Enlightened Empire

After they had been led into the city, Corco, Atau and Tama had boarded a large palanquin at the entrance. Not more words had been exchanged with the governess even after they had gotten into motion. Corco as well had preferred to remain silent. There was no need to get involved in the matters between mother and son. Just the fact alone that he had been allowed to stay during their impending talk spoke more than enough of Governess Guanca’s fondness for her nephew.

"Finally you are willing to enter the city. Welcome home child, we have missed you." In the end, the governess broke the ice, not happy and not sad. No emotion and no warmth could be felt from the woman’s words. It was no surprise, as she had just lost her husband and had never been one for grand outbursts of emotion. Still, her choice of words spoke of the important place her son had in her heart.

"Thank you, mother. With this, I’m almost glad to be back." Atau answered her with a bitter smile. "And I would have come in sooner, but I couldn’t abandon my men who have been forced to camp in the wilderness. If it wasn’t for that little-"

"Atau Sonco Saqartu." A bit of stress in her words was all it took for the governess to reproach her son and halt his complaint."Do not, do never forget that Mayu is my child as much as you are. Rather than these petty squabbles, you should have worked together, supported each other. Not only I thought so, your father did as well."

"So why send me away then? Why... throw me out like a Sisu?"

Rather than butt in on their conversation, Corco preferred to draw away the silky curtains and take a look outside, into the city of Puscanacra. Only few curious onlookers watched the Saqartu procession pass by. This late into winter, not many people were out and about on the wide, clean streets. The wattle and daub style housing in which the others had found shelter from the cold, so uniquely typical of Medala’s south, gave the surroundings a quaint, peaceful appearance, as did the blanket of snow which still covered the roofs and alleys. Together with the soft rocking of their transport, the atmosphere around the vehicle formed a unique contrast to the tension inside.

"No one threw you out. You know how Mayu is, and you should know how you are as well. If we had let you fight it out between yourselves, neither of you would have ever given in. Someone had to speak the final word and make an early decision to separate you, before you tore the House apart. Your father was the one to make that choice, though it hurt his heart dearly. In the end, all he could do to preserve the family was to punish you, without fault of your own. But do not believe for a moment that the pain he had to bear was any less than yours. Although it was something he had always regretted, he did what needed doing, like a true ruler should."

"So why only punish me? Why not the useless one?"

A soft sigh, before an answer. "Atau, child. I understand, things must be frustrating for you. However, please try to be civil with your brother. There is only one Puscanacra, and it would always be for the eldest to inherit. Now, both of you have found a place for yourselves, in answer of my prayers to the stars. Now, there is no more need for violence."

"Hahaha!" Laughter came from the captain, as boisterous as ever, but with a bitterness that was so foreign to Corco’s ears. "How would you know if I am happy with any of this? You haven’t seen me in seven years. How much could you even know about me? You know how much we’ve suffered over there?"

"And yet now you are back, as confidant and friend to the rightful ruler of Medala, in command of his armies. Just as... just as Sonco had hoped when he sent you to support the crown prince. Please leave the bitterness in your heart within this palanquin. Curse me, hate me, do whatever you must. But know that soon, you and Mayu will be neighbor estates. Saniya and Puscanacra will have to be allies to survive the coming storm. From my heart, I hope you will be better allies than you were brothers."

Behind himself, Corco could hear the creaking of Atau’s leather gloves, as his cousin stiffened up and clenched his fists. Still, despite his frustration, the captain wouldn’t answer for a long time, not a single word.

"King Corcopaca, it is truly an honor that you have come in person to pay respects. House Saqartu is deeply in your debt." As her son needed time to rethink his position, the governess had decided to address the king instead.

"Please, aunt. You don’t have to be formal, not when no one’s around. We’ve known each other for so long after all."

The old lady nodded her head, exuding the same grace as ever.

"Good, then allow me to use ’Corco’."

"Aunt... about uncle Sonco-"

"There is no need to apologize, child. We have heard reports of the events in Arguna. Sonco would want for you to look ahead to the future, rather than back into the past. No one here will blame you, so please forgive yourself."

A nod came back from Corco, covered in bitter memories. He knew his aunt was right, but the words still felt biting, especially from Sonco’s wife. It might have been easier to be hated, screamed at for killing her husband. However, as always, Lady Saqartu was the perfect matron. Though it was still very much restrained, there was now a hint of warmth within her voice. For Corco, it was impossible to tell whether or not it was an act to hide her sadness.

"Uncle Sonco might be the only reason I can even be here today. We didn’t win the succession, but without uncle, we wouldn’t have even made it this far. If there’s anything I can do for you in the future, please don’t hesitate to tell me. I will give my all to repay the debt.

"If that is so, then please be sure to treat our Atau right, and take good care of him."

Corco returned a light smile.

"There’s really no need to be worried. More than most, I know what Atau is capable of. In the future, even you will be surprised by your son."

Another unreadable nod, before the woman looked over to the fourth, as of yet silent, passenger.

"And who might this young lady be?"

So far, Tama had glued herself into a corner, as she observed the city outside. She seemed entirely uninvolved in their conversations, but Corco didn’t believe for a second that the girl who ran a spy ring in Medala’s capital hadn’t heard, and noted, everything they had said.

"Aunt, this is one of my warrior servants, Tamaya di Pluritac. She is Great General Atoc’s eldest daughter, and has very much inherited his ability."

"Tamaya di Pluritac greets Governess Guanca of House Saqartu." From her lazy posture, with her cheek squished in by the back of her hand, Tama shot up with vibrant energy and greeted the governess.

"Though he never saw eye to eye with our house, your father was a great man. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Another unusual event. The lady treated Tama well, much better than their difference in status would demand. She might have been more lenient with the girl as her mere presence within the palanquin implied her importance within Corco’s entourage.

"No no, the pleasure is mine, lady." Tama replied in a flustered tone while she waved her hands around, as if to swat away the oncoming compliments. Corco couldn’t suppress a sly grin. He was sure the girl had practiced each of these gestures countless times. Like brother like sister. Both had a talent for deception.

"Mistress, we have arrived." A voice from the outside, from one of the warriors who carried the palanquin, reconnected the people inside the transport with the outside world. Once Corco had left behind the comfortable warmth of the fur-clad interior, he found himself in front of another old-familiar place from his youth. The Saqartu mansion was still the same as all those years ago. Despite its sprawling size, the mixture of neat white plaster and dark, almost black wood beams, the rounded edges and neat, little windows gave the giant complex a homely, almost quaint appearance, like the upgraded version to an old-timey inn.

As the palanquin behind them was carried away to storage, Corco’s group was passed off by several warriors, ready to escort their mistress back into the warmth of her home. Up the short steps and through the extensive central yard, Corco finally found a new sight, something which had changed since his younger years. Rather than hearing the familiar screams and laughter of children playing in the snow, he saw their parents immersed in training. Row on row, warriors stood in formation to hone their bodies and get ready for battle.

As he observed the spectacle, Corco frowned with worry. Though he understood that there was good reason for the boot camp, he disliked how there would be no way around war.

"Times will be hard over the next few years, aunt Guanca. You did well to prepare yourselves for the worst."

"Thank you, Corco. However, it was not my idea to open a new round of enlistment."

Corco thought deeply as he looked over to the warriors. Accompanied by coordinated shouts, the sweaty recruits swung their weighted sticks in unison as steam rose from their bodies into the cold sky. "Then I guess they were grandfather’s orders. It’s still good foresight, as unfortunate as that is."

"No, King Corco, the order was mine."

From within the crowd of warriors stepped a man around Corco’s age, dressed much apart from the soldiers around him. His fancy red robes and white fur coat and greaves flowed softly in the winter wind, while the golden circlet on his head held back his long, flowing hair. The only reason his ostentatious outfit had remained hidden until now was the newcomer’s minor stature. He was even a tad smaller than Corco himself.

"Mayu." As soon as he spotted his brother, Atau’s voice grew dark, but Corco held his cousin’s shoulder to silence him. Aunt Guanca was right: There was no reason to start a fight over differences from seven years ago. They were close neighbors and they were family as well. Saniya and Puscanacra would have to work together if they wanted to survive Pacha’s inevitable wrath and House Villca’s inevitable greed.

"Cousin, no, Lord Saqartu, King Corcopaca Titu Pluritac is grateful to be a guest within this house and wishes to express his condolences for the loss of a great man."

With a haughty stance, arms crossed and head raised so he could look down into Corco’s eyes, cousin Mayu nodded his head. Only once he heard his mother click her tongue from besides the southern king did he remember his manners and answered in kind.

"House Saqartu is honored to host the King of the South and accepts his goodwill."

While the arrivals waited for the new Lord Saqartu to lead them inside, all the surroundings looked on in tension. Corco’s cousin Mayu just stood there, studying his opposite’s face with great intent. The king could already hear the governess rustle besides him, ready to step in, when Corco decided to break the ice. Whether he liked Mayu or not, for now they would be allies.

"In any case, it’s a smart choice to train up some new warriors now. Pacha might have lost his reputation and his honor, but he really only ever had one of those in the first place. He’ll come back with a vengeance, ready to prove that he’s the only true king. Probably by shouting ’attack’ from behind his countless warriors."

It was an attempt at a compliment and a joke, but Mayu seemed unhappy to play along.

"The troops are not being trained as fodder in the battle between kings. Rather, I could not help but notice that there is an army of foreign soldiers stationed right outside our walls. Though House Saqartu never seeks war, we are more than prepared to defend our lands."

"Mayu!" Before anyone else could react, a booming voice rang over the courtyard. It stopped Corco’s sarcastic response, Guanca’s unhappy rebuke and Atau’s unshackled punch. From within the central building emerged Corco’s grandfather, Cauac Elao Saqartu, elder of the house.

"You will stop offending our guests and our family. Even if a Villca was here it would not warrant rudeness of such degree. Not from House Saqartu. You will excuse your actions right this instance!"

"Excuse my impoliteness, King Corco. The death of my father has exacted a heavy toll on us all."

Though still with a frown, Mayu managed to control himself and give a reasonable answer.

"Good," the elder continued, "Now let’s all get inside first and warm you up. You can still take each other apart once your bellies are full."