It was beyond Bartoc's expectations that their goods would be highly in demand, which was why on the eighth day of the king's wake, the baker ran out of his excl.,Ousive in,gredients. Thus, he directed his assistant to hurry back to Carthen and bring him the raw goods from which he bakes his uniquely flavored pastries.
Riordan, in his youthfulness and innocence in sole expeditions, braved to answer his master's request regardless the fact that it was his first trip alone. He was assured that the baker was well aware of what he demanded. It was early in the morning and the sun was beginning to rise, surely, there is no danger in the road most commonly followed by traders who travel between Solatrix and Gobhy. So Riordan thought while he made his way, mounted on a mule, to the infamous northern exit of the capital city. His thinking was occasionally disturbed by the sound of the cart dragged by his beast.
He continued to ponder over the actuality of his first lone journey even while he was already in the other side of the gates. The route was not new to him but the strangeness of journeying alone penetrated deeper into his emotions, as he perceived the gradually deserting paths outside the city. Riordan's wonderings only totally left him when he spotted a pair of sandaled feet protruding from a wild bush alongside his gritty path.
Scared yet overcome by his curiosity, he dismounted the mule and slowly approached the distractive view. His troubled instinct allows him the awareness that such could be somebody left lying under the bush. The question that overpowered him however was the identity of the persona and the reason behind why that person was there. When he was nearest to the body, he precluded himself from progressing further and shook the feet aiming to awaken the supposed asleep entity. However, the figure made no response. Realizing this, the baker's assistant swallowed his dread and pulled the person out of its hiding place. Then his curiosity proved weaker than his fear.
The feet actually belonged to the patriarch's acolyte whom he had known the other day. It was Jiro, unconscious and with a bleeding head. Recognizing the person and driven by his sympathetic inquisitiveness, Riordan rushed to carry the body. He placed it in the cart and turned his mule back to the city. Then he hurriedly brought the injured acolyte to the home of Mia.
The baker was in the kitchen when he heard the stones that crackle at the wheels of the cart. He recognized the sound and then popped his head out of the window to question the sudden return of his aide. When he saw the young man, the latter was taking the body of the unconscious acolyte from the cart into the house.
With no further ado, Bartoc made his way to the entry. When he presented himself to his assistant, he did not hesitate to offer a hand. Together, they laid the body on the couch that occupied Mia's living room. Soon, the mistress appeared. Finding out what happened, she attended to the injuries of the young man. After aid was handed over to the patient, Mia left to call for a doctor. She allowed the baker's assistant to watch over the acolyte while Bartoc returned to his tasks.
The moment Riordan was arranging the foods prepared for the patient, the unconscious Jiro regained his sanity and carefully opened his eyes. At first, the acolyte did not recognize the set however, when he discovered the presence of the baker's assistant, he panicked to stand from the couch. His sudden movement caused the injury in his head to ache. This prevented him from making further actions.
"Do not hasten," Riordan told Jiro as he aided the acolyte to settle in the couch, "you are not yet well."
"Why am I in here?" were the first words delivered by the patriarch's aid. "Were you responsible for the assault last night?"
Riordan remained calm regardless the accusation. He maintained the verity that the acolyte only recovered from a serious accident and was unaware of what occurred. Thus, he told the other: "I was in my way back to Carthen this morning when I found you lying un-conscious, head bleeding, along my path. I recognized who you are and immediately handed as much aid as I can. I brought you back here in the city and Mia, the homeowner of this house attended to you. She is currently away searching for a doctor while my master continues to bake in the kitchen. I am not knowledgeable about whatever accident you came across. Thus if it will be no worry, I pray you to relate the occurrence."
Jiro snorted and answered: "You proved your untrustworthiness; I resort not to disclose any information to you."
Riordan smiled and sat beside the acolyte. He looked at the other young man and said, "I am a person who grew under the virtuous care of the baker Bartoc and I assure you that I am a rightful man. However, there are times when my interest overpowers my virtuosity resulting me to grab opportunities beyond my reach. I do not assert that you recover the trust that I have failed to prove to you but I only pray you to know that I regret what I have committed. Do not look at me that way for I did not show who I really am." After he had spoken, he stood and continued: "I am leaving for Carthen. I need to fetch ingredients for my master's breads. I leave you under the custody of Mia and the initiative of your own self." Then he walked to disappear behind the kitchen door.
Jiro liked the boy's address. He pondered over his gentle words and allowed them to gradually terminate the inappropriate image he had of Riordan in his memory. Then he laid himself comfortably and closed his eyes.
The next thing he saw was the memory of the assault. He witnessed the guards approach him and Adriel as they were making their journey the previous night. He felt guilt as he remembered leaving the squire under the attacks of the fierce men. Then he thought of the phoenix. He recalled the advices of the courtiers and the trust handed over to him by the patriarch. The realization of their failure scared him so much that his next vision contained fearless frozen peaks and violent monsters. He opened his eyes and breathed deep as he realized those were only in his dreams.
"Ah, you are awake," he heard a female voice welcome him.
He searched the room and found a woman standing side by side with an aged man in the far corner of the chamber. He remembered the words of Riordan and knew that they were Mia and the doctor.
"That is not a very serious injury," the aged man affirmed. "After a while of rest, you will be able to recover the former strength you have. Your body will only weaken for a moment."
Jiro made a question: "Will the baker's assistant be back soon?"
Mia replied with a smile, "He went to Carthen. Probably he will be back four days after now."
"I have to see the patriarch in the soonest that I can. There is a grave report he must know without delay." Having said so, the acolyte started to stand up. Mia and the doctor rushed to help him.
When he was standing, he tightened the bandage that remained on his head and told the two: "I will repay you for such kindness. But now I must go."
"Will you be fine?"
"Yes, I will be, lady. Thank you for the concern." Then he made his way out of the house.
For the next half of an hour, Jiro walked from Mia's humble abode to the patriarch's palace. His steps were slow since the ache in his heavy head had not yet been very relieved. He held on his forehead as he walked supporting the weight of his weak head. For more than once, he dragged himself to a wall leaning against it until he recovers from the pain of an occasionally evident ache. His eyes dimmed, and would even deceive him with spinning visions of what lay before him. The acolyte knew his journey was not very advisable but he strengthened his will in the name of what he ambitions to uncover.
Regardless his consistent halts and strange crisscrossing steps, nobody took notice of Jiro along the way, but not until he reached the small square in between the cathedral and the prelate's home where a fellow acolyte came across him.
Immediately, the report about the injured acolyte was brought to the knowing of Patriarch Nelariz who was then counseling with Prince Ken and the ten courtiers in the cathedral gallery, which opens into the apse.
Hearing about his faithful aid in such a state, the ecclesiastic dismissed the nobles and hurried back to his palace aiming to witness the lad.
When they were alone in his office, after the patriarch removed his richly embroidered red chasuble to reveal the sakkos and black cassock he wore inside, the elder questioned, "What happened?" The tone of his voice presented anxiety.
Trying his best not to preclude the truth from being disclosed, Jiro related in a low monotone the totality of the ill-fated experience he and the squire had the previous night. When these were all told, he then added the story of Riordan's generosity and the aid handed over by Mia's household.
Throughout Jiro's narration, the prelate listened very attentively. There were moments when he exhibited the emotion of surprise; however, he contained his calm mood. It was only after Jiro affirmed that he was done when the patriarch made his comment: "Something is rotten in this kingdom." He pondered over his words for a while before he continued, "We tried to protect ourselves from extrinsic dangers not taking into consideration the probability that greater perils lie within."
As if not understanding the elder's statement, Jiro clarified: "Are you not enraged with the failure?"
Patriarch Nelariz replied: "Why should I blame anybody for a mistake which I know I myself committed? If I were not a part of the scheme then I may at least become enraged however because I am one of those who made up the idea, then I must accept the fact that there is something wrong with the plan we have formulated. Considering such, if I would hate you, then I should at the same time hate myself."
The confused acolyte did not dare to pursue his understanding of the statements. It was enough for him that the patriarch understood the situation and considered their mistake. After a pause, he asked, "What then must be done next?"
"It is clear in your knowing that something must be committed," the prelate answered. "For such is the most logical thought of a rational man. Yet allow me to disclose the most common error committed before you indulge yourself into it. When man decides what to do next, especially at times when he struggles to attain a quick solution, he forgets the actuality that things occur for certain purposes. Thus, I tell you, Jiro, not to rush. First, we must study the instance, and only after we have understood what really occurred, do we make our move. For if, we rely on immediate action, how do we assure the safety of our scheme? That was what I told the courtiers before they called for the implementation of the king's request yet they did not hear me." The elder made a halt, breathed deep and appended: "But I will not allow such mistake to be materialized once more."
"What then is your suggestion?"
"By your tale, I presume there are now a number of people within the borders of Ethyr who know about the royal secret. I am assured that the primary purpose of the assault was the capture of the phoenix. The question then that triggers me is 'who?'" The patriarch made his way to the window that looks out into the royal courtyard. Then he said, "If you will ask my opinion, there is but one answer I will grant you now. I am unconfident with the rightfulness of my thoughts but I presume it is best that we study the dilemma first before we tell the courtiers. As I have worded earlier, I tried to induce into the intellect of those respected scholars the risks of sudden actions. To refrain from driving them to commit a synonymous transgression, I will resort to deliver unto them information only when it is complete with all the necessary recommendations and conclusions. Otherwise their adrenalins will overpower their intellects and once more manipulate their forthright minds to prejudge the situation and conclude inappropriately."
"If so, Your Eminence," Jiro grabbed the opportunity to speak when the elder made a pause, "what will be the recommendations and conclusions you would like to implement in the current issue?"
The question made Patriarch Nelariz think deeper. He abandoned his post on the window and took his seat on the desk that is often referred to as the Office of the Church. While he pondered over the puzzle, the prelate allowed his aid to seat across his desk. Then they looked at each other trying to decipher the inner thoughts of each one by looking beyond the riddles of the eye.
"By no means will the courtiers not know about the incident," Jiro uttered. "Primarily, it is their duty to supervise the venture. Probably by this time, they are trying to settle ways by which they can escape the watchful eyes of the seven other courtiers and transport themselves to Mount Gratis expecting us to be there. We cannot keep the incident between us for long."
The patriarch nodded in agreement. Then he made his statement: "I did not say we will have the truth veiled. What I suggested is that we disclose the information complete with a solution." Jiro made no response. This prompted the ecclesiastic to continue wording, "The task we will now hand unto our own selves is to analyze the incident and gradually formulate generalizations. Only after we have these done will we call for the presence of the three courtiers."
There was grave silence. "Adriel…" Jiro uttered disturbing the tranquility. "Lord Xavier's squire…we must know where he is. I did not hear from the trustworthy lad since he demanded my escape last night. And the phoenix…we must find it…the guards…we must know who they are and why they did it…." The acolyte sank in the number of dilemmas that were created in his psyche. He made a deep breath and addressed the elder: "There is just too many to answer. How do we know where to begin?"
Patriarch Nelariz replied calmly: "Not one of these overflowing questions can be answered when you hand out that inquisition. What we need now is for you to remain calm and eventually extract answers from your own self. Everything always requires a lot – always seem so much for us to take – however, they all begin with one easy step: know from within you."
The almost allusive apprehension delivered by the prelate disturbed Jiro more than the overwhelming number of inquiries he sought to justify. When he felt himself inadequate in actualizing any idea, he looked at the patriarch and asked, "Your Eminence, I will need your guidance since I do not comprehend the words you have addressed me."
The elder smiled and said, "You trouble yourself too much. To you I say, when trying to solve a dilemma especially that which requires the intellect to labor beyond normal, one must start by granting peace in him. People with minds overruled by crowded ideas which argue over which is most superb usually end up with not being able to find a correct answer. It is as if you spent too much time choosing among a number of delicacies not realizing that the bakery closed even before you made a decision. Aramin est leta, Jiro for there are a lot more to see when the mind is allowed to wander." Patriarch Nelariz stood from his seat after he spoke. He made his way to the door of the office and unbarred it saying, "Let us first fill our stomachs."
That night, Jiro agreed to meet with the three courtiers. Patriarch Nelariz arranged the encounter to occur within the walls of his hallowed dominion. It was after dinner when the acolyte, who had already removed the bandage on his head, waited for the guests to arrive in the patriarch's office.
Silence was absolutely maintained inside the holy chamber. The acolyte was aware that he was about to face a particular inquisition which was why he allowed his anxious will to dissolve beyond the eerie peacefulness of the office. Boldly, he welcomed the disturbing tranquility and prayed for the retreat of his questionable fears. As he dragged his vista around the familiar scenery, his heart beat faster until he felt its rhythm move irregularly.
The increasing pace of Jiro's heartbeats climaxed when he noticed the door open. He stared at the maximizing aperture fearing the anger of those who were making their way in. Then the three courtiers and the patriarch presented themselves.
The courtiers' first reaction when they witnessed Jiro, upon arrival, was surprise. Only secondarily did fear prove to reign over them. The patriarch had told them that an urgent assembly had to be held and that there will be an awaited epiphany, however they did not expect such a surprise. When they were all inside, the patriarch secured the office and initiated the private assembly.
"By the looks of his face," Lady Miriam said, her eyes inquisitive and her tone shaky: "I can tell that he brings no worse than the worst account we might, by this time, hear. I fear the undecipherable sorrow his eyes bear." Silence reigned after she spoke.
A short while passed, Jiro stood from his seat and disclosed the event while nervously dragging himself back and forth. As he continued to relate the incident, he occasionally paused to arrange his scapular. At the same time, the listeners remained to participate without interrupting the acolyte. They settled uneasily over the couches of the office shifting from one position to another. When he was done, Jiro turned to the window overlooking the royal complex and breathed deep. Only after so did he become calmer that he soon returned his hands behind his scapular as it is with the faithful ministers. Again, there was absolute tranquility as nobody made any slight movement.
Xavier turned to look at Argyle and addressed the latter: "Patriarch Nelariz was not wrong. We should have thought about threats from within. Now what do we do?"
Before the elder courtier could utter a word, the patriarch made his way to the center of the assembly and said, "Immediately after I heard the account from the acolyte, I brought my self before the presence of the Celestials. I sought for Their intervention, and prayed Them to grant us illumination as we convene over the conclusions regarding this issue." The idea of divine intervention attracted the attention of everybody. Realizing the fact that his audience was attentive enough, the prelate delivered his statement, "The best solution that went into my thoughts while I prayed required us to rescue the squire first then recover the phoenix, which I believe is still within the borders of our kingdom. There is no other options, I deem, that will be beneficial and practical considering our current status."
Lord Argyle responded: "Your Eminence, the intervention of firmamental wisdom into your thoughts justifies the verity that there will be no better feat than that which you have arrayed. However, a question will remain to challenge your proposal. This earthly inquiry is focused on the idea of knowing where we can rescue the aid and recover the phoenix. However intervened by the celestials, I believe your thoughts forgot the fact that we have no clues as to the location of the two hostages. How will it be possible then that your suggestion be materialized?"
Taking his position on his office desk, the ecclesiastic answered the diplomat, "My Lord, this inquisition your worldly intellect delivered to preclude the progress of a heavenly scheme is one vulnerable enough even to the simplest logic of human rationality. In view of the load that impedes you, I will want to display before your honorable presence the actuality that your assembly can become the most powerful authority in Ethyr. With this regard, you can command every action done in the kingdom. When such occurs, the improbability of discovering the truth behind the assault will lessen, if not, end." Patriarch Nelariz made a short pause; he wet his lips and continued addressing the assembly while clasping his hands above his table. "I am aware that in the administrative organization of our kingdom, there are laws and regulations which the people in positions must adhere to. Most of these are found in the Old Code – that which I have often come across when I studied side by side with the late king. Do not deny to me the verity that no heir is legible to inherit the crown until he is a score of years old. It is found in the very scribbles of the early fathers that a person can only serve in the government when he is of legal age and such in Ethyr is of twenty summers. Putting this in consideration, we cannot escape the fact that Prince Ken cannot be king yet. He is only eighteen right now, and by the standards of Ethyrian culture, he has not reached the full maturity of manhood yet, that is, if he does not marry. During this duration of time between the death of his father and his ascension to the throne, he will have to be administered by people in authority. These people will see over him and the kingdom's activities under the banner of the former monarch. If your assembly, the royal court, as it is customary, ascends into this position of a parliamentary organization, then it will be no worry to demand for the answers to your question. However, care must be well taken, so, like the former king, you will be able to keep the secrecy of truth regardless your efforts to suffice its needs."
The prelate's ideas seemed to pierce deep into the understanding of the four people listening to him. Lord Argyle, who was seated across the desk, made a deep breath as if recognizing the truthfulness of the patriarch's statement and the supplication of his demand. Lady Miriam and Gobhy's young courtier nodded their heads while staring at the coffee table that stood before the couch where they were seated. Jiro smiled in great appreciation of his master's intellectual ability.
The office was tranquil after the patriarch concluded his address. The silence however was not awkward; it was as though the whole world contemplated over the words of a heavenly messenger who delivered the news of a forthcoming salvation.
Then the courtier from Solatrix looked at his two companions and made his conclusion, "Since we all agree that there are no other choices from which we can pick our next scheme, we have to work first in order to attain the preliminary goal of the patriarch's pro-posal. While we wait for the close of the day of the king's funeral in order to move on our ambitioned progress, let us secure for ourselves the alliance of fate. Considering the truth that there are ten courtiers, let us beseech the intervention of heaven to guide us in such a way as that we can transcend the seven others who are unknowledgeable about the secret of the royalties. The three of us need to take command over the rest of the courtiers; only by this way can we accomplish the first goal determined by Patriarch Nelariz's plan."