“As long as you are sure you’re happy with your accommodation. If not, please let me know,” she said.
“Thank you Empress, I’m sure. Please excuse me for a second,” he said suddenly, and disappeared for a few moments.
“Please forgive me for my rudeness, but the tub was almost overflowing,” he smiled.
“Shouldn’t drawing a bath be your valet’s task?” Gloria frowned.
“I didn’t bring him, Empress. I’m more than capable of running my own bath, or carrying my luggage and basket for the few yards that lay between the Royal Dock and my room,” he smiled.
“Your basket?”
“Yes, the basket full of delicacies, lovingly prepared by my cook, Mistress Margo.”
“Oh Mayor. You’re eating packed suppers? That’s not a life for a Lord,” Gloria said in exasperation.
Tolzan laughed.
“Please Empress, don’t worry. I have everything I need. Besides, I know that tomorrow you will invite me to dine with your household, like you always do, after the Council Meeting,” he replied with a little bow.
“You know, Lord Bowman, you could have stayed here during the Festivaldays as well. There’s no need to take rooms somewhere in the City,” Gloria said.
“Thank you Empress, but I would like to stick to my policy of not intruding on your privacy for any longer than necessary.”
“By the way, how did you like the ball last night?” Gloria asked casually, trying to keep her voice steady.
“I found it very pleasurable,” he said, looking into her eyes through slightly lowered eyelids, which sent a wave of desire through Gloria’s body.
“I’m afraid I have to scold you, Lord Bowman. You were very naughty last night by coming to me, but making me say the words,” she wiggled her index finger at him.
He put his hand on his heart and let his head drop.
“My behaviour was unacceptable. How could I remedy my unforgiveable insult, my Empress?”
“You have to figure it out, my Lord.”
“I would like nothing more than saying those words to you, my Empress. Alas, the Festival is over, and you would no longer have to obey me.”
“I command you to try me, Mayor.”
“Don’t speak, just kiss,” he said and without waiting, he leaned to Gloria and kissed her.
A few minutes later, Gloria was trying to compose herself.
Suddenly, she felt shy.
“So, what’s in your basket?” was the only thing she could come up with.
“Why don’t you find out by having a picnic with me?” Tolzan asked.
He went to the drinks cabinet, and took out a bottle and two long stemmed glasses.
“But first; bathe with me, Empress.”
With that, he went to the door and extended his arm to show her the way to the bathroom.
Gloria didn’t quite know how to respond.
Saying ‘no’ was out of the question.
Month of the Fish, Early Spring
Seafoam Palace, Realm’s Heart Island
“Thank you,” said King Samos, the new Representative of Perentia, for at least the hundredth time that day.
The Seafoam Ball was in full swing.
The cream of the Realm was present, and besides sampling the selected beverages, everybody’s main goal seemed to be congratulating him on his ‘day of triumph’.
With every handshake and shoulder-slapping, his mood darkened to an even deeper shade of black.
He was determined to get through the night with dignity, but after Emperor Donis had assured him, that the other Representatives of the House of Houses would be happy to see him at the next meeting, he had started feeling nauseated.
Once King Razzael winked and welcomed him to the ‘Club of New Representatives’, he couldn’t take it any longer. He both envied the man’s apparent lack of conscience, and was appalled by him. Then, he remembered that he had no leg to stand on to pass judgement over anybody. Not even a spineless reptile, like the King of Vosia.
He slipped out of the Ball Room, fled to his study and locked the door.
As soon as he entered, his eyes were drawn to the little porcelain flask on top of his desk. It seemed to taunt him.
“Not yet,” he said to the flask.
He took out a box of matches, and lit the small pile of embermoss in the fireplace.
He sank down into an armchair, and stared into the flames.
His wife’s words from this morning echoed in his mind.
“Cheer up darling. This is what I want; this is what I have wanted for a long time now. Every single member of our Royal Council agrees.
I can’t cope with the responsibility of being a Representative anymore. I’m grateful that you are taking this burden off me.
I’m still the Empress, and from now on, I’ll be a much happier ruler.
Be proud. Our people love you. You’re an example to every Perentian.
You will be an excellent Representative; you’re a wonderful husband and a loving…,” at that point she bit her lips, and departed hastily.
‘A loving father,’ Samos finished the unspoken thought.
He let his head drop into his hands. Tears were stinging his eyes.
‘Go on, I dare you; think about them,’ a Voice from deep within, that he thought was long lost, teased him.
“I can’t! Not yet,” he said.
He stood up, went up to the gramophone, and selected the heaviest and most tragic Gundian opera he possessed.
‘You can’t tune me out. I’m still here,’ the Voice said with glee.
Samos went to the drinks cabinet and poured himself a large glass of Roditeean brandy.
‘I wouldn’t do that. It won’t mix well with the ‘Gift of the Mermaid’.
Oh, silly me. You’ll throw it into the fire, like you’ve done in the past years. What an example you are to Perentians.
Coward, coward, coward, coward, coward…’
It took quite a while until Samos had realised that the record on the gramophone was stuck. He lifted the needle and moved it. The music started playing again.
‘Where was I?
Oh yes. The bit about you being a loving father.
Which of your daughters to, I wonder.
Your darling Undine; the embodiment of empathy and kindness?
Now one of the best loved Professors of the Academy?
Can you remember how proud you were when she had finished her first year?
How do you think she felt after she was told that you would never… ever… see her again?
Remind me; what stupid lie did you come up with to justify your decision?’
“Shut up!” Samos shouted, emptying his glass in one swig, refilling it immediately.
‘Or is it Lilia? The little one?
The one, who has become a priestess so she can save your soul?
You know, the little bubbly one, who used to giggle and scream with laughter when you tickled her?
The one who pledged to never… ever… see you until you had forgiven Undine?
Forgiven her, for not being rotten to the core, like you are.
My words; not Lilia’s.’
“Shut up!” Samos sobbed, trying to wipe the unstoppable stream of tears off his face.
‘Why on Earth are you crying?
You can’t be crying for yourself; you know there’s nothing that can save you. I guess you can be distraught on behalf of your Lady wife. Poor Ischia. Driven to surrender to escapism through intoxication.
Who could blame her? She had done everything that was expected of her. Beautiful wedding, two potential heiresses to the throne.
Yet, she thinks that she has failed both as a ruler, and as a mother.
Why is that?
Oh yes. It’s because of you. Coward, coward, coward, coward…’
Samos staggered to the gramophone, but the record wasn’t stuck this time.
He felt drained. He though
t that he had cried all the tears he had.
‘Or is it because of her? Oh my. You won’t even let me speak her name.’
“Don’t!” Samos screamed.
‘Too soon?’ the Voice mocked.
‘Aaaah, denial.
Again?
Still?
How did that work out for you?
Is the suppressed guilt eating you alive slowly, but steadily from within?
That can’t be nice.
I know that you had stopped listening to me long ago – to be honest, I’m quite surprised that you hear me at all, for money and power tend to be so much louder than I am, – but I have a piece of advice for you.’
“What is it?”
‘Drink it.’
“How will that help?”
‘Help?
You think that you deserve any kind of help?
The present Representative of Perentia, one of the future rulers of the New Empire?
You don’t need help; you need a fucking punishment, you moron!’ the Voice shouted.
Samos looked at the flask.
‘Eh, what’s the point?
I don’t think I’ll bother in the future. You’re not worth my time. Or anybody’s for that matter.
As a farewell gift; I have a riddle for you.
It may sound simple, yet I haven’t succeeded in finding an answer to it in all these years.
Pray tell; how on Earth can you live with yourself?’
Samos didn’t have a reply.
He stood, listening intently.
The Voice didn’t return.
He went to his desk, and took the flask in his hand.
‘The Gift of the Mermaid’.
The mysterious draught that the priestesses of the Lady of the Ocean had prepared all year long, to provide every citizen of the Realm their share of the Goddess’ blessing.
The liquid that once imbibed, revealed insights and offered solutions to the one most important matter in one’s life.
The Gift dove deep into the subconscious, inducing a waking dream that let the consumer relive the event that needed a solution.
Samos knew, that it would be the same dream that he had every year when he dared to drink it.
He ran his finger over the smooth surface of the flask.
Maybe it was Lilia, who had prepared this one.
He uncorked it, and quickly drank it down.
He stumbled to the armchair, and closed his eyes for a few seconds.
He could feel the familiar sensation of the Gift taking control over his mind. He leaned back, and looked into the fire.
Gradually, the flames disappeared.
***
He was back in their Summer Residence in Turtle Bay, the Capital of Perentia. It was the last day of his old life; the last day when he had experienced happiness.
It was a Moonday, the 10th of the Month of the Monkey of the Year 769.
His whole household had arrived the previous day. They were all looking forward to a long, careless summer. They were expecting Royal guests, and in a few weeks they would be going to repay the visits.
Samos was playing paddle-ball with Undine and Lilia in the warm ocean at the palace’s private beach, when he noticed his Master of House appearing at the edge of the water. Master Tugator bowed to him.
“Remember the score, girls. I’ll be right back,” he shouted to his daughters as he made his way to the shore.
“Duchess Lilith Jadevein has just arrived, my Lord,” he announced.
“My mother is here?” Samos asked in surprise.
“Yes, my Lord. She has ordered the maids to pack your luggage and have it brought to her barge. She’s waiting for you in the Grand Salon.”
“Thank you, Master Tugator,” he said, and stomped off towards the palace. He was planning on changing into something more appropriate before meeting his mother, but she had intercepted him before he could enter the building.
“Get ready. It is time,” she said after Samos had kissed her hand.
“Time for what, Mother?”
“To fulfil your end of the bargain,” she said with the eternal slight annoyance in her voice.
“What bargain?”
“The promise you made to the First One. Have you forgotten?” she looked at him with disdain.
She was a formidable woman in her mid-sixties. As always, dressed in black, her back straight as an arrow. Now, she fixated him with her black eyes.
“You mean during the summer before I went to the Academy?
Yes Mother, to be honest, I have forgotten about it. I was just a boy back then. You had sent me to an old fool who made me practise some mental abilities.
Before I could finally leave, he had made me sign some paper. I would have signed anything to get out of that god-awful place,” Samos laughed. Duchess Lilith didn’t share his amusement.
“Don’t you dare call him an old fool ever again. Don’t even think it when you’re in his presence,” she hissed at him.
“That I can promise as I never plan to meet him again. Whoever he is. I never found out.”
“Whether you had planned it or not; you will meet him. He has summoned you. Get ready,” she ordered.
Samos grew up in constant fear of his mother, but now he was a grown man. Besides, he was the King of Perentia. At last, he dared to oppose her.
“Mother, I can’t go anywhere. We have the Moonstones and the Bullsbloods arriving tomorrow. Our whole summer is planned out. You are naturally more than welcome to stay, but I’m not leaving,” he said with determination.
“This is a matter of life and death. If you don’t obey, the paper that you had signed back then, will be given to the authorities and you will go to prison. We will lose everything,” Lilith said.
Samos was dumbfounded.
“You have signed a contract in which you pledge your dedication to the Dark Empress. According to the document, you have promised to help overthrowing the Government. Should the authorities get hold of that paper, you will be tried for conspiracy and treason.”
“This is insane,” Samos wiped sweat off his brows.
“I have armed men on my barge. You can come peacefully, or at gunpoint. It’s your decision. If you think that any of your guards will oppose me; think again. Most of your household are members of the Organisation of the First One,” the Duchess said.
“You wouldn’t shoot your only child,” Samos stammered.
“I would do anything for the First One. I won’t tell you again; get ready. I’ll be on my barge.”
An hour later, Samos sat on the top deck of his mother’s boat.
He was shocked and furious. A thousand things went through his mind.
He desperately tried to hang on to the thought that this was but a cruel joke. He suddenly realised that his mother was standing in front of him.
“If you have any questions, ask me, ask now.
Know that; if you ask the wrong question of the First One, you’ll be playing with your life. As well as with the lives of your wife and daughters.
You better learn whatever you need to know from me,” she said in an unforgiving tone.
Samos stared at his mother as if he had never seen her before.
“I don’t understand… any of it. I don’t even know where to begin,” he said miserably.
“Fine. I’ll tell you what you need to know.
You and I owe everything to the First One.
Your life is not yours, my life is not mine. We belong to him,” she began.
“Why? Who made that decision?” Samos looked at her in utter horror.
“I did. Even before you were born.”
“What? You signed my life over to him? Just like that?”
“Yes, I did. I offered him my life and the lives of all my children.
To serve him and the Dark Empress.
Alas, I couldn’t offer him more than one child.”
Samos looked at her in bewild
erment; he was convinced that she had lost her mind.
She went on.
“You and I owe everything to him. What we have, we can thank him for.”
“So our wealth and position has nothing to do with my father? Duke Jadevein; member of the Second Family of Perentia?”
A look of distaste appeared on Lilith’s face.
“Your father was a pauper and a drunk. The only thing he had, was his title. Marrying me was his salvation. It was a marriage arranged by the Organisation. With his title and my – or rather the First One’s – money we could rise to the top of the Royal hierarchy.
These circumstances allowed you to grow up in luxury, and to enjoy the privileges reserved for only a few amongst millions. This is why you could marry an Empress, and become the King of Perentia.
Did you really think that your mediocre skills and unassuming looks made you achieve all this?
You are nothing without the First One. Remember that,” she said with a wild look in her eyes.
Samos rubbed his face with both hands.
His head was swimming.
“Why?”
“Because you and I are a part of something wonderful. Something so grand, it’s beyond words that can describe it. When we will succeed, our people will experience justice for the first time in history. All the prejudices and hardship will be gone. Our people will rule the whole of the Realm!” she exclaimed with sparkling eyes.
“Perentians will rule the Realm? I don’t think our people ever expressed that wish; they are happy as they are,” Samos remarked.
“Not Perentians; Pyonians! Our time will come, and we will help make it happen,” she said triumphantly.
“No offence, Mother, but I’m a Perentian, as everybody can see. I believe you were present at my Declaration of Identity Ceremony when I spoke the words ‘I am a child of Water. I am the son of the Lady of the Ocean. I am a Perentian,” his hand involuntarily slid to his Throatmark; a fish over two waves.
“You are my son. I had you so I can raise a true Pyonian, but I needed to bring you up as a Perentian, so you could infiltrate the Realm’s Royalty.”
Samos stood up.
“Infiltrate? I think I’ve heard enough. Good night, Mother.”