The Rise of the Emperor--The First Celebration

Siurbu 2174

It was the first day of the new turn, and the Emperor had invited the elders of the Elite for a celebration. He was also planning on returning the foolish boys who had risen up against his riders to their fathers. Eirathem watched as the elders of the thirteen houses gathered in the special pavilion that had been built for the occasion. One chair was notably vacant. The boy at his side said bitterly, "I told you he would come not, Casari. We are lesser sons. We matter not."

"Then," said Eirathem so softly only the boy could hear, "You shall remain with Casari'n and grow strong in your magic."

"Aye, Casari" said the boy sadly.

"Go," said Eirathem, "Sit with your brother."

"Aye, Casari," said the child as he made his way to sit upon the bench where the remaining four who had stood against the Emperor's riders nearly a year ago were sitting quietly.

The Emperor's councilor approached him slowly. "You are looking well this morning,Casari," he said quietly. Eirathem had donned an open robe of shimmering black over his riding clothes this day, his only concession to the sensibilities of the Elite about how an Emperor should appear.

"I notice," he said in hard voice, "one Hus {house} has chosen not to attend to me."

"Aye," said the councilor, "they believe that since I am of Sheyuhus'n {The sixth house}, there is nae need for them to attend as well."

"You are my councilor," said Eirathem, "if they wish a voice for husleu {their house}, they will attend to me."

"I will inform them," said the councilor gravely. He tilted his head to where the two boys from the eighth house sat upon the bench with the others. "They will fare better with you, Casari," he said. "I fear for their treatment should you return them to their family."

"How so?" asked the Emperor.

"Their father is most grieved with the eldest," said the councilor.

"They were quite foolish to attack Fehrahndineu {my riders}," said Eirathem shortly.

"Nae, it is not that," said the councilor softly, "He is upset that his son did not continue to support the heir of Teyuhus'n {the second house} when they were captured."

Eirathem's eyebrows rose, "The boy acted with wisdom, and out of care for his brother," he said.

"Aye," said the councilor. "But since the fall of the heir, he has lost favor with Teyuhus'n {the second house}."

"And that is more important than his sons?"

"Aye, Casari," said the man gravely.

"He is a fool," said Eirathem harshly.

The councilor said nothing else, calmly walking away. Eirathem heard a child running, and turned to see Taniva, the mundelihta {Munde girl} who had taught his Munde his ways running towards him. He folded his arms and glared down at her. "And does your da know your whereabouts?" he said sternly.

The child nodded eagerly, pointing to a ways off where his head patriarch was approaching at a much calmer pace. Eirathem watched him closely. Like all his Munde, the man's health had improved greatly over the last turn. "Are my Munde prepared?" he asked.

"Aye, all is ready, Maestir," affirmed Banim.

The Emperor returned his attention to the child standing impatiently in front of him. "And are you ready to walk at Maestir's side and show these Myende how an obedient, respectful mundelihta {Munde girl} acts?"

"Aye, Maestir," she said, "Bahnahfne mie mundelihta {I will be good Munde girl}."

"Ehte mion {You had better}," he said shortly. "Attend to me."

The girl ran to him, taking hold of his belt. The patriarch walked over to where the Munde were gathering, each according to the great house they had been placed in. There were some who could not attend, as there were tasks that could not be avoided, even on this day. But Eirathem had decreed that every child was to be in attendance. If work was to be done, it would be the adults who dealt with it.

The Emperor flicked his wrist, and his wand shot into his hand. With a thought, the wand grew, until it became his great staff. He banged it on the earth, grounding it until he was sure all on his lands would hear his voice. As he completed this task, the head of every Munde rose, for they knew this act well. Those not already seated hurriedly ran to their places and sat quietly. The Myende quickly followed suit. Only when the silence was complete, did Eirathem move. He forced himself to walk slowly and regally towards his great pavilion. Taniva looked at him curiously at first, but quickly set her pace to match her Maestir's.

The pavilion had one great chair at one end, resembling a throne, though it was much simpler than the thrones of the emperors before. On the right, sat two rows of chairs for the heads of the remaining twelve houses to sit. Normally, there was a Table of Judgment within the pavilion, but it had been moved out so that a bench could be provided for the boys he would judge this day. All of his Munde knew that should there be a need for discipline this day, the Emperor would be angry indeed.

For one of his goals for the day was to show the foolish Myende there was another way for the Munde to live. He had not attempted to end the rule of slavery upon the Munde, knowing such a deed would cause an immediate uprising of all the Myende, but he had changed the way the Munde on his lands lived. Each and every patriarch understood Eirathem's goals for this day, and they were watching their charges closely.

Once he entered the pavilion, he turned and faced the Elite. "From this day forth," he said, "Mona {the first moon} shall be known as Casariu'n {the Emperor's} Respite. I will begin upon the first day of siurbu'n {the turn}, with a celebration, such as we are having today. It has come to my attention," he continued, "That you wish to reconvene your council. You may have your council, however all requests will go thru my councilor. Only upon this day may you approach me individually with such needs as you have. However," he said more sternly looking upon the one empty chair, "those who choose not to send a representative to attend me on this day shall have no voice with me for the turn."

He saw the faces of the Elite darken, but he did not care. He banged his great staff upon the ground, saying regally, "Ahns secgaehn. Sprecaehnahtne. {It is said. I have spoken.}"

Afterwards, he turned the staff back into a wand in front of the Elite, placing it back in the leather holder that adorned his arm. He turned his attention to the girl who had stood quietly at his side, clutching the now threadbare doll she had earned nearly a turn ago tightly to her. "Mundelihtaneu {my Munde girl}," he said quietly, "what is today?"

The girl chewed on her lip for a moment, and then said, "Our birthing day, Maestir."

"Aye," said Eirathem softly, "It is the day my Munde will celebrate attaining another turn. And what do you think is most important about today?"

"Toys, Maestir," she replied eagerly.

"You are quite sure toys are the most important?" he asked gravely.

"Aye, Maestir" nodded the girl.

"Then," said Eirathem softly, "we shall attend to the gifting first, shall we not?"

He turned, ignoring the Elite for a moment, and walked over to the end of the pavilion where a great number of sacks laid, full of toys for the children of his land. He pointed to a stool that he had ordered sat there, knowing full well before the event what the girl's reaction would be.

"We will begin," he said gravely, "with my older myendelihtoi {Myende boys}. All those aged ten and over will attend to me now."

The children slowly rose from their places where they sat and approached the Emperor. Eirathem motioned toward the section where the young riders sat, flanked by their stern older riders. "Fehrahndi {riders} as well," he said.

The boys rose and joined the others. Eirathem surveyed them seriously. "Can any of you," he asked, "tell me what is to occur soon?"

"Maestir is opening an Academy," said one boy eagerly.

"And what type of Academy is Maestir to open?" asked the Emperor.

"We are to learn to use our magic," said another boy softly.

"Aye," replied Eirathem, "For Hofmi'n (in the Garden}, all will use their gifts to serve me. A number of you," he continued, "have already received your bags and have begun to gather the items you need as you served Fehrahndineu {my riders}. Those of you that have may be seated."

Most of the young riders and a few of the others made their way back to their seats. An elder rider approached, with many of the bags his students would use to gather the items they needed to create their wands. As he began to place the bags over each boy's shoulder, he said, "In these bags, you will place items of interest to you. When the bag is full, you shall be ready to fashion your wand. The wand you make will contain more power than those that can be procured from wand makers, for it will be attuned more closely to your magic."

When the rider was finished, Eirathem motioned for the boys to return to their seats. Then he pulled the first bag to him and began to hand out the gifts that had been prepared. When he was finished, he stood, folding his arms and surveying the Munde seriously. "And now," he said, "that mundelihtineu {my Munde children} have received their gifts, they shall sit quietly as Maestir conducts his business."

"Aye, Maestir," said a chorus of voices.

Eirathem reached for Taniva, who stood quietly and returned to his side and grabbed hold of his belt with her free hand. She now had two dolls clutched tightly to her in the other hand. "Now that you have the new doll, shall you put the other away?" he asked as they walked slowly towards his throne.

"Nae, Maestir," she said seriously, "she wanted a friend."

The Emperor just shook his head at the logic of the child and pointed to a low stoop by his throne. The child quickly ran and sat, settling the dolls on her lap. Eirathem continued to his throne, seating himself and turning to again face the Elite. Their countenances were dark, at the gall of the Emperor who would choose dealing with his Munde over giving them his attention. "Very soon," he said, "You will be allowed to partake of the feast that has been prepared. However," he said more darkly, "first there must be judgment."

He turned his attention to the bench, where the five boys had sat quietly. All but the youngest looked apprehensively at the Emperor. "The four remaining who dared to raise their wands against my riders will attend to me now."

The boys rose, and came to stand at rigid attention in front of him in a row from eldest to youngest. He pointed to the brother of Kaiadon. The boy stepped forward, and Eirathem said, "You will tell me what you have learned."

The boy looked at him seriously, "I will never again raise sagol against Casariu'n Fehrahndi {the Emperor's Riders}," he said.

"Anything else?" asked the Emperor.

The boy blushed, looking down, "I have learned to mind, Casari" he said seriously.

"I notice," said the Emperor, "that the bag at your side is quite empty."

The boy proudly pulled out his wand, showing it to Eirathem. "And it is made of your own hands?" asked Eirathem

"Aye, Casari," said the boy proudly.

Eirathem clasped his hands in front of him. "Should you be given the opportunity to attend my new Academy, would you wish to?" he asked seriously.

The boy's eyes widened, "Oh aye, Casari, very much so," he said eagerly.

"Then you may do so if you wish. Return to your father," he said.

The boy made his way to the Elite, sitting upon the ground next to the chair of the leader of the fifth house. Eirathem questioned the other two younger boys in the same fashion, inviting both to attend his new Academy as well before sending them back to their fathers.

Finally, only the eldest remained. Eirathem motioned for the young boy remaining on the bench to join his brother. He looked upon the eldest boy seriously. "It seems," he said, "that your father alone has chosen not to retrieve his sons."

"Aye, Casari," said the boy bitterly.

"Of what age are you now?"

"Seventeen, Casari" the myendo replied.

"When a boy reaches the age of sixteen," said the Emperor, "he is considered of age, and is given duties to reflect that. Therefore, since you have proved to me you have learned from your foolishness, you may return to the lands of your birth if you wish. However, your brother, even though he is blameless, must remain until his father comes to claim him or he reaches his full stature."

"I will not leave him, Casari," said the older boy boldly.

"Then," said Eirathem softly, "You shall remain. Even though you are of age, you shall attend lessons with the other myendelihtoi {Myende boys} until I am satisfied of your ability in magic. Then, should you prove worthy, I will place you with Forsahndoneu {my head overseer}, after which you will oversee the lands of Teihusiuhus'n {the thirteenth house}."

The boy nodded gravely. All knew of course, that the former emperor had cursed the inhabitants of the thirteenth house, so that they could own no land. They were forced to serve others. Many had come to serve Eirathem, as healers and overseers. His head healer sat as the ruling member of the house.

"Go sit with Fehrahndon {head rider}," he ordered.

The boy took his brother's hand, and then turned and walked over to where the young riders sat. Eirathem turned his attention back to the Elite. "Your sons have been returned," he said. "Know this," he continued as he pointed the butt of his wand at them, "these received a great deal less than they deserved for their foolishness. Should another rise against me, I will be not so lenient."

He softened his stance, and then said, "Beginning with the next turn, I shall open the Academy I have created to the sons of Teinusi'n {the thirteen}. Should you desire your sons to attend, you will bring them to my Celebration, and they will be placed with Fehrahndi {riders} until the beginning of the term. After their first turn, they may return to you during Mona of each turn. But for this turn, only those I have invited may attend."

He paused for a moment. "Know this," he said harshly, "These boys will attest that I tolerate nae disobedience of chldren upon my land. Those who obey not find themselves dealt with quickly and completely."

"And now," he said, rising and motioning for Taniva to join him, "You may partake of the feast I have prepared, and you may approach me as you wish with any desires or needs that you have."

--

From a distance, the Emperor notice a grim faced overseer heading towards him with a mundelihta {Munde girl} tethered to his side. Alongside him walked one of the young Myende men, who had arrived with the elders of the elite he had invited. He seemed to be arguing with the overseer fiercely.

Eirathem motioned for the overseer to approach. "This one," said the man shortly as he pointed to the boy, "accuses this mundalihta {Munde girl} of attacking him. He is upset because I have not ordered her beaten."

"She kicked and bit me!" declared the myendo.

The Emperor pointed at the ground in front of him. A short distance away, several small Munde children were playing. When Eirathem forgot to turn his wand around, they cowered on the ground, and shouted, "STAFF!"

Eirathem glared at them. "Mayhap," he said as he flipped his wand around, "Maestir does not wish to use his staff." He continued to glare at them for a few more moments before saying, "Up, my mundelihti {Munde children}, Maestir has turned his wand around."

The children got up cautiously, "Go," he said harshly to them, and they ran off closer to one of the homes the Munde lived in.

"Do you always allow your Munde to dictate your actions?" asked one of the elders harshly.

Eirathem was saved from answering the question when one of the boys who had risen up against his riders said, "It is not that."

The Emperor glared at the boy, but motioned for him to continue. "If the Casari is angry, sparks shoot from his wand. Sometimes," he said quietly, "Strange things happen. If any are harmed, he gets even angrier."

Several eyebrows rose at the boy's last pronouncement. But Eirathem ignored them all for the moment, pointing at the ground in front of him with the butt of his wand. The overseer uncuffed the girl from his belt, and she scuttled over to where the Emperor was pointing. Eirathem folded his arms again, looking down at the child. "Did you kick and bite that myendo {Myende male}?" he asked levelly.

"Aye, Maestir," she said as she kept her head firmly bowed.

The Emperor reached over and tapped her chin lightly with his wand. She obediently lifted her head. Tears were streaming down her face. "Why would you do such a thing?" he asked gravely.

"H-he held me down on the ground and t-tried to lift my dress. I w-was only trying to get away."

"And how is it," asked Eirathem in a hard voice, "that you were where he could get to you?"

The girl gulped. "I was picking flowers amongst the trees," she admitted.

"I believe," said the Emperor harshly, "That I made a particular decree concerning today. Can you mayhap tell Maestir what that decree was?"

"Nae mundelihta {Munde girl} is to be out of sight of her Da or her Daehfreon," she whispered.

"Then," said Eirathem firmly, "You know that you shall be dealt with when your da is found. Which sele {house} do you reside in?"

"Fuersele {fourth house}, Maestir," she whispered.

The Emperor gave a pointed look to the overseer who nodded and walked away. "You shall attend to me until he is found," he declared, pointing to the ground beside him. The girl scuttled over to him, turning and grabbing his belt. Eirathem reached down and grabbed the cuff at the end of the tether still upon her wrist, attaching it to the ring that hung from his belt for such occasions.

Then he turned his attention to the man, who appeared to be in shock that he had not ordered her yet beaten. He said very levelly, "It may be that upon your land you may touch any munda {Munde female} any way you wish. However in Hof'n {the garden}, I have decreed that mundelihtai {Munde girls} under the age of sixteen are to be left untouched. In addition, unless I specifically say otherwise, the mundai {Munde females} upon my land are not for the carnal pleasure of my guests. If you cannot control your urges during your visits here, I will have you overseen by an overseer."

The young boy's father, the leader of the seventh house, said harshly, "You go too far! First I find you placed my son with Munde as a punishment, and now you clearly refuse to punish this mundelihta that has accosted my other son."

Eirathem looked at the man levelly. "I do believe," he said very softly, "That had your son been unwise enough to raise wand against the former Casari, you would have him nae longer, for he most certainly would have seen to his death. I merely forced him to learn to obey, and appreciate the magic that resides inside of him. I suffered the exact same punishment as a boy, and it harmed me not."

"And as for the other," he said in a much harder voice, "I will tolerate nae child to be defiled upon my land. He is nearly twice her size and I very much doubt she harmed him. If she did, he may take himself to my healers, and they shall see all his hurts are healed. Upon my land, a girl who screams and fights not when one attempts such knows she will be in a very great deal of trouble. However, she shall be dealt with, as I was quite well aware the Myende of this land hold not to my values and thus ordered all the children to remain within clear view of those that care for them. I ask not any of you to follow my ways, which are largely similar to how Munde are dealt with in Puethion'n {The Land of the Sands}. I only ask that you respect my wishes when you are on my land."

The leader of the seventh house just glared at the Emperor before taking the hand of his youngest son and storming off. The older boy sauntered after him. Eirathem looked at the remaining elders of The Thirteen, daring them to join him.