Mordan reappeared and took Rica off his hands.
Octarian tried to cut past the myriads of guests to find Ariessa, or anybody who had seen her. Thankfully, he spotted Wolly, Erna and Trillian, in a group with Sylvain, Liona and Nessa, who filled the others in on all the news. Octarian grabbed Wolly and dragged him away from the others.
“Oi, I want to hear this… It’s huge,” Wolly made an attempt of resistance, trying to get his ears closer to the group of his friends.
“I’ll tell you later. Have you seen Ari?” Octarian demanded.
“Gods yes, I’ve seen her. Man, she was livid,” Wolly said, shivering slightly at the thought of Princess Warhorn’s previous rantings.
“I can’t see her. Where is she?”
“Well… I think she’s gone.”
“Where?”
“I’m not quite sure. I got here with Erna on time, at four. Trillian joined us, as Nessa had to go to your mysterious family thing. Around five Ariessa stormed in. Man, that girl has a mouth on her. I had to cover Erna’s ears.”
“Well, she did wait for me for a while after all. That’s not a bad sign.”
“Uh-huh. I’m not sure that helped things.
Anyway. She was ranting for a while. She had hardly calmed down when one of the servants came over with a letter for her. She read it, and then looked that way,” he pointed towards the Windsong Gardens with their famous musical fountains, “excused herself and left. We haven’t seen her since. And yes, we were looking,” he added, seeing the look in Octarian’s eyes.
Octarian spent the rest of the night searching the palace for Ariessa, hoping she would turn up. She didn’t.
Island Counting House, Realm’s Heart Island
Count Paywell, the Head Banker of the Realm’s most important counting house, was about to start his day in his office. His coffee had been served, his cigar had been lit; he was ready to deal with the daily mail.
It was a good day; no worrying news, no problems on the horizon.
He rang for his secretary.
“Right. What’s on the agenda today?” the Count asked.
“Duke Ironheart will be arriving for a meeting at one o’clock.
We have to discuss some minor issues - nothing of urgency,- and the ownership on Vault 616 has expired.
If I may suggest, we should attend to the latter task as a start, Count Paywell,” the secretary said.
“Quite right,” the banker rose. He had always liked to unlock the secrets of the vaults. On several occasions, the owners of the expired ones had died, in which case the contents became the property of the counting house.
Unless they were of special importance. In those cases the current First Servant had to be consulted.
Three-digit vaults were the smallest; they were basically lockable metal drawers in the walls of a huge hall. Nevertheless, they sometimes contained valuable documents, bonds or shares.
The secretary presented the key, and the Count opened the vault with childlike anticipation.
It contained a large envelope and a piece of paper.
This letter is the property of the Government.
It is to be presented to the current First Servant
by the current Head Banker
during
the House of Houses meeting
on the first Sageday
of the Month of the Peacock
of the year 779.
“Oh nice! I love to get instructions from beyond the grave. Though not as much as to interrupt a Government meeting,” the count exclaimed.
So much about a good day.
The secretary consulted his ledger.
“The vault was opened in the Month of the Monkey of the year 769, and has never been visited since.”
“Who’s the owner?” the Count asked.
“Unspecified.”
The banker cursed silently, while he ran up the stairs with an admirable speed for a man of his build.
“The meeting is in session already. Get my carriage ready, I have to leave immediately.”
***
“On behalf of my country I would strongly recommend my fellow Representatives to reconsider having railway-lines built at long last,” Queen Mother Aquina Wintersky of Lectricka said.
“Not this again,” Empress Mondia Moonstone of Lunaria sighed.
“Auntie Aquina, I thought we had all agreed that it would be an utterly superfluous expense… and for what?
Don’t the Waterways of the Structure provide us with the most excellent infrastructure in the whole World?
As much as I enjoy all the other inventions of the Kronurians, like farspeakers, farwriters, steamships, electricka and such, I really don’t think we have to discuss this topic yet again.
Of course, this is only my humble opinion,” Empress Saturnia Mountainborn of Ricornia replied, knowing fine well that most of the Representatives shared her view.
“Yet, you can’t deny that it would be most helpful at times of festivals, when millions want to get to the Island, dearest Sat,” Emperor Aeron Breeze of Azuria remarked.
“You only say that, because you Breezes have no patience at all, Aeron.
You would defile our beautiful continent with those ghastly devices just to get from one point to the other a little bit faster,” Empress Moxia Bullsblood of Gundia hissed, after which she coughed into her handkerchief.
“Moxia darling, you know as well as we all do, that we could build the railroads in the Fire Tunnels. I do believe that the Gods had indeed intended them for such a purpose,” Emperor Thorwald Archer of Lazulia countered.
“And pray tell, how on Earth would we get those coal-guzzling iron monstrosities down there, Thor?” Lexandros asked, immediately regretting it. He realised that he should have backed up his little sister’s future mother-in-law, Queen Aquina this time. At least for show.
“Then again, I’m sure this could be solved,” he backtracked uncharacteristically sheepishly.
“Damn right it could; get some Covaxian smiths down there. There’s nothing they can’t achieve when it comes to iron. They could assemble the best locomotives in the World. All we need to do, is to set up a modest factory in Realm’s Belly,” Emperor Xisar Warhorn of Covax said.
“Yeah, Beli would love that,” Saturnia muttered.
“Who?” asked the slightly blood-shot eyed Empress Ischia Seafoam of Perentia.
“Ummm… the people of the Belly,” the Ricornian Empress responded, suddenly feeling the need to inspect her nails.
“Well, I’m with the Ermelians on the matter; their studies have proved that the exhausts of the locomotives pollute the environment. Besides, it’s very probable that the fumes of the locomotives would suffocate everybody in the Fire Tunnels,” King Razzael, the husband of Empress Ginia Wheatfield of Vosia stated.
“Quite right. I also share the views of the Roditeeans; everything in connection with the railroads is dirty and anything but aesthetic,” Emperor Donis Windscale of Cadentia nodded.
Andarian patiently smiled throughout the discussion, but now he felt that it was time to put an end to it.
“Most esteemed Representatives, would you like to vote on the matter?” he asked, stopping himself from adding ‘yet again’.
“Oh, what’s the point? We all know the outcome already. I just…” Regent Queen Aquina said when she was interrupted by a knock on the door. It was so unexpected, that she momentarily forgot what she was about to say.
It was unprecedented in the lives of the current Representatives; a Government Meeting had never been interrupted before.
An Academy servant appeared, and silently nodded at Andarian. He nodded back, made his apologies and exited through the front door with the messenger.
The Representatives whispered and craned their necks as Andarian left the hall.
He shortly returned with an envelope.
“Excuse me for a moment,” he said, and disappeared into his office.
When he stepped into the hall again, his face was ashen and his hands shook slightly.
“What’s going on?”
“First Servant, talk for Gods’ sake.”
“Could I please ask all of you to leave for a few minutes? Except Emperor Lexandros and Emperor Donis,” he said in an otherworldly voice.
The members of the Government stood up, some muttering, some outraged.
“Move, move, people! We’ll find out in time what this is all about,” Empress Saturnia shouted at the assembled Royals.
When the others left, Andarian spoke.
“Please take your seats and brace yourselves. I would like to say…”
He shook his head.
There was nothing he could say.
He silently slid two photographs to the Emperors of Heliodoria and Cadentia.
Lexandros took a look and buried his face in his hands.
He felt too numb for his tears to come.
“How will I tell Mother?” he whispered over and over again.
Donis Windscale jumped up, frantically pacing in the room.
“No, no, no, no,” was all he could shout.
He felt the World crumble around him, as soon as he saw the proof of his hopes being crushed.
Andarian kept the others outside as long as he could, but after fifteen minutes he had no choice.
The Representatives were shocked by the sight of the two Emperors in agony.
One after the other took a look at the photographs.
The first one depicted a group of six men.
Six men in hooded robes. All of them were holding bloody knives in their hands.
All six stood around a long table.
On top of the table lay a blonde girl in a long white dress.
Her left hand limply hanging from the table.
Her dress soaked with the blood seeping from the stabs to her chest, stomach and shoulders.
The picture was signed.
This is the fate of the enemies of the Dark Empress
The Dark Empress Shall Reign
The other photograph showed the face of the girl.
Her open eyes staring into nothingness.
A streak of blood running from the corner of her mouth.
The text on the bottom of the picture said:
Princess Eldorine Sunflare of Heliodoria
The Betrothed of Emperor Donis Windscale of Cadentia
An Enemy of the Dark Empress and of Pyonia
(752-769)
After a while, Andarian left the wailing and shouting Royals in the hall.
“Please get Duchess Summerwind as soon as possible,” he asked an Academy servant.
Bowman Mansion, Stingray Harbour, Pyonia
“My Lord, please wake up,” Nay said calmly, gingerly shaking his sleeping master’s shoulders.
Tolzan opened his eyes.
“What time is it?”
“It’s three o’clock in the morning. There’s an urgent message here for you,” Nay extended an envelope and silently left the room.
Tolzan opened it.
Urgent meeting requested.
Please name venue asap.
RS
“Nay!” Tolzan shouted, got out of bed and went to his desk. He began to write.
His manservant returned.
“Get my carriage and barge ready, and have a maid pack an overnight bag. Come back once you’re done, I’ll have some messages for the farspeaker operator.”
By the time Nay had reappeared, Tolzan was dressed. He handed his servant five envelopes.
“Bring these to the operator and have him call the Spider’s Nest Inn on the Island as well. Tell him to book me a room for tonight, as well as one of their private salons for this afternoon. Is my carriage ready?” He asked while descending the stairs.
“Yes, my Lord,” Nay replied following him with the luggage.
***
At four in the afternoon, Tolzan was dressed and ready for the meeting. He left his room in the Spider’s Nest and went downstairs to the private salon.
All five members were seated around the table of the room already. They all stood up and bowed their heads when he entered.
He nodded at them, took a seat and filled the glass in front him with water.
“What’s the emergency then, Sharpbeak?” he asked the King of Vosia. There was something strange about the addressed man. For a few seconds Tolzan couldn’t put a finger on it.
‘Ah, I’ve never seen him without his arrogant smile plastered across his face,’ he thought to himself.
“Someone has sent parts of the Evidence to the First Servant during the House of Houses meeting.”
Stunned silence set in for a few moments.
“Fuck,” said the youngest member.
“Language, Hazard. You’re forgetting where you are,” said a man with a greying, bushy moustache.
“I thought we were in the dirtiest inn of the Island,” replied the young one.
“This is an official Greater Council meeting,” the moustached man reminded him.
“Who cares where we are, Archer? I agree. Fuck,” said a bespectacled member with an astonishingly square head.
“Don’t call me Archer, Meander. My name is Iceblood and I’m proud of it.”
“You can call yourself whatever you want after the Plan has been realised. Until then; you are Archer,” Tolzan said quietly.
“Which parts of the Evidence?” he turned back to Razzael.
“The hooded picture and the one with the girl in it,” replied Sharpbeak.
“So what is it that worries you?” Tolzan looked at him.
“Are you serious?” whispered a dark haired man with glassy eyes.
“What do you think those two pictures were intended for, Jadevein?” Tolzan turned to him.
“D’ya think the Council knows?” Nayos Meander wondered.
Iceblood rolled his eyes.
“You are really as stupid as you look, you peasant. Of course they know. And you know why? Because it was them, who sent the pictures. To make the Government decide against giving back the Pyonian throne to the Stingers.”
“Why? What would be so wrong about gettin’ Pyonia back? Innit what all Pyonians want?” Meander asked defiantly.
“We need the people’s fury,” explained Sharpbeak, his arrogant smile gradually returning. His newly found confidence belied the fact that he was the one who had called the meeting in the first place.
“Are there any other questions related to this topic?” Tolzan looked around. Jadevein looked as if he wanted to speak, but then he reconsidered.
They all shook their heads. Tolzan nodded.
“Fine. As we’re all together, let me hear your progress. Before you start, I want to let you all know that I have taken over Tauntall’s task. Let’s begin. Sharpbeak,” Tozan looked at the Vosian King.
“As you all know, by being a Representative, I have already achieved my goal. Empress Ginia had granted me the title with the full support of our Royal Council for two seasons of the House of Houses during her pregnancy, and for an additional year.
My future daughter-in-law… or is it step-daughter in law? Anyway, she had convinced my wife to have our child in Ermelia, as the Realm’s worrying atmosphere is apparently very unhealthy for an expectant mother,” he announced proudly.
“Good. Jadevein,” Tolzan turned to the Perentian King, always amazed at how little the man’s eyes moved.
“My wife and our Royal Council have been trying to convince me to accept the title of Representative for months now, because…” he paused.
“…Empress Ischia is a bit too many times indisposed?” smiled Sharpbeak.
“Because your wife is winning the war against sobriety?” grinned the young one.
“Shut up, Hazard,” Iceblood barked at him.
“Who made you the boss here, Danlo?” King Herman retorted.
“Enough. Carry on, Samos,” Tolzan turned back to Jadev
ein.
“We agreed that I will take over next month.”
“Good. Meander,” Tolzan addressed the Gundian Governor and Lord Mayor of Oxfield.
“Empress Moxia’s condition is worsenin’. While she still wouldn’ agree to her daughter marryin’ me, she will give the throne to Ovine any day now. Once Ovine is Empress, she will marry me. If I say yes,” he grinned.
“Don’t play hard to get for too long,” Tolzan suggested.
“How on Earth you managed that, I’ll never understand. I mean, I know she’s not the youngest or the prettiest, but she could’ve done so much better than you,” Hazard shook his head.
“I got some useful advice. Thank ya, my Lord,” Meander bowed his head towards Tolzan.
“Don’t mention it, that’s what I’m here for. Hazard,” he questioned King Herman, the husband of Emperor Aeron.
For once, the young one wasn’t quick with his reply.
“There is still time, but not much. Do you at least know how to become the Azurian Representative?” Tolzan asked silently.
“I will convince him. But I don’t want him hurt. The children adore him. It will be done,” he blurted.
“I’m sure it will. And finally, Archer,” he looked at the High Priest who preferred to be called Iceblood.
“How is your church reform coming on?” Tolzan asked after a few seconds of silence.
“It’s not as easy as seducing someone and making them appoint you a Representative,” Iceblood said defensively.
“I thought that was the reason why you volunteered for that task. By all means, if you want to swap with me, just say the word,” Tolzan offered.
“I don’t need your help.”
Tolzan drummed his fingers on the table for a few moments.
“Yes, you do. And you shall get it if you don’t prove yourself by the summer. If there are no more questions I’ll let you all go now.”
The members of the Greater Council remained silent.
Tolzan stood up. The men rose as well, four of them said their farewells and left.
King Samos stayed behind.
“My Lord, aren’t you afraid that the sent pictures will endanger us all?” he asked, fear radiating from his eyes.
“No, I’m not.”
“How I envy you,” Jadevein said.