The question almost set the ambassador knocking at the knees and he looked nervously to his male colleagues behind him. ‘I…I don’t know how to answer, kind Sir. Do you not know who she is?’
‘Of course I don’t. None of us do. You’ve all just arrived so how could we possibly know who she is!’
‘Again, please forgive me. Forgive us all, members of the noble court. I thought it was clear,’ he added, nodding around the room. ‘Our customs are obviously quite different in this manner.’ Sweat was somehow already pouring down his brow and he looked again to his companions,as if pleading for help, but they ignored him altogether. The ambassador finally gathered the strength to explain himself and forged on. ‘She is the reason we were sent from our embattled homeland. Empress Moon charged us with the highest honour and responsibility-to keep her from the Eudans. This is why I concluded that our mission was a success, for we have saved the greatest treasure in existence.’
‘That thing is a woman?’ High Lord Jacobs asked. ‘What makes her so valuable that all those others were expendable just to save her?’
‘Why, she is the most precious thing in the universe. Countless wars have been fought over her since time began,including this latest one that has very nearly proved our ruin. She is the very foundation of all civilisation and other nations have eternally sought to attain her from us, her chosen people. She is our god.’
There was a disconcerted murmuring from around the room at this.
‘Your god? What do you call her?’ Jacobs asked, concerned.
‘We do not call her anything,’ the ambassador answered plainly. ‘What need has a god for names?’
Jacobs spoke briefly with those near him, before speaking up to the ambassador once again. ‘Are you saying that this hideous creature standing before us is the very reason your nation has now fallen?’
Ambassador Canyon looked shaken by this, and had to collect himself before responding, even managing a nervous smile. ‘The Eudans were seeking to take her, yes, and that is what started the war.’
‘All this to protect her?’ Jacobs continued. ‘It seems extreme.’
‘It is not so much that we are merely protecting her. By keeping her from capture, we are protecting everyone else.’
There was now frustration in Jacobs’ voice. ‘Really, you must explain yourself. This is just not making any sense.’
‘Our god is all-powerful, but not in any way that could benefit the Eudans. We tried to explain that to them, but they would not listen. They tried to lock her away and deny her the rituals that keep our society ordered and harmonious, but we would not let them. They would mistreat her and enslave our people in her name. If she dies improperly,it will not be a simple task to find her new mortal vessel and chaos would ensue. While she is free,the world is as it should be and our people can live in hope.’
There were a few moments of silence as everyone in the room digested what they had heard.
‘We will not argue with your beliefs and customs, as they may be, but I have one final and important question for you, Ambassador,’ Jacobs stated and he pointed to the costumed woman appointed as their god. ‘Is this woman a witch?’
Canyon was perplexed. ‘I’m sorry. I don’t understand the question.’ For
‘I’m asking you, does she practise magic?’ The question caused quite a furore amongst the magicians, for not only was such a thing forbidden, it was universally regarded as impossible. Samuel, however, had learned some exceptions to this rule. Anyone, man or woman, could access arcane powers through the black arts, by enacting forbidden rites or inciting the Ancient Lick, but it was physically impossible for a woman to harness true magic as practised by magicians. ‘I must inform you, good Ambassador, that we will know if you are lying and also that the penalty for practising witchcraft in the Empire is death.’
Ambassador Canyon waved his hands before himself to appease the room. ‘Oh, no. Of course not, good Lord. Magic of any kind is also forbidden in our nation. Any child found with an inclination towards it is quickly put to death. We would never resort to such things.’
The magicians in the room were incensed even further and some stood from their seats and vented their rage with shouts and shaking fists.
Grand Master Anthem took over from the failing efforts of High Lord Jacobs. ‘We thank you for your honest answer, Ambassador Canyon. I feel we should inform you that many of us here are actually magicians. Magic is accepted in Turia and we magicians are official appointees of the court. While magic wasoncenot tolerated across Amandia, we now consider it an acceptable practice-when used properly.’
The ambassador looked quite uncomfortable and scanned the various black-robed men in the room, seeming to get the point. ‘Forgive me, please. I did not know and did not mean to show disrespect. As I said, our customs do seem to vary considerably. Our god’s powers are beyond compare, but she is certainly no
‘Why have you brought such an abomination to our shores!’ came an excited shout and all eyes turn to view the speaker. It was Master Celios who now stood from his place, looking flustered. ‘What dreaded and vile curses have you unleashed upon us! What have we done to deserve such a detestable fate?’ And he began spluttering and muttering profanities, throwing his hands in all directions.
‘Calm now, Master Celios,’ High Lord Jacobs called and Sir Ferse stepped up beside the old Master, holding him by the shoulder and speaking into his ear. Eventually, Celios calmed himself and sat down, looking somewhat bewildered.
‘Apologies, to our new friends,’ Anthem stated. ‘Master Celios is in a fragile state at present. Please forgive his outburst.’
‘It is nothing,’ Ambassador Canyon responded. ‘The elderly and infirm must be treated with respect and their embarrassments persevered.’
At this, Anthem scowled, for he was much older than Master Celios. Thankfully, for all involved, he let the remark pass.
‘I think it is decided then,’ Chancellor Donovan then stated. ‘If our respected members of the Order have no objections, you and your party will be guests of the Empire, until such time as you can decide your own fate. We aresatisfiedthat you are not related to the disappearance of our Empress and young Emperor Leopold.’
The ambassador was obviously relieved that the questioning had ended and let out a thankful sigh. ‘Then, if you do not mind, we will retire. I think it will take some time for us to regain our strength. These months have been trying.’
The Koian party readied to leave, but an old and crackling voice cut across the room.
‘Where are the women of the Order?’ It was the Koian god. She had raised a clawed hand in the direction of Grand Master Anthem and was pointing a long,black nail towards him. The room seemed frozen in place. Even the Koians had stopped mid-stride, looking to their costumedgod, aghast. She shambled a few steps towards the Grand Master, making her horns and costume quiver to and fro. ‘Speak up, old man! I’ve asked you a question!’
Anthem finally composed himself and stood to address the unsightly crone. ‘There are no women in the Order. Woman cannot wield magic. It is against the laws of nature.’
‘Ahhh,’ she responded, nodding so that her feathers shook up and down. ‘So it is…so it is, old man. You’ve spoken well, for your kind.’
With that, her attendants quickly surrounded her and bustled her off, with the ambassador leaving last, bowing nervously as he fled the room.
‘Goodness,’ Chancellor Donovan stated. ‘At least we have that matter settled. Now we must face more pressing issues.’ He then set about rearranging some of the papers that sat before him before continuing. ‘Many days have passed and there has been no success in finding the Empress or young Emperor Leopold. In consequence, the plan that was to be presented to her has been delayed. The Empireiswaveringat this stage- another blow to our hearts-but we must, as you have suggested, good magicians, put this latest setback behind us. We must forge ahead,lest our homelands be soiled by the Paatin invaders.’
General Ruardin stood up with a furious clatter of armour. ‘Curse you, Scoundrel! There will be no talk of abandoning the search!’
‘Calm now, General,’ Donovan said, placating the huge man with raised palms. ‘I have not said anything about that. We will continue searching relentlessly until their fate is known. No effort will be spared in this, but we must also rise to meet the Paatin threat.’
