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Chapter Three: Judges' Banter
In the city of Arcades, in the highest tower, there lies an office. An office unlike that of any in all Ivalice.
For one, it was not roofed, and barely walled. A sign that the owner was not fond of being cloistered away and hidden from the world. So, he bared himself for his people, and so that he, could see them, high above in his tower.
Arched, glassless windows lined one side of the oval office, book shelves on the other. The marble floors were etched with colorful mosaic tiles, designed with an insignia; two serpents, twisting and coiling each other with their slender bodies, their triangular heads meeting above before the other.
Directly in front of the insignia, there stood a proud, mahogany desk. But unlike the rest of the office, which showed neatness and utilitarian in nature, the desk was littered with parchment, papers, ink bottles and several broken quills. The owner of this desk sat behind it, upon a not-so-comfortable chair. He was however, bent over the desk, his head resting on his arms. Right there, asleep before his work, Emperor Larsa Ferrinas Solidor looked like any fifteen-year old boy, resting after playing his time away. But Emperor Larsa was not any fifteen year old. For three years ago, his eldest brother Vayne Solidor, wreaked havoc, not only to the empire, but to all of Ivalice. Submerged in his pursuit for power and immortality, Vayne challenged even the Gods, and demanded that their fate not be decided by Undying. But this pursuit caused Vayne's humanity, and he had forgone any sort of attachment to his family and to the world. He had become an entity unfeeling and undying, ever-thirsty for power. And as the last surviving member of the House of Solidor, Larsa had to put an end to his brother's tyranny, even though that meant he had to kill him.
And kill him he did. Larsa aided to Vayne's downfall and took to heart the responsibility of righting the wrongs that Vayne did to Ivalice, to clean the stains his brother had smeared arcoss the Empire. That was precisely what Larsa Solidor had been doing the past years, trying to straighten out everything, peace envoys, reinstating the Senate and straightening out loose ends. He had working so hard the past weeks that he hardly got any sleep, which brought such headaches to Judge Magister Basch, a personal bodyguard and longtime friend of the child Emperor.
As the young lord slept soundly on the desk, with a look as if he had not a care in the world, two heavily armored men came in, making such a racket in their armor that it was surprising that Emperor Larsa did not stir.
These two heavily armored men were no ordinary Imperial Hoplites but Judge Majisters, members of an Elite Corps, assigned to protect the House of Solidor at all costs. The only thing that differentiated them from each other was their helmets, designed uniquely for them. These two were also unique for they were the only surviving Judge Majisters from the Great War. Judge Majister Zargabath and Judge Majister Basch.
The two removed their helmets and regarded the sleeping lord with an almost astonished expression. None of them had seen their lord so peaceful since he had taken his position as Emperor.
"He has not slept in a week." Basch muttered gravely looking at the Emperor.
"You have let him do so Basch? I never thought you consented to such matters." Zargabath commented with a raise of his eyebrows.
"What would you have me do?" Basch answered rather defensively. "Emperor Larsa would sooner have me executed than follow my advice regarding his health."
"You should have tied him to the bedpost then, if he was that stubborn. Or do you lack the spine to do so?" there was a smile playing about the judge's lips as he said this.
"Spine doesn't have anything to do with Zargabath. Would you tie the most important man of the Empire to his bedpost if he does not wish to sleep?" Basch said rather firmly, as if annoyed that the older judge was teasing him.
"That's enough from both of you." Interrupted a cool and cultured voice. Their conversation had woken the Emperor when their outrageously noisy armor did not.
"My lord," the two judges bowed immediately in respect as Emperor Larsa stood up and massaged his legs which had grown numb.
The years were not hard on Larsa's features, though the times were. He had grown taller, but still had the youthful look about him. His jet black hair had grown beyond his shoulders. The hairs which had the greatest length were gathered at the bottom of his skull by and they were bound by twine. He had allowed the rest to kink to the sides as it always had.
His style of wardrobe had also changed.
He had forgone the green wool trousers and long puffy tunic for a more mature style of wardrobe. He normally wore a elegantly cut robe in a royal blue color with black silk cuffs and a collar of the same hue that would challenge Marquis Ondore's own clothing. His robe had metal links which were black in color stitched downward and served as the buttons for his robe. On hot days, he would let the whole robe fly free from their links, letting his simple white tunic and trousers embroidered with black thread be seen. But on normal days, such as this day, Emperor Larsa would button his blue robe down, save for the last few links which were left open to let the bottom of his robe fly freely. Women of the empire would call the emperor fashionable, Emperor Larsa called it practicality.
This robe however was not on him, Emperor Larsa had thrown it over his chair when he began to set his paperwork in order earlier that morning and was still there later in the afternoon.
"What service can I do you for gentlemen?" Larsa asked, his voice deeper, his eyes wiser and his mien firmer than when he was twelve. "What has happened that two very important Judge Majisters are reporting to me?" He stood and left his desk, rearranging his sword, the Royal Edge around his belt, which he kept with him at all times.
Behind him, Judge Basch and Zargabath exchanged looks. Larsa spun to face them.
"Has the Senate produced trouble again?" he asked with almost exasperation.
"No, my lord." Judge Zargabath was quick to deny. "At least none too grave that we have news of."
"I would ask the Emperor again for his reason why he reinstated the Senate." Basch intervened quickly, a knowing look in his grey eyes.
"To further the cause of peace and justice throughout Ivalice." Larsa stated simply, a sparkle in his eyes. Basch made an irritated noise, though he tried to hide it behind a cough.
"We have come here to remind the Emperor that the Alexander is ready to set sail for Bhujerba." Zargabath interrupted, changing the subject hastily for he sensed that there was a private joke going in between the two and he did not appreciate being excluded.
"Oh yes, thank you Judge Majister." Larsa prompted, falling into the role of the royal Emperor once again. "The fete in Bhujerba is not only a simple gathering I take it?"
"No, my lord." Basch replied. "Judge Zargabath and I have reason to believe that it would be safe if you leave Archadia for awhile. A strategy to see what will happen if you are not here. Tension is high amongst the halls."
Larsa sighed as he looked out of his glassless arches. "The time I have spent rebuilding this kingdom has not given me the results I have visualized, I fear that my father would not be so lax in this regard, more so my brothers."
"Do not compare yourself with your brothers or father, Emperor Larsa." Basch answered softly. "You are not them, and they are not you. The world would be a lot calmer if people relinquished their envy of others to look within their selves of their strengths. I see a strength in you that none of us have. A kind of strength that is to be admired."
"You flatter me, Basch. I shall not get used to such flattery." Larsa said modestly. "Come! Let us sail for Bhujerba while the wind blows swiftly!" he grabbed his robe and left his office, with the two judges following in his wake.
