Eder Carecian Locke was expecting a visitor. His home, situated on some of the oldest waterfront property in the city and thus came with a exorbitant amount of coin for maintenance and purchase. He filled the rooms with busts of former rulers, philosophers and a number of obscure faces from beyond the continent that he would regularly use to regale house guests with their stories. Between the busts lay lavish silk furniture, hand-crafted by Rosalian carpenters from the industrial district, jugs filled with vintage wines and vibrant fruit adoring the plates next to them. He had his servants hurrying around, removing specks of dust and loose feathers from the windowsills and corners. The habit of rabid cleaning, was one he took from his first wife from his youth in a village outside the capital. She was a tender woman, taking the name of Tullia, and content with their small life in a wooden hut close to the waterfront - some nights he thought of her, but not on this one.<br/><br/>Eder had found his fortune through rigorous capitalist tendencies. He was known to use devious tactics to balance odds of his industries against others. One particular story that fluttered around the waterfront, was a time when a minor trader was similarly importing grapes and oranges from one of the islands distant to the capital and undercutting Eder's market. Although there has never been any evidence of his involvement, the ship burnt down before it could reach the port and Eder Locke had double the supply of exotic fruits. He enjoyed those days, of minor merchants and immoral dealings - now it seemed that his properties had shifted from the minor import and export for a handful of coins, to the purchasing of large swaths of real estate within the city. Behind these legitimate enterprises, he was known for servicing the city's nobility in upscale brothels and gambling halls.<br/><br/>In the recent year, he had propelled his status of wealth unto the royal advisory. Lightly sprinkling his wealth unto the residents of the council until they were forced to acknowledge his presence among them. He was an unrelenting man, seizing opportunities before thoughts came to him. Rash, impulsive - but followed by a succinct intelligence. Today, he would be meeting the royal adviser. He heard only that this woman, one Alcantara, was perhaps the vilest and most ruthless person to walk the streets of the city.<br/><br/>His servants rallied for his presence as the woman had been spotted outside the residence. He brushed his silk cloak, adorned with silver jewellery of a blue and white pattern. He walked towards the door and opened it valiantly, seeing this woman and her companion beside her sent a shiver of adrenaline through his spine. The game had begun.<br/><br/>"Lady Alacantara." He strode forward, refusing the custom of bowing and instead offering a hand for her to embrace. "It is with most esteemed pleasure that I welcome you to my most humblest residence."