104 Triumvirate Meeting (1/2)
For the third time since his return, Fadelio stepped through the wide halls of Pluritac castle, past the now-familiar opened gate and into a large, triangular room. Even though the Yaku would show much creative freedom in their architecture, which included many rounded structures and open rooms, a triangle was an unusual shape even in Medala. However, Fadelio entered the strange room for a reason, since inside this symbolic hall, the Triumvirate of Kings would meet for the third time.
With measured steps, the warrior marched to the large table with the outline of a triquetra and sat on one of the three sides. The table itself was still fresh, specially built to symbolize the unity of House Pluritac and the Medala Empire, despite everyone's better knowledge. After the Nobles' Assembly had split Medala between the princes, it had been decided that the three new kings of Medala would meet here every ten days. Even though the new kings should have jointly administered the empire from this room, two of the kings hadn't shown up for any of the previous two meetings.
While one of the Fastgrade clerks took a seat next to Fadelio, representative of the still absent King Corco, the warrior himself acknowledged the presence of the other parties in the room with a short nod. To his right sat Amautu, the only king who had attended every single Triumvirate Meeting so far. From across the table, the King of the North replied in kind, before he turned to his side, where Amautu's ever-present shadow, the Chutwa teacher Ichtaka, sat ready to offer his advice to the young king.
Unhappy with the influence the strange teacher had gained within the court, Fadelio turned his head further, to the quiet priest who occupied a corner of the room. Since no one else had been deemed impartial enough during the succession, the priests had been tasked with hosting the Triumvirate Meeting, although their role was mostly ceremonial.
After Fadelio had taken a seat, he looked at the final, still emptied side of the table. King Pachacutec's representative was late. So far, Lord Divitius Ichilia had represented King Pacha, and done little more than block motions put forth by the other two kings. However, Divitius had left the capital two days prior. If rumor was to be believed, there had been a violent disagreement between the Ichilia lord and his nephew before his departure, so the warrior was curious who would replace Divitius in the upcoming meeting. In spite of his best guesses, answer to his question shocked him.
Soon after all others had taken their seats, the door to Fadelio's left opened and the last member of the triumvirate stepped inside. Fadelio's clerk halted the feather quill in his hand as he realized just who had come to represent the central kingdom. To everyone's surprise, King Pacha himself had appeared at the table, although Fadelio had a hard time to connect the strange man before him to King Pacha's previous self.
Rather than the long, unbound hair which had made him famous in Arguna, the young hero had shorn his head completely. Overcome with some madness, he hadn't even left behind the hair Corco had spared in their duel. His lack of hair only further accentuated his deformed face. Although the wounds and bruises from Pacha's fight with Corco had disappeared, the hero's straight nose had become crooked, and his left eye socket had moved up, which gave the king's left eye an eternal squint.
Unlike his previous dress code, the king didn't wear his gaudy, golden armor either. Instead, he had put on a simple red tunic, while his injured right arm was solidly bound to his side with strips of silk. With a grim face, and without taking notice of his fellow triumvirate members, Pacha stepped up to the table and took a seat.
*Interesting.*
The change in appearance together with rumors of disunity within the central kingdom had given Fadelio all kinds of ideas. Not only Pacha's change was remarkable, he had also come without any adjutant beyond a few low-ranked servants, foregoing the advice of his mother or father in governance. As the warrior was still focused on the implications of Pacha's sudden change, the small, quiet priest in the corner stood and moved up to the table's point, opposite of King Pacha, before he rang a small gong and began to speak.
”Once more the kings unite, to decide the fate of their people. As the third Meeting of Kings, today's speaker shall be King Pachacutec, King of the Center. Blessed with the authority of emperor, the speaker shall propose measures to further the greatness inherent within the immortal Empire of Medala. Once more, ratification of the speaker's proposal shall depend upon agreement from one of the remaining two kingdoms. Word lies with the speaker.”
After another sound of his gong, the priest sat back down again. His simple, dry speech finished, the priests role in the proceedings was already over. In his stead, Pacha pulled a few pieces of paper from his left sleeve and cleared his throat. Sunk into his own documents, the king read read for a while before he looked over to Fadelio from the corner of his narrowed eyes.
”The central kingdom motions to raise an army from its estates. The troops will march to suppress the chaos King Corcopaca's inability has caused in the south, and deliver justice for the greedy King Corcopaca's selfish acts.”
Rather than focus on the immovable Pacha, Fadelio looked over to Amautu, who furrowed his brow in response to the bold motion.
”King Pachacutec, do you believe it wise to begin another war with the south at this time? The foreigners are still active after all. The kings should show unity, at least until a better deal can be achieved with the merchants of Arcavia.”
Amautu alluded to a motion which had passed without much trouble in a previous meeting. After the assassination of two foreign merchants at the hands of the former prime minister, the tone in negotiations between Borna and Cahlia on one side and Medala on the other had become much rougher. In response, Amautu had proposed for the kings to coordinate themselves in further negotiations with foreign dignitaries, as well as an unconditional ceasefire between the kingdoms until the foreign threat could be detained. Not only Divitius Ichilia, Fadelio himself had also agreed to the motion. After all, any duration of peace would give them more time to build up strength. With enough time, Corco's kingdom would crush any enemies to face them.
”Uncle Divitius does not speak for this king,” Pacha answered curtly. ”Rather than be focused on some benign foreign merchants, this king believes it more prudent to quell the unrest caused by uprisings in the south, as well as to stand up to injustice and regain the property of the imperial clan.”
While Pacha made his outrageous case, Fadelio turned to look at the clerk he had brought with him. After the man had stenographed the central king's words, Fadelio looked up to see that both parties had waited for his response. He himself pretended to think for a few more seconds, just enough to imply a slow reaction, before he answered with a confused frown.
”King Pacha, what uprisings would those be?”
”First would be the troubles within the Villca estate. This king has been informed that the land is now split between multiple pretenders for the seat of patriarch. These uncertainties need to be resolved as soon as possible, as Cashan is a central trading hub for Medala. Any disruption within the territory could radiate out and cause unrest in all our lands. In order to stabilize Cashan, a single ruler needs to be elected soon, with the help of outside force if necessary. However, since King Corcopaca seems to lack the strength to reign in his people, the armies of the empire will provide assistance.” Pacha answered with the same grim look as before, but this time there was an unmistakable twinkle in his eye.
*Another transparent ploy, huh?*
Annoyed by the new king's lack of subtlety, Fadelio shot back.
”True. As we all know, giving the land to one single ruler would be best for the people and for the empire.” With narrowed eyes, the warrior stared at Pacha for a while, but the king wouldn't budge, despite his obvious hypocrisy. It would be up to Fadelio himself to move the conversation along. ”In that case, which of the potential successors should inherit the Villca estate, if King Pachacutec won't mind my asking?”
”This king believes that the oldest son Epunamo would be the most fitting successor to represent the House. Not only is he the oldest heir, with the strongest claim according to tradition, he is also a more moderate force compared to his warmongering brothers. Once young master Epunamo is in power, there would be no more reason for conflict between north and south.”