’m returning to the carriage.” Siana looked at Mona, carving him as a pathetic figure as she made her way back to her seat. The driver turned back to the stationary Beast, sitting in his position and preparing to use the reins once again.

Mona looked at the whole scene, his anger stoked. It’s my fault now? He had only stopped for a moment to see if his paintings were still intact, yet now it was because of him Wessor’s carriage was prevented from approaching. He was prepared to apologize to this messenger from the House of Wessor regardless of it was his fault. Mona knew that as only a subordinate of Eric his own support in Alberdos was rather thin. But who would know that not only did Siana blame him completely without realizing her fault, she also casted him as a fool in front of the crowd.

He couldn’t believe the warped thinking of this envoy Siana. Mona normally had a high tolerance, but this form of blantant mistreatment wasn’t going to be endured quietly. The atmosphere became ever frigid as Mona looked at the retreating Siana, rebuking her line of reasoning with his words.

“Yes. It’s my fault for standing among the people, and not allowing the respected carriage of the Wessor family to crush me as it makes its way to the Alduin Auction House. I am indeed a fool for not dying where I stand as the Beast stomps on my body and the wheels sever me. Truly a fool I am.” Mona was heard by the audience, the sarcasm vivid in his words. The crowd inwardly agreed with Mona’s implied meaning, but didn’t voice their support. Although it was true that Mona was with the crowd as it made its way to the auction house, they didn’t dare to oppose the envoy of Wessor in public. A painter versus a duke of a renowned noble family, only the insane would support Mona in such odds.

Siana heard Mona’s biting criticism, the sarcasm in his words essentially a slap to her face. She couldn’t believe a painter could be so cocky and stand up to her. How arrogant. Siana turned around, her face emotionless as she raised her arms. Her Frozen Knuckles Art returned to her Gauntlet Creations made to look like leather gloves. The driver sighed, believing that a mess of blood would soon appear.

Siana rushed towards Mona, her arms ready to strike out. The pressure of her Aura fell onto Mona, cornering him to prevent his escape. She was preparing to teach a lesson to this painter how to act towards a noble’s envoy.

Mona was focused, tossing his satchel to the side as he channeled the Primal Fold Technique. His body responded with speed, his muscles tensing under his robe. The crowd slowly grew into a large circle, watching an unknown painter fight against the frigid beauty of Wessor’s household.

Siana threw her punch out, her Frozen Knuckles Art serving as a pure physical attack. She didn’t think that a mere Aura Mortal would requre her using one of her Art’s special moves. Her Warrior ranked Aura Technique, the Chilling Gale Technique, was simultaneously used, the surrounding Aura in the air congealing faster towards her than Mona.

Mona looked at the approaching punch, knowing that one strike could cause him great damage. With his body strengthened, he swiftly dodged to the side, avoiding the barbs of ice on Siana’s right gauntlet. Mona reappeared about two feet away, his body without a scratch.

What? Siana was certain that Mona would feel his left side freeze over before collapsing on the ground. She didn’t think that Mona could have a Lord ranked Art in his possession, something she couldn’t have. Yet the difference was visible now as Siana watched her fist strike at an afterimage with Mona a short distance away.

Siana furrowed her brow, dashing once again at Mona, her two gauntlets layered in ice. The crowd was surprised that the painter survived a single blow. Even if he dodged, it was known Siana had reached grand completion of her Art, and each of her movements were without visible flaws.

Mona dodged once again, his breathing calm. Siana had launched two strikes at him, both of them just an inch away from his robe. He watched as Siana’s eyes glinted with fury at his two evasion attempts. This Primal Fold Technique is truly wonderful. His smug smile only made Siana quake with rage.

He can’t have a Lord ranked Art! It must be related to Evasion. Siana reasoned to herself inside her heart. She wasn’t willing to believe that as Wessor’s main subordinate she had inferior Arts and Technique to an unknown painter. Siana didn’t know who Mona was, and had never met him.

As for what Mona was using to evade her every strike, she wasn’t sure either. Siana knew that only two things could evade her blows to such an extent, either a Lord ranked Body Strengthening Technique or at least a Warrior ranked Evasion Art. She didn’t think Mona had the former, and was more willing to believe the latter.

Arts and Techniques varied in usage. Whereas Techniques were used to regenerate Aura within the body, Arts utilized Aura to attack, defend, evade and much more. A few Techniques, however, gave innate benefits such as the boost to Mona’s body overall. Such Techniques were truly difficult to find, and were coveted by nobles themselves. Siana didn’t think that Mona could have such a thing in his position.

Siana’s breath was visible in the cold air as she prepared to launch a barrage of attacks. She looked at Mona’s body, ready to attack his weakpoints. Her formal training had helped earn her a position as Wessor’s main subordinate, and with this training she had a great advantage against Mona. His sides as well as the right of his arms.

Siana poured her Aura into her gloves, the ice twinkling from within. The crowd watched as the gauntlets grew in size, apparently by what she was prepared to do next. Layers of ice condensed on her hands, the spikes on the surface prominent and sharp.

“Frozen Knuckles Art: Stalagmite of Ice…” Siana muttered to herself quietly, feeling the Aura in her Core rapidly enter her ice gauntlets. The air lowered in temperature, much of the crowd shivering as they watched. Mona focused his gaze as he saw Wessor’s envoy look back at him with hatred in her eyes.

Siana charged straight for Mona, her speed considerably greater than before. Mona repeated his routine of evasion, only to see Siana strike the ground with force. As Mona retreated 4 feet, he watched three large icicles grow from the ground, rapidly piercing the space his body where it once was. Each was at least 4 feet in height, and collapsed shortly after forming.

Mona looked at the last ice crystal, watching it turn into vapor before him. He channeled the Primal Fold Technique, his body preparing to dodge once again. I can’t attack just yet. I have to whittle away her stamina. Only then will I have a chance. Knowing his enemy was an Aura Warrior, Mona was prepared to strike once he had the opportunity. Although his bare hands were not as powerful as Siana’s gauntlets of ice, if he was to attack at her weakest his fists would still be quite deadly.

Back at the Alduin Auction House, numerous members and servants walked around inside of the building. Quite a few wore smiles as they welcomed those nobles and merchants partaking in the auction. Many of these buyers revealed their personal CFU cards of varying rank, earning different forms of treatment based on their card.

Part bank indentification and part proof of person, the CFU distributed cards to all of its members to signify their well wishes. The cards had nine colors to represent nine grades starting with common White card and growing ever darker to the mythic Black card. Card bearers would earn different amounts of respect from the Union and differing benefits. The CFU gave all new participants free White Cards, and the more the buyer the spent the higher the class their card would become.

The Auction House of Alduin had three floors. The bottom floor was the entrance that led to the Auction Arena where buyers could bet on goods. The second floor was where much of management carried out their duties, and also card bearers could use the CFU’s banking system to deposit Madrags or take out loans. The third floor was where the leaders of the CFU branch resided.

In the centermost room of the Auction House, a pair of old men and women sat around a low lying small table in a magnificient room. Incense hung in the air, filling their noses with the scent of Honeyed Flowers. The four sat beside a large window as a middle aged man came with a tray, a teapot and biscuits on top. Through the window all of them could see the guests coming to the building.

All of them wore elaborate robes of various colors, with armbands denoting their rank. The four at the table wore yellow armbands with the letters “CFU” emblazoned in black on each. The man that appeared wore a simple white armband, his actions humble as he poured the four elders hot tea.

“Look at our business, Meng. To think that it would grow so much.” One of the old men motioned through the window at the approaching people. He wore a smile as he dipped his biscuit into the tea.

The old lady named Meng smiled as well, looking happily at the crowds of people coming to their branch. Her wrinkles seemed to disappear with how much she smiled.

“Indeed, Farkan. Our business here is great. If it wasn’t for Head Sirius, I would have never enjoyed such prosperity.” The other old woman spoke, her voice sweet as she looked at the silent old man who had yet to speak.

Seeing that the old man had yet to reach for his tea nor smile, the old woman from before spoke again. “Head Sirius, is something wrong?”

The head Sirius looked at all of these elders beside him, his brow furrowed as he frowned. He looked to the old lady with a momentary smile before he spoke.

“It’s nothing, Iris. I seem to have noticed that the crowd has stopped somewhere in the Plaza. I wonder what is going on there.” The head reached for his cup of tea, taking a deep sip. His voice was mellow with a hint of sagely experience.

Iris, Farkan, and Meng looked to Sirius before seeing the crowd outside themselves. Over in the distance they too noticed the crowd surrounding what seemed to be a carriage.

Old Meng looked to the middle aged man who brought tea, smiling. “Briar, why don’t you go see what is over there, dear? I would go, but I don’t feel so well.”

Briar placed down the tray with the biscuits and tea. “Elder Meng, I will go immediately.” His voice was distinct as he said his words. With a wave of his robes, Briar left through the door he entered, leaving the leaders of the CFU branch alone. All of the leaders looked through the window, watching as Siana used the Stalagmite of Ice to attack Mona once more.

Mona dodged to the side, realizing that Siana was growing with each of his evasions. Before he had about one foot of distance between him and the icicle, and that had decreased to two inches alone. Any more, and his body would be skewered.

I have to attack now. Mona looked to Siana, watching her channel her Aura for the eight time. He didn’t know how many times she could use this move from the Frozen Knuckles Art. From the fatigue present in her body, however, he estimated she could strike only four more times. Clenching a fist, Mona was prepared to fight offensively for the first time.

Siana saw as Mona made his hands into fists, assuming a similar stance to hers. “Is he going to strike?” If Mona had an Art for attacking also, Siana wasn’t sure what to think. Even if she had steadily closed the gap between her strikes and Mona, internally she was growing exhausted. Siana knew her limits, and wasn’t willing to injure herself against a painter possibly armed with better Arts and Techniques than she had. His Mortal Level 9 Aura was perplexing on its own.

Siana dashed towards her target, ready to activate the Stalagmite of Ice once again. She locked down on Mona’s position, ready to throw another attack. Just when she was going to strike the ground, a figure appeared in front of the crowd.

“Envoy Siana from the House of Wessor, as Elder Briar of the Continental Financial Union please stop your assault this instant.” Briar stood near Mona, watching Siana deactivate her attack as she stood in front of Mona. Both she and Mona looked at the tall and intimidating Briar, each with a different expression on their face.

“Siana, why were you attacking him?” Briar looked at the cold maiden, waiting for a reply. His words however carried a trace of respect; Briar saw the Raven of Wessor insignia on Siana’s clothing, and didn’t wish to offend the House of Wessor.

Siana looked at Mona with rage, hoisting Mona into the air with her gauntlets. With careful consideration, she used her gauntlet to hide the Faulkner insignia from Briar’s gaze.

“This lowly Painter dared to stop my carriage from reaching the Auction House. He stood in front of Wessor’s carriage and gave me no reason for his actions. Then he rebuked me for highlighting his lack of proper conduct.”

“I had intended to teach him a lesson in how to treat a noble’s envoy. Clearly he wasn’t taught such things at any time in his life.” Siana was heard by everyone, her words causing Mona’s brows to furrow.

“It’s my fault once again?” Mona couldn’t believe how easily Siana told a different story. He knew he didn’t stop her carriage on purpose, but rather her driver stopped upon realizing Mona wasn’t paying attention to Wessor’s carriage. How can someone lie so much?

Briar contemplated, and easily sided with Siana. Mona was nothing more than a painter, and he wasn’t willing to offend Wessor by declaring Siana as the culprit of this affair, even if she was. Although Mona was the scrapegoat, Briar felt it was better a painter than his own life. After all, Mona didn’t seem to have any significant backer Briar had to fear.

“Envoy Siana, leave him to me. I now understand why this scene had occurred. You may return to your carriage. I will make sure this character earns his punishment.” Briar spoke with respect towards Siana, his gaze hostile to Mona. Even if the envoy was in the wrong, it is only right I hold this painter accountable. If I don’t, then Wessor’s wrath will instead be upon me. Although his actions were wrong, Briar knew that if Wessor was to target him even his head Sirius wouldn’t be able, and perhaps not even willing, to help him. Such was the impact of the noble families; if a significant one found you at fault, you were in trouble regardless.

“Hmph.” Siana threw Mona besides his satchel, his back thumping against the ground. She returned to her carriage, the driver resuming their pace towards the auction house. The stagnant crowd followed in suit, leaving Elder Briar and Mona alone near the destroyed section of the plaza. Briar looked towards Mona, his gaze unkind.

“You’re coming with me. Not only did you incite trouble with the Wessor family envoy, you also led to the destruction of the Aduin Plaza and disturbed the peace. I will ensure your punishment teaches you lawlessness has consequences.” Elder Briar spoke lividly to Mona, a layer of Aura keeping Mona from escaping as Briar lifted him into the air.

An Aura Saint. Mona had rarely came in contact with these people, and this elder of the CFU branch named Briar was one as well. Mona didn’t know how he was going to voice his complaints, or if he could. As only a subordinate of Eric, he didn’t know how much Eric’s name would hold against the large Continental Financial Union.

That envoy, she held my insignia. Mona had watched Siana very carefully, and noticed her hide the insignia of the Faulkner family in her grip. Not only was she arrogant and inconsiderate, she was calculating as well. She did that to ensure I would be punished. Despicable.

Mona wasn’t able to speak a word; Elder Briar had forced him to be silent with his Saint level 3 Aura. The two quickly made their way to the auction house, were Elder Briar was greeted with a squad of guards, one of them holding cuffs, ready to take Mona to the jail within the confines of the Union’s Alduin Auction House.

His hands and legs cuffed, Mona was carried through four hallways before being placed in a small, dimly lit room. A few of the guards examined his satchel in the process, his paintings revealed briefly before being placed back inside. The two guards holding Mona made way for a third who opened the door, revealing a room with two chairs and a weak source of light.

The guards chained Mona to one of the large wooden chairs before leaving, snickering about his fate as they left. Soon after Elder Briar entered, preparing to interrogate Mona for his actions in Alduin Plaza. The atmosphere was tense as Mona looked to the stern face of Elder Briar, no hints of benevolence in Briar’s eyes.

Should he try to explain his circumstances and hope for the best, or stay silent through the session of his mistreatment? Mona didn’t know if Briar would even listen to him after Siana’s speech. What was he supposed to do?