Evander Fino Synesti
Road to the Queen’s Gate:
I Will Never Forget Who I Am
(Present)I Will Never Forget Who I Am
Time: Morning, Location: Erasand’Enise
Mood: ”The Beginning of a Story” by Sami Vuorensola
Current Event: Introduction to Erasand’Enise & Societies Faire
“My name is Evander Fino Synesti, son of Duke Foscari Synesti, grandson of Pietro Synesti, and the 9th line of descendants from Avince, I hereby swear on my family’s name, we will rise again by my hands and flame.” Evander recited his identity under his breath. Clutching his mother’s necklace, the gold band on his finger slid against the dragon pendant and began to increase in heat, revealing his family’s motto within the band’s integrity, words Evander repeated with his head bowed forward and eyes closed, “Cor flamma dolor exurit gladii, I will never forget who I am.”
The carriage bounced up slightly, raising Evander off his seat, breaking concentration. He looked outside his carriage window and what was revealed struck him at his core. The sight of Ersand’Enise lay off in the distance from the hillside trail they traveled on. Evander had eight of his father’s men protecting his arrival, one called out to the young prince, “We will be arriving to Ersand’Enise just before sun fall!” Evander could feel a rise of emotion in his gut, am I nervous?, he thought.No, I am excited…I will make you proud Celestina, Mamma, and Papa.
Evander continued to reflect on his mission and why he was sent to Ersand’Enise. In his rumination, time flew like a pigeon lifting off the edge of a building, swiftly. The high gates and walls covered any view of Ersand’Enise’s life and architecture. All that Evander could rely on was the stories his tutor told him before having been sent off. He was excited to see the statues of heroes, monuments of gods, and colorful sights of trees painting the city streets.
“We’re here!” One of Evander’s guards called out as he reigned in the horses to stop them from pulling the carriage further. The lead guard, Monte De l'Oeuvre, a Perrench-born mercenary, and skilled Arcanist, stepped forward to greet the Captain of the gates. The two spoke in Perrench to each other, and the gates slowly opened to the treasures of Ersand’Enise.
Evander’s carriage began again, the horse's hooves beginning to click on the stone streets paved with history and craftsmanship. There they were, statues, minarets, spires, homes, domes, large structures worshiping Pentad, and colorful trees all perfectly tucked together within the walls of Erasand’Enise to provide any tourist and resident a consistent experience of inspiration,breath-taking, was all Evander could think. The carriage stopped in front of a building with symbols etched into it’s street-facing stones forming a word, Registrar.
Monte De l’Oeuvre opened the carriage door greeting Evander, “Your grace, welcome to your new home.” Evander emerged from out of the carriage, his white golden hair falling over his shoulders; he drew his cape over one side and planted his feet on the ground of Erasand’Enise for the first time,“Where are we?” Monte De l’Oeuvre responded, “We are at the office where you will receive your next assignment; you will be on your own from here. Is there anything else we can assist you with before our leave?” Evander shook his head and waved his hand,“No, that will be all.”
His escorts turned around and began their march back to their Duke’s land while Evander took steps forward into the Registrar’s office of the Academy.
The lobby was ornamented with callbacks to all the Zeniths of the Academy’s history, etched in stone, for however long the walls would end up standing. Evander felt as if he found what he was looking for, a place to test his power and Gift, where he could sharpen his skills against the skillful and talented. This was his proving ground, and he would savor every portion he bit out of it. His right cheek raised as his lips curled to reveal his back teeth to his fang, every last bite.
He walked up to the desk where he was greeted by a gentle face, “Welcome to the Academy of Thaumaturgy; you must be the Marquess Synesti, Evander.” Evander nodded,well done lady. He leaned in to meet her eyes, “Yes, I am, and who might you be, a baroness?” Evander asked with a smile on his face. The woman behind the desk, flattered, but aware he was not serious in his question, answered, “Oh, you are too much. I am the Registrar. Here is what you’ll need to get started, class assignment, dormitory, school calendar, club information, your assigned Arch-Zeno, and Zeno; you will be staying in the Noble Dorms, they are North of here, but first, you’ll want to check in with your Arch-Zeno.” Evander watched her slide over parchments that covered everything she noted in brief. He slid his hand over the top of the small pile and pulled it toward him, “Thank you.” He turned around to exit, and she called out as he was about to step outside, “Good luck!”
Evander waved his hand to acknowledge her call, but he never looked back. He walked down steps back to the street where he paused, inhaling; he scanned and captured this moment in his new environment. There were a few tasks he had hanging on clouds floating around in his mind, but first, there was the task of meeting his Arch-Zeno. Lifting one of the papers marked “Apprentice Group”, he found the name under Arch-Zeno, Ardredelle Latvar.
First stop is…Arch-Zeno Ardredelle Latvar.
Where to begin was Evander’s next question, which direction should I take? Before he could decide, the woman from earlier interrupted his thoughts and answered, “Head to that building over there; it’s the school for chemical magic. She will be in the Arch-Zeno office on the first floor.”
A witch! Evander thought humorously, “Was I that obvious?” He said to her. All she did was smile and point until Evander turned to meet Ardredelle Latvar. The building was easy enough to follow, rarely breaking Evander’s line of sight as he walked along the Academy streets. Arriving at the doors, Evander opened both to walk inside. The halls were filled with an interesting stench on which he could not quite place his nostril. Chemicals were like that from time to time.Great, this was where my Arch-Zeno is supposed to be inhabiting? Evander continued down the corridors following signs to the Arch-Zeno’s office; he passed students and teachers without giving them much thought or attention. He focused on finding the one person he needed, Adredelle Latvar.
Evander arrived at the office door; standing outside, he took a deep breath and pushed open the door. Inside was a woman sitting behind her desk, pushing papers and moving them all over the surface. It appeared as if she could not focus on any one particular document. Instead, they all had her attention for minutes on end. Adredelle had sensed Evander enter the room, but she did not acknowledge him, not because she was rude, but because she was thinking about many other things that seemed to her a tad more important. Standing only feet inside the entrance, Evander waited, and waited, until he decided to interrupt, “Excuse me, madam, are you the Arch-Zeno, Adredelle Latvar?”
Adredelle stopped, looked up at Evander, and responded, “Pardon me, yes I am, and you?” Evander was a little annoyed at the fact she did not recognize him as a new student and HER new student to boot, “Evander Fino Synesti.” He answered sternly. Adredelle remained polite but could sense his attitude, “Nice to meet you, Evander. Welcome to Ersand’Enise and the Academy of Thaumaturgy; my name is Adredelle Latvar, and I will be your Arch-Zeno for this school year, do you have any questions for me?”
Evander nodded, “When do I start?” Adredelle replied matter-of-factly, “You begin tomorrow, first you will head to your dormitory, get settled in, review your course schedule, eat dinner, and tomorrow you will head to your first class.”
Evander noted his next step was to find his dormitory, “Ok, where is my-” Adredelle finished, “Dormitory? Check your paper.” Evander’s blood boiled a little; he was not used to someone interrupting him. Who does she think she is? Evander paused his thought, an Arch-Zeno I suppose. He pulled out his paper, “Noble dormitory, A10?” Adredelle answered respectively, “It will be the first row of dorms; you’ll see the marking once you get there, now no need to meander around here anymore, go enjoy your evening.” Evander felt as if he was being shooed away; a second time, his blood boiled in front of this character he was to identify as his Arch-Zeno. Biting his tongue, gripping his fists, he decided to say nothing…for now, “I will be off then, thank you.” Evander replied begrudgingly. Turning around, he exited her office and headed to his dorm.