Imperial City of Archades, 695 (o. V.)
'Gabranth! Your hair!'
My mind stopped for a moment as I was filling my mess tin in the Akademy's refectory. Vitu's words didn't click until I remembered my visit to the hairdresser the previous week. Actually, I had meant to cut my hair for a long time, but didn't resort to it due to my fear of looking – even more – like Basch. However, the hassle of keeping such long locks inside the helmet most of the working day overtook my reluctance.
I joined him on the table where members of both our divisions used to gather to eat. More precisely, I was the only member of the Sixth amidst the joyous din of the Ninth. Sometimes, when they're all busy chatting, I imagine the viera appearing next to us and watching over me, but she had disappeared for good since the Empress's death.
'Why did you do that?' Vitu insisted. 'Nobody will recognize you this way! Judge Drace will certainly be disappointed.'
'I never talked to Judge Drace, nor to any Judge Magister for that matter', I noted before emptying my glass of water. 'We are the rank-and-file, only supervised by majors and sometimes generals'.
There was an unusual silence – unusual for Vitu, at least. I raised my eyes towards him and saw a dreary face, with a lowered grim gaze and an absent smile.
'What about you?' I asked. 'Did you ever meet Judge Zargabaath?'
'I did.'
He had waited for his colleagues to leave the table before answering.
'But I shouldn't have!'
'Why is that?' I asked. 'If he summoned you, it is a normal thing for you to appear next to him.'
'He did not summon me', Vitu revealed. 'And that is the utter problem, my friend…'
His behavior was definitely atypical. His head was shaking while he joined his hands in apprehension. His food was barely touched. In this worrying state, he decided to continue:
'It has been weeks and weeks I was itching to see him. Last year's events left a much bigger trace on him than what he shows to his troops. I could somehow… feel it. Everyone in the division talks about his guilt of not fulfilling his duty as Empress Sentia's official guard, but I can sense there is something else. Something that cannot be grasped or even described, but that makes him suffer terribly. Without identifying its nature which does not concern me, I know it does make him suffer and I can't help suffering with him. The echoes related by the judges made me more troubled each day, and I couldn't stand imagining our Judge Magister endure unsaid misfortune without his soldiers' support. So… So I decided to go seek him with neither formalities nor warning, and I used all the courage I had to ensure him out loud of my loyal backing, as well as all of the division's, for the charge we're holding together.'
His words resonated distinctly in my mind, but unlike his dull mood, I felt much delight at his action. Although he had no trouble engaging a conversation, Vitu was definitely the timid kind, so considering that Judge Zargabaath was a sort of idol for him, I could only imagine the grit needed to make such an appearance.
'And what was his reaction?' I inquired.
'None. Nothing at all. He stared at me perplexedly and all I could do was salute and leave.'
He took his head between his hands and added with terror:
'I should never have done that!...'
'I believe what you did was unexpected but if neither your major nor Lord Zargabaath himself reprimanded you afterwards, no offense was taken and you should be alright.'
Vitu's eyes shifted towards me in a ridiculously absorbed way. Perhaps, drowned into his self-blaming obsession, had he never envisaged this eventuality.
'It is still an outrage but… now that you mention it, I don't think my major ever reproached me a single thing. He often extols my fencing moves and regularly speaks of my stamina progress. It doesn't make much sense, as there are so many soldiers better than myself… he's highly overestimating me, if you ask me!'
I rather deemed Vitu was highly underestimating himself, but he soon regained his appetite so I let it at that. Vitu Palnissen traditionally joined the lunch table later than his comrades, and during his absence, the latters had been recently speaking about how strong he became. He went through some training to become a major, but never made it due to his lack of leadership. According to them, it was a shame that someone so skilled and determined would see his career doomed so soon.
At that point I was still living with my mother, at the small Rienna apartment. She spent her days reading various books, newspapers and magazines, and took great contentment in describing her findings every evening at the dinner table.
'Did you know that the Six Roses orphanage did not close after the Empress's passing?' she said once while enthusiastically cutting a slice from the Nanna meat Fleischküchle she just cooked.
'I thought this structure solely depended on her funds', I answered.
'It was definitely the case! But Thembeka told me today that all the girls who lived there were able to stay, study and pursue their regular activities without any sort of trouble. That means someone took over her charge! Perhaps the Social Affairs Ministry?'
'Mother', I explained in a weary tone. 'The Empire is not a charity crew. They shall not invest in anything that does not assure them profit. I can see it everyday.'
I was glad that the loyal neighbor still cared after my mother, after all the years she had spent in another country. Thembeka genuinely enjoyed her company, and the two regularly spent hours chatting in the Rienna building or the Nilbasse parks.
As my salary kept rising, I was able to properly furnish the rooms we had, providing all the comfort that could be found in Archades – and that was completely unknown to us until then. Slowly, my mother let go of her fear of being captured by Archadian justice, and allowed both me and herself to walk in the capital's busy streets. After all, she was born an Archadian citizen, and even if I wasn't, I was part of the Ministry of Law under the command of one of the most prominent Judge Magisters of the country. So she slowly got rid of her traumatic visions from the Landis invasion, to focus on living a honorable life, learning everything about Archadian life – so different from when she had fled it – and being the best support to the only son that remained to her.
However, as days passed and our situation looked more positive each year, I quickly realized that there was something that all the gil and knowledge of Ivalice could not bring back to Linda Gabranth : her health.
As soon as the restrictions she had initially ordered for strolling in town were lifted, I ran to search for a doctor. I did not exactly know where to search, so I knocked at every door available. Medical visits were extremely expensive in Archades – more than I had ever feared. But I brought my mother to every single health professional I could find, and every time their observation was the same: my mother's illness was not common and thus, there were not enough cases to confirm a treatment's efficiency. Basically, trying a cure at this level of knowledge would involve more risks than certainties, and we jointly decided not to attempt this route until the diagnosis is confirmed. In addition to breathing difficulties, she was suffering from acute muscle pain that manifested frequently while she moved and during her sleep.
As for my own health, the back pain categorically disappeared after regularly applying the Viera unguent and practicing specific stretches before and after military training. Surprisingly, other members of the Sixth Division had access to that ointment, as I randomly discovered during one of the afternoon's 'Disengage Snacks' that Judge Drace put in place. A few female and male soldiers had a similar issue and also had contact with the viera; and after the latter vanished, were able to get a stock of the precious unguent through a Molberry pharmacy, which chemists successfully replicated the salve.
My contacts with the Sixth became less and less scarce, and although I did not get close to any member, I managed to attract less mockery and more curiosity – which was not easy to deal with as I could not tell anyone where I was from. In the beginning of the year, I was transferred to another troop, which was evolving along with three others under the rule of Lord Cinna, forming the Plastron Battalion. Lord Cinna held the title of general, and this transfer – decided by Judge Drace – promoted me to the rank of officer cadet. My new mission consisted in assisting General Cinna in training and patrol organization, as well as the various duties of daily life at the army. As officer cadet, I was not at the head of any group of soldiers, even if I technically could summon any member of the battalion – which totaled a hundred swordsmen, marksmen and magi.
This promotion came as a surprise to everyone in the division, starting with myself. All echoes I had concerning Archadian culture – and Archadian military culture in particular – converged at the idea that only soldiers born in the proper families saw their careers elevated. Officially, I was an Archadian man born in House Gabranth, but I never gave any proof of my ties to other Gabranths, and nobody in the capital ever showed by my side to demonstrate I was suitably integrated or important. Furthermore, some tongues inside the Sixth, observing every line on my hand and every expression in my speech, began doubting my Archadian blood. I chose to ignore those enclosed whispers, and continued to act with as much dignity as my body could display.
During a cold morning where I was expected to process the incorporation of the new recruits of the year, I raised my head at the wall of the Military Akademy's Hangar n°8, and read the hour on the clock hung beneath the ceiling.
'Vitu's calling!' I murmured with a sigh of relief.
I was happy to take a break from the morning's heavy work, but the task was not complete and I was annoyed to let it on hold. Nevertheless, having promised Vitu that I would see him at that time of the day, I left the papers on the desk and quit the empty hangar.
Pivoting left and right, my head did not notice any trace of Lord Cinna. I therefore headed for the western runway of the military aerodrome, where the Ninth Division, specifically trained in airship mechanics, often gathered for workshops during the week. My eyes did not find Vitu at first, but soon enough, I recognized the only soldier who ran from troop to troop with tragic nervousness. Even when I approached, he didn't pay attention to my presence. I had to call him twice and lift my helmet to alter his neverending rush.
'Ga… Gabranth?' Vitu said, removing his helmet in turn.
Would he have the audacity to ask what I was doing there when he was the one who summoned me at that hour?
'It is always a delight to see you around!' he added in relief.
No matter how grating he could be, Vitu Palnissen always had the talent to put people at ease, through his contagious smile and sincere shining eyes.
'It is as I said. You should not have cut that hair of yours! Now you're another man. Follow me, Gabranth; there are peculiar people here who would like to make your acquaintance – and I believe you will like theirs as well.'
'Tell me, Gabranth: do you have siblings?'
'I have a twin brother.'
The response freely ventured out of my mouth before I could even think. As we were walking towards a lone Ninth Division hangar, Vitu's innocent curiosity made me too reckless once again. Now he would certainly ask where he is – as he was perfectly aware I was only living with my mother.
Basch. His sole name was bringing a bitter taste up my stomach and making me want to scream his name in anger, like I did the day we had to leave home. However, if I could still save what cautiousness was left to me, I had to do it; so I took a deep breath and didn't show any of my inner turmoil. Thankfully, Vitu didn't insist:
'That is astonishing! I also have a twin brother.'
Intrigued, I turned to him in surprise.
'Sergi and I are like two faces of the same coin', he explained. 'We grew up as two exploding orbs of energy that couldn't stay in place, and we followed completely different paths. However, we know we can always count on each other and there are no secrets between us!'
I tried to conceal my jealousy as well as I could. For I had been, at best, Basch's shadow during all our common time.
'As for the people you're going to meet… They are also twin siblings. Here we are! You shall find them inside the hangar. Come join me for lunch after you finish!'
And he left me, as cheerily as he had greeted me.
I looked at the huge wooden door and blinked in discomfort. Who were the twin siblings Vitu was referring to? Were they members of the army as well? Or perhaps unauthorized visitors – which is why they were hidden inside an isolated hangar?
I swallowed and pushed the door. The place was incredibly more spacious inside than it looked from outside. There was enough room for an airship or two, but I didn't see any. Some old machinery was thrown on the left, while on the right forgotten bundles of straw gave evidence of former chocobo herds. The smell was ashy and the rest of the view was clouded by oppressive wreaths of Mist.
Not expecting such a distressing environment coming from Vitu, I thought for a moment and decided to trust my friend and take a few paces forward. That's when I sensed them – two domineering presences with faultless Vitality and high Defense. One had peak Strength, while the other's Magick Power seemed otherworldly. Cautiously advancing next to those unknown presences, I looked left and right trying to locate them other than through their battle statistics. However, the Mist and overwhelming darkness of the hangar – which door closed after I entered – hindered my observation capabilities a lot.
Groping for them in that sinister setting, I had begun to lose hope of any positive outcome when I heard a pungent feminine voice rise as distinctly as black ink on white paper:
'Grüße dich, Gefährte!'
Struck by her lightning voice, I immediately stopped and held my breath. Only my eyes were moving – but I still could not see anything. Finally, a jovial face appeared from the clouds, as drawn by celestial gods, and I distinguished incisive but warm green eyes as I sighed in alleviation. But… What did I hear? That could not be true. That could not happen. Not in Archadia! Not in the enemy's shacks! Nevertheless, the clouds' presence continued to weaken, as the face, initially bent on me, lifted back on a solidly-built female Hume body, almost as tall as mine. The woman was not wearing the usual heavy armor, bearing instead a boiled leather breastplate and poleyns. Almost all of her legs were covered by leather boots with small heels. Her attire was completed by a silky gambeson and a flounced skirt. Most of her clothing was the same color as her straight, slightly tied hair: shamrock green. Her bright face was turning towards the other presence: a second woman that looked exactly like her, except all the green – including the eyes – was replaced by lilac purple. Unsure of the situation, I chose to reply to the salutation with a shaky:
'Grüße.'
The two women, who looked quite young – perhaps in their late twenties, a few years older than I was – glanced at each other for a moment.
'Do you think he's dumb?' the green twin asked.
'Well', the purple twin answered, 'what else did you expect from an acquaintance of Vitu's ? The man's speech does not make much sense either.'
Were they deaf, or did they ignore my greeting on purpose ?
'Too bad we have to respect him for what he does for the Division!' the green one said with a little laugh.
That sound… that accent…
'This is getting more ridiculous everyday', the purple woman concluded. Are you in the Sixth, Fremder?'
The purple one had a long ponytail and was leaning on the wall. All the darkness had eventually vanished. A small but clear ray of light slowly illuminated the giant space, making the old machines, the old straw, and the two ladies even scarier. More confident with the additional lighting, I set foot one meter away from the last one who talked, who was looking away with an utterly jaded expression on her face. On the contrary, the green lady was looking at me with shining assertiveness, and lots of questions in the eyes. She exclaimed:
'Irmhild asked you a question, Fremder.'
'I am Gabranth', I replied immediately in a loud voice, annoyed by Landisites calling me a stranger.
After giving that name, I realized it was an Archadian one and my confidence vanished. Who was I trying to convince? I absolutely did not expect Vitu willing to put me in a situation where I would have to justify of my Landisite origins to warriors able to knock down a person with both our strengths combined. By the way, who could have warned Vitu of my nationality? Despite our continuous friendship, I had never gone as far as to inform him of my roots, nor had I given him – or anyone in the army – my actual name. I swallowed again and felt a drop of sweat going down my right temple. However, to my greatest surprise, the green twin raised her shamrock eyebrows, let out a sigh and smiled at me:
'My name is Brünhild. And this is my twin sister, Irmhild.'
The lilac lady nodded as a response, without bothering to turn towards me.
'They call us the Zodiac Sisters, as we are apparently representing the Virgo sign quite well. Just don't call us Pink Zodiac and Green Zodiac, and you'll be fine!'
Brünhild's laugh was plain, serene, and somehow felt like home.
'Vitu told us you were from Landis as well', she softly added.
Confirming my suspicion, her sentence gave me a raw feeling of cold and warmth simultaneously. Seeing two persons from my home country, so far away from the destruction I witnessed, was heart-warming, but something… probably the fact that the three of us were working to defend Archadia, was wrong.
'Where are you from, Bruder?' Brünhild asked.
'Uwielbinie Village', I replied, unsure that anyone – even Landisites – would know its location.
'Oh', Irmhild suddenly intervened. 'Waldgott area.'
'Exactly!' I nodded, impressed and full of hope. 'What about you?'
The twins exchanged a brief look of gloom before Irmhild answered:
'Kalthof.'
The capital!
'Our parents were working in the government', Brünhild added – which made perfect sense. I was basically campaigning for their opponent with the late Nareszcie ten years ago, but wisely kept that fact for myself.
'We were working ourselves. Brün was an evening class teacher', Irmhild explained.
'And Irm was a leather craftswoman. Guess who made these wonderful boots?' Brünhild exclaimed, rising her legs one after the other while Irmhild was completely turning her back from both her sister and me.
Brünhild laughed and continued:
'Like everyone in Landis, we had to flee during the invasion. We agreed to remain together, but to stray from our parents so they wouldn't have to worry about us. We were not trained to combat but we joined a group of mercenaries to defend what could still be saved in the Republic.'
That sentence alone shot a huge blow in my heart. Two girls managed to find a way to fight for Landis, and chose the safest approach for their parents; while all I had done was sticking to my mother until we could hide in the enemy's lands. Without her – and the viera – I would have been dead long ago. I did not know what to say.
'So…' I ventured. 'Are your parents… still alive?'
'Of course', Brünhild proudly answered.
'Both of them?'
'Both of them', Irmhild confirmed.
I could not help feeling jealous once again.
'The four of us are living together again – although not in Landis, alas', the green Brünhild added. 'After realizing that the effort our parents put into searching our trace would put them much more in danger than our reunion, we chose to seek them and protect them inside the Empire'.
'The Palace's eighth floor is much too masculine for us', Irmhild let out in an annoyed tone.
Amused at my doubtful face, her twin explained:
'The eighth floor is basically the Ninth Division's home – including our Judge Magister himself. All those who have a room there are men. Wait, isn't there Amanda in the south wing?'
'She's still there indeed', the lilac twin answered with a nod. 'But she goes to her fiancé's place every two weeks.'
'Ah, fiancé…' Brünhild grumbled with a grimace. 'Disgusting. She will not last long in the Eighth.'
For once, it was Irmhild that came to rescue my thoughts:
'Neither of us is interested in getting close to men – unlike some women who join the army solely for this purpose. The only man we respect in this whole hodgepodge is Lord Zargabaath.'
Despite their unusual profile, they seemed to have a common point with Vitu.
'Therefore', I asked, 'did you join the Ninth solely because of Judge Zargabaath?'
'You must be aware that new recruits cannot choose their division of assignment. We only happened to have been both placed in the Ninth and chose to stay here', Irmhild answered.
'We are both generals – which means we earned the right to be transferred to another division', Brünhild explained. 'I lead a brigade of Imperial Uhlans, while Irm takes charge of the magic brigade – for which our Judge Magister has been wonderfully supportive due to his stunning green magic skills.'
The green twin stopped and, like her sister, shifted her eyes away. I was beginning to believe they were embarrassed before hearing the answer to my next question:
'I understand you found a good position as generals in the Ninth and are satisfied with it. But could it not have been the case in another division? Why did you not try to move if you are allowed to?'
'For the money!' Irmhild exclaimed.
'For the money, of course!' Brünhild said in chorus, and at that moment, their four eyes were shining with starry voracity.
'For the money?' I repeated, confused. 'I believe that all wages across the army are equal for a given rank, by decree.'
'Not in the Ninth!'
'Not in the Ninth!'
They couldn't have been more twins than at that moment.
'The equal wage rule only applies to Ministry budget', Brünhild proudly explained. 'Here, we have fixed monthly bonuses that come from another source.'
'The other source is called: Lord Zargabaath's personal funds', Irmhild clarified.
Personal funds? Every month?
'Does that apply only to generals?' I asked.
'No, it applies to every soldier in the Ninth Division – and even for eighth floor personnel', said the lilac twin.
I was very curious to know how such funds could exist, but I chose not to ask – the twins probably being unaware of the reply themselves. Now that explains the regular Vitu gifts to everyone in his acquaintance – me included, despite my protests.
'You should go back to Vitu', Irmhild said, pulling me out of my dreamy state.
'Oh, that Vitu…', Brünhild added with an angered voice. 'Not looking forward to him being my superior. Do you think we are allowed to rebel against one of our leaders if he never looks like leading anything?'
'I don't believe this is tolerated in the army – but I do believe he'll learn fast and you should also learn to respect him, as it's only a matter of time before he becomes dömavän.'
'Dömavän? What is it?'
The twins turned to me and blinked at the same rhythm.
'It means that Vitu is going to lead the division together with Lord Zargabaath. He will therefore become a judge – as the rank is required for this role. Why do you look surprised? Did nobody tell you? I saw you at lunch with our comrades several times.'
I was speechless.
'N…No. I never heard so.'
'The dömavän is the right-hand man of a Judge Magister', Brünhild continued. 'The Magister needs him to do daily tasks, gather information, and prepare all important operations and trials. Additionally, the vän is – more than anyone else in the division – willing to give their life for the Magister, and protect them at all cost. Ours resigned about two months ago; the position is free, and a new vän is to be appointed. But Vitu…! Vitu out of everyone… That should have been me!'
'You would bother Lord Zargabaath too much', Irmhild commented. 'I would make a better vän instead. But neither of us will have the role because we never studied law. Remember?'
'You don't have the heart and soul for that, Irm! And yes… we did not study law. But Vitu is no match for us in combat, and he would fail admirably at major or general examinations. We only respect strong men here.'
'He got much stronger than the first day he arrived, and he still makes incredible progress. The decision is not ours to make anyway. Lord Zargabaath must have other criteria in mind, to say what he said at the last generals meeting.'
So what the Ninth people said was true. Even a strong general such as Irmhild acknowledged Vitu's fighting abilities. I just was the unaware friend.
'Talking about dömavänner', Brünhild added with a wink to my direction, 'I have heard that the Sixth's one was not very happy at her role.'
'Well', Irmhild shrugged, 'she has to deal with Judge Drace after all. Understandable.'
'Is Judge Drace hard to deal with?' I asked, slightly afraid.
The strange Mist had become translucid, and the sky's colors brighter. The weather was getting colder. The Zodiac Sisters exchanged an embarrassed look before the green one ventured a reply:
'The closest definition I can find to Lady Drace is : painstaking paranoid old lady. And if you have to remove an adjective from this sentence once you talk to her, remember to remove 'old'. Just trust me on this one.'
'She has enormous difficulty trusting anyone', Irmhild explained in a more diplomatic tone. 'All her generals are struggling with this issue. I've never heard anyone claim to be her friend. Lady Goldan must have provoked an unfortunate situation one way or another.'
I had definitely heard that 'Goldan' name before. Most likely from General Cinna.
'We still have some work to do here. Bis bald, Bruder!' the green twin exclaimed, waving at me before turning back.
Despite all the answers I got from talking to my fellow Landisites, I had more questions than ever.
'I thought it through and concluded it was not the worst decision to make, at my level. What say you, Gabranth?'
I faked astonishment when Vitu announced his decision to take the judge examination, and encouraged him with a smile:
'That is indeed relevant. Remember to not think about what you had been told about the major position, as this one is going to be very different.'
'Do you believe I can succeed?'
I took a moment to think before answering – I had to find the right balance between friendliness and honesty.
'I believe you have fair chances. The judge examination consists in a long-term fighting test and a law double paper. Since you never stopped studying and you made it to the upper quarter of the division combat-wise… you will theoretically make it.'
I used 'upper quarter' as these were Vitu's words when he had proudly described his latest feedback, but his comrades at lunch plainly stated – in his absence – that the only people in the Ninth that he couldn't beat at that point were the Zodiac Sisters and Judge Zargabaath himself. His strength had become higher than that of an average general.
'Alright', Vitu announced while thumping the table. 'I will register for the next judge examination session, that will be closed mid-Leo, just before my birthday. Nothing shall stop my dream!'
'Good luck, Vitu', I said.
That same cold week of Gemini 695, two months before Vitu's examination, my head was still full of questions.
It seemed that martial skills mattered much more than law knowledge in order to attain the rank of Judge of the Order – which meant I could not apply anytime soon. As for the title I had never heard about, the dömavän, the Judge Magister's personal view on the candidate was more likely the sole key. However, the latter did not seem to be a position one could request – its fate was completely left at the Magister's discretion. Hence, Vitu never voiced any vague hopes for it; his goal was utterly focused on the judge position. Since the very day he had sent his application, he never sat at our usual lunch table, preferring to dedicate every free minute he had to law revisions. Therefore, I was left alone with his Ninth Division comrades, who confirmed what the Zodiac Sisters had told me: the only person in the division unaware of Judge Zargabaath's plans for Vitu Palnissen was probably Vitu himself.
During a free hour of mine, waiting for General Cinna to finish preparing a meeting for the end of the day, I was strolling at the Palace second floor's library. What kind of law questions could be asked to a potential judge? I only knew the law examination was made of a written dissertation that the candidate had to prepare for weeks, prior to an oral interview. This combination was called the 'double paper'. The final application result was given to the candidate the same day as the interview.
I had just noticed a new book about trade legislation in Archadia and was about to pick it from its shelf, when a clear familiar voice rose from behind:
'Ahem! Gabranth?'
I turned and noticed the blushing figure of Nastia, the floor's maid, standing rigid behind me.
'Good afternoon, Nastia', I said.
'G… Good afternoon, Gabranth. I… I was hoping to see you here for a long time.'
'Since I became a soldier and officer, I have had very few assignments in the Second', I explained.
'You… you're an officer cadet? Congratulations', she said without looking at me.
Her little feet were turned inwards, her voice shaking, and her stress level looked higher than ever. Did I scare her to that extent?
'You… you can still come to the Second whenever you want', she added in the same tone. 'I absolutely did not warn my mother that a handsome gentleman was coming here regularly to read the Solidor guest library's books, absolutely not!'
I could not hold back an amused smile.
'Oh, it matters little anyway', Nastia continued, 'because almost no guest has been received here since Her Highness's passing. As I got bored, I asked my mother if I could help in the Thirteenth, but she rejected me every time, claiming I did not prove myself worthy enough yet. Being allowed in the Thirteenth is much harder than working at His Excellency's Thirtieth floor!'
She was smiling too and fleetingly raised gentle eyes towards me.
'I regret not being allowed at Lord Larsa's side', she pursued in a sigh.
'Is Lord Larsa a cousin of Lord Vayne's?' I asked, certain that Lord Vayne was the only son left to Emperor Gramis.
'Oh no – Lord Vayne does not get along with any of his father's cousins', Nastia replied with another smile. 'Lord Larsa is his little brother! He was born four days before his mother's fatal accident. I had the honor to meet him once. It's the cutest creature on Ivalice, if you ask me!'
She looked unusually excited. There was some spark in her eyes that visibly made her overjoyed.
'So, Nastia, could you please tell me the reason you were looking for me for a long time?'
The young woman instantly turned to her embarrassed quaking self.
'Uh, oh…' she uttered in a low voice. 'It was to… err… I was thinking that…'
I crossed my arms in surprise. What could she possibly ask me?
'I was hoping', she replied after a whole minute of discomfort, 'that maybe… you and I could have a tryst in town someday.'
A tryst?
'When is your next free day?' she inquired while blinking as fast as a fan.
'It is the last day of this week. What about you?'
'I… I am free three days a week at the moment, and the last one works for me. Do… do you have a preference for a restaurant?'
How could I explain?
'I… I do not go to restaurants often.'
'Very well', she said. 'We can… we can go to The Quiet Paradise at lunch time that day. It is a big restaurant located at the first floor of the Grand Arcade. Does… does that suit you?'
I blinked and, worried at her terrorized stature, simply answered:
'Yes, of course.'
Her big smile before she disappeared finished lifting my mood for the rest of that day.
The Quiet Paradise was less obvious to find than what Anastasia thought.
Beyond the Tsenoble neighborhood, high terraces spread under a corner of light that looked closer than ever to the sun of the almighty. All that area was strictly forbidden to citizens deprived of the Sandalwood Chop, a token of recognition among the upper Archadian spheres of nobility. However, as a member of the Imperial Army, I could bypass this rule easily, for the sake of "protecting the elite of the Empire".
The looks of people around me at that place were quite different from the regular gentry found in town. More than their looks, it was their smell that was taken to another level – a blend of cold dew, dried daffodil, and alcoholic ashes. All sorts of colors were revolving around a core of ancient chimeras relying on arbitrariness to behold them. The voices I could hear from each side of the first floor were not marked by the typical Archades accent – most of them gave away origins from the Eastern parts of the Empire, if not from outside Archadia.
Most of the floor's buildings were hosting small luxury shops, selling – or more importantly, displaying – various kinds of wrist or pocket watches, jewelry, business attire, and defense equipment I had never seen before, which seemed more suitable for a ballroom than a battlefield.
After walking past each one of them, I eventually found a bigger area at the end of the hall, with the name of the restaurant inscribed on its pediment: "The Quiet Paradise".
I set foot in the opulent-looking building and raised my eyes to the beige ceiling. It was studded with stucco decorations and heavy chandeliers. Back to the ground, I noticed several tables – probably too many – fully dressed with shining silverware and silky cloth. A few couples, businesspeople and families were sitting around some of them, but Nastia was nowhere to be found. I thought of waiting for her outside – if she was still coming – but, as soon as rainfall started, decided to choose a table instead.
From the moment I sat on the chair, at least eight waiters came to inquire either about my order or the person I was expecting. For the latter, they were visibly required a name, so since I ignored Nastia's surname, I simply said:
'Miss Anastasia.'
After half an hour, during which I was constantly wondering how much longer I should wait, Nastia finally appeared. I did not recognize at first the swift person who entered the restaurant, but when she stopped at my table, slightly raised each side of her long blue frill dress, and looked at me with her timid concealed smile, I understood that the woman in front of me in glamorous makeup was the young maid herself.
I was about to comment on her lateness but refrained at the last moment.
'Good afternoon, Nastia', I simply said instead.
I raised my eyes towards hers but she did not seem to have heard, despite my voice being loud and clear. Was she doing it on purpose? I supposed not, as she was distractedly hanging her coat and handbag on the nearby chair. I decided not to reiterate my words nevertheless.
'Does Your Lordship require the menu?'
Really, those waiters were as discreet as mouses in a tunnel.
'Aye ; please bring two of them.'
A minute later, a different staff – a stern waitress – came back and dropped a copy of the document in front of Nastia first, then of myself.
I raised again different kinds of looks towards my dining companion, but she did not meet any of them, nor did she utter a syllable. Feeling awkward, I eventually read the menu and set my mind on a seaweed soup and a roasted cockatrice wing with vegetables.
'Did you find something to your liking, Nastia?' I asked.
But the maid stayed still as a stone. Even her shaking eyes did not dare to search for mine. I waited several seconds for her answer with no result.
'Did you two choose?'
The stern waitress was back and visibly in a hurry. I told her my pick, then turned to Nastia anxiously. When she realized Nastia would not speak, the waitress approached her and received her order in the form of a gloved finger on the menu.
'Very well', the waitress said before disappearing.
Nastia was joining her hands, her head determined to stay down. Maybe the waitress believed she was deaf?
After more minutes of silent staring, the first waiter eventually brought the dishes – putting first Nastia's noodles on the table. We ate with even more quietness, only disturbed by the joyful sound of the couples and friends conversing around us. When I suggested wine to the young maid, she did not react, but I could see a tiny smile twisting the corner of her lips. Therefore, I turned my head around, looking for staff and hoping the nice waiter would come, but of course it was the harsh lady who appeared at once. She brought the wine with a sigh and both Nastia and I had a sip, still without exchanging a single word.
When we were both done with our lunch and I offered to pay, she swayed on her feet and I took that as approbation. Finally outside, I asked:
'Thank you for coming. Should I accompany you home?'
Who knew; maybe she was living in a dangerous area and needed to feel safe. But to my surprise, she opened her mouth this time, trying to utter words... however, none came out. She swayed once more a little, then turned back and simply waved at me, with her eyes on the other side to the horizon.
'See you soon, then!' I said.
The month of Leo came with more tediousness than I had thought. Nothing much had changed on my side – and Vitu was still nowhere to be found at free hours or days, completely drown into his studies.
'Ha! It's tomorrow!'
A fellow officer cadet from the Ninth was exclaiming as I was calmly finishing my lunch plate.
'Tomorrow?' said another. 'It was to be on the 24th.'
'Nay! It got brought forward to tomorrow.'
'But tomorrow is the 13th! It is way too early!'
If the 24th of Leo 695 was mentioned, it could be only one thing:
'Are you talking about Vitu's examination?' I asked.
'For sure we are!' the first officer said. 'We should soon be prepared to consider him as Judge Palnissen and refer to him only as "My Lord"!'
'That will be such a change!' exclaimed the other with a dreamy voice.
'Is the dömavän title that special?' I inquired.
'Oh, vänner are only second to Judge Magisters in terms of might in this Empire. Look at Lady Goldan! Isn't she terrifyingly powerful?'
'She is', I confirmed.
The dömavän of the Sixth Division was an unfriendly lady who nevertheless turned out to be an astonishing leader. Just like Irmhild, she was a prodigious green mage who was rather solitary, but able to motivate a crowd with unsettling easiness. I could notice it during formal meetings of Sixth soldiers, made of ranks similar to mine or higher. However, I did not appreciate the coldness with which she spoke to General Cinna when he tried to ask for information.
'Can you imagine addressing Lady Goldan in an improper manner?' the first man insisted.
'Not at all', I admitted.
'But to imagine Vitu in this position… the Vitu we all know!'
'That would be remarkable for sure.'
At the end of the afternoon activities, before heading home, I made sure to pass by the Ninth Division's training area.
'Vitu!'
The poor man was sitting on a lone chair, his mind having completely left his head.
'Greetings, Vitu! Vitu, can you hear me?'
'Oh, Gabranth…'
His voice was emotionless, and his eyes did not even dare to rise to my level.
'I'm sorry. I will not make it, Gabranth. I am a failure.'
That was the frustrating friend I knew. Somewhat bewildered, but still himself.
'You will not fail, Vitu. Please do not decide on a battle's outcome before having even held your weapons.'
'It is easy for you to speak, Gabranth…. Because you know all these books by heart and haven't mistaken the second legal reform with the third in your revisions!'
I thought of referring to a manual that explained the difference between the two reforms he mentioned and that was located in the Palace's second floor, then my mouth opened to suggest helping him myself in his revisions instead, but eventually I realized that his studying time was over and any last minute revision would make him even more nervous than he already was.
I sighed.
'You shall make it, Vitu', I repeated.
'Why are you so confident?'
Finally, he raised his eyes to meet mine. Worried brown eyes that were scintillating with doubt. Of course, I could not speak about all his comrades' global feeling, so I said instead:
'Because you are my friend, and that I know you worked hard to achieve this goal. We do not always get what we are determined to obtain, but your effort was steady and you never let go of anything. You may have the feeling that law subjects are your weakness, but you managed to make up for it incredibly fast, and have all the knowledge you need for the examination in your mind. From what I have heard, you need only to pick the right answer at the right moment. This may sound silly, yet it is the truth. You have it all, Vitu Palnissen. You will produce a great result. And Judge Zargabaath… Judge Zargabaath will see your worth.'
Upon hearing that name, Vitu stood and took my right hand between both of his.
'You have my thanks. You are the most valuable friend I've ever had. I admire your progress so much, yet I am the one who chooses to jump the hurdle today. Be assured that you will find me once you're in my stead. You will come tomorrow, of course…?'
'Of course', I answered with a smile. 'You insisted that I come one hour before the oral interview. Once you're inside the room, I will wait for you outside.'
'I… I did not tell you everything, Gabranth', Vitu said, looking away again. 'You will not wait outside. You will come with me. Each candidate is allowed to bring two persons of his choice. Usually, people bring family members, but I chose to bring you, and only you. I know you will understand how much this moment means to me and I will feel more reassured by your side. Can I count on your presence?'
'Of course', I repeated – and repeated the smile as well, which Vitu returned this time.
'Thank you. You should go to your home, Gabranth. I wish to stay alone for a while.'
'Is he around?'
I looked a bit around me, but we seemed to be the only souls in the Akademy's outer gathering area.
'I do not know', Vitu simply answered.
He looked like he was about to cry, but he held on. The strength of the lion ran in his veins – he could not break down. Not at that moment. It was with regained confidence that he looked at me right in the eyes and waved goodbye.
The examination final session to obtain the Judicer's plate took place in a large area called the Council Room. It was located in the area of the Imperial Military Akademy closer to the senate, in the relative south. Cleaning staff was busy there before sunrise. I arrived around seven o'clock and noticed fear in their eyes when I greeted them. The first judges appeared just before eight, each holding a pile of papers the size of a dictionary. The way to access the Council Room was carefully hidden and forbidden from the common worker at the Akademy – in fact, the only means to reach it was a small airship that flew there from the Second Division's quarters; however, I had heard that Judge Bergan himself would be absent for Vitu's session. The latter was purely a judiciary examination, all the fighting tests having been undertaken in the previous weeks.
'Who are you?' a judge suddenly asked to my direction, noisily throwing his papers on the first table.
'I am Gabranth, officer cadet of the Sixth Division.'
'Judge Drace…?'
Apparently, her name was enough to make many veterans in the army shake and reconsider their existence.
'You can stay. But why are you here? This is the judgehood examination for a young fellow from the Ninth.'
'I… I am his best friend.'
I was actually unsure of this fact, but I had better appear surer than ever in front of that peculiar man. The judge simply continued his way into the room without uttering a single additional word.
At eight and half, Vitu finally appeared and we were allowed to enter the big space.
It was a round room with sophisticated chairs all around it. Two ones at the bottom were of a darker color and separated from the others by at least two meters.
'How do you feel?' I whispered to my friend.
Vitu took a moment before answering, in the same low tone:
'I never thought that a situation could be more stressful than my twin's race meetings in front of a crowd.'
'Shall you make it?'
Another silence invaded the room. The last cleaners left, after making sure all the tables were shiny clean and each seat had a bottle of drinking water.
'I have to. I have to become a judge. That's my life's meaning and my destiny.'
I smiled at his tragic seriousness before being forced to stay quiet: the judges were looking at us irritably and visibly rehearsing their interviewer's role.
At nine o'clock precisely, they all stood at once. Vitu, a bit lost, decided to follow them and stood up from his chair with his fist against his heart – the military salute. And I, even more lost, hesitated but eventually did the same, without understanding the situation. Both my seat and Vitu's were facing the bottom of the room – which meant its entrance was behind us, and we could not see what was going on. However, in the heavy silence, metallic footsteps progressed to our direction, then to the lone seats direction. The man greeted the examiners, then sat down and raised his look.
Despite Vitu being the privileged guest of the session, his first glance was for me. While I was bearing the weight of his insightful grey eyes, I noticed he was a man of honorable age – at least fifty. His mid-length wavy hair was a mix between brown and white, and there was a conscious sternness in his posture, while his whole behavior, even considering the bulky armor with devilish red lines and the long black cape, did not give away the slightest feel of cruelty.
I gasped. The fact that Vitu, far from being only silent, was completely absent-minded, his nervousness to the climax and his limbs paralyzed, clearly stated who that man was. I looked back at Judge Zargabaath as he shifted his look to my friend, with a swiftly placed smile.
Despite the Judge Magister's polite entrance, the session did not begin. The interviewers were thumbing through their papers rapidly, while whispering with concerned faces with no intervention from Judge Zargabaath. As if all of this was normal. As if he was… waiting for someone.
I turned to Vitu, hoping that my questioning eyes would be enough for him to utter an explanation. However, my friend was grim, as if surrounded by overwhelming darkness he dared not fight. I turned to the door instead, driven by that mysterious urge that manifests only at precise moments of our lives. As my neck shifted, my look crossed right through Judge Magister Drace's who was entering. The door closed after her, probably by some magic.
For the first time of my life, I was in the same room as a Judge Magister, and even two Judge Magisters. Judge Drace went to sit next to her counterpart, on the only free seat, right in front of me.
'Your Honors… I believe we can begin.'
Judge Zargabaath's voice was soft, serene and severe at the same time. Next to me, Vitu's body was already shaking.
The examination lasted slightly more than an hour. The interviewing judges began by presenting to Vitu practical cases of judiciary conflicts, and the candidate had to explicit the plaintiff's resorts, proof collection, and competent court to consider. The cases were – in order – civil, trade, criminal, and military matters. The next part was a series of theoretical questions where the candidate had to remember the precise articles related to a legal offense – the topics chosen were family and public administration. Then, he was asked details about his written dissertation's choices. Finally, Vitu was asked by his Judge Magister whether he felt ready to take up the judge position and why.
The last part was clearly what my friend did best. His motivation was topping the ceiling, and his career path was clear – it looked like he overcame his leadership issues and was determined to apply the law in order to serve the most impartial justice in the Empire. I admired the gleam in his light brown eyes, the seriousness in his forehead lines, and the strength he was overall showing, from his solid feet to the tip of his nose. That demonstration was obviously his best asset to convince Judge Zargabaath. As for Judge Drace, after having stayed still with the troubled look she had since she met my eyes, she had asked some of the theoretical questions – actually most of them – and seemed globally satisfied with the answers.
When I looked at the wall clock showing ten twenty, I could not believe my eyes. The session was so dense that it was quite hard to make it fit only an hour, but they made it somehow, as the questions' rhythm was relatively fast. I guessed that a Judge Magister's time was not cheap. Vitu had kept up bravely and did not falter.
'I'm proud of you, my friend', I said as the door shut after the last judge left the Council Room.
'Gabranth… Gabranth!'
Vitu, who was standing at the center while being interviewed, came back to his chair and let himself fall on it, holding his face with his hands. When he removed them, I could see his watery eyes filled with tenseness, but also hope.
'You'll make it', I assured him.
'Did I make a mistake?' he immediately asked.
I looked away in silence.
'Did I make a mistake?' he repeated in a vivid tone. 'Please tell me, Gabranth. I need to know.'
'The Court of Appeals. It was the civil one, not the military one. Judge Drace's fifth question.'
For a moment, Vitu gasped and blinked.
'How… Oh no, you are right… Now it's all wasted… How could I make such a beginner's mistake? Why is Judge Drace here anyway? Do you know, Gabranth?'
'I do not. But I have heard she knows more about law than any other person in Archadia, having scored 99% at the judge examination herself. Do not worry about that mistake – it was an isolated one, and apart from it, there were only minor imprecisions.'
The judges had left us alone for a full hour. When they returned, I felt that Vitu's patience had reached its limit. Judge Drace entered first, followed by all the examiner judges, and Judge Zargabaath came in last. Once again, the examiners whispered while exchanging papers and worried looks. But this time, some of those looks were aimed at Vitu.
'We have come to a decision concerning candidate Vitu Palnissen', a judge said.
After having stood up, we sat down on our chairs, and for a few seconds, there was only devastating silence in the big room.
'Officer Palnissen', Judge Zargabaath said.
Vitu immediately stood again but the Judge Magister sent him down in a mere gesture of his hand.
'In accordance with the result of the combat tests undertaken during Gemini month 695 as graded by Judge Magister Bergan, General Tannhäuser, General Tannhäuser…'
I assumed that was the Zodiac Sisters' surname.
'…General Korr, and myself; in accordance with the result of the ensuing written law dissertation as graded by the military committee of the Imperial Law Akademy; and in accordance with the result of the oral law examination held today; I hereby declare you a successful candidate in joining the Order of Judges of Archadia, with a final mark of 93%.'
Vitu did not say a word, but I could feel the weight of all of Archades's skyscrapers collapsing from his shoulders. I felt myself a genuine joy in hearing that result from Judge Zargabaath's mouth. Vitu truly deserved it.
'Congratulations', the Judge Magister added.
'Thank you, my Lord!' he exclaimed.
'Congratulations', Judge Zargabaath repeated.
'Zargabaath, we understood', Judge Drace intervened dryly.
'I did not speak of the same matter', his colleague explained – and I kept my ear open wide. 'I congratulated our candidate for two different purposes. The first is reaching the rank of judge. The second is related to the vacant position that our dear Judge Umgodi left. Umgodi was a noble worker who did his best to assume his rank's responsibilities. However, he resigned after the chaos following last year's events and the restructuration in the army. I am therefore looking for a fitting warrior to assume his place, one with a strong will and an enthusiastic mind. I saw, Vitu, ever since you joined my division, that you were eager to learn, and faultlessly faithful to our principles. That valuable attitude earns you my proposal today: in addition to being a key judge of my division, will you work by my side at everyday affairs as well as on the battlefield? Will you be my dömavän?'
In the lost look on Vitu's face, in the ramping emotion stuck into his throat, I could notice easily that in his magnificent innocence, my friend had had no plan of releasing the tears that were rolling down his cheeks. As he was holding back a sob, he stood up, saluted his new daily companion and shouted with all his might:
'Yes, my Lord!'
