A Bold First Step

“You’re nervous.” Mirk commented watching as Yuji secured his belt.

“Yes and no.” He went to the mirror checking his appearance. “You know it would be far more convenient if I could speak into your head like you speak into mine. Then we could talk without having to worry about someone hearing my half of the conversation.”

“It would be convenient indeed.”

Yuji took the purse Lady Menodora had given him and put it on the inside of his right sleeve. He had especially set aside time before the meeting with the envoy to make himself presentable in the hopes that it might aid in both self-confidence and authority; yet he couldn’t get rid of the anxiety that seemed to fan out under his diaphragm, a gentle rumbling tingle that reminded him it was there every few minutes.

I can’t let this feeling stop me, what I’m doing is the right thing. No matter what happens, I’m doing the right thing.

“You need not be concerned Yuji Valentinov.”

“Why, do you know something I don’t?”

“I know that I would never choose a master that was not deserving of me.”

Yuji stopped and turned to face the creature. He looked small on the bed, less intimidating than he had that first day when he had exercised full authority over Yuji’s body and grilled him like a hostile prosecutor would a defendant. Yet there was pride in the small yellow mongoose’s frame as if he felt every bit of this pronouncement to the deepest part of his soul.

“Did you just call me your master?”

Mirk looked toward the door, his posture unyielding. “I believe what you should be expressing is gratitude, not shock.”

“Mirk, the thing is for you to call me master that would mean you would have to be my servant.”

“Do you imagine me a simple animal or is it that you are uncertain of my ability to serve you?”

Yuji went to him, kneeling, so he was at Mirk’s eye level. “That’s not what I’m suggesting or trying to say. The thing is I don’t want you to be my servant.”

“Do you realized what a great honor it is to have an inferno beast of any kind as your dedicated servant, bonded to you for life.”

Yuji stroked Mirk’s head, his touch so affectionate it stalled the creature’s frustration. “Mirk, you’re my friend, which is far better and more valuable to me then a servant.”

“Your friend?”

“Yes, my friend. So, I’ll accept the bond for however long I’m here. Whether another year or for the rest of my life. But under the condition that we’re friends and not master and servant.”

Mirk didn’t fight him when he took him from the bed and put him on his newly designated place on his shoulder but assumed his usual position in submissive silence.

“Now with you at my side, or rather on my shoulder, I think I’m ready to face them.”

-*-

It was a long way to the great hall from his tower. Although he had not had the privilege of entering that grand space since the escort’s reception, he had traveled to this section of the fortress many times. Mirk sat still across his shoulders his eyes searching every hall, window, and curve they passed his aura a clear misty fog.

“There is someone ahead, I can hear their breathing.”

Yuji figured whomever they were, they were around the coming curve. “Is it possibly a servant?”

“I doubt that. They’re not moving, and they smell perfumed.”

“Ah, so it’s an ambush.”

Mirk’s nose twitched, “It’s Sarkis, he tried to disguise himself with unfamiliar scent, but his natural odor has come through.”

“Wonderful, this is exactly what we needed.”

And an unfortunately average plot twist.

Sarkis was waiting for him around the distant curve. They were not far from the great hall, only this passageway and a staircase remained, and they would be in front of the imposing gilded doors that hid their destination. Sarkis stood as a wall between them and it, a solitary last-ditch effort to prevent their progress without drawing much attention to what they were doing.

“This is a bit cliched don’t you think?”

“I’m sorry my lord, I don’t know to what you refer.” Sarkis smiled his usual composure slightly muddled at the comment.

“I assume you want to speak with me about something.”

“Indeed, my lord you are very astute. The margravine has sent me to request your presence.”

Yuji couldn’t help the desire to laugh at the request, just managing to suppress it. “She is aware that I am expected at a meeting with the escort party at this moment?”

“I’m afraid that as the margrave, Lord Halius, and Lord Dain are currently already with the envoy it would be complicated to extract them at the moment. To prevent interrupting them unnecessarily she seeks your aid instead. You have always been so good to her.”

“For something that couldn’t possibly wait I imagine?”

“I am afraid it cannot my lord.”

“Then I should go to her at once?”

“You are generous indeed my lord.”

“And you couldn’t possibly tell me what it is she needs before I go?”

“It is not my place my lord.”

Yuji looked back the way he’d come. The margravine’s private rooms might as well have been a mile away. If he went to her as she requested, she would find the means to keep him there at all costs.

They probably gave me the wrong time too. They’ve most likely been talking for the last hour or so, maybe they’re even close to being finished by now. This is such a stupid B-rated teen movie load of garbage.

“I’m seriously overdone with this melodrama crap.”

“I’m sorry my lord?”

Yuji looked at him eyes cold, features frighteningly fixed. “I get what’s going on here, I’ve seen it a thousand times before. Over and over. The same plot twist repeated, again and again. You know what, I’m over it. About as far over it as you can get. Listen to me carefully, I really don’t want to have to repeat myself. If you stand in my way again and try and meddle between me and my family, on whoever’s orders, for whatever reason, I will make it so you will never have the opportunity to do so again. Understand?”

Yuji pushed past him without waiting for an answer, proceeding down the hall.

“My lord, what of the margravine’s request? It can’t wait.”

Yuji stopped, Mirk rounded his shoulders so he was facing the man, fur up hissing and growling. “Inform the margravine that I no longer do things just because I am told to do them, and if she intends to plan distractions for me, she needs to try harder.”

“My lord…”

Mirk jumped from Yuji’s shoulders his posture crouching, eyes focused on Sarkis who didn’t dare move.

“I’m sorry my lord, I see I have overstepped. I will convey your regrets to the margravine and inform her you were unable to come to her because you had already gone to the meeting with the envoy.”

“See that you do.”

Yuji had his suspicions confirmed when he entered the great hall and saw everyone there, even Sir Euric, who he had not managed to locate that morning.

Stifling his irritability, he bowed to the envoy and then the margrave. “Forgive me for my delay, your excellency, my lord, it appears that I was informed of the incorrect time. However, I assume full responsibility for my tardiness.”

“Not at all.” The envoy seemed pleased at his sudden arrival and its effect on those seated with the margrave. “It was my intention to request a meeting with you if you did not eventually arrive.”

“I’m glad I was able to spare you the burden of having to do so.”

“Please join us. Before we adjourn, I would love to hear your opinion of the proposed route we are to take back to the capital. I understand from the margrave that you are the leader of the Inner Vanguard and that you and your men have a deep knowledge of the forest.”

A seat near his brother Lord Halius was abdicated for his use, Yuji took it ignoring the reproachful glares thrown at him from all those on the margrave’s side of the table.

“I’m happy to give you my opinion, though I’m sure there are those who know more than myself.”

“You are too modest, an admirable trait. Still, we particularly wish to hear your opinion. Sir Euric was representing you in your absence, but I fear that subjectivity is far more common among subornments, even when high ranking.”

“It seems the illusive man is embarrassed, as he should be.” Mirk’s aura flared, his right ear twitching crossly. “To dare to speak for his master when he did not even seek nor have his permission to do so is a grave offense.”

“I have extensively reviewed Lord Dain’s plan on a previous occasion and if Sir Euric characterized my opinion as being in support of it, he would have incorrectly represented my position.”

The margrave flashed red. “Your excellency, I assure you that Lord Dain has carefully plotted…”

The envoy held up his hand silencing the margrave. “We are all here not to seek our own glory, but to serve the crown and my lady the Centauri Seren. If Lord Till has reservations and wishes to propose a different route or explain the current one, it is best he does so now than when preparations have already been made and it is too late to turn back. Please precede my lord, I am truly in earnest to have your perspective on the matter.”

“The way Lord Dain intends to go is near the border, understandably so, that is where he has the majority of his experience when it comes to terrain and threats, however he intends to follow it for far too long to ensure a safe journey.” Yuji could feel Lord Dain’s watchful eyes on him. “It will unnecessarily draw attention from Yewnguard. Besides that, here in this section of forest we’ll be going into an area known for beasts, rogues, and its unsuitable terrain. We’ve attempted to clear it many times over the years, using various means, but the boar population only seems to grow and it’s difficult to mitigate terrain difficulties in land that is unhospitable. My proposition is we take this route, here. It is more direct and will take less than half the time. Its terrain is even so the Centauri Seren’s escort party should not face additional difficulties no matter how you wish to transport her. There are also fresh springs that run along this route and good foraging that would help take the burden off the need to bring additional supplies.”

“Is this true my lord?” The envoy looked toward the margrave who seemed to fight shrinking against his boring gaze.

“It is true your excellency, and it was our first planned route only there was an incident not far from there that caused us to reconsider it as a viable path.”

“An incident?”

“The margrave exaggerates, your excellency,” Yuji managed to beat Lord Dain to an explanation, “I’m afraid he was upset when I was injured.”

“Please elaborate.”

“I’m not sure if I should. It’s possible Lord Dain would rather explain himself or perhaps Lord Halius, I think they are more aware of the events then I am.” Yuji’s suggestive glance at Lord Dain had a visceral effect on their side of the table that was barely kept to an appropriate level.

The margrave looked between the two of them as if strangling the life out of them would be a joy to him at that moment.

“I will not press for the events, I will only state that our priority is to arrive quickly so as not to miss the auspicious time and to put as little stress on the Centauri Seren as possible. Therefore, we will take the risk of the shorter more direct path.” The envoy stood. “We will make preparations at once.”

“At once?” The margrave gaped at the envoy. “But excellency, we intended to host the escort party for at least a fortnight.”

“A week’s time should be enough. You have had years to prepare for this, so I imagine it shouldn’t be too difficult.”

“But your excellency, you and your party have hardly had time to rest.”

“We are elves my lord. We are not held back by the fragilities of humanity. A few days rest is more than sufficient.” The envoy went to leave stopping just past his chair, his cold golden eyes on Yuji. “It has been personally requested by the Centauri Seren that you accompany the escort back to the capital. I imagine that will be something easily arranged. For now, I will take my leave.”

The envoy and his party were allowed to exit the hall unhampered, the remaining thread of humanity watching them as they left. Their departure cast the remnants into a still world, as their forms disappeared from sight, they somehow took away all color and light with them.

“I don’t trust that elf, no creature can live that long in such a place as this without blood on their hands.” Mirk’s aura flickered hot deep red.