The VanCurracas estate was far more elaborate than most of the other homes in the area. Nyka was a city that was built with symmetry and thus many homes, even the nicer ones were of equal size and stature. What made this particular residence stand above the rest was the elaborate landscaping and massively expensive additions. The windows were all trimmed in bronzed pieces that were etched and filigreed with elaborate designs. A huge garden of sculptured bushes and trees lined a brick walkway where several finely made statues leaned out to touch the visitors. Perhaps the most amazing aspect of the home was one often overlooked. Amidst the glam and glitz of jeweled flower boxes and small ponds of exotic fish, the front doors invited the most speculation. Carved completely by hand from a time that goes back farther than any can remember, these massive pieces of black wood could withstand a second Valterrian and they depict the rise of the Celestials into Ukala. Each was nine and half feet tall, six feet wide and almost a foot thick. The hinges ran the entire height and huge bronze rings hung for guests to knock.
Once the ring was crashed into the wood, the echoing thump would rouse an attendant from the small guard house adjacent to the doors. A stout man with red cheeks and tired eyes hustled out and stood there gazing over the small woman who had come to his masters’ home. She seemed plain and that just didn’t fit with the vastly wealthy and political family. They had power and influence, what possible use could this commoner be to the great patriarch? It was odd but not the attendant’s place to judge. He was just a simple man who had been treated well by the affluent VanCurracas. He bowed politely to Alija and Theagans. “Welcome and state your business, please.”
Theagans was impressed by all of the fancy landscaping and craftsmanship that went into the property but he could smell the cigar smoke of the strange man who had placed the order. They were certainly in the right place but he could not see the cloud of smoke or the hat which would give the fiend away. He turned his head to look at Alija and gently placed his hand in the small of her back to usher her forwards. The work they had done recently had really confused him on where he stood with her but he loved every minute of it. Sometimes he wished his tongue was as quick as his sword but then he wouldn’t be the same man. When the attendant addressed them, he would let Alija answer. For now, he was merely content to observe. It wasn’t every day one got the chance to stand on a lawn that cost more than any ship he had sailed upon. A smile crept over his face as a few thoughts ran through his mind but he never let his eyes wander too far from the woman next to him.
Once the ring was crashed into the wood, the echoing thump would rouse an attendant from the small guard house adjacent to the doors. A stout man with red cheeks and tired eyes hustled out and stood there gazing over the small woman who had come to his masters’ home. She seemed plain and that just didn’t fit with the vastly wealthy and political family. They had power and influence, what possible use could this commoner be to the great patriarch? It was odd but not the attendant’s place to judge. He was just a simple man who had been treated well by the affluent VanCurracas. He bowed politely to Alija and Theagans. “Welcome and state your business, please.”
Theagans was impressed by all of the fancy landscaping and craftsmanship that went into the property but he could smell the cigar smoke of the strange man who had placed the order. They were certainly in the right place but he could not see the cloud of smoke or the hat which would give the fiend away. He turned his head to look at Alija and gently placed his hand in the small of her back to usher her forwards. The work they had done recently had really confused him on where he stood with her but he loved every minute of it. Sometimes he wished his tongue was as quick as his sword but then he wouldn’t be the same man. When the attendant addressed them, he would let Alija answer. For now, he was merely content to observe. It wasn’t every day one got the chance to stand on a lawn that cost more than any ship he had sailed upon. A smile crept over his face as a few thoughts ran through his mind but he never let his eyes wander too far from the woman next to him.