Meeting with Ambassadors and Butterflies "My Lord Ambassador Farell, there is no need to get so worked up." said a deep, calm Voice. General Kami observed how the tension left the tall ambassador of the city of Pereduke, the rigid set of his broad shoulders relaxing under the tight jacket. Seeing that his Voice took the desired effect Klaha-sama gave Ambassador Farell one of his small elegant smiles. Exquisite. Kami couldn't help but think of this word when he watched Saint Klaha's smile. With nonchalant ease the Saint wrapped the choleric ambassador in velvet calmness with his Voice and smiles, lulling him in a state of relaxed goodwill. The ambassadors knew quite well what was happening. They knew why there were two Saints present at the negotiations. It had been the cause of ambassador Farell's violent protest. But even a strong-willed, determined man like Farell stood little chance against Klaha-sama's calm reasoning. "Isshi-sama and I are merely here to keep tempers at bay so the negotiations may proceed smoothly." Klaha carefully intoned the words with his deep melodic Voice. "Ah... yes of course, Ray of the Sun." Ambassador Farell gave a curious little laugh, unable to resist the allure of the dark, elegant creature in front off him. "And I'm quite bound to lose my temper, I fear." The tall man flirted awkwardly; embarrassed, he rubbed his sharp, hooked nose. It got him another delicate smile from Klaha-sama. "But your reputation insists that you don't lose your wits along with your temper, Lord Ambassador Farell." Klaha remarked smoothly. There was no mistaking though, that the dark Saint's presence made it a lot harder for Farell to keep his wits about. Kami couldn't really blame the other man for getting ensnared by Klaha's elegant demeanor. His own gaze hung on Saint Klaha but, unlike Farell, he noted that there was something distanced about his friendly smile. Kami knew that only too well, that far-away look that hovered behind those iridescent dark blue eyes. It was that look that made Kami sometimes remind himself that Klaha, like all the other Saints, was a child of the slums. That he had spent his first years amongst the filth, rubble and violence of the outer districts of the city. Except for that shadow in his eyes anything of those years had been erased from Klaha's appearance and demeanor. He seemed the perfect gentleman; delicate smile, a calm friendly nature and refined manners. Sometimes it was incredibly hard to believe that he hadn't been born and raised a noble. And that was one of the reasons that Klaha-sama was the Saint most often present at negotiations with nobles, merchants and ambassadors. It was easier for the highborn to accept him. They had to, for they could hardly find any fault in his behavior. Isshi-sama of course was a bit more...eccentric. But then eccentricity was a treasured trait amongst the nobles. And with his love for antiquated poetry and beauty Saint Isshi could put any noble to shame. He had taken to the spirit of their ancestors with a devotion and interest that most Lords would dream of to see in their own heirs. Still, the ambassadors couldn't be fooled about the implications of the Saints' presence. They were the arch-priest's tools to bend the negotiations the way he wanted them to go. Nevertheless Lord Farell had been the only one of the five Ambassadors to even try fighting the unavoidable. General Kami gave the man credit for his attempt. //And Klaha gave him a smile so he at least got something out of the farce that is awaiting him.// The young General mused sympathetically. A soft clipped sound echoed through the meeting room making everybody turn their attention to the thin young man standing at the head of the table. Shinya-san had put his pen down on the table and answered the gazes out of his wide, brown eyes. With a small precise gesture he then motioned at the empty chairs. "Now since you see the reason for the Saints' presence, would you please sit down, my Lords." He told them politely. The ambassadors hesitated and some were unable to hide their doubt as they watched the pretty boy who was supposed to run the negotiations on behalf of the temple. One of them even cast a questing glance at General Kami. Kami smiled and then bowed slightly to Shinya-san. "Of course, Secretary." Secretary had become a title of its own and these days it carried a lot more weight than 'Lord'. The assembled ambassadors took their lead from General Kami and sat down on both sides of the long, heavily ornamented table. Nothing showed on the young secretary's face while he waited until everyone had settled down. General Kami and Klaha-sama took the places to Shinya-san's left while Isshi-sama lowered himself on the chair to the Secretary's right side. With a carefully cultivated bored expression Saint Isshi contemplated his polished fingernails. But Kami knew that the image of idleness was deceptive. He felt the lurking attention of a dozing cat radiate from Isshi, a cat ready to suddenly pounce at the mouse. Going from completely motionless to lightning fast movement back to motionless in the matter of seconds. Just like his voice, moving from low to high in a heartbeat. "Pardon me, Secretary, General, "requested one of the ambassadors, "but why isn't the arch-priest present himself? We have matters of great importance to discuss." Not a flicker of emotion showed on Shinya-san's face. "This is just a preliminary meeting. I'm here to listen to your requests. The arch-priest himself will be present when he gives you his definite answer. Now let us turn to these matters of great importance if you please." It was highly disconcerting to hear the rough, dispassionate voice issue from such a thin, pretty boy. The ambassadors shifted nervously and one coughed. "Well... We are here to remind you about the treaty of the Seven Cities. The treaty of Ancoree." "We know about the treaty of Ancoree. Our copy is kept safely in the cabinet room." The young secretary remarked fastidiously. Lord Ambassador Farell of the city of Pereduke lifted one of his eyebrows sardonically at Shinya-san. "It's especially the paragraph about the maintenance of the trading roads we want to bring to your attention." He specified with deliberate politeness. "I had been reading that very paragraph only this morning, Lord Ambassador." Shinya pointed out dryly, not in the least moved by the tall ambassador's sarcasm. "So please go on and tell me what bothers you about it." Quickly the Ambassador of the City of Teradonc took over before Farell could verbalize the sneer he was wearing. "We think that the old trading routs across the country need a lot more attention. We have to rebuild them and secure them by an even tighter network of fortified road-stations. Those road-stations have been very much neglected after the Eclipse thirty-seven years ago." The elderly ambassador exhaled spreading his frail hands in a gesture of regret. "And I fear since the development of the airships your city has utterly abandoned the stations under your responsibility. It is getting impossible to reach the City of Saints any other way than by airship now. And since you're at the center of the trading routs the other cities can't remain in contact either. Except by airship." The ambassador of Teradonc let his voice trail off, the accusation hanging ever so subtly in the dimly lit meeting room. There was an impatient huff from ambassador Farell. "You're building a bloody monopoly on travel and trade, that's what you're do. And this is absolutely contrary to the Treaty of Ancoree." Even though the Ambassador of Teradonc winced at the blunt confrontation none of the Ambassadors could argue that Farell had most simply and most accurately summarized the whole situation. Shinya-san didn't seem in the least affronted. He remained seated with his thin hands neatly folded on top of the table, his wide brown eyes transfixed on the assembled ambassadors. "General Kami." The secretary calmly prompted the older man to answer the accusation. Assiduously Kami took his clue and leaned forward in his chair. "My dear ambassadors, as the secretary has put so figuratively: we are well aware of the Treaty of Ancoree and most keen to keep it. But I think it is obvious for everyone that sending men out into the country in the current situation means certain death to them. We will not risk loosing men or Saints trying to keep the trading roads safe when the airships are promising to become such an efficient alternative." "It has become that dangerous to venture out on the old trading roads because you've neglected your road-stations!" Farell pointed out angrily, turning his attention to General Kami, obviously preferring to deal with him to dealing with the young secretary. But the Ambassador of Teradonce cut in again trying to put a reign on the rash Farell. "Secretary, General, the Treaty of Ancoree is very clear on this point. Each of the Seven Cities has to keep its road-stations manned at all times." He said sternly, then gave a small understanding smile. "Of course we are all aware that these are very troubled times. But then I think it's needed more than ever that the Seven Cities work together, not against each other. The Eclipse should at least have taught us that much." "Yes, we need to work together!" Ambassador Farell implored with a vehemence that carried him to his feet. He put his hands down on the table and gazed fiercely from one ambassador to the other until his gaze came to rest on General Kami. "We need to re-man and fortify the road-stations. We need to build a tight net of stations along each road. With organized little squadrons and with the help of the Saints it will be possible! If every city gives its support!" Farell's green eyes sparkled with eagerness and some strands of red hair had slipped free from his ponytail in his agitation. Kami couldn't help but be inflamed by the young Ambassador's fighting-spirit. Though he doubted there was a realistic chance. //Not with all the road stations of the City of Saints abandoned for years now.// He mused ironically. //But even though, just probably... with the help of the Saints. That's why they need us. The help of the Saints and the airships.// For a moment General Kami silently answered Ambassador Farell's gaze and he felt a rakish smile steal onto his lips. He schooled his expression again but he thought Farell had spotted it, for he stared intensely at the young General. "I think this is a highly optimistic view, Lord Ambassador Farell." Kami told the other man in a patronizing manner. "All your recent attempts to re-establish way stations have been utter failures. We really do see little reason to risk men's life on ground when there is a way to keep up the trade via air. We can't risk Saints or have them waste their powers for a hopeless attempt when their powers are needed so much more for the airships and other things." Disbelief and then anger showed in Ambassador Farell's eyes. "Of course the City of Saint's has no interest to join with us in this endeavor." He remarked acidly. "Lord Ambassador Farell would you please sit down again. We are just trying to analyze the situation realistically." Klaha explained calmly, the soothing cadence of his Voice carefully easing the tension that hung in the meeting room. Farell exhaled and then racked a hand through his tangled hair, shooting an embarrassed glance at Klaha-sama. "Well...yes. Begging your pardon, gentlemen." With that he sat down again. Shinya-san nodded ever so slightly at Klaha and the Saint continued with his deep Voice: "We are willing to listen to all your proposals, Ambassadors. So please." The Saint's hands were spread in an elegant inviting gesture that seemed to send the calmness created by his Voice out into the room, like gentle waves rolling against a shore. Two of the Ambassadors actually looked ready to drift off to sleep. The Lord Ambassador of Teradonce kept his gaze fixed on General Kami and Shinya-san though; the light-blue eyes in the elderly face looking astonishingly clear. "I agree that it won't be an easy task to re-establish the land connections between the cities. There will be losses. But as we're doing a realistic analysis let me also put this in consideration: If the trade roads are getting completely devastated then this means deserting all those little villages in the countryside!" The Ambassador of Teradonce said calmly. "Please don't forget that there are still people out there." Klaha's hands sank down coming to rest on the table, looking pale and translucent against the dark smooth surface with the inlaid bronze works. Kami noted it out of the corner of his eyes but the ambassador's questioning look demanded his attention. "We're aware of that." The young General told him seriously. "But they won't be helped if we send more people out there to die. The airships can't land there so we can't help those villages. Those people need to seek the protection of the cities for now." "Don't you ever look outside?" Farell's rough voice interrupted them. "The slums are bursting. It's by far the worst in your own city!" Shinya-san softly tapped his pen against the table throwing Klaha a short glance. There was a distant look in the Saint's dark blue eyes and one could almost sense the sudden silence surrounding him like a deep dark well. He seemed to pay no attention to Lord ambassador Farell's outburst. Smoothly Kami covered up for Klaha-sama. "It's a difficult situation, but the airships will help us to cope with it. We need to work on them, and then perhaps we can also get control of the country again. Our only hope lays with the airships." Kami answered Farell's angry gaze with a fierce sparkle in his own eyes, wanting the other man to realize the possibilities that the airships offered. "Our only hope..."Shinya's harsh dispassionate voice cut in "...lays with the Temple." He reminded them all. "The Temple is working for the return of the Sun God. The prayers of the Saint's will bring back the sun." "That's rubbish! Some old religion won't undo the Eclipse. The Sun God couldn't stop it from happening." Lord ambassador Farell growled impulsively. "And this is blasphemy, Lord Farell." Shinya said calmly, slowly turning the pen between his thin fingers. "Anyway, I don't see any of the other cities offering alternative suggestions to bring back the sun." It was obvious that the young secretary highly unsettled Ambassador Farell; the boy's face that was so bereft of any emotion, looking ghostly, dominated by the big melancholic eyes. He huffed awkwardly. "We don't need to hope for the sun's return. We need to find a way to cope with the current situation." "We honor the Temple's attempt to make the sun return." The ambassador of Teradonce tried to mediate. "But Ambassador Farell is right. Meanwhile we need to find a way to cope with the current situation." A flicker of impatience crossed Shinya's face and he turned to look at the elderly man. "We are coping with the situation. It seems to me that your cities are the ones not coping." "The airships are the safest and best solution for the current situation." Kami reasoned once more. "They are the best way to cope with it... for all the cities; until the Temple manages to restore the sun." It got him a glare from Farell. "You're using the situation for your benefit, damn it!" The tall man snarled, his green eyes sparkling sharply. His disappointment about the lack of support from General Kami's side was obvious. "And doing so you're sacrificing all the countryside and the other cities!" Shinya-san blinked slowly. "If I remember correctly, it was your cities that had been hunting down and killing all the Saints in the first fifteen years after the eclipse. You called them demons." He met the Ambassador's accusation with one of his own. An uncomfortable silence filled the room and Ambassador Farell turned slightly red, the complexion crashing with his hair. "I... those were lawless years, there was chaos in our cities. Those...saints were laying destruction all around. They were like creatures run wild. We just tried to protect the city..." "Well then, the arch-priest is not to be blamed for your lack of belief." The young secretary told them in a rough voice. "He was the one who gathered all the Saints in the Temple and started to help them control their powers." There was a sparkle in Shinya's eyes that betrayed more fervor than Kami had ever seen in the young man, but it couldn't quite cancel out the sadness in those brown eyes. Still General Kami didn't doubt the devotion and loyalty that Shinya-san felt for his uncle the arch-priest. "I know that what happened in our cities after the eclipse was a disaster." The Ambassador of Teradonce conceded calmly. "But there have been killings in the City of Saints as well. And now we let the Temple take all the Saints that are revealed in our cities." Shinya frowned slightly. "Obviously you do not know how to train the Saints' powers. They need to be taken to the Temple for only there the sun god will show them the way." "I do not doubt this." The elderly man agreed. "But I think we are also entitled to the service of the Saints that were found in our cities." "Service?" Shinya said very deliberately. "I fear your conceptions about Sainthood are somewhat misguided. The Saints serve but the sun god. They are part of the Temple and their main vocation is to make the sun return with their prayers. I think this will be of...service to you as well. But you must understand that our only hope lays with the Temple and the arch-priest who so wisely directs the Saints' prayers." The pen stopped slowly rotating between the boy's thin fingers coming to rest on the table pointing to the secretary's right side. With a soft eerie sigh Isshi-sama stretched his fingers like a cat lazily unsheathing its claws. As there came a soft humming from the Saint at his right side Shinya continued in his own harsh voice: "Ambassadors, I think we all realize that a treaty form the time before the eclipse can hardly be applied to the current situation by the letter. We are actually doing more than our share to keep up the trading routs. The airships are the only way to stay in contact. But they are still few in number and in need of improvement. We need to put all our efforts into developing them. It's for all our sake." Almost beyond the threshold of hearing, a high unearthly whisper, Saint Isshi's Voice mingled with the secretary's words. "The Temple's working for our salvation. We need to center the light here not weaken it by spreading it around the country." Like a soft wind moaning between the naked branches of dead trees the Saint's humming continued to waft through the meeting room, while the young man didn't even look up from contemplating his fingernails. Most of the Ambassadors nodded in agreement to Shinya-san's words and one or two of them blinked, rubbing their heavy eyes. The ambassador of Teradonce frowned irritated, moving his frail, blue-veined hand as if he wanted to part invisible cobwebs floating around him. "There... there's a prophecy, that a child of a Saint will bring back the sun." he mentioned, his pale blue eyes darting distracted to the beautiful Saint who wore his black hair wound up like horns at both sides of his head. Isshi-sama seemed like a poem in black, white and red. "This prophecy lacks any credibility." Shinya explained emotionlessly. "It is not allowed for Saint's to father children. It's a sin, blasphemy. That won't make the Sun God return." With an effort the Ambassador of Teradonce tried to pull his gaze free from Saint Isshi and to concentrate on the young secretary. "But I've heard there's one who broke that rule." His gaze skipped back to the beautiful saint, whose eyes were hidden by the thick fringe of black hair. Only those blood red lips were seen... parting into a sweet smile. "There is no truth to those rumors." The arch-priest's Secretary dismissed curtly. "You see, we are inclined to keep our part of the Treaty of Ancoree. Even though strictly speaking it is not binding for the Temple. The Treaty has been made and signed by the council of nobles and merchants, not the Temple. And we're the City of Saints now and no longer the City of Maredor. Despite all these legal shortcomings the Temple is still keeping to the spirit of the Treaty. The Temple does its best to consolidate the alternative trade routs in the air, taking it upon itself to man and maintain all the landing platforms in everyone of the cities. Thus we are doing more than our fill to keep the Treaty of Ancoree." Isshi's soft ghostly humming wrapped subversively around Shinya's words, leading them in a dance of dazzling dissonance through the ambassadors' minds. Now all of them nodded their agreement and the Secretary ended the meeting, calling for some servants to lead the ambassadors back to their quarters. General Kami watched how the befuddled ambassadors were ushered out of the room, and then gave a small sigh of relief as Saint Isshi's eerie singing subsided. The Saint's Voice hadn't been directed at him, but still he had felt the mind-muddling effect and it had become hard enough to keep his attention on what was really going on and on remembering all that had been said through out that meeting. One thing though had stuck very clearly to his mind and he turned a worried look at Klaha. The young elegant man still sat motionlessly in his chair, his gaze distant and withdrawn. Carefully Kami put a hand on Klaha's shoulder. "Saint Klaha?" he asked softly. Slowly Klaha blinked and the General could watch how the other man pulled back form somewhere far away, looking slightly disoriented and bewildered. But before he could say anything else the Secretary's dispassionate voice interrupted him. "Klaha-sama, what happened?" Klaha's hands flexed then he got up, meeting Shinya-san's emotionless gaze. "I'm sorry. I didn't feel well." He apologized softly. "That is regrettable. I hope you'll recover soon." The young secretary stiffly expressed his sympathy. "These are important negotiations and not to be taken lightly. They'll need your full attention, Klaha-sama." Klaha inclined his head, lowering his gaze. "I know, Secretary. Thank you." For some moments Shinya-san stared at the elegant young man, then he nodded slightly at the remaining people in the meeting room. "Isshi-sama. General Kami... Klaha-sama." With that the beautiful secretary turned and left the meeting room through the hidden door behind his seat at the head of the table. Kami waited until the piece of painted landscape slid back into place, then he returned his attention to Klaha. "Klaha, are you all right?" He didn't keep the concern out of his voice. "Yes..." The Saint answered absently. His forehead was slightly furrowed as if he were thinking hard. It didn't do to ease Kami's worries. "Let's go to my room." He coaxed. "There you can sit down and I'll send for some tea." Klaha nodded without answering the General's gaze. "Don't you want to go see Izumi-san?" Isshi stepped beside the two of them, watching Klaha with that feral awareness. It finally made Klaha pull himself together and he looked up at his fellow Saint, giving him one of his exquisite smiles. "No, it's all right, Isshi. I'll see him later." Isshi just shrugged elegantly though his attention lingered unwaveringly at Klaha. "That was an excellent landing you did yesterday, Isshi-sama." Kami interrupted, changing the subject. Isshi turned towards the young general and smiled slowly at him, putting a red fingernail against his likewise blood red lips. "Thank you, General." He said eerily, sending a slight shudder down Kami's back. Kami wasn't quite sure if Saint Isshi's Voice did arouse him or spook him. Somehow it managed to be an enthralling mixture of both. He watched Isshi stretch with catlike elegance and he noted that the gaze from beneath the fringe of black bangs returned to Klaha. "I'll go take a bath then." Isshi announced softly. As he walked by Klaha he lazily trailed his hand along the other Saint's arm, then left with a small smile. Please continue with Part 7 here ! | Tavernroom | Tales | Hosted by www.Geocities.ws