On the very same day Jinto and Laf iel arrived in Lakfakalle, a Former Emperors’ Congress (Luzei Fanigalak) congregated in the Ruebei.
The Luzei Fanigalak consisted of ex-emperors (Faniiga), each chosen from one of the eight royal houses (Ga Lartei). Its only responsibility was to promote, reward, or punish officers who were members of the Fasanzoerl.
It was the policy that the member of the Imperial family who demonstrated the most excellence of a particular generation would sit on the Skemsorl Roen. This was a tough distinction to make, and the Luzei Fanigalak considered the question from every angle.
The day of Lafiel’s return, the topic of discussion was whether First Princess (Lartnei Kasna) of the Lartei Kryb was suitable as a Lodairl — or, more precisely, as a candidate for Spunej.
The Congress lasted five days, poring over Lafiel’s Written report and the testimony of Lyuf Raika and the Gosuk salvaged from Lyumusko Febdak.
On the last day, they summoned Lafiel to the Hall of Former Emperors (Wabes Faningalak).
A circular room with a Gaftonosh drawn in the center of its floor, the Wabes Fanigalak had a platform near the front.
When Lafiel stated her name, holograms of the Faniiga appeared. Old souls, her father’s words reverberated, in young bodies.
She bowed demurely.
“After assembling to determine whether Feia Lafiel of Lartei Kryb is suitable to be appointed as a Lodairl, we wanted to ask her a few questions directly,” declared Spunej Raika, His Grace Dugath (Nisoth Dugath).
“Please, let us see your face, Feia Lafiel,” requested the oldest of the Fasanzoerl, His Grace Dusuum (Nisoth Dusuumar) of the Lartei Balgzeder.
She complied, and the eight Faniiga gazed upon her.
Although Duguth was the youngest of the Faniiga, he was already more than two hundred years old. He had a childish face with a mature expression.
Dusuum looked over two hundred. Bleached by time, his long hair had faded into a pale lavender and fell in ringlets on his shoulder. His eyes were perpetually shut — it was rumored that he never opened them and relied exclusively on his Frokaj.
Normally unflappable, Lafiel felt extremely nervous.
It was her first appearance in front of the Luzei Fanigalak, but she’d heard plenty of stories. From what everyone said, it seemed as if Faniiga had nothing better to do than sit around and find faults with everyone.
“Radeuraj Burkrag is very tedious,” Dugath explained, seeming to read her mind. “It’s hard for you to understand, but we take no pleasure in criticizing. Some of us have led Byr of a hundred thousand ships and destroyed entire interstellar nations. After that, how could we enjoy this kind of drudgery?”
Nisoth Durad, who led the Shashain Campaign more than a hundred years earlier, nodded at the reference to his accomplishments.
“However, on rare occasions, it is at least interesting, Feia.” Lamronyu of the Lartei Weskor certainly had a way of making the Traiga of Feia sound insignificant.
“We found all kinds of carelessness in your actions. It’s especially hard to forgive your oversight in letting the atmosphere out of Lyumex Febdak,” said Dugath.
“Yes, we’ve received a petition from Lyuf Raika Febdak,” said Lamyuunyu of the Lartei Skirh, “that we place no blame on you for what happened in the Lyumusko. He doesn’t understand that it’s not the Luzei Fanigalak job to charge you with crimes — we just gauge your suitability as a Lodairl.”
Instinctually, Lafiel remained still.
“The atmosphere leak is serious. You never know what will happen during battle. Even though we are Karsarl Gereulak, you must know that we can’t live without atmosphere,” Duguth said.
“Yes.” Lafiel’s nervousness increased.
“However, Feia, the Luzei Fanigalak unanimously agrees it would be an understandable blunder for a young Bene,” said Dusuum, assuaging Lafiel. “All of the people in this room had less adventurous campaigns as Bene, and there are more than a handful in this very room who made magnificent errors as Lodairl. Nisoth Lamron, remember when you stood in that spot, accepting a demotion from Frode to Bomowas?”
“Nisoth,” Lamronyu protested, face reddening, “perhaps we should stick to the matter at hand.”
“Now, there are two points,” Dusuum continued, “that even we can’t overlook. I’d like to hear your take on these incidents.”
“I’d like to give it.” Lafiel looked resolutely at the oldest of the Abriels.
Would the old man, who had abandoned his vision, be able to detect the outward arrogance of the young Abriel? For an instant, a wry smile formed on his lips.
“Feia,” he began, “in Lyumusko Febdak, did you make use of your Fasanzoerl status to incite rebellion against the Lyuf?”
Dugath cut in, before she could answer. “Abliars have a reputation for Imperial wrath. I must admit, that even I have been known to lose my temper from time to time. However, the Bitsairl approve of our rule, even respect and love us. Know why? Because we make a clear distinction between personal anger and Frybar offense. If ever there were an Abliar on the Skemsorl Roen who used the Rue Greu as a club of emotion, our subjects would all lose their trust in us. Ever since our Skurleteria, the main purpose of the Luzei Fanigalak is to prevent such a person from advancing to the Skemsorl. Furthermore…”
“Excuse me, Nisoth,” interrupted Lafiel.
“Please, speak, Feia,” encouraged Dusuum.
“I don’t use the social status to influence people, certainly not to spur rebellion. As a Labule Bosnal, I requested Lef cooperation when the Lyuf interfered with my official duty.”
“Sounds reasonable.” Dugath harrumphed, folding his arms. “But, Feia, if you didn’t have the name of Abliar on your side, do you think it would have worked out the same way?”
“That kind of speculation does not concern me.”
Dugath’s eyebrows drew together. “What do you mean?”
“It was battle. Luck plays a role in every battle, whether you want to admit it or not. In this case, I was fortunate to be an Abliar.”
“What if you were just a Ryuuk?”
“My actions would have been the same,” she answered immediately. “To this day, I haven’t thought of an alternate way to accomplish that mission.”
Dusuum smiled. “For a young chickadee, I must admit, you struggled through quite well.”
Lafiel wondered whether he referred to the ordeal in Baron Febdash’s territory or her answer to the question.
“Very well. With the Faniiga’s approval, I’d like to close that inquiry. Objections?” Dugath waited.
There were no objections.
“Good. Next point, Feia,” he said. “This is more serious, because it relates to the very foundation of the Frybar. You promised to give a Menyu to Sos in Loebehynu Sufagnaum.”
“Not true!” protested Lafiel. “I merely promised to ask Spunej Erumita to lend them a Menyu.”
“Which might not sound unreasonable to a young chickadee, but perhaps you don’t understand the gravity of Fasanzoerl words. If an Abliar hints at the mere possibility, people hold it as gospel. Then, if it doesn’t happen, they think you are a liar.”
“And, in this case,” added Lamyuunyu, “you were probably aware that you lied to save your own skin. This is undeniably disgraceful!”
“Nisoth, that is a very one-sided way of looking at it!” Lafiel raised her voice against her own better judgment.