บท 58: Messengers of the divine

''Good morning, Acacius."

Barely reigning in his exhaustion, he answered in a tired voice.

''Good morning...uncle.''

A flicker of relief crossed the elder's face as after so long, he was finally acknowledged again.

''How have you been?''

''Tired.'' Acacius didn't bother with hiding the truth, even the former Acacius had always been somewhat at ease with his uncle.

"I see, could I be of help.''

Relief has long since vanished from aged eyes as concern showed in them, carefully taking in the way Acacius's echausted features,his slumped body that occupied the chair and his half closed eyes as his hand supported his head on the desk.

"No.''

It was final but alas, and yet again, the no was never taken as a no. Weirdly so as even a dog understood the meaning of the simply yet significant word.

"I could be of help, lots of help?''

Shaking his head, the answer still a negative Acacius closed his eyes entirely, ignoring the weak attempt of his uncle.

His uncle was fishing, his servant was fishing and if everything went smoothly the youngest council member will also be fishing. The literal sense would be so much funner and easier for him!

"Acacius...that servant. What were you discussing?''

''I don't think that's any of your business.''

''You seemed quite angry...i'm worried.''

''There is no reason to be. Especially over a servant.''

He spitted the sentence out through gritted teeth, visibly wishing he would stop.

''It's you i'm worried about.''

''I don't want your worry!''

He didn't know what he was expecting and yet the flash of hurt combined with extreme sadness made him feel his own pang of distress.

It wasn't his...it was emotions that he never felt or thought of.

Stretching silence made his eyebrow twitch, aware of his uncle gazing at him, waiting.

The elder was making things easy for him, was soft and never spoke sensitive words.

''Please leave it.''

And neither did he, Acacius had always taken things with a grain of salt but now his voice was filled with emotion, if anything he was almost begging with emotions for it to finally end.

"I'm tired, struggling. Don't bring the words from useless servants in this, they aren't to be believed.

It would mess with everything.''

Suspicions had now cleared all other emotion that had been visible. ''If you say so, though I wonder what can a measly servant mess up?''

''They spout nonsense, we both know how easily fools believe in such things.''

''Alright?"

Understanding that the other didn't believe, the two so alike he relented.

''Fine, if you wish to help you can."

Throwing a stack of papers towards the opposite side of the desk, he hurriedly spoke.

"These are all the papers from said servant, he has a sister.

She is nine, she's young.

If you don't want her to starve, help her, care for her.

It doesn't matter to me what you do with it.''

Wrinkled eyes softened as the older confirmed something. ''I'll find her and bring her."

"Didn't I tell you?

I don't care.

Whether she lives or dies has nothing to do with me.

Besides this is no place for a child, take her somewhere else, somewhere safe."

Picking up the papers in a slow, tedious movement, Acacius received another once over before leaving through the door.

''I'll let you know how it goes.''

Yawning, he complained yet another time to the silence that it was too early to deal with all this.

Once more the universe didn't think so as a knock sounded once more.

''Yes.''

And there he was the third player in his game, the youngest council member. One of great importance as he was the one in charge of his six stars formation and at least smart enough to close the door behind him before speaking into the silence.

''Your highness.''

Straight to business, he started questioning the younger.

''How is the moving going?''

''I spared no effort on finding their house that suits their needs, they have agreed upon seeing the house and location''

''When will you finish moving them?''

"It won't take long, after receiving their permission I immediately started moving their stuff to the new house. Two men have been appointed to help, the others are working on the other houses and drafting plans for this one. The point is within two days the elderly couple would be of no consequence anymore.''

''How is the rebuilding going?"

''More than alright.

We have received various degrees of help, luck is on our side it seems as magical artifacts have found our way to us. The levitate disk, one of them, capable of helping us lift heavy objects, certainly did speed our process. Same with the flying shoes we were given, moving has become so much faster and easier."

"No doubt about it, now who did you say it was who gifted you that?''

''I didn't and....I don't know. I think mages, I didn't see their face.''

''And you accepted their help?"

"It would speed up the process, forgive me but I thought it was of utmost importance to finish this as soon as we could."

Sighing, he clenched and unclenched his fist. "It is, you did well. Just...be carefull, try to find out who exactly they are."

"I did not dare to deny us this chance, I...thought it would help.''

''Well....I can certainly use i--''coughing he quickly restored himself-''You should be careful, they are mages. They are dangerous."

"I....will take your advice.'' He sounded quarded, conscience of the choice of words noted. '''Forgive me, I visited late to prevent being noticed. I did not dare deny their help as it would speed up the process.''

''Yes, well---nevermind. How about the other houses?"

''First is finished,second is close. Like I said your highness, the artifacts have been a huge help and the two mages have sped up the process considerable.''

''Marvelous, good job. Third?"

"A little behind as we have been focusing more on finishing the first and second. And now that they are almost finished, we will be moving on to the third and fourth.

The fourth will be more troublesome as they have been abandoned before. Which will make the efforts to repair it bigger than before."

"Don't worry, nothing ever goes according to plan.

Besides,for now, we still have time. Be sure to ask the mages if they don't mind helping.

It would be rude not to,especially considering the help they have provided.

Don't forget the fifth and sixth.''

"Yes, your highness.''

Watching with weary eyes, an emotion he didn't try to hide, he encouraged the boy. ''I'm sure you will do an excellent job.''

''I'll try my hardest!" Humming in approval, he dismissed the other, his answer was only met with uncertainty.

''There...is something else.

It's why I came here, your highness.''

"Go right ahead."

"There have been apostles of the holy kingdom found on a ship bordering your lands."

Blinking in surprise at the sudden reveal of the holy kingdom, he merely accepted the fact--to deal with later ofcourse. He was too tired to deal with things that didn't matter.''

''And?'' Even his voice sounded tired.

"The council has become aware. They are gathering as we speak.''

"Ofcoure they are."

Breathing in so deeply, feeling like he received an overdose of oxygen, he regretted his choice to wake up this morning. ''I quess----let's just go.''

* * *

They arrived quickly, the youngest following rapidly behind him, worry obvious by his quick breaths.

As soon as they arrived they noticed the worried expression of the other members, it was rather obvious that they had been waiting for a rather long time.

Causing him to still and regret his decision to ever even come over in the first place, the door closing behind him sealed his fate.

"Good morning, your highness.''

It was anonymous, making him wonder if they practiced it yet it didn't mattern. It never did.

Crashing down with a murderous gaze, Acacius spitted out. ''Who's bright idea was it to start a meeting at this ungodly hour?!!''

''Your highness as the council we are obligated to respond immediately when trouble crosses our border.''

That troublesome--''I do not think a few apostles from the holy kingdom would make it so we need to start forming plans, when I have barely become aware of their reasons."

"On the contrary, the faster we form plans the faster we can enact them.

As such we have to act immediately.''

"You mean I have to act immediately!" Tapping his hand unconsciously on the table in frustration, his voice went ahead of himself. 'How's your daughter?'

It was a sudden question, one that the other answered through gritted teeth.

''She's fine, your highness."

"I'm sure she is, going after silver haired beauty's and all.'' He was getting ahead of himself but that didn't matter either, her father would check if what he said was the truth. And if it was, which it is, it would make it so the other would believe he was keeping watch over the girl.

''Your highness, that's not the issue right now.

The issue is the trampling of our kingdom by the apostles of a kingdom far away.

The consequences could be dire, the civilians could be at risk!

We urge you to decide."

Again, saved by some goons, a fact he shouldn't be so proud about. Eyes twinkling and all, as if he won the world, something that was no doubt on his list of to do.

"Fine-''rubbing his temple, he relented.''- we shall discuss options however my point stands.

If any here actively help in starting a war between our empires, they will serve in it as a foot soldier.

With the same or ,depending on my mood, less resources as them.''

His voice had left no room for disagreements, disagreements that would not come his way even though Acacius could see their minds brewing up sneaky plans, forming like an adder beneath the grass.

"Have I been understood!?"

"Yes, your majesty!"

Like hell, he would know, his mind kept doing the very same thing.

Always thinking, words weighted before they left his mouth.

Besides the obvious was another fact, this day was going to be a long, long day. Going by the growing glimmer in his council's eyes that is.

* * *

And he had been right as he settled back into his chair at his desk, a place that he hadn't left very much in days.

And while he had addressed tons of issues at the meeting, Acacius wasn't surprised to see a new stack on his desk.

It was too much, especially since it lasted till eleven. Picking solutions and assigning someone to accomplish those facts. And by every decision getting pushack from the damn hawk.

Oh well, he was most likely worried out of his mind. What with his second warning about his daughter and all.

Not like the other members didn't do their damn greatest to make things bothersome for him, constant batter as their different morals clashed with each other and not unlike himself he had wished to go back to bed on multiple occasions.

It was exhausting dealing with them, luckily for him the young women atleast had proven to be an interesting variable, not at all afraid to speak out and squash the men's voices.

It was intriguing, combined with the reactions from before, she showed an independent woman

Unafraid...or was that called stupid?

At the very least it brought a flare of character and life inside the castle. Combined with lots of counterwords.

His servant June, the members of the council,...they all seemed to barely care about offending him and more about keeping a tight grasp on him and yet he, as the emperor, walked on his tiptoes.

"How do you stop walking on eggshells, when that is all you've ever known?"

It was said to no one in particular yet if one heard it wouldn't have mattered as all matters will soon come to an end anyways, little by little his character should break apart.

What a fun thing to orchestrate.

"You should ask for help.''

Wearily blinking he saw his uncle standing by the just slightly opened door and unlike most eyes of the council his eyes had always been clear. Staring attentively at him once more.

''How long have you been standing there?''

"Not standing, I have been following you since the meeting ended.''

''One you weren't at, I seem to recall."

He didn't offer his excuses or apologies, merely closing the door as he welcomed himself in.

"You did not notice me, fog clouding your head like the dark forest of the witch.

So would you mind telling me how you feel?''

''Just fine.''

''Gritted teeth, dark circles beneath your eyes as if you haven't slept in days.''

"A doctor? Resign uncle.''

''I'm just worried, can't I be? I'm your uncle or atleast an elder about his emperor."

"Well an emperor that needs to clarify he is one , isn't even close to being one.''

There was something dawning on the other's face. ''The crown atop your head says otherwise, nephew."

Feeling dramatic he slumped into his chair, weight upon his shoulder growing as eyes closed in tiredness once more.

''I'm beginning to hit a wall, uncle and I don't think I know what to do.''

''Sometimes walls are there so that you can lean against them and relax.

A rest stop in an already taxing journey, a stop you more then deserve.''

''Do I?

When will the good start to outweigh the bad?

This reality...i'm starting to get tired of it and i'm beginning to think I can't deal with it.''

Following silence was unbreakable, old eyes softening at him. Acacius didn't say anything and even his uncle kept the quiet alive. All while everything in the castle hurried on as his office was empty of movements but filled with underlying emotions.

And while Acacius had stalked it up to dramatics he wondered if the words he had spoken were even remotely true.