The Requiem Of An Empress

"I know every detail concerning the southern tribe, My Lord. I"ve thoroughly read all of the periodic reports regarding the Barbarians of the south.", despite having his head bowed down, Baron Istani"s vexed heart is open for everyone to see.

Regrettably, another ambience became prevalent inside the room. Whenever the Prime Minister is presenting an epexegesis about a current predicament, he utterly despised being interrupted, even for a fracture of a second. Thus, silence shortly prevailed. Duke Claudas" glower, which could pierce a hole through a man"s soul, was focused on the cowering Baron.

"What"s the problem? Why is he not talking?"- Baron Istani thought to himself, annoyed that impatience is pushing his p.r.i.c.kling nerves to the edge.

The lowly n.o.ble decided to lift his head to get a good look at the face of the Prime Minister. Dread immediately replaced all of his other emotions the instance he met the gaze of Duke Claudas. Orbs that replicated an abysmal, sombre void immersed him in a forceful submission.

"I won"t let an excess act of impudence pa.s.s, Baron. Understood?"

The Baron nodded, mainly because he had no say in the matter. An invisible force somehow restrained his whole body from doing anything that will oppose the Duke.

"The Barbarians" concept of an abode exclusively functions as something that will shelter them from the rain or cold. These savages do not have enough rationality to implement a trading system or public order. Even so, they gradually turned desperate. Why is that?"

Baron Istani uttered no response to Duke Zelel"s query. Perchance, listening is the sole thing he is allowed to do.

"Several aethras ago, they noticed that their sources of comestibles, princ.i.p.ally the forests and the wildlife inhabiting them, were starting to show significant signs of depletion. It was bound to happen since the Barbarians have no generalization of what breeding and cultivation are. In addition to that, with their growing population, it is not a surprising matter for their consumption to rise exponentially. This realization made them resort to open cannibalism. This tribe just refuses to catch up with civilization. Now tell me, Baron Istani, when did it start to take a turn for the worse?"

Merlon"s mouth was tightly sealed, refusing to verbalize a word.

"You said you know everything, so educate me, Baron.", Duke Zelel, unindicative of his calm tone, compelled the poor man, who was clearly having a hard time dealing with him.

"I... I do n-not know, M-my Lord.", are the only words that Merlon was able to articulate.

"Approximately an aethras syne is the correct answer. In that period, the art of practising gastronomy was introduced to the Barbarians. Bizarre, isn"t it?"

Duke Claudas stepped down the stairs, to a ground level, and positioned himself directly in front of the Baron.

"Normally, the Barbarians cannot pa.s.s the towering walls erected along the empire"s borders, yet they were able to use explosives to bust the section of the wall nearest to the Istani Fief"s granary. It was astonishing that they were able to execute such a plan. If you take into rumination their nature, your land"s animal farm should have been their primary target if they wanted to procure food. The farm was an easier place to prey on, and grains were rarely a part of their diet. What urged those rogues to attack the granary?"

Somehow, seeing that the Minister was encouraging Merlon to communicate by a light interrogation, the n.o.ble"s initial worries seemed to have faded. Baron Istani scrambled to find a plausible logic to explain the behaviour behind the Barbarians" actions.

"Impulsion?"- is what the Baron arrived at.

Duke Claudas tilted his head to the side, disappointed of the n.o.ble"s retort.

"Impulsion? Are you trying to justify with me that they used armours and weapons made of steel, then enforced a hit-and-run strategy with elaborate, organized tactics out of impulse?"

It dawned on Baron Istani that he misjudged the situation and felt embarra.s.sed of his narrow-mindedness. To err is human. He let the fury dominate his rationale after suffering from the shame of being a.s.saulted by mere heathens. Howbeit, his mind formed a premise utilizing the facts presently laid out.

"My Lord, are you saying that a rival nation is seeking to gain full control of the Barbarians?", Merlon bravely presented a sentiment that could insinuate bad relations with a neighbouring country if they happen upon the accusation.

"There is no need to go that far. The sentries tasked with watching other sovereignties recorded no unusual occurrences. What is definite is that the supply of armouries began an aethras longer. They have also been surprisingly quiet with their provocations ever since that time."

"Hmm? I don"t remember reading that.", Baron Istani quickly pursed his lips, not because of the new information, but for a different thing altogether. He diverted his stare at the floor, pondered on his thoughts, lifted his head, and again, locked eyes with Duke Claudas before opening his mouth.

"Lord Claudas, the distributed accounts were lacking in content. Why are there no reports stating that they have already gathered enough firepower to, at the least, conduct a raid successfully? I do not recall poring over the datum relating that the Barbarians are gathering armoury."

Baron Istani appeared betrayed.

"If I had known of that reality from the beginning, then my soldiers would not have been running around aimlessly."

"", the Baron contemplated, in repeat, the repercussions if he blurts out this baseless a.s.sumption that he debated on.

"I recognize that I am the one who sent my soldiers to a perilous spot. Nevertheless, knowing that my enemy is generously armed makes a world of difference! I will bring it up. I have nothing to lose, haven"t I? "

"Are you a.s.saying to endanger your people?"

All of a sudden, thirteen pairs of eyes hurled daggers at the Baron"s vulnerable head. The rest of the n.o.bles, a cla.s.s of Barons and Viscounts, were frightened beyond belief at the display. It was understandably spineless of them, considering that they"re not on the receiving end.

Meanwhile, the Emperor closed his eyes, exhausted of conversing with his subjects the instant he woke up. It was leaning towards mental weariness rather than physical. The bedevilment of entertaining an audience full of personages who purely seek change for their personal gain added to his irritation.

"My knights, where are your courtesies?", as it will benefit the people gathered in the room, the Emperor reminded his knights" of their duty to flourish commiseration.

In accordance to the statement, the tension dissipated promptly. The entirety of the Knights of the Round, including the Prime Minister, faced their Monarch. With their heads lowered, they genuflected on one knee. The highest-ranked among those who are present has to burden themselves with the role of a spokesperson. In this case, it was Duke Zelel Claudas.

"We apologize that our discipline was defunct, Your Majesty."

"Forgiven, at ease. Duke Claudas, return to your post."

"Right away, Your Majesty."

The Knights stood up, in harmony, once commanded. Their movements were free of hesitation, a luxury for the courageous.

Baron Istani cannot discern whether to express his grat.i.tude or to remain motionless. He patted himself on the back for carrying-off the right choice, which was to do nothing, when the Emperor addressed him forthwith.

"Baron Merlon Istani, I presume you are aware that my men have the propensity to disperse any intelligence report coming from my palace to both fief Lords and citizens.", the Emperor"s voice, that reverberated within the four marbled walls, served to agitate the convictions of the aristocrats in attendance.

"I am aware, Your Majesty."

"According to what you have said, if we revealed that the Barbarians were gathering weapons, how would the citizens react? They"d either disregard the reportage or incite panic by spreading rumours."

"If I may be so presumptuous, Your Majesty, not letting the people know about the current state of affairs will also prove to be efficient."

Instead of weighing the Baron"s suggestion, the Emperor completely neglected him and went on with his speech.

"If the freemen opted for the former, then it only exhibits that they have faith in the abilities of the Empire"s forces. Withal, the latter is more probable. Why is that?"

Merlon did not reply when he"s finally questioned, much to the Emperor"s dismay. The Monarch soughed, scunnered that he seemed to have no conversation partner. It ended up being a replication to himself.

"It"s simple. For a commoner, it takes less effort to accommodate terror than reason, widespread tattle than the buried truth. When this transpires, the citizens inhabiting the border, not the southeast alone but all around the Empire, would frantically arrange to travel further inland. A third of our roughly 6-billion population resides at the borders, can you imagine the commotion that will ensue in due time? Who is to blame for every incident that would"ve transpired?"

Baron Istani knew the answer. He faultlessly grasped the nature of people who"re driven into a corner.

"They"d denounce the ent.i.ties who held power for failing to deal with the threat, Your Majesty."

"What"s the foremost body that will endure their dispraise?"

At this point, Baron Istani"s forehead continued to depress until it hit the carpeted floor. He could not stomach the mortification of his incompetence emerging from the deep.

"T-the... The Fief Lords, Your Majesty."

"Yes, precisely. The binder for a peaceful co-existence between the aristocrats and the populace is trust. The public"s prosperity should be in our best interest. Let the ma.s.ses live worriless and a.s.sured of their safety. "

The Emperor"s remarks thoroughly chipped off the self-esteem of Baron Istani who felt lost.

"So this is the mindset of a benevolent ruler. Compared to his Majesty, I am nothing but an inutile.", Merlon reflected in himself, with it came compa.s.sion.

Baron Istani joined his hands in the act of prayer to besiege the Emperor with his request.

"Your Majesty, the father of our Empire, I beg of you, save my people. They are blindly suffering from fear and hunger. I do not mind losing territory, just save my people. I beg of you!"

Tears were threatening to fall from Baron Istani"s eyes, although he did try to do his utmost to hold them back.

"What land, what power?! If I don"t have my people, I"d rather have my t.i.tle stripped off."

"Arise, Baron Merlon Istani."

"Yes, Your Majesty.", the Baron did as he was told. He soon fixed his posture apart from his eyes that were bloodshot.

"The moment you ventured for the capital, Pandora, Duke Helian"s knight order, took over the a.s.signment of protecting the Istani Fief. Rescue operations for your army were also conducted. Provisions for the citizens were also distributed."

An unexplainable relief engulfed the enormous trepidation that suffocated the Baron once the Emperor finished his monologue.

"Your fief is still standing. You valiantly declared that you"d defend the peace of your barony. Your citizens regard you with awe. Take pride in that."

"I am eternally grateful, Your Majesty!", vigour manifested in Merlon"s declaration.

"I accept. For now, go back to your residence. We will discuss the minute details once you had a good rest."

"As you wish, Your Majesty. I will take my leave. Glory to the covenant. May our Empire prosper in perpetuity." Baron Merlon Istani bent his body forward to give one last bow to the Emperor. He briskly treaded his way out of the room, the other n.o.bles trailing behind him.

The Emperor, Prime Minister, and the Knights of the Round abided their time through solitude for a while, without motion and sound. They wanted to make sure that n.o.body was sneaking around to spy on them.

"Rehael, Leliel, care to explain?", the Emperor disrupted the repose.

Everyone present in the room knew what the Emperor was pertaining to. A mysterious smile was painted on their faces. Then and there, two knights walked out from their respective lines and gave their respects to the Emperor.

"We"re duly remorseful of the blunder we have catalyzed, Your Majesty.", the female knight, Leliel Geraint, spoke up.

"I expected for the both of you to heed to our original plans. What made you deviate?"

"Yes, we are conscious of our timeline, Your Majesty. We agreed to commence an attack on the Istani Fief 35 diers from now. However, the leader of one circle wanted to prove his capability to us, so he resolved to strike earlier than the rest."

"Is that acceptable. I thought the two of you were enough to govern them. Did I overestimate your abilities?"

"No, Your Majesty.", Leliel proceeded to glare at her companion, Rehael Lamorak, glints of disdain swimming in her pupils, ahead of resuming her clarification.

"The problem was that, Lord Lamorak immersed himself in a compet.i.tion with the said leader. A compet.i.tion of who will inflict the most damage. I can honestly say that these monstrous b.a.s.t.a.r.ds took graceless pleasure in going wild."