Edwyrd rose with the start of a new day, the pleasant sunshine obscured by the clouds that drifted overhead. The young man had half a mind to sleep in a bit, to try and get some more rest after the long night that had just taken place. But he knew that he couldn't do that, if only because there were things that he needed to do now. 

Rising from bed, he took a few minutes to do some stretches, hoping that it would wake him up for the day more than he was already. By the time he had finished his employed servant arrived, an older gentleman named Garcia who was very good at what he did, and not only provided useful council but also knew how to be discreet when times called for it. 

“Good morning Signior. Breakfast will be ready soon,” Garcia said as he helped Edwyrd shrug into one of his better suits. He had a part to play after all, and it would be a shame to not look as best as he could for the occasion. 

Edwyrd nodded, a smile on his face. “Sounds good. Thank you.” With himself ready, he spun in the mirror before exiting the room, heading towards the dining room to have his breakfast. He had a few meetings planned, but for the moment he could enjoy the day.

This day he went to the dining room that was outside, though admittedly there was a roof to avert any rain that might come. He could have eaten inside, but he didn't feel like sequestering himself  away from the people. One had to be open to the public, and so he was. Noise drifted in from the rousing city, a street running nearby and buildings surrounding his home. Sure, there was a bit of space, but if some random laborer had wanted to come up and talk to him, they could. That was the point of being a patrician. 

Taking a seat at the table, he looked out over the spread that had been prepared, with Garcia standing nearby, and his associate Victor across from him. “Good morning,” he said to the older man with a nod. “Where are Alexio and Felicia?”

“They're busy, but they should be here shortly,” Victor reassured him as he began to eat, only once Edwyrd had begun. It was his right as the head of the household, but to the both of them it was just natural. 

Edwyrd nodded, a hum escaping as he sampled the well prepared food. It was only natural that he would have a good cook. How could a man, or elf, operate without a full stomach and the energy to challenge the day? “So, how are things fairing?”

“Good,” Victor reassured him. “There was a bit of a scuffle down in the factory district regarding pay, but it's been resolved for the moment. Profits are within expected margins though.” 

Edwyrd frowned to himself, reflecting on that. “Well, money isn't everything. I'll have to take a trip down there, see if there are some grievances that need addressing. Surely we can prevent violence in the future.” That sort of conflict didn't help anyone, and just cast a bad impression of their fair Republic. If he could fix that, then he had an obligation to.

“I'll let them know to expect you,” Victor agreed with a nod, not trying to convince him otherwise at this point. 

Before they could go on, a child ran up, younger than Edwyrd himself by a good span. “Signior, signior! I have a letter for you!” The boy waved around his package, paper fluttering in the breeze, though he was quick to hand it over when Edwyrd offered an open hand. 

Edwyrd smiled as he took the letter, glancing at it to see the official looking script upon it, and the seal which indicated that it was from the office of the mayor himself. “Ah, Phillipe. Where's your papa? I was looking forward to talking with him.”

That did not dim the young boys energy as he provided an answer. “He's sick Mister Edwyrd. I'm taking his place until he gets better.” 

That earned a slight frown as Edwyrd ran a hand through his hair in consideration. “I see” He ruffled through one of his pockets before producing a couple gold coins, handing them over to Phillipe. “Here, take these and tell your father I hope he gets better soon.”

The boy's eyes widened as he took the coins, examining them in the light before quickly pocketing. “I will. Thank you signior!” With that he ran off, leaving the two of them alone for the moment. 

Victor chuckled at the departing backside of the boy, waving to him as he left. “He reminds me of you when you were that age,” he noted at the same time. Perhaps true, but it was a time that had long past. Now Edwyrd had to focus on business. 

“I'm sure you were the same way,” the elf noted as he looked at the letter. There'd be time to deal with that later. For now, he should finish breakfast.

[hr]
After breakfast Edwyrd found himself in his office. It used to be his father's office, and it had shelves of manuscripts and scrolls, an old yet spacious desk that was cluttered with various materials, plenty of chairs, a globe, and a window that allowed him to look out onto the city. All in all it was a pretty nice place, as was expected of someone in his status. 

But that was not his focus at the moment. Instead, he was looking towards the letter that he had opened before. The contents weren't what he had expected, though the list of people who had signed on was impressive. It seemed as though there was some sort of organization being formed that was directed against Baelwill, and based on the prophecy. Odd and unexpected, but it was an honor to some extent. Even if he didn't believe in prophecies all that much.

Having read it, he left it in place as he turned towards the window. “Hm, what to do,” he muttered to himself. No one could make this decision but him, but he wasn't sure what to do. He wanted to act and make a mark, but he wasn't sure whether he was willing to stake his future on some prophecy that others thought applied to him. 

Sighing, he turned away from the window, only to be struck motionless. Standing there in the middle of the room was a shadowy figure with white eyes, matching Edwyrd's eyes as they widened. Shock merged into worry of a sort, wondering just what this meant. He had never expected that this would happen, not in a hundred years.

Then in the blink of an eye it was gone once again, leaving him alone there. Glancing down, he realized that his hands were trembling, without him even realizing. In a daze he moved over to his desk and sat down, gaze fixed on that spot. That....That had been a Primordial. But they were only supposed to appear underground!

Yet he had seen it, and that left him with little choice. If it had shown up now then that meant that this was important. Reaching out to the letter, he looked it over once again. It seemed he didn't have a choice after all.