Chapter 16: Hidden Truth among the Lies
Senator Pluto Dece stood before the Senate and Emperor Larsa, his face set and a frown upon his face. He was one of the oldest Senators, and he alone had witnessed the transition of the Empire through its rulers. He was also the most old-fashioned and believed staunchly in the old ways. The old ways meaning he believed that Archadia should still rule over all. So in short, he was also opposed to any idea that antagonized this vision.
Now he stood before the Senate, delivering a speech and trying to wake up his otherwise younger colleagues to hold fast to Archadia's old ways. He was never one of Larsa's supporters, and had been the first to suggest that the Senate could otherwise control the young Lord, as a puppet Senator. He did not believe a child so young as he could control and rule Archadia, and had otherwise underestimated the wit and capabilities the young Emperor possessed.
Now that most of the Senators were conceding defeat to Larsa' s way of thinking, the only solution Dece could come with to maintain Archadia's old ways was to take the role of Emperor himself. How would he do that, exactly? By making sure the rest of the Senate believed Larsa Ferrinas Solidor was no smarter than a normal boy of fifteen about to become a man.
"So you see, Senators," Dece went on, his otherwise gravel-like tone sounded hollow in the chamber where this meeting was held. "Archadia cannot possibly bend to such unconventional ways. A democratic Archadia will be pray to such thieving Empires like Rozzaria! We must stand fast to our old ways, get back the land that we have lost since the war, and make Archadia proud once more to bear the title Empire."
He sat back down smartly, his robes made a rustling sound as he pushed them away impatiently. All around him the other Senators were nodding thoughtfully, as if agreeing on the words he spoke. He had warned all of them of the consequences if Archadia should reform into a democracy. Most of them empty threats but he had learned how to push the right buttons, tweak the right weaknesses, and he knew all of theirs. A life of luxury and power would be comprised if the Senate agrees to have Archadia reform and like him, most of these old fools would not give it up for anything in the world.
He rested his entwined hands upon his otherwise burgeoning belly and looked at the young Emperor, seated in a intricately carved chair, the only indication that he was the Emperor. Emperor Larsa had adopted a meditative pose, one his father and brothers often bore when faced with such serious matters. His elbows resting on the table, fingers intertwined, chin supported by these fingers, and eyes cast down on the same fingers. He looked like any Solidor too, Dece thought to himself, casting a weary glance at Larsa's charcoal black hair and royal blue eyes. And like any Solidor, Larsa was also very clever, despite Dece's otherwise underestimation of him.
Emperor Larsa looked up now, he had only met the Senator's eyes once or twice during his speech, the rest of the time he had been sitting quietly and making no reactions. Now he looked up and cast a sweeping glance over all the Senators, and a silence seemed to sweep over all the Senators and all murmuring seemed to stop.
"Thank you for your views, Senator Dece." Larsa started, his voice sounded much older and far too burdened for a young man of fifteen. "It seems that perhaps there will be some who will agree upon what you have said." He sat straighter now, shoulders thrown back and hard look came over his blue eyes.
"Perhaps that in the old ways, Archadia would choose glory and power. Perhaps that in this change of government Archadia will not be as it once was. But understand this, if Archadia were to change, I believe it would be for the better. We have been far too cloistered and far too sheltered away from our neighbors. We have conquered other lands, smothered them with our laws and made more enemies than allies. All of you were there when these goals of conquest rather than peace threatened to shatter Archadia to the very core and they almost succeeded. Had it not been for those few who chose to serve the greater good rather than their own vain ambition, the Archadia that we love would be nothing more than rubble and ruin. We still bear the name Empire, but it would be just that, a name." Emperor Larsa stared to look at each Senator in the earnest, resting longer perhaps where Senator Dece was seated. The Emperor's eyes bore intelligence in them and it seemed to Dece that the emperor did find out about the rumors that Dece himself had been spreading. The rumors in which Emperor Larsa had been the culprit of threats to the comfortable lives of the Archadian gentry.
"I ask you now: What is far better for us? Our people to finally live among other people, prejudices and presumptions aside and establish a full-founded peace? Or to waste away, ever-following the footsteps of war and injustice so that even our own people are afraid to run to our government when in need in fear of reprimand? Senators, we as heads of this state, are meant to ensure that our people are safe, not for the sake of blood, glory or power, but for peace and for prosperity. Idealistic it would seem, but I believe we can make this happen. All people over all Ivalice are wearied from war and bloodshed. Our people are wearied from internal civil war. Ivalice is wearied, gentlemen. We need this peace. I believe democracy is the answer." Emperor Larsa ended his speech with a small beseeching smile and leaned back closer to his chair as he did so.
Judge Majister Basch, who stood behind the Emperor's chair, suppressed his own smile at the Emperor's words. Larsa's technique seemed far more effective than Dece's it would seem as Basch studied the reaction's of each Senator. Most of them were nodding thoughtfully, and Basch was nonetheless pleased to see Dece's pudgy face contort into his own suppressed rage, but it Senator Ortal's expression, which puzzled the Judge.
Senator Vladimir Ortal had adopted a thoughtful mask over his true features as well, he was far better hiding his own anger from the Emperor and his guard than Dece was and Ortal was thankful for it. Even now he felt the Judge's piercing bottle-green eyes stare at him, as if trying to discern the real emotion behind the mask, Ortal stared determinedly back.
Thankfully for all those present, a distant clock told them that the meeting had come to a close and that they will continue this discussion for the next day.
"It seems time makes fools of us once more, gentlemen." Emperor Larsa stood up from his seat and all the other Senators did the same. "We shall continue this meeting tomorrow. Until then, may the Galtea watch over you." Emperor Larsa ended, using the formal goodbyes that other regions used, but Archadia seemed to have ignored of late. He nodded and smiled, and the Senators filed out through the open doors, leaving Emperor Larsa and Judge Majister Basch once again.
Larsa waited until the last Senator passed and closed the doors, before he wearily sat back down again.
"Your Excellency, are you well?" Basch was at his side in an instant, Larsa, nodded slowly, letting a deep sigh escape from his lips as he looked up at the Judge. "It has been merely two weeks past since our reunion in Bhujerba and already it feels to me as if that time had happened a long time ago. I myself cannot believe that I have spent every morning since then trying to convince the Senators of our proposition, Basch. Are we pushing a hopeless cause?'
'I do not believe so, Emperor.' Basch replied firmly. 'As I said back in Bhujerba, Archadia is not used to change and it would indeed take some time for the Senate to accept such a radical alteration. Some time, perhaps but it is not impossible. I commend you for your patience your Excellency. I know that it is not easy repeating one's self every morning, trying to make these hard-headed fools understand.' He gave the Emperor a deep nod.
Larsa returned it with a small smile. ' Perhaps I should let you do more of the talking next time Judge Majister. Your words are far more convincing than mine, it would seem.'
Basch merely shook his head. 'You are doing an excellent job, Lord Larsa. It would be fatal if I take over.'
Basch succeeded in extracting a laugh from Larsa, albeit a short one. The Emperor stood up now, adjusting his robe and straightening out his gloves.
"Shall we proceed to the dining room then your Excellency?" Basch inquired as Larsa maneuvered himself towards the doors.
Larsa paused before the exit, one hand on the knob. "No, Basch. Today I would like to have lunch someplace else. In my office perhaps. Anywhere else aside from the stuffy room they like to call the dining room. I have no liking for that place.'
Basch gave a deep bow. 'As the Emperor commands.'
Larsa gave another faint smile and left the room. Just as he did so however, he was met in the hall by footsteps of another Judge Majister. He approached the Emperor, with a few Imperials behind him and bowed deeply.
"Greetings, Emperor Larsa.' his voice was silky. Larsa gave an acknowledging nod, though it had been a while since he had seen the Judge Majister.
"Judge Majister Scipio." Larsa spoke cautiously. He had yet to know what this Judge Majister was like. "It has been a time since we last met."
"I must beg your pardon for not being at hand, Excellency." Scipio now apologized, making another bow as he said so. "It seems that many of our people are suddenly eager to join the Armed Forces. I have been busy judging whether they are worthy for Archadia."
Emperor Larsa looked at the Judge and could not imagine him training new recruits for the Army. Nevertheless, he said nothing and merely nodded. "It would seem as if you are preparing for a new war, Judge Majister with all the new recruits you are hiring." Larsa's tone was light though it carried a hint of warning in his voice.
"There would be no harm in being prepared, your Excellency. Especially now, for I believe that we have a current disagreement going between the Bureaus and the Senate. My Bureau included.' Scipio's tone was equally light but Larsa thought that the Judge's tone had a trace of suggestiveness in it as well.
'I am impressed by your attentiveness, Judge Majister.' was Larsa's only reply. 'I pray that your caution would be rewarded some day.'
The Judge Majister and the Imperials behind him bowed down again as they stepped back to allow the Emperor to walk down the corridor once more. "That I may be considered worthy, your Excellency.' Scipio said and added that only he could hear. 'Or else I will make it so,'
The Emperor did not hear him and merely walked ahead now, noticing with relief a rather more known face that came into view, albeit a helmeted one. Judge Majister Zargabath was taking Basch's place for the afternoon. Larsa would not admit it out loud, but he had a feeling when around the third Judge, it would do him well to be cautious.
XOXOXO
'Where exactly are we to go?' Fran asked over her shoulder to look over where Balthier had disappeared to after they had embarked the Strahl and had plotted their course with a random press of buttons and moved to extract a musty old box underneath the makeshift bed that the two of them hardly use. He had not come back to take the seat beside her and had been silent for the following minutes since they had left Archades. Fran had not asked any questions, she was not worried, but after looking at the coordinates and finding out that they were unfamiliar to her, she decided to ask Balthier.
So far, there was no answer to her question and she waited for a few more minutes before looking over her shoulder now, to see what exactly Balthier was doing. To the Viera's surprise, Balthier was seated at the ship's floor, several papers around him. His face was knotted in an expression of utmost concentration. In fact, so focused was he that he seemed indeed not to hear Fran's question. Fran stood up from her seat now, her heels making rhythmic sounds as she approached Balthier.
'Balthier.' she spoke curtly, standing before him, who had one of his legs stretched, the other supporting his elbow. He was intently reading several parchments at once, and had not once looked up even when Fran was standing directly in front of him.
She stared at him for a few more minutes, before placing one of her one hands on her hip and tossing her hear behind her. Even then, he did not notice. 'Oh look,' she said, her voice casual and light. 'Gil,' she abruptly said.
That remark made Balthier look up. 'Gil?' he asked his eyebrows shooting up. 'Where?'
It took him a few seconds to realize Fran had pulled a trick on him, and as he did so, he met Fran's slightly amused look with a look of his own. 'Did you just attempt to trick me, Fran?' he asked casually, as if he could hardly believe it.
' That was the only way I thought your attention could be caught.' she spoke a matter-of-factly, sitting nattily at the edge of the bed, her arms and legs folded. She looked at him keenly.
Balthier realized that he had been neglecting her off late and could barely curb a grin at the thought of her getting his attention. ' Fran,' he spoke, the typical grin back on his features. 'I never knew you craved for my attention this much.'
'I do not.' Fran answered brusquely, but Balthier did not flinch, at least outwardly. 'I have been attempting to get your awareness for the sake of knowing where are we to go. The coordinates you have positioned in the Strahl are foreign to me.'
Balthier looked up at the controls now, baffled by Fran's statement. 'Seriously?' he asked standing up and charily placing the parchment he was holding back in the box.
Fran watched him go, her eyes, resting the shortest of glances at the top parchment on the box. She was not one to sneak around other people's dealings, especially Balthier's. But she was undeniably an inquisitive one, and right now, she was more than a little curious to discover what exactly caused such a change in Balthier's demeanor, a look she was sure she had not seen the two of them left Archades six years ago.
Fran had only a few seconds to glance at the parchment, which bore miniscule handwriting before she too stood up and followed Balthier where he stood before the Strahl's controls.
'I have been a fool of late.' Balthier mused to himself. 'I have typed in the wrong coordinates.' he began changing them.
'The place we are to go is--?' Fran left the query hanging as she resumed her seat. Balthier seemed again to not take notice of her and was preoccupied in the controls of the ship. Fran was suddenly realizing she did not like being disregarded. She reached out and produced one of her sharp nails and poked Balthier gently in the exposed flesh of his arm.
The sky pirate in turn gave a sharp cry and looked at Fran in astonishment. Fran gave no answer and merely looked out the window again, her hands cautiously folded as to not produce any sharp nails.
Balthier looked at her bemusedly, rubbing the spot where she poked him slowly. 'I am sorry Fran. I have been distracted by the prospect of riches and have since then ignored your presence. That is ungentlemanly behavior if anything else, and I do beg your pardon.'
Fran looked at him now, her ruby eyes settling and meeting Balthier's own hazel eyes. It was this look, which made the sky pirate feel he was being searched to be telling the truth, and there were times when he had been untruthful, and though Fran never said anything about it, Balthier would suffer the remorse nevertheless when she looked away.
Like now, for instance. Fran looked at him, and saw the lies there, but she did not say anything, merely stared and looked away, not before Balthier noticed a strange look that came over her eyes. Something like melancholy? Balthier did not know for certain, for when he sought to look again, the same inscrutable gaze came over her countenance.
'Where are we to go?' Fran asked now as if nothing happened.
Balthier took up the wheel now, the papers temporarily forgotten. 'What do you say we return to Bervenia? Before we go to Henne Mines. Our employer says that is where this treasure is to be found. He did not say any time frame, and I would really like that bath I've been longing for since King Raithwall's tomb.'
Fran merely nodded; a little relieved perhaps that Balthier was back to his usual self, though she discerned that he was hiding something from her. Whatever it was, she decided, Balthier would tell her when needed.
XOXOXOXO
Judge Haussen walked briskly towards the Emperor's office, his armored boots making a metallic sound as he crossed several corridors to reach his office. He had been summoned quickly from his quarters in the 2nd Bureau to report once more to the Emperor.
He was a middle-aged man, perhaps a little younger than Judge Majister Basch himself but his looks were not toughened by the events of war. He had thick wavy locks, which were cropped close to his head for that was the military style. His beetle-black eyes were often serious and he was judged to be too serious at some instances. It was that look which made him give the impression of being older than he really was.
He stood before the doors of Emperor Larsa's office, and he gave himself a few minutes to compose himself before knocking on the doors.
"Come in." The Emperor's cool voice said from within and Judge Haussen proceeded inside.
The office itself startled the Judge. He himself had not visited the office ever since Emperor Gramis' reign and it had been claustrophobic for him despite the high ceilings and large windows. Now it seemed promising and friendly.
Emperor Larsa himself stood gazing before one of the glassless arches, looking below to the city proper, his hands behind his back and his feet apart. Judge Majisters Basch and Zargabath stood a little away from the Emperor though they would be in earshot whenever a conversation would start. Looking at the Emperor now, Judge Haussen saw that despite the Emperor's age, he bore himself like any other Emperor before him, burdened with the thoughts of the Empire.
'Emperor Larsa.' Judge Haussen announced himself, bowing low as Emperor Larsa tore his gaze away from the arches to look who spoke.
'Judge Haussen.' Emperor Larsa greeted, a small smile on his face. 'I beg you forgive me for entailing an earlier reprieve from your luncheon as you are accustomed to.'
The Judge bowed as the Emperor passed him to proceed to his desk. 'It is nothing, Emperor. I am glad to serve.'
Out of all the judges in the 1st and 2nd Bureau, and aside from the Judge Majisters, Larsa himself trusted Dhujan Haussen more than most. When he was nothing more than the third in line to the Empire, the judge, then a soldier had been one of his bodyguards under Judge Majister Drace, before Larsa was given to the hands of Judge Majister Ghis while in Bhujerba. And when the war ended, Larsa was pleased to hear that Haussen had survived and had been one of the few who tried to oppose Vayne openly. Haussen had been discharged then, but since Larsa took up the seat of Emperor, he was given another chance and a higher rank. Therefore, Haussen will always be faithful and loyal to the young Emperor.
'What news then, Judge Haussen? What ails the Bureaus?' Emperor Larsa dropped all palaver and proceeded to the business at hand.
Judge Haussen glanced at first to the two Judge Majisters, his superiors, and hesitated answering the Emperor's question.
'Take heart, Dhujan.' Emperor Larsa spoke before sitting back down on the chair behind his desk. 'Judge Majisters Basch and Zargabath have no more side on this matter than I do, therefore it is safe to talk about these matters openly to them.'
Judge Haussen merely nodded, taking the Emperor's word for it and proceeded to talk about the arguments that had been going around behind the Emperor's back.
"The Army is not pleased, your Excellency." Dhujan started tightly. 'They heard rumors that there is a stratagem to reform Archadia's government.' he had expected to have a reaction form Emperor Larsa, but the young man did not say anything and waited for him to continue.
'My lord, these rumors, I find it implausible. I have hoped that you would--?' Haussen started to say but Larsa interrupted him.
'That is just what they are Judge Haussen. Rumors.' Larsa spoke firmly in his turn, suggesting to Haussen that this not the time to confirm such allegations. Haussen got the suggestion and nodded to proceed.
'Many members of the Armed Forces believe that if rumors are true, their current status would be nothing but the commonest of soldiers. Some of the judges think so as well.'
Behind Judge Haussen, he thought he detected a stifled outcry from Judge Majister Zargabath which sounded suspiciously like "Preposterous!'
Larsa ignored Zargabath's remark and sighed at Haussen. 'And what is their response to such allegations?'
Haussen shook his head. 'Not good, your Excellency. They believe that you would otherwise cut back down most of their rights. And more importantly, their salaries. It does not also help that Senator Dece and his supporters in the gentry spread more rumors about inequity within Archadian society, that you will force them to become vulgars once more.'
This time a look of complete alarm came over Larsa's features at Haussen's mention of this piece of news. Behind them, Zargabath gave another cry of outrage. 'Impudence!'
'Most of the Imperials are angry, because you refuse to answer to these rumors.' Haussen said somberly.
'You cannot expect the Emperor to confirm such audacious rumors!' Zargabath exclaimed out despite Basch's chastising glance at the older judge.
Emperor Larsa raised a hand to silence Zargabath. He then returned his gaze to Haussen. 'What does Judge Majister Scipio say about this? Can he not control and assuage these rumors?'
Haussen sighed. Of all the Judge Majisters in the Ministry of Law, Scipio was the most mystifying. 'Judge Majister Scipio has been most elusive of his sights, Excellency. But if you ask me, he is like any other refusing to meddle in this muddled affair.'
Larsa sighed heavily. Haussen seemed to perceive Larsa's weariness and cleared his throat once more. 'Your Excellency, many among the Bureaus believe that you have what it takes to make Archadia right. If a change in government is what it takes, then I believe you are doing the right choice. There are those who trust that you will not fail them, Excellency. I myself included.' Haussen spoke with pride and gave the traditional Archadian salute: A closed fist under an open palm and a deep bow from the waist. Larsa acknowledged the bow with his own salute.
'Thank you, Judge Haussen.' Larsa spoke gratefully. 'Were it that all of Archadia thought so.'
Soon after that, the Emperor dismissed Haussen and the Judge left. Basch watched as Larsa adopted a brooding look once more, and Zargabath, who thankfully became silent was more did the same.
After some time, Larsa looked up and met the eyes of the Judge Majisters. 'You have been silent, my friends. What is it that ails you?'
Basch and Zargabath exchanged the smallest of glances before Zargabath spoke. 'Your Excellency,' He began. 'As much as it pains me to state the obvious, it seems that it would be best if we are on our guard. Tensions are high, Emperor. The time is not right to announce it to the people of your plans for democracy.'
Emperor Larsa nodded, acquiescingly. 'I agree.'
'I also believe that more than ever, your life is more in danger now than any other time. Senator Dece is becoming foolish, but he is still a formidable enemy. Though we would not want to be caught in open strife, it does not mean he will not risk it so.' Zargabath added.
Basch nodded his agreement. 'Rumors are always personal confessions either of malice or imbecility. Nevertheless, they can be deadly your Excellency.'
Larsa nodded. He was silent now, the thoughtful look over his eyes once more. Suddenly he stood up and moved to pick up his robe. 'I want you to meet me at the Solidor library in ten minutes. Be dressed casually, gentlemen.'
Before the Judge Majisters could protest, Larsa had already left the room.
XOXOXO
Ten minutes later, the Judge Majisters met before the doors of the huge Solidor library; Basch was dressed down to his old outfit, tunic and short trousers. Zargabath himself was dressed in his own black tunic and breeches. The two ran each other's gazes over their clothing before Basch pushed one of the doors opened and met Larsa in the middle of the library.
Larsa was dressed casually himself, only a thin undershirt and black trousers. Even his black locks were set loose now.
'Your Excellency, what—?' Zargabath started but Larsa silenced him.
'Basch, I am sure your information that Senator Dece has hired someone to spy on me is correct?' the Emperor asked.
Basch simply nodded. 'I don't see what----?' Zargabath tried to interrupt again but Larsa cut him off. 'I wish to gaze upon my people. How are they reacting to these rumors? I want to see for myself.'
'How are we to---?" Zargabath asked again.
'My father said that there is a secret passageway that leads out into the city. He told me that his grandfather used it during the civil war of his time. He did not teach it to me directly however, he merely gave me clues. My father taught me this because he feared that I would use it someday for the same purpose." Larsa whispered now, going pass shelves trying to look for the right one. He looked over his shoulder to his two bodyguards. 'I fear that Father may be right.'
Before the two could reply, Larsa turned to the shelf that bore the manuscripts about Solidor's history. At the end of this aisle there was a small table and an unlit torch at the wall above it. Larsa took it from its roost and looked over to his companions.
'I do not suppose that any of you could enlighten this area, gentlemen?' he asked, eyebrow raised.
Basch moved forward a concentrated look over his face. He raised a gloved arm over the torch and almost immediately the horizontal strips of metal in his glove glowed a mako blue and he whispered 'Fire,' under his breath. Almost instantly a tongue of flame erupted from the glove and lit up the torch.
Larsa nodded appreciatively. He waved the torch about the shelves, as if trying to look for the precise book. Basch and Zargabath watched him do this silently, though one was getting a little impatient and the other looked a bit confused. Minutes later, Larsa came back, a small red book in his hand. Larsa gave the torch to Zargabath to hold. At the cover of this book, there was a small black orb that seemed to be removable. Larsa did so. Nothing happened, and a look of puzzlement came to Zargabath's eyes though the Emperor himself was silent.
Larsa straightened up, moved to where the torch was once was and placed the orb in the space at the bottom of the roost. At once, the torch roost glowed an iron-hot red and it seemed that veins of the similar red erupted from the bottom of this roost. Larsa stepped back and the three of them saw that the red veins formed an outline of the door.
'Well done, your Excellency!" Zargabath exclaimed brightly. Larsa was silent.
'We have found the door, gentlemen.' he whispered. 'The question remains however, how do we open it?' Larsa placed his hands on his hips thinking. His gaze went over to where Zargabath was carrying the torch. Then his blue eyes met the red book lying on top of the little table. He picked it up. 'Follow me.' he murmured to the two and did so obligingly.
Larsa returned to the shelf where he got the red book. All books here were either wrapped in red leather and he did not know how he was supposed to open the door to the outside. He did remember that his father gave him only three clues. Fire opens the path to freedom, obsidian pools fuels the fire, crimson and gold live in the Solidor line.
The torch was blatant enough. Larsa had deciphered that easily. The obsidian pools were a little harder. He had searched the shelves for a black book but all were red. In the end, he remembered a book that his Father often carried. Its title was Sable's Lagoon, an epic about an ancestor who founded the house of Solidor. His father liked it for it was unlike the boring tales of glory in other history books. Larsa loved it for the way it was written. He did not realize until later that sable was indeed another name for obsidian and that it was in front of him all along. Now all was left was the last clue.
'Crimson and gold live in the Solidor line.' Larsa murmured almost to himself. The small red book was still in his hands. His blue eyes swept over the shelf, while repeating the clue inside his head. Crimson and gold live in the Solidor line.
Crimson and gold. Those were the colors of Archadia, that much was certain. But how on earth would it open the door?
Larsa became silent again, looking at the shelves as if trying to find something only he could see. Crimson and gold…his hands ran over the cover of the book in his hands several times over. Crimson and gold…His hands ran over the spine where other intricate carvings could be found.
His hands stopped as he noticed that not all the carvings were black. 'This is strange.' He murmured. He looked at the other books on the shelves.
'Judge Majisters,' Larsa spoke softly. What are the colors of the numbers that are carved in the books' spines?'
Zargabath raised the torch to produce more light. 'Unless I am mistaken, Your Excellency. They are gilted gold and red. However, I do believe more are gold.'
'So are the books here, Emperor. More gold than black.' Basch added.
'Are you certain?' Larsa asked now, more urgently than before. 'Are you certain that they are gold?'
Basch nodded, who stood before the middle of the shelf. Zargabath started to nod too, then said rather startled. 'There is a book here that has a red-colored number.' He looked at Larsa, who started to walk over to him.
Larsa looked at the book still in the shelf and when he pulled it, the title on the cover was nothing more than another chronicle of the Solidor line, this one much more recent.
'Grandfather started this book, and my father.' He spoke softly, flicking through the pages hastily and then closing it shut. 'But why red?'
Larsa stepped back once more, puzzled now more than ever. Crimson and gold live in the Solidor line….Crimson and Gold…Crimson…Gold…
And then it hit him.
'But of course!' Larsa spoke triumphantly to himself. 'Why did I not see it before?'
Larsa moved back towards the shelf, where he pulled out the book with a red number. He placed the first book, the one with the black orb in it. Almost undistinguishing noise came from the shelf. A small click. Larsa's eyes lit up. Quickly, he walked back to the space where he got his first book and replaced it with the new one.
That had an immediate effect. The golden orbs carved in the spines of the red books began to glow, and like the bottom of the torch roost, they began to connect in golden threads creating a pattern unable to be distinguished up close.
'Crimson and Gold live in the Solidor line,' Larsa spoke softly, standing back for the final time.
The golden threads had gleamed and glowed to form the Solidor insignia, the two serpents, to end in a middle of the bookcase where a gap had appeared as the books pushed each other aside to reveal a crevice in the wall behind it.
Larsa pressed his hand down on the crevice and the red-veined door on the other wall began to move.
'Let us go then, gentlemen,' Larsa spoke and Basch extinguished the torch fire with another spell. 'Archades awaits.'
