127 Old Friends End of Book 3 (1/2)
With a sigh, Elder Caelestis made his presence felt again. After a few seconds of silence, his son looked up from the tactical maps he had strewn across the floor . Although his face was dominated by the same frown he had sported for months now, at least the King of the Center still took notice of his elder.
”Pacha, why can't we include your uncle, or at least your mother? No matter what plans you have, how can we succeed without support from your family?” Caelestis tried again. As if hit by lightning, the king jumped up, and threw his maps into disorder in the process.
”You want me to be a puppet, old man? Do you really want Uncle Divitius to control the empire!?”
Never before had Pacha looked at him in such anger. This had become troubling. Ever since the youngster had come back from his duel with Corco, he had changed so much. At first, Caelestis had thought that the defeat could do some good. After he had tasted his own mortality, Pacha had thrown off the blind pride his mother had trained into him. However, he had also begun to consider the other advice his big brother had given him.
”Pacha, your mother and uncle only have your best interests at heart.”
”House Ichilia is not interested in a strong Emperor Pachacutec. They just want a powerless boy to sit the throne, one they can control.”
Again the elder sighed. By now the boy wouldn't even let his own mother see him, only because she carried the name Ichilia. In anger over a previous argument, Divitius also left the capital and returned to his estate. In the end it was Caelestis who was flooded with complaints, both from the king and the empress mother.
”While it is wise to be careful, there is no proof for any such plans from House Ichilia.”
”Then are you on my side, or on the side of your woman, old man?” As so often when he lost composure, the brat had said something careless again. Even though the succession battle was over, his relationship with Spuria still wasn't something they could show out in the open. Still, this was no time for another argument. Caelestis lacked the energy for one.
”Of course I am on your side, Pacha, always. But we still need their help. House Ichilia is the strongest House in the Empire now that Pluritac has been split into kingdoms.”
”Nonsense,” Pacha brushed his father's worries away with a grand sweep of his hand. ”I control the central Pluritac lands, and with it thousands of elite warriors. I have already gained fealty from a good many lords under my rule. We can make use of their armies and achieve greatness, even without my dubious uncle.”
”Who? Who in the central kingdom would be bold enough to stand against House Ichilia?”
Rather than focus on Pacha's unrealistic plans, the elder was more concerned with another potential split within the empire.
”There are many lords willing to shake off the shackles of the Ichilia name to strengthen their houses, even more so at the fringes of the kingdom. Lord Rupilo has been a great supporter and introduced me to a great many who think the same as me: The kingdom's center of power needs to remain in the capital.”
”Even if we gain their support, we would only split our strength further! What happens if your brothers attack us!?”
At last the elder had given up on diplomacy. If Pacha didn't stop his headstrong plans, not only the elder's calm days but their very lives would be at risk.
”I don't plan to deny my uncle's help forever. But if we ally, it will be on my terms. We can form a powerful army without House Ichilia. Now all we need is a chance. One single chance to show my abilities as a leader. With success and bounty, even more lords will follow me. Then my uncle will have no choice but to join them, no matter his machinations.”
Just as Caelestis wanted to refute, a knock from the guards outside interrupted him. While the son stood in pride and looked over his plans, the father tiptoed through the maze of maps and soldier figurines on his way to the door.
”What matter disturbs the king?” Only after the elder had allowed entry did the guard slide open the door and let more of the evening light enter their strategy room.
”A letter has been delivered for King Pachacutec. However, the seal given is strange,” the guard said as he held out a paper roll.
With a frown, the elder took the letter and spotted the wax stamp: A stylized tiger about to maul a monkey. Indeed, this was not one of the sigils of Medala nobility. When he turned back around, he saw Pacha bound towards him, the smile of a mischievous boy on his face.
”You can go now,” the king said towards the warrior guard, who closed the door again and marched down the hallway with heavy steps.
”What house could this be?” the elder asked with a frown. At this point it was obvious that Pacha knew more than he let on. Caelestis really didn't like being left out of the loop like this. But the youngster's grin grew even wider, in a way the elder had only ever seen Corco look: Full of slyness and smugness.
”It is from a good friend down south,” the king said as he broke the seal and unrolled the letter.
”You have established allies in Sachay? How can that be possible?” As the elder wondered about Pacha's plans, the king's eyes ran over the letter. Rather than answer, a manic laugh escaped his throat.
”Here, see for yourself.” Under tears, Pacha handed the paper to his father. As the contents of the letter dawned on the elder, his eyes grew and his mouth dried.