An Audience with the Machine

Yuji would have given anything for a kimono at that moment. Though he preferred jeans and a t-shirt, as period piece clothes went kimono and yukata were by far more comfortable than the heavy fabric of the houppelande in this stiflingly humid weather. There had always been a part of him that wondered if he was really Japanese enough to pull them off, now he didn’t care. Even the beauty of the fabric the Japanese used was far superior in his opinion.

Mirk had gone to deliver a letter Yuji had written that morning, but the errand was taking longer than Yuji had anticipated. Pacing the breadth of his small room he found himself wondering what could have kept him so long. He was aware he shouldn’t be worried for him after many hours training with the mongoose he was well aware that he could manipulate his weight, force, and speed and could pose a near to impossible opponent on his own; besides that no one appeared to be bold enough to attempt to do anything to Mirk within the bounds of the fortress, but still for some reason he couldn’t get his anxiety to abate.

There were so many variables, even time was running horribly short, and the escorts were expected within the next two to three days. That pinching sensation in his stomach made the old stressors that life used to give him, before becoming Lord Till Bastion, seem a welcome relief to the stress he was now constantly having to deal with, day-in-and-day-out.

The door opened. Mirk entered carrying in his mouth a small gray purse embroidered with stars. Yuji took it from him examining its surface.

“She says she will see you, and to bring this with you and display it if anyone attempts to stop you from coming.” Mirk moved impatiently. “I think it would be unwise to tarry in our visit. Time is precious and our enemies are moving.”

“You’re right. Let’s go.” Yuji offered his arm allowing Mirk to take his position on his shoulders before leaving the room.

From his perch on Yuji’s shoulder Mirk gave directions and like an automaton he followed them to a tee. The small purse was clutched in his right hand, thumb gliding back and forth on its velvety surface abstractly. They had spent a long time going over what paths were available to them. He had discussed the situation with Sir Euric who had resigned himself to the margrave’s design.

“It is the price you pay for being the servant of the unfavored heir.” That was what his expression had said. Yuji didn’t need Sir Euric to put it in clearer words than what his unwilling resignation had conveyed.

“You are aware this will make the target on your back larger?” Mirk said when Yuji had explained his plans to him the previous night.

“I’m aware, but I’ve gone over everything else and nothing else will work. I don’t have the manpower or loyalty at this point to exercise military influence and I have no strong connections to use. In no uncertain terms, the margrave has taken the side of his favored son Lord Dain and put… me in a position where I have no other choice. We’re almost out of time. There’s nothing left to do.”

Yuji paused for a moment within the courtyard of the Centauri Seren’s quarters. It was just as he remembered from the time before, a miniature castle in the center of a lake, haunting with its polished marble walls and Arabian curves. Glancing at the sky a veil of clouds greeted him, they were stormy and gray today but in the seams there was bright daylight peeking through. A fresh breeze broke the humidity. He took a long deep breath, looking ahead.

“I believe you are capable of achieve what you seek. Be brave now and don’t faulter.”

Yuji smiled at Mirk, crossing the bridge. He was stopped by a servant, a man dressed in a similar scheme as the maids that worked within the quarters of the Centauri Seren.

“I must admit to you that I did not take the most direct route to Lady Menodora.” Mirk commented as the purse was presented as evidence that they were permitted guests. “That will likely add a level of mystery to your token.”

The servant looked visibly astonished, taking an extended period to examine the pouch in detail. Discernible unease fluctuated across his face. Returning the purse, he directed Yuji to follow him. The announcement was made, the chair and stool brought, set close to the Centauri Seren’s platform as it had been the time before. Yuji took his seat, Mirk chose to stay on his shoulder as opposed to going to the stool, his rust-colored eyes keeping careful watch on the servants, who as the time before, kept a respectful yet perceivable distance.

Lady Menodora was more radiant than she had been at their last meeting. Her pale gray hair shone with phosphorescence, her skin vibrating with luminous shifting tones of blues and greens over its natural uncanny white. That smile and the mutable colors of her eyes were entrancing. Under any other circumstances Yuji may have forgotten his purpose for seeking an audience against such weapons.

“You’ve come, and so quickly. I’m pleased.” She had the same conspiratorial tone as she had previously. “Were you given any difficulties on your way to see me?”

“No, though your servant was rather surprised.” Despite his having grown used to the naturally monotone coldness of the voice fluctuations that came with this body, it was nice to feel a level of warmth in it that was innately his.

“They would be. I have never had reason to give anyone a token of favor before, other than that unfortunate ornament I bestowed on you previously. Since I had given it to you publicly, they would have expected it to possibly appear at some point. This time it was a secret between only the three of us, so it would have been quite a shock. Your intercessor is very invaluable in his talents.” She smiled at Mirk, who seemed to not react so inflexibly to the compliment.

“I imagine your sending him to me must insinuate something of great importance, as you have never sought an audience before.”

Yuji gave a gentle nod. “You are very perceptive my lady.”

“Not at all, really, I’m quite simple, I know I am. But it pleases me to think I can be of use to someone I respect as much as I do you. So please, merely tell me what I can do for you, and I will without hesitation.”

There was such goodhearted resolution in her gaze it pulled at a cord of guilt causing him to pause a moment before continuing.

“Lady Menodora, I can’t ask you to blindly do something for me out of goodwill, philanthropy, or a sense of indebtedness. Instead, I ask your permission to explain to you the situation and what I am requesting of you before you agree. I wouldn’t… I couldn’t accept your consent to participate without this first. If after hearing what I have to say you wish to contribute then please agree, but if you have any apprehension at all I’ll understand. You won’t offend me if you refuse.”

My conscience won’t allow me to let you go into this blindly.

“Alright,” she arranged herself on her throne, the change in posture making her appear that much more angelic behind the curtains, “I consent to hear your request and will give you my answer afterward.”

“Speak boldly without fear Yuji, we have nothing to lose in telling her. She is… or rather could be an ally. I didn’t see it before, but there is something in her gaze that tells me so.”

Mirk’s changed perspective built out his courage allowing him to begin.

“You are aware that I was originally instructed to choose the routes both to receive the escort party and return them and yourself to the capital.”

She gave a consenting tilt of her head.

“You may not be aware that during the time of my three-month confinement there was a change in plans. It was thought that the incident I experienced while scouting compromised the path that was intended for the return trip to Nocturn. While I was considered on leave Lord Dain was given the privilege of selecting the new route. I honestly have no objection regarding losing the opportunity to make the plans. If that were my only opposition, I wouldn’t have come to you. However, not only is the path he’s chosen a much longer journey, which will allow us no grace in regard to potential time delays, but we’ll have to pass far too close to Yewnguard. The terrain of Lord Dain’s designated path is unpredictable, and there are many dangers in that section of the forest. I fear that if we go along with his plan something unfortunate might occur.”

Yuji took a breath, truly owning this new responsibility was such a heavy weight, he could almost feel it pressing down on him, smothering him.

“And have you sought other means of mitigations?”

He could tell she was trying to take this as seriously as she felt he was, and somehow that removed a portion of the burden it carried.

“I have tried to persuade the margrave and he has refused to hear my protests or listen to reason. I’ve sought other ways I might be able to negotiate or have someone else negotiate a different path and have found no allies. I have even written to Lord Dain, who I understand is only a day’s journey from us, but I have received no reply.”

Just a continuance of the overwhelming level of brotherly love.

“And so, you have come to me?”

“Yes. You see, I plan to present the matter to the escort party directly and in a manner that neither the margrave nor Lord Dain can subvert. We believe strongly that this group will see reason and choose the safer more direct path that is near the cliff where I was injured, of course with a variation to avoid that particular area. Scouts and the outer guard have assured that the wider forest plain has not been compromised. It is my honest belief that the attempt that was made on my life had nothing to do with your transfer to the capital but was rather an isolated assassination attempt on myself.”

“If you intend to ask the escort party for aid, what value could I contribute to your plan?”

Mirk’s aura radiated soft blue in his periphery. Yuji could feel his belief and trust.

“If for some unknown reason the escort party refuses the plan, I ask you to intervene and tell them you wish to take the one I propose.”

Yuji was grateful there was no clock. The beating of his heart as he waited for her answer a suffocating reminder of the passing time was enough on its own without those ticking hands playing out the seconds. In reality, he was aware it was more difficult to openly go into something you underestimated than what you understood. Knowledge is power, but it was also, at times, an unbearable weight to carry.

“My intervening would be considered as my showing favor to you, it could put you in more danger than you are even now in.”

I doubt that.

“I have a feeling that if we do take the path Lord Dain has chosen, that will not be a concern for very long.” Yuji stood bowing, Mirk jumped from his shoulder landing softly on the ground and did the same. “If the envoy refuses to do as I suggest, you truly will be my only hope.”

I never thought I would have a practical reason to basically quote a movie princess.

“There is no need to bow, please take your seat. I have heard your words, and I have considered them. Truthfully, I have never had reason to do anything of great value in my life other than serve as the Lady Menodora the Centauri Seren. Before my assumption I thought my life would be as quiet and simple as all those who lived as I previously did.” A dreamy smile found a home on her lips. She appeared lost in thought, staring somewhere far off impossible to see with the naked eye. Lady Menodora had soon recalled herself, the wistful contemplation fading. “It brings me pleasure to think that I could be of use to someone I trust with what freedom and power this position gives me. And so, I agree to your plan and promise that should the escort refuse you I will stand beside you.”

Yuji stood and bowed again. “Thank you, my lady.”

“No please. I owe you more than I can express.”

“I suppose I should return this to you.”

She put up her hand refusing the purse he offered back. “Keep it as a sign of my favor. If ever you should need to speak with me again you may use it to get entrance without having to ask for audience. And besides that, it might aid you when speaking with the escort party.”

“Thank you.”

“Of course.”

“If you will permit us, we’ll take our leave.”

“Of course, but before you go, can you answer me a question. Is the sun out today?”

Yuji thought for a moment recalling the sky as he had seen it before entering, “No, but you can see it through the clouds. I don’t think it’s given up its plans of taking over the sky just yet.”

Had a smile ever existed in the world that could rival this one?

Yuji couldn’t convince himself it was possible.