The Reformation Wars: A Shadow of Gloom

Chapter 14

Paulo Feliz said nothing but absorbed everything as he sat beside Lord Tanuk at the banquet table. The Innutukian nobles irked him with their obsessive fixation on trivial topics when Serena Delquez's presence should have been a sobering reminder that not all was well in the empire. That they should focus on more than the food in their mouths and the mere beauty of the maiden in front of them. True, she captured Paulo's fancy as well, but he tamed himself.

He listened and watched all with utmost scrutiny but minimal contribution. He watched the rotation of the guard, two odd newcomers relieving their comrades and piquing Paulo's interest in the process. One of them in particular struck him as exceedingly familiar, but also different somehow. The middle-aged female of the pair presented quite a visual distraction, but Paulo focused on the male, a young guard with a close-cut beard whose helmet obstructed some of his features. He also held his head at an angle that made recognition difficult.

Paulo watched silently as Serena excused herself for fresh air and the newcomers accompanied her out the door. He witnessed the nobles devolve once more into triviality and irrelevance. He waited for them to collectively reflect on their impressions of the Alcontean senator, perhaps, but they never did. Their shallowness and lack of focus disgusted Paulo.

Soon enough, Serena and her escorts returned. Paulo studied the male guard as closely as he could when they reentered, but he still never turned his head far enough to reveal more of his features. Paulo squirmed; he felt constantly on the verge of recognizing the man, but never quite there.

Serena finished her meal without incident. Tanuk asked more casual questions moving forward, though still more meaningful than those of the shallow noblemen. In their last few minutes together, all Innutukians present gleaned a better understanding of Alcontean culture and current affairs in the east. Overall, Paulo found Serena not to be the staunchest supporter of the empire, but far too affable to pose any real threat.

So Serena departed to seek an audience with the emperor himself, the noblemen thanked her for her time, and Paulo followed Tanuk outside. The sun beamed brightly, but a cool breeze made the heat more pleasant. It also swept at the folds of Tanuk's burgundy cloak and Paulo's scarlet cape, causing two similar yet different hues of red to billow out behind them.

Tanuk cleared his throat. "I find that senator quite an intriguing figure, don't you?"

Paulo glanced up at his teacher briefly and nodded. "I'd always heard Alconteans are exceedingly polite. She definitely seemed like that."

"Alconteans are polite with no backbone. Monteraynians indulge in their niceties too, but you can at least respect them for their firmness. Innutukians, however...we are a breed altogether separate."

"We really are. I see what you mean, too. Whenever you asked her anything important, she folded...didn't really say anything too firmly one way or the other."

"A concerning noncommittal I find dangerous." Tanuk said.

"Do you? I think she's harmless."

"Those who imply loyalty rather than swear it are always cause for concern. Is she truly harmless, or merely deceptive?"

"I guess I can't answer that. At worst, she's mildly problematic. That's what I think."

"Believe me, I hope you're closer to the truth than I. It is some comfort his Imperial Majesty is questioning her now; if any disloyalty lies in her breast, he should be able to uproot it."

"Or uproot her." Paulo muttered, earning a hearty chuckle from Tanuk. "One thing has been bothering me though."

"What might that be?"