The Warden and the royal archers were to only accompany Calf to the entrance. The double doors opened slightly, admitting a single hunched figure garbed in white cloth. Calf lost focus of him as the figure made his way across the gap between them in the blink of an eye. He finally spotted the figure next to the Warden and he was thoroughly shaken. Not only had this figure escaped his tracking by either hiding his presence thoroughly or moving at speeds beyond his perception, but the assumedly fragile being was now standing tall at almost twice the Warden's height. A thin green film expanded radially from the figure's feet to quickly engulf both him and the Warden and the figure leaned slightly towards the Warden as if to lend him his ear. Calf, with the aid of his Inheritance Customs book, knew at least a bit of what to expect for the next round of interactions. So far, save for the strangely garbed figure, it was all playing out as he'd expected.

One of the representatives from the Oracle's Sect would meet up with the Head Inspector for an heir's Rite of Passage. From the inspector, they would obtain an imbuement stone of the examiner's memories, and then lead the heir to the King's reception while the deliberations occurred. Counter to his expectations, when the garbed figure had produced a fresh and clear imbuement stone, the Warden had taken out a similar stone, albeit smokey, already imbued. Though the sound barrier hid their verbal exchange, the Warden's taut stance in response to the garbed figure straightening was enough to communicate that the exchange had turned sour.

The film morphed, the transition from green to red so smooth it was almost imperceptible. All of a sudden the Warden appeared subdued, teeth gritted, knees bent and shoulders folding under an unseen pressure. The bubble, with the Warden inside it, elevated a few inches before moving behind the garbed figure. The figure turned to face Calf. The attention immediately evoked a shock at the base of Calf's spine but a quick, calming feeling caught that shock mid-ascent, freezing it in place before it could trigger any defensive reflexes. Calf could not sense any ethereal manipulation meaning this was likely a pure projection of emotion, which confused him. From the projection, he got the impression the garbed figure's actions hadn't been to his detriment, but either neutral or in his favor? Calf didn't know what to make of it. He wasn't sure how to feel about the contrast between the projected intent, and the fact the being was actively subduing the Warden. Despite his recent suspicions, he still considered the Warden an ally, albeit one he'd be wary of going forward. The prerecorded stone did nothing to alleviate these recent concerns, but he'd let that slide for now and see what he could do for his one-time teacher. He turned a pleading eye towards the garbed figure who, as if reading his thoughts, nodded to him before gesturing with a hand towards the Warden's bubble. It expanded outward a little, allowing the Warden to stretch to a more comfortable posture within.

Before Calf could express his thanks, the figure nodded to him and he felt more than heard, the suggestion for them to make their way to the King's reception. The figure led the way, Calf following, with the red bubble trailing them a few steps behind. The doors opened just enough to allow the trio passage through in a single file and once they were over the threshold, the doors creaked shut behind them. Calf hadn't noticed when the change had occurred but the figure now stood hunched again in front of them. The bubble remained stationary just inside the entrance whilst the garb led Calf to the King before floating towards the other garbs gathered in the space far to the left side of the King. Calf kept his line of sight to the King's feet and leaned forward into a semi-bow, awaiting the King's leave.

"Prince Calf", the King had addressed him, signaling for him to finally look up and face his king. The King looked as carefree as always, albeit bored, his image up-close in direct contrast to the presence of strength and authority one would feel from a distance away. His bored eyes met with Calf's and Calf was elated as he witnessed those eyes immediately glow with a playful and prideful light. That change had had a similar effect to the garb's earlier emotional projection, only heightened tenfold. He'd always striven to live up to his father's expectations and his continual failure to meet the requirements of his Rites seemed to doom that prospect each time he took them. He knew this was more or less his last chance to get promoted to Heir Apparent and the finality of his failure this time had put doubt in his mind on the type of reception he was to expect. Now, it was apparent that that worry was unfounded and he felt a bit guilty for ever doubting his father's love.

A few minutes into the deliberations, two new garbs broke off from the assembled group and moved alongside the figure that had fetched the Warden and Calf. They floated across the floor till they stood in front of the Warden. An inaudible exchange occurred among them before one of the new garbs turned to look at the Warden in the red bubble. He shook his head and motioned for the bubble to approach them. As the two garbs were making their way back to their previous positions, thunder sounded above, and with a clap, a new garb flashed into existence in front of them. The veins of light solidified into a tall figure that dwarfed everyone in the room. The robes of the new figure were grey as opposed to the prevailing white in the room. The cloth draped over its head, rising behind him to a head above his height before draping down in an irregular pattern suggesting some form of deformity on the back.

The figure gestured towards the two who were busy warding him off and the bubbles forming around them immediately burst. He gestured toward the figure who'd accompanied Calf and the imbuement stone floated from the garb's folds. With the clenching of a fist, the imbuement stone fractured, then broke into fragments that fell to the floor beneath. The red film around the Warden also wiggled before turning green again, expanding to engulf him and the new figure who'd moved to stand next to him in the blink of an eye.

It was then that the King acted. He stood up and lifted one hoofed foot, stamping it lightly on the floor. Calf noticed the white garbs visibly relax in response to this and coincidentally, the privacy bubble around the new figure and the Warden burst. The figure turned to face the King.

"Emissary.", the King addressed him without even a nod of recognition, the rude gesture being the only greeting the King was willing to offer, "To what do we owe your appearance here?".

"As imposing as ever, Boulder. I meant no disrespect but a degree of it is inevitable given whose will has brought me here. Fate, destiny and all that...", the new figure addressed, unapologetic.