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 millions 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. It made him feel like he could influence things somehow just by standing in the presence of such powerful people like the Fire 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.

“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 himself. 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 Fire Minister 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 atom 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 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 righthand 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. “My name is Ryan Uruks,” he said quietly.

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 Pureskin 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.”

Kaves? Wait, that’s not her real name, is it? thought Ryan in confusion.

“Kaves?” repeated the Emperor with a raised eyebrow. “I wasn’t aware that the Fire Minister had any other close relatives other than her granddaughter.”

“The Fire Minister is my adopted mother. My birth parents were distant relations of the Kaves family,” Éclair replied impassively.

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.