The Envoy Again

The fire maintained its consistency for thirty seconds and then disappeared. Yuji tried again focusing on creating a flame in the palm of his hand. It had been three days since his last meeting with the prince, having nothing to do and not wanting to participate in the touristy plans arranged by the capital he instead made a trip to the royal library in search of books on elemental magic in a desperate attempt to keep himself occupied.

He was no one’s fool. He didn’t imagine, no matter how amazing his abilities were, that he could learn quickly enough to make the skill useful, but sitting still and doing nothing was grating.

A flame formed in his hand. He found himself looking for mental instructions from the voice he knew wouldn’t come. A second later it flickered and disappeared into a cloud of vaporous gray smoke, he hadn’t learned to use magic enough to maintain it while distracted. His thoughts fled from the memory of Mirk to the Lady Menodora and the note she had sent him, its words cycling through his mind.

“Looking down at me.” He looked up into the sky squinting at the sun. There were clouds today that were sparse and white. It was actually pretty. How long had it been since he had seen a truly lovely day? They seemed rather few and far between in Eventide. Most of the time there was little difference between night and day.

I wonder if she can see the sun wherever it is they put her?

“Enjoying the royal training grounds my lord?”

Yuji turned in time to see the emissary dressed in his long white robes walking toward him, his accosting presence made that much more other worldly with how removed he appeared from the surrounding world.

“I imagined you would have been enjoying the capital.”

A bubbling ire rose up into Yuji’s throat, burning in his head. There was no avoiding him. Prince Cadfael had warned that he may come looking for him or take special interest in him now that they had associated with each other on a private level. Then there was what happened during their trek to the capital, it was unlikely the emissary would be happy until he was no longer in Nocturn.

“You have no sword my lord, or bow, and yet here you are. Is there something that attracted you?”

“Humans do lots of things for their own reasons, I confess your excellency I don’t know much of elvish behavior, but it’s not out of human nature to do something or go somewhere for the sake of doing it alone, without any extenuating motives.”

“I see, there is still much to learn about your kind. You would imagine my having hundreds of years of study would aid me in my assessments, but it appears it is impossible to avoid shortcomings.”

“Forgive me your excellency, I have a hard time believing the royal training grounds are a part of your usual haunts. Was there something of interest that brought you here?”

The emissary chuckled, “Why, you think I don’t need such things?”

“Not at all. You’d have to keep some kind of regiment to survive as long as you have. It’s just that you don’t seem prepared for any particular training yourself.”

The pointed edge of Yuji’s expression enhanced the visible interest of the emissary. “Tell me, do you intend to stay in the capital long after the ceremony or will you return to Bastion Fortress.”

Yuji stifled his repulsion for the question least it expose itself on his face. The audacity that he would ask him such a question.

“T.B.D.” Yuji smiled bitterly at the acronym.

“I’m sorry?”

“I haven’t decided yet, but I’m open to suggestions your excellency, if you have any.”

“I thought surely you would wish to return to the fortress after the tragic death of Lord Dain, you must wish to convey the news to the margrave and the margravine personally.”

“I already sent a messenger. So, there’s no need for me to return to convey the sad news.”

And as I’m sure your well aware there was no love lost.

“I see, well I suppose it is most important that they are aware of what has happened. I was prepared to put in a word with his majesty if you had desired an early leave from the capital, but it seems that is unnecessary.”

Of course you were.

“I still have duties within the capital, I wouldn’t be properly representing the margrave’s interests if I left so soon. But I do appreciate your excellency’s showing concern for a humble servant. It is most kind of you.” Yuji gave a gentle nod of acknowledgement. All the catty banter of historical dramas repeating in scattered disarranged bits in his head.

“Your quite clever aren’t you, my lord. It seems to my eye that the margrave has undervalued your usefulness.”

“Such mistakes aren’t uncommon in the world your excellency.”

It truly was a beautiful day.

“It is also a pity when promise is unfortunately snuffed out before its time.” The emissary was staring out across the open space. “I cannot tell you how many I have seen meet their unfortunate ends too soon. It is important to be careful where one steps, don’t you agree my lord?”

“I’ve learned my lesson and need no further encouragement your excellency, in that I can assure you.”

There was a long pause in which neither of them spoke. The wind blew fresh floral air, the birds sang, and they stood beside one another, one equally despising the other.

“You may not know my lord, but the Centauri Seren is within a cultivation period and is to remain so until the night of the Luner Ascension Ceremony.”

“I was unaware. I’m afraid I know very little on the subject.”

“Well, my lord I was informed that you received a message from the Centauri Seren.”

Yuji did his best to smile pleasantly. “I did.”

“You might not be aware my lord but the shear expression of emotions on the part of the Centauri Seren at this delicate time could damage the cultivation process.”

“Oh, I had no idea.”

“I suppose it wouldn’t be expected that you would know.”

Yuji almost wanted to laugh as he watched the elf wait there without a word, expecting him, it seemed, to offer up the communication for inspection.

I really would hate to disappoint him.

“If it will ease your mind your excellency, I am more than willing to let you see it.”

“It would of course be for the best.”

“Of course, I have it on me actually.” Yuji took out a slip of cream paper presenting it to the emissary with no hesitation.

Despite his concerted effort into keeping his own disappointment unperceivable, Yuji’s readiness to provide the requested information had set him off balance. With nonchalance the envoy took the note, but his eyes couldn’t help both feasting on its contents and displaying a portion of his dissatisfaction.

“You can see your excellency that the content was so benign that I really didn’t think it would matter.”

“Yes.” He let Yuji take back the sliver of paper. “I can see that clearly. Well, I do have work to get to, and I suppose you should be permitted to enjoy Nocturn while you can.”

The envoy went to leave stopping short. “I apologize my lord, there was something else. I don’t know how it had alluded me. I’m afraid that at the Luner Ascension Ceremony only the royal family and the necessary facilitators will be present. His majesty of course plans to compensate the nobility for the inconvenience, and you are still permitted your usual favor through the proceedings period.”

“My only wish is to serve his majesty.”

“You are very noble my lord.”

“Not at all.”

Yuji watched him until he was no longer a speck in the distance, anger ravaging his chest, raging so that it felt as if his heart burned within, flames lapped up the grass around his feet.

Don’t worry, your excellency, she won’t be there either.