The building Velentham walked up to was short and squat, three floors of red brick with the only indication of its importance the flags that flew on the various poles that stuck out from the building itself. He walked inside on the heels of a well-dressed mage, still invisible, and checked the directory that hung on the wall. Council members, naturally, were on the third floor. He headed for the stairwell when a small, mousy voice called, "Visibility is a necessity to visit the council. Is there something I can help you with?"
"Wh..." Velentham curbed his rancor as he turned to see a short woman with a furiously red mop of hair staring up at him. "How is it you see-"
"Sir, you are in a public service building. Is there something I can help you with?"
"Right," Velentham growled. He put on a smile and extended a false sense of good will into the woman's mind. "I need to see the mages on a matter of importance. I'm seeking a portal."
"Council convenes in an hour."
"I need to ask them now," he said, pushing harder into her mind. "Might I go up and see them individually?" The woman nodded and uttered a small spell, briefly encasing Velentham in a cyan glow. She pointed to the stairs. "Third floor."
"My thanks."
Velentham bowed and soon found himself on the third floor. The hallway was lined with green carpet and smelled musty. There were thirteen doors, each with the name of an individual mage on it. He stopped at the first and opened the door on Deron Winds, an ancient relic from periods long past. "What is the meaning of this?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I simply wish to ask you a question..."
Velentham walked in and closed the door behind himself. He smiled as he revealed himself to the mage, a clear indication of his power and birthright. The mage seemed impressed, and listened while Velentham asked his questions, all the while having his mind peeled apart. The man knew nothing.
"Thank you," Velentham said with a bow.
"I'm sorry I couldn't better aid you, it's almost unheard of to see one of your kind in this small corner of the realms."
"Indeed," Velentham smiled again. "And we will keep it that way." With a wave of his hand, Velentham wiped the memory of his visit from the mind of the mage and exited the door.
