Hetalia – Of Magic and Might
Chapter 13! We actually move away from our heroes and to our villains. It felt strange writing with my evil cap on :)
Enjoy!
The Capital, The Winter Palace, The Throne Hall.
Roderick Edelstein stood alone in the vast spacious hall. The Palace of the Capital, built by the First Men was a marvellous sight to behold. Upon the discovery of the Isle that would be known as the Capital, the First Men established their civilisation and built up their society. The Palace had been built in honour and celebration of the golden years to come. With their King crowned and supported by his court, the beloved kingdom had entered their golden age. The castle of magnificence stood proud and looked down below on its thriving city.
It itself was proof of the victory that the First Men had achieved. Achieved through the efforts of the United people and immerse craftsmanship. Now the Palace stood home to the man who ended the blood line of its founders. What had started in sincerity was now an object of fear to its own people.
Roderick Edelstein pondered the Palace's history as he stood alone. It was a shame. He imagined that once it's halls was filled with joyful music. Visiting Noblemen, Knights of caliber and the city folk, all protected within its halls. It was a sanctuary. At least Roderick envisioned it to be.
Roderick lazily observed his surroundings. The spacious throne hall was constructed on some kind of white stone, similar to marble but not. It's floor tiled floor consisted of patterns of onyx and moonstone, polished regularly as if tradition. No art hung on the walls, no sparks of colour. It spoke business. Orderly men in uniform carrying files and reports roamed about the hall. They didn't have the patience or the time to care for the hall's history. They didn't attempt to marvel at the regal beauty, to contemplate how history had been made. What had come before them, what had come before the First Me n. Roderick delighted on reading on possible theories on where the First Men had come from. Some say they were made from mud by the gods, some say that they evolved from marine creatures.
History fascinated Roderick, if allowed he would of thought of it all day. Unfortunately he did not have that luxury of time.
"I mean, look at her legs. Imagine how soft they would be, caressed in your hands" To Roderick's left a middle aged officer whispered to a fellow coworker. Roderick turned and saw the female the men were admirably speaking of. Walking from a distance towards Roderick, stalked the Emperor's stunning younger sister. Natasha Arlofskaya was strikingly beautiful, with dark blue eyes and straight platinum blonde hair like her brother's. Her indigo uniform was a pretty dress that came to her knees, white knee socks and black pumps on her petite feet. Three thin straight lines of titanium were pinned above her left breast. Each metal pin signifying her level in rank, Roderick bearing similar badges himself.
"She is beauty" The fellow rank one coworker remarked, admiring the sway of her long smooth hair.
" She is grace" The Officer agreed, sighing in contentment. Roderick grew tired of their fruitless admiration. They all knew that Natasha only had eyes for one man.
"She will punch you in the face if she hears you" Roderick interrupted just before Natasha came within hearing distance. The lower ranked officers coughed in embarrassment and hurriedly moved away as Natasha approached Roderick.
"Roderick" Natasha announced stopping in front of him and bracing her feet hipwidth apart. A stance of dominance Roderick silently commented.
"Natasha, is it finally the day where you invite me to dinner?" Roderick returned bowing his head a little. "If I knew I would of made myself far more presentable to you my dear".
"Drop the bull Roderick. My brother has summoned you" Natasha stated dismissively ,flipping her long hair and already moving again. Not waiting to see if Roderick was following her.
Roderick inwardly rolled his eyes and quickly paced to walk alongside impatient Natasha.
"Any particular reason why he couldn't wait until I came to him with my reports?" Roderick inquired as he and Natasha climbed a flight of marble stairs.
"He wouldn't say. He seemed distracted somehow. It may be the inactivity of the Rebels, not a protest campaign nor a recruitment agent spotted. Makes you question what Ludwig is pulling" Natasha hissed as they neared their Emperor's study.
"Perhaps they understand the infertility of their movements" Roderick airily suggested as they stopped in front of the wooden double doors of their ruler's office.
"One could only hope Roderick" Natasha murmured in response before pushing open the double doors and entering the luxurious study.
The Emperor's study was a circular room of two layers, separated between three stone steps. The lower of the layers consisted of display cabinets. They held souvenirs and trophies from Ivan's varies exploits. One of the more disturbing prizes that Ivan proudly displayed was a skull. Ivan had pronounced that it was of the first sorcerer that he ever killed. Roderick didn't know how to comment in the past, so he stuck with false compliments as always. He found it was always the safer option. The wall panelling was of dark red wood, and the floor of polished mahogany. A large world map of the known Isles was hung on the right wall. Small multicoloured pins stuck to the wall, Roderick could only guess at what their meaning was.
On the far wall opposite the door stood a bulky black wooden desk. Decorated on the dark surface was a pile of yellow files and a Falcon's feather acting as a quill. The desk was extremely organised Roderick observed, very similar to his own desk back in his quaint office. Behind the desk sat a leather cushioned high backed chair turned away from the door, in which sat Emperor Ivan Braginsky.
Roderick and Natasha quietly walked into the silent study and stood side by side. Feet braced and eyes downcast, respectfully waiting for their leader to speak.
"When I hired you seven years ago Roderick. I thought I had hired the elite" The Emperor stated coldly as he spun around on his chair to face his company. Emperor Ivan was a huge man, not in the sense of obesity. But rather one of power. His dark violet eyes held no light, they had a piercing quality that made you feel he was looking through you, opposed to at you. Cold, powerful and merciless could be used to describe the man who commanded Roderick. Winter personified.
"You did, sir" Roderick answered slowly, choosing his words with great care. He felt as though he was balancing on an extremely thin wire.
"Five years ago you assured me that you had tracked down all the free sorcerers. That all magic within my kingdom was controlled. That mythical arts would never threaten my doorstep. Did you not da?" Ivan asked without emotion raising from his chair, walking to look out of the window behind him.
"I did sir" Roderick once again answered, ignoring the looks of annoyance from Natasha.
"Then why Commander Roderick, are our top security prisoners spreading delusional rumours. Rumours of there being a movement in the stars, a shift in the celestial maps. They murmur of a change, a change so large and colossal that all Isles will quake when it reckons" Ivan spoke with raising tension tinting his words. Roderick and Natasha shifted uneasily and shared a nervous glance.
"One especially talkative prisoner described the change similar to that of a game of chess. The Empire being the black pieces and the Rebels being the White, Ludwig and I their kings. My informant speaks of a new piece entering the board, a queen" Ivan continued not aware of the raising tension of the room.
"Except this queen is quite exceptional, the reason why is because it has no king to protect. It has no alliance to either side. Making it a piece to take by force, as though adding it to one's arsenal. The addition of a piece that will turn the favour of the tide of the battle. I intend to make it my business to seek out this prophesied 'queen' and add its power to my army" Ivan finished before finally looking to Roderick and Natasha, giving them permission to speak.
"I mean no offence brother. But why do you believe desperate words whispered through prison bars? These are the ramblings of crazed men, most who cannot remember their own name" Natasha spoke up, not understanding her brothers reasoning. It made no logical sense in her baffled mind.
"I believe their words when all prisoners collectively begin to hum about it. Even prisoners in solitary confinement whisper about it although they have no access to information outside their cell" Ivan explained coolly now observing his world map, casually picking and repining a red pin.
"Hypothetically, if these rumours are true. Where do you suggest we conduct the search? We have no solid leads to go on" Roderick proclaimed in irritation.
"That, is why I summoned you Roderick. Two concrete facts. This 'queen' is in the Capital presently and two, they have magic. This means that there was a saviour, all those years ago. And so it is revealed that you failed where you claimed to succeed, Commander" Ivan bitterly renounced and pieced Roderick's eyes with his own cold ones. Natasha started forward a little and reclined her head.
"Brother, it would be my honour. Allow me to track this 'queen' for you. It could be my engagement present to you" Natasha breathlessly said, placing her hand over her frantic heart as if to steady it. Roderick silently scoffed at her unrequited love for her brother.
"You will be both conducting your own searches throughout the city. It would be unfortunate for a rebel spy to learn this information, and then for Ludwig to send agents searching as well. Already I feel that somewhere Ludwig has an inside man within these walls. He and his group wouldn't of survived this long without private information" Ivan grimly reported and casually flicked through a file on his desk. "I suggest you start looking into the profiles of immigrants who have moved into the city between now and the last seven years"
Natasha and Roderick sporting their flawless poker faces, bowed low and exited the Emperor's study. Ivan watched them leave and heard the heavy door click behind them. Frowning he once again wondered over to his window and looked below. Primarily he saw the square known as Clocktower plaza with its constant streams of city folk. However peering beyond that he could view the rest of his kingdom. Pressing his forehead against the cool glass Ivan closed his eyes. Somewhere below was the person who was going to win this war for him. Disguised among the commoners, a diamond in the rough. Somewhere below was his trump card, his 'queen'. It was simply a matter of time before they stood by his side.
Kol kol kol. And so it begins. One thing I would like to bring up is that the Kingdom this story takes place in, is only a small part of the world. The Isles are the only known floating islands in the world. Who knows what else lies beyond. Perhaps if when this story is done I'll write a sequel and expand on this world. I have a few ideas that I'd like to write about, some which involve sky pirates and mermaids :) Thank you for reading and if you are enjoying this story, please take the time to leave a review and follow this story for more.
Until next time folks!