Uni gritted his teeth and leaned back, knocking his head against the wooden panel of the wall behind him. Skipping out on that evenings engagement was just as impossible as giving up the miraculous opportunity to show off his skills in the Virilan report. There was only one thing to do: he would accomplish both at the same time.
This always happens to me, he thought. Its always everything or nothing. He made some rapid calculations. Ill go on the walk with Siana this evening and tell her I love her right when the sun goes down. Romance on a tight schedule. But its better this way. Im too busy to be nervous. Sorry dear, I have to run. Cant keep the Emperor waiting, you know Technically, thats true, and what an effect it will have! After I win Sianas heart, Ill run back to the archive and spend the night in a creative fever writing a brilliant report worthy of the Great Lords praise. The precise details! The breadth of knowledge! The style, noble yet straightforward! I wont use shorthand the whole thing will be in the most elegant script! He tried to remember the last time he had used his calligraphy skills. It may kill me, but Ill write so beautifully that all the courtiers will be shocked! Who is the author of this phenomenal text? Unizel Virando? The assistant to the senior master? How could you have overlooked him? You arent making the most of his talents! Immediately make him a department master. No, appoint him personal advisor to the Emperor! Who else possesses such wide-ranging knowledge of all the foreign powers? Sure, thats highly unlikely, but they wont be able to ignore me any longer after I complete this heroic work.
Suddenly, Uni froze. I still need permission from Barko to work here overnight. He took off running. Falcon, I'll catch up with you soon!
Chapter 2. Shattered Heart
The Arincils only worship two gods, unlike all the other pagans. The first of them is Pulimentel, the god of death, for they believe that death is the only reality that touches each of us equally. It doesnt matter if youre strong or weak, good looking or ugly, rich or poor. Eventually, you are going to die. Thus, death stands over us all and holds the greatest power over all living things. Personally, I find much here in common with our belief in the Heavenly Deity that gives its light to all living things in equal measure. That said, while the Arincils god represents fear of the unavoidable end and reflects the essence of their ruthless society, our Heavenly Deity shines over the fair lands where our empires wisest and most humane minds are born. Their second god, Alintepel, is the god of military fortune. When two equally strong warriors meet in combat, victory is often decided by chance. It can turn on something so small. Even an experienced warrior can find himself helpless in the face of a terrible stroke of bad luck that cuts through his lifeline like a sword
You know so many interesting things. Its a pleasure to hear you talk, said the attractive brunette with a fine profile and unusually beautiful, emerald eyes who had been walking for over an hour with Uni along the winding pathways of the gardens of Archomena, enjoying the warm evening breeze, the deepening red sunset and her erudite companion. Uni had been surprised at how easy it was to interest the unattainable heroine of his dreams all he had to do was tell her, one after another, all the things he had learned while reading in the archive.
This is going well, Uni thought to himself. Ill tell her about the bride selection ritual of Torgendam, and then it will be time for the main event: Dearest Siana, I have known so many lovely women from beyond the seas, but none of them and none of our empires fair women can compare to you, not even the princesses of past ages. You are the princess of my soul. You are its queen, and my eyes are locked on you forever
She turned her smile on him. Im glad you found time to walk with me. I know youre busy working for the Emperor.
Uni blushed. As a matter of fact, I am a little pressed for time. You see, His Majesty is expecting an important report from me tomorrow. Its a secret, you know. Yes, there are some things that His Majesty can only trust me with. I try to find time for him. There are plenty of other workers at the archive, but he needs someone who truly understands the matter.
How right you are! My father is the Heavenly Thrones treasury secretary, and he is always complaining about the difficulty of finding good people. There are so many dishonest people out there who only think about how to put money in their own pockets. Can you imagine? They buy houses, boats, fine carriages and expensive paintings, but their heads are absolutely empty!
Uni sighed. That is a sign of our times. Money without culture and culture without money. In the ancient world, the leaders were enlightened. They took wise men as their advisors, and their governments and their people prospered. When wisdom is separated from power and power from wisdom, the country becomes like a body that is missing its head!
You always put things just the right way!
I am but a simple fisherman who spends his days chasing after the truth with the tattered nets of his thoughts, Uni replied. Im not the first person to realize that powerful people ought to pay attention to those who have great knowledge. When wise men are ignored by those in power, they always turn their voices to the rabble, becoming leaders of the mindless crowd, whose animal instincts drive it to destroy the foundations of a civilized society. It is a shame that our self-important civil servants do not wish to see what is right in front of their faces: it would be better to spend one hundred leros today to hire a handful of wise men than spend a thousand leros tomorrow to put down a revolt!
Siana smiled happily. I agree with everything you say, but remember that not everyone is as thoughtless as you think. My future husband, Semilius Torvey, has the greatest respect for talented young people. He says that the empire stands on their shoulders.
Your future husband? Uni felt a wave of hot blood rise to his head. He froze. A black mist clouded his vision. He put his hands to his head.
Of course, it would be more correct to say that he is my fiancé, but the matter has already been decided. I thought you know him. Semilius is one of the commanders of the Solar Sentinels. I expect youve seen him at the palace.
No, I havent. I mean, of course, Ive heard of him. Have you known him long?
Three months. Remember when you met me at the square in front of the Imperial Court? He was standing next to my father. Hes tall and strong, and his face is very fierce, with such a manly profile! You know, Ive never been a very emotional person, but when I saw him for the first time, I felt like a wave knocked me off my feet. Something just pulled me to him!
I see. Unis face was as hard as stone. He sighed, folded his hand behind his back, and started walking again, trying to look like he wasnt dying inside. He sounds like the perfect hero. I suppose all the girls dream of a brave young man like that saving them from a dragon
Siana gave a little frown. Hes fifteen years older than I am, so hes not exactly a young man. Id say hes a man in his prime. And hes very, very smart. Just listen, I havent told you everything yet. Semilius told me that after we are married, he wants us to host a salon of the most intelligent people in the empire. He always says exactly what you just did: educated book-lovers shouldnt be allowed to mingle with poor people. There needs to be a place where they can come and discuss their ideas while they drink and eat and have a good time. We are going to host elegant dinner parties like that. Just imagine: philosophers sitting around our table having heated discussions! I hope you will come and take part.
Me? Thank you for the invitation. I doubt Ill come.
Whats wrong with you, Uni? Youre such a nice boy. You should think about your career. If you spend time with the best people in the empire, youll get noticed much faster. Wise men and leaders around the same table! Thats just what you were talking about, isnt it?
Of course. He paused. Siana, you are always telling me how smart you think I am, but youre wrong. Today, for the first time, I realized that you are the smart one. Im a fool. Thats the truth. Unis voice wavered as he stared off in the distance.
How strange you are! How could I ever be smarter than you? Youve read so many books, and you know more things than I could ever imagine. I may know a little bit about a lot of things, but my only chance to really learn is when I talk to people like you!
Will I ever see you again? Uni asked, easing himself into the role of martyr.
Of course! Come by during the week and tell me more about the Arincils. My father says we will be at war with them soon, but Semilius doesnt believe it. What do you think, which of them is correct?
For a moment, Uni said nothing, but then he gathered all of his strength and mastered the wave of despair that was drowning him. I believe your eminently respected father is closer to the truth.
I think so, too, the girl said, leaning toward him trustingly. But please dont tell Semilius. He doesnt like it when I disagree with him. She glanced at the setting sun. Its time for me to go. The sun is down. Time always flies when Im with you!
Let me walk you home.
No need. Theres a palanquin waiting for me at the entrance to the gardens. Goodbye, Uni. It was so nice to spend time with you. With an elegant wave of her wrist encircled with a gold bracelet in the form of a grape vine the girl left Uni standing alone in the ruins of his unfounded expectations.
* * *
My dear boy, I cant understand why you ever had any hopes. What were you thinking? The heavy-set young man walking on Unis left was the absolute picture of sarcasm. He was only a hair taller than his tragic friend, but he made himself more noticeable with his smug bearing, brightly colored robes, and the unpleasant smirk on his well-bred face. Did you even know who her father is? Hes Otonius Zainey, the right-hand-man to the Emperors tax collector! Think of it like this: youre both birds, but shes sitting in a much nicer tree. Does that make sense?
The young man on Unis right frowned. Thats not the problem, Sorgius, he said with a shake of his dark curls. He was tall and well-built, a giant next to his friends. You always think everything has to do with rank and money. What actually happened is that our little hero spent months and months dreaming about a girl who was already preparing to light a fire in her husbands hearth.
Little hero? We were born in the same year, yet you keep calling me little. With the Sun as my witness, Ive had enough!
Sorgius made a face. Oh no, hes getting upset. He turned to Uni. My boy, it takes more than admiring pretty girls if you want to be a man. You need brains in your head instead of book dust. Plain old common sense. And you need to get outside more often. You sit inside that archive like a child in its mothers womb. You havent even been born yet. Youre a baby!
Perhaps I dont know life, if you define life as these filthy drinking parties of yours, filthy whores, gluttony and licentiousness, and the stink of that weed you smoke! Uni shook his head. Man was created for purity and light, to attain the secrets of this world and to respond to the call of tender love. I will never be like you two. Why do you always attack me?
Speaking of filthy drinking parties, his companion on the right interrupted him. Shall we stop in at the Rabbit? What do you say? I think thats the perfect place to drink yourself into a stupor over unrequited love.
Uni winced. I thought you would understand me, Vordius. I suppose youre done with your friends now that youve found love. Have you forgotten how we poured beer down your throat when you were heartsick?
That we did, Sorgius recalled happily. But for some reason, I was the one who vomited. Those hotheads from the guards certainly know how to drink. We were at the Roasted Rabbit that time, so why not go back? We already know the place.
My report for the Emperor is due at noon. Im not going anywhere. Ill suffer alone.
Did you hear that? Hes writing for the Great Lord, but he doesnt want to drink to him. Theres something wrong with that. How about this: I hereby use the powers vested in me to arrest you until you remedy this blasphemous situation, said Vordius Onato. He wrapped a giant arm around Unis shoulders and squeezed him until he cried out in pain. Then he dragged his friends puny body into their favorite drinking establishment.
The Roasted Rabbit might not have been one of the best-known taverns in Enteveria, but it offered the most fun, with the highest concentration of wine-lovers anywhere in the Empire. As its name indicated, the tavern was known for roasting rabbits, pheasants, and other delicacies brought in by hunters, which made it the ideal choice for gatherings of real men and anyone who wanted to sit next to them at prices that were more than reasonable for the capital city.
There were no seats to be had, but Vordius solved the problem in his usual manner: he simply knocked three of the most well-oiled customers off their chairs.
He gestured at a server. Man, over here! The server reacted quickly when he saw the guardsman. Vordius was feeling expansive. Bring us the best of everything: rabbit, vegetables, bread, nuts. And make sure its all fresh!
Are you drinking wine or beer?
Bring both.
What kind of wine? We have a fortified wine from Seregad that is particularly nice.
I said bring everything!
Yes, your honor!
Unis eyes were round. I cant believe it! Youve been a nicor for less than a week and youre already bossing everyone around. What will you be like when they make you a commander?
Would you rather sit here for an hour before they notice you? The way I do it, we already have a feast on our table.
Lovely. But who is going to pay for it?
He is, Vordius said, pointing his huge finger at Sorgius, whose eyes had rolled up in delight at the smell of the beer. Hell pay for each word he said against my very best friend, and the warrior wrapped his powerful arm around Unis face and kissed him on the top of the head.
Of course, you brought me along to be the wallet, Sorgius whined. I wish I had known when we were boys together that I would end up buying your friendship with beer.
You brought it on yourself, fool! How many times have I told you to stop measuring everything in money? Youre a philanderer with years of experience, but when I asked you to give Uni advice, you just brushed me off. How could you? Cant you see your friend is dying?
If hes dying, then lets drink the first toast to our friendship. May there always be someone to take the noose from around your neck!
To friendship! Each member of the small group poured a little of his wine into his neighbors cup and then drank his own dry.
See, Uni, Sorgius turned to his neighbor, whose face was already pink. Your fatal mistake was entirely banal. Thats what makes it so tragic. Your fault is how you look at a woman.
How do you know how I look at a woman?
Sorgius snorted. Do you think youre one-of-a-kind? Everyone goes through it. See, you look at women as if they were holy beings. Goddesses. Thats the root of your problem.
But how else am I supposed to look at the woman I love? Thats normal.
Normal? Sorgius snorted again. Whats normal is seeing a woman for what she is. In reality. A woman is a pretty face that hides a very pragmatic, earthy nature. She has no time for romantic nonsense, and she usually knows perfectly well what she wants from life.