Vol 4 Chapter 3 (1/2)

Chapter 3: The Two Princes of Ende

Part 1

Detached from Ende's main palace, the Swan Shrine - commonly called the Water Shrine, was used for all of the rites connected to the ruler. The attendants formed into groups of several people, spread cloths over the crystal floor, and sat down. The pond beneath them showed through the crystal.

On this evening, both princes of Ende were present. They were the Grand Duke's own children and both were still young. Normally the two of them didn't get along in the slightest but tonight, as a ceremony sponsored by the older brother, Prince Jeremie, was being held to pray for the recovery of the Grand Duke's health, the younger brother prince Eric was unable to absent himself.

Nevertheless, if a person from a foreign country were to see this scene, they would have a very hard time believing that such a ritual was in progress.

Indeed, while flutes and citharas were being played, further in on a stage no higher than a single step, several men and women were dancing, to which the people sitting around raised their wine cups, applauded and cheered. Court serving ladies clad in thin clothes carried food and drinks from one person to another, so that from the outside it looked like an ordinary drinking party.

And yet, this was undoubtedly one of Ende's ceremonies.

Once upon a time, the surrounding region had been known as the territory of the Magic Dynasty of Ende and from that time onwards, a belief in spirits had been deeply ingrained within the duchy. It was thought that if everyone merrily made a ruckus, the « ki » would flow in a favourable direction and summon good spirits and, conversely, evil spirits that polluted the hearts and minds of humans would be driven away.

And so, even if Grand Duke Malchio's health had deteriorated over this past year and he now hardly ever showed himself in an official capacity, even if the situation, including that of the country's future, was becoming worrying, everyone laughed, sang, drained their cups and raised a clamour. Such was the country's character.

However, in the midst of such an important ritual,

Tch.

Of all the people around, Ende's second prince, Eric, was the only one whose expression was unpleasant as he drank gloomily.

This ceremony was sponsored by the first prince, Jeremie. As to where Jeremie was, he was dancing on the stage at the centre of a ring. Furthermore, he had put on makeup along with the Court ladies and was wearing tight-fitting women's clothes into the bargain.

While Jeremie was of a scholarly bent of mind, at times like these he understood how to please. The cross-dressing Jeremie's graceful demeanour attracted shouts of joy. However, Eric considered that this so-called solicitude that led to taking the initiative to create an atmosphere in which everyone could enjoy themselves was a weakness on the part those from the Grand Ducal house. Furthermore, he thought it despicable that at a time when their father Malchio was in danger, his older brother appeared to be ingratiating himself with the powerful n.o.bles.

The floor of the Water Shrine was encrusted with stones that looked like colourful jewels, and the light they emitted repeatedly changed colour. As it reflected off the water of the pond, it created dazzling, dreamlike scenes, yet the stones were a sort of magical tool that made use of ether. However much Ende insisted on its authentic link to the ancient magical dynasty, now that ether was drying up worldwide, using it simply to adorn a ceremony – or, speaking of Jeremie's situation, using it to display his power – could only be seen as squandering it.

It's a power that needs to be saved up so that in case of war, airs.h.i.+ps can be flown at any time. Wasting it on something like this, how stupid! Well after all, as head of rites, it fits brother's tastes to protect out-dated traditions and faiths.

Inwardly abusing his brother, Eric drank gloomily.

In fact, among the people of Ende who tended to have flamboyant lifestyles and who loved to gaudily adorn themselves, Eric was something of a heretic. Today again he wasn't dressed in particularly resplendent clothes.

Formal dress for the men of Ende consisted of long clothing tied with a sash and with a collar that hung loosely from the body. Men of high status also usually grew their hair long and weaved it into different shapes, affecting the airs of fops. Eric's appearance however saw him in a plain jacket and trousers, with his hair cut to shoulder length.

In both personality and appearance, he was not the type to s.h.i.+ne at Ende's Court whose creed was one of beauty and luxury.

And so,

Even today, how much is Jeremie really praying for father's recovery? Every day and every night he invites n.o.bles over like this and they raise a ruckus. Using ceremonies as an excuse, doesn't he only want to consolidate his support base as the successor?

He grew more and more bitter against his brother Jeremie who fit in at the court and who was very much the Ende aristocrat. As he clicked his tongue for the umpteenth time that day,

”You mustn't make that kind of face, Eric.”

Without his noticing it, Jeremie had come down from the stage and arrived at his side.

Uh-oh floated in the atmosphere around them, however everyone pretended not to have noticed and kept on drinking. Naturally, at the same time, everyone strained their ears. At present when rumour had it that Grand Duke Malchio might die at any time, an exchange between the two princes stimulated their minds more than food and drink.

”If you don't laugh and behave happily, there is no point to the ritual, is there? Hmm?”

He said as he seemed about to pull his younger brother to the stage, however,

”No, brother. I am such a rustic.” Eric's expression was bitter and he didn't look like he was going to get up. ”If I were to dance and sing, surely even the benevolent water spirit Ei would be offended.”

”What is a successor to the Doria blood doing being so humble? Come now, everyone, my beloved little brother will offer a celebratory performance to Ei.”

Jeremie clapped his hands. Hearing the clanging sound from the golden circlets on his wrists, Eric's expression grew increasingly unpleasant.

Showing off gold bangles from Allion.

Belief in spirits wasn't exclusive to Ende, it was also deep-rooted in the large eastern country of Allion. Those metal bangles however were a unique characteristic of Allion's culture that had been handed down from generation to generation. When singing or dancing, they were jangled together to give the impression that there was a greater number of people and the lively atmosphere this created was said to make it easier to call spirits. Although they shared the ancestry of the same magic dynasty, Eric also thought his brother irredeemable for how he was eager to copy Allion's culture in every way.

At 21, Eric was still young. There were other aspects of Ende's aforementioned culture that he had not adapted to. Without adjusting himself to the place's atmosphere, he fell into sullen silence. Jeremie on the other hand was 25. Seeing his obstinate brother, he uttered ”Good grief” and spread out both his hands at the situation. The surrounding retainers were tempted to smile. Even from such a trifling quarrel, comparing himself and his little brother, he would impress upon them how foolish a creature his brother was,

”Well then, though unworthy, I will be the one to offer a celebratory song to Ei.”

A man next to Eric stood up.

”And you are?”

”Ah. I am called Belmor Plutos.”

With an Oh-ho, everyone took notice of this turn of events.

The house of Plutos was a military family that for generations had protected the northern border of Dairan. They had defended the country against the nomads who had long been scattered across the North. The youths of about the same age who formed Eric's entourage were also from families that served the house of Plutos. And so, unusually for Ende that lavishly praised performing arts and decadent beauty, they were men with a rough atmosphere about them. Prince Eric had been entrusted to the Plutos family from early childhood and his background was originally one of being raised in Dairan.

Although among those with nasty tongues it was said that, Rather than Ende, Lord Eric thus has an air of being a suitable successor for the Plutos family. Eric's personality that was so unorthodox for the Grand Ducal family had certainly been forged from fighting alongside the warriors from the lands of Dairan, shoulder to shoulder, day after day.

Belmor who had just stood up was the second son of the current head of the Plutos family, and he was Eric's childhood friend. As with the surrounding youths, he was something like a va.s.sal under Eric's direct control.

”So, Belmor Plutos. I shall consecrate a song to Ei. Ei's joy invites Yaman, the spirit of good health, and drives out Jhar, the evil spirit of sickness. Everyone, please forgive me for soiling your ears for a short while.”

After this speech, Belmor sang a celebratory song said to invite spirits. While young, a beard covered half of his stern, warrior-like face, yet that voice was so clear one could wonder if it didn't come from a different person. It wasn't simply clear, with its strange traces of childishness, it was a 'cute' voice.

The Court serving maids giggled at that discrepancy while the men also began to cheer as he started to perform an impromptu dance.

Although Eric still looked sour, the ones whose expressions turned bitter were now Jeremie and the va.s.sals who were attempting to win his favour.

The Grand Duchy of Ende's capital, Saphia.

Saphia was popularly called ”the Water Capital”. Ca.n.a.ls ran through the length and breadth of the town, and during the day, gondolas carrying tourists and goods came and went continuously. Naturally bridges were built throughout the town, and as if competing with each other in beauty, each was adorned with various designs.

Nightfall had long since pa.s.sed. Prince Eric was walking along the brick-paved main street with his va.s.sals. Although horse-drawn carriages had been prepared, they had decided to walk in order to sober up.

Slender pillars lined the main street left and right, and on their top end were spheres of about the size that an adult could hold with both hands. A clear light was emitted by the spheres which illuminated their surroundings brightly and cheerfully. Of course, this too was a waste of ether according to Eric.

That fool.

He cursed sneeringly in his thoughts at Jeremie, who had called out to him as he was about to leave the Water Shrine.

”That's Brother for you. Tonight's ceremony was splendid too. More than gathering good spirits, you must certainly illuminate Ende's future.”

”I am happy that you should say so. Tonight was truly enjoyable.”

With the make-up removed, Jeremie's face left a surprisingly flat impression. His eyes, nose and lips were thinly shaped, and he himself had a somewhat insipid air to him. At a glance, he did not have the features of what you could call a handsome man, however his appearance improved dramatically with make-up. Just earlier, he had drawn more attention than the ladies-in-waiting and his good looks were such that it would not be inappropriate to call him a peerless beauty for a woman.

He was well aware of that astonis.h.i.+ng fact and it was curious how he seemed to have a distinct glamour when he gaudily decorated his smooth, flat face. Eric on the other hand had deeply chiselled features that were in no way comparable to his brother's. He had a prominent high-bridged nose and with it strong, virile features, however those looks did not have the kind of feminine beauty that was lauded at Court.

”Now then, Eric. I heard that you rather curtly turned away messengers from Garbera. It is painful for me to talk in this way to my younger brother, but do you intend to take such reckless actions until the situation is past repair?”'

”Nothing less from you, Brother. You have sharp ears,” because he thought that he would be cornered into an argument over the affair with Belmor, Eric answered with unusual sarcasm. ”I would never take reckless actions. This is a reasonable demand against Garbera's rudeness in breaking the betrothal. If we are not given Zaim Fortress, the country's dignity will be tarnished. Did not Father also often say so: a country does not choose its people, the people choose the country. Because Father is ill, if the Grand Ducal House appears to grow timid, someday even the people will abandon it.”

Originally a betrothal between Garbera's third princess, Vileena, and Prince Eric had been on the brink of being decided. Garbera was then in the midst of a ten-year war with Mephius. It might have been hoping to break the status quo in the relations.h.i.+p between the three countries by means of that betrothal.

However, Mephius sensed that move. Thereupon, they very quickly offered peace to Garbera. As a result of having weighed the merits of the two countries of Ende and Mephius, Garbera decided to present Princess Vileena to Mephius. The war had spanned ten long years. Perhaps within Garbera there had already been a feeling of weariness with the war. And so, rather than join with Ende to destroy Mephius, and in order to appeal for peace both at home and abroad, they chose to bind themselves to Mephius through a marital connection.

Or perhaps… Prince Eric pondered: perhaps Garbera hesitated to accept Ende's troops within its borders. Unlike Garbera that was damaged by the war, Ende is unscathed. Did they think we might see it as a good opportunity and attack their capital? They don't trust us, huh. They treat our country as though we were savages.

In reality, in comparison to the length of Ende's history, it had for the most part not been on particularly good terms with either Mephius or Garbera, for which the underlying cause was that it was a closed, insular country. But the young Eric's thoughts did not extend that far, and even if he had realised it, his rage at having been humiliated probably wouldn't have died down.

”For the people, is it,” Jeremie said meaningfully. ”However, the betrothal between yourself and the Garberan princess should have been unofficial to the last. If the people were to learn of it after all this time, there will be no uproar to exact revenge upon the insolent Garbera.”

”Well now”, Eric turned his head, ”The people are unexpectedly discerning. It would not be so strange if they had caught wind of something.”

Naturally, Jeremie saw through the fact that that was Eric's handiwork. He raised his thin eyebrows.

”Certainly Garbera is currently weakened, but even so, this is not something that can be done with your troops alone. If reinforcements were to come from Mephius, you wouldst be helpless.”

”Do not worry. I will only mobilise the ones who approve me. No matter what the result may be, the duchy of Ende's weighty foundations will not waver in the slightest. So please await good news while continuing to hold banquets here in Saphia every night”

That fool.

At that time, he had felt scorn anew for his brother. Jeremie was known as being of the moderate faction, but 'moderate' was to say that he never undertook any action himself. It was equal to the t.i.tle of coward.

For his part, he had been trying to take action for some time. His brother had misgivings about Mephius and talks were already underway. He had sent messengers time after time to emperor Guhl to get him to promise that he wouldn't interfere with this war against Garbera.

In order to get along well with Mephius from here on, and of course in order also to demonstrate strength worthy of the next successor to Ende, before anything else, he had to win this first war against Garbera.

As Jeremie had said, ten years of war immediately followed by Ryucown's insurrection had left Garbera weakened. Since things were beginning to movie with Ende, troops were being a.s.sembled at the border fortress of Zaim, however, according to the scouts he had sent, this was not going smoothly for Garbera. The voices opposed to an alliance with Mephius were still strong, furthermore Zaim was the place where Ryucown, who could be said to be the embodiment of the anti-Mephius faction, had risen up and then fallen. That being the case, Zaim should be a place where Garbera's king, Ainn Owell, would not wish officers and soldiers with even the slightest connection to Ryucown to be sent. If he acted imprudently, internal strife was liable to wreak havoc before even fighting with Ende.

Given its state of affairs, Garbera would want to avoid a drawn-out war – such was Eric's a.s.sessment. And all the more so if Mephius in whom they had placed their trust didn't act. Therefore, crus.h.i.+ng them from the outset and thereupon being given territories and resources was how he should conclude peace with them. That would be enough as a show of power.

”Belmor”, Eric suddenly called out while they were going along the night road.

”Yes?”

”How are the provisions of ether going?”

”I sc.r.a.ped around merchants from the coastal regions and one way or another I was able to buy some. We'll easily be able to fly a hundred airs.h.i.+ps.”

”So that’s all the s.h.i.+ps we'll have to hand,” Eric returned an earnest answer even to the joking of his va.s.sal who was in high spirits. However, the warriors who served the Plutos family were used to it. ”My brother who cares for nothing except spirits and banquets, I'll show him!”

”Ah. Once we strike at Zaim, even those grandees won't have any choice but to recognise our lord's strength.”

They were gallant youths. Their pride and conceit came from having fought day after day against the remote savage tribes of Dairan. They also looked down on the current grandees of Ende who had deliberately sat on the fence during the ten-year war between Mephius and Garbera. The likes of Jeremie had naturally never stood where actual fighting was taking place. If such people were to seize supremacy, Ende would degenerate into a weak country in which only the smell of face powder and perfume would be conspicuous.

”That reminds me, it seems a messenger from Allion wanted to meet you yesterday.”

”I was told they would lend a.s.sistance” Eric sent a somewhat dark look at the luminous ether spheres. ”Well, I gave a suitable answer. If possible, I don't want to borrow Allion's help. It could do what it likes with this current Ende.”

Allion was a major power. Under the pretence of lending its strength, it was obvious that it was starting to extend its grasp to the centre of the continent. Did his brother Jeremie who so admired Allion even realise that?

Either way, if Ende didn't stand on its own it would have no future, such was the thought that Eric's heart and mind were intent upon.

As for Mephius, I hear that the war with Taúlia has ended.

Although no hint of it had come out of his mouth, there was slightly troubling information for him.

Guhl deliberately sent a small force to Apta to create a chance for Taúlia's army to attack. And when war broke because of that, he was probably going to use it as a pretext for not sending reinforcements to the allied country of Garbera...

As the lights overhead cast Eric's deeply chiselled features into shadow, his expression was concealed even from the nearby Belmor.

It's said that Taúlia attacked Apta twice and then, by some process or another, they immediately reached an alliance.

The lord of Apta castle was Gil Mephius. The crown prince of whom there had not been a single good report. In fact, the neighbouring countries had considered that the day that man became emperor, Mephius that was so proud of its military valour would inevitably be weakened. And yet, from the time of his first campaign when he had subjugated Ryucown, that name had occasionally come to be heard.

Even if it was a fluke, or even if he is blessed with good retainers, he must be a man with exceptionally good luck.

His expression morose, Eric continued walking.

Part 2

That fool.

Jeremie for his part was sneering at his younger brother.

He was in one of the rooms of the main palace. An embroidery of gold and silver thread on black velvet was spread over the walls and three-cornered shelves were crammed with books, rare old ones as well as new publications. It was Jeremie's personal study.

The banquet had ended half an hour ago. Within the wine cup that Jeremie was turning on his palm was something that hadn't been served at the feast earlier, namely black water lily powder of which he had added a single pinch.

That cur, I gave him advice as he was leaving and he openly looked down on me.

At that time, Jeremie truly lamented that his younger brother was popular due to his meritorious military service. However, in truth it could be said that the current situation was progressing entirely according to his expectations.

It seemed like Eric was pretending to be enraged at Garbera for going back on the alliance agreement, but of course that probably wasn't his only reason for rising to action. He must be impatient now that Grand Duke Malchio's life was at risk and that it was rumoured that he chosen his eldest son Jeremie as a worthy successor to Ende, and because of that was in a hurry to show off his strength in front of the va.s.sals.

Regarding the next successor as the Grand Duke, Jeremie had not himself clearly obtained his father's agreement. However, he had deliberately set about the rumour that he seemed to have been chosen. And when the va.s.sals asked him whether this was true or not, he did not deny it outright.

”Really, you shouldn't hurry too much. I too am still green. Grand Duke Malchio Le Doria needs to remain in good health until I have grown to adulthood.” He would say some such thing and smile.

Whether it was circulating the information of Garbera's current weakening, or whether it was encouraging his little brother's self-conceit by pretending not to know about the exchange of promises between Mephius and Eric, all of it was for the sake of getting his brother to take military action.

As had become clear at this evening's ritual, Eric was not popular at Court. Even though he was not hated or shunned, he was a man who was poor at both laying the groundwork and at flattery. He was not the type to be able to navigate through the Court, where, beneath the flowery words that flitted all about, money and suspicious transactions whirled.

Since he himself understood that, he usually retired to the northern region of Dairan.

After all, he is more suited to riding horses there and waving his sword at barbarians.

”However, that Dairan...”

As spoke the name of that place, Jeremie's thin lips twisted slightly. As Dairan could be said to be Eric's base of power, it could also be said to be the only region that was a nuisance to Jeremie. It had its own local particularities and the people who were gathered there were different in nature from those of Ende's centre. That place was completely unlike Jeremie's predilection, which was for the scent of face powder and perfume, the swirling of intrigue and desire; there it was fodder and steel, the stench of gunpowder hung over it and swordsmans.h.i.+p and valour were praised.

That land is an obstacle to my becoming Grand Duke.

The problem wasn’t that the northern border risked being breached but that, even supposing Eric were to take a step away from the power struggle, the warriors from that region who could not accept Jeremie might appoint Eric as their leader and raise the banner of revolt. But say he were to decide to treat Eric in a way that kept him away from Dairan, in that case his dissatisfaction and that of the people of Dairan might grow even more violent.

Although Jeremie disdained his younger brother as 'a man without a brain', his existence itself was something he had never made light of.

”Are you there, Hezel?”

”Yes.”

Behind Jeremie, something like a black spot could be seen to materialise and s.h.i.+ft into the shape of a black-clad human being. Although its arrival was such that one could only think that it had appeared by a.s.similating with the shadows, or perhaps by teleportation, Jeremie didn't seem surprised.

”Eric is finally sending forces towards Garbera. How did the divination for their success come out?”

”Because many matters are not settled, the details are as though covered by dark clouds and cannot be seen. However this war will by certainly not be a disadvantageous move for Prince Eric.”

”Really, it can't be said that sorcery is convenient to use!”

Ende's ”Bureau of Sorcery” was a special organisation that wasn't to be found in other countries. Composed of 32 sorcerers in all, it had connections to the political centre only through the reliance and requests of the Grand Ducal house and the n.o.bles. Although it was called sorcery, it couldn't achieve the various kinds of miracles – blowing away a mountain, cleaving straight through the ocean – that were brought forth during the ancient magic dynasty of king Zodias. At most it was to a degree where they divined the future through the agency of spirits, supervised festivals or functions handed down from ancient times, and, because they were well-versed in geography, history, medicine, philosophy and every kind of learning, bestowed their varied wisdom on statesmen.

Although it was said that among them there were those possessing the power to move boulders or to produce fog, but it was well-nigh impossible to use them for things like a.s.sisting with public engineering works or for gaining an advantage in war. Besides, they were said to be uninterested in politics, or even in the very life and death of Ende itself.

Furthermore, their foreknowledge of the future was no more than a sort of fortune-telling or prediction. Because the Bureau of Sorcery was said to have ama.s.sed all possible knowledge from the creation of the universe to the present day, their predictions that were backed by this knowledge had unusually strong authority, however what Jeremie currently wanted was a clear picture of the future.

Aware of what was on his mind, the man dressed in black called Hezel elaborated in more detail,

”As I stated previously, it is first of all a fact that Garbera has been weakened by Ryucown's rebellion. There is still a large number of people opposed to the alliance with Mephius and there is a trend amongst those who did not rush to take part in his uprising to openly view him a hero.”

”Hmm”, Jeremie a.s.sented. He had deliberately diverted that information towards Eric.

In addition, Ende – or rather, Jeremie – had also partic.i.p.ated in Ryucown's rebellion. When Ryucown was going to rise to action, it was at Jeremie's own discretion that a secret messenger was received at Ende's Court. He had promised to supply Zaim with goods and provisions, and by prolonging Ryucown's life as much as possible, he intended to entrap Garbera into chaos.

After which, would he aim for Mephius or would he aim for the weakened Garbera? In any case, he had judged that this would be an opportunity to break the stalemate between the three countries.

In other words, although in comparison to his younger brother, Jeremie was rumoured to be of the moderate faction, in fact that calmly deliberate prince had taken action earlier than Eric.

Hezel continued,

”Furthermore, however much the newly appointed protector of Zaim, Prince Zenonn Owell, is a military commander of considerable repute, he is not particularly shrewd. And he is on bad terms with Noue Salzantes, who displays exceptional innate intelligence. Garbera's king made a mistake in his choice of who to send. Since those two are unable to work well together, they will not be able to make a full demonstration of power. As long as talented people have a good affinity for each other, even if they are individually weak, together they can multiply their strength two or three times over. Those two however will drag each other down and neither will be able to demonstrate even half of their natural abilities.”

”I see. Everything is to my brother's advantage and is further developing to his advantage.”

Jeremie drank a mouthful of the wine cup's contents and savoured the taste. For a moment he closed his eyes in ecstasy at that stimulus then,