Gods and Guardians

Chapter 42: Love Letters

Stress was taking a toll on Maxis. He hadn't seen Kiyanna for more than a tenth now. She was in primation and only a group of women servants were permitted around her. He wished he could talk to her. He found his father's argument unbeatable and it was already tearing him apart. Dravan was really proposing a drastic change in the leadership of all the Islands. And he was supposed to support this? He was an only child and heir apparent to the throne of Kainon. This should concern him more than any other person.

He attended the council meeting with his father and sat there half-heartedly. His limbs moved mechanically out of compulsion. Dravan addressed the council on the two letters he received from Dasirus. He read them out and highlighted the contents. Then he discussed his Zainox-Meinz agreement and the possible corruption of Zainox. The council agreed with him. Maxis found himself an unhealthy spectator to the discussions. He felt rooted and helpless.

This was wrong. Dravan was vilifying his old friend and counterpart. Was he not subtly turning the two kingdoms against each other? Maxis' head spun, his mind traveling far and wide. He reflected and projected. What could a rivalry yield for the two kingdoms? Would this not lead to another division? Could he not be looking at the annihilation of the Islanders? What would be the result of feuding and strife? What if this led to war between the kingdoms? Where did he stand?

He was in the wilderness now. If his father turned his council against Dasirus... or perhaps against Zainox... Where did he stand? Perhaps he should defy his father at this point. He wanted to tell the people that Dasirus was doing the right thing in wanting to preserve peace between the two kingdoms and Meinz.

Dravan said, 'Noble men of this council, we cannot forsake or go feuding with our sister kingdom on account of a cursed one. We have to appreciate Dasirus' desire to maintain peace between us and Meinz.'

Now that was sudden and unexpected. Maxis didn't believe he was hearing this. What was Dravan planning now?

'However, we must remember that good intentions do not always beget sound actions. Even if we desire peace with the Mother Island, we cannot have them influence us even for a moment. We cannot allow ourselves to get involved with the nemesis-beleaguered kingdom until they are cleansed.'

Sentiments of agreement. Maxis watched his father with marked apprehension.

'Dasirus has a noble heart perhaps, but he is in danger of becoming a friend of Sairus. Do we want that?'

That was a rhetorical question.

'In that case, we must advise him. We cannot stand aside and watch our only sister kingdom sink into corruption as our forefathers did Meinz three generations ago. We cannot afford to lose Zainox now.'

They nodded in agreement.

'It will be wise to pursue the matter of the debt with caution; I was advised by Lord Simenusa.'

The Lords glanced at a serene-faced Lord Simenusa.

'He raised possible results of Dasirus being either influenced by friendship or being even killed by Meinz's lunatic Thiocians. His life could be in danger as we speak, since he is our connection with Meinz. And so I decided that after the reply from the king of Meinz, all correspondence must cease.

'We cannot trust a potential enemy who is sharpening a sword not to be sharpening it for our own necks. And so, we will no more pursue the debt anymore. We would rather let ourselves embrace the reality of Meinz's military consolidation.

'If we sit and hope that fate with dispense justice when they attain their superior military status, we are playing with fire. We have to let Dasirus know that preparing for war with Meinz is our only hope for survival. And Zainox has to act quickly and join us.