The midday sun hung heavy in the broad expanse of blue that stretched over the earth. Several ivory clouds sailed across the sky, appearing much like large ships that had just pulled in to dock. It was hot and humid, and due to this, all of the guests who had started to gather were covered in a thin film of sweat. It wasn't often that the temperature in Sariwon soared to this height, especially in Furumaki, which was to the northeast of the nation. Perhaps it was just bad luck that the weather had become unbearable during her travels. It wasn't as if it bothered her, yet she would gladly take a cool day over this one.

The two minor Houses of Sariwon did not take long to reach the castle that belonged to House Iwanai. Akane was weary from marching down the dusty paths that was so common in the country. They had not stopped once to rest and set up camp, and while she was glad that the Aseryo and Tosen were taking the meeting seriously, she honestly thought that they looked a bit too tired to discuss what they were going to do with the sudden appearance of demons. She was more than glad to enter the large, ornamented building when the time came. It was significantly cooler within the castle, which made Akane want to sign in relief. Finally.

The Iwanai guards led the visitors to a rather large room where the air actually flowed. She expected the meeting hall to be stuffy and humid, even more so than the outside, but was surprised to see that it was actually... pleasant to be there. Akane noted that the King of House Iwanai was not present at the moment, but she also noticed that there were unfamiliar faces that belonged to neither House Tosen nor House Aseryo. The King was probably on his way if his followers were already in the room.

She delicately lowered herself to the ground, tucking her legs beneath her as she scanned the hall. There wasn't an extremely large amount of people, and even if there was, she wouldn't care. It wasn't as if she was shy or anything of the sort. She had worked with a larger amount of people before; she had learned how to deal with dozens of men during her times as a sellsword. Her dark gaze rested on each individual that was not familiar to her, wondering what type of person they were. She would find out soon enough, anyway.

It was hot. Well it was hot for Furumaki, but it was slightly cold for Karesh's tolerances. What he wouldn't give to go back home and be able to ignore the stupid infighting between the two big factions and focus on the goodies that were left behind or otherwise left unguarded when the two factions clashed. Sure he'd get tossed a few jobs to deal with minor disputes or maybe to cause them, but the House of Carnesale always paid well and on time. Better than most people who had employed him, that was for sure. Well, they were the only employer for him, but all the same he was glad for the steady money.

He'd arrived by hitching a ride on whatever caravans he could find. He was careful to try and not favor any one side too much, Karesh preferred to keep his head attached to his shoulders thank you, so he strode in separately. Some people around him would have made him a target, which was opposite of what he usually did to get into these huge events. Although usually he was here illegally so Karesh supposed a lot was different.

He looked over as another person came in behind him. A mercenary from the look of her. She was the most interesting person in the room, although it seemed that there weren't many people in said room. He moved to lean on the wall next to her and said, "three bits says that someone starts throwing punches three minutes after the King of the House shows up.



Ryouichi was early. He was always early, because he'd travel off of any sort of predicted schedule. Arrive three days early and put off any would be assassins. Of course that meant he was always waiting for things to start. He had to be careful here not to start a fight, because that would lend him legitimacy if something were to happen and Tosen ended up starting a fight. Ryoichi kept his patience and stayed in his spot, papers in hand and flicking through them carefully.

They were letters of varying importance and due to his travels he had put them off so now he decided to read them while he waited for the meeting to truly start. He also considered cutting his hair, what to have for food later, and a dozen other things he had put off for the sake of continuing his work. Sleep was among them, but he decided to put that off awhile longer. He did shave though, first appearances were important and could not be delayed.

Takasu arrived early, as lord of House Tosen he had no intention of being at all late. He didn't want to give anyone in Aseryo the chance to insult him or make him look bad. He spent his time wandering the streets, it was not often that he could get to the capital. He generally sends representatives to the capital when called upon so that he could keep lording at home. However this new menace was far too sinister and threatening and this meeting was far too important to be left to a representative of the house, even his most trusted noble. As time drew near to the set meeting time he made his way back to the capital building. He entered the room quietly, not wishing to draw unneeded attention to himself, though that was generally difficult. He wore a traditional gi in the primary color of his house, red, and his house sigil over the left breast. He wore a samurai's shoulder cloth made of silk satin dyed red with a golden trim and golden dragon filled the center, it was the symbol of his house. Within the waist sash of his gi were three blades, a long katana, a medium length wakazashi and a short dagger lengthed tanto. He entered the room and bowed slightly giving his respect to those within before walking over to his seat and sitting down cross-legged he observed quietly, his personal guard standing behind him in ornate armor.

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The boiling weather of the particular afternoon did not bother Illyan Travard, compared to his colleagues that accompanied the lord on their trek into Furumaki. After a lifetime of practicing fire magic, such heat was a mere blanket of warmth to him, the cozy veil failing to whittle his strength.

Entering the capital with the convoy, Illyan had paid no attention towards the stares and whispers of the commoners, just as he always had during his previous journeys.

"The White Heretic," some called him.

But, just as the embers of a fire burn out with time, the conversation stops. They knew better than to speak badly about a member of House Tosen, his house crest strapped to the end of his belt. Illyan was not one to have involved himself within the conflict between the two Houses directly; it was pointless, and he spent more time cleaning up after the messes of the House.

Though he was allowed to roam the capital before the meeting would commence, Illyan followed Lord Takasu, while making sure that no trouble was caused by their House. When the time came, he filed into the castle, joining the individuals from House Tosen in the gathering room.

Giving a customary bow to those who were already inside, Illyan ran a hand along his hair and sat down quietly. The young man cupped his hands together, clearing his throat as he looked between the two lords. "Any time we may begin, sire."

Ryuske stood at the door to the grand ornate building. The Iwanai were a very classy House and were not ashamed of showing just how wealthy they were. Ryuske held no qualms over this instead embracing their lifestyle. It was one thing to be wealthy but the Iwanai carried power with just as much beauty as their maids carried the vases. Oh yes Ryuske was pleased by the display before him as he arrived with his older brother Ryoichi, the Ry part of their name being a family legacy. He always wondered why that was a thing in his family and what it represented. For now though he had bigger fish to fry. They would be meeting with the Tosen and King about the demons appearing around the country.

The young soon to be Lord strolled into the palace right beside his brother, admiring all the art and such that had been scattered around the place. He sat his butt down in a chair not too far from his brother but not too close. He hated to be too close to his brother as he was overlooked as the younger brother sitting his brother's shadow at times. An annoying habit by many but, one he had to truly break free from himself. And then the wait came for the King to appear. Ryuske just what would be done to save this world.

She felt hot, uncomfortable and other unpleasant feelings but she only blamed herself for that. After all, who in their right mind would wear some thick armor and clothing in the heat of Furumaki. Still, she was only partly to blame since high temperatures were uncommon in Sariwon and who in the all of Ostaria could predict that this day would have that kind of temperature.

Wiping off some sweat with her gloved hands, she followed the House Tosen group. They were the first people Iroha found who would battle against the mysterious monsters that emerged in Sariwon. They looked happy to have but Iroha wondered if her foreign style of armor and clothing were bothering the Tosens. She hoped not as the last thing she wanted was her allies being distracted from more important things.

Fortunately, the temperature decreased to a more comfortable level after entering the grandiose building of House Iwanai where two Houses, the Tosen and the Aseryo, would meet the head of the Iwanai about the monster problem. Iroha had heard that the Tosen and the Aseryo were bitter enemies but she was glad that they managed to put aside their differences to deal with a problem that not only concerned them but probably all of Sariwon, maybe even all of Ostaria.



He had heard Iroha had joined House Tosen and so the logical choice was to join House Aseryo. He had heard there was some sort of a monster problem that united the two enemy Houses but he knew a common enemy was but a temporary solution to generation-long blood feud. There was good chance that some of both Houses would try to use the commotion to deal damage or even wipe out the opposing House. But he was not there for the Houses. No, he was there for a much more important ordeal.

Jester followed behind the group of visitors, trying to be as unnoticed as possible for if Iroha knew he was there then she would have her guard up and that would not be fun at all. He was silent as he entered the building. He was silent as he sat with the other visitors. He was completely silent. He was silent when he kept his eyes on the oblivious Iroha.