.
I - Lie
Every day this damn hair becomes more difficult to tame.
I dip the comb in the oil again, sliding it fluidly, untangling the knots that I have expertly untied. Each strand of hair separates from the other, the oil slowly absorbs. At the end of my ritual my hair falls on my shoulders dry, shiny, perfectly smooth and soft.
I place the comb on the dressing table, rising from my seat. I cannot help but observe my body reflected in the mirror: my gaze lingers on the statuesque profile of my pectorals, slowly descending to caress my sculpted abdominals, the result of hard work, sweat, intense training beyond my capabilities, or at least so Illerio warns me. If these are the results, I will be happy to surpass myself more and more every day.
I catch myself smiling at that enchanting view, but I have no more time to waste. I grab the black robe with urgency and, taking care not to wrinkle it, I put it on, holding it tight to my hips. The golden belt seals it with a click.
«Will you be back soon?»
I don't even look up. The necklace slips between my fingers, touching my forehead when I close it around my head. The bell falls perfectly in the center of the eyebrows, giving off a subtle tinkling sound.
«I'll be back as soon as I can.»
I see her out of the corner of my eye. Olei stretches like a cat and her thin silk blanket slides off her breasts, I doubt without her wanting it. Unfortunately for her, it is no longer the time for carnal instincts and I am not interested in giving her further explanations. In fact, I've never been interested in her.
«Don't make me wait» she whispers, languid, and I'm sure she's expecting a kiss or a caress. She won't even get a smile. Another quick glance beyond the mirror to make sure everything is in its place and then I leave the room, closing the heavy wooden door behind me.
The corridors of the Palace are so wide and intricate that, if I hadn't grown up here, I would undoubtedly get lost. The marble floor extends, veined like an immense monster with clear skin; on the walls the tapestries are all different but extremely similar, and those who do not know history would not even be able to distinguish the subjects, let alone recognize the scenes and notice the details.
My feet lead me exactly where I am needed. When I set foot in the room the Grand Judge is already in his place, on the central seat of the large crescent-shaped bench which is located right in the center of the room. I bow with a quick reverence, as it fits a scholar of my rank.
«Zarbon» she greets me, with a jovial smile. «You are early.»
«It's my duty» I say, smiling back. «The time is approaching. It's good that I start behaving properly, in case fate is favorable to me.»
«It's getting closer, yes» he nods. He points to the seat next to him, but I hesitate.
«I don't know if I can, Master...»
I'm pleased with the tone I managed to formulate. Tormented, reverent, humble. The effect is so immediate that he himself worries about justifying his request.
«It's just a chair» he says, shrugging. «I admire your devotion, son, but no one will criticize you for just sitting down.»
I bow again in thanks and then move forward, doing as he asked.
When I lean on the seat to the right of him, the one reserved for the Grand Wise, a shiver of pleasure passes through me at the thought that, in some time, this place will be mine.
The wrinkles on the Master's face form a thick canvas that starts from the corners of his eyes and reaches the corners of his mouth. I try not to look at the horror of old age: I concentrate on his irises, the only thing that has remained unchanged about him in all those years. Golden eyes, crossed by black veins like deep cracks, much less brilliant than mine but still incredibly fascinating.
«Your studies?» he asks me. «How is it proceeding?»
«Excellently, Master. I expect that in a few months I will finally be able to dedicate myself to the test.»
«Good job, son. I knew you'd be good. I've always known it, to be honest, from the moment I found you on the steps of the Great Temple.» I see him smile with his toothless mouth showing his dark gums. «How much time has passed! Decades. Thick decades. And all this time I have always believed in you.»
«I'm so honored» I say, taking his withered hand in mine. It's cold, more than it should be. The soul of this old man, who did so much for me and for my life, is slowly dying out and I have the impression that I'm not hurt enough by this awareness. «I am so honored and grateful, Master. If it wasn't for you I wouldn't even have reached this age. Or maybe I would have, but I would never have had the honor of reaching such a level of wisdom.»
The sky beyond the large rectangular windows begins to take on the red of dawn. This room will soon fill up. I have little time.
«I really want to pass this test,» I say. «I've been studying for this since I learned to read. Nemanan's well-being is the only thing that I really care about, and this is the only future I imagine for myself. If I couldn't be the chosen one, I... I don't know what I would do."
His hand stiffens in mine.
«It won't happen» he reassures me. «Toqueda and Illerio are excellent scholars but you have something more than them. You are determined, Zarbon, I can see it in your eyes. I'm sure this will help you.»
«I hope so» I smile. He can see it in my eyes, he said, but he's making a mistake: if he allows me to sit next to him he has no idea what my eyes really hide. «And I hope that your teachings can make me worthy.»
He nods slightly as the first rays of the Red Star begin to penetrate through the glass. At the same time something moves behind me. Two figures wearing red togas and two wearing black ones enter from the large door. When I see them enter I jump up, freeing the throne that I had unduly occupied.
«Grand Priest, Grand Wise.»
They greet me with a nod while I bow. The two in black robes don't even bother to look up but I'm not surprised; I didn't expect them to say hello.
The Grand Priest sits on the left of my Master, the Grand Wise on the right. Spirit, Justice and Wisdom: the three pillars of the cult and of the kingdom of Nemanan, the three Great Ones of the Council.
«How come you were already here?» the Grand Wise asks me.
«I came to tell my teacher that I have almost finished my studies. I need two, at most three months, then I can start preparing for the test.»
«Very good» he compliments. Then he turns to the two scholars. «What about you?»
«Two months will be enough.»
Toqueda takes off his hood with cold composure and lets his long wavy hair fall onto his shoulders, welcoming his earrings like velvet cushions. His tone leaves no doubt about his annoyance at my presence. He certainly doesn't feel affection towards me and this means that he fears me. This can only please me.
«It will be enough for me too» Illerio follows closely. She also takes off her hood, but with a single gesture that leaves her short emerald hair messed up. I linger on her eyes that don't turn to meet mine. Her lack of grace annoys me but doesn't surprise me: she has always been like this.
«So be it» says the Grand Wise, turning to look at the other two members of the Council. «If you agree, I would schedule the test for exactly four months, so as to give the kids all the time they need.»
They both nod, shrugging their shoulders.
«It's fine for me, yes» nods the Grand Priest, crossing his arms under his long beard. Despite being one hundred and ten years old he is the youngest of the three, so he is calm about his place on that throne. My Master will also have to wait a few more years. The Grand Wise, the eldest, is the one whose time has now expired: his eighty years of reign are over and his successor must soon be designated. It will be me, of course, but unfortunately the law imposes a selection and these two inferior minds try to compete with me; despite this, everyone in here knows that one of the three votes is already in my favor. It couldn't be otherwise after so many years of blind devotion.
I watch my opponents scrutinize me. Illerio smiles, like the braggart she is, while Toqueda looks at me with clear hostility.
«You can go now» the Grand Judge says. «We'll see you again in the afternoon. I wish you good studying.»
We bow in unison. The black robes dance in the light wind that comes through the ajar door as we turn, heading towards the Library to begin a new day of intense study.
Before we can leave, a messenger enters the room. He doesn't look at us; continues with long strides in front of the crescent-shaped throne.
I slow down and Toqueda passes me at a brisk pace. As we turn the corner, leaving the room, I can barely catch the first words of the messenger.
I can't resist curiosity and I stop, back against the wall, trying to listen. I distinctly hear that they are speaking but the words are lost in the immensity of the Council room, fading without being able to reach my ears.
«You little nosy one.»
A light punch crashes into my arm. I turn around. Illerio has stopped next to me and is shaking her head. I can't help but feel my heart ache as I look at her, but I deny myself this feeling.
«You'll never be able to hear what they're saying unless you've trained your ear muscles too» she scoffs at me.
It makes me laugh.
«There's no harm in trying. Usually a messenger is synonymous with trouble.»
Even though she's here to make fun of me, deep down she's more curious than me. She stops at my side, glancing over carefully so as not to be seen, and I imitate her. The messenger is speaking and the Great Ones seem to listen to him with apprehension. When she understands that there is nothing to listen to, Illerio shrugs her shoulders.
«If something important is happening we will find out. We'd better go now.»
Without another word she passes me and walks away following Toqueda, who has almost disappeared on the horizon of the large corridor. I too am forced to go. She's right, if there's trouble we'll be the first to know.
I won't waste any more time. Without hesitation I dive into the corridor which, under the rays of the Red Star, seems soaked in blood.
Chapter 2/4
Mistake
1.1.24
Author note:
Hey y'all!
This story is a short fic about the past of Zarbon, the enchanting flatterer. It can stand alone, but it's meant to be a spin-off located between chapter 10 and 11 of my long "Frieza: Origins". I recommend reading that story as well, to see what Zarbon will become after this story... until what we all know happens.
I hope you enjoyed reading!
Bye!
-Gio