Highwinter was the very portrait of a [i]city of adventure[/i] he often found in his books. A miasma of wonder and merriment wafted in the breeze of this city, infecting the denizens with romanticism and freedom. Aehren often wondered what it would have been like if he came to this city full of idealism and naiveté. Would he have fallen in love with the concept Highwinter represented?

It was useless to ponder over it. He was already set in his path and he would not have it any other way.

Aehren stared out into the sea from atop his balcony. His uncle’s mansion lied in the Estates District that overlooked the city—only the lord’s castle boasted a higher viewpoint. He knew his uncle’s room also had a balcony that gave him this same perspective and when he first arrived to Highwinter he wondered why his uncle chose to give him this room. The view was nice, but there was something [i]more[/i] to it than just that. At first he thought it was meant as a show of opulence and prestige, but his uncle scoffed at that idea.

It was not until he learned of his uncle’s position as a Luminary did he finally understand. His view from his balcony showed not only the esteemed parts of Highwinter but also the more unsavory elements of it. As one of the (secret) leaders of the city, his uncle reminded himself [i]every day[/i] of his responsibility to this city. This grand picture of Highwinter framed by his home displayed the enormity of his authority and burden.

His uncle did so love his subtle games.

[b]“Aehren?”[/b] he heard his uncle ask, his voice muffled behind his door. The man didn’t bother to ask permission to enter his room—he was the master of his house, after all. 

The door opened and shut, and light footsteps crossed his room. Aehren greeted him only when he passed through the threshold onto his balcony. [color=black][b]“Uncle, I thought you would be busy,”[/b][/color] he said. [color=black][i][b]“You mentioned needing to ensure the position of magistrate for your candidate,”[/b][/i][/color] he mentally added.

[b]“Fortuitously, there was no need for any intervention on my part. The other candidate seemed to have met an untimely demise. No doubt the man’s gambling debts finally caught up to him.”[/b]

Aehren could practically hear the smile in his uncle’s voice. He turned around and found that there was indeed a smile on his uncle’s face. Ephraim Enaghast did not have the physique of an intimidating man. He was as skinny and lanky as Aehren was but lacked the height of a Nohr. His eyes were sharp and calculating as one would expect from a man of his position but the wide dimples and smile on his face belied the cunning intellect beneath it. He had black-grey hair swept back and held in place by some substance, but he was beginning to show his age with the white steaks on his sideburns and temple.

The Enaghasts were a distinguished family harkening back to when the Qalini Magocracy still stood strong. There was no single specialty they were known for, but there were rumors they dabbled in sorcery of the dark and forbidden kind. Nevertheless, the Enaghasts rarely ventured north, preferring the south in their business. It was only a quirk of fate that tied the Enaghasts with the cold Nohrs of Wolfsworn.

Uncle Ephraim’s eyes roamed from his feet to his head, taking note of his attire. Aehren cared little for the silk and linen his uncle provided him for social events, preferring leathers and furs which he currently wore. His other equipment were already strapped and placed hidden in their compartments in his coat, his main weapon—a magical rifle—lied on the table beside in the center of his room. His uncle nodded his head, approving his attire.

[b]“I understand this is an important mission?”[/b] his uncle asked, but Aehren knew better than to assume he didn’t know before he did. [b]“Words arrived from my niece to be wary of this particular quest you’re about to undertake.”[/b]

He frowned, no doubt disapproving of this [i]magic[/i].

[color=black][b]“You assume she sees the future?”[/b][/color] he asked, smiling wryly at the apprehension.

[b]“Whether or not I believe doesn’t matter. Just be safe and do nothing to worry her, is that understood? 'Succeed, Aehren,' were her words.”[/b]

Aehren nodded, understanding the hidden meaning within it. Though he was now a man grown, he would forever be seen as a child in his uncle’s eyes. He appreciated the sentiment of family between them, but he did not wish to be coddled. He did manage to gain some notoriety amongst the members of Iron Mountain.

The two conversed for a little while longer before Aehren thought it was time to part. They were not people of sentimentality and so there was no need to show any grand displays of affection. After collecting his equipment and supplies, the Winter Wolf left his uncle and headed for the docks where he was supposed to rendezvous with the others.

Aehren quickly found the ship, the [i]Loyalist[/i], and promptly boarded. Immediately upon arriving, he began scanning the others that were on deck. He took note of every one of them and found some peculiarities amidst the lot, but he had grown used to such oddities when he was off adventuring for the Iron Mountain. So far he appeared to be the only one with a firearm… and he was also the youngest judging from appearances.

He made his introduction some time after the dwarf was finished, [color=black][b]“Aehren Nohr the Winter Wolf of Wolfsworn.”[/b][/color]