Chapter 6 -Games

Two months passed before things began to return to some degree of normalcy. Gregor’s lesson’s resumed, his father kept himself occupied with matters of the empire, his mother and sister were relatively unaffected as his mother was not close to her father-in-law, while Lania was too young to have spent much time with him. Gregor’s grandmother was affected the most. After her husband had died, she saw no one else and shut herself away. Meals were brought to her and she ate in isolation.

No one attempted to console her either, as Gregor and Garshik were too busy trying to keep themselves busy. Her son and grandson had things to do, an empire to run and lessons to attend. But that was fine with her, Zana did not want to see anyone or hear their empty consolations after her self-decreed failings as a wife. She had avoided her own husband for over twelve years, seeing him maybe once every two weeks.

Had Gregor heard this he would have told her that she at least spoke with Garent in the years prior to his death, whereas he had been out touring the empire, absent from his grandfather’s life. But Gregor had not been close to his grandmother, and he was avoiding his own grief, so he distanced himself, and Zana remained alone.

It was not until Lania knocked on her door and called her, telling her grandmother that her flowers in the Garden of Kingdoms were going to die, that Zana wiped her tears and washed her face. She held her granddaughter’s hand and the two walked out to tend to the flowers. She did not do much else anymore. Gregor would see her, kneeling next to the vibrant blossoms, moving slowly, with melancholy and longing decorating her aged features. Day after day she would sit among them, tending to one flower then the next, watching for rodents or harmful insects, making sure that they all stood tall. As he walked by, he would remember how she held her husbands’ hand, kneeling next to his bed. He wanted to reach out and say something, anything, but what was he to say? So he continued to walk, and swallowed as he prayed she would not turn to him.

Garshik had grown more distant, and it seemed like the closeness that Gregor had established with his father over the course of the journey had vanished. His mother had tried comforting him, but at the time he had not realized. It was out of character for her to have showed up to his room and offered the chance to talk, so he was only confused. She had not come again.

Lania wanted to play, but her father and brother were absent, so she spent her time with her mother. For two months the family had maintained their distance.

Then Lania fell ill.

The young princess was confined to her bed, feverish, sweating, with a bucket beside her. Once again, the family found themselves crowded around a bed. Her fever lasted for three days, and the weakness for another three, but at the end of it she smiled once more. It was only after she had recovered that Gregor noticed his family around him, gathered together. Everyone was there. Everyone but grandfather. The thought stabbed his heart, but he had already begun to move on. Gregor saw everyone smiling with tears drying on their cheeks, overjoyed that Lania was well again, and he knew that he had to change how he acted. His grandfather was gone, but his family was still here. Looking at them, he vowed to not take the time for granted.

His father had seemed to hold the same view, and much to Lania’s delight, they began to have dinner together again. Once a week they would eat outside in the garden, underneath the wavering shadow of a towering old sycamore. That was thanks to Lania and Zana, the pair had a table and chairs constructed and placed there. It was far from the kitchens and the servants were often seen out of breath as they hauled around the meals, but that was hardly noticeable when a person did not look for it.

Gregor and his father would go on hunts about once every twenty-two days, practically twice a month. His mother began taking an interest in his studies, and the two would talk, discussing theology and history every few weeks. It had been a year since his grandfather passed, but they had moved forwards as a family.

--

He was returning from fencing and had yet to wash up. His black hair had grown longer, and he had it tied back. His mother had begun to talk about suitors, be he did not yet feel prepared. Why should he have to worry about it if his father had not mentioned it yet? Being the emperor’s son, his wife needed to be a suitable queen. It was not his place to be thinking about it anyway, he had other aspirations. He wanted to be the best damn fighter and strategist in the Felian Empire, not to mention the most learned scholar and supporter of the arts.

After his grandfather had passed away, he had thrown himself into his studies, and found an escape in them. What had used to be a chore had turned into enjoyment, and he expanded his topics of study by his own volition. The one lesson he was missing, were his conversations with his father and grandfather, they were the only reliable sources for learning about the two most important things in life. First and foremost, games and gossip with good company, and second, how to rule and navigate court politics.

Gregor walked outside, finding himself in the garden, enjoying the sun on his aching muscles. The palace walls could be seen a few hundred feet away, and Gregor wondered what he would do if an intruder climbed over them. Would I attack them? I have my rapier in hand. Still, calling the guard would probably be better. What about… He continued to entertain fantastical notions of singlehandedly apprehending what would be a masterful assassin, thereby earning his family’s adoration and respect, proving his worth.

His grandmother rose from where she was kneeling. Gregor had not seen her at first, but he should have known she was going to be there. Sometimes, he wished it were his grandfather that survived. The thought made him feel guilty, but it was true nonetheless, so he did not shirk from it. Out of everyone in the family, it was his grandmother that he spoke with the least. Gregor was going to get up to leave when Zana began walking towards him. He made space on the bench and sat more upright in a show of respect, but as she got closer the spoke up, “It’s okay, relax. You’re just coming back from fencing, aren’t you? The rapier and sweaty forehead gave it away.”

She sat down next to him, and he began to feel conscious of how he smelled, wishing he had bathed before heading to the gardens. But it was not like he had planned to bump into her.

“You never come out here, but it is a beautiful day. The birds are chirping as the wind rustles the leaves. The breeze is nice and cool while the sun is warm. It’s nice enough to make me tolerate poetry, and thus probably perfect after a tiring day. I was just going to have my lunch, would you join me?”

Gregor was taken aback by the offer, but he accepted. He did not remember his grandmother being so forward, or so open. She had his full attention when she spoke up again, “I had wanted to take him out here… to show him the different flowers, tell him what made each of them special, water them together, but it never happened. You look like him, you know? When he was younger, he stood just as tall and had long hair that he tied up. Your eyes are a different color, but they are genuine and honest. Your nose and jaw are slightly different, but I suppose it is inevitable that you resemble your mother as well.”

While Gregor mulled this over and thought about his later grandfather, Zana continued.

“I started looking after flowers because of him. When I was still working under Queen Lidja, he had begun courting me. Only, he had no idea how it should be done. Someone must have told him to bring me flowers, which, I should warn you from now, can be incredibly boring, so keep that in mind. Not that it will matter for you, things work differently here than they did in Tell. There we did not have the same roles that we do here… But that is besides the point, I was talking about your grandfather. The man came to me with flowers, only the flowers were not cleaned, he brought them in a pot, dirt, roots, thorns, and all, sometimes with little critters crawling on them, and once with a poor bee that never did find its way home. Seeing him walk up holding the pot, watching him wait until I was done speaking with others, it was quite endearing. Needless to say, the other ladies of the court were also quite amused. But I kept each of the stinking pots, and before I knew it, I was tending to a dozen different flowers. When I had asked him why he did not give flowers like others, cleaned, and held in a bouquet, he replied saying that he did not want the flowers to die.”

“Can you imagine that? This rising general and champion fighter brought me potted plants because he did not want the flowers to wither away.”

“I was going to marry him then and there, but he asked to wait, so I waited.”

“Then what happened?” Gregor asked, speaking for the first time.

She replied with a sad smile, “Then his brother earned a name for himself.”

--

Garshik sighed, sitting in his personal study. What a dull life. How many years has it been since I’ve done anything new or special. These cursed nobles and governors are making my teeth itch. It’s the same damn stuff for them year after year. No one bothers to attack us either. The only interesting thing that’s happened was the eruption of the volcano far to the east. Since then I’ve had to deal with more refugees. Funny to think that the south-eastern hordes that were once raiding us are now seeking our aid. No matter, empty hands can always be filled.

Boredom plagued the emperor. There was no challenge for him anymore. Everyone was subservient to him, no one questioned his rule or vied for more power. Everyone was content. What an ugly word. He had succeeded too perfectly. The machine he turned the empire into, ran too smoothly. Now there was nothing left to do. Even the rebels that practically worshipped his uncle had been silent. Normally he would have taken that to be the calm before the storm, but their inner structure had been toppled. If anything they were probably just lying dormant and trying to recover, desperately seeking any support. But why would anyone choose to back a rebellion? Especially when things were so nice. Everyone loved the imperial family, they were noble, generous, and clever. They cared for they people and deterred enemies. For once everyone lived in peace. Not a temporary peace, but a lasting one. There was work, food, and entertainment for all. Emperor Garshik even followed Emperor Sienel in his mercy and offered aid to the refugees afflicted by the volcano. He set them up in their own camps and carted food to them, even claiming that he would visit on his next tour of the empire.

The emperor stood up out of his chair and walked over to the window, looking down on the domes and spires of the city below. The arts had flourished in the past nine years. He could see new buildings under construction, scaffolding hiding bits and pieces of them. The main temple was being expanded, and next to it a coliseum was being raised -a tradition imported from Tell, one that had been well received among commoners and nobility alike. In Tell it had served as a way for the men to distinguish themselves in battle, both on their own and leading bands of armies against each other. Often, it was through earning a reputation in the coliseum that men would be offered stations in the army, eventually receiving the privilege of marrying a noble lady that they would represent. Garshik had thought it was a barbaric system then, and his opinion had not changed. The coliseum in Letalona would be used differently. It would be a home for more entertainment. Horse races, plays, music, mock battles, and acrobatics would be featured, but it would not solely be a way to advance ones standing. Generals could still show off their skills, as could fencers, but any gain in social status will be among the people and not be the only way to advance politically. Not to mention, the privileges will be offered to all, and it would not be a requirement to partake in the coliseum’s events.

Perhaps I should invest in shipwrights and sailing. How’s that for a return to one’s roots? The emperor wondered as the sparkling blue of the sea captivated his eyes. Up until then he had focus more on integrating the provinces of Felia by constructing roads and improving the living conditions, but there were now different horizons to explore. Garshik had no interest in the Grand Duchy of Inveria to the east, and his only other neighbors were across the sea to the west, but no one knew what lie to the north or south. The histories would have them believe that their ancestors had come across the ocean, but no ship had verified it. He sighed, muttering, “I suppose I should leave something for Gregor to achieve…”

--

Much to Gregor’s dismay, the servants had arrived with lunch just as the conversation was getting interesting. His grandmother got up as the two of them moved to a table where the various foods could be spread out. It was the first he had heard his grandmother talk about his grandfather’s past, let alone the infamous Tyrant. As they ate, Gregor wanted to ask more, but he could not bring himself to. His grandmother had looked drained after that short conversation and he did not want to pressure her anymore. The emperor’s son had learned with his grandfather that the best way to get people to speak, was to listen without expectation or judgement. So, he did his best to enjoy the food without asking any sensitive questions. With every bite, the passing of time weighed on him more, and he could feel the conversation slipping away. He sighed and resigned himself, focusing on appreciating the moment instead of regretting the missed history.

His grandmother was right, it truly was a beautiful day. He had not expected her to sit down next to him or offer to have lunch, but he found that he was enjoying himself. She was easier to talk to than she had been before, maybe he had just grown. Now she reminded him of his grandfather.

Gregor finished his food and looked around before sighing contentedly. With a smile pulling at his lips, he began to talk, “I wish he were here, eating lunch with us, but he’s moved on now, likely dining with company that is more divine than we are. I barely got the chance to spend time with him before, but our meeting had been the highlight of my week. He would always beat me at draughts, I wonder if I ever stood a chance… Despite all those times we met, I barely knew anything about him… what you told me today is more than he had told me.”

Zana looked at her grandson, sitting back in his chair, “How about the two of us play together?”

“Draughts?”

She nodded.

“You know how to play?”

She nodded again.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to question you, I just… I, grandfather had never told me, and I had not expected you to play.”

Zana was going to laugh and tell him that Garent would not have told him, because she was better at the game than he was, but she kept it to herself. It would be funnier to see the look on his face when they played. Instead, she told him, “Garent taught me how to play a bit, but I may need a refresher.”

“No problem, where do you want to play?”

“The weather has been quite pleasant, so why not just out here?”

“Perfect, in that case, I’ll come tomorrow with board in hand. Same time?”

“I do not have much else to do, I’m just here with my flowers.”

“Okay, for now I need to go wash up, I worry that I will be late to my next lesson.”

After he pushed his chair back under the table, he paused and asked, “could you teach me Kurjen?”

Intrigued, Zana raised her eyebrow and replied, “If you would like me to, now go before you are late.”

She shooed him away and watched as he left, wondering when she would give him the journal that his grandfather left in her care.