Legacy

Chapter 18 - To Catch a Butterfly

Sunlight reflected off the balcony. It was still early enough in the day that Falstis could see beyond the edge of the capital all the way to where the aqueducts disappeared into the hills and forests. It was a place too lavish and grand for his taste, everything about it said opulence. The palace was almost entirely made of frozen sunlight – towers of melted glass speckled with gold reminded everyone who looked at them that this was no simple work of craftsmanship, no, this was power the likes of which no longer existed and Falstis for one was glad of that.

A neatly organized stack of papers sat on a desk along with a leather-bound notebook and large heavily marked map. There was a pin-board against a wall with small notes and drawings stuck to it along with lines and hand-scribbled comments. The furnishings were all well-made and functional. Decorations were placed sparingly but each had its own significance. A set of brass pistols adorned the wall above the bed and there was an adjoining room that functioned as a workshop and laboratory.

Falstis continued to stare out at the city below drinking sour nectar from a pewter cup; one of a set he had brought with him when he came to this cursed land. The trial was today; the nameless traitors would be judged and held to account for their crimes. He knew their guilt was plain and the outcome almost a certainty, but there was always doubt that perhaps this time justice would not triumph over evil. Perhaps today was the day when those who should be punished would go free. What they had done was unforgivable. They had given the Republic a black mark that would take years to recover from. Or it least it would have anywhere but here. Despite over a decade of freedom, the people were still stuck in their broken way of thinking. Part of him hated the citizens of the former Empire for that. They were in many ways no better than beasts of slaughter wandering around in fields until the butcher took them away. How the people could put up with all they had and still follow their leaders blindly was something Falstis could and would never understand.

The Republic thrived and flourished by always putting the welfare of its citizens first – that was what he protected with all his strength not some merely transient leader. Even now, the current male led cycle of the authority was coming to an end and next year the woman's cycle would begin. The three members of the authority would pass control to a new group. One man from Theus and two women: one from Prome and the other from Epime. They would run the Republic for the next ten years and then the cycle would begin again with a male dominated leadership.

But by then things could be very different. The empire was vast and had a multitude of people. They were, if only slowly, beginning to understand what it meant to members of the Praxis Republic. It would only be natural that they should get a seat at the table and have a say in the how the Republic was led and that would lead to great changes. What they were, Falstis could not even guess.

For now his mind was on other things. It had been some time since he had heard from Heather. They had parted ways in the mountain village weeks ago. She was following her own leads on the prince and if anyone could catch him, it would be her. He had no fear for her safety – she was a Volton, the highest rank a Black Coat could achieve and she had earned every bit of it. Along with the nickname The Needle. Her disarming smile, brilliance and ability to fade into the background had gotten her in and out of some of the most heavily fortified locations and brought down many a threat to the Republic. One time when they had been dispatched to deal with some bandit trouble, Falstis had remained behind with the men while she strolled into the fortress of the crooked Demus responsible, carrying nothing but a washing basket, and emerged a few days later with the ringleaders trussed up ready for trial.

There was a polite but formal sounding knock on the door. It was time. He was called to bear witness and ensure the traitors received fair and swift justice for their crimes. But soon enough the trial would be over and the hunt for the prince would begin again.