Cergos Csirvaldo of Tyraturos, Thay

[Oligarchal Magocracy]

The Protagonist.

Appearance:

Cergos stands at six feet and one inch tall. He looks to weigh approximately 196lbs. His musculator is difficult to determine due to the loose fitting robes he wears.

Equipment:

Cergos wears mage robes trimmed in gold, matched with a hooded cloak and he carries a staff topped with an arcane focus which is red of colour. His cloak and robes show a variety of deep pockets and pouches.

Tattoos:

Cergos has a variety of tattoos. He has an arcane rune inked around his left eye which can occasionally be seen to glow slightly, forcing the eye to focus.

He also wears two half face tattoo's of different patterns, each taking up half of his face and they would appear to be similar to a real world polynesian styled tattoo.

He also has a cobra tattoo on the front of his throat. This depicts a front on view of a cobra with it's hood expanded and fangs bore. The remaining body of the cobra circles his neck, dissapearing below his robes.

[Oligarchal Magocracy]

The building of a network.

The corner of his lip curled slightly as he let his eyes wander over a group of goblins that had been presented to him. He was stood in the dungeons of the Thayan Enclave within Proskur, one of the guards had presented the mongrels for inspection. Cergos' left eyebrow raised slightly as he listened, his facial expression not betraying his thoughts.

"We are selecting goblins to fight within the arena? I do not see how this serves a purpose. I am here to network, build alliances and develop trade for the house of Csirvaldo. Not pick gladiators. Though if this is what it takes then I will endure."

Cergos allowed the guard to finish informing himself and the others gathered of the coming task before taking a few steps forward and banging the heel of his staff against the floor to get the attention of the vermin he was looking over. Once they looked towards him, he spoke in a strange dialect. Two of the goblins answered and Cergos' nodded once before returning to the guard, informing him of which goblins he had choosen. The guard nodded with a satisfied smile before ushering the gathered to their seats, which ran the length of the arena.

From his vantage point, Cergos looked down over the arena. His facial expressions remained impassive and his right hand gently gripped his staff, to prevent any "ticks" from giving away his thoughts. The rune around his eye glowed purple forcing it to focus on a group of elven slaves that had just entered the arena. He raised his chin slightly, spotting the gaze of the unknown Red Wizard who sat on the opposite side of the fighting pit before returning his gaze to the elven slaves. They appeared frightened, lost and concerned. Cergos pondered on this for a moment before dismissing it. The feelings of slaves did not matter, especially those not belonging to him and his family. 

He winced slightly as the din of goblin speak erupted from the other side of the arena. With a slight turn of his head, he was able to look upon the two goblins that had just entered. It was the two he had chosen. He tapped his foot once, allowing his thoughts to manifest a moment. 

"I see. Blood sports. How droll. A good way of discovering any potential spy I guess."

With the sound of a gong, the fight begun. The larger group of Tel'Quessir quickly charged the two goblins, easily dispatching one of them in a flurry of dexterous ability.

"If gladiators where what we chose to deal in then I imagine the skill of the elf would fetch a fine price. Perhaps this is something worth considering afterall."

While lost in thought, Cergos missed the second goblin weaving it's foul magics into the face of one of the elf, who dropped suddenly and screamed for a moment or two. The rune around his eye glowed again, forcing his lazy vision to focus on the ongoing combat. The goblin was a plucky sort, running around while throwing spells and conjuring a small force of creatures to assist it. Cergos nodded once, respecting the use of his specialised school of magic.

"I wonder why the vermin chose that particular school of magic? It had some skill before coming here. Unusual"

After a few moments, the fight was over. The goblin and it's manic menagerie had won. The elf lay dead. Cergos raised his staff once in acknowledgement before turning on his heel and exiting the arena. The previous guard met them by the exit and nodded, stating that the chosen goblin had won. Cergos nodded once, listening to his intrusive thoughts a moment.

"Yes. I am aware it won. I witnessed it. Why are you wasting my time?"

His attention was quickly returned to the goblin as the victory was pledged to his name. Cergos offered a single nod and spoke for the first time.

"You have served house Csirvaldo well. As a special reward, you will be allowed to continue serving house Csirvaldo until your death or until you lose."

He then tapped his staff once on the floor before heading through the exit.

[Oligarchal Magocracy]

The ends always justify the means.

 

On one knee, Cergos inhaled deeply. The smell of his preferred incense hung heavy on the air like the welcome hug of his favourite concubine. He was prostrated before a large, golden statue shaped like a cobra with it's hood spread. He slowed his breathing, focussing on the movement of his chest. In for four, out of five. In for four, out for five. His eyes remained closed as his heart rate lowered, allowing himself to become lost in his thoughts. The room surrounding him disappeared into the background as the memory became the focal point. His dutiful knight standing guard outside of his door, not allowing any to disturb him.

In his meditation, his eyes could be seen to be rapidly darting behind their lids. In his minds eye, the fangs where flashing through his memory from every angle. From a young age, he would play with the families cobras. He was fascinated by their colouration, their skin and how they would shed. "They shed their old form and grow, becoming something new."  he half whispered, deep in his meditation. With another flash, he was before the same statue he now prostrated himself before. He found himself questioning why he was there, he had not been allowed to visit the family shrine before. Looking up to his father, he was met with an encouraging smile. His father spoke softly;"

"The ends justify the means, and life is a struggle to be won by the powerful and the ruthless. 

Loyalty to one's comrades is admirable as long as it advances the cause of Set,

 and in the end, when Set accedes to his rightful throne, those that have served him well will be justly rewarded."

As his father spoke, he spoke. Whispering through his meditation to the empty room. As with all things, the Red Wizards of house Csirvaldo where very particular in what parts of this dogma they chose to follow. They preached all of it, but the only part that seemed to matter was "The ends justify the means, and life is a struggle to be won by the powerful and the ruthless." A lesson he had learned the hard way at the hands of his siblings. They had taught him to be hard, to be cold and to be calculating. Constantly locked in competition with them. It was almost as if-

Sir, you have important guests. His knight had quietly entered the room and delivered the news, breaking his meditation. He slowly stood up, exhaling from his nose before speaking quietly. "The ends justify the means, and life is a struggle to be won by the powerful and the ruthless." Cergos then turned and nodded to his dutiful knight. "Prepare yourself. This is going to be an interesting meeting. I have been tasked with leveraging power over another house. Be ready for combat".

[Oligarchal Magocracy]

Business is concluded.

"Since it is time to renegotiate the terms of reference for the deals between your house and mine, we have decided to change the terms of our agreement. We are going to double the amount of product that we purchase and you are going to half the price." Cergos spoke clearly, pronunciating perfectly across the table to the red wizard who sat opposite him. "I have drafted the agreement ready for your signature. Once you sign it, this deal is complete and we can both go about our business." After speaking he sat quietly while observing the red wizard across from him. He tapped his index finger on the arm of his large chair that was crowned by his family crest.

"You dare dictate to me what the new deal is, apprentice? I should have my knight thrash you for your insolence!" The red wizard roared angrily across the table. Cergos replied with a simple sigh and shook his head. "It is unfortunate that you disrespect my house by attempting to throw your weight around within it." He then looked upwards to the stoic faced knight and nodded once. She fastened her braids in place and slowly walked around the table. The red wizard opposite canted his head to one side with a look of confusion across his face as his eyes tracked the young knight.

Once she was face to face with the red wizard's knight, she uttered a few words and channelled divine magics into her hands before proceeding to reign blow after blow against the knight who had no answer for her divine fists. The red wizard looked in surprise and horror, not expecting the sudden violence. Cergos said one word. "Enough." With the word uttered, the female knight moved back around the table and stood beside Cergos. The red wizard opposite screamed in rage. "You dare attack my servant apprentice?! You are nothing but a bug, you have not even earned your robes yet but still you dare?!" Cergos waited exactly nine seconds before speaking. "Apprentice or not, you are in my family home and it is my word that will determine if you are able to leave it or not. I would advise you to show the correct respect." The red wizard sputtered, unable to speak through his anger though his facial expression betrayed the growing realisation he was experiencing. "It seems your family have taught you well apprentice" uttered the red wizard, as he reached out to sign the document.

Cergos watched impassively, gently tapping his foot under the table to control any ticks that might give away the trepidation he felt in that moment. Once the document was signed he looked up to the female knight with a nod. "Please escort our friends to the door and be sure to provide them with the complimentary bottle of wine we gift to all of our esteemed guests." The female knight nodded and grabbed the opposing knight, dragging him by the feet. The red wizard followed on while glaring at everybody he passed.

With an exhaled sigh, Cergos allowed himself a moment to compose himself. He allowed himself a moment to ponder what just happened. "That could have gone either way. Father's teachings where correct. This is a task completed and I have done well." After he allowed the thought to perculate a while longer he slowly stood and exited the room.

A few bells later.

The female knight was sat in her assigned quarters with her eyes closed, meditating over the days events. There was a small bowl of perfumed water on the sideboard next to her that contained warm and scented water. She was slowly dipping her hands into the water and using a rough stone to scrape away the partially dried blood. Her door opened without a knock and she looked up to see Cergos stood on the threshold. "I have seen you working the shrine. What is your name?" The female knight lowered her eye line just enough that she was not making direct eye contact. "Devaia Anishta, my lord". Cergos nodded. "You have not been assigned yet have you?" The female knight kept her gaze a touch lower than his eyes. "No, my lord". Cergos nodded once. "You served me well. Your reward will be serving me further, you are now assigned to me." The female knight almost cracked a smile, almost. "As you wish, it will be done my lord". Cergos gave a rare smile. "I will have my list of expectations delivered to you, they are to be followed while in my service.". With a single nod he closed her door, turned on his heel and departed.

[Oligarchal Magocracy]

The arranged and sanctioned marriage.

Cergos was stood before he fathers throne with a look of quiet displeasure on his face. He was tapping his foot gently while pressing his lips together tightly. He inhaled for four seconds before exhaling for five. "Father. I have little interest in a wife. I am focussing my energies on my studies and learning the family ways. This woman will just get in my way and prove to be a hinderance." Cergos raised his chin slightly, trying to appear confident in his choice of words despite almost trembling before the patriarch of his family.

Thoros smiled slightly and gave his son an even stare. "You speak of wanting to learn the family ways yet spit in the face of the same ways. This wedding is not just you acquiring a wife. With this marraige we gain access to minerals from the gauge of gauros, which generates wealth that we can use to further solidify our position. Marraige is never about finding a wife, it is always about how you can solidify what you already have. So there you have it, you have been educated on the ways of the family."

Cergos' facial expression did not change. He continued to near glare at his father, tapping his foot as he did so. "Father...". Thoros held up a single hand and shook his head. "This conversation is over Cergos. I allowed it to happen as a curtesy but you have tested my patience. You will be wed to a noble from a house that is on the rise. She is an attractive woman and not a troll. Go and prepare for the ceremony." Cergos gritted his teeth hard before turning on his heel and stalking out of the room. Each step a touch more aggressive than necessary.

A short while later.

With a deep sigh, Cergos shook his head towards the woman that was laid beside him with her head and hand on his chest. She looked upset and at a loss for words. Cergos stroked her hair gently. Both of them laid naked, entangled with the sheets of a large bed. "It is not ideal. I have tried to remove myself from the situation but father is adamant that we are to wed. It serves the house." She spoke quietly. "But what of us Cergos? We have grown fond of each others company and..." With a raised hand from Cergos, she fell silent. "You have always been my favourite concubine but that will have to end. Once I am settled and the din of the wedding is over perhaps I will have room for a mistress but until then we will not be able to see one another." She sniffled quietly, a look of silent rage slowly spreading across her face.

With a final pat to her backside Cergos swung his legs out of the bed and began to dress. "You must leave so soon?" she asked anxiously. He nodded with a grim face. "This is the last time we can see each other. It is my way of saying goodbye." uttered Cergos as he pulled his robes over his head, making sure they where hanging correctly. He then nodded once to the now crying woman and walked from the room. His staff clanging against the tiled floor as he did. His servants entered the room behind him and began ushering the woman out of his bed, dressing her and moving her towards the exit.

One carraige ride later.

Cergos stood below the woven arch patiently, tapping a single finger against his staff. He had one eye on the priest before him and his other looked over the empty garden. There where no guests. This was not a wedding worthy of a ceremony. It was politics and nothing other than politics. He sucked his teeth. "Tch." The sound of a door opening heralded the arrival of his soon to be wife. He canted his head to one side as he appraised the woman. His father had not lied. She was an attractive woman. Her proportions where correct and she was not carrying unnecessary fat. He found his intrusive thoughts wandering. "She would fetch a fair price at the slave auctions. Attractive, strong legs and wide hips. She would be useful for a variety of work. I wonder what financial amount my father has managed to secure for this arrangement." He snapped back to the present when he heard her whisper a breathy hello to him. He kept a neutral expression on his face as he offered her a single nod. Hearing the priest clear his throat, they both looked forward. The priest began to direct the charade of a ceremony. They both exchanged rings when instructed and then Cergos gave his new bride a reluctant kiss when instructed. As the ceremony came to a close, he linked arms with his new wife and they both departed for the bed that he shared hours earlier with his favoured concubine. It was the final step in securing this alliance. He just hoped he could perform as intended.

[Oligarchal Magocracy]

The hells have no fury like a woman scorned.

It had been many a tenday since Cergos had been forced to suffer the indignity of marraige. Despite his protests, he had played the role of husband perfectly. He had attended many a party, gathering and had grown to become quite the socialite. He had found himself networking with some of the wealthiest merchants in Tyraturos. He shook the correct hands, spoke to the correct people and was creating many a new trade deal and alliance between house Csirvaldo and the nobility. He could hear his father's bean counter quill scratching in the ledger frantically, to keep up with the new incomes. But secretly he resented this new situation. He despised his wife, her family and everything she had come to represent in his life.

"I do not believe my patience will hold much longer, Devaia. I am growing tired of the company of this insufferable woman and her petulant family. They think themselves so important while not realising the simple truth. They are little more than minerals to us. What am I to do? Will nobody rid me of this turbulent woman?" Devaia raised her eyes to meet Cergos' and he stopped a moment and met her gaze. "Kill her, my lord" Cergos uttered a noise of frustration and waved a hand. "I am unable. It is written in the terms of the forced marraige. If I am found to be the cause of her death, the marraige is annulled and we lose everything we have gained from it." Devaia nodded once. "My lord. Your favoured concubine. I have seen her as late. She is still upset, lost in her jealousy of your marraige. Fawn over your wife where she can see. Provoke that jealousy. Stoke the fires of her need to please you. Let her do what you cannot." Cergos momentarily looked horrified. "The concubine is innocent in this. She has done nothing to deserve such treatment." Devaia remained quiet while he spoke before uttering her final thoughts, before looking back towards the floor. "The ends justify the means always, my lord". With a sigh, Cergos nodded. "Yes. They do. I have grown to be quite reliant on you Devaia. Your insight is valuable. Do it. Arrange for the concubine to be at Loraas', they still sell the egg white kaeth that I have grown fond of. I will do the rest." Devaia nodded, turned on her heel and exited the room.

Thulsun, the same day.

A woman wearing a large smile, her best clothes and her new perfume was near skipping down the cobbled roads towards the meeting point. She could not believe that Cergos had finally made contact. She knew he would. Everything she could do too please him had been done. She had invested far to much time in the soon to be red wizard to lose him to a nobody. When he finally earned his robes, she would be there behind him. Relishing the status of being a red wizard's wife. She stopped in her tracks and let out an audible gasp. There he was. Right where that thug of a knight told her he would be. But he was with the harlot he had married. Arm in arm, laughing and happy. This could not be? Why would he arrange to meet her and bring his wife? She felt a tear rolling down her cheek and she balled her hands in rage, her nails breaking the skin of her palm. With an outraged cuss she turned and headed back the way she came. 

Over the coming tendays no matter which we she turned, there he was. Cergos. The man she had loved. Always with the whore he had wed, the woman he had chosen over her. They would be kissing, hugging and making a show of adorning each other with their love. It was disgusting. Each incident like a knife in her heart. She had given years of her life. He was nothing but an apprentice, and she had given him years of her life to secure her position. What was she going to do? She would be at his side, she was certain of that. 

A few tenday later.

The concubine entered her home and started with a surprised yelp. "Cergos!" she exclaimed, looking to his left to find Devaia half concealed in the shadows. They both wore simple clothing. He was not in his robes. She was not in her armour. "What are you doing here, where are your robes?" Cergos smilled and raised a hand. "I wish to apologise. I have been trying to meet with you for the longest of time but everytime I try to sneak away, she follows. Or questions. Or follows along. I have yearned to see you again, to be with you. You know you are my favourite. But I have not been able to slip away. This peasant clothing is the only way I could. I hope you do not think any less of me for wearing it." She ran over to wrap her arms around him. "Of course not! I thought we would never be together again!" Cergos offered her a sad smile. I am afraid that is the reality of the situation. Trying to break away to see you this last rotation has shown that this affair will not be sustainable. I wanted to tell you this in person. While she is in my life, I will not be able to see you like this." His favoured concubine banged her balled fist to his shoulder. "There must be something we can do! Anything!" Cergos offered her a sympathetic look. "Let us just enjoy the time we have together now, it could be our last."

Many bells later, and the two found themselves naked and entangled within her small chambers at the top of the house. Cergos was tapping his thumb against her shoulder. "I need to leave. But, this has reminded me of how much I enjoy your company. I did not want to mention it but there is one thing that would allow us to be together." The concubine tilted her head, which was resting on chest, so that she could look towards him with hope growing in her eyes. "What is that?" Cergos smiled grimly. "If my wife was to die, we could be together. The thought has crossed my mind many a time but I have not been lucky enough to have my wish fulfilled as yet." The concubine looked aghast for a moment as Cergos continued. "But that got me thinking, perhaps you could find a way to do it? It would certainly be a show of love. Enough that I could convince my father to protect you from any criminal consequences. But, no. I should not have even mentioned it. I am just desperate to be in your company forever." He leaned down and kissed the top of her head before rising out of bed and dressing. His favourite concubine sat quietly, looking at him with a tear in her eye. Once dressed, he nodded once and departed. "Come Devaia".

The next day.

The guards where running towards the source of a commotion. They where not sure what had happened but as they arrived at their destination it became quickly apparent. An argument had esculated to the point of fatality. One woman had stabbed another. The attacker had already been apprehended and the woman who laid dead was rolled over by one of the new guards. They cussed quietly, she bore the crest of house Csirvaldo on her dress.

The large frame of Csirvaldo entered the local jail and offered a nod to the guards as he handed a pouch of currency to each one. "House Csirvaldo extends it's thanks to you. You executed your duty admirably. It is just unfortunate that you did not make it in time to save my beloved wife. But the stupidity of jealousy cannot be predicted. Where is the prisoner?" He walked through to the cell the guards indicated and before him sat his once favoured concubine. She smiled as Cergos approached and hopped to her feet. "Cergos my love! You have come! Are you here to let me out? We can begin our life together!" He scowled at the woman, his dutiful knight stood behind him and to his right. She held a large pair of manacles. "You are as delusional as you are violent. You killed my wife over jealousy, why would I want you in my life." She looked like she had just been struck in the face. "But you said-" Cergos shouted over the top of her. "I will not hear anymore of your lies! Your fate is sealed. You are a convicted murderer. You should be executed, but in a moment of weakness I have spared you from that. Instead you are to live as a slave. And I have found the perfect master for you. A man named Balorak. He is famous for his violently poor treatment of his slaves. It is the fate you deserve. You will die at his hands. Slowly. And in every moment of pain I hope you remember your crime and the pain you have caused me." With that he nodded to Devaia. As a guard opened the cell door, Devaia entered and pushed the woman to the ground clamping the manacles over her wrists and gagging her to silence the protests. Cergos allowed himself a small smile as he watched his knight drag his once favoured concubine away while allowing himself a moment to become lost in his thoughts.

"It is interesting. We place so much trust in our knights that we never question their loyalty but they are the ones who know where all of our secrets are buried."

[Oligarchal Magocracy]

A man's got to make a living.

Cergos leaned against his staff, the red arcane focus letting off a faint light. Besides him stood his ever dutiful knight, Devaia. The market was abuzz with the noise of various peddlers advertising their goods and hagglers offering prices for said goods. He looked around the area, allowing himself a brief moment to enjoy the moment. He had always enjoyed the markets. All manner of characters, from all walks of life where present there. Each person trying to earn a living. You saw it all. "You can learn a lot about a person based on how they present their stock and how well they haggle" he thought quietly. He shook his head to an individual who pushed an array of goods in his path and carried on moving. Occasionally Devaia could be seen shoving people out of his way or preventing people from getting to close to him.

Cergos' head moved left and right as he examined the crowds. Each time he saw a flash of red he would take a moment to examine the individual closer. "Father asked us to meet him here, yet I cannot see him Devaia. Keep your eyes open." Tap. Tap. Tap. Cergos' staff tapped on the cobbles as he made his way through the crowd. He took a moment to purchase a large, fried and seasoned turkey leg for Devaia. She deserved a treat every so often. Like a loyal pup. She nodded her thanks and ate it as quietly as she could while following Cergos. He stopped off to examine the jewelry, taking a moment to look over a few rings that had caught his eyes. "Omnipotence Csirvaldo." he heard Devaia say suddenly. Cergos turned slowly to see his father stood before him wearing a smile. "Hello Devaia. I hope he is not making your job too difficult? We know he does not like to listen." Cergos frowned before half bowing. "Father, you honour us with your presence." Thoros smiled with a half nod. "Of course I do. Come Cergos, there is new stock in we must examine."

Cergos followed along behind his father at a respectable distance while Devaia and his father's knight followed along behind them. "What stock is it we are here to see Father?" Cergos asked inquisitvely, looking around the market. He frowned slightly as he spotted the slave pens. They where heading right for them. "Of course. It is time to go and linger around the subhumans. I have only just managed to scrub the stink of them out of my last robe." Cergos managed to hide his scowl before speaking again. "Do we really need more slaves for the house Father?" Loros chuckled softly. "Cergos. You where always the slowest of your siblings. It is why you are still an apprentice. But, remember, I love you the same. We are not buying slaves for the house. We are buying slaves, to sell at a higher profit. These market dwellers do not know the real worth of what they sell. They just fumble in the dark. If you know what to look for, you can make a profit. Cattle is one of the ways our house rose to prominence." Cergos frowned slightly. "I am sorry to be such a dissapointment father." Thoros nodded. "Your apology is accepted Cergos. It is not your fault, you are just mentally deficient."

Thoros raised his hand, bringing the group to a halt before the slave pens. He offered a nod to the vendor before looking to Cergos. "Look at them Cergos but do not care for them, they are not people like you and I. Like you where destined for mediocrity, they are inclined towards poverty, crime and disease. They are unable to care for themselves. This, us buying them, is a kindness. It is the only way they will survive. For the same reason animals are kept in cages in the zoo, so are these caged. They are not capable of more than basic, mundane tasks. So we allow them to do it." Cergos looked out over the stock, shaking his head at what he saw. Illness and plague had ravished this crop. He shook his head to his father. "There is no profit to be had here father. Illness has taken the best of them. Any we take home will spread infection amongst the others." Thoros nodded once. "I fear you are correct Cergos. Though she looks familliar. Wasn't she one of your whores?" Cergos looked surprised as he looked towards the injured, frail and ill female his father was pointed out.

"She was once my favoured concubine..."

[Oligarchal Magocracy]

Conjuring, an art.

A young Cergos sat in one of the custom made classrooms within his family home. He had presented to class early, with his books and quill eager to learn. He sat patiently as he looked around the room. His excitement barely containable. It was finally time for him to learn the family secret, why they all specialised in conjuration magics. He straightened his back as he heard footsteps in the corridor outside. With a loud creak the door opened and his father stepped through. Thoros smiled at Cergos, thei relationship had not yet soured. "I am happy to see you are so punctual child. It is only with true dedication that we can learn to master the arcane arts." Cergos nodded happily that he was going to learn and spend time with his father.

A few bell tolls later and Cergos' attention was starting to waiver. Thoros sensed as such and smiled. "Let us take a break Cergos. We are covering quite a heavy topic today. Let us get some food and come back to this." Cergos nodded warily, closing his book and standing up. "I enjoy spending time with you father" Cergos offered as he departed the room. One of his siblings pushed him out of the way as he exited the room, sneering at him before entering the room he had just left. Cergos rose to his feet as a single tear rolled down his cheek. From the room behind him he heard his father talk, he leaned towards the door to listen. Surely his father would be telling his brother off for what he just did. "The child is a fool. He routinely fails to grasp even the most basic on arcane concepts. It is growing to the point where I will run out of patience to teach him. I will likely look at a private tutor." Cergos gasped, more tears rolling down his eyes. Why did his family treat him this way?

He quickly moved away from the door and headed for his rooms where he closed the door and sequestered himself for the rest of the evening. Only opening his door so that the servants could deliver his food and drink.

[Oligarchal Magocracy]

Of Childhood and Cobras.

"Snakes are a fascinating creature, Cergos. They hold as much variety of colorations, patterns and personality as humanity does and like we sit at the top so does one type of snake. The cobra. Cobra's are a type of snake that is known as ophiophagus snakes. Snake eaters. They feed only on living snakes, their enemies Cergos. They consume their enemies." Thoros recited his lesson as he paced the room, his red robes trailing as he did. "Because they understand that in order to remain at the top, you must be ruthless. You destroy those that will challenge you and use what they had to develop your power further." Thoros stopped a moment to scratch his chin, observing his youngest son out of the corner of his eye. "Cobras are the largest venomous snakes, they have to be to continue their reign of domination. They also build and guard a nest because they recognise how important it is to build their own territory but they also instinctively abandon their young, to avoid consuming them. Which means that their young are open game for predators after that point." Cergos raised both eyebrows with a momentary look of fear which he quickly calmed. "An important lesson you must learn Cergos. Once you become a man and leave these halls, you carry the name of this house and you must defend it with your life" Thoros slid his hand inside a magical cloak pouch and pulled forth an egg which he placed before Cergos. "This will be your first pet Cergos. A Cobra. You will hatch it. Raise it. Learn from it."

Cergos sat with his head in his books as he rolled a spherical, metal tube around his fingers. He looked up occasionally to look for Sseth. Despite their long friendship, neither one fully trusted the other. Sseth was usually perched on his bespoke platform that gave him a predatory view of the room. The cobra was not caged or penned, it was allowed to roam as it wished. "Who needs enemies with friends like this?" Cergos briefly thought to himself as he observed the snake. On realising he was not in immediate danger, he looked back to his books.

[Oligarchal Magocracy]

With Friends Like These.

A loud, pained scream tore through house Csirvaldo startling the few who heard it. It had come from the room of the young Csirvaldo, Cergos. The heavily armoured feet of the knights and guards could be heard running down the corridors towards the source of the commotion. Thoros was slowly walking after them, looking annoyed at the interuption. When they arrived at the door, one of the guards used her shoulder to force open the locked door before the remaining entourage flooded in. The young apprentice was curled on the floor, holding his left eye which was clearly bleeding. The guards carried out their duty, securing the room. Thoros entered and sighed as he saw the scene. "Find the Cobra, before we all get envenomated". One of the guards clearly stated: "It is here, Omnipotence. On the desk.". Thoros nodded once as he moved over and secured the Cobra in a way only an expert handler could.

Once the situation was contained the patriarch of house csirvaldo moved over to his youngest son and rolled him over to his back. "Show me Cergos." His dutiful son slowly moved his hand to reveal the tell tale sign of a snake bite over his left eye. One fang had punctured the eye. Thoros carried out a series of complicated hand gestures as he weaved an iron guts spell over his son. "That should help to slow the venom. Cergos, this is important, you must listen to me. You have taken a dose of a potent nerve toxin. It is going to destroy you if you do not fight it." Thoros looked over his shoulder and snapped an order. "Get the priest from the shrine, quickly". One of the guards sprinted off, returning quickly with an old priest wearing a serpent-styled headdress. "What happened?" Thoros nodded towards his child. "He has taken a dose from a Cobra. I have cast an iron guts abjuration to slow the venom." The priest moved quickly, casting multiple blessings over the injured child who was now unconcious. He first removed the poison with a blessing, then began the slow process of casting rengenerative blessings.

Some days later.

Thoros entered his youngest childs sleeping quarters, nodding once when he saw he was awake. The old priest was sat beside the bed examining the wound. Thoros stopped and waited a few moments before asking a question. "How bad is it, did we catch it in time?" The priest shook his head. "Omnipotence, your quick thinking staved off the worst of it. There is no damage to his mental faculties that I can tell. He can breath, eat and drink. Everything is acting as normal. Though he seems to be... not quite himself. He is struggling to make conversation, despite being able to speak correctly. He is also not noticing subtle conversational hints and clues. And his eye... the left eye is partially working. It is reacting as I would expect but Cergos has complained that it cannot focus and his vision is blurry. I doubt it can be saved." Thoros frowned and then nodded once. "Leave us".

Cergos looked up to his father, holding back tears at the look of disapointment on his face. "You have learned your first lesson Cergos. Never take your eyes off those who would do you harm. Make it your business to know what they are doing." Cergos nodded and his eyes opened in fear as she saw his father produce the cobra that bit him from his cloak. "Tomorrow, we are going to place a tattoo around your eye that will help your vision. The day after that, you are going to begin learning two things. How to cast the iron guts abjuration, which you will always keep prepared. How to correctly handle a Cobra. Get some rest." Thoross then placed the cobra on the floor before departing, closing the door after himself.