Chapter 1- the singer
Stepping through the unpleasant greys of mills coated with soot corroding the other wise colourful environment.
Sauntering through the prominent business district of Tilisli a young man lost in his surroundings filled with dozens of structural giants varying from employee residents to likely overpriced markets tools such as wrenches bent inwards, numerous screws with strange embedded designs.
Had the local government bothered to apply laws to control the local factories placement these areas could have been replaced with a beautiful park or new housing to expand the shrinking residential area
Looking into the nearest shop the boy caught his reflection dumbfounded brown eyes shone with a growing urgent gleam, strands of blonde hair leaking down his face into view momentarily masking his vision from the disgust up until they were shoved somewhat into place atop his hairline.
A white buttoned long sleeve shirt adorned his lean frame atop that is a casual green trench coat wrapping around his shoulders loosely clenched in his hand was a beat up leather case dangling in his grip.
Casting his gaze back to the long cobble road to his right, the sounds of galloping grew by the moment.
Capturing his attention a carriage rushing behind him within an exuberant gentlemen stretched his lips upwards as if reminiscing of a great time in his life laughing and chuckling to himself.
Spouting his morning greetings to the women in his vicinity some undoubtedly married in a bid to show off his exuberant personality. the boy muttered solemnly to himself picking up his pace as he moved into a pack of cheers and jeers thrown back
"how, a man in his 40's married with kids might i add could show the audacity to catch a young woman's attention will always baffle me, does he not have a single ounce of shame in his body?"
despite his disgruntlement the disgruntled teenager knew that he was no better even if the act was different he was a street performer he too would be vying for all the attention in town no matter how noble the purpose he had in mind.
he could easily justify himself, as an orphan with little means of money and the mouths of the little ones she shared a room with full why would it be a difficult decision for him to go out and perform for some extra money.
arriving at the entrance of a large open town square the boy quickly ushered to the centre plopping his briefcase open to reveal an open casing with "donations" sewn on clumsily upon its roof, within the case was an old oak guitar created by the late Roselle, one of his many inventions that shattered the world standard into the steam dominated society he lives.
slinging the guitar around his shoulder by a long strap the boy eagerly brought his hands to his neck pulling a glorious golden sun pendant; the radiance of the relic reminding him of the summer even in the most miserable of days.
chanting a quick prayer along the words of "your radiance warms our lives as our hearts cleansing us of sin and delivering our souls to your brilliance".
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raising my hands high reverently hugging the distant glowing fireball beaming its holiness down onto him, i took a deep ,powerful breath a smile stretching my face in anticipation built up throughout the day it was time to bring these misguided fools some radiance for once.
this moment was a once in a lifetime opportunity a chance to use his god given gift to spread his faith and bring the old church he loved some face and so with this in mind i yelled
"PRAISE THE SUN, are you not most brilliant light the world has ever seen?
"Has your warm embrace not fallen upon every one of this worlds inhabitants?"
"Despite the fools who ignore you who resend you"
" "I Lucas Fournier hereby dedicate this hymn to your glory whilst my time under your glory isn't forever i pray your radiance captures my words for years to come!"
Lowering my hands i clear my breath satisfied with the declaration and the attention i had garnered from the surrounding citizens a mixture of negativity and bother.
Turning to the nearest pillar fit with the gallant frame of the great emperor i climb up to his shoulder seating myself somewhat comfortably enough so to take yet another deep breath and let out a shaky hum steadying myself and pulling upon my gift letting it rush my vocal chords.
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the area once filled with murmurs of contempt and mocker quieted at once, the voice of an angel for what it must have only been rang out.
The glee Lucas had felt moments before seem to travel through the song wandering men and women drawn in began to feel light: their bodies, their hearts their minds.
Burdens weighing on them behind their expression of exuberance finally began to fade and for a moment Lucas was the centre of attention not as a disgraceful zealot as he was widely known.
No right now Lucas was a kind and gentle voice singing about his god and his struggles, the faith Lucas garnered over the years resounding with personal experience left the crowd stumped.
his chorus encouraged them to show gratitude dropping denominations of 1-5 verl dor each, the suns rays shone brighter upon him painting Lucas magnificently.
this was likely as a result of his prayer, a twist to a common prayer amongst sun believers in the midst of a missionary postion, a quick prayer in exchange for the lords "gaze" being pointed at the person momentarily.
The song interconnecting with the light showering lucas progressively began to fill the audiencr with the awe some even portrayed envy despite the effects on the hymn.
Dozens of familiar faces such as lady Lorraine was amongst them a young noble woman who had arrived to Midseashire several weeks ago and quickly became a favourite amongst the male population.
her brazen behaviour matched with her bright colourful dresses seemingly growing more picturesque every day grabbing the attention of the surrounding men who fawned over her.
attached to her side was a tall exotic man never seen before. covered in a tan seen only in the southern continent, the man stood proudly.
Lucas midway through his performance felt his connection strain as a result his gaze fell to the stranger leering at the men who dared to enjoy "his" woman for too long.
How ironic that a man who looked to descend from a lawless colony would show himself so openly to the public who oppressed his people.
He stuck out like a sore thumb wearing a plain black silk suit woven by wealth itself, hints of strange feathers attached to his shoulders reminiscent of shoulder guards applied in military gear.
He wore his top hat as a a crown as if he were some highland prince trying and finding difficulty to disguise himself amongst commoners.
Lucas looked deeper at the man who somehow interrupted his gift who could this man be? did he also posses a gift,one to interrupt others? his actions had broken the trance and left the populace with their senses once again "how unfortunate"
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the reactions of the public varied with the bronze gentlemen. where they looked upset and confused at the weight of the world once more on their shoulders, the unnamed male looked unaffected even looking knowingly at me as though he knew a secret no-one else was privy too.
deepening his frown with tension in his jaw, the unnamed man clutched the young Lorraine's arms between his own tighter than before. Lorraine's smile once unconcerned tensed she who should be no less than a baroness in her visage gazed about the crowd with the distraction the gentleman presented her.
despite her partner she now eagerly eyed the men winking at those who caught her eye throwing them kisses even.
it was clear Lorraine had no interest in her partner any longer, no perhaps this was not her partner but a bodyguard surely this would explain his intrusion his strangeness and boldness even.
or maybe she was holding some ulterior motives bringing this man, it was clear from the contrasting acts they provided that they were not together to have fun with one-another.
the audience now free of my song began to glare, despite this i drew my attention back onto my singing resulted in the note breaking and the trance of joy snapping and most importantly the yelling of nearby law enforcement catching on to the young man perched on the broad shoulder of emperor Roselles statue. Jumping down its back i rolled across the pavement receiving light scratches on my arms in return. given the head start i dashed to the suitcase filled with small coins several denominations of 2-3 verl d'or the passerby's had dropped penny's in appreciation for my song, i closed the case locked it and took the head start to dash into the nearby plains street a more lively area i often use as an escape from the dim factories i was forced to travel across to reach the singular eternal blazing sun church i frequented this was my destination.