Chapter 7: "I Never Knew…"

"Why haven't the elections started yet?"

"We are not adequately equipped to handle voting on such a large scale, not yet, Speaker."

"Well, what do you need?" Lyude leaned towards Admiral Bagnost across the table. Beside him, the various commanders and captains that made up the High Command sat. Folon and Ayme were on either side of him.

The admiral looked uncomfortable with the Speaker's question. "Well... we would need to assign officials for counting and soldiers for regulating polls. Then we would need to determine a list of candidates and see who is actually running, and make as many ballots as there are voters. All that takes time. This is unprecedented, and so naturally it will be a while before we are prepared."

Lyude nodded. "So then you have started working on that? I set up guidelines and orders as soon as I entered office."

Again the admiral avoided his gaze somewhat. "Progress is being made, Speaker."

Lyude frowned. "Can you be more specific, admiral?"

"I'm afraid I can't, sir, not without reports from the committee set up for elections."

Inwardly Lyude sighed. Whenever he tried to get things done, somehow his orders were mangled in bureaucracy, delayed, or unexpectedly lost or misunderstood. So far the only thing he had managed to do promptly was send out a boat to search for Mizuti. Not exactly a grand first term.

"Well then, is there any further business?"

"There is a matter that was discussed in your absence, sir," put in one of the captains. "Many of us think that those who fought to keep Alfard free of Malpercio's minions should be commended. For your convenience, we had drawn up a list of names." He handed a pad to Lyude, and the Speaker of Alfard scanned the list.

And yet another maneuver for power, except this one is a little sneakier, he thought resignedly. Most of the names were of former Imperial officers who had served closely with Geldoblame. Skeed was on the list, but Folon and Ayme were not. If I refuse this, it will look rude. Yet if I do as they wish, it will empower some people I'd rather not deal with and give them an opening to use me.

Aloud, he said, "I'll consider the request and make appropriate revisions to the list." Several officers' faces darkened at this, but they said nothing. They could not publicly object.

By now, Lyude was tired of this and wanted to reach and end as quickly as possible. "If there is nothing else for today...?"

No one responded. Lyude nodded decisively and stood. "Thank you all for coming. We will convene again tomorrow to discuss any other issues necessary. Dismissed." They all rose and filed out one by one. At a slight gesture, Folon and Ayme hung back.

"What now, Speaker?" asked Ayme. It bordered on sarcasm but wasn't unfriendly. Relationships between the three had definitely improved since Malpercio's defeat.

"Take a look at this list." Lyude handed it to them. Folon read it and gave a mirthless chuckle. "You're not on it. Are you offended?"

"Certainly not surprised," admitted Folon. "But you're making them work for it. This is new."

"They thought you'd be easier to control than this," smirked Ayme. "I suppose now we've been labeled as your henchies and are treated accordingly."

"I'm sorry if I've caused you to lose favor in the ranks," said Lyude regretfully.

Folon shrugged. "What do I care? I'm so high above them, I could order them to lick my–"

"I think we get the picture, buzzhead," interjected Ayme.

"I ought to demote you for that."

"You can't demote me, we're the same rank."

"Did you hear that, Speaker? She's ordering me around!"

"Stop it, both of you," said Lyude, a little more irritated than normal by their antics. He was too tired for this. "I need a way to refuse this without offending most of the officers in the palace."

Ayme looked thoughtful. "You can't please everyone, Lyude."

He gave her a look.

"Okay, okay. How about decorating them and stuff without actually awarding new ranks? And if you don't like that," she added, seeing Lyude open his mouth, "don't forget most of the officers aren't very fond of you anyway."

Lyude stopped and sighed. "You're right, as usual. It doesn't seem like I can get anything done around here. I never knew being a leader would be so difficult."

"Hey, cheer up. It could be worse. We could all have perished in the fiery wake of Malpercio's destruction," said Folon helpfully. Ayme smacked his shoulder lightly.

"Some advisor you make, blue boy. Come on, let's leave our Speaker to his thoughts."

"Thank you," Lyude called after them as they exited. He sighed and followed them a moment later.

Walking down the halls, he had a sudden idea. He turned to an elevator and took it a floor down. As the door opened, he found himself staring straight at Skeed.

"Oh, hello, brother – I mean, Speaker." Skeed smiled slightly and mimicked the elegant bow Lyude did so often. "How goes the council?"

"Driving me up a wall," said Lyude ruefully. Skeed nodded knowingly.

"Being a leader is a tricky business. If you ever feel like you... need help, don't be afraid to ask me. This time, I'll try to be there for you. Good luck." He stepped into the elevator, and the doors slid shut. Lyude was left with a smile on his face. No matter how often it happened now, a kind word from Skeed always cheered him up immeasurably.

His feet took him around a corner towards the weapons locker – and his eyes rested upon Lycoris standing in the middle of the hallway. Her back was turned towards him.

"Lycoris?" he asked. She jumped in fright and whirled to face him. Then she was who it was, and her face relaxed.

"Speaker Lyude, how are you?" She looked abashed.

Lyude walked to her side. "I'm sorry to have startled you." He touched her hand gently. She smiled.

"What brings you to this end of the fortress?"

"I could ask you the same thing," he said lightly. "I was actually thinking of going to that place you told me about earlier."

Her eyes lit up. "Can I come then?"

He laughed. "Of course. Lead the way."

Happily she started towards the weapons locker. Lyude found himself admiring the way she moved, envying her the use of her arms. This was the first time he'd seen her out of her hospital gown. A soft blue dress fitted her closely, circled by a belt of the same color with a pale green stone set in it. Her chocolate-colored hair floated back from her, just below her shoulders. Lyude gave himself a mental shake. What was he thinking? She was just his nurse... wasn't she?

They entered weapons storage. Lycoris moved deftly to a small corner where an empty pedestal stood. She moved it sideways, and Lyude heard something click. Behind a rack of sonic rifles, a section of wall slid away with a low rumble.

"Can you squeeze behind here?" asked Lycoris as she maneuvered herself behind the weapons. "It's a tight fit, but I think you can do it."

"I think so." Lyude followed her, sucking in his chest. He scraped through and ducked into the low-hanging passage. It was absolutely dark, but not for long. Suddenly he could see light shining around the form of Lycoris as she approached the exit. Then they both burst out into fresh air.

All around them was green. The long grass waved gently in the breeze, still sparkling with dew. Trees rose majestically in front of them, shading the other side of the garden with their cool emerald boughs. A low stone fountain sat in the center of the courtyard, its weathered flagstones cracked and covered with moss and ivy. Surrounding the passage on either side was a rotted trellis, more plant than wood, hanging with wild pink blossoms. The scent of roses filled the air. Other blooms grew out of control around the garden, golden lilies and azure indigo, wild strawberry and blazingstar, snapdragons and irises. It was a natural beauty, so full of life and wonder that Lyude's breath was stolen away. He could only gaze in astonishment at this pocket of beauty in the midst of metal and stone while Lycoris watched his reaction in utter happiness.

"This... all this... I never knew..." He was lost for words. Lycoris smiled and took his good hand softly.

"It's all right," she whispered. "The way your eyes shine tells me all I need to know."

He turned to her, and his vision was filled with a different kind of beauty. Gentle crimson eyes met soft hazel ones.

"I thought..." His voice cracked. He cleared his throat, embarrassed, and looked at the ground.

Lycoris ran her fingers down the edge of his cheek and tilted his chin up gently. "There's one more thing. Please, come with me."

Hand in hand they walked through the copse of trees on the other side of the garden. The cool whisper of leaves gave way to an open clearing, and the land sloped up for a bit, then dropped sharply away. The wind whistled through the tall grass, whipping their hair about so brown and scarlet strands intertwined as Lycoris led Lyude up the rise. They stopped at the edge of the cliff, and Lyude thought that his heart would burst.

They stood on a precipice overlooking the dazzling blue ocean. Below them, they could hear hollow booms as the waves beat against the rock face to the tune of the sea. Warm sunlight turned the whitecaps into gold, and sea birds circled far out above the water, filling the air with their whistling cries.

Lycoris turned to Lyude. "Well... do you like it?"

He turned to her and did not look away this time. "Lycoris, I love it. All this–" He gestured to the trees, the ocean around them– "is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. And yet..." He paused, and smiled. "There is only one thing that I believe is more breathtaking."

"What?"

He finally found the courage, then, to say it.

"I thought that when Almarde died, I would never be able to love another again. The pain ran too deep for me to open myself up again. But..." He tilted her chin up to gaze into her beautiful eyes, now brimming with tears that mirrored his own. "You proved me wrong."

The tears spilled out as she closed her eyes, falling like shining stars to mingle with the dew on the grass. He felt his own running gently down his cheeks as he pulled her closer and their lips met.

They did not move for a long time from that spot.