- Messages
- 116
- Character Biography
- Link

V E L S O N D O R
[link] | [link]
While the Urahils were wealthy enough to own a grand estate in the city of Vel Anir, when it came to significant business, the family went to Vel Sondor to discuss in privacy the matters that Felix found so important. It was the home the twins grew up in before being thrust into the Academy, and Leander hadn't been here since his arrival as an initiate. Now a graduate, he fully appreciated the Anirian city that was part of his namesake. In Anirian fashion, it was protected by large, thick walls. The stone was pale through the centuries of sunlight beating down on them. Gold would decorate these grand walls, and the gates would open wide. These gates hadn't closed in a century, and sometimes Leander wondered if they could anymore.
Only a fool would lay siege to the home of the Sondorkommans, the knights known for being willing to do anything for Vel Anir. Only a fool would risk the wrath of the Urahil bloodline, comprised of soldiers, captains, and commanders. The war stories of Urahils and Quillons, of Bierhals and Gradels, all of it cumulated to one lesson: do not go against those with warlord in their blood.
The carriage quickly came from the main road to their gilded estate, made of white stone and adorned in navy and gold.

"Republic," Leander mumbled under his breath. He still forgot it was that, even if it felt like nothing had changed. His enemy was never Vel Anir or the Monarchy, it was his own brother who had called this meeting. Those invited would wake up knowing they were invited one morning, and they would know the rules: only them, no lover, no wife, no bodyguards. They would not be allowed to tell anyone, and somehow, he would know if they had. His pale gaze watched a female guard train to learn how to fight and defend when smoke bombs were used. He found it to be in bad taste that the smoke came out red, wondering what the point was. To help desensitize her to blood? By her age, she should already be used to blood and carnage, bone and gristle, flesh and deformity.
Many minutes later, the carriage came to the estate's door. The long road was another warning, showing all the future guardsmen and knights to display their long lineage and ilk. It would have unnerved Leander, but with his dreadlord title, he felt secure. Only when he stepped out of the carriage, in finery that would please his father more than his brother, did he feel a dull dread. He looked over his shoulder, watching the coachman lead the carriage to the stables. They all would stay the night; this dinner was not an affair that granted brevity.
"Dreadlord Leander," Captain Capucine greeted him coldly at the door, using her rank against his. Leander figured Felix was sleeping with her, too. He liked to sleep around with powerful women so he could remind them that it was fleeting, that compared to him, they would always be weak. Leander wasn't sure why they kept coming back. "You'll follow me to the reception room. Dinner is not yet ready." A maid opened the grand, knotty alder door, and they did not close it until Leander was a few feet inside. He stared at the grand staircase, the portraits of all the Urahils before him who bore grand titles. Some wore heavy armor, others wore military uniforms, but they all shared the blonde hair that had their naysayers point and whisper of incest.
He was led up the stairs and felt comfortable putting his hand over a rail that appeared gold but felt more like iron. Much like the unity the Urahils and the cadet branches showcased to all of Vel Anir, it felt performative. Leander didn't release his sigh of contempt. He would have plenty of time for it, after all, family dinner was about to begin.