Chapter 26: I Didn’t Vote for Him, So Why Do I Have to Bow
The wheels of the bureaucracy were in full swing. Even thousands of lightyears away from our own galaxy, humanity had not escaped the ravages of politics. Already, people were taking sides. Some said to kill the creature, some said to wake it up, while others persisted in wanting to use it.
Some even went so far as to start worshiping the damn beast, calling for it to bring an end to the tainted humanity. How all these loonies survived the destruction of Earth, I’ll never know. I, personally, was not sure what to do with the thing myself. I got the feeling that it was trying to help us at the time, but that didn’t mean it wouldn’t change its mind, especially if we tried waking it up ourselves.
As the political battle lines were drawn in the sand, with each side dehumanizing the other as idiots or unfeeling monsters, I was reminded of an old saying my dad used to have. ‘Never trust a politician!’
They stood in the Minister’s private office now. It was large, not as large as the council chambers, but still grand. There were multiple desks for assistants, all of them empty. The Minister’s desk sat in the center of the room with nothing on it save for a feathered quill that seemed out of place among the advanced computer systems.
There was also a large window at the opposite end of the Minister’s desk that overlooked the majority of the Ministry. From the window, Ryan could see that the Elementals had stayed lined up in formation for the Emperor’s arrival. The room had been shaped round, like a ball from the inside, in a manner that Ryan found quite curious. It reminded him of the dome that surrounded the Ministry.
The room seemed formal and business-like, but also comfortable and familiar. Ryan didn’t understand why, but there was a presence in the room that made him feel at ease. It wasn't the physical surroundings that gave him this feeling, but rather an intangible awareness, like someone had left a pleasant scent behind that only he could smell.
The tranquil feeling the room gave off almost made up for the menacing presence of the Emperor as Saria gave him a report on trivial matters happening within the Ministry. She neglected to mention anything about the friction between the Water. The tension in the air was so thick that Ryan dared not move so much as a finger.
Ryan had never been to the Minister’s office before, but just being there made him feel a sense of importance and power, like he could influence things somehow just by standing in the presence of such powerful people like the Minister and the Emperor. Ryan still couldn't imagine why the Emperor had requested Squad 99, but he got the feeling that it might have something to do with Leon.
And Éclair, spoke a voice suddenly in Ryan’s head that sounded like that old guy with the dog, Zand; but Ryan dismissed the notion as his imagination.
As Ryan waited, he started getting a vague feeling of someone's eyes on his back. As he looked around, he noticed the man who had announced the Emperor was stealing glances at him. The man seemed oddly familiar to Ryan somehow, but he immediately dismissed it as just another stupid feeling of déjà vu.
As Saria finished her report, the Emperor smiled pleasantly enough, but behind his smile lay a barely veiled contempt that bordered on loathing. “I couldn’t help but notice, Kaves, that you failed to mention what the Ministry of Fire intends to do about the escalating situation with the Water. Since the children are here, I can only assume that you have received my orders from my Viceroy, David Kavic.”
The Emperor gestured to the man who kept spying on Ryan’s back. Ryan had assumed that the man was a valet or a servant from his bearing and lack of arrogance that usually came with nobility. The man only nodded stiffly as if the Emperor had forbidden him to speak unless necessary.
Saria frowned, clearly displeased about the turn the conversation had taken. “I have received your orders not to move against the Ministry of Water and I agree to honor those orders,” replied Saria.
The Fire Minister then leaned forward ever so slightly. “But I hope you understand that I will defend this Ministry, as it is my responsibility, just as it is your responsibility to rule justly and without prejudice, my Emperor. That is why I ask you to intervene on our behalf by going to the Ministry of Water and preventing this conflict before it has a chance to start.”
Her words were respectful, but her voice carried just a hint of malice that made Ryan wince in pain a little. He felt a similar sensation when speaking to Eramar sometimes, though only when the Wielder grew tense.
I guess she isn’t the Minister of Fire for no reason. The woman must be a nuke! No wonder she’s single. What husband would have the courage to even have a conversation with her, let alone an argument? Ryan had heard that Saria had been remarried several times, and he couldn’t help but wonder if her ex’s had gotten out unscathed.
Despite Saria’s imposing presence, the Emperor seemed unfazed as his practiced poise never subsided. “Come now, we’re all friends here. All of us strive to improve the Empire in our own way. I’m slightly offended that you would seem to imply otherwise. I have always given the Ministries every due for their continued diligence.”
“Your words are elegant as usual,” replied Saria, still speaking politely, but with a slight strain in her voice. “It is obvious how you made it to your station with such a silver tongue. People are easily swayed by pretty words and empty promises. But with all due respect, your eminence, your policies speak far louder than words alone.”
For the first time since the conversation started, Chissler’s handsome face seemed to take on a more grotesque form, as all his contempt hidden beneath the surface came to be displayed fully. His lips curled into a sneer, and his eyes bulged with rage. But his voice remained deathly quiet throughout the entire exchange, almost in stark contrast to the goth transformation that took place over his facial features.
“I don’t like your tone, Minister. I have been patient with you thus far, but you seem to forget your station. Elementals are meant to be servants, not masters. Yet you seem to be under the impression that we are equals somehow. I shall have to remedy that in the future,” said the Emperor coldly.
“For instance, I could announce the dissolution of your pathetic Ministry right now, and the people would still worship me in troths as the hero who put an end to Elemental supremacy. The only reason I don’t is because I find your incompetence mildly entertaining, but don’t presume to test me further.”
Ryan thought that the Emperor must've been more wary of Saria than he would have people believe, otherwise, he’d just order her execution. For all his big talk, Ryan doubted that this guy had the guts to stand face-to-face with Saria Kaves without his small army of escorts backing him up.
The Emperor began pacing, rubbing his hands in front of him as if preparing to give a speech. “You also have the misconception that I am responsible for the woes that you people have brought upon yourselves. I fail to see why you don’t put more faith into your Emperor. After all, have I not secured peace and order throughout the Empire, and in such turbulent times following the tragedy of the royal family?
“Have I not offered refugees from all corners of the universe a place to live and work, despite their alien heritage?” He spoke with the fluidity and grace of a polished politician who's had years to practice his lies in front of billions of viewers at a time.
“Now, yes, it is my duty to safeguard the Ministries as well as the entire Empire. But to save you people from your own folly, this is not my duty. If you see fit to squabble amongst yourselves, that is your business and yours alone. I simply cannot get involved any more than I am now. There is far too much at stake for me to run on every whim that the Ministries dream up.”
Saria Kaves sighed and then said with as much respect as she could muster. “My Emperor, I implore you. There hasn’t been a war between Water and Fire for centuries and the last one nearly brought both Ministries to extinction. Even as we speak, the Ministry of Water is rallying their forces and summoning their allies from the lesser Ministries. If you will not go to the Ministry of Water on our behalf, then allow an emissary to be sent to them so that we may find a peaceful resolution to our differences.
“I know that you have the Empire’s best interests at heart, so you can understand that an all-out war between all four Grand Ministries would be detrimental to not only the security of Tarrus, but the entire Empire. I’m sure that the Emperor, in all his wisdom, does not desire such an outcome.” Tears brimmed in Saria’s eyes as she rose from her seat only to kneel before the Emperor and bow humbly. “Please, I’m begging you. For all our sakes, for the sake of the Empire, and not just the Ministry of Fire, grant us this one favor.”
Saria’s words were so full of emotion and passion that Ryan had almost been moved to tears. She wanted so much to prevent a war and save both Ministries from harm, even the Ministry of Water that propagated this madness. Saria was so desperate that she would even beg to a man who had spurned the Ministry of Fire at every available opportunity. Saria’s eyes showed the depth of her feelings on this issue. How much she wanted peace and understanding not only between the Ministries, but with the bureaucracy as well.
However, the Emperor grinned wickedly down at Saria, untouched by her pleas. “Oh, how the mighty have fallen. There was a time when you would’ve ate your own tongue than utter such pleading to me. Let me see … I believe that time was before I became Emperor, when the Elementals were able to use the royal family as their political puppets. Now look at you, begging like the bitch you are. And to think that this Ministry was once the pride of the Empire. But alas, from this sullen display, I gather all your pride is used up.”
Ryan had listened to this jerk enough, and he refused to tolerate it any longer. With all his anger and indignation, Ryan stepped forward. “That’s enough!” Silence prevailed. Everyone in the room stared at Ryan in shock. Before he lost his courage, Ryan spoke clearly and loudly to the Emperor of the Tarrus Empire, possibly the most powerful man alive. “The Minister of Fire only wants peace! Can’t you see that?! So please, stop humiliating her for the sake of your own ego and listen to what she has to say before more innocent lives are lost!”
Faster than Ryan could react, Eramar Razor appeared in front of him and punched him in the stomach so hard that Ryan doubled over. Ryan coughed up blood as he fell, but Grafael’s tail reached out and held him in place before his head crashed against the floor.
Eramar bowed before the Emperor and spoke in a solemn voice with his head lowered. “I beg your majesty’s pardon for such a brazen act of insolence. I assure you that the Grunt will be punished in accordance with our laws and that he will not be so keen to speak thusly in the future, my lord.”
The Emperor still smiled as if everything that had happened tickled him pink. “See that you do. However, I must admit that a display of backbone is a little more refreshing than the sniveling cowardice that permeates every stone in this Ministry.”
Ryan clenched his teeth. He wanted to get up and do something even less polite, but Grafael’s powerful tail held him firmly in place.
The Emperor turned to Saria Kaves, who had remained motionless throughout the ordeal while still bowing reverently. “That is not to say that such an act of disrespect will not go without consequence. It would seem that I have been far too lax with you people … too lenient and forgiving. If the young ones feel free enough for such open rebellion to the crown, then I must question the teachings that you are inspiring in your Grunts.”
Ryan suddenly realized that he had made a terrible mistake, one that could cost Saria and the entire Ministry a great deal.
Emperor Chissler held up two fingers triumphantly with his other hand behind his back. “I will grant your request of an emissary on two conditions. One, the emissaries will be from the Ministry of Water and they will come here to treat with you personally. You understand, of course, that I cannot put the life of the Water Minister in jeopardy by sending an emissary from this Ministry to him.
“Elementals are notorious for serving multiple roles, not just as negotiators, but as assassins. If I let you send an emissary to Sorric, it would be like serving up his head on a silver platter. As of now, the loyalty of the Ministry of Fire is in question, not the Ministry of Water, so that is why your life will be the only one threatened, not the Water Minister’s.”
The Emperor rubbed his hands together excitedly, clearly relishing this moment of triumph. “And finally, since the loyalty of this Ministry is under such suspicion, I have decided to place it under the personal care of my right-hand man, David Kavic. It will be Kavic who will decide whether or not this Ministry is fit to continue its services to the Empire, and no other. Your fate is in his hands now. I do hope you live up to his expectations, Kaves; otherwise, I will have to bring our relationship to a defining end.”
Ryan now realized why Eramar had punched him so hard, and why the Emperor seemed pleased by his outburst. It was an excuse to put the Ministry of Fire under more scrutiny, forcing Saria to be right where he wanted her, under his thumb.
The Emperor then swept his robes dramatically and turned to leave, but not before he turned to Ryan’s crumpled form. “Tell me, boy, what do they call you?”
Eramar spoke first. “His name is-”
The Emperor suddenly turned on Eramar in anger. “I was speaking to the brat and wish him to answer my question!”
Eramar bowed once again. It was unfathomable how someone as noble and powerful as Eramar could possibly be cowed by this sham of an Emperor. He could probably incinerate the man in less than a second.
Ryan quickly wrenched his anger under control before he did something even more stupid, and he lifted his head to gaze into the Emperor’s cold, dark gray eyes and spoke quietly. “My name is Ryan Uruks.”
The Emperor stared down at Ryan for a few seconds, as if he were trying to find a secret written on his face. “Any relation to the Conjurer, sometimes known as the Golden Knight?”
“What?” replied Ryan, perplexed as blood still dripped from his chin.
Eramar elbowed Ryan in the chest, signaling the need for a more courteous response
“I’m sorry, my Emperor,” answered Ryan, wringing his hands and doing his best to keep the heat of rage out of his voice. “But I don’t know the person you’re talking about.”
Ryan had never even heard of anyone with a name like that before, not even an Elemental, and he knew most of the great Elemental legends and heroes by heart. And yet, something told him that there was a great deal of significance in these names.
The Emperor sneered at Ryan, and then turned back to the one called Kavic, whispering something to him. “Well, in the future, half-breed, as amusing as I found your little outburst, I do hope for your sake that you keep your place like your alien friends here.”
Chissler gestured to Tork and Grafael, who stood behind Ryan while remaining silent. “They may lack the mental fortitude of humans, but they still know enough to mind their manners in the presence of their Pure-Skin superiors. After all, they know that they should be nothing but grateful to me. How else could they have achieved such a station in the Empire without my affirmative action programs?”
Ryan gritted his teeth in disgust. He felt Grafael clenching his tail as the Saurian tensed, but luckily, Ryan blocked the Emperor’s view of his Saurian friend.
The Emperor then turned to Éclair and leered at her in such a way that made Ryan almost lose control again. “And what is your name, my dear?”
Éclair seemed perfectly at ease as she curtsied politely and said, “Éclair Kaves, my lord. The Minister is my adopted mother. My birth parents are distant relations of the Kaves family.”
Kaves? Wait, that's not her real name, is it? thought Ryan in confusion.
Chissler turned to Saria, whose face showed nothing, and then back to Éclair as if to gauge her reaction. The Emperor studied her for a few minutes, all his mental faculties seeming to deduce whether she told the truth or not. With a sweep of his robes, the Emperor made for the door with his guards in tow.
“David Kavic will report to me in three months’ time. By then, this business with the Ministry of Water had best be resolved. That’ll be all.” Then the Emperor exited, leaving Kavic behind.
David Kavic, to his credit, wrenched his hands uncomfortably as he turned to the Minister and bowed his head humbly. “I know you will have much to discuss, so I will wait outside the door until you can address me. In this delicate period, all I can say is that I will try to be as genial as I can. With your permission, I will excuse myself.”
The Minister, who had risen from her knees, only nodded in reply. Kavic then bowed again before walking down the lengthy red and gold carpet and finally out the door, where Ryan hoped he couldn't eavesdrop.
The Minister then turned on Ryan with such terrifying force that he thought he might die on the spot. “Fool, boy! As stupid and oblivious as a newborn babe! I can see now why the Emperor wished for Grunts to stand in his presence. A chance to not only humiliate the Ministry, but an excuse to put us all under further restrictions.
“Don’t you realize the seriousness of what you’ve done?! The Emperor could've had you killed on the spot for treason, and there would've been nothing legal we could've done to stop him! If it weren’t for Eramar’s quick thinking, you would surely be dead right now!”
Ryan winced, still kneeling by Eramar. Saria’s words cut so deep into Ryan’s soul that he wondered if there had been some kind of Elemental trick to them. The rest of the Grim Team stood at attention, their faces showing nothing.
The Minister crossed her arms impatiently as if waiting for a response. “Well, what do you have to say for yourself?”
“M-my lady,” said Ryan meekly, trying to sound apologetic.
“Don’t call me ‘my lady’!” snapped the Minister.
Ryan felt alone, but he also wanted the Minister to understand why he did what he did. Ryan disentangled himself from Grafael’s tail and rose to his feet, dejected and defeated. He had spoken arrogantly with some of the most powerful people in the universe. He knew this was hardly the time for ego.
“I’m sorry,” said Ryan with his head lowered to the ground.
Saria scoffed, taken aback. “You’re sorry! Is that all?!”
Ryan swallowed hard, tears coming to his eyes. “No, that’s not all,” Ryan managed to say between sobs. “With my lady’s permission, I would like to say the rest of it.”
The Minister paused. Ryan wondered if she would respond at all, but then she said with a little less fire than before, “Granted.”
Ryan lifted his head to face her, tears running down his face, but he no longer cared. He just wanted the Minister to understand … no … he wanted all of them to understand what they meant to him.
“Becoming an Elemental, learning the art of Elemency, joining the Ministry of Fire like my parents before me … this was my dream before the Black Dragons came and took everything from me. I lost all hope. I never thought I'd be happy again. I lost sight of my dream. But then, a woman came along, a woman named Hannah Lioness. She reminded me that some dreams are worth fighting for, and yes, some dreams are worth dying for.
“That's why I am here to tell you that becoming an outstanding Elemental of this Ministry is my dream once again and will continue to be for the rest of my days. This time is different, because I'm not just doing it for me, but for the promise I made to Hannah Lioness. I vowed that I would never lose sight of my dreams again.”
Everyone seemed to hold their breath as they listened. He made a fist as he remembered Chissler’s sneering face while he mocked everything that Ryan held most dear.
“Right now, I am living that dream that filled me with wonder since I was old enough to look up at the stars. Right now is one of the happiest moments of my entire life because for the first time in five years, I have a home. I have a place where I belong. I have friends. I have a family. And I have it all right here.”
Ryan was still crying and turning a slight shade of purple as he put his innermost feelings out there for all the world to see, especially Éclair. Please don’t think I’m weird when this is over.
“To have to listen to someone scorn and mock everything and everyone that I love, to have to bear it all politely and quietly … it drove me nuts. I wanted to rip out his throat and shove it back in so that he could apologize for every vile thing he said about the Elementals of this Ministry, and the nonhumans who have become my brothers.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Ryan saw Tork and Grafael smiling. “If my feelings are treason, then so be it. I will gladly go to my death if it means that my family will not have to endure any more suffering on my behalf.”
Saria never took her eyes from Ryan. She reminded Ryan of Rachel a lot. Cold, cynical, and yet at the same time, possessed something deeper that might actually hide someone of a more compassionate and gentle nature.
Saria finally groaned, and said, “Stop being so melodramatic, kid. Nobody’s going to die here, not for something like this … at least not as long as I'm Minister.”
Ryan’s mouth dropped. The tears had stopped, but the color remained.
“Just like your father; stupid, earnest, and a complete drama queen. As big of a pain and a blessing as your parents before you. If I survive your transition to manhood, I think I’ll retire.” With a weak laugh, the Minister slumped in her chair as a tired smile caressed her lips. “Starbeard, what have you gotten me into by leaving me this boy?”
Ryan made a timeout sign with his hands “Wait a minute! That’s it? Eramar said something foreboding like.” Ryan scrunched his face in a scowl and said in a serious, Eramar-like voice, ‘“He will be dealt with in accordance to the law.’ So I figured it would be something serious like flogging or maybe decapitation. I mean, I did just insult the most powerful guy in the freakin’ universe. Is it really that easy? Not that I want to be punished. I’m perfectly fine not being punished; in fact, words cannot express how much I wish not to be punished. Oh, I’m rambling … sorry. I do that when I get nervous, and I occasionally fart too, but that's not the case this time, I swear.”
“Oh, shut up already,” groaned Rachel, standing behind her grandmother, and putting her hands to her hips. “For a moment, I actually almost thought you were a little bit cool, and then you kill that moment. God, you’re hopeless.” All of Squad 99 suddenly burst into boisterous laughter, except for Leon, who only grinned in amusement.
“Jolly good show, Ryan, old boy,” said Tork, clapping, laughing, flapping his wings, and jumping up and down all simultaneously. “Jolly good show.”
“You will be a formidable adversary one day, Ryan Uruks,” said Grafael while putting a fist to his chest. “And on that day, you and I will face each other in mortal combat, and ultimate glory will be given to the victor. But until then, I still think of you as my inferior. So see to it that your pride does not swell too much, for you are still a whelp in my eyes.”
Grafael grinned wickedly in a way that made Ryan a little nervous of the time when he would fight the Raptor Warrior again.
Leon only nodded to Ryan slightly and said, “Maybe there’s more to you than meets the eye.”
Éclair simply giggled and said, “Ryan, you’re turning purple with embarrassment. You really are part Saurian. I remember when Grafy turned purple, but he’ll deny it of course.”
Grafael sniffed and said, “I have no idea what it is that the female who is also my protectorate refers to.”
“Oh really,” said Éclair as she reached and stroked Grafael under the chin.
Before long, Grafael started giggling like a little kid. When he stomped his foot down, it shook the whole room.
The feelings welling up in Ryan were so nostalgic and beautiful that he felt sorry for ending it, but there were still questions that he needed answers to. “But what is it that you were talking about when you punched me?”
Eramar couldn’t meet Ryan in the eyes as he lowered his head, as if ashamed. “I am truly sorry for what I had to do. I promised myself that I wouldn’t let another student come to harm, and instead of keeping that promise, I personally took a hand in breaking it. Please forgive me, Ryan.”
Another student?
As much as Ryan wished to know the details of his mentor’s past, he felt like now wasn't the right time to ask him. He wanted Eramar to open up to him willingly on a time of his own choosing, so until then, Ryan felt content to wait for his master to trust him enough to do so.
“That doesn’t matter now,” replied Ryan. “I know you only did it to protect me, and it probably saved my life. What I want to know is what punishment I have to face to make up for what I’ve done?”
Eramar smiled sheepishly and rubbed the back of his head. “Oh, that. Well, you see, I said, ‘he will be punished in accordance to our laws.’ If I said the Emperor’s laws, we might have a problem, but since I didn’t say that, we’ll get away on a technicality.”
“Technicality?”
“Yes,” replied Eramar. “You see, there really isn’t a specific law that deals with Grunts speaking up to the Emperor, even in a passionate manner. There has simply been no precedent for such laws since many of the past Emperors felt like it was the right of the people to speak their minds to their leaders, and that went for Elementals too. It’s only recently that freedom of speech seems to be threatened.
“There are, of course, numerous laws that obligate all Elementals to not only refrain from attacking the Emperor, but also to prevent him from harm. Since you were not attacking the Emperor physically, there is no punishment for you, at least not according to the ancient laws of the Ministry. And besides, Chissler seemed satisfied that he had found a way to spy on the Ministry legally, so I doubt he will pursue the matter any further.”
Ryan hung his head down. “For the record, I still feel bad about that little hiccup. I’m really-”
“Enough apologizing,” said Saria with a wave of her hand, still sitting in her chair, and this time with her feet propped up on the table in a comfortable position unbefitting of the Minister of Fire. “What’s done is done and can never be undone. The only thing to worry about is what to do about the future. More specifically, how to handle this David Kavic?”
“Yes, I agree,” said Eramar, stroking his goatee with his thumb and index finger. “We must think of something to keep him out of the way long enough for us to find a solution to our problems with the Ministry of Water.”
“I think we should kill him,” said an old Elemental on the Wielder council.
Another Wielder spoke up. “You think we should kill every bureaucrat who walks through the door, Old Man Snyder.”
“That’s how we did it in my day,” responded Snyder gruffly. “Only good politician is a dead one … either that or a mind-controlled one.”
“First of all,” said another Wielder, almost as elderly. “That is not how we did it in your day. I know because I was there in your day. And secondly, if we did kill him, it would be like declaring civil war against the Emperor himself.”
“No, it wouldn’t,” said the old geezer stubbornly. “Not if we reanimated his body using Elemency. He’d be like a puppet on a string. That little tyrant, Chissler, wouldn’t know the difference. Why, back in my day, we must have reanimated thousands of corpses. Or was it dozens?”
“Shut up, Snyder!” said all the Wielders and the Minister simultaneously.
Snyder grumbled under his breath. “Fiddlesticks! Whipper-snappers these days don’t mind their elders.”
I wonder if that old guy is senile, and if so, why would they let him stay on the council?
“Coming back to relevant suggestions,” said a middle-aged Wielder, a lean man with ginger hair, a long nose, and a tattoo of a dragon on a cleanshaven face. Ryan didn’t recognize him, though truthfully, he didn't recognize any of the Wielders besides Eramar. “I believe we should assign a team to keep an eye on him. Make sure he stays out of our way and doesn’t glean any information that could be harmful to us. I think the best team for this mission should be our rookies here, Squad 99.”
Eramar frowned, displeased at this suggestion. “Spare us, Victor. We’d be playing right into the Emperor’s hand. The only reason he had us summon Squad 99 is because they have become a matter of interest to him.”
Victor snapped his fingers. “Exactly! That’s the point. We’d be giving him what he wants, what he's most likely here to do. Spy on the Grim Team. It would distract him from all else and allow us to operate in peace without fear of espionage.”
Eramar placed himself to stand face-to-face with the Wielder called Victor. “And if this David Kavic is here to kidnap members of Squad 99, we’d be serving them up on a silver platter to the Emperor.”
Surprisingly, Leon came in between the two. “A risk that we will have to take.”
“Leon?” said Eramar questioningly.
Leon seemed as cold and intimidating as ever, even in the presence of Eramar the Demon Slayer. “You know as well as I that it’s the best strategic play we’ve got. You and the council cannot focus on the Ministry of Water while you have an agent from the Emperor breathing down your necks.
“Not only that, but it might give us an opportunity to ascertain Chissler’s true intentions. Right now, the Ministry of Fire is in peril, which means that all other concerns are secondary. It was you who taught me that, master, and I would be shamed as your student if I did not live up to your teachings.”
Eramar looked both angry and sad as he scanned the faces of each member of Squad 99, finally stopping at Ryan. “Well, Uruks. What do you think? Should we do it?”
Ryan was at a loss for a moment. Wonder why he’d ask me. Does this mean I’ve gained a little standing around here?
Hoping to regain a little dignity after his little therapy session, Ryan said, “Do you really need to ask? Hell yeah, let’s do it! Let’s go spy on the creepy dude who wants to spy on us!” He pumped a fist in the air to motivate himself, but just couldn’t muster much enthusiasm after such a stupid line.
“And that is why it has been decided that we will be your escorts for your stay here at the Ministry of Fire. That is, if that meets with your approval, my Lord Viceroy,” reiterated Éclair in the sweetest and most alluring voice she could manage.
They decided that Éclair should be the one to speak to Kavic since she was the most disarming of all the members of Squad 99. Ryan could hardly argue that point. One smile like that from her, and he would have fallen to pieces.
Though David Kavic didn't drool like a dog, he did seem to be taken in by Éclair as he beamed delightedly. “Enchanting,” he said, bowing slightly with a fancy flourish of his hand. “It would be a pleasure to tour the Ministry under the care of such fine young people.”
This guy wasn't like the other nobleman, or at least, not like the Emperor. He seemed genuine when he treated them respectfully, like they were old friends and not political enemies. Ryan told himself over and over that it was all a trick, that Kavic was just better at hiding his malice than other politicians. Even so, his gut told him that David spoke sincerely in his respect for them, or at least that he harbored no malicious intent for them.
As if the man could read his mind, Kavic turned to Ryan and spoke admiringly. “I thought what you did was a very courageous deed. Foolish, true, but brave nonetheless. It takes a strong man to stand up to the likes of Chissler, and that was true even before he became Emperor. I only hope that this fire in your heart does not diminish … for all our sakes.”
Ryan felt both confused and a little embarrassed by the compliment. He wanted to ask what Kavic meant by that, but the Viceroy quickly changed the subject.
“I do hope that you all don't judge the Emperor too harshly. He can be a rude and narrow-minded man, but I believe that he has the people’s best interests in his heart … even if those interests do not always include those whom he deems as liabilities to the good of the Empire.”
David Kavic then went to his knees in front of Saria. “I beg your pardon for his dishonorable conduct. Even if he disagrees with many of the practices of the Elementals, I believe that all the sacrifices they have made in the past make the Ministries worthy of respect. I believe that we should be able to disagree with one another and still speak courteously. Even though the Emperor distrusts Elementals in general, I assure you that not all of us are of the same mind.”
Ryan tried with all his might not to be bought in by Kavic, but he just couldn't sense any deception from the man. Little by little, Ryan started to like the guy, which probably made him more dangerous than Chissler.
Leon voiced Ryan’s suspicions with a question. “Are you telling us that you have no ill feelings towards Elementals like Chissler does … like most of the nobility does?”
Still kneeling, David slowly raised his head and simply said, “Yes, I am, Lord Lurruana, my prince.” Kavic’s bearing showed nothing but reverence to the son of the Emperor.
It wasn't what he said that sent Ryan’s mind reeling, it was how he said it. Ryan may not have been much of a liar himself, but still, every instinct told him that David Kavic meant every word he said.
Kavic raised his hands disarmingly. “I know that you do not believe me, and I also know that there is nothing that I can say or do right now to change your minds. I can only hope that in the time we have together, you give me the courtesy of judging me by my actions, as I will do for each of you.”
David made a point of looking each of them in the eye, including Tork and Grafael.
