Exception
Allen waits in the central garden of the castle. Flowers sprout neatly between alabaster stones, illuminated gently by starlit streams and waterfalls. These celestial waters fall from a higher floor of the castle, the largest source cascading into a pool at the center of the garden guided by crystalline aquifers. Like most decorative features of the castle, these structures were crafted from syltharian crystal, possessing the same ethereal glow as the water. Songbirds flit about and colorful fish circle in the pond. There are cushioned benches lining the walkways but Allen achingly refrains out of respect. He lingers instead at the water's edge throwing pellets in for the fish, which lay in bowls nearby.
His majesty, King Ambrose Syltharis! |
Ambrose approaches Allen at his own pace and Allen bows for the appropriate duration. The motion, once so familiar, had become another ghost of the life he had left behind.
It's been a long time, Allen. |
Allen holds out a hand to shake and Ambrose surprises Allen by grasping his hand with a grin and a laugh. The gesture seems to relax Allen well enough and he smiles back at Ambrose, trying poorly to hide his apparent exhaustion.
You look terrible! |
Despite this, Ambrose finds himself relieved that Allen has found his smile again.
It was an... eventful journey |
But I see the years have treated you well! |
A benefit of having so many capable mages at my disposal. |
A lot has changed since you left |
While it is a pleasure to have you back in my court, this is very sudden. You spoke of some minor troubles in your last report but nothing which could explain your return now? |
We had to leave very suddenly |
It's bad I'm afraid. Delegations had been progressing as planned but their own internal affairs have descended into civil unrest. My... |
My family and I barely escaped when they raided the capital. |
I can see you are exhausted |
You can give a more detailed report later. A summation is acceptable, for now. |
As you know, Emperor Mikoto is young and his regent grossly incompetent. |
Daimyo had been squabbling over territories and consolidating power. One in particular has swept his influence across the archipelago. The emperor was set to come of age soon and this daimyo pressured him to formally recognize his conquests and position. When the boy refused... there was an assassination attempt. |
A silence lingers between them as they eye the water, watching fish gobble up the pellets.
Were they successful? |
No |
The emperor had arranged a decoy, passing himself off as a playmate. |
Clever child |
Yes |
The public outcry was intense. Nippon worships their emperor as divine, descended from their goddess |
You believe this intentional? |
It doesn't sound like a tactic his regent would formulate. Did the boy plan it himself? |
From what I've heard, yes. |
When the attempt was traced back to him, most other daimyo rallied behind the emperor and the common people demanded him to step down. He made one last effort to salvage his power. He initiated a coup, raiding the capital and storming the royal palace to capture and exert control over the emperor. |
Ambrose watches Allen as he pinches the bridge of his nose, recalling the chaotic night. He waits silently for Allen to continue.
No one could have imagined an attack on the palace. |
They managed to evacuate the emperor and, thanks to an ally, my family and I were able to escape as well but the palace was lost. Mikoto and his supporters have gone into hiding and, with his coup otherwise successful, the aggressor took the palace for himself. I assume civil unrest or possibly even war broke out after our departure. |
You made the right call, then. |
We'll need to wait and see how things play out, perhaps offer aid... I'll send some less valuable agents to keep an eye on things. |
Tell me about your family then. |
Ambrose watches Allen carefully as he stiffens and attempts to mask his anxiety
Has Martin had a chance to speak to you about our journey? |
Yes, it was fortunate I sent him |
He mentioned there was an accident? |
Yes... |
My wife didn't make the journey. |
Ambrose nods but both men knew he was aware of every detail of their journey, including Mina's escape, despite Martin's suggestion otherwise. Allen had already assumed this was the case, perfectly aware of Martin's unquestioning loyalty.
While I'm... disappointed you bypassed tradition, marrying a foreign woman in secret... |
I will overlook it, given your loss. It is a shame. |
Martin tells me she was quite the beauty and suitably eloquent for the position. Besides, knowing you it was a tactical marriage? |
Mina was a member of an influential family, yes, with strong ties to the late emperor. |
That is how we met. But it would be a lie to say that's why I married her. |
I see. |
I am sorry, then. It sounds as though she may have made an appropriate addition to your House. I've come to value these kinds of alliances even more these days. |
It is good to hear she at least provided you with an heir? |
Tia |
Not as graceful as her mother but she has a powerful spirit, under the surface. A true Minx! |
And she's inherited your racial magic? Your mother must be thrilled! |
Yes, although... she has barely used it before now. |
Due to local traditions and my time spent at court. |
I see |
Well, now that she is home, that can be corrected. |
There is a gruesome silence and Allen's dread consumes him, stealing his breath.
How old is she? |
Allen hesitates before responding and Ambrose can see him consider deception.
Sixteen |
But I hoped perhaps- |
She hasn't had any training, magical or martial. Surely she would be of better use to the kingdom with some time to catch up? |
Tell me |
When our common citizen tells me their child isn't fit to serve, that they "aren't a fighter" or "aren't strong enough", do we give them more time? |
No. |
But... given the value and position of my family, our history, I had hoped for an exception? She is the only heir to the Minx line. If she were to die...! |
Given the efforts my family has put into our House, our sacrifices. |
Allen's voice breaks and Ambrose flinches, squeezing his eyes shut. Sympathy and nostalgia tug at him, memories of their youth and Allen's losses playing through his mind—both of their losses. Ambrose nearly relents... until Ghislaine's prophecy springs into his mind. The smallest possibility that Allen's daughter could be the one he searches for centers in his mind flushing away every other consideration and solidifying his resolve.
I understand what your family has given to this kingdom. |
All of us in the capital understand that burden. It would be a disservice to those we've sacrificed to make an exception now, for ourselves. Even my own son, |
Will be recruited in the next rotation. You must understand. What I expect of every citizen must be unilateral! I make no exceptions. |
But- |
If you haven't prepared your child for service, |
It is your own failure. |
Ambrose can see anger rise in Allen momentarily but Allen suppresses it, detachment taking its place. Allen remains silent, bowing his head to signal compliance.
How long does she have until the next rotation? |
They are set to arrive in four weeks, your majesty. |
Assessments are in three weeks. |
Four weeks then. |
I'll make sure your family has priority for tutors. |
Thank you... |
His exhaustion, which had already been visible, seems to double.
Go and rest. |
Spend some time with your daughter. |
