Chapter 9
When morning came, Yue and her grandnephew Luthred woke up moments after the other. At that point Joshua, who had been awake the whole night, went to prepare breakfast. Yue did not respond to his greeting of good morning, avoided eye contact, and ignored him even as they ate. Even the boy noted the tension between them, but remained silent.
A few hours after finishing breakfast, Yue turned towards the door and murmured.
"They're here."
Moments later, a crisp rap echoed from the door. Joshua went to open it while Yue explained to her grandnephew what was about to happen.
It was the majordomo, and behind him stood three men and two women of varying ages and uniforms. From their expression, posture and the design of their clothes, he guessed they were senior members of the palace staff that were assigned to examine Luthred. Judging by the thick scent of medicine surrounding them, they were all medical practitioners of one kind or another.
The majordomo's pudgy face stretched into a thin smile before dipping his head.
"Lord Brent has ordered an examination on Master Luthred, as well as an evaluation your workmanship. You and Lady Yue are to follow me to a waiting area in the meantime."
The majordomo stated bluntly. The disgruntled yet obedient tone he used while saying 'lady' indicated he had recently learned of Yue's connection to the royal family.
"Understood. My notes are on the desk."
Joshua replied before turning to call for Yue, who had undoubtedly heard everything. After saying farewell her grandnephew, she went to join him.
The majordomo then gestured at the palace staff to enter. The five greeted Luthred reverently, stepped into the young master's bedroom and closed the door behind them. At that point, the majordomo led the two down a floor, crossed a wide hallway, took a right turn at a cross intersection and brought them into a small but well decorated waiting room.
In the middle of the room were two cushioned chairs standing opposite each other with an ornate round table in between them. On the table were two empty silver chalices and a glass jug of thinned wine. A small bookshelf containing several leather-bound volumes stood in the corner; a single tall glass window looked out into the garden.
After informing them that he will return, the majordomo left. While Yue went to sniff and taste the wine, Joshua examined the bookshelf for any interesting titles. Sadly, all of them were romanced tales about valiant knights, or chronicles about ancient kingdoms. While he was browsing, Yue called quietly.
"You…"
Joshua turned to face her, but she was standing facing the table in such a manner that all he could see was her small back and slightly hunched shoulders, a seemingly frail and fragile frame.
"It would be great if you get to work here."
That was all she said in a quiet yet supportive tone. Despite the numerous things he wanted to say, Joshua replied simply.
"Yeah, it would be."
"Lord Brent will now see you."
It was around midafternoon when the majordomo returned to announce that. The man's lack of tone and dull facial expression made Joshua suspicious.
"Why? And how is Luthred?"
The majordomo frowned heavily in contempt at the informal way which he referred to the young lord.
"Master Luthred is well. And it would be wise for you to learn your place, commoner. Do not question our lord's will."
When a noble asks, a peasant obeys. That was the unspoken rule.
"Fine, take us to him then."
Yue snapped. The older man sniffed and turned on his heels without waiting for them to follow. This time, he brought them to the ground floor where the floors were made from marble, and echoed with each step. After a while, the majordomo brought them outside a pair of large doors that anyone would assume will lead into a large, grand audience hall. The doors were twice the height of a regular person and had two heavily armored sentries standing on either side.
"This is the main audience chamber. Beyond this door, Lord Brent, Lady Alda and several senior palace officials are present, along with members of the church. Reminder where you stand."
The majordomo informed them in a severe tone, then turned to face the doors and called out in a loud, booming voice that did not suit his age and size.
"Lady Yue, and Mister Joshua!"
As soon as he called out, the palace guards pushed open the large doors with mighty effort. Yue and Joshua were ushered to enter alone.
The audience chamber was huge, and the ceiling so high that it would take four men standing on each other's shoulders to reach it.
As they walked, their every step echoed sharply on the white polished marble floor. On their left, the wall was replaced by tall transparent glass windows that reached the ceiling. Beyond the glass was a vast and well-tended garden, followed by numerous prestigious buildings of the inner city, and finally the inner city's tall curtain walls.
More impressively, the domed ceiling served as a massive painting of a large fortress on a hill with a golden crown hovering over it. Surrounding the fortress were smaller cities and towns, and further out were coasts and border lines. It was a map of the nation of Trenni with the capitol in the very middle.
At the end of the audience chamber, the flat marble floor became steps leading up to a raised dais. A dozen middle aged to old men in priestly robes stood at the bottom edge of the dais, their expressions grim.
On the dais were half a dozen people dressed in fine livery. Among the six, Joshua recognized Lady Alda and Lord Brent, who were standing on either side of a vacant golden throne. The other four were middle aged men, likely high ranked members of the palace, stood flanking the two nobles.
"Come forward."
Lord Brent ordered in a calm yet authoritative tone. Joshua and Yue approached to stand at the bottom of the dais. It took them a surprisingly large number of steps to cross the chamber, amplified by the fact that each step echoed loudly on the marble floor.
Joshua noted the apprehensive looks on most of the palace officials on the raised dais. Only Lady Alda and Lord Brent had neutral expressions. By contrast, the priests standing nearby were openly scowling at the two, but interestingly, were also casting suspicious glances at Lord Brent.
"Reverend fathers, gathered members of the court, allow me to introduce Miss Yue, a representative of Ruvenheigen's Rowen Guild, as well as my wife's distant relative. And this is her companion, whom I assigned to treat my son."
In the brief pause that Lord Brent allowed to descend after delivering the introductions, he noted the priests throwing sharp glances at the olive skinned man. There was more at stake here than the petty pride of whose methods worked best, this was a political battle between the church and the Kingdom of Trenni, though neither Yue nor Joshua were aware of it yet.
He then nodded to the man standing beside him, who raised a heavy looking golden staff he had been holding and struck the ground with its base. The dull yet heavy sound resounded through the chamber.
"In the name of the king and by the grace of God, this court is now in session!"
He announced. After thanking him, Lord Brent turned back to the two commoners and the six clergymen standing at the base of the dais.
"The apothecarians have checked on my son. He is recovering well, and is not in danger."
He directed that statement to the priests, whose expressions turned to clear surprise. That was a given, since the last time they saw the boy, he was gravely ill and none of their prayers were working.
"They have also examined Joshua's work and determined it to be genuine. Additionally, they say that his work is extraordinary."
Lord Brent continued. Joshua heard the priests grumble quietly to each other, and many of them threw suspicious glances his way. More importantly, he noted Yue's concealed ears twitch while she frowned heavily.
"Because of this, it has been decided that the thousand Lumione reward will be given to Miss Yue, who represents the Rowen Guild."
Lord Brent concluded. At that point, Joshua's eyes were wide open in surprise. He wasn't told that there was a monetary reward, and a thousand Lumione was an outrageously huge sum.
"This is an outrage!"
One of the older priests finally shouted, the thin veins on his sweaty forehead bulged and pulsing.
"That money rightly belongs to the church for its services! Has my lord forgotten our days and nights spent praying over the young master?"
The other priests eagerly voiced their agreement. Lord Brent raised an arm to silence them.
"Reverent fathers. On the evening I asked you to step aside, you claimed that my son's time is near. Yet under the care of this man he has recovered. Shouldn't it be fair to judge that he is the reason my son is well?"
"Milord, despite sending us off, we continued to pray ceaselessly!"
The priest insisted. Judging by the way the others remain silent as he spoke, it was safe to assume that he was the leader among them.
"We continued praying with greater fervency for God to spare the child, and he has answered! It is a sin to doubt the servants of God, my lord!"
A flare of anger rose up Lord Brent's chest. He took one step forward and was about to retort when a firm hand grasped onto the hem of his sleeve. It was his wife, Alda. She firmly shook her head, hard gray eyes warning him to not be provoked.
What should I do? He asked without speaking. They have been married for more than ten years, and in that time they have learned to guess what the other was trying to say just by reading their facial expressions.
In response, Alda smiled and stepped forward.
"Reverend fathers, I understand your displeasure."
Alda started as she stared down at the priests, who looked distrustful of her. These were the times where the church preached for women to be obedient lambs of their husbands. To have a woman speak to them as their superior was an offense to their pride and custom.
"Indeed, it would be unfair to neglect the servants of God."
She continued. At that, the priests nodded with blind enthusiasm.
"However, it is also unfair to neglect those who helped save my son. Since it would be unfair to favor one side or the other, would you consider a compromise?"
At that, the lead priest's frown deepened.
"What is it do you propose, milady?"
Alda smiled, it was an exact replica of the smile Hans would wear.
"I propose splitting the reward evenly. Each party shall receive five hundred Lumione."
A simple compromise, with no strings attached. To refuse would mean they were being petty over money, to accept would be to swallow their pride. But by refusing they will also lose standing with the nobles, while by accepting they can claim partial credit. In short, there was really only one option for them. Alda's husband thought to himself, amazed by his wife's cunning mind.
The priests' expressions remained reluctant, but they too realized that pushing any further would only cause more attrition in their already fragile diplomatic relations.
"Hmm… Very well, we accept."
The leading priest sighed, as if they had agreed to a great ransom.
"Wonderful. Bearers, bring in the gold."
Alda called. Moments later, four servants entered from a side door. Each pair carried a medium sized wooden chest and placed them on the middle step of the dais, a symbolic display of the giver presenting to the recipient.
"Please confirm its contents."
Alda instructed, and the chests were opened for all to witness. Within the chest were rows of gold coins neatly stacked one on top of the other. Joshua found it hard to swallow. This was the first time he had seen so much money in one place. Yue on the other hand remained calm, and he noticed her ears continuing to twitch under the white fur cap she wore.
"Are both parties satisfied with the contents?"
Alda asked of them. The priests reluctantly agreed that they were.
"On behalf of the Rowan Guild, I have something to say."
Yue suddenly spoke up for the first time, drawing everyone's attention. Joshua almost fainted there and then. What on earth could Yue be thinking? They were standing in the midst of giants waging their own wars, the wise course would be to follow the flow and hope to come out unscathed.
"Of course, what is it?"
Alda wore a frown as she replied, since everything was progressing smoothly so far. If her aunt misspoke now, it would only drive more dissent between the church and the nobility. Yue bowed once to her, and then turned to the priests.
"On behalf of the Rowan Guild, I would like to apologize for all the inconveniences we have put you through. As a gesture of goodwill, I would like to offer this five hundred Lumione as a donation from the guild."
Nearly everyone in the room gasped in shock at this unexpected turn of events. The priests were the last to recover. The leader among them coughed before bowing, visibly pleased.
"We humbly accept this donation, and will inform his holiness that the Rowen Guild holds true the teachings of Saint Rowen of Aquent."
A moment of silence passed in the audience chamber as every party present witnessed this remarkable scene between the young female representative of a merchant guild and the senior members of the church.
After that, the priests thanked Lord Brent and Lady Alda once more before taking their leave. As one, they turned and marched out of the audience chamber while the four servants trailed after them with the two Lumione filled chests.
At the same time, Lord Brent dismissed the palace officials. Soon, only Lady Alda and Lord Brent remained along with Yue and Joshua. They got down from the dais to stand in front of them.
"As a father, I thank you for saving my son."
Lord Brent said. Beside him, his wife nodded graciously in agreement. The nobleman then continued.
"We have received the apothecarians report. It is their recommendation that you should stay and work alongside them in the palace."
In other words, he was being offered a post in the palace. Joshua turned to Yue and saw that her head was lowered. He secretly smiled and turned to the nobleman.
"I'm sorry, my lord, but I must refuse."
He replied, and noticed Yue whip towards him. From the corner of his eyes, he saw that her expression was one of utter disbelief. The nobleman himself was surprised by his answer. Only Alda looked as if she had expected it.
As a man who acknowledged talent and valued good character, Lord Brent was about to try and convince the young man to stay when Alda touched his arm to draw his attention. She shook her head with a slight smile, in other words telling him it was futile.
And so, the nephew of King Adrian the second turned back to Joshua with a heavy frown, and sighed in disappointment.
"Very well then…"
"Aunt, that was unexpected of you. I can only imagine how Hans will react when he finds out you donated five hundred Lumione to the church."
Alda commented to Yue with a knowing look, the expression an older sibling would wear after catching a younger sibling in an act of mischief.
"I'm sure he will forgive me after hearing that his nephew is safe."
Yue's eyes narrowed and drifted towards the window, which incidentally faced the direction towards Ruvenheigen. Those eyes then returned to Alda.
"There are also two more things I'd like to say. One of them is about those Lumione, and the other is Trenni's standing with the church."
Finally, it was Alda's turn to freeze. She woman simply paused like a statue, even her breathing had stopped. Out of concern, Lord Brent tapped her hand. A few seconds later, she unfroze. At that point, Yue laughed so loud it echoed through the chamber, and if anyone were standing outside they could probably hear her. When she was done, she exhaled with mirth.
"I won't ask about the money. As for the church, I'll ask Hans about it."
She stated. Alda nodded in defeat.
"My thanks… Will you stay a while longer?"
The wolf-girl shook her head before replying.
"Your brother in Ruvenheigen is probably expecting us. So we would like to leave as soon as possible."
Alda seemed mildly disappointed, but agreed that Yue's course of action was the correct one.
"Then make sure to say farewell to Luthred. Your grandnephew has grown very fond of you."
Yue sniffed with pride, then half turned to Joshua.
"That's because I'm lovable. Am I not?"
It was around late afternoon when Joshua and Yue were back on the road, heading towards Ruvenheigen. It foretold of a clear evening and night, judging by the cloudless blue skies for as far as the eye could see. As for Castle Trenni, it was far behind them.
"Even that stingy miser of a nephew of mine won't complain about the money when he sees what goods we bring."
Yue stated positively as she looked back from the driver seat.
Underneath the tarp cover, the wagon carried crates of silverware and ceramic dishware that while were not worth five hundred Lumione, were still worth a small fortune. Complimentary gifts, as Alda had put.
"Hmm, quite true."
"I've been meaning to ask, why weren't you upset about the coins, hmm?"
Yue asked Joshua. When Yue declared she was giving away the money, he had remained silent the whole time. Joshua smiled wryly before replying.
"The Lumione coins were fakes, weren't they?"
He regarded her with his own cunning smile. Yue blinked in surprise.
"Goodness, how did you know?"
"Your ears were twitching the whole time when they brought out the chests. I was afraid someone would point that out."
The wolf-girl uttered an 'ooh' while feeling her ears, but didn't seem too bothered.
Whenever counterfeit gold coins were discovered, they would either end up being melted into new currency or kept as fool's currency. A fool's currency was in short a scamming tactic used by those in power, by paying their debts with counterfeit currency.
While it will not work in dire circumstances, such as paying the ransom of a captured prince or bribing an opposing army, in small transactions it was not unheard of. That was one reason one of the reasons why merchants were wary of doing business with the nobility.
"Wait… Does that mean Lady Alda intended to pay the Rowan Guild in false currency!?"
Joshua nearly jumped out of the driver's box with shock as he exclaimed that. In his mind, one word came forth. Backstabbing.
"Nope. When she visited while you were asleep on my lap, she mentioned it to me."
Joshua tried to fit that information to make sense of what had transpired, but only became more confused.
"… Why would she do that? And wait, your niece looked ready to faint when you mentioned the coins earlier. What was that about?"
Joshua wondered while frowning. Yue shook her head and sighed.
"You're diving too deep when the truth can be found in shallow waters. Basically, she was warning me not to accept the money even though we earned it."
Joshua considered that for a while, but still found the noblewoman's shocked reaction queer. If it had nothing to do with the coins, then it must be the second part.
"Trenni's standing with the church?"
Yue gave a lopsided smirk in reply.
"Tis' still a guess right now. Let's ask Hans when we return to Ruvenheigen. And what about you? Don't you have something to explain to me?"
"Oh? Do I now?"
Joshua vaguely replied, and grunted when a sharp elbow slammed into his ribs, making him lurch sideways. Their chestnut horse whinnied and veered slightly following the sharp pull of the reins, and threw a disgruntled look at its driver.
"Geez, I was only joking."
Joshua groaned, messaging his ribs.
"I want to know why you refused. Didn't you say it was great if you could work in the palace?"
Yue demanded while staring at him with those sharp amber eyes.
"Well, it's a little embarrassing."
He muttered, unable those red hot eyes.
"Nonetheless, I want to know."
She insisted. After a while, he turned to Yue.
"Because… I want to continue travelling with you."
Her expression lifted, but only a little.
"Is… Is that all? Surely there must be more. Come now, don't be shy!"
She interrogated, her tail swishing quite loudly under her cloak.
"I… I enjoy being in your company, and I'd like to travel with you for a while longer. Is that alright?"
Joshua's face felt so warm that he won't be surprised if the air around his head simmered from the heat. When Yue did not reply, he nervously turned towards her.
Her expression was… Difficult to decipher. On one hand, she was smiling with bliss, yet her eyes looked as if they concealed a terribly heavy burden. She then leaned into his shoulder, making his heart skip a beat. She felt so soft that he was tempted to embrace her.
"I see…"
Her voice was so soft that it could be mistaken for the sound of a breeze.
"I'll be in your care for a little longer then…"
The same words she said while they were in Ruvenheigen, yet devoid of the cheer she had then. Why was that? Joshua wanted dearly to ask, but felt that even if he did, she will not reply.
And so with those heavy questions in mind, he continued driving the wagon towards Ruvenheigen, towards the future where the answers can be found.