chapter 19

James had taken a bath and had finished the food too. He went and dressed himself in a green dress. James took the plates and opened the doors to hand it over to the knights. What he found instead was that the maid was also present there. She accepted the plates gracefully.

Maid: Need you need anything ser. Just call for me.

James: What might your name be?

Maid: Just call be 'maid'.

The maid walked away with the plates without talking any further. James went to his room and chose a new book to read. It seemed some new book were added to the stack of the books he had. James looked happy at the prospect. He read the book for a ling period of time. James never slept, not since he learned to cancel it. For him sleeping was similar to being dead and he did not want it.

Night had passed and morning had come. Morning had gone and noon had come. James was still reading books. He had finished more than five books now. If there was anything he did love, it was the books. The infinite amount of knowledge chosen to form a finite set of facts transferred from the writer to the reader through the invention of words. James looked at the magic of the books. He never knew how the time went on when he read books.

There was a knock on the door and it was answered by James to see the Queen sitting there. James looked surprised at this and let her in. The door was closed. James offered the main seat of the room to the queen but she politely declined it and sat in the other seat opposite to it by the table. James looked at the lady who had done the thing different from the third princess. James was indicated to be seated by the queen by the indication of pointing her hand. James sat down on the table. The queen picked at the book James had been reading that had been left on the table while he had gone to answer the door.

Ariadne: The wonderful strategies of the seventh kingdom. Are you interested in the Kings of the past James?

James: No, my queen.

Ariadne: When we are alone you can call me Ariadne.

James: Yes, my queen.

Ariadne: Call me Ariadne.

James: Ariadne.

Ariadne: Good. The magic spun in this room is interesting. Why are you interested in the techniques of the Kingdom rather than the queendom?

James: The book was on the shelf and I just picked it up and read it. I am going to be staying here for a few more days right.

Ariadne: I am not accusing you James. It is good to know of the seventh kingdom. They are farther away than the goblin nation and could attack us if they wanted to. If you wanted other type of books just send the word to the librarian.

James: Where shall I find him.

Ariadne: Just send it along the women outside. People say that the library in the Fenrir academy to be magical but the library of the castle is magical too.

James: If there is a goblin nation why haven't we eradicated them.

Ariadne: Did you think I was trying to change the topic. I was interested in discussing about the books and the seventh kingdom came in.

James: Sorry Qu-Ariadne.

Ariadne: Feels nice. How long has it been since a man has called me by my name?

James looked confused by the statement. She could get married to anybody she wanted.

Ariadne: You might think I am allowed to have a husband but you are wrong. I am only allowed to have a consort. Marrying them would mean they would be given too much power.

James: You have given me too much power.

Ariadne: That reminds me. When are you going to rebel against me?

James: Never.

Ariadne: I know the patter always. A little too much power. That is all it takes to forget everything and wage war. Every general who thought the metal army was a myth had been killed,

James: There are exceptions in history and I am one of those.

Ariadne: I am here to just speak with you. Nothing more other than that.

James: Have you taken a particular interest to me, Ariadne.

Ariadne: There is no need to flirt James. What I need is a friend.

James: I have no problem with that. Maybe you should come to the fort once in a while.

Ariadne: I was planning on making you a lord.

James raised his eyebrow questioningly. Ariadne raised her eyebrow as well.

James: I thought our society was a matriarchal one. Never expected the position of the lord to be given to me.

Ariadne slightly slapped the hands of the general playfully.

Ariadne: Our society may have a queen as the top person but in our society men and women are equal.

James: I have seen differently.

Ariadne: I do not have much control over what happens in the lower families. I can just take care of the men who have enough talent and have risen to the ladder.

James: How does the lordship word?

Ariadne: You can still marry that Rookwood. You will be given a mansion in the A-block. You can keep the name of the Rookwood family but if you stop the marriage and even resign from the position of the general, you will still be a Lord and be given a stipend of thousand gold coins per month.

James: I don't see why I should not quit my position right now and enjoy the peaceful life.

Ariadne: The higher families have tens of thousands as their revenue. Yours isn't much special.

James: True. But the numbers don't add up. How can such a huge revenue be collected from the people when most of the people are poor.

Ariadne: The truth is these families export human resource. More precisely to say there is a really big continent after the sea. We send our armies and wizards, our scholars. The money inflow is really big.

James: Interesting.

Ariadne: You don't have to think about the economics of the country. Tell me. Are you interested in accepting the position?

James: Yes.

Ariadne: Interesting.

James: You are a very wonderful lady, my lady.

Ariadne: Don't flatter me James. Now tell me. Why did you send them back? The Stonewood and Merrywood.

James: They were of no use to the war but was nothing but baggage.

Ariadne: I have taken care of that matter. There is no need for much worry. Tell me something that I shall keep to myself. Why don't you become a wizard?

James: The headmistress did not allow me to be.

Ariadne: That vile woman is always like that. But that did not stop you right.

James: There are a lot of thinks left to be learned.

Ariadne: What would you do if I said there is another dark lady? Or a new rogue fire lady perhaps.

There was a slight panic in the face of James which he covered it fast. Ariadne noted the expression and acted as though nothing had happened.

James: Then I will pray to the crimson mother to grant me her protection.

Ariadne: Who is this Crimson mother?

James: I had read about her in magic books. Many of the rituals begin with her name.

Ariadne: Are you not interested in taking care of her because it is totally okay.

James: I will take care of her.

Ariadne: She has said she needed sometime like a year or two to think about paying her allegiance to me. Mostly she is taking the time to prepare for a war.

James: I shall look into it.

Ariadne: Why? Give her a year to prepare. That is a direct order. It would be more fun in that manner.

James: True. The previous dark lady was nothing more than an overpowered wizard.

Ariadne: If she is an overpowered wizard then what are you?

James: A slightly more overpowered wizard.

Ariadne: I shall declare your lordship on the annual festival, day after tomorrow. Will that be okay.

James: Yes. I did not know it was the annual festival.

Ariadne: The last year you did not come at all. You should be more attentive as the generals are allowed to skip but the lords and ladies are not allowed to.

James: You don't have to tell me twice a thing.

Ariadne: There is another mission other than the dark lady I would like you to undertake.

James: I will go to the goblin kingdom if you want.

Ariadne: That mission is far too dangerous. I wanted you to accompany princess Ruby and go to the merchant city as the envoy. They favour men over women and it would be better if a lord went with them.

James: Did you give me the position for this particular mission?

Ariadne: I would have given you the position regardless of the mission and would have send you along the mission regardless of the position.

James: Yes, I shall act as protection for the princess.

Ariadne: You got me wrong. I want you to be a lord on the travel. You are not there for protection.

James: Okay.

Ariadne: I am leaving. See you at the festival.

The queen stood up and left the room.

James was seated alone in his room. He knew this would be the day there would be a lot of visits. He wished that the Rookwood family would meet him today, then he would not have to go to their house. James heard the knock on the door and opened the door telekinetically. Archie looked to see who had opened the door and entered the room. James looked at the new dress Archie had worn. It was yellow in colour and was beautiful. James did not want to prolong the conversation.

James: Nice dress you have got.

Archie: It was hard to get along the market. Seeing my dress and belongings they had thought that I had stolen the gold from someone. Finally, I had to act of being a servant taking dress for his master.

James: Good for you.

Archie: When are we going to meet the queen?

James: On the day of the festival. New orders. Stay outside throne room. Only come in if you're invited. And another thing. I might have to go directly from here and hence am going to leave you in my mansion. Take care of it.

Archie: Which mansion?

James: I am being given lordship. It comes with certain areas.

Archie: Lordship! It hasn't happened since the last Lord Draven.

James: True. The dress does not seem to be from block A quality.

Archie: I am sorry ser but from the money you had given I was only able to afford it from block B quality.

James: Seems my theory was true. Selena and Yokino both cheated me. And it seems the princess did too.

Archie: What shall I do ser?

James: Be in your room and enjoy the holiday. If you find there that can be done and is perfectly legal and also possible such that no one might question you, do it. Kill the time as you see fit but the main point is be in your room. If there arises an emergency, I might need to call for you.

Archie: I was thinking of spending some time in the room.

James: How come you became so soft-hearted all of a sudden?

Archie: Just because I questioned your statements with sarcasm doesn't mean I do not have a soft side. There are more to people than one mood.

James: True. I will be having a lot of visitors in the coming days. That is why I want to spend the time possible alone. We can discuss the laws when we are in the fortress.

Archie: I thought I was supposed to be in the mansion of yours.

James: True. Then we will have some quality time when I come to stay in the mansion.

Archie: Just a doubt. Did the queen give you the mansion as a way of saying to stop hang around the castle much?

James: It is a possibility. You can leave.

Archie left the room mumbling to himself. James thought about the actions of the Queen. Maybe everything was going well or maybe everything was going bad. The one true essence of the life was that for people like him there will always be wars and there will always be new enemies. That was what kept him driving.

James spent a lot of time reading. Another group of visitors had come. They were from the prominent family of Mathes. The person had taken the seat in front of the general. His attendant was standing at the side.

Oliver: My name is Ser Oliver Mathes. I am from the prominent family of Mathes.

James: I never knew that the scholars were also possible of becoming the knights.

Oliver: You should know better than anyone that knighthood is a lot about position rather than power.

James: One might think so.

Oliver: I am going to come straight to the point. I am a prominent member of the Mathes family and represent the industrial group of food sponsored by a gentleman named Ali. Usually big businessmen hire managers from the higher houses to take care of their numbers and also to ensure that connections are good. It is a war on a different scale, both internal and external.

James: Interesting. It is also interesting that I do not remember the number of times I had said the word interesting after coming into the high society.

Oliver: Maybe you should hire a Maths. We are famous for helping great people with calculations.

James: So, I guess that you might have come to give an interview.

Oliver: No, no ser. I do not dare to do so. I am here on a business proposal but if you really need someone besides you, I might recommend someone even better than me and is more suitable to stay by your side. If you are really interested in having me I might resign from the previous post.

James: I am not interested in hiring anyone. What might the business proposal be?

Oliver: I had sent a letter back when you had been appointed to the post of the general. It is about the food supplies. My other family member might have contacted you about the clothing issue.

James: True. But I received letter from more than one Mathes.

Oliver: The internal competition is what make us highly competent.

James: Please elaborate widely.

Oliver: Forget about the competitions. I am here to say about the food incorporation. The food quality is good and the supplier has promised to provide special supplies for you. There will be a huge commission too.

James: I have been said the same statement the previous time. I had decided to continue with the conventional supplies but it seemed that yours might be a better option for the army, especially for me. So, speak about it openly. There is none here.

Oliver: The food will be better obviously. Usually there exists a commission that usually takes cares of the army and they provide with the standard items to the soldiers. But you have the right to ask the committee to stop functioning for your army and ask the money to be provided to you directly. Then you can use it for the food. I can have my brother contact you on the clothing department. We can also offer you a hefty sum as a commission from the profit.

James: Just a simple question. Will the food be in any way lesser than the older versions?

Oliver: Obviously. But you need not worry about these beings. They can live even on really meagre amount of food.

James: So, where you come in is to prepare the false charts.

Oliver: You are absolutely right.

James: I might want to say that the conversation should be stopped right now. I am not interested in redirecting the food supplying through money to reach the exact same place.

Oliver: Are you saying you are going to throw away such a big chance to make money?

James: Yes. You can leave if you do not have anything else.

Oliver looked angry and annoyed a lot. He almost stood and calmed himself down and sat on the chair again.

Oliver: I could help you meet really good businessmen. I can also help you invest in one of the firms and make sure you get enough money out of it.

James: True. Meet me later then. I do not have enough money right now. I will send for you later when the need arises.

Oliver began to say something and then left. James sat there staring at the empty chair. It was always good to speak to a civilise tongue. He was never going to sell the soldiers who had put faith in him. The soldiers who had stuck him when he was the most distracted. James remembered hearing Commander Rat saying that he could sell the rights to supplies to another company and make profit out of it. Was the present food such bad?

Time passed by. James had expected Selena or at least Amelia to come to his room. He had not talked to them ever since he had become the general griffin. He never interacted with them much but he had met them once in a while. James did not draw another bath for him. He had just changed the dress and waited for the day to come.

The day of the festival had come. No new merchant had come to make any new deals with him. Maybe Oliver had spread the word that he was not really into corrupted business practises. James laughed at himself. There were times when he killed human beings without a second thought. The path he had been going was the same. But when it came to people, he did not know he was not going to do a simple corrupted practise to gain even more money. James smiled at himself. He cared for the money but did not do anything to receive it except the fact that everything he did made him receive the gold.

The time had come and the knights had knocked on his door like the previous time. This time Oliver and Mia was absent. James opened the door to find that Archie was waiting for him outside. James smiled remembering the last time Rosy had waited for him. He had skipped the previous years' festival simply because he had lost track of time and was learning magic. This year saw two wars. James went to the room as usual and asked Archie to stay outside. James went in with one of the knights. James had sat at the table of the generals. He had sat in a different position that the previous time.

James looked at the Ruckus that was going on. Maybe the word had spread out that he was being made a Lord. Maybe it hadn't. James knew whatever the reason was he was going to accept the post. Just like usual everyone had taken their seat when the time had come. The Queen had come when the time had arrived. The princess was besides her. The orchestra in the next room played the soft music again. James as usual did not listen to the conversation much. The queen had made her usual jokes as usual. James had laughed whenever somebody else had laughed. Another pair of knights from the scholarly family was hailed the heroes. It seemed as if there did not exist children of the matron in every year and whenever they existed, they were surely made a star on the festival. Finally, it came down to him.

Ariadne: Now it comes to the final and the biggest announcement of the day. I have decided to award James Rookwood Lordship.

No one rose as James had expected. Maybe the peace of the court was a real thing. He really liked the court and its language very much. James stood once again and bowed to the queen from where he was standing and stood erect as he already knew how the ceremony was.

Ariadne: James. Do you accept the Lordship that is being offered to you?

James: Yes.

Ariadne: Do you accept to bear the responsibility of the security of the existence of the nation and what it stands for?

James: Yes.

Ariadne: Do you swear upon the Queendom to even put your life on the line if the need arises?

James: Yes.

Ariadne: Do you accept all these knowing that this is a formation of contract through divinity under the rule of the God?

James paused for a moment and kept looking into the eyes of the queen.

James: Yes.

Queen: I Ariadne Fenrir Senviness call upon my divine name as given by the Goddess of the high and grant you, James of the name an individual Lordship and shall stay true to his first name. Let his first-born daughter take the name James as the name of the house. This is my will and so is the goddess'.

Some of the servants of the court came and placed a new table in the room with the name of James. James looked at the table and sat there immediately. The proceedings of the court went on.

James had gone on with the talk politely. He had not opposed any of the ladies, neither had he supported any. James had known the fact about his lordship that it only lasted for three generations and if he married any other family of the royal order his future was settled. He had come as far as it was possible for any commoner and any male, unless the post of the consort was open. James had been standing by the wall, leaning against it slightly. He did not want to lean on it, but the presence of the slight touch of the wall was more than enough for him to feel secure.

James saw lady Richane approaching James. James thought she might have come to congratulate him as many had done on that day. He stood erect and looked onto the lady. The lady gave her hand and James shook it, being her equal. Any lord or lady was equal in the court.

Lady Richane: I must say congratulations Lord James. It seems you never ceases to amaze everyone.

James: If you must say it you should. It is always good to satisfy yourself whenever you can.

Lady Richane: It is a nice joke indeed, though forgive me for not laughing as I have grown senile to such jokes after seeing the joke of the court every year.

James: One might never have guessed such a thing might have been possible. Maybe I should keep someone with me who will make me always sad so that when wonderful ladies like say a joke, I might be able to laugh.

Lady Richane: True. But isn't the purpose of our life to make your life happier.

James: One like me might say I might destroy myself to save myself.

Lady Richane: Well versed in the arts of logic and the thoughts of the wanderer. You are a person that can grow up whenever he wants from wherever he wants. Would you care for a dance? My daughter is tired of dancing with me.

James took the hand that was offered and began walking to the dance room. It was his first dance. James looked at the place they had stopped and noted that he had stopped in one of the side corners. The dance area was hexagonal in shape. As he and the lady in front were equal, they had to dance to the last style of the traditional dance and all the lords and ladies in the room were well versed in it.

James had begun dancing with the lady in front of him. They were holding hands together to the either side and was swirling slightly to the tune. The faces of both of them were closer so that the equals were allowed to talk whatever they were to. The play was going on, the dice was thrown by the god, the devil creeps around the shadow, the dance shall begin to quench blood. The dance had begun and blood was to spill.

James: What might be that you are interested in much that you decided to have a dance with me? Not many are interested in having a dance with me.

Lady Richane: Do not forget that I had stood up for you when you were not rewarded for the mission of hunting the serpent. And standing in the corner against the dark taking the support of the wall, who might think you might actually be waiting for a dance?

James: I happen to be a pretty reserved person by birth.

Lady Richane: That does say that you are fit to be nobility. Do you know the reason why temporal ladyships and lordships are only allowed to last till the third generation? The reason is that it takes three generations to bred nobility. The last lady of the family could be accepted to another family with her wits.

James: Interesting thing that the queen is also interested in taking care of the future of the queendom. The more cunning the residents are the less the queendom had to fear of outsiders trying their tricks.

Lady Richane: How upfront can I be with you Lord? Would you be considering me a friend now?

James: You can be as upfront as you want. If the question was how upfront can you be without making me have a negative emotion, I might not know the answer. I would say, please speak your mind out.

Lady Richane: The play of words is the best when the number of meanings is limited to one idea the utmost. How is the engagement to the house Rookwood going on?

James: I did not know we were here to speak about the personal things related to the relation to the line of the Rookwoods, Lady Richane.

Lady Richane: Call me Aubrey. We are after all of the same status.

James: There are tales of people who do not like being called by their name rather than their title even by their equals.

Lady Richane: Let's not get side-tracked. If you end the betrothal with the Rookwoods you could find another beautiful wife.

James: I am listening.

Lady Richane: Think about the facts here. The only reason thou had agreed to the marriage in the first place was because it was an offer that would have helped you achieve the things you wanted then. People should not marry for things. You are one of the possible few who can marry for the sake of liking the person, or love. If you look around you might see more than enough women to your liking.

James: There is no reason to not like Amelia. She is beautiful according to all the standards. But why did you use the word 'thou' rather than 'you'.

Lady Richane: Changing the topic again.

James: Since there was nothing left to pursue, I was hoping to change it anyhow.

Lady Richane: The Richane family developed the magic of using the native language as spells rather than the ancient. As we are inventing spells all the time from the ancient language, we do have a few of the words in our system. But forget about that at the least while this conversation lasts. What do you say as to being united to the spell-spinner family of the Richane.?

James: I have to guess the fact that you a proposal properly planned. It would be unchivalrous of me not to ask you to speak all of it if you see it fit.

Lady Richane: True. How about marrying me?

James: I might have to decline that for multiple reasons.

Lady Richane: That was just a way of checking whether or not you had proper base thoughts or areas of no compromise. Basically, it could be considered a joke. But the fact does remain that I have many daughters. You can marry one that is beautiful and also of your age. We can marry your children into our family. I do have a lot of magical artefacts and knowledge unknown to the outside world.

James: The idea does seem god. Had you approached me before I had already finalised my deal before I had got into the academy, I would surely have accepted it in a whim.

Lady Richane: Do not worry about the formalities of breaking a promise. There was never an agreement drawn at all. All you did was give a word. Don't you think it is better to choose what is better for you.

James: True. But you have not said why I should be courting your daughter rather than someone like Natalie Michane maybe.

Lady Richane: Do you seriously want to be involved in a marital relationship with that black woman. Their whole clan is black. I guess I am allowed to insult her and her family hoping that you do not have any feelings for them.

James: She did get my attention when she had stood against the third princess. Other than that nothing matters of that fact. But the question is whether there exists no other way to male my position other than whoring myself away.

Lady Richane: It is a good thing I am the only one who was able to hear it Lord James. You should be behaving more like a lord. Besides that, you do get a chance to make a decision before marrying anyone.

James: True. But I might as well as not break my word as the only things I am promised to receive is the things that are to be considered worldly. I am getting tired. I should be leaving the dance floor at least for a minute or two.

Lady: A final question before you leave. Would you marry someone else if you happened to have fallen in love with someone.

James smiled at the lady in front of him. He jumped slightly in the air and twisted in mid-air to complete the step and caught the hands of the lady and stopped dancing though his face was as close to hers as before.

James: If I was capable of falling in love with someone, I would have fought the goddess if she had commanded so and even would have ripped my heart out if she had asked so.

James walked away from the dance floor and saw Selena waiting for him. She caught his hand and pulled him into the dance floor.

Selena: Will you be leaving my daughter after marriage if you fall in love with another woman later, Lord James?

James: I thought you had given a go in calling each other names Lady Rookwood. Be that maybe, even though I would be willing to cut out m heart open or give away my life, there is one contract I hold above it. The marriage. I had taken a personal vow and the only thing I treasure properly is myself.

Selena: You did surprise me though, not using a non-eavesdropping charm. The lady seems to have done it on purpose. You have to be aware of her movements.

James: Are you suggesting the inevitable might be that she might be an enemy?

Selena: It's at times like these when you make me proud. Not when you being a big achievement but when you talk properly as a family member. There are few other than Amelia who does so.

James: Is the anti-eavesdropping magic activated?

Selena: Yes.

James: Tell Amelia that I do love her and she need not worry. The fact soes remain that does have many enemies and I need to be sure to appear uncertain of all my decisions. The enemy is everywhere.

Selena: True. I would say it is better of you to leave right away.

James: My presence does cause them itchiness and it costs me nothing. It is aa win-win situation. There was something I wanted to inform you which you might not be needed to know. I have been asked to accompany as an envoy to the merchant city.

Selena: It is true that I did not know that there was to be someone going there and also that you were accompanying the princess but the fact is that we do have our ties with them.

James: I do wonder what might be the commodity exchanged.

Selena: Army, protection. Every time there is an army sighted another army from the queendom is send to protect them.

James: I did not know it and I am a General.

Selena: I should restate it. Every time there approached a foe, they turn their city to another location more towards the queendom such that when your army wages war with the goblins, they are protected.

James: So, they are afraid that we might kill them even though we all are humans.

Selena: To state in your language there are tales of humans killing each other.

James: I should be paid more.

Selena: Most of the money of our family goes into maintaining an army,

James: What I meant was the queen should be paying me a better portion?

Selena: One might argue so. What were the rumours about the topic of you dejecting the businessmen that approached you with the griffin army in mind? It is not that I am against it.

James: Whatever be the rumours be, the truth was that the people that approached me wanted to feed the soldiers from a cheaper source and very few too just for the sake of making some money. One thing I am certain is that I do like better soldiers in my army.

Selena: I share that opinion. Isn't it better thar we have the marriage sooner?

James: If she is ready, I am willing to have the marriage soon after I return from the voyage. As I have fulfilled all the formalities, not speaking of you, I would like to return to my room.

Selena: Leave now. There is no need of formalities.

Selena smiled motherly to the child she had helped grow. James smiled inwardly and walked away. Selena was able to see the glimmer in his eyes and had her own due to it.

James had spent a lot of time in his room when a letter had arrived. James opened it to find a letter from the princess.

Betrayers were always dealt with by the Senviness. Make sure you are not one.

Eleanor Senviness.

James smiled and burned the paper in his hand. James stretched his hands to remove the numbness and returned to reading books.