Cultural Clash

 As they were making their way to the chambers to meet their potential candidate for the Academy, they walked right into an ongoing incident. A man was shouting at a servant or perhaps a slave. Several others were witnessing the scene but didn’t intervene. It deepened Samuel’s distaste for the kingdom even more. And these are supposed to be the people most aligned to us. Only later he noticed that he had at some point began thinking of himself as part of either the kingdom or the Academy.

They stopped and looked at the situation. Madoc started walking towards the group.

“Wait,” Carys said. “Don’t do anything stupid.” She put a hand on his shoulder and managed to stop him though it was obvious from his face that he was about to boil over.

“I don’t care for your excuses,” the man shouted and grabbed the wretch by the collar. “I’ll make sure you don’t forget.” He raised his hand to strike.

“Stop it!” Madoc shouted and dashed forward, breaking Carys’ hold.

He got between the two and pushed the offending man away. The next moment he was lying on the floor with the blade of a poleaxe to his throat.

“You!” the man shouted. “How dare you. I’ll have your head for this!”

“Enough,” Carys said in a loud voice without shouting. She and Samuel had made their way to the scene and her voice managed to stop everyone for a moment. “Release him. He is under my command and I take responsibility for all his actions.”

The man glared at her but she didn’t let him get a word in edgewise.

“I apologise for our behaviour. I’ll be sure to administer appropriate punishment. At the same time I think it’s best for us to avoid an international diplomatic incident over a small misunderstanding. Wouldn’t you agree, kind sir?”

Anger mixed with confusion on the man’s face and he was at a loss for words for a moment. He stared at Madoc and then Carys, did a double take upon seeing Samuel, then relented.

“I’ll be the bigger man this time but I warn you to never cross me again. I can have you all hanged with nothing more than a word to Her Highness,” he said then adjusted his coat and walked away.

His guards followed him, while the rest of the onlookers gaped in amazement.

“Come,” Carys snapped at her students and stormed off.

“What were you thinking?” Carys said. “You have put our entire mission in jeopardy.”

Madoc sulked and glared at her. “How can you not do anything? Would you just watch them beat that slave? Do you not value other people? Just nobles?”

A spark of fury flashed in Carys’ eyes and Samuel was sure for a moment she would strike Madoc. If neither of them backed down, that would have a nasty result with just how much more powerful she was in terms of her magical ability. Luckily, a moment later her anger deflated.

“And what was the plan after that? Die a noble death protecting a single person, who would then be punished even harsher? You better hope he hates you so much he forgot about the original offence, otherwise you may have signed a death warrant for the man you wanted to save.”

Anguish and frustration battled over Madoc’s face because of his impotence at the injustice.

“What could I do?” he asked through gritted teeth.

“You could fulfil your mission. I already explained that what we’re doing now might bring about the results you were after. I understand it’s frustrating seeing bad things right in front of your eyes and the effect of our efforts might take a long time, if they come to fruition at all. However, that is all we can do. We were gifted with a great power and this is the extent of what we can achieve.”

“We could force them,” Madoc muttered under his breath.

Carys’ face darkened at that. “We could. Would you be comfortable of having a class of people with unstoppable abilities taking the law of all of the kingdoms into their own hands and administer justice? Would you trust them to do the right thing?”

“I don’t …”

“What of the kingdom of Dywyltir where the people would strongly reject any magic. Would you force it upon them if not just the nobles but the servants and peasants as well would hate you and want you gone?”

Madoc fell silent. It seemed as if Carys could drag the lecture out for hours if she wanted to but apparently decided it was enough for the time. Samuel almost felt as if he had intruded on the conversation that was supposed to remain private.

They returned to the audience chamber, where a group of well dressed people including their ruler were impatiently waiting for the demonstrations to begin. Samuel winced as he saw the man they had just offended standing among them. He glanced at Madoc and could sense him seething beneath his cold exterior. Maybe even Carys’ words were not enough to sway him. It was also hard for Samuel to disagree with him. After all, he was clearly trying to do the right thing, just not in the right way. After they became more powerful, even that way might start working.

The demonstration itself was nothing significant after all their practice in the Academy and the missions they had been sent on. They demonstrated their mastery over the natural elements like fire, wind and water. To top it all off, Carys demonstrated some telekinetic abilities by lifting heavy objects. It was an impressive display, though Samuel knew she was holding back a large portion of her power. There was murmuring among the audience all the while.

“Very good,” the Archduchess said after they had concluded. “Now it’s time for us to discuss some details of our arrangement. Leave us.” The entire group began moving out except for her personal guard and the advisor, neither of whom reacted to her words. “Not you, Eirwyn, stay,” she added.

Eirwyn was startled and his shoulders gave a quick jerk before as he stopped in his tracks. He turned around and his face was pale. It was none other than the man they had crossed.

“Yes, my liege,” he said with a slight bow as he began walking back. “What are your orders?” He spoke in a nervous tone.

“I have a special assignment for you, dear cousin,” she said with a warm smile that seemed to lower the temperature. “I task you with representing our kingdom and our interests in a diplomatic mission.”

“As you wish my Lady,” he responded.

“For that reason you will travel to the Kingdom of Bryntir and join the Academy in Tanwyth.”

“What?” Eirwyn gaped at his cousin, then at the trio. “No, you can’t do this!”

Rhianon raised an eyebrow and before he could continue his rant he fell silent. “They will take you through some tests to determine if you are suitable to learn their craft. I trust you will do your best not to disappoint me and bring disgrace to our family and our homeland.”

The expression on Eirwyn’s face was as if his entire world was collapsing in front of him. He sank down to his knees.

“I shall do your bidding my Lady.” His voice almost cracked as he spoke. His gaze was lowered to the ground.

Rhianon stifled a laugh. “Very good.”

As Carys had explained, it was a simplified version of the test Samuel had undertaken before joining the Academy. Eirwyn passed without difficulty. Just how rare is affinity to magic anyway?

“Will he be leaving with us?” Carys asked after they returned to the Archduchess.

“While that would be preferable, I can see that dear Eirwyn might need a couple of weeks to get his affairs in order. Isn’t that right cousin?” Rhianon said and nodded to Eirwyn.

“Yes. Thank you my Lady.”

“I see,” Carys said. “In that case it will probably be for the best if he starts his studies with the next academic year. Of course, he can come to our city as soon as he wishes and will be taken care of. Even if we share many aspects in terms of culture, it would serve him well to get adjusted to the new environment.”

“Splendid,” Rhianon said and clapped her hands. “I will send a letter in advance when he will undertake the journey.”

Other than some more harassment from the people of Gwairtir along their way back to their kingdom, nothing of note happened on the journey. Madoc was brooding and Samuel was tossing in his sleep. They were even able to avoid being accosted by bandits while camping outside the settlements.

Despite their eventual success in their mission, Madoc was punished for his indiscretion by the disciplinary committee. The details weren’t made public and Madoc was reticent about it when Samuel probed.