What he had longed for was finally held between his hands; a solid paper with official letters written upon it that no one could denounce or argue against, valid like the new seal he had received, enduring like the gold weaving the bay worn on his head, threatening and authoritative like the red color of his eyes and the long cape that warped around his body and trailed behind him as he entered the meeting hall.
Marcus, the previous and real governor, though in name only during the last year, had passed away two days ago, and the emperor after witnessing Germanous's successive victories against inside and outside enemies had decided to acknowledge his position as the new governor, imparting him with all the power he lacked and forcing respect out of those who had disdained him and looked down on him.
It was an ironical event, a funeral lasting three days, with all the traditions of mourning, prayers and offering for a complete stranger who was gowned in the real governor's finest robes and suit of war, respectfully and gloriously lowered down into the former's sarcophagus to be praised for eternity while the real governor had turned into ashes blown with the wind, whatever remaining of his burnt body buried in a forgotten unmarked grave.
What was even more ironic, was the short period of mourning compared to the lavish celebrations held in the new governor's name, its replacement on every stone and statue, on every document and important paper as the old governor's name was vengefully eroded from every corner in the palace. Many feasts were thrown, a festival was planned and carried on, a military show, even games in his honors despite his dislike of such plays, but the new governor did not want to risk losing anything now, most importantly the people's interest, as he had to be a part of it even if it meant pretending. Sextus had asked the lancer to perform in the governor's honor who had bestowed upon him many blessings and gifts, but Germanous himself refused, stating the lancer would not be used as tool for entertainment any longer, but will be treated accordingly as a knight should be treated, leaving Sextus happy for the fallen knight yet greying his whole hair at the same time from losing his number one star. The poor man could only pray this decision was for the sake of the celebrations, a nod of respect and gratitude to his most powerful and trusted man, the outstanding dual wielding lancer who fought with two spears that were no less unique than the man himself and Sextus had to wait for the end of the celebrations to receive the answer to his prayer.
What he had longed for was no longer a dream that could not be caught, only seen when closing one's eyes, dissipating along the morning's light. Now this same light that shadowed that dream allowed it into its realm, manifesting it with its own rays into reality.
Germanous became now the true undisputed governor, and everyone now had to hail his name.
***
Looking at the neglected renovation plans, the grey eyes trailed to find the one behind them, who was only a few days ago prior to the announcement of his position so enthusiastic in his rush to bring them back to life by any means, even depleting whatever resources remaining at his disposal, who was now sitting ideally upon his longue, staring at the sky through the open balcony not a thought gracing his mind, only a satisfied victorious smile drawn with more sneering than happiness.
"May I ask what makes my Lord this happily contended today?"
"What is there not to be happily contended by?"
Germanous answered as he stretched himself like a cat, grinning at the ghosts only it can see but the ghost – like pale counselor was not keen on giving up yet:
"I assume then you have found a solution to continue with the renovation plans?"
He asked despite knowing the answer, yet these plans were his primary goal for protecting and supporting Germanous despite the missteps he suffered from during the last months. The later stared at the counselor in a way that conveyed he was trying to jug his memories. Of course, he had forgotten about everything as he was declared the governor and needed no further deeds or feats to claim the title.
"The renovations… they can wait. We do not have a suitable budget. Was this not the problem?"
Germanous stated lazily, his eyes drifting briefly to the scrolls and designs but they no longer ignited that promising bright in his eyes that seemed to descend directly from a future already seen by the red irises and brought by their vision into the current present. Again, Laurentius argued back without sharpening his tone.
"You have received a lot of gifts during the celebrations, to my knowledge, from the city's merchants and nobles, even from the neighboring provinces and cities you have protected by repelling the barbaric attempt at invasion."
"What about them?"
The new official governor narrowed his eyes, refusing to follow what the counselor was suggesting, as he went on:
"They are personal gifts, a proof of my reign, a declaration and a testimony to those who mocked me and did not believe I could reach where I stand now. They are an evidence of their defeat and my triumph over their bad speculations about me! They are ought to eternalize me as the current governor!"
"They are mere gifts of decorum and propriety. A tradition, nothing more. Why not let your new vision for this city be what eternalize your name, not just as the current governor over a few years, but forever?"
Germanous straightened his sitting position, glaring at the man without fear. He repeated his previous excuse emphasizing every letter and syllable.
"I thought we did not have much resources."
"You could easily use the money they presented to you, you can effortlessly melt the golden gifts into coins… you have no excuse anymore."
Offering the obvious and easiest solution to the problem, the wise advice was not met with gratitude. Instead, Germanous's stare intensified, declaring his utter disapproval of the answer, and foregrounding his refusal to use the gifts that represented his enemies submission to his new position, without acknowledging the truth mentioned by Laurentius, that these precious gifts were ought to be given to anyone whom the emperor would proclaim as the new governor after the last one's death.
"I thought you wanted to eternalize your name with something meaningful. You are the first person to prove me wrong."
Germanous's cheerful mood soured with his counselor's persistent questioning about the innovations plans, and since he was not too lost in his glee to not see the sarcasm and criticism, he rose up from his seat at last, approaching the counselor and promising with an unfaithful smile.
"I will tend to this matter, at the proper time. I promise."
The word "promise" meant nothing to the counselor whenever it came out of Germanous's mouth, and by saying the proper time, the latter new this time was linked to his mood and whims. He did not want to lose what little faith he had placed in the blond lad after the last events, his prudence and patience deemed this action too early and unfair. So, he deiced to keep silent and wait, drawing a clear point through that specific time Germanous spoke about when he would allow his patience to run out.
***
The conversation with Laurentius was not the only thing designed by that day to spoil the governor's mood. A servant told him of the coming of a visitor, one so unusual, one of rare visits that made Germanous's mood worsen by her mere sight. Not allowing his dissatisfaction to show, he greeted the guest with a wide welcoming smile that the cousin did not return. When Germanous noticed that, his face twisted into a grinning smile as he asked.
"Did my beloved cousin tire herself and come up all the way here to congratulate me again?"
"I did my duty at the celebration, as a citizen should."
Sabina cleared the matter instantly, refusing to acknowledge her blood – relation with the new governor and explaining her reason for congratulating him as a mere civil duty. This led Germanous to state:
"Of course, you were the only one who did not gift me anything, though I was so eager to see what kind of gift my dear cousin would see suitable for me."
Sabina listened to the mocking tone, not devoid of a slight begrudge over the silly fact, which she heightened with her answer until she explained it.
"None, of course."
Germanous stared at her the way daggers went through a man's body but the woman was not concerned in the least and went on:
"A governor who seeks the acceptance of his rule with gifts and congratulatory words is no true governor. It is his actions that should speak on his behalf and reinforce his place and role."
"You are indeed Laurentius's niece."
"And you are indeed his nephew."
Sabina countered the argument, flipping the table with one fact that was meant to urge Germanous to act more like a governor and stop his extravagant celebrations that did not seem to have an appointed end date, and to start his true reign whether using the renovations plans or any other meaningful rectification.
"I have already made some reforms… I have banished unworthy and corrupted counselors, and opened the spot for new youthful voices to echo ad shine. It does not befit my mind that you are unaware of these changes."
"I am, just like everyone else. But I also know very well that you have approved of the execution of an innocent man to satisfy and gain the approval of a certain counselor you could not do without his money and influence."
Sabina's eyes brightened dangerously. She was not threatening the governor nor boasting about her wide connections. Her rage was at the lack of justice as one of Germanous's first acts as a true governor, without belittling the cleansing he did to the counselors group. But in her opinion, and by the scale she held, this act alone was enough to abolish the other deed and its impact.
"Are you here to pass down justice on me?"
Germanous challenged her, feeling and enjoying his new bestowed power. Even Sabina could not pause a threat to him now. However, it would be a really bloody and shameful start to his rule if he were to accuse her of conspiring against him and be dealt with her forever. The fact that she, despite her unwelcomed presence, still had many supporters and allies stopped the impulsive instinct to purge the woman that almost took control over him. Yet, not by any word or glare was the woman threatened or feeling insecure as she waltzed into her enemy's den. She sighed and shook her head in disappointment before she declared her last words to her cousin and the new governor.
"You are a man with dreams… one situation had proved that you will not stop at any mean to attain what you desire. You should know that I do not judge this path of yours nor do I disrespect your ambitions… but this is not a suitable path for a true governor. As long as your wings are burdened by the weights of these unclear and continuously shifting dreams, they will never be unclipped from deceit, only capable of flying along the suitable meek wind that would hinder them. They will never fly against the current which would push them onward. A ruler has to be just and resilient, he has to stand by his choice, not by needs of others' fortune or support . He has to hold justice as the gown to his neutrality because this neutrality will prove to be his only shield, and his justice the weapon he defend every action and feat with, thus adorning his glory with the truth of his spirit and the support of the people."
Sabina spoke calmly, not rushing a word or taken by the emotions that were throbbing in her heart with every piece of advice she was offering from the depth of her heart, though not out of love or care for her cousin, but out of her duty before she decide to totally abandon him and throw away the faith she had never had in him yet kept at a reasonable distance from her own mind and beliefs.
"This is your rule now, do you what you see fit."
She concluded her long speech, to which Germanous, unlike his usual self, listened to every word of it with mixed feelings of hatred and care. Hatred toward the woman who still assumed herself a better person than he ever was, and care for the faithfulness her words carried. Receiving no answer, not that she was waiting one, Sabina turned her back and left the new governor alone with the resonance of her words in the main hall.
***
By the repeated calls, during the most unpredictable time of day or night, the lancer became used to the governor inviting him for a visit, or as the messenger would phrase the notion to sound more formal to Sextus, "demand his immediate presence".
Diarmuid could not think of any danger, although the thought of an assassination attempt did not skip his mind on the first few visits, as many people still believed Germanous was a bad omen upon the province due to the emergence of two enemies one after another after a long period of stability despite his triumph over them. But as he entered the palace, nothing seemed unusual or called for attention or alarm so he deduced it was another friendly session.
Led into the privacy of the governor's room did not stir any worries any longer in the lancer's mind as rumors were already circulating. Even Sextus had dared ask him about the nature of their meetings, with a great fear of the lancer's retaliation equaling his great curiosity that were neither reciprocated by any actions or answers from the questioned man.
Germanous was standing at the balcony of his bed chamber, looking exhausted. He heard the doors open and the servant announcing the arrival of the visitor but he barely turned his head at the coming man, merely nodding it tiredly before looking back at the stars - laden sky, in a scenery echoing their first pure conversation in the open meadows beneath the barren sky then.
"You seem to have learnt how to hold true responsibility very quickly."
The lancer spoke first, to break the silence that was not in any way uncomfortable between the two, it was their refuge as they could silently communicate their thoughts and sorrows, and understand each other by merely taking a quick glance at the other. However, Diarmuid wanted to break the silence because he reckoned the blond was in need for the comfort of words, for whatever reason led behind this.
"Yet still many seems unsatisfied, accusing me of neglecting my duties."
If he truly wished to serve his lord right this time, then he could only be honest with the young man so Diarmuid did not hesitate in stating his opinion.
"This is a common problem to any newly selected governor, and the city has indeed suffered a lot during the last year. But I dare say as well, that the celebration period has become unreasonably long and costly."
Germanous turned fully at his visitor now, smiling a smile that was not devoid of sadness yet happiness at the same time due to the man's honesty. He did not try to defend himself against the lancer, he did not need to, unlike with the others whom he considered and regarded as potential foes or threats.
"You are right, the celebrations will be over… it is just that grasping a dream is such an ecstatic feeling that one laments having to let go of…"
"You can yet celebrate many other achievements… becoming a governor was a step to your dream, not the dream itself."
Looking lengthily at the lancer whose tune did not confer doubts, and seeing him through his current state of troubled mind, Germanous believed the lancer seemed to be looking at him rather skeptically, but he did not wish to surrender to these speculations and lose faith in the only man that mattered to him at such times.
"Indeed."
Germanous briefly muttered, his eyes still eyeing the lancer suspiciously, a fear of abandonment threatening to spill through the hard defense of his strangely colored eyes. So before he allowed that fear to surface, he said faking enthusiasm to regain the lancer's trust that was not lost in the first place as he was imagining:
"You must have heard of the new arrangements I made in the counselors selections."
"And it was a good first step, though a little rushed as you are still establishing your popularity."
Once again, the dual wielder stuck to his honesty, he had courted kings and new of politics. What he did not know about was that Germanous could handle this noble cleansing of the meeting hall by bribing one certain important counselor, and that that bribe was an innocent man's life.
"You are correct, I might have hastened in taking that action but the cost was already paid."
The lancer frowned at these words, and Germanous, upon witnessing the latter's worried gaze that warmed his isolated heart, told the story in a light tone to lessen the seriousness of the matter.
"An assassin was caught in broad daylight sneaking into my chambers… but the matter was dealt with quickly and briskly."
"It saddens me that my spears are not available for your defense when prompted."
"I do not blame you, you are not mine after all…"
The governor said with a bitter smile, and Diarmuid realized he was not referring to the fact as being his own as in his slave or owner... but as his personal guard, his knight, his companion.
When the blond did not receive an answer to his words, he did not held it against the former knight because an answer or acknowledgement of the matter would only be humiliating to his pride. Nevertheless, he went on, standing face to face, a very small gap separating the two men, at the spacious balcony illuminated by a full moon.
"I am still holding my word to free you and make you a leader… my knight and blade…"
The promise still sounded tempting, but no real effort was seen by the lancer toward upholding and fulfilling it. Realizing this, Germanous explained with a frustrated pained expression.
"I have spoken to Sextus, and demanded your freedom but he surprised me with the truth…"
The lancer bit his lips, this particular information did not sit well with him, and he did not want the governor to know of it, fearing that this knowledge would provide the blond with the right to lose trust in him, since he and his true owner and are at bad terms. However, Germanous was not done explaining yet.
"I met Sabina today… she came to visit me, to warn me…"
The lancer's features grew more complicated, he wanted to reassure the governor that he holds no pledges or vows toward the woman, only declaring his vows to the governor loud and proud. And Germanous went on with his story, as the revelations held in Diarmuid's conversation at the seabed with Sabina kept echoing in the back of his mind.
"I told her you deserve your freedom and that I am much more in need for your assistance but she cruelly, like her habit, refused… perhaps she did so only to spite me… I will never be able to return your favors because of a stupid dispute… but I will not give up… "
The lie could not be discerned as such by the lancer, as its possibility was very probable knowing that woman. That response sounded like her and the lancer's grudge toward the woman was ignited, though not with the same intensity as before. That exchange of words and confessions at the sea changed his view of her, not entirely for the better but certainly not for the worse. Nevertheless, if what Germanous had described was true, and the lancer believed so, then he had every right to remain hateful toward that woman.
"She is selfish, that woman… but I can understand why anyone would want to hold to you and keep you close to their side…"
With a sorrowful regretful tune, Germanous spoke as he rested his hand on the lacer's chest, holding to his clothes. Diarmuid gently removed his hand, not keen on giving him false hopes for whatever he was imagining could happen; whether obtaining his freedom, serving by his side, or any other ambiguous emotion these fiery eyes shone with upon being left alone with him every time.
"Only the upcoming days can be the judge of this matter."
The lancer replied, refusing to pay attention and closing his eyes in order not to see the additional frustration caused by his somewhat crude gesture predominating the blond's eyes. Feeling awkward, Germanous shifted the conversation to its more interesting part with a solemn question.
"You did not inquire about the assassination attempt…"
"Since it was easily uncovered and dealt with at the spot, I cannot imagine it was that threatening or serious."
The dual wielder answered, guilt already overtaking his heart at ignoring that part and omitting to ask about the detail, as if he did not care for the involved person. But Germanous knew the lancer's words were true, and did not want to sound more dramatic than he was acting already with his gestures and melodious tone. Therefore, he decided to jump to the most relevant and interesting part of the incident.
"He was a little lad, younger than me I think. He was caught in the corridor leading to this chamber, using methods similar to the "Justice Pallbearers" yet he denied being one of them… what amuses me though is that when Sabina passed nearby on her way out, he called out to her, and claimed to be of her servants…"
The story did not seem far-fetched, as Diarmuid easily guessed the assassin's identity; it must have been that shadow lurking behind that woman at all times but it was illogical of her to give the command if he was that incapable.
"She denied any affiliation with the man, even being her servant… of course, I could only believe her not wanting to cause scandal, and at the man's repetitive claim and pleading at her feet, I silenced him but the woman, Sabina, insisted that the matter must be carried to the court, to a trial and that she herself was ready to defend her honor against the miserable boy's claims… only when hearing this did he resist no more or speak another word…"
Germanous paused for seconds, looking back at the incident that took place this afternoon then went on:
"I could never understand that woman… I end the matter quickly so that her honor would not be tarnished and she accuses me of abusing my power to save her face… she would never be satisfied by anything…"
This last statement, clearly indicated that the governor knew nothing of his cousin, her principles and aims that were revealed along the crashing waves. It was a true shame that these two were not on good terms, nor were they open to see things through the other's eyes. If this were to happen, then a formidable alliance would bring the province to prosperity. The lancer thought sadly and suggested with careful words:
"Maybe you should try to reconcile with her… I do not think she is against the prosperity of this city that you are aiming for…"
A flicker of terror passed as quickly as it faded in the governor's eyes at the lancer's suggestion, so fast the latter could not catch it but the idea of the lancer taking Sabina's side, though that was not the full picture, filled Germanous's heart with terror and fear. He clutched again to the man's clothes, pledging beneath the bright of the moon.
"I will free you Diarmuid, I will promote you to a general… a leader… just stay by my side… only then our dreams will come true…"
This time, the lancer, at witnessing the blond's fears and doubts, held his hand keeping it upon his large chest and vowed again.
"I will always be your shield and sword… as long as you keep holding to your dreams."
Germanous smiled, clutching the clothes more tightly and enjoying the warmth that seeped into his body through the lancer's grip and touch. Meanwhile, the dual wielder could only think of the two relatives points of view and promises, one seemingly powerless though could truly soar if he desired to, the other truly powerful yet careful with her steps.
The young man promised him dreams of glory.
The woman promised him the restoration of his true nobility and lost honor.
These two should not diverge into two different paths, Diarmuid firmly believed the two goals completed each other, yet with these two offering them, at this city, the first did not lead to the other nor the opposite direction worked either.
Only in this city.