by AJ Martin
“Well, when you have lived as long as I have, seen so many generations of people come and pass, age becomes a bit of a blur,” he replied staunchly. He turned away from Matthias and back to the princess. “As surprised I was to hear of your appearance in our city, your highness, I was dumfounded when I heard of the entourage with which you have surrounded yourself,” he said.
“How so?” Josephine asked as Balzan indicated a seat for her to sit in. She did so, keeping her back straight and delicately set her hands on her lap as the man returned to his own chair.
“The last I knew your people had about as much love of wizards as they do for the helspawn demons that plague your borders. I wasn’t aware that wizards now formed a part of your court. Nor to the point, that your people knew any ansuwan, who are so rare in these parts to be considered fiction by most.”
“I believe the company I choose is my own business, protector,” Josephine responded curtly. The man smiled thinly and nodded.
“Indeed.” He folded his arms. “Well, as I see this line of questioning is unwelcome and unproductive, let us move on. Princess, we are of course honoured by your presence.”
“Curious, for I have yet to see any of the Olindian hospitality which I fondly recall from my last visit,” she said bluntly.
Balzan paused a moment, staring at her as if analysing her every facet. “To see the world through the eyes of a child,” he mused. “Things were so much simpler in those old days.” Then a smile broadened across his face. “How curious it is that one looks back upon a time with such fondness, when in actuality, things were just as complicated then as they are today.” He shook his head. “I am sorry you do not feel we have welcomed you in the manner you are accustomed. Perhaps we can correct that error from this point on, hmm?”
“I should like that, protector,” she nodded.
The man bowed his head and moved slowly to the far wall, where he passed his mottled hand over the large, grey, stone brick level with his chest. The brick split into a dozen smaller bricks and then folded outwards as if crawling of their own volition out of the wall, revealing a hollow in which several glass bottles sat on a purple velvet cloth. He selected one that was more than half depleted and clasping a small glass from the alcove, placed it on his desk and pulled the stopper from the bottle.
“I never keep the good stuff anywhere obvious,” he said as he poured a small amount of the blue liquid into the glass and handed it to Josephine.
“What is it?” she asked, staring warily at the contents.
“A beverage from across the North Sea. The peel of the laraha fruit, dyed with the blue of the butterfly pea. I’ve had it for years - so many in fact, that I can’t even recall how it came to be in my possession. But it is quite nice in small quantities and has a unique taste.” He filled his own small glass and raised it. “To your good health.”
Josephine raised her own glass and lifted it to her lips, sipping at the drink. “It tastes a little like oranges,” she said, nodding and supping a little more. “A little bitter for my tastes though.” She replaced the glass on the protector’s desk. “Thank you all the same.”
The old man nodded. “I hope you will not take it as a further affront to your privacy if I ask what exactly it is that brings you all the way here? And in such an unusual manner.”
“I believe that is one question I am willing to answer, at least in part. I have urgent matters I need to discuss with Regent Caldur that concern my realm and Olindia equally.”
Balzan’s sharp eyes regarded her carefully. “What matters could you have to discuss with the regent that would so heavily involve the realm of the east?” he asked slowly, glaring at Matthias.
“I believe that is our business to discuss with the Regent,” Matthias interjected.
Balzan lingered on him a moment, his gaze implacable, but then, with an abrupt nod, he conceded. “Very well young wizard, you have made your point. Matthias Greenwald?” He mulled over the words. “Yes, I remember hearing your name, many years ago. Back then you were just an apprentice of course. It seems you have come far.”
“As some people rise others fall,” Matthias responded. “Is that not the way of the world we live in?”
Balzan smiled thinly. “Perhaps. Though I would never pity those who fall from grace, Matthias. They are the ones who keep their ears closer to the ground and see the world from a whole new perspective.” He stood abruptly and took a breath. “I will speak with the regent your highness. But he is a very busy man. I cannot say how long it will be until he can see you.”
“Surely he can make time for the princess?” Thadius poised.
“Possibly. In the meantime I will arrange for you to convene somewhere more comfortable than these cold chambers.”
“As you wish protector,” Josephine acquiesced, maintaining her composure as Balzan indicated for her to stand. “But I must speak with the regent as soon as possible. Please, I would implore you to impress upon him the urgency of my request.”
Balzan nodded thoughtfully. “With the greatest respect your highness, it is surprising how one reassesses what is urgent the older they get, when one is forced to carry heavier burdens,” he posited. “What may be of dire importance to you is not necessarily so to the regent, especially in these times. Whilst I will not again attempt to impart from you the specifics of your being here, for fear of setting off the apprehensions of your wizardly companion again, might I at least enquire as to the prevailing subject of that which you wish to discuss with him?”
Josephine turned to Matthias behind her, hoping for some kind reassurance or advice to be passed silently in their gaze. From the intensity of his stare, she sensed that dropping the name of the dragon into the conversation at this point was not a move he would suggest.
“I will only say that I need to speak with him without delay. To linger would invite great danger to Olindia.”
Balzan stared at her, weighing her words. “Were one to take those words literally, one could infer in them a threat, your highness.”
“The only threat is time, protector. I suggest we do not waste any more of it here.”
He took a breath and nodded. “Very well.” He pulled the door open and clicked his fingers. Nicholas popped his head through the gap, and Balzan gave instructions to him. “I will visit the regent now. If you will follow Nicholas he will take you to the guest chambers. I will return shortly.”
“Thank you protector,” Josephine said. Then with a sweep of his long cloak, Balzan vanished down the corridor.
When he had gone, they followed Nicholas down the corridor in silence, ascending up a wooden staircase and turning into another, before the man skittered to a halt and opened up a large, mahogany door.
“These are your chambers,” he said without emotion. “I will have food and drink brought to you shortly.”
“Thank you,” Josephine replied, as he motioned them into the room.
“Please do not leave this room,” he instructed, and with a bow of his head, shut the door behind himself.
“I really don’t like that man,” Thadius muttered.
Luccius chuckled. “If it is any comfort, I don’t think he likes you either.”
“Or any of us,” Matthias added.
Josephine sat down on one of the chairs in the room and sighed. “Well that encounter was not quite as awful as I had expected it to be,” she said. “From what you told us of the protector I half expected him to pin me to the wall with the earth power and wring my neck!”
“Well, I don’t like him either,” Thadius sniffed. “He had very little respect for you, your highness.”
She smiled. “I am used to speaking with people like him Thadius. He would not be the first man who talked down to me like I am a child. Aside from a little pomposity and some natural curiosity, he did not seem that unaccommodating.”
Matthias shook his head. “No, perhaps not. But there are some very good actors in this world, princess, and I fear he may be one skilled at
manipulating anyone who crosses his path.” He smiled. “But you did brilliantly.”
She nodded. “Now we have a little more time, perhaps you could enlighten us to what he is supposed to have done?”
Matthias took a breath. “Everything I have heard comes from my people and half of it does not bear repeating.”
“And the other half?” Luccius interjected. Matthias gave him a wary look.
“Well there is one thing that is abundantly clear. He is uncomfortable with your position by my side,” Josephine commented.
“I could feel his distrust towards you, Matthias,” Luccius added.
“I did not realise you could read minds as well as talk to trees and horses!” Thadius jibed.
“You don’t need to be a mind reader to see what’s as plain as the nose on your face,” Luccius rebutted.
“You did not exactly help the situation,” the princess said to Matthias.
“What did I do?” Matthias asked, surprised.
“You were somewhat blunt.”
Matthias shook his head. “Perhaps I was a little cold towards him. But I felt the need to cast a strong figure in his presence.”
“Well you certainly showed that you don’t approve of him,” she said.
“He would be wary of anything to do with Mahalia, whatever attitude I projected to him. Given the nature of his relationship with my people I would expect nothing else. Unfortunately, that distrust has extended itself on to Olindia. They didn’t like wizards even before Balzan decided to seek refuge with them. Now with his influence they would welcome the plague with more warmth. There hasn’t been a Mahalian ambassador here for years.” He sighed. “I just hope the regent is a little more open minded.”
Josephine nodded. “I am hopeful he will be. I have met him before, though as I said I was but a child at the time. He always struck me as kindly and I believe my father has maintained a rapport with the man these past years. Which is no small feat given how the country revolted and killed their own king, before they set up their so-called republic.” She smiled at Matthias. “So if he will not listen to you, Matthias, then I am sure he will listen to me.”
“Let us hope you are right,” Matthias replied. “Or we will have come a long way for nothing.”
Distrust
142nd Day of the Cycle, 495 N.E. (New Era)
The mid-morning skies grew cloudy as they waited for Balzan to return. After a half – hour, a lamplighter- a young man dressed in a plain linen shirt and baggy trousers- entered the room and lit the ensconced oil lanterns built into the walls, casting out the gloom that had crept its way into the chambers as they continued to wait. Shortly afterwards a maid brought in a tray filled with a variety of drinks for them and placed it on the table in the middle of the ring of purple - cushioned chairs they sat in. Josephine sipped at a delicate rose wine and Luccius filled his carafe with a sweeter white vintage. Thadius gulped back a red wine and then proceeded to cough and splutter as he swallowed, muttering about there being too many spices for his taste.
“Do you think he is doing this on purpose?” Luccius asked, fidgeting in his chair as another half - hour passed.
“Anything’s possible,” Matthias replied from the opposite chair, tapping his fingers on the top of his staff. “But if he is, then he is making us very comfortable whilst he does so.” He stood up and moved to the window. “It looks like it may rain,” he commented. “That will not help matters.”
“I don’t even see why we have to be here any longer!” Thadius exclaimed. “We came to stop the dragon, not chat with the regent. The beast is out there waiting for us!”
“I wish it was that easy Thadius,” Matthias replied. “But if Josephine were to try and repair the shield from the city, it would be from a position where she couldn’t even see the dragon. If we can gain access to the battlements we will be in a much better position. As much as I would like to, we can’t just barge on to the crenulations. Balzan would throw us off the edge! Besides, we couldn’t even get into the city without an armed guard escorting us every step of the way. How would you propose we sneak out of the fortress?” He pointed to the door. “I would place good money on there being a guard outside this room as we wait.”
Thadius sighed and nodded. “I see your point. I just dislike waiting! After all the hardships we have undertaken to get here! We are trying to save these ungrateful people!”
“In fairness, they don’t even realise there is anything to be saved from,” Josephine commented. “But nevertheless, it does seem that I may not have been convincing enough in stressing to Balzan how time was of the essence.” She shook her head glumly.
At that point, as if on cue, the door to the chamber creaked open again and Balzan walked into the room. He bowed his head.
“Princess, I must apologise for the delay. The regent is indisposed at present.”
“Did you tell him how important it is I speak with him?” Josephine asked angrily.
“I did. He has advised me that he will send for you as soon as he possibly can. In the meantime, he has asked me to sit with you and make you feel welcome.” He sat down and began pouring himself some of the wine. “I must admit princess, that I am somewhat concerned at your hesitation to speak with me. Is it that you feel I would be incapable of relaying your news to the regent? Or is it that you do not trust me?” His eyes flicked to Matthias as he sipped his drink.
Josephine smiled. “Protector, it is not a matter of trust. It is a matter of principle. I have travelled a very long way to discuss matters with the sovereign power of this country. With the greatest of respect, you are not that person.”
Balzan nodded. “I am the second in command of this realm. When the regent is busy, as he very often is, I act as his mouthpiece in all matters,” the man replied.
Josephine looked amusedly at the man. “That may be so, but I need his eyes and ears.”
Balzan sat back and considered her words a moment, failing to suppress a smile as he finished the wine in his glass.
“You play the game well, your highness. Your eloquence, it seems, matches your famous beauty.”
She smiled. “It has always been a disappointment to me that people felt more compelled to spread word of the colour of my eyes and the style of my hair more than the strength of my convictions.”
Balzan nodded. “A mark of the world we live in, my dear, where men so often wield power. A woman is much better to be seen than heard, so they say.”
“Speaking of such matters,” Matthias interjected, “whilst we are waiting, I am interested to know how exactly you came to find yourself in a position of such power?”
Balzan laughed to himself. “I’d have thought the council would have made you aware of their thoughts relating to my departure already, if they sent you here to meet with me,” he said. Then, when Matthias did not answer, his eyes narrowed. “What level are you?” he asked, the curiosity plain in his voice.
“I am a member of the eighth tier,” Matthias said after a pause, with as little emotion as he could manage.
Balzan’s eyes flickered with surprise. “And you have been assigned to escort royalty?” he asked.
“My assignments are none of your concern, Protector,” Matthias said.
The man looked at Matthias for a moment longer, then stood and moved to the table, where he refilled his glass with some of the spiced wine. “Perhaps not. It depends on your point of view, I suppose. To answer your question, Matthias Greenwald, it is simply a matter of good fortune that upon my exile from Mahalia I found many friends in Olindia willing to trust my judgement.” He eased his aged frame back into his seat.
“And why would a country like Olindia, who hates wizards as much as they profess to, trust the judgement of a traitor found to be selling secrets?” Matthias pressed, his voice animated.
“Matthias,” Josephine interrupted, “That is not an appropriate manner to address the protector,” she scolded. “And not the time to discuss such things!”
&nbs
p; Balzan raised a hand. “Your highness, please,” he said. “It is alright. I expected a level of acerbity during this meeting, when I learned of a wizard’s presence. You are aware that Mahalia has never had a good relationship with Olindia. They have made many enemies in this world. It is only their grasp of the earth power that keeps them at the centre of events. I offered to help Olindia resist Mahalian interference in exchange for a place to call home. It has been a relationship that has served us both well.”
Josephine nodded. “My father has spoken on more than one occasion about his jealousy as to the freedom your land enjoys from Mahalian interference.”
“And yet, here a wizards sits, by your side, counselling you?”
Josephine smiled. “A long story, which is for the regent’s ears alone, I am afraid.”
Balzan sat back and tapped his fingers on the chair. “I see there is to be no budging you on that point. No doubt that is a result of Matthias’s advice not to tell me things for fear I will use them to my own advantage?” Josephine remained calm and said nothing. The man sighed. “That you would trust the advice of Mahalia over the relationship forged between your father and the regent is deeply saddening to me,” he said. “Would the regent really have a man in his employ who is capable of such deception or mistrust?”
“If it suits his needs,” Matthias interjected aggressively.
“You speak as if you come from a position of moral superiority, Matthias,” the protector said distastefully. “When I know for certain many of your masters are as corrupt as those creatures that live to the south of Aralia’s borders.”
Matthias sat forward in his chair. “I will concede that our people aren’t perfect, protector,” Matthias began.
“They aren’t my people anymore,” Balzan cut in sharply.
Matthias nodded. “Very well. My people,” Matthias corrected. “We have not always made the best decisions. That is one fact to which I will unashamedly admit. But from what I know, because of your actions, hundreds of people were killed. Innocent people.” He shook his head. “How can you claim the moral high ground here? How do you sleep at night knowing what you did?”
