Part III

The day had passed quickly as Spire wandered the castle halls, and soon he found himself being hailed by one of the numerous servants of the Emperor.
“Dinner is prepared, Sir.” He told him, beckoning for him to follow.
Spire obeyed, and the servant led him into an elaborate hall, within which was set a great cherry wood table. A man he could only presume to be the Emperor sat at the head of the table, Courmier directly to his right with a third (and last) place setting at his left. The Emperor glanced up as the halfbreed was brought in, smiling faintly.
“Come in, come in. Make yourself comfortable, mm?” He motioned to the seat to his left.
“My thanks.” Spire replied, giving a half-bow and taking the seat, “It is an honor.”
The Emperor nodded, then turned back to his setting. Already, the luxurious food and drink had been put before them. He selected his first small bit carefully, and then fell silent to eat. Courmier waited until he had begun, and then tucked into his own portions. For a time, the only sounds that filled the hall were those of the meal, forks scraping against plates, goblets lifted and set back to the table once again. Spire took an occasional glance at the other men, but they never returned it.
Eventually, though, the meal was finished, and Courmier and the Emperor sat back from their plates. Then, the Emperor turned to look at Spire.
“It’s really very interesting.” He began, “Your resistance to the sun, and Duralian background, that is. One could almost say lucky, mm?”
“I suppose so.” Spire answered, glancing up at him.
“Really, there are many ways it could be lucky, don’t you think so, Courmier?” At his subordinate’s nod, he continued, “You could even help us out of our current dilemma, couldn’t you?
“I don’t know what you mean…” Spire said unsurely, “I’ve not been informed of ‘your dilemma’.”
“Ah, I suppose you haven’t.” The Emperor realized, “Courmier, would you be so kind?”
The Captain nodded, then turned to Spire, You see, with the war, any sort of travel has become extremely difficult. The goggles, although they work for short periods of time, wear out, as do other forms of protection. One can no longer reach another country without being blinded. But the solution to the poisoned sun lies within the countries surrounding us. You see, the Rynarians poisoned the sun by mineral-burning rites, from the highest point in their country. In Dural, our economy began primarily in minerals. However, eventually the mines were emptied. Unfortunately, alternate mineral rites to those the Rynarians are using could reverse the poisoning. In the countries surrounding ours, there are small quantities left of the minerals we would need for those rites. The dilemma is that we can not travel there safely.”
“But what does that have to do with my being ‘lucky’?” Spire asked.
“Well…” The Emperor began, “You are free to travel, are you not? Your assistance could be quite promising for Dural.”
Blinking, Spire answered, “I…I am not sure I could.” After all, siding on a war he knew nothing about between the races of his parents was certainly not abiding by the last wishes of his Mother. He could not find a place with her people if he was never among them. And to pick a loyalty without first knowing even the cause of war, that was simply illogical, “No, I cannot.”
The Emperor let out a soft sigh, “There is nothing to do to change your mind?”
“I do not think so.” Spire told him quietly.
“I was hoping that it would not come to this, but it seems there is not another path to choose.” The other frowned, “Rynarian blood is difficult to argue with. Courmier, if you would.”
The tall man stood, glancing down at Spire, “You have finished your wine, I see.”
“I have…” Spire replied perplexedly.
“Then I must tell you, there is no other choice. We had unfortunately anticipated at least some resistance.” Courmier said, “The drink you have just consumed contained a small dosage of a rather…lethal toxin. However, being such a tiny amount, it will take its time in weakening you. Of course, with the proper antidote, there is little to worry about. I possess that antidote, and I am quite willing to accompany you along your journey, to administer it in small doses as needed. Not enough to completely cure, of course, until all the necessary minerals are gathered. So, your choice is this: Take on this journey, or waste away slowly to your demise.”
Eyes wide, Spire stared at both of them for a few moments before speaking, “…What!?” He managed to choke out in horror.
“All is fair in love and war, my friend. Make your choice.”
Spire glanced down at the now-empty goblet, gaze both terrified and scathing at the same moments. He was barely able to meet Courmier’s eyes as he spoke, “I will go.”
***
Deep brown eyes stared silently at the ceiling of the bedchambers as Spire lay back upon the bed. Some of him still remained stunned by the events of the night. Something about it had not yet fully sunken in. They did not even know him at all, and yet they had had very little remorse in just poisoning him. It was not right. He had not been taught that such things happened in the cities, such cold and immoral actions taken so carelessly even by those in power.
Inside his mind, it did not truly feel to him like he could die. Logic told him it was true, and yet it had not fully darkened over the shock in his mind. Was he not just as much a person as they? And he had barely set foot into the palace before they had forced some sort of “use” upon him. It was just not right. It was not something that people did to each other, at least not in his mind.
And it had been thoroughly planned as well. After agreeing to make the journey, he had been informed that all had already been readied, that he was to leave (accompanied by Courmier) first thing the next morning. And, adding insult to injury, the Emperor had added a “sleep well”. As if he could. The small patches of sleep he had managed thus far were restless and short. How could he sleep, knowing that inside him a poison was weakening him, wearing him away? It was impossible. He would only be able to anxiously await the coming morning.
***