“If it proves beyond the Star Forces ’ powers, then that just means we should employ the Institute of Crests .”
This is insane, thought Lafier, who had gone pale.
Much as the name suggested, Institute of Crests was a government office that dealt in the safekeeping of the crests of nobles and gentry , and managed genealogical trees and family ranks. However, their operations expanded from there, and now they also administered covert investigations throughout the domains and territory nations , taking on the role of a kind of secret police.
“I thought we were talking about ‘gratitude,’” said Duradh uncomfortably.
“Yes, this is of course an act of thanks. We don’t wish to be called ungrateful.” The fan-shaped sleeves of Dusemh’s fécséïc (vestment) fluttered. “That is why we will hold a pomp-filled appointment ceremony on Clasbule’s surface. Oh, and it would be wise as well to invite people known for being Secessionist Party members and extremists as the guests of honor.”
“Why in tarnation would we do that...?” said Dugass, flashing Dusemh an extremely confused look.
“Those that yearn for independence disdain the Empire . I believe they are laughing at us and look down on the Empire as being unable to crack down on them.”
“Are you saying we should clamp down on them, Nisoth ?” Repulsed, Dugass hid his mouth with a sleeve. “That would be inelegant.”
“Of course not. If we did that, the Star Forces and the Institute of Crests alike would swell to enormous size. It would indeed be far from the realm of the elegant.” Dusemh’s smile turned yet ghastlier. “That said, we cannot tolerate their open contempt. To be hated is of no concern to us, but to be slighted is another matter. It is not that the Empire isn’t capable of clamping down, it’s that it elects not to. In other words, teaching the terrestrial citizens that the Empire can hunt down those who do not submit at any time if it so chooses might just prove an entertaining diversion. Their initial scheme is likely to threaten the Empire. Is it not necessary to give them a dose of reality?”
“You Sporr!” said Ramynh gleefully. “I’ve always thought the family name of the Royal House of Barce isn’t Abliar, but Sporr. The way such devious ideas come to you.”
Lafier couldn’t stand it any longer. “Your Eminences , allow me to inform you that I am grateful to those people. I may even be rather fond of them. Their ways are different from our own, but they are proud folk in their own way. So, I implore you not to rebuke them...”
“This is a great example of how misunderstood we often are,” said Dusemh, spreading his besleeved arms wide. “Even our own relatives can misunderstand us. Such is the fruit of our lack of discretion. Fïac , I am saying that we very much ought to thank them.”
“Why do I get the feeling that tendency to be ‘misunderstood,’” grumbled Lamaudh, “is not so much the fruit of our indiscretions, but rather springs from what a certain royal family has assiduously built up?” But her derision fell on deaf ears.
“But Nisoth , we lack the authority to decide on such a plan,” Duradh pointed out.
“Then we should ask Her Majesty Lamagh to decide. It wouldn’t take much time at all, either. Kindly wait a moment, Your Eminences .”
Dusemh’s hologram disappeared. The projections of the other abdicants froze. Lafier could tell something was being discussed someplace she couldn’t overhear, but she had no choice but to stand in place and wait to be addressed.
At last, Dusemh returned. The holograms of the rest of the abdicants resumed moving, as though returning to life.
“Your Eminences ,” Lamagh intoned. There was no hologram of her, only her audio. “We heard tell of the issue from Nisoth Dusemr . We had been racking Our mind over a suitable token of gratitude toward the terrestrial citizens . As such, We thank Your Eminences for your wise counsel. We shall adopt the measure at once; in My name, it shall be arranged.”
“And so, with this, the matter is settled,” said Dusemh.
“So it is,” nodded Dugass, though his expression was fastidious. “Now the risk that the honor of the Abliars would be tarnished has cleared up.”
“I wasn’t aware patching up the mistakes of a trainee starpilot was a role of the Council of Abdicants ,” frowned Duradh.
“Is it not the duty of old birds to smooth over the little ones’ blunders?” Dusemh retorted.
“In any case, we must make our final decision. We have been discussing for five days, and we have no more questions for Fïac Lamhirr ,” said Dusum.
“Let us hear Your Eminences ’ opinions.”
“I hereby acknowledge that Fïac Lamhirr has the aptitude to be a starpilot .” With that, Ramynh’s hologram put his hands to his shoulders, and disappeared.
“I have no objections, either,” said Lamaudh, herself vanishing.
“Though I feel as though we’ve struck a tremendous blow to custom this day,” said Duradh, shaking his head and putting his hands to his shoulders, “I suppose there’s naught to be done about it.”
“I’m looking forward to your future. I know you’ll be able to overshadow my ignoble past,” said Ramlynh. Then she, too, disappeared.
“It’s as though I’m looking at my own daughter when she was small,” spoke Nisoth Lamaimer (Her Eminence Lamaimec), Lafier’s great-grandmother, for the first time in the meeting; perhaps she was not taking her position very seriously. “Be sure to pay me a visit before you receive another mission.”
“You truly look just like Her Majesty Lamagh. You may just be the one to take the throne after my son.” With that, Dusemh vanished.
“Let us meet again, little one. Though I hope that the next hearing will be easier on all of us,” said Dusum.
“Congratulations, linewing starpilot Abliar.” To round out the meeting, Dugass saluted her (albeit his salute was a little off) and vanished.
To the Abh, the concept of seasons was not linked to the time of year, but to the mood in the air. The Lartbéïc Crybr (Royal Palace of Crybh) had a garden for spring, summer, autumn, and winter, each with their ecosystem and temperature adjusted accordingly. Seated on a wooden bench in the autumn garden, Jinto counted the colored leaves dancing down.
“So that’s where you were.”
Jinto looked toward the voice. There stood Lafier. She was not in her military uniform . Rather, she was wearing a bright golden long robe over a green jumpsuit , with the graceful and florid circlet of a royal princess . In her arms, she held a kitten.
“Yeah. It’s the most calming place for me. Fïac Lartr Crybr told me to think of this place as my own home, but it’s really a bit too big to square with the concept I have in my head of ‘my own home.’”