Waldgott City, 684 (o. V.)

Cirla took a sip of tea and asked me to repeat my question.

'Well, I told you of what happened in Nabradia. It was a nice trip. But in the inn where we stayed, the woman showed us a portrait of Lady Ephedrine and Judge Zecht near Nabudis. I was just wondering why it was the Judge Magister who came to accompany her and not the Emperor', I said.

'The Emperor ?' Margit repeated. 'The Archadians would never let their emperor out of his palace!'

'That's right', Cirla confirmed while taking a cookie from the little plate on the bedroom's table. 'You know House Solidor did not reach the head of the Empire so easily. When they did, they enforced their control by enacting a series of laws – which we already studied – and created the Ministry of Law and the Order of Judges in the precise purpose of keeping their hands clean. So when it comes to travelling – to Nabudis or elsewhere –, the Emperor sends his wife instead – they say he bore no love to Ephedrine –, and assigns one of the Judge Magisters to her protection. Why Zecht? Because he used to wear many hats, including the one of Official Guard of Her Highness. I think the new Judge to hold this title is called Zargabaath. I believe that answers your question!'

He was about to take another cookie before his hand got slapped by his sister's.

'Yes, thank you', I said. 'How are the preparations for the election going?'

'Slow', Margit sighed. 'There have been so many controversial laws during this term that President Fördern is not sure to be reelected.'

'And he has many rivals. The longstanding challenger Free Republic party, not to forget the new outsider, Green Progress, that has distinguished itself recently by standing up to the government on the industrial issues', added Cirla.

'We haven't been much into politics, to be honest', Margit continued. 'But since our Father works in the Presidency's Office, things are different.'

'What about you, Noah? Who will you support?' asked Cirla.

I looked at each of them with a sort of amazement, then responded in a low tone:

'I'm not much into politics either. Even if I've developed a fond interest for law subjects, I never understood how they can be mixed with politics. Maybe it's because I've never approached a party.'

'Yes, that must be it', Margit said. 'It must be interesting for you to see how they work.'

I finished my cup of tea and stood up.

'Well, I've got to go. My mother told me Naria wanted to see me as soon as possible, otherwise she'll be mad at me.'

'Oh, so you have a date with her! Why didn't you tell us earlier, it's okay for us, we understand these things', said Margit with a wink, 'Especially Cirla'.

'Well, I wish I had a single date with my dear Doll', he said with an enormous sigh.

I told them goodbye and made my way back to the village.

I went directly to the Olszewski farm and greeted my friend as she was outside, feeding Book with Gysahl greens.

'Hey!' she said. 'I'm so happy to see you! Basch has come more often than you lately, and it has begun to annoy me. Listen! I want you and I to come to a special place. A very special one.'

My legs shivered as a million thoughts were crossing my head. She continued, while still giving the greens to the chocobo:

'What's wrong? I'm sure you will enjoy it. We've got a task to accomplish, and I will not feel relieved until we've done it.'

What the heck could she be talking about?

'I'm… I'm sorry', I said. 'I think I should help my mother at home…'

'Stop it, Noah! Auntie knows you're here and she agrees with my project. Listen, are you a brave guy, yes or no?'

'Well… I think I am; enough to help you at least.'

'Then come with me! We've got to help her!'

Her? Who's her?

'Come on!' she repeated, grabbing my arm. 'I'm all set. I was just waiting for you to come. Now let's go!'

Draped in a blue dress and a cloak, she rode her chocobo and looked at me with eagerness. With a small hesitation, I followed her while she said:

'We're going to Kalthof! Yahooooo!'

'The capital?! But it's even farther than Waldgott! What business do we have there?'

'You'll see soon enough. We're going to spend the whole afternoon there and then we'll be back here quickly, so don't worry about anything.'

The road to Kalthof was risky, with many beasts approaching the chocobo and causing me almost a heart attack every time. There came a moment where I literally closed my eyes in order not to see them. But Naria's ability to avoid the wolves and the wild hawks, while riding the chocobo with a great ease, knowing exactly where she was going midst the forest, surprised me and kind of reassured me near the end of the track.

Travelling northwest, we went through many villages and small towns, crossed the Radość river, and finally saw the coloured banners of the capital.

'We're not done yet!' Naria said, asking Book to go faster. 'We must reach the Spokój neighborhood! That's where we have our meeting.'

'A meeting? But with whom?'

'No time to explain! Let's get going!'

And the chocobo went even faster into town, sometimes bumping into random people without purpose. After asking multiple people about the said neighborhood, we eventually reached wide roads with big buildings. One of them, painted in green, had the following letters on its façade: GP.

'It's there!' Naria shouted, as she jumped off the chocobo and held out her hand towards me.

I followed her once again; she was entering the big building.

'Wait', she said before passing the door.

'Yes? What's wrong? Isn't here the place of the meeting?'

'Before we go in, I have to know something. Am I beautiful?'

Was was she asking this now? I tried to avoid the question by a million means and she was looking at me with a scornful face.

'I…' I said, 'I don't know… Each one's perception might be different… It's a hard subject…'

'Come on!' she shouted. 'Don't beat around the bush! I want a clear answer here and now!'

'You are beautiful, yes! I always thought you were the most beautiful and brave young lady of this country!' I shouted in turn, closing my eyes in shame. My cheeks must have turned all red and I felt my legs shaking again. But here, I said it; at least, this place was so far away no one must have heard.

'Well, that's a one-of-a-kind declaration.'

A man in dark green costume suddenly appeared from behind, and walked towards the same entry door. Why… Why could I never be left in peace?!

'Wait!'

Naria ran to him as he was about to disappear behind the walls of glass.

'Yes?'

'This boy is a gentleman, as you heard, and in reality I was asking him if I was dressed and with my hair styled properly enough to meet Mrs. Gretel Pfirsich. Do you know her, Sir?'

She was holding his hands with her eyes full of hope. So that was the reason…

He let his hands out of hers and scratched his head, his eyes blinking.

'If I know Greta? Of course I do. Everyone working in this building knows who she is. Tell me, why have you come here?'

'Because we want to help her! I come from Uwielbinie village, and in her last speech there, she said she would need the help of every single soul of Landis to make her win the election!'

He burst out laughing and nodded.

'I suppose you have an appointment with Tomasz Czarodziejski. He's the one who receives new recruits. It's on the first floor, the door on your right.'

'Thank you, Sir!'

She grabbed my arm and rushed to the stairs.

'Do you really have an appointment with this guy?' I whispered.

'Of course not. I asked someone from the village to write a letter for me and I'm not even sure this Tomasz read it. Let's enter!'

We knocked on the door mentioning the said name and entered a large, cozy office. In the middle, there was a large black table with several coloured pouffes around it. The desk was just by the door, a standard wooden table and a chair. Behind the dark-haired man sitting on it, a huge amount of folders were gathered on a brown cupboard's shelves.

Unlike what I was thinking, Mr. Czarodziejski seemed to be a stern man, with his rectangular glasses and arched eyebrows. He gave us a glacial look.

'Who allowed you to enter this place?'

'Please Sir', I tried to intervene, 'it's just…'

'Answer my question!' he added, with a harsh tone as he stood up all of a sudden.

I could feel Naria shivering; but she wasn't close to giving up yet.

'Listen, Sir; I sent you a letter. We are two friends from Uwielbinie Village and we had planned to come here for a long time.'

'Really?' said Czarodziejski and I at the same time. Naria stamped on my foot.

'Yes', Naria continued. 'We are not here to play. We have come to help!'

The man walked slowly towards us and closed the door. Eventually he invited us to sit around the big table. The silent around the whole building was so overwhelming it gave me chills.

'First of all, let me clarify one thing. You are certainly here to work as reporters. We do not welcome any more journalists on our headquarters. Is that clear? Goodbye.' And he stood up again.

'Wait, wait!' I screamed. 'What's that about journalists?'

'We're not journalists at all!' Naria confirmed. 'We are here to work directly with the team in charge of Gretel Pfirsich's campaign. That's our greatest wish for years! Please allow us to join!'

I nodded and stood up in front of him. I tried to put all my conviction inside the look I gave to him, even if I had no idea what all this was about. After a few seconds, he sat down again and made a sign so I do so.

'My apologies. Lately we had a lot of young people coming in for interviews and pretending to inform the people of Landis, but in reality they were working for Archadian informer agencies'.

'We're not like them!' we both shouted.

'Please calm down', said Mr. Czarodziejski, 'I believe you now. But there's something I don't understand: if you're not journalists, then how exactly do you want to help? You seem so young. How old are you? Wait, I may find the letter you were talking about in this folder… What's your name?'

Naria decided to answer only to the last question.

'Nareszcie Olszewska.'

'Thank you.'

He searched and searched but eventually he came back empty-handed:

'I could not find the letter. We have received quite a lot of them these days. It's good to see our party can gather so many people for the upcoming election, especially compared to the last one where we were almost unknown.'

'I am here to make Ms. Pfirsich win and no less!'

The man looked at her in surprise.

'Why so much interest? Don't you have school or other activities?'

'I do have a farm to look after, but I am ready to dedicate a lot of my time to preparing the election with you. I've been a fan of Ms. Pfirsich ever since she came to Uwielbinie a couple of times; I totally agree on what she says concerning economy and agriculture; for me agriculture is our strength and we have to go on relying on it! We have to transform Landis so our way of life is more respectful of the environment! This is what I believe in and this is why I hereby decide to join the Green Party, with my best friend Noah fon Ronsenburg.'

She stood up and hit my rib so I do the same.

'Noah, is it?'

He observed me more accurately than a doctor.

'So I understand Miss Nareszcie's motivations, but what are yours?'

Mine?

'Noah is not especially interested in political matters', Naria intervened, 'but he certainly can lend a hand on many subjects'.

She added with a wink:

'He's the most clever boy I know in all Landis!'

Mr. Czarodziejski asked:

'In what subject exactly do you think you can help us?'

'Law', I managed to answer.

He took again his doctor-like look.

'Are you sure? Law? Aren't you too young to understand it?'

'I am fourteen years old but it's been two years I'm studying law with two friends from Waldgott who take monthly classes directly from the Archadian Law Akademy.'

He rolled his eyes then looked down.

'If that is true, this is simply the best skill we could recruit for our campaign. We need much help for the upcoming series of bills we're going to propose. Law knowledge is essential, but we may need as well help from people from – he showed Naria – agriculture. I shall discuss on this matter with Greta directly and I'll tell you what she said.'

He left us in the big office, walking fast on the stairs towards the upper floors.

'Tell me, Naria', I whispered, 'be honest: did you really send that letter before bringing us here?'

'Of course not', she whispered in turn, her face all distorted.

After a few minutes, Greta's assistant came back.

'I have good news for you. Greta wants to meet you.'

I could feel Naria was about to explode from the inside.

'But you have to be patient', Mr. Czarodziejski added. 'For now, you can just come back home and have a rest. Uwielbinie village is pretty far from here! You may come back next week, and we'll be working together.'

'Thank you Sir!' Naria shouted as she tried to hug him, 'thank you! Thank you! Thank you so much!'

He literally escaped from her arms and coughed a little.

'Well, have a nice trip back.'

'Wait!'

Suddenly, Naria's face turned into an ocean of sadness. What was going on? I did not dare to ask.

'What is it?' Mr. Czarodziejski said.

She lowered her head and her eyes became watery.

'I'm sorry for what I'll tell you. My friend Noah just told you he had the opportunity to take law lessons. Before, he went to school with his friends and his brother. But me… I've never been sent to school. I've always worked at my family's farm. This is why agriculture is so important for me. But at the same time… if I am to help you… I will not be able to write down a single word…'

And she burst into tears. Mr. Czarodziejski was visibly worried, as he was not used to my friend's mood swings.

'Come on, come on…' he said. 'Don't be ashamed of who you are, little lady. I shall also speak on this matter with Greta and… we'll find a solution. Together, I think we can move forward.'

He smiled to her and she immediately stopped crying. She smiled back, said goodbye and we went off to see Book, who was still where we left him.

Before leaving Kalthof, we stopped at a pancakes restaurant and discussed everything we saw about the GP headquarters and the city.

'It's time to go back!'

I had to pull Naria from her chair before sun set. We made the way back with as much fright as the first time… But I managed to come back home safe.

I did not know exactly what to feel about what Naria got me in, but at least it could be an opportunity to acquire practical skills. I ignored Basch's remarks on what he heard from the village boys about me spending a whole day with Naria outside, and fell asleep.