"We need to finish up the reflectors right away. I can't know what my brothers have planned for the banquet, but I guarantee you we'll need these by tonight."

After he had spent the night at the Saqartu mansion, Corco had gone on a shopping spree in the outer city all morning. After all, tonight's banquet promised nothing but trouble, and he needed to prepare for all eventualities. If nothing else, the prince could at least guess a few hurdles his brothers might make him jump on his return. Of course, he could not prepare for everything, especially not with what little time they had left him with. Since the 'evening banquet' would, in true Medala fashion, actually start around noon and run long into the night, he would have to delegate the work he couldn't finish up before. Of course, he had already decided to keep Fadelio out of the line of fire, so his attendant would be in charge of the final preparations.

However, as they turned into the Saqartu mansion's courtyard, he realized that even his remaining time would be cut short. A surprise guest had appeared at his uncle's mansion, one who would take up all of his attention.

"Grandfather!" A smile all over his face, Corco ran towards the old man who had waited for them at the Saqartu mansion's entrance. Of course, Elder Caelestis Viribus Pluritac looked nothing like an 'old man'. Despite being over eighty years old, the elder looked like a handsome man in his fifties, with his tall, upright stature and the grayed temples to accentuate his raven-black hair. Once again, Corco was reminded of the miraculous powers of the Pluritac cultivation technique.

"Wawalaqhis. I'm glad you are back safe!" As Corco walked up to his grandfather, the old man adressed the prince by his childhood nickname, while he stepped up to meet his descendant half-way. Back in Corco's youth, the elder had been the first to call him by the name, which translated to small raven in the Yakua language. Back when he had asked him, Caelestis had told Corco that he thought of the name because the crown prince had been small, dark-skinned and clever, just like the raven in the old stories.

"Obviously I am. How could I not be safe?" Corco grinned to relieve his grandfather's worries.

"Please come in and have a seat. Lord Saqartu was so accommodating as to provide me with a guest room. On my trip to the western plains, I managed to acquire a quality tea as well. We should have a taste together."

"Sure, Grandfather. Fadelio!" Corco turned to his attendant.

"Yes, Master."

"Sorry about this, but you'll have to go out to the camp and finish up our work by yourself. Oh, and get one of uncle's messengers to tell Primus that he'll be working as my attendant today. Since you'll be indisposed and all."

"Yes master. Of course, I will also inform Lord Petrocilius," Fadelio reminded his master.

"I doubt he would mind, but we probably should just in case. Good luck." Once he had arranged everything for the evening and freed up his schedule, Corco followed his grandfather inside.

After the two Pluritacs had sat down on their chairs, two servants brought out the prepared tea and filled two cups. While the servants were still busy setting the table, Caelestis opened the conversation.

"I heard what happened two nights ago. How is your arm?" the elder asked with a frown. Within the confines of the palace, the only people who had ever worried about Corco had been his mother, his father and his grandfather Caelestis. Unlike every other northerner, the elder had always treated him as equal to his brothers. Now that both of his parents were dead, Caelestis was the only firm ally Corco had left in his father's family.

"It's just a scratch. The wound should heal nicely." Corco lifted his arm to show that he was fine, although he refused to mention that he had his stitches redone just yesterday.

"If only I had been there. Those traitors would not dare!" The old man hit the table and spilled the precious tea before they could taste it. With an awkward grin he looked down at the little puddle, before he took up the cup for his first sip of what was left of the expensive brew. Patient beyond what he would afford others, Corco waited until Caelestis had recovered his composure.

"Do you know who did it?" the old man asked.

"Been investigating it yesterday, but the trail is already cold. Someone is very diligent with the cover-up," Corco said with a sneer. A tired sigh escaped the elder in response, his face slack and tired.

"Haaah... Maybe it is for the best. Another fight in the palace would only lead to more instability."

"Well, I'm not the one starting the fights. Just watch out for that farce of a banquet later on. They'll jump me like a dog in heat."

In response to Corco's vitriol, Caelestis sighed again.

"I hoped you could get along with your brothers. This is the second reason I am here now, before the start of the banquet." Even though his grandson had always been obedient in his presence, Caelestis shifted around on his seat and turned his cup in his hand. It took a long time before he continued. "These are the times we live in. Things have become so complicated that an old man cannot even visit his grandson anymore without a deeper purpose."

Even though the elder had come for more than a family visit, Corco sipped his tea and waited for Caelestis to continue.

Bitter and way too spicy, was his honest evaluation.

"First we have to make sure you won't stumble tonight. How is your wardrobe? If you want to avoid an incident, every aspect of your appearance will need to be meticulous."

"An ocean blue tunic and a simple blue headband. Two simple rings: one coral and one amber. My silver triquetra necklace and silver gauntlets. We actually had to buy most of it today. I already had a tunic at least, but that one bled through, so we got a new one."

Showing off his wide smile, Caelestis narrowed his eyes and leaned back in his chair. For the first time since they had sat down, the elder seemed content.

"Good, Good. Blue to honor the dead, the rings to represent north and south, the pendant for the family, the silver for wealth and the gauntlets for might. If those estates dare to criticize your wardrobe, they will have to deal with me."

"Thank you, grandfather. Anything else I need to know for later?"

At once the elder's carefree attitude disappeared, as a frown spread over his face like dark clouds on a summer day.

"Pacha has prepared for a stargazing brawl. When we were at the Ichilia estate, he borrowed some elite warriors from his uncle. He will most likely attempt a challenge tonight."

"If that's all they have prepared then there's nothing to worry about. I'm sure I can deal with my baby brother," Corco joked. "Though why were you in Huaylas anyways? My arrival should have been known to the palace long ago. Not that I would blame you, grandfather. It's just..." he trailed off, as he raised his hands in defense.

"I understand, Laqhis. I will have to explain before my grandson hates me," the elder said with a chuckle. "Since so many warriors and lords have been collected in the capital over the past months, our granary began to run low on rice and wheat. I have been responsible for everyday governance in the grand court, so I had to travel to Huaylas and ask the Ichilia people to transport more rice upstream. Although I don't like to depend on them, it was the only way to tide us over the winter. Since I have taken responsibility of the court, matters have been... difficult."

"No way. You should have done fine, grandfather. You sat on that throne yourself, after all." In defiance of his grandfather's humble attitude, Corco smiled and offered a nod of encouragement. No matter what, the prince couldn't imagine that the former Emperor Caelestis would struggle with the day-to-day affairs of the court.

"I was not born to rule, I always knew that," Caelestis replied with a sad smile, "even back when I was emperor. I tried my best, but my achievements were few. That is, after all, why I made way for Titu so soon. Over the past seasons, the memories of the past come back to haunt me every day. I try my hardest, but without a real emperor to sit the throne, there will only be ever more problems. The wolves smell blood, and they are closing in." Lost in thought, Caelestis looked out the window. For a while the family members traded silent sips of tea, before the elder made an outrageous request.

"Laqhis. I want you to give up on the throne."

"Grandfather, what are you saying?" Dumbfounded, Corco's eyes widened as he stared at the man he considered his ally. However, by now his grandfather's eyes had firmed up. The old man had made his decision.

"I know, I understand. But please hear me out," he gestured for Corco to calm down. In response, the youngster leaned back in his chair. Rather than make assumptions, he had decided to listen until the end. He owed his grandfather at least that much.

"Look, you boys are brothers, and family is more important than anything. That has always been true. Any place, any time. These days, House Pluritac is under attack. Those Arcavians, those damn orientals, have crossed the seas and seen our splendor. Now they plan to take what is ours, for they have none of their own. Even at home, the other estates dream of days passed, of a time before the silver throne ruled Medala, a time of barbarity. Laqhis, our family is attacked from within and without! The only way to prevent the apocalypse the old priests have predicted is to elect a new emperor right now!

As he spoke on, the elder's body leaned forward, as an ever faster stream of words broke through.

"The longer you and your brothers fight, the weaker the family will become. I have already talked to Amautu, but now that his devious Chutwa teacher has poisoned his ear, he won't listen to a word I have to say. But your arrival gives us a chance! Even if you win over all the lords of Medala, they will never get a chance to vote you emperor if the Ancestral Hall won't nominate you. However, the ancestors have rescinded your title as crown prince and they won't restore it again. Believe me, I sit with these old geezers all the time. In principle, I am one of them. They would rather see the twin isles sink into the sea than admit their mistakes.

"Even moreso, now that House Pluritac is in crisis, the Ichilias have become the most powerful clan in Medala. Neither they nor their allies will ever support you. However, they firmly stand behind Pacha. If you could just give up on the crown and support him instead, all our problems would be solved. The family retains its strength, the empire is stable and you brothers can lay down your differences before the family tears itself apart. Please at least consider, Laqhis. Pacha is a good boy, and he values loyalty. If you support him now, you will want nothing in your life. I can guarantee you that."

"And leave the empire to that shrew Spuria and her den of snakes?" Corco replied with a sneer. Although Pacha looked like a puppet of the Ichilia clan to Corco, his grandfather frowned at the prince's demeanor.

"No matter what problem you might have with Lady Ichilia and her brother's house, they are still one of the estates. Even if they challenge our authority, they wil always do it within our ancient rules, rules which have secured our family's position for centuries. Lord Ichilia can conspire all he wants, but at least he is a Yaku, unlike those foreigners who stand behind Amautu. You underestimate Pacha, Laqhis. As a woman, it will be impossible for Lady Ichilia to stretch her influence beyond the small court anyways. If we combine our strengths now and cease our squabbles, we can contain the Ichilia estate with one hand."

For a while, Corco sat and watched his grandfather's nervous appearance. His eyes flittered across the room and his fingers had begun to turn his cup again. Of course the prince understood how hard it must have been for the honorable man to make this kind of shameless request. Even then, he had done so to guarantee the future of House Pluritac. Corco could never hate his grandfather for his focus on family. In fact, the elder's line of thought made a lot of sense once he calmed down to think about it. Thus, Corco only answered with difficulty, after a deep sigh.

"Grandfather, you know how much I respect you, but I can't follow your wish. Not on this. I understand what's best for the family, but that's not my biggest priority right now. I want to serve not only our house, but the Yaku people. I want to serve anyone who lives on this land. You know, back in Arcavia, I think I found a path to guide them into a better future. Tonight, I'll meet up with Pacha. If I can truly believe that he will be a good emperor, if I can believe that I'll be able to follow this path under him, as his advisor, I don't mind stepping back." For a Medalan prince, it wasn't unusual to become his brothers advisor, if he supported his brother's claim early on. In contrast, the princes who opposed the eventual emperor would end up exiled on an island in the eastern or western sea, if they were lucky. The unlucky ones would simply disappear, erased from history.

"Thank you Laqhis. Please give the boy a fair chance. That is all I ask for," Caelestis said as his face relaxed at last. His hands swung around to prove the man's confusion. Even though it had been conditional, the old man must have not expected Corco to agree to the request.

"But he best show some sincerity. Have him show up here before the banquet. And tell him to visit his father for heaven's sake. From everything I've seen so far, his attitude is a serious problem."

"I will talk to him and make him understand. Pacha will understand the wisdom in reliance on his own family over the Ichilia clan," the old man said with a vigorous nod. Somehow, Corco felt that Caelestis had taken his conditions too lightly, as if Corco had already given up on the throne. Accompanied by another frown, he decided to stress his determination one last time.

"Tell him clearly: If the kid makes any trouble, I'll cling to the throne with my dying breath, even if I'm doomed to fail."