CHAPTER TEN
The officers let out a shout of glee, and I knew I was right in assuming their hatred towards the fallen Countess Alessia. If anything they fought for her simply out of fear. I could only imagine what kind of tyrant Alessia had to have been to her soldiers.
"I am sorry about Caelia, but I'm afraid she has lost her mind. There is nothing we can do but lock her up," said Jauffre to the officers.
"It matters not to us. Caelia was an oddball from the get-go. I always knew nothing good would happen with her as Captain of the guard, but what was I to say? Alessia favored her over everyone else, and I was too afraid to say anything out of fear of being killed by the Countess's own orders. But now it is all over and our city can have peace once more," said the same officer who had asked me the previous question. "It's too bad Count Marius had to die, but the city of Leyawiin will go on."
"And what is your name, officer?" I asked him.
"My name is Lerexus Callidus; one of Alessia's chosen few to lead the Leyawiin Army. I was given the title of officer just a few short months ago actually. The other officers and I, the whole army even, have lived in fear for countless years, and now you have saved us from her evil reign. Sure, Caelia was the one who actually killed her, but thankfully that happened, because we all know our army would have been crushed by your Imperial Legion soldiers. It is not that I am not confident in my men; I actually think their skill in battle matches your soldiers at the moment. It is just that we are outnumbered greatly, and we would not have stood a chance. I am very thankful for Caelia's decision to rebel from Alessia's grasp, even if it almost happened too late. Hundreds of lives were spared today, my lord. And we have you to thank for that."
I thanked the officer for his kind words, and then I motioned for the Leyawiin officer to lead me into the city. They cheered vigorously, happy to see their leader fall. I still just couldn't believe all of what was going on. How in the world did Alessia rule that long without her husband, the Count himself, knowing of her evil deeds? He paid the ultimate price when he at last discovered the room, but the murders are over now. The people are Leyawiin will finally be able to live in peace.
Inside the city, the news spread around quickly, and soon every citizen was dancing merrily through the streets, singing and rejoicing from the news of Alessia's death. All was well at the moment, but soon the immediate and obvious problems clouded my mind as I knew they eventually would.
Leyawiin was now without a Count or Countess. I decided with Jauffre and Baurus that I shall stay in Leyawiin until a new Count or Countess is named. Jauffre didn't like the idea at all, but finally decided to let me make that decision as long as I kept one hundred of my own soldiers with men, plus Baurus and Itius. I agreed on those principles and Jauffre set off with the other troops back to the Imperial City. He would tell Lex and the people of my great deeds, and hopefully they would start to realize what kind of leader I really was.
"So what do you have in mind for this city, Lukas?"
Baurus asked the question while munching loudly on an apple during dinner, where he, Itius and I all sat a table in the castle's dining room. It was a little past eight o'clock in the evening, and the celebration had just recently ended. The people of Leyawiin had found their way back to their homes, drunk of course. I had never seen such a festival in my life. The way people shouted and sung was amazing. Alessia was certainly a hated person.
"Baurus, chew with your mouth closed! That's revolting!" Itius yelled.
"You won't have to see if you stop staring at me. What's wrong, you think I'm cute or something?" Baurus replied playfully.
I knew how serious of a man Itius was, and I also knew he wouldn't like Baurus's comment either. I was right and Itius's face turned red and he went back to his eating.
Even though I didn't mind the joking, we still faced a problem that would loom over our heads until we finally made a decision on what to do.
"Okay, enough with the jokes, we do have a serious problem here, and I'd like to get it fixed as soon as possible. Leyawiin needs a new ruler, and the three of us need to think of a plan to get them one. Any ideas?"
For several minutes the three of us merely sat staring at each other as we continued our meal. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, Itius jumped up from the table.
"By Talos, why didn't I think of it before?"
I watched as Itius pumped a fist into the air, yelling with great enthusiasm. Then he took a long drink from his glass of ale. I had never before seen Itius act so daringly, because he had always been a quiet man with great manners. Now he was dancing around like a drunken fool.
"Sit down you fool! You're embarrassing all of us," Baurus yelled. Apparently he was surprised by Itius's actions as well.
"What is it, Itius?" I asked.
"Adamus Phillida!"
I had no clue who he was talking about, but Baurus seemed to recognize the name.
"You mean that old retired Imperial officer? Isn't he the one who retired just a few months ago from the Legion?" asked Baurus.
"Yes," he said. Then Itius looked at me. "He's the one Lex was talking to you about. Adamus would be an excellent decision."
I had never met this Adamus Phillida. How was I supposed to agree with Itius on the matter when I didn't even know the guy? "And why is that, Itius?"
"To be totally honest, Adamus never was much of a soldier. But his way with words and the way he treated the citizens was outstanding. Everybody respected him because he respected them. I'm telling you, he's the man for the job, the only man for the job."
It all sounded good, almost too good even. If what Itius spoke was true I had already found my new Count. But even if it was true, what if this Adamus fellow didn't want to be Count? Baurus was thinking the same thing I was.
"Okay, you make strong points. But what if Adamus doesn't want anything to do with being a Count? Then what?" said Baurus.
"Ask him, ask him tomorrow and I assure you he'll take the job. I know that man better than anyone, with the exception of Lex. His passion for the people was what gained him respect from the citizens of the Imperial City. And now that I think about it, picking Adamus would boost your popularity with the people back at the capitol. They love Adamus."
Itius's words sounded great of course, but I still wasn't sure about this. Although I have to admit the idea of gaining some of the people's trust was tempting me, I would have to press further before naming my new count.
While Itius and Baurus bantered back and forth I spotted an elder servant dusting an old set of cabinets close to the dining room door. I called for the servant and he reluctantly came over to our table. By the look in his eyes I could tell he was skeptical of taking orders from a boy. He probably thought I was a stuck up brat. I was going to prove him wrong.
"Excuse me sir, but can you please fetch Lerexus? The matter is terribly important and I need to see him as soon as possible."
The servant's eyes were wide with confusion, because he did not expect a please, I'm sure of that. Instead I displayed good manners, something I planned on showing everyone I met.
"Yes, my lord," commented the servant.
"Thank you," I replied back.
The old servant scurried out the door, shutting it fast behind him.
"What did you call Lerexus for? Are you going to ask him about Adamus?" Itius asked these questions with great enthusiasm.
"Well, sort of, but not exactly. I am not going to specifically ask about Adamus, but I will ask Lerexus for a suggestion. If he mentions Adamus then I will certainly consider interviewing the man for the job. If what you say is true, Adamus seems like the only choice."
"That's what I told you, didn't I, Lukas?" Itius said with a grin.
"We'll see about that Itius. I still don't think the man will even want the job." Baurus was still very critical of Itius's idea.
"And just why is that, Baurus? Why are you so negative about this subject?"
"I just don't think he will want the job. I talked with him close to before he retired. He was so exhausted from everything; from the Oblivion crisis to all the trouble we've had rebuilding the Empire. I just think he's too worn out to want to have such a burden."
"I understand what you're trying to say, but you didn't know him like I did. He wanted to be something other than an Imperial officer, I know this. He talked with me about the subject many times. Adamus always told me how great a profession politics would be."
"Okay, Itius, I've only spoken with the man a few times, but that one time I spoke to him before he retired, I asked him what he was going to do the rest of his life. He told me he planned on settling down somewhere in the south. He never hinted on anything other than that. Itius, I think you're wrong, but we'll just have to wait and see I guess."
Just then the dining room door reopened, and in stepped the servant, accompanied by Lerexus, who was dressed down in civilian clothes. He seemed rather disgruntled, signaling that perhaps I had awakened him from sleep.
"Yes, my lord?"
"I am terribly sorry, Lerexus. I did not intend to wake you. You do need your rest, I realize that, but we are in need of your assistance."
"There's no need for apologies sir. What can I do to help?"
"My two companions and I have been pondering on what do with your city. Obviously Leyawiin is in need of a count, or countess, but we are at odds with whom to choose for the position. I've called you here to discuss matters with us. I assume you have taken the empty position of Captain of the guard, am I correct?"
"Yes, sir, I was next in line."
"Good. In your honest opinion, for the good of the people of Leyawiin, who would you choose to lead the city?'
Lerexus was a bit surprised by the question, and for obvious reasons to which he soon explained.
"I'm sorry for the silence, my lord, but I have to admit I'm a bit taken back by your question. Neither Alessia nor Marius ever asked an officer's opinion. I'm very surprised by this, but of course greatly appreciative of your kind thoughts. Now, to the matter of a new ruler, only one person comes to mind that would automatically make an admirable leader. And that is Adamus Phillida."
As soon as he uttered his last two words I immediately looked at Itius, whose eyes were shining as bright as the stars and were just as large also. However, Baurus on the other hand looked disgusted and was rolling his eyes. He didn't like to be wrong, but not all was lost for him.
"We still have to interview him and ask some questions. We don't even know if he will accept the position, let alone actually want it," Baurus said to Lerexus.
"There is no need to worry about that my Redguard friend. Adamus has become quite the politician here in the city. His speeches and enthusiasm for a better living place is extremely popular with the people. I am certain he'll take the position," Lerexus said matter-of-factly.
Baurus said not a word, but merely shrugged his shoulders in apparent defeat. Itius jumped out of his seat and chugged the last of his ale. Then he walked over to Lerexus and shook the man's hand, and then mine.
"I am glad to see your wisdom taking place, Lukas. I promise you will not regret this. Once you talk with Adamus tomorrow you'll realize how great a man he really is," Itius said happily.
"No, I would like to talk with the man now. There are other matters to take care of and if at all possible, I'd like this man Count of Leyawiin tonight, so that the three of us may arrive in the Imperial City by late morning."
"But, my lord, it is nearing eleven o'clock. Do you really wish to wake the man at this hour?" Itius asked.
"Very well, but at the crack of dawn we will meet with this Adamus. I want a new leader named quickly, for there are matters else where that need attending to."
Itius nodded and left the room, heading towards his for the night, as did Lerexus and Baurus as well. That left me alone in the dining room, where the old servant showed me to my quarters that I would be sleeping in. On the way up a flight of stairs the servant began an interesting conversation with me.
"My lord, excuse me for speaking to you because I am certainly not worthy of it, but I just wanted to let you know what a wonderful man you are. That might sound a bit strange because of right now, you are just a boy of course, but seeing you talk and act, you appear a man in my eyes. Your ways with words are far beyond your age. Do not worry about what anyone else says, my lord. You will make an excellent Emperor."
"Kind sir, never think you are not worthy of speaking to me, because such an idea is absolutely ridiculous. I am one who does not believe in not speaking with those higher than you unless told to do so. In my eyes everyone is equal, morally of course. Obviously my rank of Emperor outweighs yours, but that does not mean you cannot speak to me."
The old servant smiled as we arrived at my room. I shook the man's hand and stepped inside the room, closing the door leaving the servant behind me in the hall. It was late, and sleep had never sounded better.