Keeping the Fire: Inheritance

Don't know what this is? Check out the Pages section to the right to learn more about the Keeping the Fire project. 

╩      26     ╩

Getting Mage Alembic and Minister Tavya in the same room at the same time had been a trying endeavor in itself. Getting them to speak to one another seemed a second, and greater one. They regarded each other just like two cats who happen to be trapped in the same space. It was as if by avoiding direct eye contact they could pretend that they simply had not noticed the other yet and could go on about their business. The mutual dislike was clear. What it stemmed from Polena did not know. While the Flinish were less trustful of the Dun Mages than Polena's own People's Alliance of Creace, the Domineerists of Flin did not actively shun the guild. Similarly, while loathe to operate in any nation that did not cede them both respect and privacy, Dun had never fully abandoned the old lords of Niccanor and gave Flin their council and sciences. These two, then, must have some special disgust towards each other. It came out in passive aggressive comments, interruptions, and other petty displays of power. Polena would not let it stand.

“Alright, we don't like each other. That is well and truly clear, give it a rest and talk to me of important things. I called the two of you here at the same time because I need advice. Djaught Mehethe will not be content to wait for the king forever. Soon he will make a move. What is it going to be?” A brief silence passed and Tavya broke it.

“Well, most likely he'll call for a vote of the Ministers.”

“I doubt that, he's hardly the clout,” retorted Alembic. Tavya sighed, offended, and Polena quickly interceded to prevent an argument.

“Fine, you disagree, what do you think then Mage?”

“I think that we are more likely to see posturing. The Djaught is a soldier. He is unaccustomed to politics. He'll get help from the pureblooded ministers. I expect the Dame of Staff will make some pretense for the king and Djaught to be in the same place at the same time, a celebration or festival or something, and the Chief Ceremonial will bring up the matter of Djasho thus forcing the king to make an informal statement.” Polena nodded as she listened and instead of asking her own questions, tried to bridge the gap between her two allies.

“What would that do Minister?” Tavya leaned back, a hint of a smile at the deference she had been given.

“Well, likely anything informally said would be grounds for a formal request. The king could not say nothing. If he assents the Djaught calls on Court so he can give thanks, which compels the king to tell him what support Fiedjan can expect in war. If the king refuses then the Djaught calls on the Ministers for a vote of appeal to the king, as I said before.”

“You mean the king listens to a vote of the People? Maybe our mission has had more effect here than I thought.” said Polena, a sarcastic smile on her face. Tavya returned the smile but while Polena's was jolly Tavya's own seemed to show greater derision, as if she thought the idea absurd for a different reason.

“Well,” interjected Mage Alembic, “He doesn't have to do anything. He is the king. But enough of an uproar could force him from power. Early abdications, while rare, do occasionally happen. He would have to make quite a case to ignore the vote.”

“Well if we are agreed that one way or another it will come to Court and the Djaught calling to speak there, then are we agreed as well on how to defeat that? Tayva, can you make some historic pretext to cancel court? Alembic, could you maybe give some council that would foul things up?” For the first time both Tavya and Alembic looked at each other. Tavya frowned and Alembic smiled.

“She doesn't know,” said Alembic.

“Apparently not,” replied Tavya, then turning to Polena she continued, “Dear Luminary, there is a reason we both came to you and Coralm in the first place. As Minister of the Keepings I speak when spoken to. As Adviser for the Dunish Guild, Mage Alembic gives advice when it is asked. Neither of us are Speakers, in truth, regardless of anything our titles might imply. There is only one speaker in this room.”

“I?” questioned Polena.

“Yes, you,” replied Alembic, “if, that is, you will take up the Knight Luminary's position.”

Polena was silent.


As expected, the Dame of Staff arranged a presentation party for the young girls of the salon of princess Lin Gareth Mire, an event her father, the king, must attend. That morning, before the event, there was a session of court, and while it was uneventful it did include another presentation. The formal welcoming of Luminary Polena of Kerpsatch, Speaker for the People's Alliance of Creace. She wore her robe and sash, along with Coralm's sword that day and though little was asked of her, Polena's voice never shook in giving reply.

╩      ╩