Chapter 9: How the mighty have fallen...

"So, Lyude," said Gibari, "what did you do before you came to Diadem?"

"I was a high ranking officer in a weapon specialist unit. Hand chosen by the emperor himself." said Lyude.

"Wow." said Matthias, "That's really impressive."

"I suppose." said Lyude, shaking his head sadly. "The fact doesn't hold as much of a source of pride now."

"I guess not." said Matthias. "Well, I've got to get to my own lessons back at the palace. King Ladekahn told me to inform you that you could spend the day to your liking. Feel free to stay here for a while."

"But the cloud passage..."

"Hey don't worry about it, I can fly away from any trouble."

"I haven't even thought of that."said Lyude. "By all means, then."

"See you back at the palace, then." said Matthias and he left with a wave.

"I hope he'll be all right." said Lyude.

"Don't worry, kid, the knights are there clearing it out by now. He'll be fine."

Lyude nodded and thanked Anna for the meal. He left Gibari to finish his breakfast. He strolled along the dock, casually watching the ships come and go. A little boy and girl were playing nearby. He stood silently a few moments, taking in the fresh morning air. His eyes widened in surprise and he turned at the waist as he felt something tap his boots, causing them to give off a metallic, ringing sound. While just as suddenly he felt something pulling on his coattails. He turned to find the two children that had been playing.

The boy was tapping Lyude's boat with a twig, while the little girl was tugging on his coattails and looking up under his coat.

"What are you two doing?" he asked with a raised brow.

"Are those boots made of real gold?" asked the little boy. "Wow, you must be really rich."

"Erm...they're part of a uniform."

"There's no holes in your coat." said the little girl. How do your wings come out?"

Lyude sighed, the big one had been asked. At least that explained why the little girl had been trying to see up his coat. She was looking for the light that wing slits would have shown. Lyude smiled in understanding and knelt in front of the small child. "I don't have any wings." he said, "There's no need for slits in my uniform."

"No wings? Doesn't everybody have them?" asked the small girl with wide eyes.

"Not where I come from." said Lyude. "As far as I know, we never have."

"Oh, and you're from the Empire, right?"

"That's right." said Lyude with a smile. "My name is Lyude, what's yours?"

"She's Chrissy and I'm Kyle." said the boy, "We heard some of the fishermen talking about you earlier, are you a spy, mister?"

"I beg your pardon?" asked Lyude, taken aback by the question.

"A spy, you know, a snoop."

"Well, you certainly are direct." said Lyude with a laugh. "No, Kyle, I assure you that I am not a spy."

"Hmm..." said the boy circling Lyude pensively. "Well, you seem nice enough." he said. "Better be sure, though, C'mon!"

The boy and girl took Lyude by a hand each and tugged him forward. "Where are we going?" Lyude asked.

"To see the story lady." said Chrissy, "She can see things about people."

"I really shouldn't be barging into someone's home uninvited." said Lyude.

"It's okay, you're with us. The story lady likes company. She said we can bring whoever we want to visit."

Lyude sighed, looking down on the faces of the two children that held his hands tugging encouragingly. "All right, then." he said and followed the children hesitantly through the door of the fortune teller's house. The room was dim, the largest fish hook Lyude had ever seen was hung on a wall behind the poorly lit table where an elderly woman sat. "Take a seat, young man." said the woman in a grating, scratchy voice. Lyude stepped forward and sat on his knees across from her. "Your aura is familiar, young man, we have met before."

Lyude thought back and realized that the old woman's words were true. "I remember..." he said, closing his eyes briefly. "You're the one that comes to Alfard annually to read the children for placement."

"Yours was a promising one indeed, a great many talents...yet a great chance of sorrows. I see a terrible choice you must someday make."

"I really don't..." Lyude began uncomfortably, but was cut short by a silencing gesture from the old woman. "Heed my words and listen, young one." she said. "Leave us, Children, that I may speak with this man in private."

"You're not going to tell him a story, are you? We wanna hear your stories too!"

"This is not a tale meant for you. It is meant only for the right listener."

"Awwww!" the two children chorused as they were shooed outside. "Now then, listen well, young man, for the tale I have to tell you I feel will one day be very important for you."

When Lyude left the fortune teller, his hand was a jumble of confusion. A great burden? What did the old woman mean? Could she really know any of his future? He brushed the thoughts aside as he saw a fisherman with a large hat watching him. He smiled and nodded in greetings. The man turned with a wary glance and went into Anna's. The whispers continued wherever Lyude went, but the children were not afraid to approach him and he chatted with them amiably. "I don't know why my dad's so afraid of you." said a young boy named Mardian. "You're not scary at all."

"Thank you." said Lyude with a smile. "I'm sure your father will realize that eventually."

Over the next several weeks, Lyude worked very hard to earn the trust of the citizens of Diadem. As he opened himself up to questions and took the time to greet each citizen individually, many that had been suspicious began leaning more toward a cautious curiosity. He spent a lot of time in Nashira when he wasn't studying or training. Which, in some ways, didn't help his case.

Many citizens still thought that he was an imperial spy, and the unusually large amount of time he spent the simple fishing village raised many an eyebrow.

Six months after his arrival in Diadem, Lyude was, as usual, strolling around Nashira. Though there were still some skeptics, Lyude had managed to make a good many friends in the simple village. He had remained mostly at the palace the better part of the week fulfilling what few duties he had and studying for an aptitude test the Empire required. It felt good to stretch his legs again and be able to relax., but it was not to be. As he aided a young fisherman with a catch that was about to fall off his boat he noticed Katrina racing from her home in a frantic panic. Lyude and the fisherman righted the catch just as she spotted him.

"Sir Lyude!" She shouted and rushed over to him.

"What's the Matter, Katrina? Are you all right?"

"Not me." said Katrina sobbing frantically, "It's my grandfather, he just collapsed! He's so sick, Sir Lyude."

"Just try to calm down, Katrina."said Lyude soothingly, "Is your grandfather still on the floor?"

"Yes. There's no way I could lift him, he's far to heavy for me."

Lyude nodded. "Right then. Silas, would you run and fetch a doctor?"

The young fisherman nodded and raced off toward Sheliak.

"All right, Katrina, let's go. Your grandfather should be in a bed."

"We can't afford a doctor."

"Don't worry about that. The important thing now is to take care of your grandfather, I'll see to it the debt is paid."

"Sir Lyude, I couldn't impose..."

"Not at all. Let's go."

He and Katrina rushed into her home and Lyude knelt over the old man touching his brow which was much too warm to suit Lyude. Gently he checked the man to ensure that he had not injured himself when he fell and slowly lifted him. He carried the old man to his bed and dampened his handkerchief with some cool water, placing it on the old man's brow. Katrina stood and watched him in surprise. She had not expected such genuine concern from the ambassador after the way her grandfather had been treating him. Yet there he was, so gentle with her grandfather even after he had caused him so much grief.

They sat quietly for the few minutes it required for Silas to return with the doctor. The doctor checked the old man and sighed sadly. This is a very serious and rare illness. I don't have the medicine required to cure him. I don't see any way to get what he needs either. The cure for his illness can only be found in Anuenue. From the leaves of the Celestial tree.

"Anuenue?" said Lyude, "Is there enough time?"

"I suppose, but what means would we have to get it?"

"Me." said Lyude standing. "Tell me the name of the medicine and I'll have it imported here immediately. I'm sure I can get it here within four days. Less if I can manage."

"Are you serious? That's a rather large effort on your part." said the doctor.

"It's not a problem. Just tell me what he needs."

Lyude took down the order and checked on the old man once more. He gazed sadly down on the old man. "Just hang in there, sir." he murmured, in his mind one phrase repeated itself, "How the mighty have fallen."