2nd of Frost 2622
It was dark in the streets of Genteven. It was very early in the morning, about 5 am, cold air and small touches of frost were ever-present. At a time such as this, the normally busy city was silent with only a handful of lights shining out of buildings. Those buildings in question were locations like bakeries where bakers and their apprentices woke up early so they could have bread ready for the morning crowds coming to gather for it. But those people were inside warm buildings where the warmth of the ovens kept the frost from seeping into their bones. They would have no reason to wander the streets at such a time, which left the streets to a singular figure walking the cobbled streets. Their skin was dark and their green and brown clothing made them blend in with the shadows, yet the figure did not make any effort to hide. Instead, he walked in a slow thread, observing the buildings around him and appreciating the solitude in the normally so very busy city.
This figure was Hugo Abreo, a Veir who had recently gone through quite a traumatizing series of events. Something which had caused the young man to have a sleepless night. After trying to sleep for too long he had decided that now would be a good time for a walk and enjoy the view of the city from another side. Eventually, he entered the area of the city where the richer clientele often gathered. With many of the shops in this area have actual glass windows to help display their collection amongst other things. After walking and peering through the dark glass, Hugo eventually froze as he recognized a shop he had not visited for a long time. A chill went down Hugo's spine, not one of cold but one of recognition and of old memories making themselves known. Yes, he had not been to this shop in many years. The last time he had come here had been during better times. And, when he was last here, a most curious incident had happened. As Hugo gazed through the glass at an extensive collection of books his mind was cast back to many years ago when he was but a young boy, when his father and Pascal were still alive and he still lived in fortune. A time when he had been a little shit.
22nd of Ash 2616
((6 years ago))
Hugo gazed upon the bookshop that was in front of him, taking it in with a short look. As he did so a small frown appeared on his face. This shop did not have a writ of patronage or indicator that it was owned by a Valran or other person who followed the will of the Entente. No symbol of status which made clear that this was a place for the nobility and not a place for the magicless and godless people who inhabited the empire. No instead it seemed that any man could enter here and buy goods, regardless of social rank or of their faith. Hugo felt the light temptation to send a letter of complaint to the local magistrate or prefect but he quickly squashed that desire. The relevant authorities would probably know already, and whilst he disliked the idea of any kind of commoner possessing a store of knowledge, it was too much of a bother to make sure the books got into the proper hands. Especially since he was just here to acquire a single book.
Pascal had gotten word that this book merchant had somehow gotten his hands on a copy of a text which described life in the Unbroken Empire before it's falls. He did not know the exact contents but he had heard rumours that it was a record of the Empire in its latter days. One which described its institutions and society in detail before the Emperor had reached too far and provoked the wrath of Ulen. To have an accurate copy of a book from hundreds of years ago would be a treasure trove of knowledge and possible lectures for Hugo. Furthermore, it was a large source of prestige for a member of the Empire's nobility to possess, as the Empire of Rust was the legitimate successor to the Unbroken Empire. Thus Hugo had been sent out by Pascal, with encouragement from his father, to accompany the party that were to sell some of the estate's harvest to the market. His main task was to view and learn from the proceedings, and then go and acquire this book. Instructions which Hugo followed as he had helped sell some of the goods and now he was in front of the bookstore. Taking a breath Hugo opened the door to the store and heard a small bell ringing. Immediately he could smell the atmosphere of dusty books and of stale air. He almost had to cough but managed to prevent it. In the end, he looked around the shop for where the shop owner might be but did not see them around yet, despite the door being open.
Hugo's lips curled up into a disagreeable look and began browsing the stacks of books whilst he waited for the shopkeeper to actually appear. Trying to see if there were any other tomes which Pascal might desire.
