----------------------------------------
Prince Raul
Meeting Claudia last night did more for Maria than she expected. When she retires to her room, she can sleep soundly for the first time in weeks. In the morning, the servants bring breakfast to her room, but Maria decides to sleep in a little longer. They place the food on a table in the room and excuse themselves. She eats when she can no longer ignore the sunlight filling her room.
She takes her time eating, and when her servants return to help her get ready for the day, she still moves without any urgency. There is a lot that needs to be done these next few days. Where should she begin? Has she forgotten anything? Is there anything that can wait? What must be done today? She is trying to relax but feels paralyzed by all the things she needs to do. While she is still getting ready, another servant enters the room.
“My Lady, Princess Claudia has requested you meet with her as soon as you are able. If not now, she asks when she can expect you.”
The two are sisters and very close, but when a member of the family makes a formal request through their servants like this, it becomes less about familial ties. Claudia is the second oldest and is still ahead of her in the line for the throne. Maria can’t refuse this request without good reason. Not that she would want to right now. Speaking with her sister should help her get her own thoughts in order.
“Of course, please tell the Princess that I will make my way to her as soon as I am finished here,” Maria won’t be long. She finishes getting dressed and goes to grab the bag she carried during her journey.
The servant leaves to pass the word to Claudia. It’s a beautiful sunny day today. She’ll be waiting in the courtyard. Maria leaves her room and makes her way there with her attendants. There are many courtyards in the palace but one is Claudia’s favorite. A garden on the third floor resting on the roof. From here the breeze is always cool, and the noise from the guards training on the other side of the palace wall is just distant enough that it provides some gentle noise to break the silence. This garden is the same height as the palace walls and ends so the top of the wall is the edge of the garden.
Claudia is seated at a small table among the flowers in the garden. She’s wearing a white, summery dress that makes her burning red hair stand out even more. The two greet each other the same as they did last night.
“Now that I finally have you alone, tell me everything that happened to you. When you didn’t come home on schedule the whole palace was in a panic. Even worse, not only did only one of the guards return with you, but you’ve also brought a whole host of peculiar people home.”
Maria starts from the beginning. She explains as best as she can about how their company was attacked, and how their brother Prince Raul is now under the influence of strange magic. She mentions many times how Keyon worked himself to exhaustion trying to protect her. In the hopes of helping Raul, they tried to get the magical artifact. They met Bao on the road, later the caravan leader Barros, and eventually they were attacked again by the assassins.
Bao and Keyon fought the first group, but the captured Sulfuges killed the others before they could help. The Bolbian helped them lure him into a trap and somehow a Dragon appeared to finish the fight. As for the children, Bao is taking them under his care until they can find proper homes.
“That’s just about everything that’s happened these last few weeks. I’m sure I’ve left things out but now you know,” Maria feels like a giant weight has been lifted from her shoulders. Speaking with her big sister has always had that effect.
Claudia is at the edge of her seat. She feared the worst, but how could she have expected so much to happen in such a short time, “Wow, a Dragon of all things. You know, when I was a little girl, I always dreamed of fighting a dragon,” the two laugh at the thought but then Claudia lets out a sigh, “Now that I hear your story, I don’t think I’m any closer to realizing that dream than I was back then. It really is a wonder that you made it back safely. Assassins, Sulfuges, and Dragons, I don’t know how. As for Raul. This is something the emperor needs to hear. Not only was a large force able to attack the royal family so close the capital, but now his own brother is missing.”
“Actually, Claudia I was hoping you could arrange for me to speak with him. I’m sure he’s already planning on meeting me soon, but he doesn't know how urgent the situation is.”
“Yes! Of course, you don’t have to say anything more!” Claudia motions to one of her attendants, “See to it that my message reaches the emperor. Princess Maria has urgent business to speak to you about. Please allow her time to see you today.”
The attendant bows to the princesses and rushes out of the garden. They’ll pass the message to the other servants and after going through a chain of hierarchy, the message will reach the emperor.
“I really appreciate that, Claudia. It really is so good to see you again,” Maria brings a hand up to her face to hide her tears, “I’ve been so scared, and tired, and confused all this time. Talking to you makes me feel like everything is going to be alright.”
Claudia gets up from her seat, walks to her little sister and gives her a gentle hug. The two remain like that silently for a few moments. When Maria feels better, the two sisters resume their chat about Maria’s journey. The two go on for a while longer until a new servant enters the garden.
“Princess Claudia, Princess Maria, the emperor has cleared his schedule to speak with Princess Maria. You can see him at any time. He will be in the meeting hall speaking with his aides until you arrive,” the servant passes along the message and politely excuses themselves.
That was much sooner than expected. Just like how Maria can’t refuse a formal request from Claudia, she wastes no time leaving to see her oldest brother. She thanks Claudia one more time before leaving with her attendants once again to speak with her other sibling.
There are many places for the emperor to meet with guests and officials in the palace but the meeting hall itself is the most formal. It’s where dignitaries from other nations are greeted, and it’s also where the most sensitive matters are spoken of. The hall is on the highest level of the palace and when Maria finally makes it to the doors of the room, she is slightly out of breath. Maybe from the long walk, or maybe it’s her nerves. She is about to speak with the emperor after all.
Maria pats her cheeks with her hands to try and focus. She is still a princess, and the emperor is her brother, she has every right and reason to walk confidently through these doors. She places her hands over the doors and slowly leans her weight into them as they creak open.
She steps into the room for the first time in a long time. The room is long and lined with tables and seats on either side. There are dignified men and women sitting sporadically around these tables. Above them, the ceiling is a large dome with a hole cut out from the center giving a view of the sky. In the center of the room, is the emperor’s seat, and sitting there now, speaking with those gathered there now is Emperor Teo of Tab.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
Everyone stops speaking and all eyes turn to the princess.
“Princess Maria. Returning from her journey and arriving now at the request of the emperor,” Maria speaks loudly as she offers a bow towards her older brother.
No one says anything yet. They already knew she was on her way. Everyone stands from their seats, bows to the emperor and files out from where Maria had come. The emperor waits until only his attendants are left in the room.
“I’m glad to see you’re alright Maria,” Teo stands from his seat and walks towards his sister. His heavy cape wraps firmly around his shoulders and a golden chain fastens either side of the fur collar together. He isn’t dressed formally but he still looks every bit a royal.
“I had already heard last night that you arrived safely but I’m still glad to see you face to face,” the emperor places a hand on her shoulder, “I want to hear everything from you.”
Maria proceeds to tell the emperor everything she had just told Claudia only moments before. She spends most of her time describing the events surrounding their initial attack and what happened to their brother though since, as the emperor, she believes those are the most important details for him to know. When she finishes talking about Raul, the emperor motions to one of his servants, who then leaves the room.
The princess finishes her story by describing the finals events leading up to their arrival at the city walls, “Bao and Kikka were both impressed. I don’t think they’ve ever seen anything like the city before,” she giggles at the thought. Her message has been passed and even in front of the emperor, she feels like she can rest assured that things will be alright.
Teo is happy to see his little sister is healthy enough to smile and laugh, “You’ve seen things in this short time that would have broken others. I’m relieved to see it hasn’t changed you. What you’re saying about your attackers is troubling news. If you think you can, I’d like for you and the guard who returned with you to address the senate and tell them what you’ve told me.”
While the emperor is the highest authority in Tab, their rule is not absolute. The power of the emperor is held in check by the members of the senate and all matters of running the country need to be approved by both. An emperor’s sway will change depending on their popularity and social connection. Similarly, senate members are equal in power to each other officially, but many hold substantial power over others based on reputation, wealth, and connections. Being asked to speak in front of the senate means Maria’s story has the potential to impact the entire Tab empire.
As a princess, Maria has been a guest at the senate hearings before, but she’s never been asked to speak. Still, if they’re going to learn about what happened, they’ll need to hear about the events from her directly.
“Yes. I can speak to the senate. I’ll let Keyon know as well,” Maria is firm in her decision.
“Keyon is the name of the guard you returned with, right? The prodigious mage who can use any magic. There are some in the senate who don’t care for him, but it’s necessary for him to testify as well. His reputation in the military should be more than enough to clear any doubts tied to his lineage.”
The servant who left on Teo’s command returns from their errand.
“Speaking of mages and magic,” the emperor turns his attention to behind the servant.
Maria turns around to see what her brother is talking about. She gasps in shock when she sees her brother Raul standing alongside the servant. Her brother who had traveled with her to the ancient library and who she taught had been consumed by ancient magic. She jumps from her seat but fights against her first instincts to run to him and hug him. She can’t use magic. She doesn’t know if he’s safe. She doesn’t know if that’s really Raul.
“It’s me little sis, sorry for the scare,” Raul doesn’t make any moves towards his sister. He wants to give her a minute to process, “What we found in the ruins was a library dedicated to a god. To Eve, the god of dreams and secrets. I guess they had been sleeping there for a long time. I don’t understand why, but when I found the amulet, Eve woke up and reached out to me. They offered me a chance to be their manifestation.”
Maria knows about manifestation. In addition to magic, some gods choose to give significant portions of their own power to select individuals. These manifestations act as agents of the god’s will and border on possession in some cases. There’s a general in Tab’s army who is a manifestation, so the concept isn’t completely foreign. Still, how much of her brother is really speaking right now?
“Why did you leave us during the fighting? You could have told us this when it happened.”
A sad and embarrassed look comes over Raul’s face, “The process of Eve manifesting within me took all my energy. The moment I accepted their power, I nearly passed out. Eve took control and asked me where a safe place was. I wasn’t thinking clearly, and just thought of home. Eve decided that here in the palace was where I needed to be. I only woke up a few days ago. Only a few people even know I’ve returned. If I had known you would be left alone, I would have done things differently. I’m really sorry sis.”
Maria feels overwhelmed by her brother’s words. All this time she has been worried about him. She even risked her life to go back and get the necklace for his sake. Now it feels like it was all for nothing, “Why did you even accept this?”
“I’m not a leader sis. I’m not a warrior, or a politician, and I can’t even use magic. What I am is a student. I love to learn and share with others. You know this about me. Eve is the god of the mind. Of dreams, secrets, thoughts, and learning. How could I not jump at the chance to expand my own capabilities to learn and grow?”
It’s true, for as long as Maria has known her brother, he has always loved books. When they got older, he used his resources as royalty to explore the kingdom and visit old heritage sites and places of legend. Raul absolutely loves the history of Tab and its people. Accepting this kind of offer is exactly the kind of thing he would do without a second thought. It’s painful, but she accepts this really is her brother standing in front of her.
“I guess I don’t need this then,” She gives a defeated smile and reaches into her bag. She pulls out the ancient azurite amulet and dangles it in front of her, “You know I risked my life to get this for you.”
Raul’s eyes are wide with excitement, “Wow! That’s the artifact Eve was sleeping in. I didn’t really get a good look at it before.”
Maria steps towards her brother, “You can have it then. Artifacts aren’t really my thing anyway. Besides, maybe Eve finds this kind of thing sentimental,” She jokes as the object passes from her hands to her brother.
She thought that this moment would carry more weight than this. She imagined her brother had lost his mind to some powerful magic. Here he is though, no different than he has always been. The blue necklace was supposed to save his life and bring him back to his senses after a monumental battle. She’s happy things ended this smoothly, but it still feels anticlimactic.
“So, what will you do now? Continue to dig up old ruins and tell the world about what happened yesterday?” Maria is joking but she still isn’t sure how Raul’s life will change now that he’s a manifestation.
Teo chimes in, “Well, you and Raul are both still due for your ambassador assignments.”
Members of the royal family also act as ambassadors to neighboring nations. They spend a large portion of their year with that country's diplomats and nobility to foster ties between Tab and the rest of the world. Both Maria and Raul are old enough for their first assignments. In fact, the trip to the ruins was supposed to be their last big adventure together before going their separate ways.
“I’ll have word sent to have your departure postponed but canceling your arrival completely would insult your hosts,” Teo is their big brother, he cares about their wellbeing, but as the emperor, even his hands can get tied.
“In a few days we’ll have a celebration and proper send off for you. You don’t need to attend if you aren’t rested up by then, but your family and friends will want to see you off.”
Maria and Raul thank the emperor for the chance to speak with him. They have lots more to talk to each other about and Teo always has work to do. They end their time together and make plans to chat again over lunch.
“So, what will you do now that you’re back?” Raul doesn’t wait till lunch to start asking his questions.
“One of my new friends is a Sosun from the jungles in the south. He isn’t adjusted to life in the city, and I promised to help him with some things when we got settled. I think you’d like him. He has a very interesting way of seeing things.”
Raul smiles as his sister eagerly describes her new friend. He supports anything that can make her smile like this, “He sounds like a great person. I’m looking forward to meeting him."