Enlightened Empire

Chapter 282: [Start of Book 6 - The Verduic Wars]

Once again, the lords of the south had come together to celebrate in Rapra Castle. Today however, the halls were even fuller than they had ever been. Over the past few years, most of the southern lords had moved from their home estates all across the kingdom into mansions in upper Saniya. All of them hoped to improve their standing and strike one of the lucrative deals the southern king would offer them from time to time.

Even so, most of them wouldn't attend every banquet by themselves. More often, they would send their warriors to represent them. Yet this time was different. Whether from their Saniya mansions or their estates, every single lord of the southern kingdom had come over to eat, drink and be merry. And in their center sat the reasons for the special occasion, a young man and woman, smiling happily as they accepted the well-wishes of their subservients.

For once, Corco didn't mind the endless banquets of Medala's nobility. After all, today he wanted to show off. They had come to celebrate his marriage, and he was eager to introduce his beautiful new wife to his guests.

“King Corco, congratulations.” After Lord Macuy bowed once to Corco, he grasped his present in both hands and handed it to Fadelio with a fawning expression. Although the stiff warrior tried to copy the acted friendliness, his face looked a lot more robotic. Even so, he took the gift with impeccable form and passed it on to a servant, who would throw it on the heap they had prepared somewhere in the back.

To spare the face of his lords and prevent accidents, Corco had decided that he wouldn't open the presents in public. This way, there was no chance of accidental conflict between the lords, and those with bad intentions had no chance to insult him in public. Even so, he was sure that none of the lords would dare skimp on their presents.

With this marriage, Corco had a confidante, a powerful ally in the Verdant Isles and good prospects for an heir. Thus, his position on the throne was much more secure, so the lords would go all out and fight to make the best impression in the new political landscape. Today alone, Saniya could possibly double its income for the year.

While Corco still imagined the treasures hidden inside that box, Macuy turned to Sumaci with the same etiquette he had shown to his king. “Queen Sumaci, congratulations.”

“Thank you for coming, Lord Macuy. And thank you for your well-wishes.” Sumaci replied, her smile far more approachable than Fadelio's. “This young couple is very pleased with Lord Macuy's affection and values his morality.”

“Yeah, thank you, Lord Macuy,” Corco replied. Unlike Sumaci, his posture was very casual, as were his words. “Later, when the whole presents part of the party is over with, I'll invite you to get a drink.”

“Thank you, King Corco. This lord will be looking forward to it.”

After Corco's invitation, Lord Macuy's face brightened. The king had directly recognized him as an equal and invited him for a drink, which showed everyone at the banquet just how close the two estates were, and how much the king valued him. Happy beyond words, Macuy bowed again, before he turned to leave, under the jealous eyes of the lords at the other tables.

However, as he turned around, someone shoved the large lord out of the way. Around Corco, his guards got ready to defend their king from potential trouble, while Fadelio took half a step forward to confront the attacker. Even Macuy on the ground already had his hand on his axe, ready to defend himself from a sneak attack.

However, Corco raised his hand to calm down his followers, because now that Macuy was out of the way, he could identify the new arrivals. Without a word, the king watched his cousin, Governor Mayu Saqartu, come closer, followed by his mother Guanca and his grandfather Cauac.

“Cousin, I am here to congratulate you,” the governor shouted into the room, his smile as fake as his well-wishes. “Please accept my gift to celebrate your marriage.”

From out of his long sleeves, Mayu pulled a dark object. Although Fadelio was to take all presents for Corco, he had just stepped forward to help Lord Macuy back on his feet.

Thus, rather than hand it to Fadelio like everyone else, Mayu simply dangled his gift in front of Corco's face. Before the king's eyes was a dead rabbit, blood still dripping down its fur and onto the cutlery on the couple's table. Although Corco felt like beating his cousin senseless for his idiot stunt, he knew it would be the wrong choice.

He wasn't young anymore, and any violent outburst could harm his political reputation. While he had no idea what the idiot was thinking this time, he wouldn't be baited into anything stupid by his ambitious cousin. Rather than react to the provocation, he turned to the lord who had been shoved down.

“Lord Macuy, how are you?” Corco asked, while he ignored his cousin's nonsense.

“I am unharmed. Thank you for your concern, King Corco.” With a gratified smile, the lord replied to Corco. Indeed, the lord's clothes were a bit out of sorts, but other than that he looked fine. However, just because he wasn't injured didn't mean he wasn't angry. After all, Macuy was just as combative as any proper lord of Medala. His hand was still on his axe, and he took half a step forward again, closer to Mayu.

Unconcerned with both Corco's indifference and Macuy's threat, Mayu still held his rabbit in his outstretched hand.

“Before we came here, we went on a short hunting trip,” the governor explained. “And I thought my catch would make for an excellent gift. Thus, I decided to offer it to the couple.”

Not only had Mayu not addressed Corco in the correct manner, or used proper etiquette in his greeting, now he had even admitted to poaching game in the king's estate. Ever since his entry, everything had been a blatant slap in Corco's face. Still, he wouldn't be baited like that. Whatever games his cousin was trying to play, he wasn't interested in them.

“You've hit one of my guests,” Corco replied in a cold voice instead. “Apologize.”

In response, Mayu just chuckled and held the rabbit higher, for everyone to see.

“At first I wanted to bring you a raven instead, since you like them so much. Unfortunately, I failed to shoot one, but maybe this rabbit is more suitable for you.”

Over the course of their discordant conversation, the atmosphere in the entire hall froze. While Mayu still stood there with a provocative look on his face, Corco's own expression darkened more and more. Meanwhile, Lord Macuy to the side was only two steps away from Mayu, his entire body tensed in anger. At the same time, all remaining eyes in the hall were pointed in their direction, awaiting the outcome of the confrontation. Just as Corco was about to call for his guards and have his idiot cousin arrested and thrown out of the city, the idiot preempted him.

“See, this lord thought-”

“Shut up!” Before Mayu could continue his self-destruction, he was interrupted by a shout from an old, raspy voice. To the governor's right, his grandfather's face had changed throughout the exchange. First he had become pale, and then deep red, until he could no longer hold back his anger and humiliation.

“Governor Mayu Sonco Saqartu! What do you think you are doing?” Cauac screamed into his flustered grandson's face. “Who taught you etiquette!? Is this how House Saqartu treats its king, even worse, how you treat your cousin, your own family!? Do you want to ruin the reputation our house has built over centuries in a single night!? Have you lost your mind!?”

Like a child that was being scolded, Mayu lowered his head and mumbled, “I apologize, grandfather.”

Really, a child is exactly what he is, Corco thought.

“It is not I who should receive an apology.” Cauac huffed. In response, Mayu turned and bowed to Corco. Even so, he never lowered his head all the way and instead kept his eyes trained at the king in front of him. His unwillingness was more than obvious.

“And you,” Cauac continued towards Guanca, who stood to Mayu's left, “Is this how you raise your son?”

“Daughter needs to apologize for her inadequacies, father.”

Guanca's apology seemed much more sincere than her son's, but Cauac still seemed dissatisfied.

“Hah. Do you believe I am unaware of your tricks? I may be old, but I am not blind yet.”

Once he was done, Cauac didn't give his immediate family time to respond. Instead, the old man turned to his second grandson in the vicinity, to Corco.

“King Corcopaca, this elder wishes to apologize on behalf of his house. At the same time, this elder would like to speak to King on an important matter, in private if possible.”

Without hesitation, Corco nodded. After all, there was no reason to embarrass his grandfather after he had stood up for him, and it was a good way to leave the situation before his relationship with House Saqartu would be irredeemable.

“That's fine, but we're in the middle of celebrations,” a troubled Corco said.

“I can handle the greetings by myself for a while,” Sumaci helped him out.

“Thanks.” He kissed his queen on the cheek before he stood up. With one final look at Mayu's glowering eyes, he turned and led his grandfather away from the mumbles of the crowd.

As soon as Corco and Cauac sat down in the private study, the old man's stern face from before collapsed. His furrowed brow and narrowed lips showed his real thoughts. For the first time in his life, Corco's grandfather looked weak to him. Once his stern mask had collapsed, he realized how old his grandfather was, and how tired.

“Corco, I'm really sorry. You know Mayu, he is...” The old man looked around the study in search for diplomatic words. A teacher at heart, Corco was more than willing to help him out.

“Petty. That's the word you're looking for. Petty and paranoid.”

Usually, he would be more lenient with family on his mother's side, since they had always been the ones to support him. What's more, ever since his return they had been a lot more reasonable than his father's brood, despite Mayu's occasional outbursts. But this time, his cousin had gone much too far. Even by his own unreasonable standards, his actions today had been unacceptable.

“Yes, yes he is.” The old man sighed. Corco raised his brows and stared at the exhausted face as he waited for him to continue. Corco hadn't expected his grandfather to agree.

“I knew that Mayu had his issues with this marriage, and that he would want to show opposition. But I did not believe it would be this bad.”

“I don't blame you,” Corco said. Although he was usually hard-headed, even he began to feel bad in the face of his own grandfather's deflated posture.

“But you should blame me.” The old man shook his head. “I should have been harsher with him. I mean over all these years. But today more so than any other day. In the first place, this scandal today should have never happened. House Saqartu never wanted to gift you a dead animal for your wedding.”

“I didn't think you would.”

“On our way here, Mayu suddenly stopped to hunt. I thought he wanted to vent his frustrations and did not stop him. I was unaware that he was still carrying a dead animal when we entered the castle, as were most people in our entourage. Rather than the carcass, your real gift is outside, beyond Saniya's walls. We brought around ten thousand cattle from Puscanacra's lands for your farmers. I hear your people have been draining the marshes and reclaiming a lot of land in your estate, so I am sure you will make good use of them.”

“That's... very helpful. Thank you.”

Even with the old man's servile attitude, he hadn't expected a gift this generous and useful. For the most part, lords liked to limit themselves to symbolic gifts, like fancy jewelry, impractical ceremonial weapons or expensive cloth. Trading warriors between houses was even more popular. Many had more warriors than they could feed, and the newcomers could double as spies. In comparison, Cauac's gift was both practical and unproblematic.

“No need to thank me.” The old man sighed again. “I know how difficult your position has been these years, and things will only get harder from here. You will need whatever help you can get.”

“At least I know that I will always have an ally in House Saqartu,” Corco said with a satisfied smile.

While Mayu would violently swerve back and forth between support and opposition of Saniya, House Saqartu had stood behind him on all big decisions. Of course, Corco knew that his grandfather had been the main reason why his cooperation with Puscanacra had been so smooth. More than once, he had gone past the stubborn Mayu and negotiated with the elder directly.

“That is the very reason I needed to talk to you in private.”

Once again, the old man sighed, which elicited a confused look from Corco. Was Puscanacra no longer on his side? How could that be?

“Next season, I will be turning eighty years old.”

“Wait, you mean...” Almost breathless, Corco understood the implications right away. Even so, the old man still voiced them out.

“Yes. I will be leaving Puscanacra to join the Ancestral Hall as one of Medala's ancestors.”

When an elder from one of Medala's major estates turned eighty, he would join the Ancestral Hall in the capital. Those were the traditions of the Yaku, and not something Corco could influence.

“That's... unfortunate.” Corco's reply was a massive understatement. Without Cauac to hold back Mayu, Puscanacra could develop from ally into rival, even into an enemy. With the two forces opposed to one another, the southern kingdom would destabilize and their enemies could get a chance to make trouble for them again.

“I know it is troublesome, but there is little I can do,” the old man said. “I cannot very well break with tradition and stay home. Otherwise, those people in the capital will be able to use my refusal as ammunition against you in the next Triumvirate Meetings. It would make your political position untenable. What's more, the south needs more allies in the Ancestral Hall, and I can do a lot of good from there.”

“I know, grandfather. All your life, you've done whatever you can for me and Sachay. I just wished you could rest and have a decent retirement.”

Rather than reply to Corco's well-wishes, the old man's face firmed up as his voice got lower.

“Once I am gone, you should be careful of your cousin. Both of you are family, so I should not be saying this, but I believe his flaws have begun to outweigh his virtues. Before, there was a chance that you would be able to work together. But after this wedding was announced, he has lost his mind. In time, he may do something irrational and reckless. So long as I am still here, Mayu will stay obedient, but he has been very angry with your marriage.”

“I'm well aware of that. He's always been selfish, but he's become really bad ever since I've started to concentrate more power.”

“It may be worse than you think. Ever since we have arrived in Saniya, he has not even mentioned his own brother, let alone met him. Atau came back after three years away and Mayu wouldn't even bother to greet him. I had to go by myself, and make excuses for my own family, towards my own grandson. And now I sit here to do the same again.”

Again, the old man's face darkened, this time in anger.

“It's all thanks his mother and her damn Ogulno brood,” he continued. “Had I known how her brother would turn out, I would have never let her marry Sonco.”

While the old man lamented the decisions of his past, Corco became aware just how much trouble his impulsive marriage with Sumaci had caused him. Things wouldn't get any easier from here, but he wouldn't back down. Not from his dreams, and not from his love.

“We all make decisions we need to live with,” he said. “Let's just make the best out of what we have.”