An Afterimage, Ended

[Publius 4098]

“I guess my work as Archchancellor just makes me a has-been these days.”

 

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

Publius walked the streets of the capital, looking around in one part disgust, and another part grief.

 

It had been nearly a decade since he had left for solitude and came back, but to nothing more than written work he could not even secure credit for. Years of desperately seeking employment left him little more than baffled, hungry, and now homeless.

 

One of the last men alive in Oren that had served since the Kingdom’s Reformation, he could not help but feel more like an artifact than a man most days; a piece of history you could watch decay with time. Too proud to beg or to go to his children, he saw no other option than to leave his home and pray for success, bitterly missing the days he served with purpose, distinction, and recognition.

 

As he walked down the main street of the city towards the gate, he felt nothing less than cheated, his face a deep red as he looked all around him, the citizens of the city unlikely to know now that he was the first Lord Steward of Felsen. A dizzying feeling came over him as he looked to his right, seeing the castle of the Emperor he strove so hard to legitimize.

 

Perhaps he was a fool for serving, perhaps he was the martyr Oren needed. Whatever the case was, one thing was certain; Publius would not make the mistake of giving his goodwill and work away for free. He moved quickly past the gatehouse, and headed for the first cart to the Sultanate.

A debt was owed to him, and he knew someday he would return to collect.

[Kim 1328]

[Publius 4098]

17 minutes ago, Kimbap said:

 

(powerful imagery, might become my cover photo)

[CheekyNolan 5420]

Moved to the Archive. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.