Enlightened Empire 111 Aperitif

After the war for the silver throne had ended and Prince Wacoca had left Yakuallpa for his home on the Verdant Isles, he had never thought he would return to Medala this soon. Yet here he was, once more in the presence of their strange eastern neighbors. Led by a servant, both he and his sister crossed the gateway which would lead them inside Rapra Castle, a beautiful construction full of classic Yaku charm. The first time he had seen this marvel of old Yaku craftsmanship, he had assessed its security, as he had been taught by his father. However, all he realized was that it would be impossible to capture by any method Wacoca he could think of.

However, he wasn't here to take over the lands, or plunder them. Not this time at least. This time, he had come on a very convenient invitation. Thus, he obediently followed the servant into the large, central yard of Rapra Castle. Inside, on the far end of the open space, among a picturesque stone garden, the servants of Rapra had set up a number of tables and comfortable seats, which were already laden with all kinds of fruit, no more than appetizers for what would surely be a lavish feast as only the Medalans could stomach. In the corner, a group of local musicians played soft songs on their kotos and flutes, no more than a rivulet of murmurs to accompany the southern lords who were already present.

"Prince Wacoca of the Verdant Isles! How nice of you to join us!" With an overly dramatic greeting, one loud enough to make all the guests hear, King Corcopaca Titu Pluritac marched towards him, his arms spread wide. After the second burial of his father, the young king had exchanged his blue robes for subdued green and red colors had uncovered his arms to prove his Sachay heritage. Apart from these simple differences, nothing else had changed. He wouldn't even wear his bronze crown, the symbol of the triumvirate kings. Even so, the verdant prince could feel the difference in Corco's demeanor, how he carried himself with far more gravitas than before, despite the man's best attempts to pretend his usual relaxed attitude.

"King Corcopaca, the Verdant Isles have been more than honored to receive your invitation," Wacoca replied to the king.

"Good, that's good. Princess Sumaci as well. What brings you here?" Although common courtesy dictated his actions, Corco was markedly less warm when talking to Wacoca's sister. Throughout the journey, the girl had barely said a word, mostly cooped up in her cabin with quill and paper. Even so, she had been even more insistent than usual on coming along for their diplomatic mission. As fast as he could, Wacoca answered for his sister, before she could display any of the unusual rudeness she had shown the king before. Even though it might have been less of a problem in Arguna, back when he had only been a prince, by now Corco was a king, no less in his own home and in front of his subjects. Considering the reason for their visit, he would have to make sure to make a good first impression.

"King Corco, my sister has insisted that she be brought along. It seems she has much interest in the teachings we have been presented last time. She has spent much time with the books and must have many questions."

One eyebrow raised, the king looked over Wacoca's sister, who retained her plain smile from before, as dry as an old riverbed.

"Yes, King Corco. There are many matters I would like to discuss in relation to the books we were presented."

"That so, huh?" His voice filled with suspicion, Corco gave Sumaci a second once-over, before he clapped his hands and returned to his customary smile.

"Ah, where are my manners? How's about an aperitif?" Enthusiasm bursting from his ears, the king waved one of his servants over, who came ready with several small goblets, their bottoms covered by an amber liquid and decorated with a slice of a yellow fruit.

"This is?" Overwhelmed by the spectacle before him, Wacoca took the drink from the servant's hand. With a shout of confusion, he almost let it drop when his hands touched the ice-cold surface. "Ice?" he stared in marvel at the translucent goblet. Through the clear material, Wacoca could see a sly grin form on Corco's face.

"Ah, yeah, we chilled the cocktail a bit. I hope you don't mind, but it's still pretty hot out, so I thought it would be an appropriate start." Together with his answer, the king took another two glasses, and handed one of them to Sumaci. Too bothered by the wonder before him, Wacoca even forgot to check his sister's reaction, against their father's instructions.

"No, not the drink! The cup, the goblet!" His voice rang out again again as his fingers turned numb around the strange material. As preposterous as it seemed to serve a drink in a goblet made of paper-thin sheets ice, it was the only explanation Wacoca could come up with to explain this wonder, this inexplicable clarity.

"It is called crystal glass, Prince Wacoca," a voice came from the side to save him from his confusion. When Wacoca turned, he saw an old acquaintance come towards them, dressed in red and white just as he remembered. The verdant prince still stunned by his drink, Corco spoke up before Wacoca could greet the new arrival.

"Ah yeah, let's do introductions. Prince Wacoca, this is my cousin, Governor Mayu Sonco Saqartu."

"Yes," the verdant prince gave a stiff nod, still shaken by the freezing sensation in his hand. Even then, his education saved him and forced out the words his mind was too stiff to remember. "We are well acquainted. Lord Saqartu, the Verdant King was deeply distraught at your father's demise. The Verdant Isles wish the hero of the south a safe journey through the underworld."

"Thank you for your condolences, Prince Wacoca. I hear the axe among the funerary boons was yours," Mayu answered with a smile.

"So you know each other already?" Corco asked. However, Wacoca only replied with a nod, before he moved on to a topic he was much more interested in.

"Lord Mayu, what is this crystal glass you have spoken of?"

"It is the newest achievement of the great men of Sachay, nothing less!" Mayu answered with pride in his voice.

"Weeeell..." Compared to his cousin, King Corco didn't appear too enthusiastic, but at least it seemed as if he hadn't been offended by Mayu's answer. Angry at the way he had neglected his host, Wacoca scolded himself in secret, determined to be more careful in the future.

"...it's not really an invention of Sachay, per say. Over in the east, on the Arcavian continent, they have much more accomplished glass makers than we do here. One of their most impressive products is clear glass. Our crystal glass is only a slight improvement on their basic formula, nothing more."

"Still, in the end the improvement is an accomplishment of the Sachay people. There is no reason to be humble, cousin."

Somehow, Wacoca could feel an unusual tension between the two men. Even though they seemed very intimate on the surface, conflict only hid skin deep. At least his sister had the good sense to interrupt the proceedings before a proper disagreement could develop.

"Hmmm, what is this delicious drink?" she asked, the only one not so preoccupied with the crystal glass, or politics, that she had managed to focus on the contents of the cup instead. Even though her actions seemed willful and selfish on the surface, Wacoca was sure that his smart sister had read the room and decided to defuse the problems between the cousins. As if on command, the king left his politician's face behind and lit up, happy to talk about his favorite new thing.

"It's a cocktail. Our Fastgrade brand brandy has been mixed together with some syrup and a dash or two of nice bitters. The lemon wedge gives it a bit of extra zing, and freshness of course. It is a good drink to start a banquet with, perfect to whet one's appetite."

"In any case, it is delicious," the princess smiled back as she took another sip. Maybe she had only been willful after all.

"I didn't notice before that the fruit in the drink was a lemon," Wacoca realized. "I was sure they were only grown in the north-western corners of Chutwa. Strange how such an exotic fruit would make its way all the way here to Saniya."

"They're not Chutwa lemons. I brought them with me, when I came back from Arcavia. Though by now, Medala has started to grow its own as well. We've already begun our first lemon orchards in the east and north." Once more, pride dripped from the king's voice. Unlike most monarchs he knew, Corco seemed more concerned with growth and improvement of his lands, rather than with fights for power against equals and subordinates. Wacoca wasn't sure how well it would serve the young king. If nothing else, at least his sister's interest had been piqued by Corco's attitude.

"Is that also where the king's knowledge has come from? Arcavia of the east?" Her grip tightened around the drink in her hand as Sumaci's mind turned to the questions she had mulled over ever since she had started to read King Corco's books.

"Uh, sure." The king replied while he scratched his temple, much less enthusiastic than Wacoca had expected.

"There is no reason to be coy, King Corco. Neither me nor my brother would be here if we considered the knowledge worthless."

"In that case all of it was thought up by me," Corco replied with a crooked grin, though he still seemed uncomfortable somehow.

"However, no matter how good the books are, there are still many matters I'm unsure about."

"Oh, what can I help you with?" At once, the king's grin turned into a mild smile, like an old teacher observing a willing young student.

"Well, first, in the matters of ethics. I wonder whether or not the book's method, this 'categorical imperative' described in the book, is the only way to identify correct moral action."

Almost immediately, the king's benevolent smile was blown away and replaced with a frown. It seemed like the teacher was already disappointed by his student.

"Why wouldn't it be? It's a perfectly logical method to define morality in an objective manner. It's the only method, in fact."

Unperturbed by the king's reprimand, Sumaci still continued.

"Yes, sure, but there is no guarantee that this method can identify all moral actions, can it? There are a good number of examples for stuff I would say is moral, but they can't be considered moral under the book's model."

"...so they're subjective," Corco answered, his voice now flat, without emotion. Even Sumaci's smile had become a bit stiff at this point.

"...no, I'm sure any reasonable person would agree with my assessment. If only such a person was here in this yard with me."

Although she had just defused one conflict, now Sumaci was already in the process of causing another. To Wacoca's own great fortune however, he wouldn't have to mediate between the two terrifying forces. Just in time, another member of the Saqartu family, Captain Atau di Pluritac, came over and spoke to his king.

"King Corco, the first representative from House Villca is here. According to the guards, Lord Villca's second son Khune is on his way towards the yard."

With a nod towards his servant and a quick "if you'd excuse me," Corco followed the warrior towards the front of the yard to greet his newest guest.

"So it seems as if the south will have the support of the Verdant Isles. Fantastic news, and surely an alliance to stand the test of time," Mayu restarted the conversation. "Maybe this lord should make another visit to the isles, to strengthen the bonds between our people."

"Ahaha, for now father doesn't plan to get involved in the matters of Medala," Wacoca replied. Since both had similar cultures, the verdant folk were naturally inclined towards the south in Medala's power struggle, but they were not silly enough to get involved in a civil war based on their personal feelings.

"However," Sumaci added, "father has sent me and brother to Saniya for further studies. There will always be a chance to find more common ground between one another so long as we stay here."

"You are not Khune Villca! Who are you, impostor!" An angry shout was followed by the sound of drawn metal to interrupt their conversation. Confused by the commotion, the three people turned to look towards the entrance. There, a mass of people had formed around a single man. Even though he had been called an impostor, with his massive size and sparse hair, he very much looked like the old Lord Villca. However, the newcomer's unusual, gray dresswear made him seem more like a commoner rather than a noble.

In front of the intruder, shielding his king behind his back, stood Atau, a giant mace in his hand.

"You are not Khune Villca! Identify yourself or taste my mace!"

Unfazed by the Saqartu warrior's threat, the newcomer spoke up in a clear voice.

"No need to fret, king's dog. I'll tell you my name. I am Uchu, lord of the great Tunki river, fourth son of the late Lord Villca, and soon ruler over all of Cashan! Pleased to meet you, noble masters."

And thus, armed only with a toothy grin, the most notorious bandit of Sachay and bastard son of Lord Villca, the infamous bandit Uchu Villca, had burst into the middle of high society and staked his claim to his father's lands.

Chapter end