The Politics of Saints

Exhaustion followed Sophia at every step like a dog on her heels. Sleep only helped a little. Because she knew in the end it wasn’t rest that she lacked. It was the endless weeks of running to one village or town. She kept to herself so much as a student that she never really gave thought to a situation like the one she was stuck in.

In her mind, she probably would have lightly answered that she would do the same thing that she was now. Yet in truth, she questioned it. Would she really sacrifice her time and life for others without any thought of a reward? It was difficult for anyone to answer. And asked directly, she would hesitate and maybe even say no. Yet now in the position, she couldn’t see any other path for her. It might very well be killing her, but she could save people.

Yet fatigue didn’t stop her duties. The part of the job that she wished was unnecessary, the banquets. She had only been the Saint for a total of four months, but three large gatherings felt like far too much. The first seemed reasonable as it was her introduction. Everyone wanted to meet her and see what the new Saint was like. She understood and accepted it. It helped that she was getting to see the library afterwards.

The other two served little purpose other than to force her to speak with a lot of self important individuals that thought her time could be better used for their needs rather than others. Run as she wished, Henri remained ever insistent that she attend. Her protests did nothing to sway the cold white haired beauty.

It was only thirty minutes into the mingling that she was eying the doors. “Ah Saint Sophia!” Sophia turned to see a finely dressed man approaching with a woman at his side, wife she guessed. ‘Who are these two? I don’t recognize them. Did Henri show them to me and forget? There were a lot of nobles to memorize.’ She took a glance at the Prince who only gave her a quiet nod. ‘Not someone I can run away from. Though when has he ever let me leave?’

She took in a breath to face their approach. “Good evening.” Sophia held a bit of a pause to be filled in.

“I’m Theodore Grace, my wife Esther Grace. I’m the ambassador from the Kingdom of Nohl.” Once he said Nohl, Sophia remembered. They were a country on the northeastern border of Eulire within the Eye. “I’ve tried to seek an audience with you for weeks now. I’m grateful to have this opportunity to see you!”

‘I don’t recall Henri or anyone else mentioning a meeting with an ambassador. Were they ignoring the request? They are a foreign nation and we’re in the middle of a crisis. What could he want?’ She saw that Henri shifted forward a little. It wasn’t quite a block, but he was certainly positioning himself. The ambassador’s purpose remained unknown, at least for Sophia. ‘Does Henri know what this is about?’

Sophia gave a polite nod to Theodore. “I’m sorry, ambassador. I’ve rarely been in the capital as of late.”

“Yes, I’ve heard about the terrible plague spreading through the country. It’s impressive you’ve kept the capital as safe as you have.” She had to visit numerous clinics around the city to keep it under control. But she expected that he knew as much. “I don’t wish to take up much of your time, but several towns and villages along our shared border have come down with the Blue Dream as well.”

Even though that shouldn’t have surprised her, it still made her heart skip even as she tried hard to keep it from showing on her face. ‘I hear rumors from the townspeople. So it’s true. It’s spread beyond the kingdom. But I’m stretched thin here.’ She tried to calm her thoughts with breathing.

Henri subtly shifted his stance to between them. “Ambassador, such topics should be handled through official appointments. This is highly irregular.”

“I’m sorry for confusing you, Prince Henri, but I didn’t mean this as an official request. But to arrange a meeting, making it clear the importance.”

“Yes, but as you have stated we are suffering from a widespread epidemic. Fulfilling your request will take time.”

The ambassador still refused to back down. He didn’t have the same sort of scheming look in his eye that Sophia was used to seeing from the nobles. But the pressure of his words made it difficult to breathe. ‘I want to help. But there’s too many sick. I’m losing. I need to do something!’

“I shouldn’t have to remind you of the Thorst Accords.”

She saw that Henri didn’t reply quickly. ‘He would weaponize the Accords? I’m doing everything I can.’ The Accords were a signed agreement made by all nations within the Eye that due to the lack of magic, if a problem arose that normally could be solved by a mage, it was the responsibility of the Saint to handle the task, even if it was in another country. It was not often invoked as the Saints traveled frequently.

Finally Henri responded. “While I appreciate the dilemma you faced. You’re suggesting picking between who lives and who dies.”

“I have said nothing, Your Highness. Just reminding you of your international responsibility.”

It remained cordial even as tensions rose. But Henri maintained a cold exterior. “I will be sure to convey your thoughts to His Majesty. We are as always committed to upholding the Accords.”

“I’m pleased to hear that. I hope we can meet in the near future to make arrangements.” The ambassador started to turn, but stopped. He leaned in a little, not speaking nearly as loud as before. “I also wished to pass along a rumor that might interest Your Highness. There’s been movement along the Ghetylic Empire borders. In the spirit of international friendship, I thought you should know.” With that bit of gossip spread, he departed with his wife.

Sophia closed sides facing Henri directly. “The Empire? Haven’t they been quiet. You said their military interests have been to the north.” However, as she spoke, she saw cracks of his facade appearing. It wasn’t a full emotional break, but something about the ambassador’s words dug into him. ‘He’s furious! Ust. Hui. This is a bad time. Is there anything I can do?’ She reached out grabbing his hand. “Henri?”

There was an exhale as she saw some of the wall rebuilding for him. “Thanks. Backstabbing man.”

‘Backstabbing? Henri’s far more intense than I expected still. What did I miss? It seemed like a rumor or friendly tip.’ She squeezed his hand a little trying to understand. “What’s wrong with what he said?”

“It’s what he’s not saying. He probably knows that we believe the Empire was behind your attempted capture. We don’t have enough evidence to pressure them, but Welhem and others have found clues pointing to them. They’ve long wished to claim the Saint for their conquest of the realm and to legitimize their position as the seat of Euthemia by housing the Saint. But we’ve pushed them back in their attempts.”

She roughly remembered most of that history lesson from her Saint lesson that Henri gave her. But the refresh was welcome. “Then it’s good he let us know, right? You can be prepared.”

“No, what he’s saying is that their country serves as a buffer between us. We haven’t been in direct conflict recently because of that. But if we don’t send you to heal their citizens, they’ll look the other way if the Empire marches through their territory.”

“But a large army going through a nation would alert everyone.”

“The Empire wouldn’t send something that visible. It’d be a smaller force, large enough to be trouble for us and likely to be spotted by Nohl, but not enough to cause open conflict. It’d be like the kidnapping, but with greater manpower.”

“So I have to go for the peace of the kingdom?”

He didn’t answer her immediately, even though it was already said. “It’s the terrible game we play. I’m sorry, Sophia.”

She worked up a smile for him. ‘He’s so different from our first meeting in the audience chamber. He’s less scary at least. Or I’m just too worn out to care. Not really sure anymore.’ Sophia knew that there wasn’t going to be anything she could do anymore. The meeting would happen, but the decision had already been made. “It’s fine. I’ll go. I need to help them too. Even if they’re playing dirty to do it.”

“I’ll make sure you have a full company to protect you. I won’t see a repeat of Kalendirn.” He returned a squeeze of her hand. “I won’t make you go through that again.”