11 | Puppets on a String

THEODORE STOOD SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH Isabella, who was carrying Cassius, as they welcomed guests arriving into the ballroom. The sound of their laughter and conversation echoed off to the high ceiling.

  Cassius yawned as they circulated among the guests, greeting friends and making introductions. At least, his parents did. He's just forced to join the ride.

  At one end of the room, they passed by a group of guests gathered around a grand piano, dancing to the pianist’s jazzy tune.

  Waiters in black ties carrying silver trays of champagne and hors d'oeuvres circulated among the guests as they chatted and mingled. One of them approached Theodore, but he shook his head with a smile.

  An elderly man then approached Theodore, shaking his hand. Cassius recognized the man. “Congratulations, Lord Aramdale,” said Hamili.

  “Lord Manawis. I am humbled you have come,” said Theodore, while Isabella also made her greeting before introducing Cassius.

  “Ah, Cassius! He looks just like you two,” Hamili said and smiled at Cassius. The infant only tilted his head in response, earning a hearty chuckle from Hamili.

  Isabella then giggled and cooed at Cassius, gently poking his nose, much to Cassius’ annoyance. “Isn’t he wonderful? Our child?” she said, to which Hamili agreed.

  ‘Hiram’s grandfather,’ thought Cassius. ‘He seems oddly calm. It must be posturing. I would still be at rage if THAT were to happen to my daughter.’

  “It must be said that I am grateful for your continued help with the investigations, Lord Manawis. We would not have advanced this much without your help,” said Theodore while lowering his voice.

  Hamili patted his shoulder with a smile. “Don’t mention it. But I do propose we do not speak of business and instead celebrate this victory and your family.”

  It was obvious to Cassius, what the patriarch of the Manawis hinted, that there may still be enemies listening in. Cassius concluded Hamili was still being cautious, despite his friendly tone and appearance to everyone.

  Cassius saw his mother ever so briefly narrow her gaze at Theodore, her lips pursing before they shifted back to her usual smile.

  Theodore and Isabella were then led by Hamili toward another well-dressed elderly man conversing with a few people. It was Lieutenant General Augustus Williams. Augustus then excused himself from his previous conversation when he noticed their approach.

  After exchanging pleasantries and small talk, the group avoided talking about business and politics. So, the couple proceeded to meet and greet the other guests. Many of them were prominent individuals; some of the nobility, the business circle, military and civil servants, and some were even Andeli bishops.

  Then a tall man approached the couple. He carried himself with ease and confidence. His broad shoulders filled out his finely tailored suit of black, contrasting the green colour of his eyes.

  He wore a crisp white dress shirt under his suit, its top button was undone just enough to reveal a hint of black tie that knotted at his neck.

  “Greetings, Lord Aramdale... Lady Isabella,” said Isaac Devon Ferguson, leader of the RMA, offering the couple a smile. After exchanging pleasantries, Isaac requested if he could speak with Theodore in private.

  “Why? Are you hiding something from me, Isaac?” Isabella lowered her voice to a whisper, glaring at Isaac.

  “Almighty, no. I would rather die than risk your ire,” Isaac grinned.

  Isabella clicked her tongue before nodding her affirmation. But before Theodore could lead Isaac away, Cassius tugged and pulled Theodore’s cuffs. “Cassius?” Isabella asked.

  With a chuckle, Theodore leaned down and gently pinched Cassius’ cheeks. “Father will be back. Don’t worry,” he said softly. Cassius did not let go and glared at Isaac.

  It was Isaac’s turn to laugh after meeting his glare. “It’s fine. You can take him with us, Theodore. I would not want to separate the child from his father.”

  “You don’t want me anymore, Cassius?” Isabella said and pouted. Cassius’ eyes softened, not wanting to hurt his mother’s feelings. She has been so kind. But Isabella then lightly giggled. “A jest, my dear. You’re obviously tired from meeting all these people.”

  ‘Good, it worked,’ thought Cassius, wanting to listen to what the two would talk about.

  She passed Cassius to Theodore, and Cassius smiled. Theodore then led Isaac to the balcony of the mansion, ignoring the watchful eyes that saw them.

⁂

The two men stepped out onto the balcony, leaving the noise and commotion of the party behind. Cassius felt the night air. It was cool and refreshing.

  Isaac leaned against the railing, looking out over the city as he spoke, his features illuminated by the moon shining bright in the sky as it cast a silver glow over the city below. "It's quite a view, isn't it?" he said, gesturing out at the cityscape, a glittering tapestry of lights.

  Theodore nodded, his eyes taking in the sight. He leaned against the railing, babying Cassius in his arms as he replied. "It is indeed. A majestic city comparable to the City of Atharis, I must say,” said Theodore.

  The two men fell into a comfortable silence. Theodore looked into the distance, and Cassius followed his eyes, watching the lights of a bridge twinkling and casting a bright reflection onto the calm waters of the river underneath.

  After a moment, Isaac spoke again. "It has been years since we’ve all sat in that classroom at Edith. You and Isabella have been so close, and her brother Lucas hawked at you like a predator. Lucius and Talia were also nigh inseparable, but it was Victoria who kept us all together."

  Theodore smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "It has been. Now, look at you. You’ve become the symbol of reformation. I always knew you could do it."

  Isaac chuckled, his eyes gleaming in the moonlight. “My accolades could not be compared to yours and those two monsters. To become Grand Sorcerers at such a young age, I can only admire you all.”

  Silence descended upon the two again when the two monsters were mentioned; Lucius and Talia. Cassius looked at Theodore, his father’s eyes seemed full of nostalgia. Then Theodore broke the silence. “You speak as if death is but mere inches away from you. Always, have you had a penchant for doing so.”

  “This city can be a treacherous place for the unwary and unwise,” said Isaac and looked at Theodore, his lips curving into a gentle smile. A smile so gentle yet also so sorrowful. “It is also a city treacherous for the wary and the wise.”

  Theodore looked back to the city as the sounds of the party seemed now distant and inconsequential. “Speak plain, Isaac,” said Theodore with a frown.

  “You’ve all always said that I will die a martyr. A deluded martyr who believes peace and progress can be achieved without shedding a single drop of blood. Oh, so ideal and unrealistic,” said Isaac and paused. “I am no martyr, Theo. Our society has only forgotten the greatest sin of all – the killing of another.”

  “Spare me the Word of the Almighty, Isaac,” said Theodore, yet he said it with no conviction, his words coming out so whispery. "Why are we here?"

  Isaac smiled and spoke. “We have many enemies, and many have foiled our plan… We were so close, Theo… so close,” said Isaac. Theodore lifted an eyebrow but allowed Isaac to go on. “You need to know the cause behind it all. The supposed cause, as I believe it is... Lucius and I were working to make Alardice an official province of Atharia. The only path to bring equality between the Alardi and the Atharians.”

  Upon the revelation, Theodore widened his eyes but did not interrupt. Isaac nodded his head. “But many influential peninsulars, especially those within the Church, wish to maintain the status quo. Which would also mean maintaining their wealth and power,” Isaac said.

  Theodore pursed his lips at the mention of the peninsulars, and Cassius noticed a tinge of hate in Theodore's eyes. He knew that Theodore did not particularly hate the peninsulars but rather hated the caste system of Atharian colonies, which his father repeatedly pledged to destroy.

  Peninsulars are full-blooded Atharians born in Atharia. They are considered first-class citizens in the Empire’s colonies. Only peninsulars can hold the highest offices, including the highest positions within the Church of Andel.

  This caste system has brought many dissatisfactions within the Alardi and led to the formation of the RMA a decade ago, seeking to abolish the caste system and bring reformation and equality. The RMA is composed of half-blooded Atharians, insulars, and the burosi. Half-bloods and insulars, or full-blooded Atharians born in Alardice, are considered second-class.

  On the other hand, the burosi refers to the native Indigenous peoples of the island groups in East Buros, which include the Archipelago of Alardice.

  “The peninsulars… the Church,” muttered Theodore.

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  “Yes. The RMA and Lucius pushed for secularization in order to curb the influence of the Church, which has a great deal of influence within the Imperial Court," said Isaac.

  "Which would lead to the integration of Alardice as a province of Atharia," Theodore said in understanding.

  Isaac nodded. "The Church own tracts of land granted by the Atharian monarchy, in addition to their already strong influence in matters of policy and governance. So, the clergy are resolved not to yield this power,“ said Isaac. “But Lucius and I were also resolved to separate them from the matters of state, pushing them to focus on the teachings of Mikhail.”

  Theodore nodded in understanding. “This is why they want the RMA gone,” he concluded. “Both the clergy and the peninsulars.”

  Isaac smiled. “I’m here to warn you that while the Andeli and the Holy See lost much in Ecus, the Atharian clergy remains a powerful entity in the colonies. They cannot let go of Alardice,” said Isaac.

  Cassius silently agreed as he listened, understanding the fact that the Church played a central role in shaping the social and cultural life of the Imperial colonies, and its influence is felt in many aspects of daily life. Their vast influence also includes total governance of most institutions of arts and education in Alardice. In short, they are that powerful. And the Atharian clergy took advantage of that power.

  “They have many peninsular allies in the colonial government, particularly those who believe the Church is necessary for maintaining Atharian control over the colony,” said Isaac. He then said the RMA's effort was not enough and that the Church and the peninsulars found a chance to topple the movement. He explained, "Rumours are circulating that it was the RMA responsible for Lucius’ death." With a frown, he added, “I’m not sure who is spreading the rumours. Others might suspect the obvious, but I feel it is someone else.”

  “So, if it is not the Church or the peninsulars spreading rumours, who would it be? The nobility?” asked Theodore.

  “It would not be the nobility as well. The nobles keep a close watch on each other, watching each other’s every move. If a noble house worked with Sicarius, they would have already been found out," said Isaac, to which Cassius agreed in his mind.

  The nobility has maintained their position for a reason, despite the dangers of the court - they were all cunning. Not to mention that while they may stab each other in the shadows, they have a united hatred against the Order of Sicarius. Many of them have fallen to Sicarius' blade. Those who attempted to use Sicarius against their rivals were also swiftly decimated – and those who tried were already falling out of power anyway.

  “Turning Alardice into a province would also benefit the nobility,” added Isaac, and Theodore asked why. Isaac opened his arms and gestured to the horizon toward the distant seas. “Because they would have a chance to ascend into Dukes, dividing Alardice’s regions into many Dukedoms, while one would rise to become a Grand Duke. This is the sacrifice we are prepared to make.”

  'Such similarity, that humanity remains the same, no matter the world they live in,' thought Cassius as he listened to the two men talk. 'The greed for power will ever be the same. And in this tug of war. I've become an objective. Alas... I can't do anything to change that.'

  “You turned enemies into friends, pitting the nobility against the clergy and the peninsulars by turning Alardice into a province," said his father. "If Alardice becomes a province. It would mean the clergy and the peninsulars forced to give up tracts of their lands to be redistributed among the nobility – practically reducing their influence, wealth, and power.”

  Isaac confirmed Theodore’s suspicions with a nod. “Yes. That’s why while I believe these three parties are not responsible for the assassination – the clergy and the peninsulars were still swift to act and blame it all on the RMA.”

  “And without evidence, the Crown would have no choice but to believe them,” said Theodore with a click of his tongue. “They've truly grown corrupt... using rumours and evidence they know are false.”

  “Not all of the clergy. But. You are correct. There are members of the clergy blinded by authority and power. And until Alardice becomes an official province, we won’t have official representation within the Imperial Court. But with Lucius' death and the targeting of the RMA, that would be nigh impossible to achieve,” affirmed Isaac with a defeated smile.

  Theodore did not respond for a while, allowing silence to filter through the air. Then finally, he spoke. “This is much too convenient, Isaac.”

  “I agree. As I said. I do not believe either of these three is responsible. I believe there is yet a fourth, unknown party, playing everybody like puppets on a string,” said Isaac.

  “Who?”

  “I don't know. But I have an idea. We have already established that the clergy, the peninsulars, and the nobility are locked in a stalemate,” said Isaac. “But this stalemate was broken. Whoever broke it does not wish for reformation. While they have paid a heavy price, they have also given the clergy and the peninsulars a way out. Sounds familiar?”

  Cassius noticed a deep frown etched onto Theodore’s face. When finally, Theodore spoke and said, “A revolutionary movement.”

  “Yes. Many revolts took place in multiple Ecusian colonies in the past due to native Indigenous peoples of those colonies seeking independence,” said Isaac. “This is why we were careful. We have kept it hidden from the public, and also why those in the know remained quiet. No one wants a revolution, and no one also wants to be the ones responsible for a revolution.”

  “The RMA, the clergy, the peninsular, the nobility, and a mysterious revolutionary movement,” whispered Theodore.

  Cassius frowned and thought of the five major influences representing four major ideologies:

  The RMA seeks to reform and equality by turning Alardice into a province.

  The nobility supports Alardice's reformation to grow their power and influence.

  The clergy and the peninsulars seek to keep the status quo.

  Finally, the mysterious revolutionary power seeks independence from Atharia.

  Meanwhile, the Church and the peninsulars have made the first move. They seek the death of Isaac to cut off the head of the RMA.

  'The RMA and the nobility, against the clergy and the peninsulars, while a hidden power watches and waits. Indeed. It is far too convenient. But I have a feeling that it will become a three-way war,' Cassius thought and felt helpless once more. He wished he wasn't a burden to his family while the forces duke it out.

⁂

After the welcoming party of the new Governor General a fortnight ago, massive news descended upon Edares, which involves the Church of Andel.

  Father Davis entered a study, a small room tucked away in the back of the St. Claire’s Cathedral. He saw Archbishop Walton on his desk, his back against a wall of adobe painted with a deep ochre colour, looking outside the courtyard through a single window.

  The Archbishop was a tall, lean man with a weathered face that spoke of years spent under the unforgiving sun. His hair, once blonde, was now flecked with grey at the temples, and his eyes were a deep, thoughtful brown.

  He wore a simple black cassock, unadorned save for a small silver cross that hung from a chain around his neck

  The room was sparsely furnished, with only the desk and a few chairs and a bookshelf lined with leather-bound tomes. Father Davis took a seat on a chair before the Archbishop. “Your Excellency. The Imperial Court has passed its judgement,” said Davis, his voice echoing softly off the walls. “Isaac Devon Ferguson, leader of the Reformation Movement of Alardice, is deemed responsible for the Tragedy of Crestmore and is set to be executed in a few days.”

  "How swift a judgement it is," said Walton. "The clergy have grown far from the Word of the Almighty."

  Davis hesitated for a moment, understanding the fact that members of the Atharian clergy played a major part in pushing for Isaac's execution, blaming him and the RMA for the Crestmores' assassination. Then he cast off his hesitation and said, "But you know they are false, Your Excellency. Are we really unable to do anything? Isaac is a pious man. There is no way he could have done this."

  "Haven’t we tried enough? Even the will of an Archbishop is nothing against the will of the majority. All we can do now is to watch the future play out."

  Truly, Davis knew the Archbishop had done his best to halt the clergy’s efforts in the Imperial Court many months ago.

  But the Imperial Court decided to favour the clergy so as not to lose its control over the colony. Davis understood that Atharia did not have the means to dispatch more of its forces in Alardice due to its other colonies in Allassa. It had grown too big to be able to rule all its colonies effectively. In addition, the clergy also had heavy involvement with politics, and with its close ties to the colonial government, the Archbishop was helpless.

  While Lucius, with the help of the RMA, was previously successful in curbing corruption within the colonial government in Edares, the Archipelago of Alardice is too vast; that completely rooting out corruption would be impossible.

  There were also simply too many of the clergy and businesspeople – all peninsulars who sought to crush the RMA.

  Davis saw the Archbishop had grown tired from the political pressure. “And what of the consequences?" Davis asked and dropped the formalities. "Do you not see the danger in such a path? The unrest it will bring, the bloodshed that will surely follow?"

  Walton shook his head and fixed his gaze on Davis. "I do not condone violence, Father Davis," he said. "While I understand your frustration, you must also understand the clergy have lost their path.”

  Davis nodded, feeling his heart heavy with a sense of foreboding, unable to argue with Walton's words.

  “They have used the teachings of Mikhail not to spread love and kindness but for power, wealth, and to oppress,” said Walton. “I am not blind to all of these, and I have seen the Alardi live under the yoke of oppression. The pen has failed… The Holy Book has failed... We have failed the masses, Father Walton. So, if it is the sword that must follow… then the sword it shall be.”

  “It is time the clergy pay the price,” concluded Walton. “And I will be there to see it all.”

  Davis knew what the Archbishop meant, that Isaac’s death would pave a path of thorns. The clergy are blind to this, having underestimated the power and influence of the RMA. The clergy’s corruption has also blinded them from uncovering the nuances of the assassination – of those who hide in the dark, playing everybody like puppets on a string.

  These were dangerous times – times that could change the course of history. All the players are almost set to play, and Davis feared that the road ahead would be a long and bloody one.

⁂

Lucas approached the dungeon, his footsteps echoing through the stone halls, and as he walked, heads turned, and eyes followed him. He arrived at the steel door, where two guards stood at attention. "Open it," he commanded, and the guards obeyed without hesitation. He descended the staircase, his eyes adjusting to the dim light. He could hear the sounds of muffled whispers and shuffling from the cells below.

  After reaching the bottom of the stairs, he approached the first cell, where two guards also stood at attention. The door was made of iron bars, and when he peered inside, he did not see the captured spy. Lucas narrowed his gaze, his mask of stoicism shattered by rage.

  "Find the spy!"

⁂

END OF ARC