A woman rode through the gate of a large building complex on a white steed. Today Gabriela was dressed particularly beautifully in a white and blue dress. She trotted in slowly, dismounted and greeted the robed representatives of the Inquisition, who received her politely. Then she let them show her the way to her arranged meeting. She finally arrived on the third floor after having to struggle up a few very long flights of stairs. Before she could even knock, a man opened the door and invited her in. The two of them didn't just shake hands, they hugged. The man was dressed all in black. The coat of arms with the book, the olive branch and the hammer was depicted on his outer garment. Then they sat down together on a bench and began their conversation.
"Arbogast, I don't want to disturb you too much in your work, but the current developments are really problematic." - "I know. There's a lot of talk among our people about the developments in the country and there's a lot of unrest among all the people." - "It's clear that the nobles are nervous, but everyone else is also starting to feel more and more insecure. The situation can still be kept under control, but we need to start taking action immediately and with the utmost vigour before it gets any worse." The man agreed with her. The lady continued: "I have the necessary orders here and have also drawn up a strategy paper. I'll put it here on the table for you in the meantime." She did as she had just said. "And there's one more very important thing I have to tell you." - "What is it?" The lady took a quick breath, a little nervous about what she was about to say, and then began.
"There could be some major things developing in the royal palace in the near future, that could cause significant worry. I must be sure that we will have your support, despite the coming turmoil." The gentleman looked at her thoughtfully for a moment. His angular features and three-day beard were stared at by Gabriela in the meantime. He replied, "I think I know what you mean. I can give you my guarantee of support from the Inquisition." As a result, there was a hint of joy in the lady's otherwise rather gloomy face. "Very good! You know, His Highness is a wise man, but it doesn’t seem that he wants to understand the reason for the elimination of the Melgarions eighty years ago. It was a necessity, plain and simple, for the sake of all mankind!"
Arbogast rolled his eyes and replied: "You don't need to tell me that. I already know anyway." - "Yes, but His Majesty is still a good ruler. And besides, royal authority is to be respected." - "Of course it is," the man confirmed briefly. "And how is your son, Lucius?" - "Very good! He's a good learner and is particularly interested in history." - "Good, good. Is he still such a mommy's boy?" the man asked in a way that the royal advisor took as sardonic, although he hadn’t exactly meant it in that way. "Oh, please! I will give my child the attention he needs, to grow up with the right values." - "That’s not what I ..... I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry." - "Don’t worry about it," the woman replied, for once in a gentle voice. She wouldn't be returning to the palace right away. There was still something to do.
Meanwhile, His Majesty continued to lie ill in bed. His condition had worsened. Several servants were now present at all times, carefully tending to His Highness. The court physician had prescribed new medicine for him and there was great concern at court. Everyone knew that Maximilian I was no longer the youngest and already in the past had been known to get sick easily. This time, however, he seemed to have been caught very badly by the illness. Once a day, his wife sat at his bedside, briefly keeping him company and supporting him. However, the doctor and the servants did not allow her to be at his side for very long, as they were afraid that Her Highness might catch the disease from him. However, this hadn’t happened in the last two weeks, which in Katharina's eyes made it quite unlikely that she would catch it from him.
In the evening hours, Gabriela returned to the palace, where, as one of the most important court officials, she also was housed. She picked up her son, who was busy reading in the meantime. His eagerness to learn definitely pleased his mother. They then went back to their shared room together. The boy actually was too old not to have his own room, but neither of them seemed to mind. However, Lucius soon had a question for her: "Mum, everyone's talking about those rebellious Melgarists now. Do you really believe that magic is evil? Couldn't it also be used for good?"
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Mum replied: "Magic is evil and those who are born with it are destined to do evil." - "Why is that?" - "Why? Quite simple! Because someone who is born with powers that far exceed what is usually possible for others will not only believe, but know, that they are better than others. These people then are born with more power than anyone else and power will always be used to subjugate the ones who are weaker." The boy looked at her intently, but said nothing. Finally, what he had just heard seemed to have sunk in and he raised his voice: "Is that why you keep trying to work magic yourself with the old books and antiques?" - "Yes. If it were accessible to normal people, we could create a level playing field. Unfortunately, this is only possible with special items that have been enchanted by Melgar."
"And how does this Voland of yours help you with this?" The woman immediately covered her son's mouth and said in a whisper: "Don't you use that name! I've already told you that." - "Sorry, mum." - "You don't have to worry about all this until later. The two of us will make time for me to explain the whole thing to you. But not now." The boy had understood. Children often had to be brought up strictly, because at a young age they don't yet know what they can and can't say. Lucius wasn't stupid, he already knew that. His mum was just very keen in this case, that was all.
The jeremiad came just a few days later. The king had succumbed to his illness. His wife, Katharina, would therefore take over as regent until her son, Maximilian II, was old enough to fulfil this role. However, a different picture emerged at the ceremony to assume the throne. The trumpets of the royal guard resounded loudly through the halls as the accession of Her Majesty, Catherine I, was announced. The highest representatives of the Alethic Church were present for the occasion, as were all the important nobles in the immediate vicinity of the capital. It was a very short, unspectacular ceremony. Standing at Her Highness's side was her son and heir to the throne, Maximilian. It was easy to read the disinterest on his face.
During the ensuing celebration with food and drink, there was plenty of opportunity to chat and socialise. A high nobleman from the House of Hohenwar approached the future heir to the throne. "Good evening, Your Majesty! I would like to offer my condolences on the passing of your honourable father." - "Mhm, thank you!" the lad simply replied. He didn't add anything else. Shortly afterwards, the Minister of Economic Affairs approached him: "Young man, I can see that you have quite the appetite." And indeed, Maximilian was already sitting at his third plate from the buffet. He looked reluctantly at his dialogue partner. "I, of course, also think the food here is delicious. If I'm not mistaken, the roast is from the horse." There was no reaction from the boy. The man continued: "I hear you're interested in equestrian sports, aren't you?" - "Yes. I like to play polo." - "Do you have any other interests? Perhaps you might be interested in cavalry and warfare on horseback." Visibly annoyed, even though the conversation hadn’t been particularly long yet, the lad replied: "No, and I'm not interested in the other 'ruling stuff' either. I hope that my mother will continue to handle these issues for as long as possible, so that I don't have to have anything to do with them." The minister was completely aghast at this statement and left His Highness on his own again.
The day ended without any incidents. For the time being, however, the regent remained silent about her handling of the crisis. Her worried subjects kept coming to her this evening, asking her what she was going to do about the crisis with the Melgarists. She simply told them that she would soon present a plan and make important decisions. The metaphorical ship was now sailing in increasingly rough waters. But Katharina certainly had ideas and a plan. However, the nobles and especially the Inquisition wouldn’t be particularly happy about it. She’d wait a bit longer for its revelation.
