Kady's Journey -Freesia-

Chapter 8: The Justice

"Lexei wants to bring me down."

I coughed on my soda when I heard Galion suddenly said those words while the two of us are sitting outside of a grocery store that we just finished surveying.

"Why do you think so?"

The Kalalitan noble looked at Lexei who is being surrounded by Yekaterinians cheering on his name and taking his pictures, "He thinks he hides it well with his smiles and playing like a fool but I know his intent. Everything that I wanted to excel at he is there to block my way to the top. He joined the Brawl Club to one-up me. He always stands in my way whenever I try to push myself to the limits."

Oh no... Oh no! Kady what are you going to do?! He is as dense and numb as you expected of him to be! 

"Maybe you are just misinterpreting him. He is not a competitive guy. And let's be honest, he doesn't need to be," I said quietly while praying that he will at least change his mind a bit.

But he just smirked and shook his head, "He is everything that I hated in this world. He is way too soft but can fight, intelligent without trying, can excel at anything without even putting as much effort as I have to. Whatever he will do in his idiotic life, he is set to inherit his mother's position and title. How can he have everything that I will never even achieve in my life even if I die trying? He loves to rub it in my face just how special he is. He thinks I didn't notice but I know he is spying at me at every turn. Probably snooping around for some weakness he can find so he can make a laughingstock out of me."

"Galion..."

He suddenly stood up as he crumpled the can with his bare hand, "Why am I even telling you this? Sorry for bothering you with my random nonsense. Come, let's finish this survey so we can report back to the Tsarina."

"Hey, wait!"

I just stood up as quick as I can and ran after him. Why is everything falling apart before me? I was expecting that this trip together with them can help break down the barriers between them. But why did I feel that Galion is reinforcing his walls even further?

I pity Lexei.

No matter how hard he tries to scale the walls Galion built sturdily around himself, he always fails as our classmate refuses to even acknowledge him as an equal and only thinks of his efforts as annoying at best and sabotaging at worst.

As I run after Galion, I can't help but appreciate the sublime beauty of the Yekaterin. I just learned that tsardoms are effectively city-states that are at times of peace virtually independent from the main body of the Empire.

Though Imperial laws are enforced mandatorily,  the Tsars and Tsarinas can impose their own rules and regulations within their territories with the blessing of the reigning Emperor or Empress. 

In times of war or disasters, the tsardoms' leadership is consolidated to the reigning monarch to solidify the unity of the Empire during dire and chaotic times.

To that end, each Tsardoms developed its own micro-culture and traditions separate from the Empire as a whole.

Our other classmates are divided into a three-man team that was sent to different Tsardoms to "immerse" and learn more about the Empire. Kyrus, Trevor, and Daryl are, however, confined to the Morvia Tsardom which is where the Nordia is located.

I heard from Silva that it is for security and diplomacy purposes. The Empress doesn't want to risk sending the heirs of other nations to far-away reaches of her Empire away from her protection. 

Turns out the politics of Empire is not as simple as I imagined it to be. Before, the Imperial Monarchy holds the entire Scania in the palm of its hand. However, things have changed drastically more than a decade ago when the reigning Empress Regnat gave birth to a child with no known father ever been identified.

This has led to her power weakening to such extent that her sphere of influence is within the dominion of her most loyal Tsar and adviser, Mirono von Alcor of the Tsardom of Morvia and location of her seat of power.

Though the other Tsars and Tsarinas of the Empire are still loyal to the throne, most of the Imperial authority was taken over by the democratic government of the Empire when it was only a mere counselling body of the Imperial Government years ago.

The Chancellor now, which is like the President in Maharlikan counterpart, wields most of the power that what once was the Empress.

Though Kirov told me yesterday that Empress Kassandra doesn't mind a bit if her power is steadily waning as long as Kyrus is safe. She could've revealed the identity of his son's father but for some reason, she thinks it's more important to keep it concealed rather than use it as leverage to regain what she once has.

 I guess I finally knew what made Kyrus tick. Why he is very driven, motivated, and harsh on himself. He wants to give his mother back the power she lost because of him. Kirov said that Kyrus was driven only by two things, revenge, and guilt.

Revenge against the current Chancellor who reduced him and his mother to almost nothing but figureheads. Guilt because he knew it was his fault that his mother was almost rendered powerless outside her city. 

He is willing to do everything and anything just to reach his goals. In that regard, I began to grow scared of him. Whenever I look at his eyes when he is angry or stressed, he looks like the person who is willing to go through any lengths just to get what he wanted.

No wonder he respects Denal highly. 

He sees himself in him the way he puts his mother first in everything that he does. Kyrus can definitely relate to the boy whose life revolves around his mother alone.

Galion stopped walking and so did I as he reached where Lexei was waiting for us as the Yekaterinian dispersed and returned to their daily lives when their heir already helped them with their queries and suggestions.

"Here..."

He threw Galion a pair of black and red fingerless training gloves that made Galion looked surprised as he can't hide his amazement while he tried it on and flexed his hands.

"A citizen got it from a roving merchant from the Kingdom. I thought you will have more use of it than I do since you just damaged your own a few days ago," Lexei said happily as we followed him while he was walking quickly towards our service car waiting for us patiently across the street.

We got in the car and my classmates sat beside me on my left and right. I forced a smile and tried to start a conversation to ease the feeling of awkwardness.

"I wonder what our classmates are doing now?" I asked happily as both of them look at me quietly, "We managed to finish our immersion three days early. Knowing our other hard-working classmates, they might be enjoying their free time right now as we speak, don't you two think?"

Lexei managed a smile as he returned to looking outside the window, "I got a word from Anastasia that she and her team are having a hard time finishing theirs since they always get sidetracked by trivial things."

"Well, Aerith and Belle are in her team so I think that's to be expected," I said happily that made him laugh as I glanced at Galion, "How about you? Did you hear from your countrymates?"

He shrugged his shoulders and leaned on the seat comfortably, "I got a call from Silva that Trevor and Marga are doing rather well during their activities. Though he hoped for them to finish early like us so he can explore more."

"Speaking of exploring, wouldn't you mind showing us around your tsardom, Lexei? The city is so vibrant and welcoming but I want to see the hamlets and villages outside the city proper," I said excitedly as our car entered the manor of our classmate where we saw the Tsarina waiting for us patiently at the veranda while being served coffee by their butler.

We got out of our car and proceed to the mother of Lexei to report our work for the day and tell her like we always do our personal experiences and suggestions on how things can be made better by her.

"I heard from my aide that you were held up by my citizens and was surrounded by them," the Tsarina said as she smiled at us three from her seat, "I am really thankful to you two for being such a good influence on my dastard son, even if barely."

I and Galion bowed respectfully as the Kalalitan let me respond for the two of us, "It is the least we can do for the kind and warm hospitality that you and your people has given us. If there is anything that we can do to help, please do say so, Your Highness."

"What you did is enough and will make my work a whole lot easier. You may spend the remaining days in my tsardom of your immersion as you see fit. For now, you boys go to your rooms, the dinner is still being prepared," Lexei's mother said to the two behind me that immediately bowed and left as quickly as they can, "Take a seat, Kady. I wish to spend some quality time with you. Us girls sometimes need to just sit down, enjoy some coffee and cakes while gossiping the afternoon away, don't you think?"

I graciously accepted the invitation and sat down next to the Tsarina who is just staring at her garden full of flowers and butterflies. The afternoon breeze is very fresh and relaxing and the coffee being poured by the butler smells really nice.

The aroma is just so inviting, I immediately took a sip and didn't regret it.

"What do you think of my territory so far, Kady?" the Tsarina asked curiously as she took a deep breath and sighed in contentment, "I think I owe you and Galion an apology for being thrown in my backwater dominion. It is not a secret that in terms of beauty and things to see, my tsardom is at the bottom of the least. Culturally and tourism speaking, we have almost nothing to offer."

I shook my head smiled a little, "I can't speak on behalf of Galion but for me, this is the best place for me to do my immersion in the Empire."

"How so?"

"It is not as crowded as the capital city nor as populated as the other tsardoms we have seen on the way here. It is such a beautiful place nestled in the mountains and has access to a very beautiful lagoon. The people are very friendly and welcoming. I think I can understand the reason why they send Galion here now that I think about it."

The kind Tsarina smiled and inclined her head at me, "Indeed. Of all the tsardoms, Yekaterin is the most forgiving, to say the least, when it comes to Kalalitans. Our maritime borders are directly shared with the Kingdom so we have the most contact with them. Friendly or otherwise."

"I've talked to the Kalalitans at the port with Galion and they are just singing your praises. They said that you welcomed them with open arms after hearing the pleas of your kind people. Never did you turn against them when military relations with their country is deteriorating."

She nodded and proceed to sip some coffee before answering again, "And so I did. As I know you are already aware, though my tsardom is not the most prosperous of all the Empire's territories, we, however, holds the key to Scania's technological breakthroughs. What we may lack in material richness, we make up for it with our scientific advancements and inventions that are directly funnelled to Nordia and other tsardoms. We are governed by logic and such thoughts of racism, xenophobia and discrimination are considered useless when it comes to pursuit of knowledge."

"I already saw that first hand on your son, Your Highness," I said quietly that made her smile a little, "Of all the Imperials in my class, he is the one who really tries his best to befriend the Royals deeper than just being civil as classmates. I guess that's a part of his charm, won't you agree?"

"Indeed. But what surprises me is the troubling reports that I've received in the last couple of months. They said that my son was very motivated, competitive and passionate. He even joined the Brawl Club and is actively practising our fighting art when before, he is just as, well, lazy on just about anything other than sleeping and eating."

I looked at the mother who is clearly worried about the behaviour of his son, "Did you already guessed the reason behind his sudden change of personality?"

"Of course. His slovenly behaviour is inherited from his father solely. To think that he also inherited my characteristics can only mean one thing, Kady and I am sure you already know it before me, right?" she asked me in barely a whisper and I nodded which confirmed her hunch.

"I did. I think it's not an exaggeration that most of the people around us at the academy thinks that his behaviour is simple competitiveness and such but what they see is only at face value. For my part, what I see is..."

"Say no more, Kady. I know," she interrupted my sentence and I demurred, "Of all the people he can look up to, why him? I know what it feels like to be fixated on someone so badly, I did things that I never thought possible. I guess in that regard, even if he didn't inherit my looks, he did inherit my relentlessness, don't you think?"

I laughed with her as we both shook our head at the hopelessness of the situation, "Forgive me if I will have to say that it is really frightening to observe firsthand just how persistent he can be once he gets going. Sometimes even I, who is rooting for him, is thinking twice if I have to reign him in if I can even do it in the first place."

"Don't bother. Once I started doing something, its either I succeed and stop or die trying. But really, why him? It can be just about any other boys. He was sent to my tsardom by the Empress because the Alric Dynasty is well known to be the most Anti-Imperial dynast of the kingdom. If there is any place where we can send him in the Empire which will have the least chance of causing a diplomatic incident then its Yekaterin and nothing else. For all the decades that I have skirmishes with the Kingdom's Navy, the Kalalitans know for a fact that I and my people respect them more than anyone else in Scania."

I just hung my head and smiled sadly, "Respect comes in many forms huh?"

"If there is one thing that the Kalalitans respect, it's strength. I showed them I will not be pushed around just because we are the "eggheads" of the Empire and in turn, I earned their approval. I usually don't send my flotilla out at sea but whenever they see the flagship of Yekaterin, they will quickly make themselves scarce. My tsardom may not have the strength to defeat them but I can definitely make everything as painful as possible for them so much that they have to turn tail and run whenever they saw my ships at the horizon," she said confidently that made me see a bit of Lexei in her.

When it all comes down to it, they both have confidence in what they can do if push comes to shove.

"Anyways, since you three are already finished with your tasks. I want to send you tomorrow to the far northern outskirts of my dominion. I want you three to meet the elderly sage who lives at the foot of the mountain range. He and his clan is a known fortune teller and it might be wise to seek his wisdom in these dire times we are living in."

I raised an eyebrow and tried to suppress my disbelief, "The Tsarina of the Tsardom of Yekaterin, the backbone of the Imperial technology advances believing in fortune tellers? I didn't saw that coming, no offense, Your Highness."

"My dear Kady as I always say to the Empress herself. When you delve into the realms of knowledge as deep as us Yekaterinians, you will learn that there are things you just wouldn't be able to explain by conventional wisdom alone. It is that understanding that made the people of this tsardom open-minded and not held back by common intellectual limitations. The sooner you accept that there are things you cannot hope to fathom, the wiser you will become," she advised me kindly as if a teacher mentoring her clueless student, "I can see that you have such an intellectual upbringing judging by your actions and words. Take my advice and I can assure you that it will open countless doors that were once closed for you."

I just look at her in amazement as I finally realized what Lexei has that I don't have all along, "So that's what your son has over me. The ability to accept all forms of knowledge even those unconventional ones."

"Exactly. Now as his mother, I wouldn't want you one-upping him," she said sternly but then smiled and laughed loudly, "Just kidding, we both know you can't even if you try."

"So true. I just don't have his tenacity, to begin with. I will humbly step back and let him have this one, Your Highness," I answered happily that made us both smile.

"If only the Empress acts more like you, we wouldn't be in this predicament," she said nonchalantly but shook her head quickly, "I digress, it's neither here nor there. Come, Kady, let's head for the kitchen and taste the food before the boys."

"Right behind you, Your Highness..."

-0-

"Your mother was not kidding when she said that we are going to far northern outskirts of your dominion. Already two hours of traveling and we're still not there," I exclaimed as our car hit another bump on the road while it is trekking an offroad path to goodness knows where, "Have you been here before, Lexei?"

My classmate nodded as he looked outside the window nostalgically, "I did almost a decade ago. Mother brought me here to have my fortune read. The only time I've ever seen her worried and scared in my entire life. Probably the sage told her I will bring her great embarrassment or something."

I laughed a little at what he said and look at Galion who is listening quietly, "How about you, Galion? Do Kalalitans believe in fortune-telling?" Us Maharlikans just see it as amusing nothing more."

"Divination is an important part of our society but it is mostly exclusive to nobilities alone. Only a scant few commoners have access to legitimate diviners," he answered quietly as our car slowly came to a halt and the soldier told us that we have finally arrived.

The moment I stepped out of the car, I felt the cold breeze blowing. The air is very fresh because of the dense forest surrounding the settlement that is composed of few bungalow houses, a well in the center, and a rice farm at the clearing not far from the small village.

The villagers stopped what they are doing when they saw Lexei and hurriedly ran towards our direction, men, women, and the elderly and children alike congregate in front of us as they pay their respects to their scion.

"It is an honor to have you here again, Your Grace."

"You should've sent a word so we could've prepared a better welcome for you and your friends."

"How long has it been?"

"We never thought you will be back again."

"You are here to see the sage, don't you? Give me a moment to send a word of your arrival."

"He will be most pleased to hear you from you."

"He once foretold that you will return before you reach adulthood with two companions!"

"And another of his prophecy has come to past."

"Forgive us for not sending you a notice. My mother just went up and sent us here today. Sorry for the inconvenience everyone," Lexei apologized solemnly then bowing which I and Galion imitated.

"No need for apologies, Your Grace. As we have said, it was already foretold that you will return to our village. Please, follow me, the sage wants to meet you as soon as possible."

We nodded at each other as we started walking towards the village proper.

The houses are rather simple and quaint looking. It seemed to be that there's at least an electrical connection here as we saw several houses still have their lights on outside as it's just around seven in the morning and the sun hasn't fully risen yet.

After a few minutes of walking, we finally arrived in front of an ancient-looking house right at the direct center of the village. 

"Let's go, Kady," Lexei offered his hand together with Galion to help me climb the rather steep staircase made of rocks.

I looked up at them and at the same moment, the first rays of the sun hit the village and the face of Lexei and Galion as well.

I gasped when I realized for the first time how truly blessed these two are in terms of facial appearance.

The Scanian has this smooth and fluid face that makes him look a bit vulnerable in his handsomeness while the Kalalitan has a severe facial feature that is rugged and well proportioned. 

They are truly at the cusp of their youths and represent the best the Kingdom and Empire can produce in terms of physical beauty. 

"Is there a problem?" Galion asked worriedly as I just laughed and finally grabbed their hands at the same time.

"Nothing. I just realized that our classmates are right about you two all along..."

Lexei furrowed his brow as I finally stood between the two, "About what?"

"That you two are the epitome of your respective countries' facial assets. And two heck of the assets at that. We've been together most of the time at the school, why did it take me this long to appreciate you two and how lucky I am just to always by your sides?"

The two blushed at the same time and clearly didn't know how to respond so I smiled at the two and looked around us, "No doorbell it seems. Might as well just knock, huh?"

I knocked two times and we heard a voice telling us that the door is open.

I turned the knob and pushed the creaking door open and what we saw inside mesmerized me.

There are blue velvet curtains covering the windows and at the center of the room is a round table draped in the same velvet clothe. It is empty except for a stack of cards and sitting next to it is an old, handsome man with a solemn face and silver hairs and eyes wearing a brown cloak covering his body.

"Don't linger in the doorways, young ones. Especially for nobles such as yourselves, it is considered to be unbecoming and rude," he said in a solemn voice as he pointed the three empty leather chairs in front of him, "Please do take a seat. Surely you didn't come here just to gawk, isn't that right?"

We looked at each other before closing the door behind us and walk towards the sage who is waiting for us.

Galion and Lexei let me take the center seat as they both took my right and left respectively. I noticed the burning incense at stool behind the sage that gives off the smell of eucalyptus and frankincense that made me feel relaxed and at peace.

"Welcome, daughter of the white wolf. I foresaw your arrival decades ago though I never realized that you will be delivered by the men who share the same fate. How peculiar..."

"Daughter of the white wolf? What can you possibly mean?" I asked confusedly as I shook my head slowly.

The old man just smiled and shook his head, "You will know in due time. For now, let me introduce myself. I am Apollyon Sibyl, the village head of Dodona and a seer."

"It's an honor to mee you, wise one," I said respectfully that made him smile.

"All shall be revealed when you put your hands on the cards and make a choice. Go on, choose six from the deck, and spread them on the table face down so I may interpret them for you," he instructed me quietly.

I followed his instructions and picked six cards from the deck and put them face down on the table.

"Let's see your present shall we?" he asked as he opened the card at the farthest left that depicted a globe, "The World. A card that symbolizes contentment, fulfillment, and wholeness. You are at the peak of your life and now reaping what has been sown by your loved one. A truly marvelous time to be in. Make the most of it for you of all people knows that time betrays."

I searched deep inside and what he said resonated with me. It is the truth that I am at my peak right now and I am here enjoying the fruits of my father's labor before me and how we got betrayed by time...

Sage Apollyon flipped the second card and it showed the ever-turning wheel of fortune, "A rather odd card to represent your desires. While you are at the turning point of your life right now, will you choose the "bad" or the "good"? Perhaps choose neither and step back? What a strange girl you are."

I looked down on my hands and clenched them. The card is right, I can feel the coming moment of truth when I have to make a choice. If I can make any at all...

"Now, for the card that represents your innermost fears," he said ominously and flipped the card to show a picture of a man waving a wand, "The Magician. This is not a happy card. The men whom you trust will make sound decisions will fail your expectations. Your worst fears will come to pass."

I didn't understand what he said but I can feel that indeed, sooner or later, I will lose faith in someone I hold dear.

He flipped the next card and it showed a man with horns, "The Devil shows what is your hope for the challenges to come. You will be forced to be the one who will accept all the anger and hate so that you can remove them from the ones you loved. Be brave and resolute and forge ahead despite what others might think of you."

The readings are becoming more and more confusing to me as time goes by but I can feel that regardless if I understand it now or not, it will all come to pass.

"The High Priestess. A card of insecurity and doubt," he said sadly as he looked at me kindly after opening the second to the last card, "This shows your greatest weakness. If you can just surpass yourself before all is lost, you will wield the power of this defeated card. The power to make the impossible possible."

He put his shaking hand at the last card that is face down as if hoping for the best before turning it over.

A woman in majestic dress appeared at the picture and tears fell from his eyes suddenly, "The Empress. How befitting. A homecoming. If you manage to reach the end of your journey, you will find yourself back to where you have come from. Abundance, joy, and reassurance. You will build the future with these if you manage to overcome the painful and heartbreaking obstacles in your life."

He then looked at me straight into the eyes and nodded, "The cards has spoken and the path that you must take has been revealed to you and you alone. Whatever happens, always know that they will all come to pass. All the pain and suffering no matter how seemingly endless they are, remember that what you have sown, you will reap. Power comes to those who protect."

The sage then looked at Galion and Lexei sadly, "You two share the same fate. One in all but names. Hope comes in unexpected ways."

He stood up and bowed to us, "That is all I can do for you. The rest is up to you all. For fate is a guide but it us who steers the course of our lives. I pray that we may meet again."

We muttered our gratitude as we stood up and began to leave the house. I let my classmates go ahead of me.

But as I begin to close the doors behind me, I heard the voice of the sage again, "In times of darkness and misery. Twin lights will set you free..."

"So what can you say, Kady?" Lexei asked suddenly breaking the silence between the three of us as we started walking towards the waiting car, "Not all people have the chance to talk to him. He even sometimes rejects the pleas of nobles to have their futures read. You are so fortunate to get the chance to even see him. His ancestors and this village are where the Imperial Nobles go when they are in doubt since goodness knows when."

I sighed as I stretched my arms and force a smile, "Honestly, I didn't understand half of what he said. But I do agree with one thing. It is we who steer the course of our lives."