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Conjecture and Politics
While Bao and Letz visit the School of Magic in their free time, Katz, and Kikka continue to get to know Princess Coco and rummage through the palace. Meanwhile, Princess Maria and Keyon prepare to testify before the senate and speak on the events of the last few weeks. Keyon has given reports before but never in the senate, same for Maria. She has spoken at public events and been a guest in the senate, but this is a first for her.
They arrive by carriage to the hearings where the members have already gathered. Senate meetings are not held in the palace.
“Are you nervous?” Keyon looks at Maria as they walk through the grand marble building.
“I am. I know all these people. I know they can get worked up easily during these kinds of things. How about you? Nervous?”
Keyon offers a reassuring smile and then looks on ahead, “Yes.”
“Well let’s just stick to what we know. There’s no reason to lie about anything after all. Once we tell our story, we can leave the conjecture and politics them. Tell the truth and let's be done with this.”
“Right, tell the truth.”
Keyon’s words cast a small bit of doubt on the princess but there’s no time to address that now. The two of them enter the large room where the assembly is being held. Rather than stand in front of the crowd, they are given a seat among the senators. So far, this is exactly what Maria has done in the past. She looks around the room, they’re talking about other issues now.
One man is delegating the conversations of the day. He must be the chairman for today’s proceedings. The room is filled with dozens of Tab’s wealthiest and most influential people. Maria recognizes most of them. They’re Sosuns, Redmanes, Corsacs, and a few Half-Elves. There’s even a single Strix among the senators, along with some members of the larger avian race, the Cinereous. Only a few seats are vacant today.
The old man finally addresses Maria, “Princess, next on the agenda is the attack on the royal family. Would you please recount the events to the senate. Please don’t spare any details.”
Maria and Keyon take turns describing the events from each of their perspectives. This is the first time Keyon has verbally unpacked all that happened. Maria has already done it several times. Both of their accounts are consistent, but she relies on Keyon’s insight when talking about magic as well as the events of their fight with the Sulfuges. When they finish telling their story, the members of the senate start talking about what should be done.
“This must be the work of the Kingdom of Armillaria!”
“No this has the Strix Empire written all over it!”
“Armillaria has been strengthening their forces for years! A strike at the royal family is exactly how they would launch a full-scale war!”
“Even now, the Strix are advancing into smaller nations! They claim frontier land that should be ours! This attack was in our undeveloped regions! This is exactly how the Strix operate!”
“This isn’t getting us any! We don’t have enough information to go off on!”
“What do you mean? We know exactly who is behind this!”
Tab’s elite continue like this. They’re passionate because they each care for the city and the nation but each has their own way of seeing the issue. The arguing dissolves into pointless bickering and the overseer finally orders everyone to calm down. When everyone is able to take a deep breath, another man speaks out.
“My fellow members of the senate, every moment we spend here without taking action is a moment the emperor and his family’s lives are put in danger. Right now we need more information to plan our course of action. If we can’t determine that now, I propose we adjourn this meeting and put our resources and connections to use. There’s a lead out there somewhere and it’s our duty to find it.”
The young man speaks slowly. Coldly. He looks every person in the eyes as he talks as if he were interrogating all of them. His long black hair is thin, and lays delicately over his shoulders. By any metric, the word handsome does not describe the aristocrat. This man is beautiful.
Thanks to the overseer calming everyone down, they’re willing to listen to the man. Before they put it to a vote, he speaks again, “Before we end today, I would like to ask the princess and her guard Keyon one more time if anything else was odd or telling about the assassins that attacked you.”
Maria knows this man well. The two of them have opposing ideas about how Tab should be run. Right now, as much as she would love to help, she has a little bit of satisfaction in denying his request, “I’m sorry. I’ve told you everything I know. Please work together to protect my brother and our family.”
Maria looks to Keyon, expecting a similar answer. They’ve said everything they know to be true. Haven’t they?
“My apologies to the senate,” Keyon hesitantly speaks up. This gets everyone’s attention, “There are details I’ve withheld from my account. I refrained from speaking in the past because I was concerned for Princess Maria’s wellbeing. I see now that I can no longer hide certain facts.”
Maria is surprised. The two of them were inseparable the entire journey. What detail could she have missed that Keyon felt was worth keeping from her? Keyon hesitates again and the overseer encourages him to continue.
“Two days before the attack at the ruins, the captain of our company approached me. He informed me that himself and many other members of the company had conspired with someone else to take the lives of both Princess Maria and Prince Raul.”
The moment this confession leaves his lips, the senate explodes in an uproar. Assassination and betrayal are not unheard of but if this were true, it changes the entire approach to the situation.
“Why didn’t you say anything? You didn’t try to stop them?”
“I declined the captain’s offer to join them, but we were already too far from any help for it to matter. The captain only spoke to me because he knew there was nothing I could do if I refused. Over half the company had been paid off or persuaded.”
“So, you were just going to let two members of the royal family die?”
“There was nothing I could do on the road. I thought that maybe once we got to the ruins, they could make an escape. When the fighting started, I guarded the door. I thought that if they were going to die, I should go first.”
“This is a preposterous story!”
“Can the anyone corroborate a single detail in this account?”
They look to Maria who is fighting off tears from this account. She replies in a shaky voice, “I knew nothing about this plan. It was completely unknown to me.”
“Honestly, accusing your own brothers in arms of such treachery!”
“And without a shred of proof!”
Keyon stands firm in the face of their assault. He has said what he needed to say. As Maria told him, conjecture and politics are the roles for these people.
The Half-Elf who first opened the floor to Keyon and asked him about new information sits quietly watching and listening to his peers and their shouts, “Keyon, please think hard. Is there anyone who can verify your account?”
The crowd is silent as they wait for a reply from the Half-Elf guard. They wait, but there is no reply. There is no one still alive who can vouch for him.
“Even if this story were true, you might just be trying to save your own skin!”
“How do we know you didn’t betray Tab only to change side again when things got bad?”
The senate is nearly prepared to throw Keyon in prison until they figure out what is really going on. Maria desperately wants to help Keyon but there is nothing she can say or do.
Another voice shouts out as it enters the assembly, “I can confirm Keyon’s story!”
Everyone turns to the entryway and gasps. The missing Prince Raul has joined the assembly. With him, Emperor Teo walks by his side. The emperor is wearing his normal heavy collared cape, and his black garments are wrapped tightly around his person. At his side, he carries a large golden shield designed in the shape of a lion’s head.t
“Sorry we’re late everyone,” Emperor Teo breaks the silence as they approach their seats, “Given the recent events I thought it would be best to arrive secretly. Chairman, I apologize if we are interrupting.”
The startled old man shakes his head, “Always an honor to be graced by his royal majesty.”
Keyon is shocked to see the missing Prince Raul. He looks at Maria, but she seems to be less surprised. Has she already seen the prince? He looks closely at the prince. There is still a trace of mind magic surrounding him. He wonders what the capabilities of this kind of magic are.
“Is he being controlled? Is that a thing?” Keyon watches carefully to see if the prince acts out of character at all.
Raul addresses the people, “Citizens of Tab, what Keyon says is true. On our journey, the company assigned to us plotted to take the lives of both me and my sister. After this, assassins tried to succeed where they failed.”
The prince tells the senate about how his manifestation of Eve took place. He explains that Eve saw the situation unfolding, that the traitors had killed those standing in defense of the empire, and that Eve acted to protect their manifestation and killed the remaining soldiers. When they saw that Keyon and Maria would be safe, they took the prince back to Tab where they rested under the care of the emperor.
The senate is shocked to hear this story from the prince.
Emperor Teo speaks, “It’s true. After I heard my brother’s story, I thought it would be best to keep him hidden until we could learn more about what happened. I’ve had the Black Cloaks inspect what they can in the city. Since there doesn't seem to be a threat here currently, I decided now was a good time to show our hand.”
There is little anyone can say against Keyon now that both the prince and the emperor have sided with his story. All that’s left now is to decide on a course of action.
“Your majesty,” the Half-Elf speaks again, “Given the threats posed to your family at this time, I strongly suggest that you cancel the departures of both Prince Raul and Princess Maria on their diplomatic missions.”
“I understand and share your concerns. Nevertheless, it is more important now than ever before that we strengthen our ties with friends and allies.”
“I understand my emperor. I only offer my council.”
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With this, there is another motion to end the session, and everyone gathered today begins to leave. Keyon tries to escape the gaze of Maria, but she catches up to him.
“Why didn’t you tell me any of that?”
“Princess, I didn’t want you to be burdened with it if you didn’t need to be. We were already afraid for our lives. You didn’t need to feel the pain of betrayal as well.”
“And what about you? You were just going to let yourself be killed if it meant saving me?”
Keyon hesitates, “For most of my life, I’ve been considered worthless. Serving you and the people of Tab is the only thing that gives my life meaning. If I were to die in service to you... That would be alright with me.”
Maria slaps him across the face for those words, “Your life isn’t as worthless as you think! You’re always too eager to throw it away!” she runs off before Keyon can see the tears falling from her face.
The two avoid each other for the rest of this day and the next. After that, Maria has her going away party. She will be leaving in a few days for her diplomatic mission, and everyone wants to wish her well. Keyon has no business attending the party, but Bao and the children are Maria’s special guests. They arrive after the princess since she needs to be there to greet everyone.
The servants of the palace have done a tremendous job dressing up their guests. Bao looks like a true noble of Tab, and the children, as long as they can behave, look well-mannered and refined. Out of all four of them though, Kikka is the one who draws the most attention. All the women swarm over and admire her unique beauty. Bao is a little worried at first given how they view Zultanites here, but these ladies aren’t interested in magic. They appear to be genuinely taken by the girl. Kikka loves the attention as well. She dances and twirls in the candlelight in response to their cheers and praise. All myriads of colors shine through her crystal body.
Kikka is still a little girl though and this is an evening party. She wears herself out and eventually gets tired of the attention. She finds her way back to Bao who picks her up and holds her for the remainder of the party. While she sleeps the ladies praise Bao for being such a good guardian for the little girl.
Coco is at the party as well. She runs up to Letz, who has been busy at the school but has also not gotten over his embarrassment by Claudia.
“Letz where have you been? I feel like you’ve been avoiding me!”
“What? No way! I’ve just been busy with at the School of Magic with Bao. Sorry.”
“Hmm. I don’t believe you. As a princess of Tab, I order you to spend the rest of the party with me!”
Letz looks over at Katz who doesn’t particularly seem to be enjoying this party. Katz gives his brother a subtle smile and a thumbs up before Coco demands his attention again.
She grabs his hands and drags him off to find whatever off limits areas are in this noble’s home. She says something about ‘diplomatic immunity’ as they leave the main hall.
Bao is beginning to feel a bit out of place at this party. He had occupied himself with the kids mostly, but Katz is the only one left now, and he certainly doesn’t need to be looked after. Bao is looking into his cup, sloshing the drink around when a familiar face finally greets him. Claudia welcomes Bao and leans against the same wall he is.
“I’m glad to see you’re up in one piece Bao,” the woman jokes, “I hope there’s no hard feelings between us.”
“Princess Claudia, good evening. Don’t worry about it. I’ve taken your advice to heart. I might not agree with everything that Tab does, but I’ll respect your customs while I’m here... Within reason anyway.”
Claudia thinks for a moment, “I’m glad to hear that. Still, some of my reactions to you were based on a misunderstanding. I couldn’t back down in front of my men, but I hope you’ll accept an apology from me now.”
While they’re still talking an older man approaches them. He’s an old Corsac but Bao has spent enough time with Fos to know that he is still much younger than the master is. Still, in this man’s eyes, he seems older. He hasn’t spoken anything yet but just from eyes, the man looks sad... Broken.
Claudia greets the man first, “General Torix! I’m glad to see you made it to my sister’s sendoff. I heard you had a successful campaign on the border once again. You bring glory to Tab and to your name.”
Torix looks blankly at Bao first, and then too Kikka sleeping in his arms. Slowly his head turns to the princess. Bao begins to wonder if he even heard the woman. Finally, he responds slowly and without emotion, “That’s right. There are many Armillarian raiders posing as bandits on our borders now. We keep killing them and they keep sending more. We’ll do this for as long as you need us to.”
He speaks with no conviction in his voice, “Of course I wouldn't miss the young princess’ sendoff. My men and I will be leaving for another campaign shortly. The opportunity to see her off on the start of her journey will give my men the morale to endure their hardships day by day.”
Bao doesn’t know how to add to this uncomfortable conversation. He’s relieved when another stranger joins the conversation, “Princess Claudia, General Torix, it’s good to see you both,” a young Half-Elf man with long black hair greets them, “And you must be Bao, Princess Maria’s special guest. My name is Ciar.”
“Ciar thank you for opening your home to host my sister’s party. She won’t admit it but I’m sure she’s thankful,” Claudia knows Maria and Ciar don’t get along. She appreciates his gesture of kindness.
“I’m the thankful one dear princess. This is a great honor she’s given me tonight. So, Bao, I’ve heard about everything you did to help Maria return to Tab safely. The mysterious boy from the jungle fights off assassins, kills a Sulfuges, encounters a dragon, and saves the princess. A remarkable series of events. I’m sure this story has already started to spread outside the city walls,” Bao, Ciar, and Claudia all laugh at how absurd the story sounds.
Torix looks out of place among the laughter. Ciar looks back to him, “General Torix, I was wondering if I could have a word with you. I wanted to speak with you before you leave on your next campaign.”
With that, the two men step out onto a balcony for a private discussion. Bao uses this chance to ask about Torix.
“He takes a bit of getting used to I’ll give you that. He’s a legendary warrior. Every soldier in Tab dreams of serving under him and surpassing him one day. He’s given a lot to the empire,” Claudia stops and considers stopping, “He’s lost even more. He lost his wife and daughter to raiders in the North a long time ago. I barely remember it. His daughter was about Kikka’s age if I had to guess. Maybe younger. You’re learning magic from Master Fos, right? Ask him about manifestations. Torix is one.”
Bao and Claudia enjoy their conversation as the evening draws on. Claudia looks up to the main doors and excitement fills her face, “Oh it looks like my brother finally made it!”
“Which one?” Bao doesn’t need to wait long before a voice speaks over the rest of the guests.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Emperor Teo.”
Emperor Teo joins the party and immediately, he is greeted by a mass of people. He greets them respectfully but their conversations don’t go any deeper than surface pleasantries.
“That’s got be exhausting don’t you think?” Claudia laments, “Surrounded by people who either want something from you or just want to be seen close to you.”
“So that’s the emperor? I can see the resemblance.” Bao recognizes his connection to Maria very easily. Claudia on the other hand doesn’t look like any of her siblings.
“Huh?” his comment gets her excited for a minute. Does she look like her brother? She smiles when she realizes her misunderstanding, “Oh yes. Emperor Teo and my sister both take after their mother.”
The bustle around the emperor slowly dies down and he can finally enjoy the party.
Claudia takes a final sip of the drink in her hand, “Come on, let me introduce you to my brother.”
“Me!?”
“Why not? He already knows who you are. Letting him put a face to the name is actually doing him the favor.”
Teo sees Claudia coming from across the room. The sight of his sister is enough to put him at ease. He smiles to greet her while they’re still making their way to him. Claudia introduces Bao and the emperor is happy to face meet the famous Sosun. He notices that Bao has been holding Kikka for a long time and suggests they find some seats. They walk to a pair of occupied seats but before the emperor can say anything the Redmane and Corsac sitting down quickly offer up the seats.
“You’ve made quite the stir in some circles Bao. How have you been adjusting to life in the capital?”
Claudia chokes on the snack she’s eating. Maybe he only meant it as a polite question, but maybe he’s also referencing the attack on the palace guest.
“There are merits to life like this, but I can’t deny that I’m looking forward to life outside the walls again.”
“That makes sense, you’re a warrior at heart, as well as a bit of a farmer if I understand your culture correctly.”
“Oh? You know about life back in my home?” no one has had any knowledge of jungle life since Bao left home.
“Well, you’re going through the trouble of learning Tab’s customs. I only thought it was right that I did the same.”
“I’m grateful for that. Yes, back home all the men are warrior and hunters, and everyone works in the fields.”
“You’re a man of many skills I see. Warrior, hunter, farmer. And now we can add bodyguard, and novice mage to the list is that right?”
The three laugh. The emperor is clearly just making light conversation. It’s all in fun. Their laughing stirs Kikka a little who turns her head tries to get more comfortable in Bao’s arms before returning to sleep.
Teo smiles gentle at the young girl, “Should we add father or brother to that list.”
Bao thinks seriously, “I just want to help her find a place to call home. Right now, that place isn’t in Tab.”
“Don’t worry Bao, you can speak openly with me. This is a party for my sister. The princess you saved. I want to know your thoughts. What do you think of Tab?”
“Your Highness?” Claudia is a little surprised.
“It’s to the credit of the rulers that Tab has become such a powerful nation. I can’t deny that,” Bao looks around the party, “Back home, all humans work together for each other's benefit. Even here, I can see more races in this room than who live in the jungle yet here in Tab, they've built a successful empire.”
The emperor looks at Bao knowingly, “But not every race.”
That’s exactly what he was thinking, “How can a nation be proud of what it is? How can they hold their heads high when some of their own people are treated worse than animals?”
Teo holds a hand out towards Claudia. She doesn’t need to say anything for her brother to know she hates this kind of talk, “It’s fine.”
“Bao, I really do want to hear your thoughts. Tell me please, do you truly believe that a human can deviate from their nature.”
He answers without hesitation, “I do. Absolutely,” he thinks back to his fight with Arnit, the Sulfuges. That man had embraced a destructive nature. Maybe Bao was ignorant as to how difficult the task is, but he has seen someone else succeed where Arnit failed. Bolbians are viewed as the personification of death, yet Belos risked his life to save their everyone. Belos is a friend, “I’ve seen it.”
“What about the ideas others thrust on each other? If you change but the world refuses to accept that, what should you do?”
Again, Bao has seen this before. He and Belos entered a mock agreement as master and slave. That didn’t protect either of them from the rest of the world treating Belos the same as they always had. Even so, as he held on to his convictions, he saw both Keyon and Maria slowly become open to a new way of thinking, “I don’t expect people to change right away. If you stay committed though, people will change.”
“Then let me ask you one more question then. You might not be able to answer now, and that’s alright. The plans and whims of the gods, do you think humans have the power to resist their influence?”
This is a strange question. The emperor is right, Bao isn’t able to answer confidently. He doesn’t even understand what he means by the gods’ plans and whims.
“As you study your magic, you’ll become more familiar with the gods and their actions in our lives. If we can escape our nature, what’s the point if we’re still bound to the gods?” Teo gets up from his seat and Claudia follows him as he walks away, “Please think about that when you’re on your travels. If you come up with an answer I want to hear it.”
Bao speaks up one last time before parting with the emperor, “I can’t explain my answer but deep down I know. As humans, we must have that ability.”
The emperor smiles and walks away.
“That boy is very interesting don’t you think Claudia?”
“Brother don’t tell me you believe what Bao is saying.”
“I don’t think it matters what I think about those kinds of questions, but as long as there are people willing to break the molds they’ve found themselves in, our nation will continue to improve.”
Claudia doesn’t approve of his response. She thinks to herself, “You’re the emperor. Why wouldn’t it matter?”
It’s getting late but the events of the evening will continue for a while longer. Bao decides it’s time to return to the palace with the children. They say goodbye to their friends, Princess Claudia, Coco, and Maria, who has been busy with other guests all evening, and their carriage takes them home.
On the upper levels of this exquisite home, General Torix leans against the edge of a balcony, watching the carriages come and go.
A voice by the doors calls out to him, “A jump from here would do it. It’d be painful though,” it’s Ciar.
The old man takes a deep breath of the night air, “Am I really so easy to read in my old age?” he continues leaning against the railing and Ciar joins him.
“I’ve known you my entire life, you’re like a father to me. If I haven’t picked on this by now, no one will,” neither of the two men speak with strong emotions. They simple talk, “I can’t do anything that will heal your scares, but I want to at least find something that will ease your pain,” everyone knows Torix lost his family in the past but very few people realize how deeply the man has been hurting.
“Ciar, you’re my last friend. Everyone else has either fallen in battle or become so absorbed in politics, they’ve forgotten me. I’m tired. I’ve been tired for so long. I just want all of this to be over.” Torix hangs his head in defeat.
“My friend you still have a role to play and a job to do. Your men hang on every word you say and love you like you were a father to each of them.”
“You’re right. They’re the only family I have left. When I leave this world, I want to have at least made sure there’s a place for them to return to. A home.”
“Torix, I truly believe the emperor can make that happen. He can guide the empire to prosperity, I know it. You focus on the frontier and keep our borders safe. Let me worry about the threat from within. Promise me you won’t die until we’ve both seen the world Teo is seeking. When you see your wife and daughter again, I want you to return to them as a proud man.”
The Corsac looks into the sky and closes his eyes, it’s a day he’s been wishing for for a long time, “I want that too.”
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