Myrreos' Longest Journey - P5 The Botanist

Can one be too honest for their own good?

Maha Aehir and welcome one last time! We are here for the fifth part of Myrreos' journey. Tyrdal challenged us worldbuilders to go on a long journey through our own worlds. So I decided to follow Myrreos, a side character in the Alvunne Saga. Let's see what he, and his narrator, are up to today ^^

The Gardens of Liburu

There's something you need to know first. Not every city-state is considered equal on the secluded continent of Alvunne. Oh, certainly not. While each city-state is governed by its own political hegemony, there's one that rises above all others considering wealth, power and cultural prowess. That city-state is Liburu, and it's considered the Capital of the Continent.
There's many reasons why Liburu reigns supreme, but most important is its monopoly on magical power. Liburu is the only governing body with access to the magical Mahi-touched plants and Aehir-touched Rock resources. It's kind of unfair, if you ask me, but the use and production of these resources is strictly regulated by them.
To make things worse, the amount of magical resources are dwindling on Alvunne. The Continent has been relocated far away from its Home Planets for ofer two thousand years! So, it's a fragile ecosystem, and one that hasn't been taken care of very properly to be honest. So, Liburu captured the means of production for themselves. Not much is known about the output, but it is said that Liburu still has a few plantations running to support both their official and clandestine trade in magical items & goods.

Plot type

Story Challenge entry: The Longest Journey

Related Characters

• Myrreos til Ferinta
• Rayon IX of Liburu

Related Locations

• Liburu

Part V: The Botanist

A bone to pick

Myrreos finds himself in a pickle, it seems. He's standing in the high halls of the Liburu High Court facilities, a lifeless gaze in his dark eyes. Two bored low-tier members of the The Scarvus Guard are flanking him. His beard has grown quite long. He's slowly plucking at it when Pharinon, the swindling High Priest and Myrreos' boss, is brought in through the opposite side of the hallway. He's equally flanked by two guards, and his elaborately coloured robes have been replaced by a dull himation.
When they're in front of each other Pharinon beams a lengthy stare at Myrreos. His eyes are filled with a primal rage. Between them is a tall door, beautifully adorned with images of the Gods, Mahi in the center and welcoming Aehir and Neread in her presence. But I digress! Pharinon collects himself as the guards take a step back.
"You're dead. You know that, right?" Pharinon sneers between his teeth.
Myrreos just shrugs. Pharinon shakes his head and continues, a hint of disbelief in his voice.
"You know, I knew you were a loose cannon when you messed up that deal with the Ferintan envoy. That's why I put you someplace safe. But exposing me in front of a whole district square? After all I've done for you?" It looks like he's eager to answer his own rethorical questions, but can't find the words.
Myrreos shrugs again, but finds a response after some thought. "They found your stash. I don't have anything to do with that."
"I wish I could believe you", Pharinon sighs. "Just get your story straight, and we'll walk out of here. These people are so gullible." Another shrug in response.

At court you shall speak the Truth!

Some time later, we find ourselves in the large, open atrium behind the closed doors. It's a beautiful circular Driftstone hall with high ceilings, lines of long, broad benches with flat pillows and a high stand with pedestal in the middle. It looks imposing but open and welcoming. In many places, the solid stone hall is discontinued by large, pastel coloured cloths and tapestries, gently waving in the warm Summer breeze. The current of fresh air carries the many voices of the audience and magistrates.
Myrreos too is feasting his eyes on the almost modest grandeur of it all, even though he's standing behind one of the desks for the accused, next to Pharinon. People are murmuring, without a doubt speculating on Myrreos' guilt. A magistrate in a white robe with a single, long purple line running across it, raises their hands and turns their gaze to a separate seat on the top row of benches. The Omniarch himself is present. This is big then.
To be fair, after Myrreos messed up the deal with the Ferintian envoy, Pharinon had given him a new position as the apprentice of an old, scruffy botanist at the Liburu Gardens, the only publically known location for Grey Poppy production. So, the Omniarch was personally invested in this situation.

Accusations

Let's be honest here. We're not interested in the Magistrate's long introductary oration on the importance of the Law, or the relevant codes and their implications. I'll acknowledge they're important, but I just kind of dozed off during their speech. So, I apologize. But what's the accusation? This is where the good stuff starts!
When the Magistrate narrates the accusations, it almost sounds like a musical composition.
"So, these two men before you all are criminals and traitors to the very soul the city-state of Liburu! A long list of offences has been compiled by our State-bound Prosecutors. They have lost many a night's sleep over this dossier. After lenthy and thorough investigation, we can accuse these villainous men of the following crimes:

• Heinous theft of City-state property,
• Smuggling powerful Maha- and Aehir-touched final products across City-state borders
• Ilegally reselling said items to opposing governments and illegitimate cults
• Scamming their customers into buying filthy forgeries of said items
• Slandering the good name of our great city-state by doing so
• A deeply rooted and highly immoral corruption of the mind
• Attempting to set up a nefarious criminal network within the Liburian government."

With the addition of each new item on the list, the audience grew more outraged. By now, they're all loudly discussing the accusations and shouting loud insults at our friend Myrreos. With raised hands, the Magistrate shushes the people in order to continue.

The Pleas

"How do the defendants plead? Former High Priest Pharinon, now is your time to speak. Be aware that you are addressing the court with an obligation to tell your truth, and the truth alone."
Pharinon walks over to the pedestal, looking the audience members straight in the eyes. He waves his hand in a broad motion and starts:
"I am Pharinon. I AM a High Priest of our esteemed highness Mahi." The Magistrate and the crowd let out a low grunt at the emphasis on the present tense, but Pharinon smiles their response away. "Of this, I am most proud! Mahi to me, is a leader and an obsession. I pray to, I travel for and I represent our good deity in good faith. And for that reason, I have always been true to my title. I have always sold and gifted only the finest Mahi- and Aihir-touched items, as instructed by the Liburian State and our good Omniarch." He waves his hand at the Omniach, whose expression remains unchanged by the address.
"Besides, why would I engage in such slander and corrupt behaviour? My associate here and I, have nothing to gain but Mahi's blessings. We possess all that we hold dear, which is our pure souls and a holy mission. Money or power have never been on our minds. So, I tell you that these accusations are unfounded and that your research team has made grave mistakes. I ask you, where is the evidence? The only item leading into our direction, is a few smuggled goods. How can anyone be sure that we have anything to do with this crime? And this is nothing but the truth! I appeal to the great High Court to reconsider these accusations and delve into the evidence at hand more. I plead not guilty and I will have my associate here tell you more about the evidence at hand, and what really happened. We are in this together, you see. I thank you all for your attention and admirable consideration."
With a raised eyebrow, the Magistrate gazes at Pharinon as he returns to his seat and sits down. I would assume people would start booing, but they seem to be considering all that was said. The Omniarch's eyes are squited, as Myrreos walks over to the stand. He sniffs, and says "Guilty. We're both guilty. The evidence fits."

A scruffy, old smile

Myrreos really shook things up, especially for Pharinon. That one was proven to be a liar on top of all the accusations. While I commend Myrreos for his honesty, I am worried. What will become of him now? He just threw away his life as a free man. He will have to remain a prisoner of Liburu for the rest of his life, living in a washed out cell block and only leaving to clean the streets to serve the community for what he did. Pharinon will surely never forgive him. It seems like a sad ending for sure.
A few days later though, Myrreos is escorted back to the High Court hall. The light breeze waving freely through the hall is warmer than before but Myrreos looks stressed. A convict awaiting the Pharinon's wrath, and now greatly confused to be back in the halls. From the Court room doors, the Omniarch approaches him, with the Liburu Garden's botanist beside him. Myrreos smiles as he recognises the scruffy, old man.
The Omniarch's voice sounds gentle as he speaks, almost smiling. "Hello, Myrreos. It is good to meet you. I am equally glad to see you are alive and doing wel - considering." The Omniarch chuckles as Myrreos is flabbergasted. Yet again, someone knows his real name. How does this keep happening?
"You have two options, my friend." the Omniarch continues. "Either you go back to Ferinta as the rightful heir to the throne, and lead your people - I wouldn't want to start a diplomatic riot. Do keep in mind that you have been away for over a year and life is moving forward there too. Or, you stay here as my guest and resume your position as my good botanist's apprentice. He says you have a knack for handling the Mahi-touched poppies under his care." The botanist smiles, nodding with vigor.
"I'm afraid I won't have the time to let you reconsider. It's a one time offer. Only now."
"Okay, I'll work hard to learn anything there is to know about the Garden." Myrreos says only a few seconds later. He nods.

The road forward

There is much to learn, but Myrreos and I depart you, reader, on a positive note. Because that is what the world of Alvunne is all about. Travel, progress, awe, wonder and strengthening feeling of hope and positivity. Do feel free to visit this world again. We're eager to see you again soon!