Bacorium Legacy (54 page)

“And what does the king do? Nothing! He sits in his palace and ignores the plight of his people! Zaow has grown old and fearful of the Acarians! Do you not remember the days when Zaow would take his sword and lead the charge into battle?”

Several of the bystanders muttered in agreement.

“The king of Sono has lost the fire that made this nation great!”

“You tell them, Jorus!” someone in the crowd shouted.

This man continued, “Zaow preaches a peace than cannot be! Because Zinoro will not rest until Sono is ashes, and he is the only man left alive! He is filled with the dark powers of Ekkei, and the vengeful fury that Acarians hold sacred! He has already taken his dark army to several villages and destroyed them! And now Allma Temple has fallen! It will not be long before he attacks T'Saw as well!”

“The walls of T'Saw have never fallen!” shouted one of the bystanders.

“Is that right?” Jorus asked him. “Well before Zinoro attacked them, the same was said of Allma Temple! And now it is nought but ash and dust. The temple was destroyed, and the elite fighters who trained there are all wiped out! What makes you think this city is better protected? Allma the Third was a man of war! Zaow is a peace-preaching old fool!”

Jared wore an ugly scowl. His hand was on the shaft of his halberd, ready to draw it from its sheath on his back. Beside him, Selphie's eyes were hard beneath her hood.

“Zaow is no longer fit to rule this great nation!” Jorus continued, several of the bystanders nodding or muttering in agreement. “His inaction will be our destruction!”

“That's quite enough.” They turned to find a man in the armour of the captain of the guard approaching, flanked on each side by a spear-carrying guards. The guards approached Jorus. “Continue this disruption and we'll have to arrest you.”

“You seek to silence my protests?” Jorus exclaimed, directing his words more at the bystanders than the guards. “Has the king sent you? He'll act against his own people, but he'll stand idly by while Zinoro prepares to annihilate us!”

“I'm warning you,” said the captain. “Continue this nonsense and you'll spend the night in the palace dungeons.”

The guards held their spears at the ready, waiting for the captain's command. The captain stood there before Jorus, not in the slightest intimidated by the man's efforts to turn the crowd against him. Several of Jorus' listeners had already quietly slipped off, and those remaining were backing away and watching things carefully. Jorus himself, realising that there was no sense in continuing this, was hesitating.

“Just keep on blindly following orders, fools,” Jorus said to the guards. “You'll be the first to die when the revolution comes.” He jumped down from his crate and ran off somewhere.

Jared stared after him for a moment, then shook his head. He stepped towards the captain, and called out, “Captain Gareth!”

The captain, who had started back in the direction of the palace, turned at the beckoning, and saw them. His bearded face broke out in a grin. “Jared!”

The two of them ran to each other and met in a big bear-hug. “It's good to see you again, friend,” said the captain. “I'm relieved you've made it back safely.”

Selphie stepped beside them. “Gareth.”

“Princess,” he said with a nod. “I'm very glad to see you, as well. Your father has been eager for your return. Let's get you back to the palace. Are these other folks your companions?”

Selphie turned, acknowledging Luca, Emila, Wiosna, Brand, and Ash. “They are. These are the recruits my father sent me to Allma Temple to bring back. I would not have made it back alive were it not for them.”

“We've heard about the temple,” Gareth said. “Everyone in the city has by now, it seems. It's a tragedy, and one that could not have come at a worse time. The citizens are growing restless. People like this guy,” he kicked at the crate, “are speaking out against His Majesty and making things all the worse. Zinoro has had them worried for a while, but Allma Temple was frightening for everyone.”

“I cannot blame them,” Selphie said. “The Acarians have turned out to be more dangerous than we anticipated. I have a lot to tell my father. Can we go see him now?”

Gareth frowned. He turned to the two guards with him. “Return to the palace. I'll escort the princess back.” When they hesitated, he added, “She's got me and the six members of her entourage. She'll be plenty safe. Get back and let the prince know she's on her way.”

Selphie's eyes went wide with worried interest at that. As the two guards ran off in the direction of the palace, she drew closer to Gareth. “Why are you sending them to my brother? Is my father alright?”

“He's fine, but...” Gareth hesitated. “You should hear it from the prince.”

Selphie looked worried now. Gareth took them through the streets now, and as they walked Jared put his hand on Selphie's shoulder to comfort her. Luca watched them, noticing the odd looks Gareth gave them. The captain saw how close they were, but he said nothing.

They ascended the steps to the Ivory Palace, and Luca saw there was a man at the top waiting for them. He was a slightly hunched man with a thick moustache and slightly balded brow. His clothes were fine and quite expensive looking. His face broke out in an excited grin as he saw who it was approaching them.

“Is that the p-princess I see under that hood?” he asked, his voice shaky and thin.

Selphie smiled, though her eyes were still full of worry. “Yes, I've returned.” She turned to address Luca and the others. “Everyone, this is a dear friend of the royal family, Lord Balzac.”

A stifled giggle came from Brand, who did everything he could to hide it.

“P-princess, I am so g-glad to see you back, safe and sound,” Balzac told her. “We've all been so w-worried for you.”

“I've sent letters,” Selphie reminded him.

“Yes, b-but what if the letters stopped?” Balzac said. “W-with all those Acarians out there, how could we b-be sure you were okay? B-but you're home now, and that's all that matters. P-please, come inside.”

Balzac stepped aside to allow them in, nearly tripping over his own feet in the process. Inside the Ivory Palace, the floor was smooth marble and the walls were high, with large stained glass windows. Within the colours of the windows were depictions of Sonoian kings of the past. At the far end of the hall was the throne of Sono. It was empty.

The sound of footsteps filled the halls. A young man with curly blond hair, a handsome face, and fine clothes approached them.

“Brother,” Selphie said excitedly, pulling back her hood.

“Selphie,” Prince Trist said to her. “Welcome home.”

The two siblings embraced.

Once they pulled away, Trist looked over her companions. “You only have Jared with you. What happened to the others who were sent?”

“They were killed at Allma Temple,” Selphie said sadly. “I'll tell you and father everything, but only after I see him.”

“I see,” Trist said. He looked to the captain. “Gareth, could you go let my father know that Selphie is back?”

“At once, my prince,” Gareth said, leaving for the king's chambers.

Selphie frowned, glancing at the empty throne. “Is he alright? These are usually the hours for audiences.”

“He needs his rest,” Trist told her. “His health has been - declining lately.”

Selphie's face was pale. “His health? Will he be alright? How bad is it?”

“Not terrible, P-princess,” Balzac told her, moving to their side. “It is fortunate that we caught it as soon as we did. W-with the p-proper medicine, he should recover. B-but one must remember that the king is growing old, and that he will not live forever. Therefore, P-prince Trist has b-been p-preparing for the throne.”

“I have been the acting king since Father fell ill,” Trist told her. “It happened shortly after you left. His condition differs from day-to-day. One day, he might spend the whole day in bed. Those are the bad days. On a good day, he'll usually be up and moving around for a few hours.”

“And today?” Selphie asked, looking like she feared the answer.

“We'll see,” Trist said, glancing away. “He hadn't been up yet. The thing is - Father's health is the least of our problems. A few days ago, we received a summon. Marcus and Edmund are demanding Father's presence at the Elder Hall to discuss war with Acaria.”

Selphie bowed her head and sighed. “I expected as much. I had hoped Marcus was speaking only in anger, and that time would calm him down and he might rethink things. But I doubted it could be that easy.”

“There are rumours,” Trist said. “They say that an Acarian man infiltrated the palace at Serenite and was working with the second-born prince to overthrow Marcus and seize control of Saeticia.”

“That's close enough to what happened,” Selphie said. “We were there. The Acarian was one of Zinoro's acolytes.”

Trist's eyes grew wide, and Balzac gaped. At that moment, Gareth returned.

“His Majesty is awake and waiting for you all in the meeting room,” Gareth told them.

“Let's not keep him waiting,” Trist said, starting off. They followed him.

Luca noticed the worry in Selphie's eyes as they walked. She was concerned for her father's health. After travelling so far to get to T'Saw, she had returned to find that not only was her father terribly ill, but that he had been summoned by the other kings. Considering his health, he would likely not be able to make the journey. Selphie or Trist could certainly be sent in his place, but that would reflect badly on Sono in the negotiations. Even if they told the truth about Zaow's health, it could look like an excuse of cowardice to the other kings. But that all depended on how bad Zaow's condition was.

Gareth pushed open the double doors for them, and the large group stepped into the meeting room. It was a spacious room, with a large table in the centre and a lit fireplace. Sitting across from them at the head of the table was King Zaow.

The king was seventy-eight years of age, and he looked it. His beard was long and full of grey, as was the hair on his head. He looked thin and haggard, and his breaths were heavy and slow. His clothes and golden crowd looked heavy on him.

Luca saw the betraying look of shock on Selphie's face, though she quickly covered it up with a smile.

“Father!” she said, running to his side and kissing his cheek. “I've missed you so much.”

“I've missed you as well, my dear,” Zaow said with a smile. His voice was tired. “I've read all your letters. I was greatly worried for you. But alas, we have so much to discuss.” He looked up at the others. “Balzac and the captain may leave us. The rest of you can find seats.”

Gareth nodded and stepped past Luca and the others. Balzac followed him, looking for a moment like he wanted to argue. Gareth pulled the door closed behind them.

Trist walked over and joined Selphie at their father's side. He asked quietly, “Are you feeling up to this, Father?”

Zaow shook his head. “This is far too important for that.”

Trist and Selphie sat on either side of Zaow, and the others all found seats across from them. The king looked over them all, his eyes lingering over Luca and Ash for a bit longer than the others.

First, he spoke to Jared. “You've done your duty well. Thank you for protecting my daughter, Jared.”

Jared bowed his head slightly, unable to meet the king's gaze. “It was my duty.”

“Rarely do our duty and our heart's desire lie on the same path,” Zaow said to him. “I know how difficult it was for you to take this mission in the first place. But you have done well. You brought your princess back safely. I hope that you can continue to protect her, and serve the kingdom well.”

Luca looked to Jared, a bit confused by the king's words. What was difficult about protecting Selphie, he wondered. But Jared's stoic face told no tales.

“Selphie,” Zaow said to his daughter. “Tell me everything that has happened on your travels. Spare no details.”

Selphie then did exactly that. She started with Allma Temple, telling him about her arrival, and the meeting between her and the recruits. Then she told him about the surprise attack by the Acarians, and then of Allma's betrayal. She told him their theory - that Allma's intention had been to kill her and pin the blame on the Acarians, thus starting a war. Zaow's expression grew dark at this part. His daughter's life had been in danger, all because of a man he had once trusted. The men Allma had sent had aided Sono greatly in the first war with Acaria. Allma the third had been an honourable man then. Zaow had thought Selphie would be safe in his charge, but he had been completely wrong.

She then told Zaow about their escape from the temple, and the subsequent capture in Kasma. She told him of how Wiosna had led the Allma survivors back and rescued them. Zaow asked Wiosna several questions about this, and then thanked her for her help.

Next, Selphie told him of the events in Serenite, and how Trunda had gone after Emila, whom he seemed to mistake for herself. In reality, he had known all along that Emila was not the princess, and he was simply betraying Gera in order to turn Marcus against the Acarians.

Next came the story of the events in Reven, of how Trunda had tracked them down and attacked them once more. Selphie concluded her story with his death in the inn.

“You've slain two of Zinoro's acolytes now,” Zaow mused. “I doubt he has taken kindly to that.”

“Trunda spoke of Dreevius with little respect, but I would imagine that Zinoro valued Trunda more.” Selphie said with a frown. “I have little hope for our backup plan at this point.”

Zaow thought about that for a moment, stroking his grey beard, and glancing at Jared. “Indeed. Doubtless, Zinoro and his men have torn my letter to pieces and laughed at my proposition of peace. But that was the backup plan because the chances of its success were slim to begin with.”

Zaow coughed for a moment, before continuing. “Allma and Marcus both were manipulated by Zinoro. He put his men in place and had them carry out their orders, with the appearance of a simple plan - to capture you, the princess of Sono. The truth was that his intention was to simply play on their emotions, getting from them what he wanted. From Allma, he wanted the temple destroyed. Allma Temple's men turned the tide of his father's war, and he was well aware of that. Thus, he eliminated them first. And he got that by playing on Allma's overconfidence. Had Allma led his men more carefully, the temple may very well still stand.