8: Trust
And then there were the days of preparation. Assembling the necessary supplies to mount a sizable expedition and going over troop maneuvers. Albert had a glint in his eye when he looked at me from across the table. I can only assume it meant what I thought it did.
Those days gave way quickly enough to time spent in movement west, towards Caleria, the last significant stop on the way into the Grasslands. Our company was set. Albert, obviously, came along, unaware of my own agenda; Dios, my devoted chief of staff, heart set on seeing a woman from the forest one more time; Nash, despite possible disapproval from his wife; Nikolai, having convinced Sakurazaki of some obscure need for his presence, I don't know how; and a silent gunner, who appeared as mute as the dead. The Holy Harmonian First Army was on the move.
The outrage from Nika and Lena had been significant in the days proceeding. I wrote them both goodbye letters in the early morning before we left, afraid that they would not allow me to leave the capital. They're likely cursing me as I speak. What shall I do when I return to them? ...I'll temporarily put that thought aside. My worries on the subject are far too intense.
"Why do we have a history of fighting the Grasslands?" Nikolai pipes up; "Chief Priest Hikusaak made a peace agreement with them when Harmonia was founded."
Albert smiles slightly at that. Dios takes it upon himself to respond, "The treaty was made with Captain Fairwind, a leader of the Zexen people from when they were just a clan like the others. We have the loophole that it was a treaty forged officially with the "Eight Great Clans," and not the current six. The more militaristic among us must be pleased that the Zexen presided over those meetings, binding the chief priest to honor a treaty with the "Zexen Chieftain, as representative of the Grasslands." Today they're separate. If the Zexens and Grasslanders make peace, however, we'll have to find a new loophole. It's a shame that they won't." He shakes his head and looks distantly out at the land ahead.
Nikolai frowns as he considers the possibilities of the situation. "Leave the strategizing to me, kid," Albert advises, "I'll take good care of them for you."
Dios, Nash, and I tense. I fear the strategist may see our true intentions. Nikolai keeps his mouth shut. Albert shows no sign of seeing our hidden agenda.
The moment passes silently. The boy proves to be as sharp as his previous thoughts and suggestions had pointed out.
I sigh in relief. Nash stifles a laugh as he looks at me. If he were a little closer I would give him a good swat. He deserves it right about now.
The thing I must focus my attention on at the moment is how I will manage to gain contact with our "enemies." Nash remains an option, but since Albert is aware of his presence on the mission, it will be much harder to explain his disappearances than it has been on other occasions. Dominguez Jr. knows Lady Chris, but can I rely on her ability to relay anything I tell her to the Grasslanders? That could prove a difficult task for the knight. The tensions with Tinto are likely more than enough for them to handle at this point.
I spend the rest of the day considering the possibilities. My options appear somewhat limited until Nikolai and I sit in my tent in the evening.
"Hello, Bishop Sasarai," a familiar voice reaches my ears.
"Ayame!" I gasp. The answer to my prayers. I am delighted. Nikolai is a bit surprised.
The female ninja tiptoes into the tent and sits down beside the boy, "I thought you were single," she tells me, "If this is your son I'm going to be very disappointed."
"No, Ayame," I chuckle, "This is Nikolai. We're not related by blood, but by circumstance."
She stretches and eyes me pleasantly, "Well, that's a relief."
"Are you busy?" I inquire tentatively, "I mean, did someone send you here, or did you come on your own whim?"
"You're such a busybody," she laughs slyly, "But you're also terribly naive. No good spy tells who's employing them or what they're up to without good reason. I'll make an exception for you, Your Excellency. I'm here simply because I want to be."
"Then could I interest you in some business?" I offer politely, "You could be the answer to my prayers."
"Is it safe?" she asks in reply, "To be discussing business with this boy present?"
Nikolai looks away nervously. "It's fine," I assure her, "He's in this to deep to risk himself by revealing us. I trust him entirely."
The bargain is quickly made. For the sum of one hundred thousand potch, Ayame will take my message to the Lady Chris in Vinay del Zexay and the chieftains of the Six Clans. I suspect the payment is only a token since her interest in the money appears small. Her return will be something I look forward to. I can only wait now and try to buy time. I do not have the slightest idea of how to prepare any further. It makes me wish that Albert could be fully trusted. Having the strategist on my side would greatly assuage my fears. But I cannot take that chance. Albert sold out Luc to further himself in Harmonia. The prestige he would gain if he ratted me out for this after Luc's recent treason would be unimaginable. I am quite sure that ever since I was a boy some of the counsel members have dreamed of seeing me permanently out of the picture.
After much fussing Olia managed to get Nikolai into her clutches for the day. Losing him from my "entourage" makes me more than a little nervous. I have never been fully informed of the extent of Nikolai's abilities and I am unsure of what she wants him for. I know for a fact that High Priestess Olia has never cared much for children. As he departed, Nikolai cast an anxious glance at me over his shoulder. He was as uncertain as I. Something about this incident makes me wonder how long I will be allowed to watch over him...
I squint at Albert in the dim candlelight, "You're very well-versed in history, are you not, Albert?"
He nods silently, not taking his eyes off the map before him.
"Did His Holiness have any close advisors after the founding of Harmonia? Do you know how long he personally was the complete head of that nation?" I ask.
"That's not exactly my area of expertise, Sir," he responds blandly.
"Was he a very public person?" I push further, "Was he accessible to the people? If he kept secrets, does only he know of them to this day? ...Did he ever have a family? Do you think that would that have made him act differently?"
"Sir, if you're really that interested, why don't you read a few biographies or ask him yourself? You're much closer to the source of all that information than I am," he persists, drawing a long arrow from Crystal Valley to the border, showing how our troops have advanced.
"He doesn't talk to me, Albert," I tell him, "I don't care what anyone else tells you. He never speaks to me. Other people are running this country now while he sits in his office and researches True Runes. He might not even know that we've gone to attack the Grasslands. He lives in his own world."
This serious explanation finally convinces Albert to look at me. His gaze is penetrating as he looks into my eyes, "But you're his son," he says softly.
"I thought you might understand that sort of thing," I reply calmly.
"Our families have been inexplicably tied together for all of time, haven't they?" he asks.
I don't know what to say about that.
He reaches out and grabs my sleeve loosely. I lean further over the table. He eyes me conspiratorially, "I can't give you reform, but I can deliver organized chaos. Maybe someday history will repeat itself."
"Albert..." I murmur, and the rest of the words catch in my throat.
He leans in close to me so that I can feel his warm breath on my face as he whispers, "I always wanted to cause the fall of a great empire." The passion in his words is undeniable; "It would be an even more fulfilling accomplishment with you at my side." His hand slowly slides down from my sleeve to grasp my hand.
I close my eyes, savoring the closeness as his bangs brush against my forehead. For an instant I forget my place.