The Witch Takes Her Seat on the Council

By some miracle, Chika managed to evade Lord Thundrakar until the next day, when the emperor convened the council. She arrived at the chambers early, guided by Nalindra. When Lord Thundrakar entered the room, he pointed at Chika, but before he could speak, the emperor entered from the throne room, and Lord Thundrakar hurried to take his seat around the council’s stone table.

“Thank you all for coming.” The emperor’s dry sarcasm was familiar to everyone in the room. Everyone, except perhaps for Chika, who nodded towards him with a smile on her face. “Let’s get this over with. I’m sure a lot happened during my absence, but try to keep it quick. Oh, that’s right. If you haven’t already met, this is Yasutake Chika, the Witch of Aelirynth. I’m putting her in charge of medicine and agriculture.”

Lord Gwendar, the High Priest, spoke first. In contrast to Lord Thundrakar, he was slight of build and had a perpetual squint that came from a lifetime of reading religious texts. “I must protest. For generations, the temple has handled those matters.”

“And you’re always complaining that it’s too much for you to handle alone,” the emperor pointed out. I thought you’d appreciate having more time to devote to religious matters.”

“If it were anyone else, but she’s a witch and a heathen. How can you expect her to properly cultivate the sacred fruit?”

In response, Chika flashed what she must have thought to be her most disarming smile, but in showing off her untarnished teeth, she caused Lord Gwendar to flinch.

The emperor wasn’t ready to give up. Although he could always order others to relent, he used his authority only as a last resort. No matter how tedious he found their arguments, he always listened. It was his best quality.

Maybe his only good quality, now that I think about it.

“You don’t have to worry about that. She was a devout adherent of the Aelirynthian temple, and I can attest that she knows the importance of vitafelars.”

“About that Aelirynthian temple, the reports indicate that they worship their god of commerce above the goddess of sacred fruit. Such blasphemy cannot be allowed to continue. If such beliefs were to spread, it would undermine the very foundation of the empire.”

Raising her hand into the air, Chika drew all the attention in the room to herself. “Those reports are not accurate. The temple at Aelirynth worships the god of commerce and the goddess of vitafellars equally, and they have a good reason. Being further North, Aelirynth can’t grow vitafellars year round. It gets too cold in the winter, and too hot in the summer. Without trade, the city would perish. The temple worships the god of commerce because he brings the goddess to the people. They are often depicted standing side by side, holding hands, as equals.”

“That much is true,” I said. “I saw such statues and paintings myself. If such is doctrinally acceptable, I say we continue to allow the temple to worship as they always have. After all, trampling on local customs can lead to rebellion.”

“I will consult the ancient texts on that matter,” Lord Gwendar allowed, “but devout or not, a witch is a witch. Unless she gives up her unholy arts, she cannot be trusted.”

“She certainly can’t be trusted with royal funds,” the Chancellor of the Treasury, Lord Orrandis added. He was a pudgy man with curly hair, but he was meticulously groomed and dressed in expensive clothing.

Looking from one man to the other, Chika bowed her head. “Lord Gwendar, I can tell your concern for the wellbeing of the empire and its people runs deep. In truth, on my own, I would lack the resources to enact any changes without the temple’s help. There are no healers under my employ, nor do I own any gardens from which to grow herbs. To the farmers, I am a stranger, but they know and trust their local priests. No matter what policies I may suggest, I would need the temple’s assistance to see them to fruition. It would be impossible for me to propose any plans that don’t meet with your approval, so will you please allow me to assist you in these areas?”

“Careful,” Lord Orrandis warned. “It sounds to me like she’s after the temple’s money too.”

“I won’t deny that I’m asking to use the temple’s resources, but Lord Orrandis, I believe that I can help the empire to grow enough excess crops to compensate for those I lost to the vormarnok, and then some. If you give me a chance, I will grow the royal treasury, not shrink it.”

The emperor let out a loud yawn. “Can we move on now?” Lord Orrandis nodded his agreement—the man truly cared only about money—but Lord Gwendar slammed his palms down upon the table.

“Your Highness, do not be swayed by her honeyed words! They come from a mouth that knows only death, and will bring naught but death to those who believe them. She’s a witch, Your Highness, a witch.”

What a foolish argument. She had saved the lives of the caravan, given an antidote to the emperor, and forewarned us of a likely war. It was clear to all that she saved lives, not took them. We could all see the emperor’s patience had just about run out, but before he could voice his displeasure, Chika spoke up.

“That’s not fair, Lord Gwendar. I never asked to be called a witch. The people of Aelirynth gave me that label because I told them things they had never considered, and I clung to the identity as a way of protecting myself and earning a living. But I have never wished ill upon anyone. I’ve been a devout member of the temple, and I will continue to pay homage to the goddess. My actions are no different than any other adherent, so why can’t you accept me?”

A sneer appeared on Lord Gwendar’s lips. “Because you do not partake of the sacred fruit.”

“I’ve had them before, you know. They’re just a bit sour for my taste, and I figured it was better to save them for those who truly need them, but if it will assuage your worries, I’ll eat one.”

With a lazy, bored gesture, the emperor ordered a servant to bring a vitafelar, and in short order, one was placed on the table in front of Chika. She wasted no time biting into it, but the look of displeasure on her face must have mirrored my own expression when I ate her curry. After consuming the fruit, however, she suffered no ill effects.

“That was a waste of time,” the emperor declared. “Everyone satisfied now?”

Lord Gwendar gave a hesitant nod, but he kept his eyes on Chika, watching for any sign of her body rejecting the fruit. Lord Thundrakar, on the other hand, stood from his seat.

“Satisfied? How could I possibly be satisfied?”

The emperor perked up. It wasn’t often that Lord Thundrakar took any interest in matters unrelated to war. “You, Thundrakar? You have a theological problem with my newest advisor?”

“Begging your pardon, my emperor, but I didn’t follow the finer points of that assuredly important debate. Nor, if I’m being honest, do I understand what ‘theological’ means, but I know that my blood is boiling at the sight of a worthy adversary. This young woman just matched wits with Lords Gwendar and Orrandis without backing down. She has bravery and intelligence in spades. A more perfect witch does not exist, and that is why I won’t be satisfied until I face her in the arena.”

Chika’s mouth hung open in shock, I could see the wheels turning in her mind, searching for a way to deflect Lord Thundrakar. I had spent all night devising an excuse which would free Chika from this situation, but before I could speak, the emperor covered my mouth with his hand.

“Now that is an interesting idea.” A wide grin broke out on the emperor’s face. “What are we wasting time in this stuffy room for? Let us make haste for the colosseum. Who wants to discuss politics when we could see the realm’s greatest warrior face off against its greatest witch?”