The night air has gone a bit colder as days passed. Cases of maddened beasts continued to increase, not only in the Proud Lion's kingdom of Pantera but the entirety of the continent.
Shielded by the knights, Aeneas and the others experienced peace inside the spacious land of the Caspius manor. Although there hasn't been any sign of Aakdan making another move to retrieve Neoma, the lord of Arsida has sent one of his best knights to act as her guard.
Sir Brygos Remas, a commander of thousands in the order of knights and one of the five Chiliarchs of Silver under the lord of Arsida. Brygos has short blond hair almost akin to a buzz cut, his eyes are blue, and his body is comparable to Donos. Although, he is almost a decade younger than him. He lives in the city of Byllenes, but not as its lord as he was similar to Cylon in wanting to be prepared whenever the lord of Arsida asks for him. Brygos also didn't like doing paperwork or leading an entire city.
Unlike Konon, Brygos rarely smiles or talks. Whenever Neoma leaves the Caspius residence, Brygos is at a good distance, observing not only her but the surroundings. Still, he has built a great rapport within the people in the Caspius manor since although he was a Chiliarch, he only treated other knights as below him whenever necessary to create a clear chain of command. It was easy for the people in the Caspius manor to warm up to him. His personality is a copy of Tereus when he first arrived in the manor, so everyone knew how to approach him.
Whenever Arsen, the knights, Aeneas, and Tiriara would train, Neoma would follow suit, and so would Brygos. He was on par with Donos and Arsen, but he could tell that in a few years, the lord Caspius would be far stronger than him. It was a thought that made Brygos smile and question how such a monster was born.
In mere days, Neoma has learned how to wield a wooden sword. Her Zeal remained hidden from the others, and Aeneas told her to refrain from using it when there are other people aside from those who know.
Every afternoon, the three kids would be inside Aeneas's room. The boy would spend hours teaching Neoma how to read and write. He would explain a lot of stuff to her. Meanwhile, Tiriara would also be there, reading random books, also asking Aeneas a bunch of questions.
It was how peaceful the days passed in the Caspius manor.
***
When the first day of the month of Leo (August) arrived, the twelve rulers in all of Nusterra came to Decatris for this year's summit. It is customary for the twelve to meet on the first day of the summit month.
Cities and towns in Decatris became festive. Colorful banners with the twelve Gods' symbols adorned their every vibrant street filled with merchants, and visitors from every place in Nusterra.
The biggest city in all of the continent, Laochyro, was the busiest. Many have come to witness the arrival of the twelve rulers. Merchants competed with each other to occupy the best spots among the places allowed by the government. Their voices calling for customers could be heard everywhere. Crowds of people clumped together to hear the singing of bards in some of the city's plazas.
On one plaza, was a bard wearing a green tunic paired with a green fedora hat with a long feather. He was standing in front of the microphone shell similar to the ones commentators in coliseums use, and a container made of thin wood was lying on the ground in front of him.
The bard said that the song was titled, 'The Zodiac Are Zealous.' He cleared his throat and started warming up his voice. Then, he sang.
"
Twelve Gods in the heavens where stars are formed.
They watch us with glee as our stories unfold.
Without their blessings, we all are doomed.
The Zodiac are zealous to those who are bold.
So, draw your swords, the war has begun.
Evil has come, the battle's to be won.
Don't fear the great forces of evil because,
With the Zodiac above us, we'll never lose.
The Lion, the Ram, and the Archer of fire,
Their eternal flames would never retire.
The Goat, the Maiden, and the Mighty Bull,
Sturdy as the earth, these three would never dull.
The Twins, the Cupbearer, and the Scales of Just,
We're free as the air, thank them we must.
The Crab, the Scorpion, and the Fishes of sea,
Calm as the water, yet evil would flee.
So, draw your swords, the war has begun.
Evil has come, the battle's to be won.
Don't fear the great forces of evil because,
With the Zodiac above us, we'll never lose.
Let's toast to them, our Gods in the skies.
Be bold and kind, let go of your vice.
These twelve are watching from far above,
They guide us, they bless us, they shower their love.
So, draw your swords, the battle's begun.
Evil has come, the battle's to be won.
Go charge ahead and light up your Zeal.
Let's quell this evil and share a meal.
"
His performance ended with the loud cheers of the crowd. A lot of them tossed their coins into the wooden box in front of him. But almost everyone wanted an encore of the same song.
Other bards with different songs were also performing in every plaza in the city of Laochyro. Some even have merchants selling their songs that were recorded and saved in a recording shell. However, it was only in limited supply since these recording shells came at a hefty price. Only the wealthy can afford it, and in the month of the summit, such people roamed the streets of Laochyro.
Knights from the special order of Decatris were the ones keeping peace in every town and city. When a ruler from any of the twelve territories arrives at Laochyro, it will be announced in the entire city. People would flock towards the entrance to take a view of whoever it was that arrived. The knights from the special order were the ones who would remind the people to make way for the carriage of the newly arriving ruler.
The first meeting was always held at three in the afternoon. At the center of the academy of Decatris in the city of Laochyro, a huge circular garden was located. It was adorned with all kinds and colorful plants and flowers. Thirteen tiled roads lead to a circular tiled floor at the center of the garden. Pillars stood at the circular floor's edges, supporting a roof that shades the floor from the scorching sun, or preventing it from getting wet. And, at the tiled floor was a huge circular table, with fifteen seats.
The three of them were grouped. It was for the three council members of Decatris. They act as the mediators for the yearly summit. Behind the other twelve seats that were a good distance from each other, were statues. Each one depicts the twelve heroes and rulers of the past who bear the mark of each of the twelve Gods and were also the ones who ended the age of insanity and formed Decatris.
Members of the council of Decatris were already seated on their spots. At the left seat, sat a woman in her late fifties. Still, her pretty face was free of wrinkles. She has brown silky hair over her shoulders and hazel eyes. A bearer of the Fair Maiden's Zeal, and the head of the world economy department, Tidhild Gage.
Seated at the right chair, was a man in his early sixties, compared to Tidhild, aging was noticeable on his face which was also filled with scars. He wore thin black armor. His short hair was blond and clean-shaven, and his eyes were golden. A man who bears the Proud Lion's Zeal, the head of the special order of knights of Decatris--the Order Against Chaos, his name was Kyrios Lazeas.
And the last one, seated at the center was an old man only a year away from being the age of ninety, the principal of the World Academy in Decatris. His long straight gray hair used to be dark brown, his full beard was long yet groomed, and his eyes were deep brown. The only true living archmage capable of all elemental magic of great destruction, Vandrad Karlsson, a boman.
Each of them has two people they trust behind them to assist in the summit.
"Where are they? It's already past three," Tidhild said.
Principal Vandrad chuckled as he stroked his beard.
"Weren't you here last year? They'll be out in a minute," Kyrios said.
Kyrios was right. One by one, the rulers of each kingdom in all of Nusterra emerged from the twelve entrances leading to the tiled path and the round table. All of them traverse the path with confident strides. Following each ruler was their right-hand man also walking with their heads held high.
Some of them were taking short glances at the others, while some stared ahead at the round table. The three council members of Decatris, who were already at the table, stood up when they saw the twelve rulers appear.
When they reached each of their designated seats, some of the rulers waited for their right-hand man to pull it back for them to sit, while the others did it themselves. Ander Aurusmane was one of the latter, he refused Damon's offer of assistance with a smile. Even when seated, each of the twelve exudes an intense aura befitting their role in each of their territories.
They sat there in each of their own comfortable way, without making any sound. Some glancing at everyone, the others staring at the table. Twelve vastly different and powerful people who would've done their best to conquer each other's lands if not for the oath their ancestors took.
The three council members sat down. After clearing his throat, Vandrad spoke,
"Now that everyone's here, let us begin this year's summit."