The Cursed Tyrant and His Reluctant Queen
Just when I start accepting that I will spend the next seven months locked in my chambers, I receive an unplanned visit. Through dubious channels, at that.
Among the few people who would visit me here, except for my family, there are only Fernard Falco and Princess Juliet. All the other people currently in the Palace don't have the chance to come to me except for the formal events or open days.
So, when Aida knocks, telling me we have a guest, I'm more than just surprised.
«Who?»
«I don't know, your highness.»
She shrugs, signalling it's not someone dangerous for me. But still, who could it be?
«That person is here with your Highness's brother,» she adds.
«Oh, then it must be a friend.» There's no way Marius would bring a foe here in my condition. «Let them pass.»
As soon as I've said my words, I realise the reason behind Aida's concern.
«It's a Mage!» I exclaim, whispering because I don't want to be heard. «Is that why you're acting like this?»
«Yes,» she sighs.
«But not as powerful as to be dangerous.»
«Exactly.»
«Good. Then, let them pass. I want to see who my brother found...»
I was supposed to meet the head of the Mages in Mavale, but the attack made it difficult. Also, Marius had spent his time wandering around and couldn't cause a situation for this person and me to meet.
While they approach my room, I start feeling the other person's magic. It's not very strong, indeed, but it's noticeable. In the Church, it would be a Saint. Still, we free Mages have many powerful people on our side.
Those hunted by the Church are usually the less powerful among us, those who can't protect themselves if there are too many enemies. Also, there aren't enough Mages to put up a real fight. Those powerful are very rare; most can do small tricks only. This one, no matter how ordinary it looks to Aida and me, is a rare Mage.
Maybe, they can control the elements like me, but most likely a single one, or at most two.
The door is opened, and Marius walks in followed by a person in a dark robe. When the hood is lifted, I see the blonde beauty underneath, and I understand why Marius insisted on accompanying her here.
It's a girl his age, maybe a little younger. Her lips are small and red, her nose straight. Her locks are bright, silken, but short. She cut her straight hair at the base of her neck, making it flutter on her shoulders.
«Hello,» I say, smiling.
«My name is... I'm Aria. It is a pleasure to meet you... Ehm, an honour... It's an honour.»
She bows, bending her body in the way most countrymen do. It's not gracious one bit, but her insecurity gives a feeling of warmth to my heart. She doesn't know how to act in front of nobles, and how could she? Mages avoid courts like hospitals.
«Hello, Aria. I'm Veronica.»
«I know, your Maj... Your... Highness?»
«It's fine, relax. You can call me as you want. Maybe the human way is better to avoid problems. Not many know about my identity, after all.»
«All right, then. I will do so, your Majesty.»
She's calmed down a bit now that her first doubt is solved. She peeks at me and adjusts the mantle. Her dress is plain, signalling her social status. She's a daughter of farmers, most likely. Or maybe of small retailers. Even though it's old, the fabric is clean. It means she can change into other clothes. Also, the cloak is warm and of quality.
«Are you the head of Mages here in Mavale?»
«I am, your Majesty.»
«You look very young. How come you're the one they refer to?»
«There aren't many Mages as far as I know.»
«There should be... Uhm, fifty? That's a reasonable number for such a city.»
After all, Mages are rare. It makes it even harder to connect among ourselves. It also becomes an issue to find the even rarer cases of Mages born from humans.
«I know about eight, your Majesty,» she says.
«Eight?»
Either they hide, or they leave the city for the much safer countryside. Oh, that would make sense. Maybe, knowing about me will attract some to come back here.
«I'm the elder, now that our Master left.»
«Left?» Did he leave the kids to themselves and travel away in search of safety?
«Master was old when he found us, and he helped us learn how to use magic. And how to hide from humans. My parents were mages as well, but the other kids didn't have the luck to grow up in a family.»
«So, it's you and seven other children?»
«Yes, your Majesty.»
«How old are you?»
«I am fifteen. I will turn sixteen in two months.»
«I see.»
So, it's even worse than imagined. Mages are fleeing from any place where humans are strong. It's all to avoid accidentally being discovered and burnt on the stake.
I haven't heard of such cases in a long time, though. It seems the Church can't find us on their own, and they ask the citizens to help them with anonymous reports. Sometimes, they burn humans as a mistake but I doubt they would be too sad to find out.
After all, they're not trying to eradicate every Mage on earth as much as they want to make it clear who is the one in command.
«My parents were burnt four years ago,» she continues. «Since then, I don't know of any adult Mage in the whole capital. Master died two months after your Majesty was decided to be the future Queen. He told me to come look for you when I can.»
«Your Master was wise. And I'm sorry for your parents. I will work for a world without the need to hide, Aria. But I can't do it alone. I need your help. Yours, and of the others.»
I'm a little troubled to ask for help from kids, but there's no one else, apparently.
«Do you know how to recognise Mages, by the way?»
«I do.»
«So, unless they're hiding, there really is no one in the capital.»
And those who can hide are not afraid to come here and tell me. The weakest have fled, except those who had no choice like the kids.
«Where do you live? How do you buy food and supplies for yourself?»
Let's find out more about this kid first.
«My parents left me the house and everything inside. The guards couldn't find our home, so they left it untouched. The people in the precinct had been suspicious of me in the beginning. At some point, they forgot about it and continued living. When Master found me, he said to everyone he was my uncle and that he came to take care of me. He had two other kids with him; no one inquired any further. He helped me sell the house and buy another one in a new place. Somewhere where no one would wonder how I live and whether I'm using magic. We've learned a few jobs, and we survive pretty well. The others are too young to be on their own, so we stay together like a big family. It's not that bad, your Majesty.»
«Aida, what do you think?»
She nods.
«The girl is telling the truth. Also, she's healthy, even though malnourished. She has enough to eat, but her diet is unbalanced. She doesn't seem to suffer from the cold nor to be exposed to the sun longer than normal.»
«Her magic?»
«Fire.»
«I see... Do you use your powers to help you in your daily life?»
«Only when I'm at home,» she says. «My parents said never to risk doing magic outside. Also, that's how they were discovered. My father saved a kid from a carriage with wind magic.»
«And, as a sign of thanks, they burned him next to your mother.»
Aria's lips tremble, and I realise I'm talking with a traumatised kid. I should be more delicate, for goodness.
«It won't happen to others. I'm here to save those hiding in the shadows now. One day, being a Mage won't be a shame. One day, we'll be citizens of Alba just like any other.»
Some countries employ Mages, but they don't have enough to make full use of their presence. Alba is blessed. Even though rare, we have stable numbers. If only the Church wasn't so afraid that Mages would shadow them and transform their power into nothingness, the Kingdom would prosper with less effort than others.
«Sit here, please. Let's have a chat in front of tea. I'm sure there's a lot you want to say.»
«I just wanted to meet your Majesty. It seemed the right thing to do. My Master told me about the Queen of Mages and her successor, her Highness Veronica Bursio. It's a sign of fate that you're now Queen of Humans.»
«I want to be Queen of Alba,» I point out.. «Not just for humans.»
Chapter 129: The Mages In Mavale (1)
Among the few people who would visit me here, except for my family, there are only Fernard Falco and Princess Juliet. All the other people currently in the Palace don't have the chance to come to me except for the formal events or open days.
So, when Aida knocks, telling me we have a guest, I'm more than just surprised.
«Who?»
«I don't know, your highness.»
She shrugs, signalling it's not someone dangerous for me. But still, who could it be?
«That person is here with your Highness's brother,» she adds.
«Oh, then it must be a friend.» There's no way Marius would bring a foe here in my condition. «Let them pass.»
As soon as I've said my words, I realise the reason behind Aida's concern.
«It's a Mage!» I exclaim, whispering because I don't want to be heard. «Is that why you're acting like this?»
«Yes,» she sighs.
«But not as powerful as to be dangerous.»
«Exactly.»
«Good. Then, let them pass. I want to see who my brother found...»
I was supposed to meet the head of the Mages in Mavale, but the attack made it difficult. Also, Marius had spent his time wandering around and couldn't cause a situation for this person and me to meet.
While they approach my room, I start feeling the other person's magic. It's not very strong, indeed, but it's noticeable. In the Church, it would be a Saint. Still, we free Mages have many powerful people on our side.
Those hunted by the Church are usually the less powerful among us, those who can't protect themselves if there are too many enemies. Also, there aren't enough Mages to put up a real fight. Those powerful are very rare; most can do small tricks only. This one, no matter how ordinary it looks to Aida and me, is a rare Mage.
Maybe, they can control the elements like me, but most likely a single one, or at most two.
The door is opened, and Marius walks in followed by a person in a dark robe. When the hood is lifted, I see the blonde beauty underneath, and I understand why Marius insisted on accompanying her here.
It's a girl his age, maybe a little younger. Her lips are small and red, her nose straight. Her locks are bright, silken, but short. She cut her straight hair at the base of her neck, making it flutter on her shoulders.
«My name is... I'm Aria. It is a pleasure to meet you... Ehm, an honour... It's an honour.»
She bows, bending her body in the way most countrymen do. It's not gracious one bit, but her insecurity gives a feeling of warmth to my heart. She doesn't know how to act in front of nobles, and how could she? Mages avoid courts like hospitals.
«Hello, Aria. I'm Veronica.»
«I know, your Maj... Your... Highness?»
«It's fine, relax. You can call me as you want. Maybe the human way is better to avoid problems. Not many know about my identity, after all.»
«All right, then. I will do so, your Majesty.»
She's calmed down a bit now that her first doubt is solved. She peeks at me and adjusts the mantle. Her dress is plain, signalling her social status. She's a daughter of farmers, most likely. Or maybe of small retailers. Even though it's old, the fabric is clean. It means she can change into other clothes. Also, the cloak is warm and of quality.
«Are you the head of Mages here in Mavale?»
«I am, your Majesty.»
«You look very young. How come you're the one they refer to?»
«There aren't many Mages as far as I know.»
«There should be... Uhm, fifty? That's a reasonable number for such a city.»
After all, Mages are rare. It makes it even harder to connect among ourselves. It also becomes an issue to find the even rarer cases of Mages born from humans.
«I know about eight, your Majesty,» she says.
«Eight?»
Either they hide, or they leave the city for the much safer countryside. Oh, that would make sense. Maybe, knowing about me will attract some to come back here.
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«And what about them? Tell me something.»«I'm the elder, now that our Master left.»
«Left?» Did he leave the kids to themselves and travel away in search of safety?
«So, it's you and seven other children?»
«Yes, your Majesty.»
«How old are you?»
«I am fifteen. I will turn sixteen in two months.»
«I see.»
So, it's even worse than imagined. Mages are fleeing from any place where humans are strong. It's all to avoid accidentally being discovered and burnt on the stake.
I haven't heard of such cases in a long time, though. It seems the Church can't find us on their own, and they ask the citizens to help them with anonymous reports. Sometimes, they burn humans as a mistake but I doubt they would be too sad to find out.
After all, they're not trying to eradicate every Mage on earth as much as they want to make it clear who is the one in command.
«My parents were burnt four years ago,» she continues. «Since then, I don't know of any adult Mage in the whole capital. Master died two months after your Majesty was decided to be the future Queen. He told me to come look for you when I can.»
«Your Master was wise. And I'm sorry for your parents. I will work for a world without the need to hide, Aria. But I can't do it alone. I need your help. Yours, and of the others.»
I'm a little troubled to ask for help from kids, but there's no one else, apparently.
«Do you know how to recognise Mages, by the way?»
«I do.»
«So, unless they're hiding, there really is no one in the capital.»
And those who can hide are not afraid to come here and tell me. The weakest have fled, except those who had no choice like the kids.
«Where do you live? How do you buy food and supplies for yourself?»
Let's find out more about this kid first.
«My parents left me the house and everything inside. The guards couldn't find our home, so they left it untouched. The people in the precinct had been suspicious of me in the beginning. At some point, they forgot about it and continued living. When Master found me, he said to everyone he was my uncle and that he came to take care of me. He had two other kids with him; no one inquired any further. He helped me sell the house and buy another one in a new place. Somewhere where no one would wonder how I live and whether I'm using magic. We've learned a few jobs, and we survive pretty well. The others are too young to be on their own, so we stay together like a big family. It's not that bad, your Majesty.»
«Aida, what do you think?»
«The girl is telling the truth. Also, she's healthy, even though malnourished. She has enough to eat, but her diet is unbalanced. She doesn't seem to suffer from the cold nor to be exposed to the sun longer than normal.»
«Her magic?»
«Fire.»
«I see... Do you use your powers to help you in your daily life?»
«Only when I'm at home,» she says. «My parents said never to risk doing magic outside. Also, that's how they were discovered. My father saved a kid from a carriage with wind magic.»
«And, as a sign of thanks, they burned him next to your mother.»
Aria's lips tremble, and I realise I'm talking with a traumatised kid. I should be more delicate, for goodness.
«It won't happen to others. I'm here to save those hiding in the shadows now. One day, being a Mage won't be a shame. One day, we'll be citizens of Alba just like any other.»
Some countries employ Mages, but they don't have enough to make full use of their presence. Alba is blessed. Even though rare, we have stable numbers. If only the Church wasn't so afraid that Mages would shadow them and transform their power into nothingness, the Kingdom would prosper with less effort than others.
«Sit here, please. Let's have a chat in front of tea. I'm sure there's a lot you want to say.»
«I just wanted to meet your Majesty. It seemed the right thing to do. My Master told me about the Queen of Mages and her successor, her Highness Veronica Bursio. It's a sign of fate that you're now Queen of Humans.»
«I want to be Queen of Alba,» I point out.. «Not just for humans.»
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