Arc 1 – The Case of the Forged Silver Coins
Chapter 1-4
A month later, Raithion Maenaer stood next to his parents watching his second sister’s lavish wedding unfold.
Guests filled the large front hall of his father’s new manor in the capital.
There were familiar faces, relatives, and friends from Draeya. Those Raithion welcomed with a full smile.
However, the unfamiliar faces, like the prime minister and his band of allies, those Raithion approached with caution.
Each one of them attended the wedding to see the generous event prepared with the help of Basileus Dio’s full support. They wanted to get a glimpse of General Maenaer and understand the reason why the general was now favored.
Noriel’s wedding was playing the part of introducing their Maenaer family to the capital.
Raithion wished they could avoid the extravagance, but it was difficult to pull his father away from a chosen path.
Noriel and her groom entered the large hall accompanied by the sound of melodic string instruments. They walked along the aisle formed between the seats, their steps slow and steady.
Noriel’s wedding dress was made using the finest red silk they could find in the imperial workshops. The colorful butterflies embroidered by the palace embroidery were stunning. The most skilled Sura artisans created the gold pieces arranged in her long mink black hair.
Festival managers in the imperial palace chose the assorted flowers arranged on stands in intervals on the path to the dais. The banquet to come after was prepared by the palace kitchens. This wedding fit the word extraordinary.
Raithion could only hope his sister enjoyed extraordinary happiness in her marriage.
Noriel’s groom was handsome in red. The palace had also prepared his wedding clothes. The red cloak on his shoulders trailed behind him embroidered with the same butterflies on Noriel’s train. The groom smiled hard at Noriel in clear happiness, holding her right hand with his left as they approached the dais.
Raithion liked Noriel’s husband-to-be.
Even though he was sure that some of the groom’s happiness came from the minor title he would receive from the Basileus. It wasn’t every day a common man became a viscount on the merit of marrying a Marquis’s daughter.
Raithion sighed at the Basileus’s clear extravagant treatment of his family.
Basileus Dio was painting a clear target on their faces and backs. The political class in the room watched Noriel and her groom with interest and intent.
Raithion’s worry grew another inch.
“Smile, Raith,” Thanir said next to him. “Noriel is watching you. She will be anxious if you don’t look happy at her wedding.”
Raithion pushed away his misgivings and his lips curved into a smile when he met Noriel’s wary gaze. He winked at her, and she smiled. Her lips curved into a beautiful smile under the sheer red veil she wore. She clutched her bouquet of wild red flowers tighter.
Raithion chuckled and glanced at his new brother-in-law.
Hujan gave him an acknowledging nod when their gazes met.
Raithion returned the nod knowing that he would now have to include Hujan in his list of important people.
A list that included his mother and father, Thanir and Silveren. His younger sisters, Noriel and Soriel. His mother’s two brothers and their families. Thanir’s three sisters and their families, and his brothers in arms.
Now, Noriel’s husband, Hujan would join their Maenaer Clan.
Thanir and his wife, Silveren, moved to stand at their table arranged to the right of the dais. Hujan’s parents also stood at a table to the left of the dais.
Basileus Dio stood at the highest point of the dais between the parents.
Noriel and Hujan reached the front and stopped.
Noriel held her husband’s left elbow tight as she looked up at the Basileus.
Basileus Dio stepped down from where his chair was arranged on the high dais and faced the couple. He looked especially handsome in the midday sunlight. His Adertha brown hair was trimmed to his shoulders and fell in healthy waves.
A gold crown that looked like woven leaves was wedged tight on his head.
His tunic was red with gold embroidery on the hems. He wore fitting dark trousers that disappeared into handsome burgundy boots decorated with intricate gold metal engravings. A long rich burgundy overcoat topped the outfit. The length of it sweeping the ground. The embroidery on the hems and cuffs would have taken ages to complete.
Basileus Dios wore his imperial clothes with ease. He looked comfortable in his own skin and rank. He faced Noriel and Hujan with unending confidence.
“Lady Noriel Maenaer, are you willing to tie your fate to Hujan Draug for the rest of your days?” Basileus Dio asked, his voice solemn enough for the occasion. His voice rang in the large hall, holding the attention of all the guests in the room.
“Yes, I am willing,” Noriel said, her voice shaky with nerves.
“Lord Hujan Draug, are you willing to tie your fate to Noriel Maenaer? To protect her, the children you make together, and the family you forge for the rest of your days?”
“Yes, I am willing,” Hujan said without hesitation.
The strength of his voice as he made the promise settled some of Raithion’s concerns.
“Bring the rings,” Dio said, his gaze shifting to the young woman standing behind Noriel.
Raithion smiled as he watched his little sister, Soriel, hold out a small silver tray holding two green jade rings. Hujan took one and with Dio’s nod, slid the ring onto Noriel’s left index finger.
Soriel grinned when Noriel’s hand shook when it was her turn. She murmured a few words to Noriel, and then stepped back behind Noriel. Dio’s gaze followed her and Raithion tried to ignore the Basileus clear interest.
Dio returned his attention to Noriel, and gave her a clear nod. Noriel smiled as she slid the ring on Hujan’s left index finger. They clasped their left hands for all to see the union, as Dio spoke to the room.
“I, Dio, Basileus of the Lyria Empire, do hereby bind your fates and declare you wedded. Two turned to one for the rest of your days in the viscount house styled Draug. Forever, Lady and Lord Draug to the empire. Hujan and Noriel, bow to your parents thank them for their care, and face the world as one from this day forth.”
Noriel and Hujan turned first to Hujan’s parents and gave them a formal bow.
They then turned to Thanir and Silveren and bowed.
Raithion hid a smile when he saw his mother wiping away tears.
Silveren nodded in approval when Noriel and Hujan straightened up and faced Basileus Dio. To Dio’s surprise, the couple bowed to him too.
Then, Hujan lifted his wife’s sheer red veil over the crown of jewels in her hair, before they turned to face their guests as a married couple.
Raithion clapped in congratulations. He grinned at his little sister, Soriel, who winked at him from her position next to Noriel. She was helping Noriel with the long train of her dress. She looked just as happy seeing Noriel find her place.
An attendant brought Raithion a goblet filled with sweet wine made from grapes.
Raithion was to make the first toast to his sister’s happiness and open the wedding’s festivities. He waited until Basileus Dio settled in the chair on the dais, and then the parents sat at their designated chairs behind their tables.
Noriel and Hujan remained standing looking at Raithion with expectant gazes.
Raithion took the goblet from the attendant and stepped up to stand on Noriel’s right side, facing Hujan. He held his new brother-in-law’s gaze.
“My name is Raithion Maener. I am Lady Draug’s big brother. I stand here to thank you all for attending this happy occasion as my sister marries her beloved, Hujan Draug. Our family is most grateful to Basileus Dio for the kindness he has shown us.”
Raithion looked to Basileus Dio and lifted his goblet in a toast.
“Long live, Basileus Dio.”
Raithion was glad when the room repeated the toast after him.
“Long live, Basileus Dio.”
Raithion gave the Basileus a formal bow, bringing his right hand to his chest, and bowing his head. Dio lifted his hand with an acknowledging nod in answer, releasing Raithion’s formality.
Raithion continued his speech, knowing to keep it short when Noriel gave him a discreet glare.
“I’ve looked after Noriel since she was born. I’ve been her guardian for twenty-four years now,” Raithion said, meeting Hujan’s gaze again. “It is difficult to know that she will no longer live under our Maenaer house. I must tell you, Hujan. I have considered stealing her away from you these last few months and hiding her away. You see, as the eldest in the family, I’ve been afraid our family will miss eating the delicious mint toffee Noriel makes. You would have to taste it to understand my concern for this imminent lack in our Maenaer house.”
The room erupted into chuckles and Raithion grinned when Noriel threatened to pinch him. She looked radiant today, even as she attempted to glare at him and failed. Her dark hair shone in the light, held in place by beautiful gold pins. Noriel made a beautiful bride.
“Brother, you will always be welcome into our home for a taste,” Hujan said in answer to Raithion’s lament.
Raithion let out a dramatic sigh and pressed his free hand to his chest.
“I’m very relieved to hear you say so, brother,” Raithion said, staring into his goblet of wine for a moment. “Still, I felt I had to let you know that I have worried about Noriel leaving our home and moving into a new one. Our family has protected her. Guarded her smiles and joys. We are a big family: our parents, my youngest sister and I, Maenaer uncles and aunts, our brothers in service, we’ve all given the best to Noriel. We hope she remains happy in every thought and action we take, now and forever.”
“Your care has turned me into the luckiest woman in this empire,” Noriel said, looking at Raithion, her green eyes bright with tears.
“We’re the lucky ones to have you,” Raithion said. “This brings me to the point of my speech, Hujan. You see, as a family, we agreed to come to terms with the imminent lack of mint toffee in our house.”
“Raith,” Noriel said, her tone complaining, as everyone chuckled again.
“This is because, I, being one of the many guardians of Noriel’s joys, cannot in good conscious keep her away from Hujan. Our family noticed how you make her smile and laugh. We chose to listen when she made the choice to stand next to you for the rest of her life. We understood that she has decided you are the keeper of her future. So, our Maenaer family can only support her wholeheartedly.”
“Hujan Draug,” Raithion held his goblet up in a toast. “Today, you are wed to Noriel Maenaer. She enters your family, but you enter ours too. We give you a treasure, and we hope you cherish her as she is, as she will cherish you. I, Raithion Maenaer, promise to stand as your brother, as I am hers, and to protect your family’s happiness as I’ve always done for Noriel. A toast to your happy marriage.”
Raithion drank the wine in the goblet until it ended. He turned the goblet over to show that it was empty. He then held out his right arm to Hujan and pulled him into a warrior’s hug.
Hujan returned his hug with a wide smile and held Raithion tight before he let go.
Raithion turned to Noriel and sighed when he saw tears in her eyes.
“Don’t cry, Nori,” Raithion said and leaned in to kiss both her cheeks. “You make a beautiful bride.”
“I love you, Raith.”
“I love you too.”
Raithion hugged her for a moment and then turned her over to her husband.
The room erupted into applause as Raithion stepped aside to allow the couple to greet their guests as a married pair. An attendant touched his left arm, letting him know that Basileus Dio wanted a word with him.
Raithion looked up to the dais and found Dio watching him with expectation.
Raithion walked up to the dais and stood on the right side of the massive chair the Basileus was using.
“Your love for Noriel is touching,” Dio said, his voice wistful. “I am jealous of her. You make me wish I was part of your Maenaer family when I hear your loyalty to them.”
Raithion held his tongue unsure how to respond.
Basileus Dio was a man he wanted to consider a friend, but their difference in status made the thought seem absurd.
Dio was an emperor, a king of kings, so powerful that he could hold the fate of Raithion’s legion in the palm of his hand with a single word.
They were unequal and could never be friends, only master and servant.
Yet, Dio persisted in the pursuit of friendship. He had not given up since their first meeting. The first time Thanir brought him and his sisters to the palace to meet the Basileus. Dio called him brother that day. Raithion could only see the head of the empire.
“Lord General Draeya, do you still not consider me your brother?” Dio asked, his gaze on Noriel and Hujan who were greeting the prime minister’s family.
“You are Basileus,” Raithion said, his tone respectful.
“Your tone suggests otherwise. I suppose it will have to be enough for now that I consider you my brother,” Dio said with a soft sigh. “Lord General, I have a task that is making me worry. I don’t want to send you out there in pursuit of Gesi Ajai’s accomplices but I can’t trust anyone else.”
Raithion held his words again. He lived a life of orders. His commanders gave orders and he executed them to perfection.
Basileus was the highest office in the land.
Raithion had no choice but to follow the man’s orders.
“Be at ease, Basileus,” Raithion said after a moment. “I promise to complete the task you give and return to give you a report.”
Dio looked at him then, his dark gaze unreadable.
Raithion wondered what Dio was thinking when a little frown creased his forehead.
“It looks like we still have time before you consider me one of the ones close to you,” Dio said with a small smile. “I wish to earn your trust faster. I want the right to call you Raithion, Lord General. Or even Raith as your beloved sisters do.”
Raithion lowered his head unsure how to respond to Dio’s words.
“What is your order, Basileus Dio?” he asked instead.
Dio cleared his throat and sat up in his chair. His right hand resting on the arm of his chair. The red jade ring on his right thumb was the absolute symbol of his station.
“A message from one of your father’s people arrived last night. An unknown player is watching the Sura clansmen at the port on the southeast coast. I would like you to find out why and if possible capture one of these unknown players. I grow anxious thinking about the results of the counterfeiting case. Do you think you can manage this task?”
“Yes, Basileus Dio,” Raithion said with a single nod. “I’ll head out this evening after the festivities and my sister’s wedding is over.”
“Thank you,” Dio said, giving Raithion a small smile. “Be careful out there, I don’t want to have to watch your family worry about you. I will look after them while you are away.”
Raithion nodded his agreement and started to step away but Dio continued.
“If you are worried about eating mint toffee in your Maenaer house, I can have one of the attendants learn how Noriel makes it,” Dio said. “Then, your house will not be without it.”
Raithion could not help his chuckle.
“What?” Dio asked, glancing at Raithion.
“Noriel learned her skill from our mother,” Raithion said, looking to his parents who sat watching their daughter mingle with the world as a married woman. Their expressions were a mix of happiness, relief, and sadness.
“I told Hujan of the scarcity to remind him that Noriel would always have a place in our house. If he wrongs her, we’ll take her back.”
“Do you think he understood your intention?” Dio asked, amused.
“If he did not understand, I will help him understand if it comes to it,” Raithion said, making Dio laugh.
The sound drew interested gazes. Raithion was quick to note the Prime Minister’s clear interest in him.
“Now I truly want to make you my true brother, Lord General,” Dio said, when his laugh ended. “What about you? When do you plan to marry? Or do you want to take in your father’s choice for you?”
“I don’t have plans to marry yet,” Raithion said, shaking his head. He never thought about marriage. “Lately, I have all these orders to carry out for Basileus Dio. When can I get married?”
“It’s good to dream of having someone you can return home to, call your own,” Dio said with a soft chuckle. “Someone to guard your smiles and happiness, as you said earlier. If you have no time, I’ll take responsibility and help you find someone.”
Raithion nodded his thanks. He had long understood that he was not one of the lucky ones who married for love. Like Noriel and even his youngest sister. His marriage would be designed to help defend Basileus Dio’s position.
Raithion was part of his father’s promise to Basileus Rokas.
Raithion clasped his hands at his back and turned his attention to Noriel and Hujan who were now heading down the aisle to the open doors. They would start a procession that would end at Hujan’s manor where a party would continue until the late hours of the night.
“The wedding is done. Hujan and Noriel are bound. I know your parents planned a celebration to honor the accomplishment. Your guests will not be free if I’m still here. I should return to the palace,” Basileus Dio said, getting up. “The rest is up to you, Lord General. Your father will have the details of the suspects. I look forward to your news.”
“I thank you for blessing my sister’s marriage,” Raithion said.
“It was my honor,” Dio said, then stepped down from the dais and followed the couple out of the hall with a small smile on his handsome face.
Raithion frowned when Dio reached the exit and paused next to Raithion’s little sister, Soriel.
Soriel held her sister’s bouquet of red wildflowers and her own, which was full of purple flowers.
Dio took a good look at Soriel, and then plucked a red flower from Noriel’s bunch.
Raithion froze when Dio then tucked the flower behind Soriel’s right ear, his fingers brushing the soft strands of her jet-black hair out of the way.
Dio winked at Soriel, who blushed hard and stepped back. The Basileus chuckled and then stepped out into the sunny afternoon.
Raithion shuddered. It scared him to think of Dio making Soriel his Basilinna.
Soriel was too young to take on that monstrous position. She had just turned twenty this year. The Maenaer family was not strong enough to cope with the pressure.
Raithion needed a lot more power than he had now to be able to protect a Basilinna.
Worried, Raithion glanced at his father. He was not shocked to find his father watching Soriel too. What did surprise him was the clear pleased anticipation he read on his father’s face.
Thanir Maenaer’s clear ambition made Raithion’s heart shake.
“Raith,” Silveren called to him.
“Yes, Mom,” Raithion hurried down the steps of the dais to stand next to his mother.
“What a lovely speech you gave,” Silveren said, taking his right hand, her fingers soft on his callused ones. She squeezed his hand. “I promise to make an even better one when you wed. I don’t know who will be deserving of you, but I am grateful you will not be leaving our house and will instead be bringing back someone. I’ll miss Noriel, but I’m glad she is married. Now, we just need to worry about Soriel.”
Raithion grinned at her and relaxed at her clear joy. He decided to enjoy the festivities for the next few hours before he started the dangerous journey to the port on the southeast coast of Naga State.
“Get a chair, child, sit next to me,” Silveren said. “Let’s have wine to celebrate Noriel’s wedding.”
Raithion pulled a chair close to her and sat, accepting a goblet of wine from her. He pressed the rim to hers and sipped with a smile.
Outside, the fiddlers started a lively tune as the procession started.
Raithion toasted his sister with their guests for the rest of the afternoon.
At midnight, he changed into his travel leathers, donned a dark cloak over his shoulders, and left Marquis Draeya’s manor in the cover of darkness. His most trusted legion brothers joined him after he left the capital city, led by Haedor. They formed a team of fifteen as they took the main road riding to the port found at the coast of Naga State.
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Sui Writes 
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