金瓶梅第2部

⟬ Head Magistrate's Residence. ⟭

A heavy fist pounded on the door to Antonidus' bedchambers, "Head Magistrate! Head Magistrate. Are you still there?"

Ignoring the voice, Antonidus stretched his arms and back... only to have to creak, crack, and pop-- grimly reminding him of his old age. Shaking his head, he unhurriedly put on his Magistrate robe.

An earlier series of knocks had awoken him-- and rather rudely. This set of knocks was urging him to hurry.

He combed his long white beard thoughtfully, wondering what terrible thing had befallen his city this time... Likely, another merchant's son had been 'wrongfully' imprisoned or the Church enforcers were trying to shut down a bishop's favorite brothel.

Maybe an important building was on fire? Flamescarred Sons of Qotal... He had ordered them all to reside outside of the city. They were all so f... flammable.

Regardless, it was probably something that could wait until after breakfast... but, then again... if whoever was at his door got past so many rounds of guards, they were probably worth pretending to listen to.

He grabbed the satchel containing his pen, ink, and reference materials, but suddenly... his chest began to spasm, his throat blocked. He doubled over, overcome by a painful, coughing fit.

A pale-faced Decanus Philippos burst into the room, dark circles underneath his eyes and his wispy brows furrowed, "Head Magistrate! Are you alright?!"

"Yes, yes," Antonidus rolled his eyes, taking out a clean cloth and wiping his mouth.

Blood. Again. The cold of the winter had been in the air, as of recent... and it affected him more than in years past.

Righting his posture, he walked out of his room, past the young Decanus, "Walk and talk, boy. Walk and talk."

He casually glanced out the window of the second-story hallway and noticed the dim orange glow. He'd thought he'd woken up before dawn, but it seemed it was much later than that.

Flame take it. He had plenty of work to do...

"Sir!" Philippos shouted, "Th-the city! It's under attack!"

"The city's under 'attack' every sun," Antonidus groaned. "What is the outrage about now? Was another gladiator caught f*cking something they shouldn't have? I told them that statue in the eastern square had too Flame-taken much sex appeal."

"Sir... no, that's--"

"Wait, don't tell me--" Antonidus stopped abruptly, holding up a palm, "It's another rally about inequality amongst the social classes, isn't it?"

"Harpies! There are harpies, sir!"

"BAH!! Will it NEVERRR ennnnd?!?!" Antonidus threw his hands up in disgust, turning away, "If it were up to me, Decanus, women wouldn't HAVE rights! But that's not something that gets decided by me, now is it? Have them write a Flamescarred letter to their senator!"

"Head Magistrate, sir..." Philippos frowned, "I mean... literal harpies, sir... with wings and talons."

Antonidus stopped... "Is that so?"

"It is, sir."

...The two of them slowly turned towards the nearby window.

The tinted glass shattered immediately, a naked woman with sagging breasts and grey-feathered wings for arms crashing to the floor. She loosed a croaking shriek, clawing at the space around her with long-legged talons.

"By the Flame!" Antonidus cursed, "It's a Flamescarred HARPY!"

"Stupid overgrown PIDGEON!!" Philippos grabbed a broom that had been left nearby and began to swat at the woman, "Get the hells out of here! Shoo!"

The creature shrieked in indignation before flying out of the broken window from whence she came.

"So there are harpies in my city..." Antonidus stroked his long beard.

Philippos narrowed his eyes, "That's what I've been trying to tell you, sir."

"Well, that's nothing to worry about. Mobilize the militia-- hm... and post a bounty for the gladiators to compete over. When those overgrown chickens swoop down, they'll be met by Tyrion shields and spears."

"Sir... they're dropping... arrows and stones from the skies."

"Ughhh..." Antonidus sighed. So the savages had some intelligence... "Send word to the Sons of Qotal. Their sanctioned Fire Clerics can roast, what-- a dozen of the sinful creatures with each cast? There can't be more than two-hundred of them."

"Sir..." The Decanus stared at the floor, "some of them are carrying squads of gunners."

"...Crossbow gunners?"

"Our reports say they're using guns from Bael Turath."

"Fine!" Antonidus grimaced, "You were right to call me, then. I'll handle it, myself."

Head Magistrate Antonidus was more than just a city leader, he was a sanctioned psyker-- and a Flamescarred good one. He clenched his fist, circulating the mana throughout his body.

He was often praised for his Divine Class, Holy Magus... but the paltry radiant spells he commanded back then were nowhere near enough for him. He was the Head Magistrate of the wealthiest city in Tyrion! To defend it, he needed power far greater.

So harpies threatened to attack his people? And outsiders with heretic weaponry? With the powers vested in him, granted by his new Class, he would lead the people of Caeruleum in defending her walls to the death!

Antonidus walked over to the window and looked down upon the beautiful territory he governed.

It was on fire. Everything was on fire. Plumes of smoke filled the skies, with a garish rainbow of harpies and other beasts of flight amidst them.

...Even at first glance, there were far more than he'd imagined, nevermind two-hundred.

He slowly turned back to the reporting Decanus... "Y... you, there. Philippos."

"Yes, Head Magistrate?" The Decanus grimaced.

"...Is that a... fire slime in the streets?"

"They are, sir. More than one, sir."

"...How did they even get into the city?"

"They were catapulted over the walls, sir."

Siege weaponry?! The enemy had set up siege weaponry in the night? Those USELESS Sons of Qotal!! How could they let something so catastrophic happen on their watch?!

Antonidus stroked his beard in thought, trying to calm himself... "And they're... how large?"

Philippos pursed his lips, "The smaller ones are the size of a carriage, sir."

"Very well..." Antonidus straightened his back, placing a fist to his mouth as he cleared his throat, "Ahem... Decanus! Deploy the Faithful!"

The savages' uprising wouldn't last much longer.