Sins of Greed - A Tale of Two Fools, Book One

Chapter 3 - The Man Who Sold The World

"I don't trust it." 

"Trust what, sire?" 

"I don't trust the magic. Nor the person using it." 

"But sire... if we don't lend magical aid, there will be an extreme shortage of grains this year." 

"Then we need new farmers, Endis. If they're not good enough to plough their crops and deliver their penance to this kingdom, then we need new farmers. Under no circumstances will we be using magic. For anything." 

Endis, Sovereign Jording's chamberlain, bowed. "Of course, sire. I'll see to it that our farmers are replaced." 

"And punished," replied Sovereign Jording. 

Endis looked troubled, but nodded. He turned to leave Sovereign Jording's throne room. 

Alone, or so he thought, Faelin took off his crown and put his head in his hands. It had been so long since he'd gotten a good nights' sleep. It felt like all he did lately was sit on the Ivory Throne, so named because of the hundreds upon hundreds of mammoth tusks collected to craft it, in this gargantuan throne room. He rubbed at his temples, trying to relieve the migraine he had.

"Are you not afraid that you'll be starving your people?" came a voice to the right. 

Faelin kept his head in his hands, his eyes closed. "Kima." 

"In the flesh," she replied. Kima was Sovereign Jording's official advisor. Similar to how he solicited Kirlin's advice and vast knowledge on, well, anything, he solicited Kima's opinion on almost any matter of state or decisions of consciousness. 

Faelin looked up and towards the direction of her voice. "I did not ask for you to meet me here after my council with Endis." 

"And yet, here I am." 

Faelin smirked and chuckled. This was the only person in all of Lurinlia who he wouldn't hang for speaking to him in such a manner."What would you advise I do then, Kima?" 

"I would caution you to heed my advice and reconsider your stance on magic use. If you..." 

Faelin cut her off. He stood up abruptly, red hot anger flashing across his face. "Advisor Kima, you will not question my authority. Magic is the art of the devil. I will not allow it in my kingdom!" 

Kima bravely responded, "Your Majesty, my duty is to advise you on what is best for Lurinlia. If that means going against your best judgment, then with a heavy heart do I say that I will. But my foremost duty is to serve you. I only wish to find a middle ground in which both you and your kingdom will benefit. I do not say anything out of disrespect." She bowed. 

Sovereign Jording calmed a bit, but he stayed standing and tried to retain an air of command. "Very well, Kima. But the outlaw of magic use will stand. For everyone. As it always will." 

"For everyone except your Royal Sibyl?" 

He hesitated before answering. Kima did not let him. 

"Pardon, Your Majesty. You've told me before. It's just... magic can be used for many things. Some bad, some good. Why is Evelia not lending magical aid to Lurinlia's farmers and harvesters? It's a practice as old as millennia. To rely on just Mother Nature for the growing of our food and crops is, well... primal. Magic is what creates surplus. Magic is what allows Lurinlia to brand itself as a land of quality. If you will not permit magic use amongst Lurinlia's populace, then where is our Royal Sibyl when we need her? Is this not why her position at Court was created?" 

Faelin sat back down on the Ivory Throne with a heavy, tired thud. Again, he went back to rubbing his temples. "Evelia is busy with more important matters."