XIX.
Three days had passed since the attack on President Ktorn, and Brother Ishtay thought it was time finally to get rid of the chalice.
Goffryn managed to get an appointment with Ktorn, but first had to undergo an intensive survey. With Ishtay, Larusso and Picard in tow, they were sent to a waiting room, where two guards checked them for weapons or electronic devices. Only then, they were admitted further into the interior of the palace.
They were welcomed by Tyrol, but had to describe the reason for their visit in detail once more.
"I'm not sure whether the president is currently interested in such a thing," he said, stroking his short stubble. The last few days hadn't been easy, especially after President Ktorn shocked the inner circle of his associates with a disturbing revelation. Larusso stared aghast at the president's personal adviser. Didn't anyone want that damn chalice?
"Are you still talking to him about it?" Goffryn asked urgently. He, too, had the feeling that he was watching a bad movie.
Tyrol pursed his lips, muttered something and stalked away. The four men looked at each other in disbelief.
"It's unbelievable," Larusso exclaimed, "what's going on here?" They discussed what to do if the government refused to accept the chalice as well.
"I can't imagine that," Goffryn answered. "The chalice is an important symbol as a sign of power. And the government currently needs it more than ever."
Tyrol returned before the group could speculate any further. "Would you please follow me," he said, leading them into a small conference room. They were just sitting down when the connecting door to an adjoining room opened and President Ktorn entered, followed by a younger woman. He approached the visitors, who rose quickly. Goffryn was shocked at the president's appearance. In the media, despite his mature age, he always seemed fresh and energetic, but in front of him stood a visibly aged man, at the end of his strength.
He introduced them to Lysara, but it was unclear to the visitors why he had brought her to this conversation.
"President Ktorn," Goffryn started after recovering from his surprise. "As you surely know, a few days ago an excavation took place after the Chalice of Ajonas. Roger Larusso here led the expedition. I am pleased to tell you that the chalice has finally been found."
He explained the background and didn't exclude that his own ancestors were responsible for the theft. President Ktorn overtly seemed to be listening with interest, but his mind was elsewhere.
"We returned the chalice to the Freres," Goffryn concluded his report, "because we believe it belongs to them."
Ktorn blinked, bewildered. He wondered why they had come to him in the first place, but then Brother Ishtay spoke up.
"The Freres have been living peacefully all those years without the chalice," he explained. "We have no use for it anymore. And if I may say so," he paused for a moment, "I think you need it much more right now." He reached into his bag and carefully produced the chalice. He gently placed it on the table and shoved it into Ktorn's direction.
Lysara held her breath and Ktorn was astonished about how uncomplicated the antique piece was going to change its owner. He smiled melancholy.
"Maybe a few weeks ago it might have prevented the worst," he said slowly, touching the chalice cautiously. "But some things cannot be undone."
The four men looked at each other helplessly and waited for Ktorn to continue.
"I am going to resign," he finally announced, slipping the chalice toward Lysara. "Tomorrow I will give a press conference and go public. Lysara will take my position for the time being and call for free elections."
Goffryn's and Ishtay's faces fell. Even Picard and Larusso, to whom this decision as outsiders would have no effect, looked concerned.
"But why?" Ishtay asked, after he recovered from his initial shock.
"You will hear the reasons tomorrow, like everyone else," Ktorn replied in a tone that didn't allow for any queries. "Lysara is highly qualified to fill my position until an election is held and maybe even officially becomes my chosen successor. So I'll leave the decision to her whether she wants to accept the chalice."
Ishtay's eyes shifted to Lysara, who had obviously expected something like that. She regarded the four visitors with a forced smile.
"I will accept the chalice," she said hesitantly, "but there is something I would like to confess to you first, and you may consider whether you still want to leave the chalice to me."
Goffryn shifted uneasily in his chair. The whole thing was beginning to develop into a direction he had not foreseen in his wildest dreams. What else was there to come? Ishtay started to feel uncomfortable in his own skin, fiddling nervously at the collar of his cowl, as if it was too tight.
"My great-grandfather was king of Taurus," she blurted out. "I am from royal descend, if only sparsely, because neither my grandparents nor my parents were ever in power. Nevertheless, my ancestors were also responsible for the theft of the chalice. The initial theft," she quickly added after glancing at Goffryn.
Brother Ishtay wasn't able to sit still anymore and got up. Shaking his head, he paced back and forth in the small room until he had calmed down enough. "I knew the chalice is just causing trouble," he repeated his quote from a few days ago.
Lysara looked at him sympathetically. "I can understand if you would rather keep the chalice to yourself under these circumstances."
"No way," Ishtay shouted, stopping his restless pace. "Take the chalice, restore peace and make sure the population is happy, that's all I want."
With a grateful gesture, Lysara accepted the chalice, examining the relic that had been causing a stir for five hundred years.
"If you don't mind, we'll announce the handover of the chalice at tomorrow's press conference," she said. Next to her, Ktorn nodded slightly and Ishtay signaled his approval as well.
"I really hope that this will restore peace for good," Goffryn sighed hopefully.
#
The press conference the following day led to a small uproar. Ktorn confessed his actions from the past and resigned all offices. Lysara, who took over as his temporary replacement, admitted her royal inheritance without hesitation, so that the population was informed right from the start. It didn't seem to be a hindrance since it reconciled the monarchists and the supporters of the state government. Handing over the chalice from the Freres to the government was a significant gesture too and earned her the sympathy of the people, especially when she announced that she would call for free elections next year.
The atmosphere on the streets after the press conference was as exuberant and cheerful as it was on the night of the double-moon eclipse. Ktorn took one last look around his study when he heard a knock on the door.
"Come in!" he grumbled, annoyed that he was disturbed in his privacy during his last minutes as president.
Tyrol stuck his head in. "I'm sorry," he said. "There's someone who wants to see you urgently."
He opened the door completely and behind his back a woman emerged whom Ktorn had not seen in years.
"Kenara!" he shouted, running toward her, beaming with joy.