The Past

Cratius looked out at the very pleasant morning that was visible to him from the balcony. The concentric circles of the irrigation systems glittered in the morning sun. The temperature was delightful. All in all it was a beautiful day in Atlantis.

Atlantis was the great island kingdom and realm of knowledge in the central part of the Atlantic. It was situated not too far from the Mediterranean Ocean. That was part of the key to the temperate nature of its climate and the delightful morning that Cratius, Minister of the Alchemic Sciences in Atlantis, was taking great pleasure from. He was a rather tall individual with a long dour face. He had a habit of smiling a rather broad smile that took a person unawares. It was hard to tell if his smile was from amusement or if he had just trapped an animal he was hunting. Such was the effect he had upon people.

Cratius had held his post for some decades now, having been great service to his people with his potions and conjures. He had eradicated a number of illnesses and discovered ways to mend the wounds of the citizens to the point they had been grateful towards him and appointed him Minister. He was the first and would be the last.

In recent times he had taken to enhancing his works with various bits of dark magic he had copied from some witch doctors around the African continent. These had been very complicated affairs. All had not gone well with some of the ventures. This had the effect of, shall we day, removing some of the luster from his reputation. Some had given him wide berth and sideway glances as he passed through the streets on his way to who knew what rendezvous with the arcane.

This morning he was in his Ministry study awaiting the arrival of his morning appointment. He was growing a bit impatient but knew he would have to have patience yet. For the appointee was no one he could trifle with. He awaited the arrival of Aoibheal, Queen of the Seelie Court of the Fae. In short she was Queen of the Fearies. Now mind you she was no small creature who flew about on gossamer wings and giggled profusely. Aoibheal was of a higher caste of Fae and was a formidable ruler. The fae had dwelt in Atlantis for nearly a decade now. He had had dealings with her before. The race fascinated him and he was a bit jealous of their magic.