Chapter 56 – To Accept an Invitation

In Solis 460, Firesdei, the 20th of Ulya:

Dear Diary,

We have just departed from the floating fortress of Shasarazade and are now heading up the Tolna Canal towards Gregminster. Being on this lake brings back memories of the Liberation War. Yesterday Viktor and I tried to spot the old headquarters, but the haze in the air made that impossible. There are also many more ships on the lake than I've ever seen. Two years of peace have helped the Republic beyond measure.

Ko remains unconscious, and Nanami continues to look after him. She's been very temperamental of late, and that worries me. I think that the stress of this war may be getting to her. But who do I talk to about this? I don't think Nanami would like it if I confronted her. Nor do I want to add to Riou's problems by bringing it up with him. Viktor?

Not a chance.

Perhaps her mood will change for the better once we arrive in Gregminster later this afternoon. As for myself, I wonder what I'll feel when I see the city again.

Flik's head came up at the sound of footsteps approaching him on the deck. He snapped his diary shut just as Viktor asked, "So, what're you writing? I hope you're not saying anything bad about me."

Getting up from his sitting position, Flik stretched before turning to face his friend. "I'm writing down my thoughts, that's all. It helps me think about things."

Viktor walked up to the railing of the ship, squinting off into the distance. "You shouldn't share your thoughts with something that can't talk back. Why not speak with a friend?"

Flik joined him at the rail. Viktor's eyes were trained on a group of three gul-horses frolicking in the shallows at the water's edge. They were slightly larger than horses, scaled like lizards, stood on two legs, and had long tails for counterbalance. Though these three were wild, Flik had seen gul-horses trained for war. He could remember the awesome spectacle of several thousand of them, mail glittering in the sun, bearing down on the Liberation Army. Even now, as the three of them whipped up sprays of water with their tails in play, they looked formidable.

"Now that brings back memories," Viktor said. He suddenly began fanning himself. "I'd forgotten how bad the air is in the south. How can you stand it?"

Flik raised an eyebrow. "It's just as hot back north. It is summer, after all."

"Yeah, but back north it's never this humid. I feel like I'm cooking in my own juices."

"Really?" Flik laughed. "But we've had the ocean breeze for at least an hour. It'll be a little cooler once we get to Gregminster."

"I must be getting old," Viktor groused. "I don't remember the heat bothering me this much two years ago."

"If I remember correctly, you complained constantly."

"Come to think of it, you're right. The other thing I disliked was all those thunderstorms. Looks like we'll probably have another one today."

Flik glanced at the skies to the south. Giant, anvil shaped clouds were already gathering over the lake. There'd been afternoon storms every day since they'd departed from the border station. He shrugged. "Maybe they'll hold off until we're in Gregminster."

The clouds crept ominously northward as the day went on, and, when the ship finally made berth at an impressive complex of docks and warehouses, the sky was dark with impending precipitation. As everyone gathered on the deck, Nanami perused the sprawling port and said, "This doesn't look like the capital of a great nation. Where are all the palaces?"

"This is actually the port for Gregminster," Flik explained. "The city itself lies several miles away from the canal."

"It seems my father had the decency to send us an escort, at least," Sheena declared. He pointed to a group of carriages and horsemen waiting alongside the berth. "I didn't fancy walking home through the rain."

The commander of the detachment, distinguished by the enormous red plume on his helmet, bowed to the new arrivals and announced, "Welcome, representatives from Jowston. His Excellency, President Lepant, desires that you be conveyed directly to the Executive Palace for an immediate audience. Uh…which one of you is Riou?"

Before Varkas could point him out, Riou strode down the gangplank. "I am Riou. I accept President Lepant's offer."

While Riou was speaking, Tir, in his hooded cloak, walked up beside Viktor and Flik. "I think he'll be all right," Tir said quietly. "If he can maintain that calm air in the capital, he won't have any problems winning over Lepant. I'm almost sorry that I'll have to miss the performance."

"You're not coming with us?" Viktor asked.

"And declare myself right in front of the President? That'd probably bring down the government." Tir shook his head. "No, we'll make our own way home. Still, I'd like to talk with Riou some more. I want to talk with all of you. When you get the chance, come over to the mansion and have dinner with us. I'll even get Gremio to cook it."

"If that's the deal, I'll take all my meals over at your place," Viktor answered.

"We'll be there," Flik replied. "I don't know how many formal dinners at the palace I can stand."

"Make sure you bring Riou and Nanami…and anyone else you can too," Tir replied. For a moment, his face looked extremely youthful, and Flik could imagine that he was speaking with a normal boy of eighteen years. "There are so many things I want to talk about and so little time."

Gremio approached and put his hand on Tir's shoulder. "I know, young master, but we have to let them go for now." He gestured towards the carriages. Riou and Nanami were climbing into one, while the escort captain was looking pointedly towards the four stragglers.

"Later, then," Tir whispered. "Promise me you'll come by later."

"We will," Flik replied. Then he and Viktor walked over to the same carriage Riou and Nanami had entered. Flik looked back once to see Gremio and Tir watching at the foot of the gangplank. Thunder rumbled overhead, causing Flik's rune to stir. He grimaced in discomfort and climbed up into the vehicle. It was underway even before he took his seat.

The interior of the carriage was crowded and warm. Ko had been placed in the middle of the two sets of seats, and Nanami was leaning over him, her water rune casting a pale light in the interior. Riou sat back in the seat next to his sister and fidgeted intermittently. Flik sat down next to Viktor on the other seat. The curtains had been drawn tight, blocking any view of the city. A louder crash of thunder penetrated inside, followed immediately by the downpour.

No one said anything for a while. Flik was distracted by the storm and discomforted by the intense look on Nanami's face. He glanced at Viktor and found him to be subdued too. He wondered if the past was weighing on Viktor.

The carriage came to a halt momentarily, and, though Flik didn't look to confirm, he knew they'd arrived at one of the many gates into Gregminster proper. The rain paused as they passed under the gatehouse, then returned with equal vigor on the other side. He could hear the wheels clattering on the cobbled city streets.

Suddenly, Riou gasped sharply, clutching at his right hand. Nanami squeaked as he lurched out of his seat, but Viktor caught him before he could fall to the floor. "What's wrong?" he asked.

Taking a rasping breath, Riou's answer came out almost at a hiss. "I…can see it burning. The Rune…it's showing me this city in flames." His eyes were open as wide as they could go, his forehead creased by the effort.

Flik shuddered, chilled by the words. "Are you sure?"

"A golden angel…reflects the fire. It is melting in the heat. The city is destroyed." Riou spasmed and went limp, collapsing against Viktor's arms.

"Riou?" Nanami shrieked, reaching for her brother. "Riou!"
He coughed, took a deep breath, and seemed to recover his bearings. "I'm all right," he said weakly.

"Is that…the future?" Flik asked. He realized that the thought of Gregminster's destruction had shaken him to the heart. During the Liberation War, they'd taken special pains to make sure the city wasn't unduly harmed during the fighting. Even then, the Imperial Palace had sustained quite a bit of damage in the aftermath of the battle. In Flik's head, the rain crashing down on the roof of the carriage took on the eerie roar of fire.

"I don't know," Riou replied. "The Rune is always showing me things falling to pieces." He shook his head. "I hate it…I don't want to see everything ending that way, but sometimes, that vision feels more like reality than the waking world."

"I don't think that has to be the ending," Viktor said. "For many years, I never thought that anyone would live in North Window ever again. Now look at it; it's a thriving city. Who made that possible, but you, Riou? It was your choice to lead, and gather us, and make a new beginning where there'd only been desolation before. Whatever that Rune is showing you, it doesn't yet exist for us. This does." He gestured towards the window and the city beyond, veiled by the curtains. "We've come here to build an alliance, and we need you to do it."

Riou smiled, relaxing back into his seat. "Thank you, Viktor. I don't think I'd be able to do this without all of your support."

Now that the tension was fading, Flik also leaned back. "We're all here for you, Riou. You don't have to go through this alone. Don't hesitate to share your burdens with us."

The sound of the wheels slowed, and Viktor took a peek out of the curtains. "I think we've arrived," he declared. "Though I can't see much in this downpour."

The carriage rolled into a roofed garage, cutting the rain off. After a moment, they came to a complete halt. Riou was up and had opened the door before the footman could assist him. Flik followed him out and then turned around to help Viktor get Ko out. A pair of guards with a litter jogged over to accept the injured boy.

There was also a middle-aged steward waiting for the delegation. He bowed formally and said, "Greetings, Lord Riou, Lord Yamamoto, Lord Verdricci, Sirs Viktor and Flik, and Master Sheena. President Lepant wishes to meet with you immediately. If you would follow me." He turned around and started walking towards a door leading out of the garage. Flik took the formal greeting in stride. It was obvious that Varkas had sent a messenger ahead of them.

"They certainly do things efficiently in Toran," Nanami whispered.

"Hardly," Sheena snapped. "Father should've been here to greet me personally. I bet he'll make us cool our heels just to show you how important he is."

The steward led them out into the entrance hall of the palace. The last time Flik had been in the palace had been at the end of the Liberation War. He'd been too busy fighting to really look at the décor. Now he found his breath taken away by what he saw. The floors shown of polished red marble. There were beautiful paintings on the walls and porcelain vases atop marble stands. Elaborate candelabras, each as tall as a person, lined the walls, filling every chamber with light. In one side room, he thought he saw a representation of Tir's clothing, but the steward swept past without halting.

They climbed a set of stairs to the second floor. The steward stopped by a door at the turning of the hall. "If you gentlemen and ladies would kindly wait here, one of the Presidential Guards will summon you for the audience."

The waiting room wasn't large, but there were plush sofas to sit down on, and a bookcase filled with books on one wall. Flik walked over to the bookcase and started examining the titles. As expected, most of them were official histories of the Scarlet Moon Empire. He decided against taking one of them to read and went over to sit next to Viktor on one of the sofas.

Shortly, only Freed and Sheena were standing. Sheena was by the door, tapping his foot impatiently. Freed stood in the center of the room, fidgeting with his glasses. "I never thought I'd ever go to the Scarlet Moon Empire." He coughed. "I mean, the Toran Republic, like this. I'm a little nervous. I always thought we'd be enemies."

"Don't worry about it," Riou answered. "Everything's going to go perfectly."

Sheena pounded on the door, drawing everyone's attention. "Ugh…the nerve of that man! To think he'd keep me, his own son, waiting like this. I ought to walk right up to him and give him a piece of my mind."

Freed became even more embarrassed by Sheena's antics. "I…uh…I wonder if there's time for me to find a bathroom?"

The door suddenly opened on Sheena's face, causing him to stumble backwards. A soldier walked into the room. "His Excellency the President is ready to meet with you."

"About time," Sheena muttered, pushing his way past the soldier.

"Let's go," Riou said. The soldier took them down to the end of the hall, which opened up into a large antechamber. Beyond the gilded doors at the far end was the audience hall. Flik paused to study the guards who had the duty of defending the president. These were hard men, veterans of the Liberation War, many bearing scars on their faces. One man even had a hook in place of his left hand.

Then the great doors were swinging open, and a herald was announcing their names. Sheena entered first, followed by Riou, Freed, and Nanami. Viktor and Flik marched in the back. To one side of Flik was a row of civil ministers, on the other, military captains.

Flik scanned the room, picking out familiar faces. At the head of the ministers, in a yellow robe and blue hat, was Tesla, who'd been a scrivener before the war had pulled him up. Tesla still looked as though he were worried the authorities were going to arrest him at any moment. To either side of the presidential chair were Alen and Grenseal, the two of them former officers under Teo McDohl, who ordered them to serve Tir as his dying wish. The former had a serious expression on his face, but the latter had just a hint of a smile.

Sheena stalked right towards the presidential chair, heedless of propriety. "What's the meaning of this, Father? I've come all the way from Jowston, and you can't even take time out to greet me? And here I've done you a big favor, bringing the leader of the New State Army to see you. He's here to save your-"

"Silence, Sheena!" President Lepant rose out of his chair, towering over his son. Before the Liberation War, he'd been a merchant in the city of Kouan, but he was also a powerful warrior. His physique was evident even in a formal dress coat and pants. Just as during the war, he wore his red hair in a ponytail, and his mustache bristled. Sheena's righteous indignation quailed in the face of his father's anger.

"What makes you think you're deserving of any welcome? What have you done with yourself to merit any acclaim?"

Sheena gulped. "Well, I did bring Lord Riou."

"We will discuss your…travels later, Sheena. Now then, you will not speak again unless I ask your opinion. Do I make myself clear?" Sheena nodded. Lepant's glare turned from his son to the rest of the delegation. For a moment everyone was cowed, but Riou stepped forward, breaking the silence.

"Thank you for meeting with us, President Lepant. Before we begin, I'd like to ask that the boy, Ko, get treated as quickly as possible."

Lepant nodded to himself, his expression becoming less stern. "Do not worry. I received Varkas' message on that matter and have summoned Doctor Liukan. If anyone can save the boy, he will be able to. Meanwhile, as President of the Republic of Toran, allow me to formally welcome you, Lord Riou. What purpose has brought you to Gregminster?" Something in his eyes told Flik that he already knew the reason for Riou's visit.

Riou took a hasty breath. "I wish to negotiate an alliance with the Toran Republic, for the purpose of defeating Luca Blight, who has invaded Jowston."

Lepant brought one hand up to his chin and rubbed it. "Your words are fine, Lord Riou, but an alliance is a difficult thing to create. There must be some measure of trust, if not friendship, between the parties. However, our two nations have often been bitter enemies. Not two years ago, we had to repulse the armies of South Window and Tinto, who'd invaded in the wake of our civil war."

He looked from Riou to Freed. "Lord Yamamoto, you come from South Window, right? Many people in the Republic hate the people of South Window, as we have fought for generations. No doubt, many people in South Window have a similar feeling towards the Republic. How do you suppose we overcome that hatred?"

Freed shifted at Lepant's question. "It is true that I have considered the Scarlet Moon Empire my enemy. I may even have hated your country. But what was ever gained by that hatred? Were either of our lands made nobler because of it? I have come to understand that hatred is a thing of despair that leads only to destruction. There is no hope in it, and I couldn't live without hope." Meeting Lepant's eyes, Freed continued, "For the sake of hope, for the sake of the citizens of Jowston, I ask that the Toran Republic put aside its hatred. I know that there is no compensation for all the damage that we have done to each other over the years, but I would do anything to give hope to the people of Jowston. That wish may not be much to build an alliance on, but I will pursue it with all of my strength, all of my life."

"Peace, Lord Yamamoto." Lepant put up a hand. "Your words do credit to both you and Lord Riou." His attention returned to Riou. "I have a very simple question to ask you, Lord Riou. I have learned that you are originally from Kyaro, in Highland. Why have you chosen to fight against your home country?"

Riou's voice was steady as he answered Lepant. "Before I became leader of the New State Army, I heard a story about my father and Han Cunningham of Highland. They worked so hard to bring peace to Jowston and Highland, but their efforts were in vain. Now Luca Blight has invaded Jowston, bringing destruction wherever his armies march. I watched him burn Ryube and saw the aftermath at Toto. But more than that, I was there when he slaughtered the Unicorn Brigade, children of Highland, as the pretext for war. I'm fighting not against Highland, but against Luca Blight. I'm fighting to put an end to this conflict, to build the peace that my father and Han Cunningham were not able to achieve." Riou paused, as if considering his next words. "Perhaps I sound naïve when I say this, but I'm not fighting for power or glory or rule. If I can't bring a lasting peace to the people of both Jowston and Highland when this war is finished, then all of my fighting will be wasted."

Flik watched as Lepant broke eye contact with Riou, his eyes taking on a distant look. Finally, a small smile appeared on the President's face. "Now I see why Viktor and Flik put so much trust in you. Lord Riou, you remind me very much of the young man who led the Liberation Army, the young man who, in all rights, should occupy this very chair. He had the same passion that you have, and he became hope for all of us." Lepant's smile faded as he looked back at Riou. "He suffered much to see that hope to completion. Perhaps, with our aid, you will not have to suffer as he did."

"You mean you'll accept our alliance?" Freed asked.

"Spend the night here," Lepant said. "Tomorrow we will get down to the details of what the Toran Republic can offer."

An idea suddenly came to Flik. He cleared his throat and said, "With your permission, President, I'd like Riou to stay somewhere other than the palace tonight." Several people, among them Viktor and Riou, turned to look at Flik questioningly. Flik winked in Viktor's direction.

In an instant, Viktor got what Flik was thinking about. "Yes, there's a place Riou ought to see first."

Lepant stared at the two of them. "What place is this? You two have something tricky up your sleeves, whatever this is about. But…I don't suppose you're planning on spiriting him away after having gone through all that trouble to get him here." He smiled again. "Lord Riou, I don't know what these two rogues are plotting, but it is undoubtedly for your own benefit to go with them. Just have him back before noon."

"Of course," Flik replied. "We're not that unreliable."

They took their leave of the president, Viktor and Flik in the lead, and hurried back through the halls and down to the entrance. As they reached the doors leading out of the palace, Nanami managed to protest, "Where are we going? I don't want to go out into the rain."

"It's not raining any more," Flik said. "Summer storms in Gregminster are like that, intense one minute and finished the next. Besides, the place we're going to visit is very important."

"He's right," Viktor added. "It'll be much better than staying in some stuffy palace."

Nanami didn't look convinced. "I wanted to eat some good food finally, and sleep on a real bed."

"I assure you, the place we're going to has both in good supply," Flik answered. They walked out of the palace, into a long courtyard bordered by gardens and orchards. As Flik had said, the storm was winding down. Small falls of water were cascading off the roof of the palace and the trees surrounding it, but nothing was coming from the clouds overhead. Twilight made the courtyard dim, illuminated only by distant flashes of lightning from the clouds.

Viktor and Flik hurried the party down the central path of the courtyard, over a wide, stone bridge, and out into the city proper. Even in the limited light, the white walls of the buildings appeared to gleam. The broad path of the courtyard widened out into the central street running through the city. After a few minutes of walking, the street opened up onto a wide plaza. Flik heard Riou and Nanami gasp as they got a good view of it.

In the center of the plaza was a large, circular, reflecting pool, and in the middle of that, dominating the whole area, was a gigantic, golden statue of a winged angel. In her left arm she carried a golden amphora from which water continuously splashed out into the pool.

"How beautiful," Nanami murmured.

Flik shook his head. "I don't remember the first time I saw it. I think that many of the people who live here hardly notice it when they walk through this plaza."

"They don't notice something this beautiful?" Riou asked.

"I guess they take it for granted," Flik replied. "Funny, even I did, when I was here with Odessa. Good things are like that sometimes. If you're not careful, you forget their value and then they slip away from you."

Viktor walked up beside Flik. "That's a great speech and all, but you're not stalling for time, are you? You sure you remember the way?"

"Of course I do!" Flik glanced at each of the side streets, trying to get his bearings. "This way." He turned towards a street on the left, headed by a domed cathedral of white marble. Tall, spindle towers surrounded the central dome, connected to it by lattice buttresses.

They walked past this, down a street containing magnificent mansions. Most of these were set back from the road, surrounded by high fences of white stone. However, one of them stood right on the edge of the road, without any barriers. Light streamed out from the first floor windows and, as Flik approached, he could hear sounds of good cheer from within.

"Pretty good," Viktor said under his breath. "You found it on the first try."

"Hey, I was up and down this street a lot back in the day," Flik responded.

"Yeah, but there was only one mansion that really held your interest in those days."

There was no counter to that, as it was true. Instead, Flik walked up to the red doors and banged the iron knocker. The voices went quiet, and he heard a woman say, "I'll see who that is." The door opened and Flik found himself confronted by a woman with brown hair. It took a moment for him to recognize her as Cleo. She was no longer wearing the armor she'd carried during the Liberation War, dressing instead in a simple red blouse and hunter green pants. Her hair had also grown out in the intervening two years. She was, however, holding one of her daggers in her free hand.

Pahn, in a red tunic, was standing unobtrusively to one side of her- that is, if a man of his size could be said to be unobtrusive. He was just as large and muscle-bound as Viktor, and the scowl on his face suggested he was ready to cave in the head of anyone who intruded too far into the McDohl mansion.

Luckily for Flik, Cleo recognized him. "Is that you, Flik? And Viktor too? My, what a crowd of people you've brought with you." She smiled and Pahn relaxed at her tone.

"We're here to accept an invitation," Flik replied. "Though, if you're not ready, we could always call on you another night."

One of the interior doors burst open and Tir McDohl bounded into the room. "I didn't think Lepant would let you go this soon, but never mind. Of course you're welcome here. I'll just have to inform Gremio that he's cooking for company. Come in, we'll find room for all of you."

As Flik stepped forward into the house, he remarked to himself that he'd only once before seen Tir McDohl as happy as he was now.