runiclore

Ignorance of Protocol
Author: Amber Michelle
Day/Theme: July 17 - Fall from grace
Series: Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
Character/Pairing: Sanaki, Naesala, Sephiran
Rating: K
Words: 3871

Notes: AU, part three of the Summer Chronicle. This is a first and ongoing draft; a list of known issues is being compiled here.

.............................................

"Elliot, eldest son of the Pars family in the Levant, Persis." Sanaki looked up, lowering the folder to her desk. "Twenty-eight years old, in line for a provincial representation post. True?"

"Enough." Sephiran lifted his head and blinked at the window. "His father was dismissed for fraud last year, but the son hasn't done anything of note."

"Have you met him?" She glanced at the proposal. It was short and to the point, thank the goddess, in a stiffly perfect hand. Probably written by a scribe. The script had no personality. "What does he look like?"

"I-- well, I didn't pay much--" He caught sight of her eyebrow rising and sighed. "Average height. Dark hair, ghastly pale face. Studious, I suppose."

Sanaki closed the folder and tossed it to the side. It made a satisfying crack on the floor. "You're some help, Minister." The next was embossed in gold, and the cover was stiff and made of silk. The parchment was a tasteful cream, and the script was a nice shade of indigo. She threw it aside as soon as she saw the portrait. "Worthless."

"You can't judge by appearance alone, Empress."

"Why not?" She opened another. No portrait, but the Valtome family crest was stamped at the bottom of the first page, and that was damning enough. "I don't need status, and I'm not looking for love. As soon as I produce this ever-so-important heir, I frankly don't care what becomes of my husband as long as he's out of my sight. All that matters is whether or not I can stand to share his bed, isn't that so?"

Sephiran was silent, and Sanaki skimmed the next page. At least Valtome hadn't the nerve to ask her personally, though using his nephew was almost as bad. He was supposed to be a decent deputy commander; he was normal, relatively speaking. Too bad she would rather die than marry into that house or forge any relation whatsoever between herself and the duke. The very thought put a bad taste into her mouth.

She reached for her tea. "Sephiran," she said, the cup halfway to her lips. He didn't respond, or even look her way until she reached across and nudged his shoulder with the corner of her folder.

"I'm sorry."

Sanaki let him take it and waited. When she was fairly sure he wasn't actually reading the contents, she said, "He's rather good-looking. At least as handsome as General Zelgius, wouldn't you say? I know you've met him."

She watched his posture stiffen. The folder went flying. "Don't you dare."

For someone who didn't want to marry her, he was being awfully picky about who she chose. She didn't have to dismiss them all - he did it for her, instantly. "I'd chew sand, first."

"Empress, this isn't a laughing matter." Sephiran's voice was sharp.

Sanaki slapped her hands onto the desk and watched him jump. He held his tongue but watched her from the corner of his eye, wary, ready to take flight at any moment. She wanted to scare him away - maybe startle him into standing and backing away, to make him give ground for once. He bent his neck when it pleased her, when she wanted something of no consequence. But when it came to politics?

"My answer," she said, pushing up from her chair, "is no." She swept around her desk and stalked past him. "To all of them."

Let him stew on that. Let him think her difficult.

She went down the back stairs and out to the kitchen garden. The staff scrambled out of her way, mostly children with dirty hands and baskets of weeds, and one kitchen maid who curtsied so deeply she was almost on her knees. Through the back gate was a secluded corner of the cathedral grounds she and Sephiran had once used to conduct lessons when the days were pleasant. He might find her there, but none of the other senators knew or cared about the area.

There was a bench by the wall under a pine tree, and Sanaki sat with her hands and feet under her mantle. The afternoon air was still and cool, the sky a bright blue. Patches of grass were pushing up through the dark soil in the sunny areas, but the garden was still sleeping, still bare. She wanted the maple to leaf out and the mulberry to bloom, but that would mean spring, which would bring her closer to the end of her six months of grace.

Ashera must hate her. Sanaki remembered thinking so when it all started. You're a puppet for the Duke of Persis, Seliora had said. Is there any proof you are of the Apostle's blood line? We have only his word and a token resemblance to Misaha's daughter to recommend you.

She disappeared years before you were born, said another. You do not even possess the mark.

What mark?

If the real apostle were here, Sanaki thought, the senate would be under control. Her grandmother - if Misaha was in fact any relation to her - had bent them to her will with ease. After all, who could argue with the voice of the goddess? She wouldn't have capitulated and married Daien, or some snake of a senator. She didn't have to - for Misaha, the matter was resolved when she took a lover.

Why can't I do that? Why couldn't Sanaki take her time? She was still young. Her grip on the robe went slack and she looked down at her hands against the red fabric. Why were they pushing for a marriage alliance? Could it really be as simple as Sephiran made it sound - the manipulation of power among the houses? Fear there wasn't any noble blood running in her veins?

She heard footsteps, and knew the tread before his boots entered her range of vision. He was too light on his feet to be anybody else. Sanaki didn't look up. "King Kilvas," she said. "What brings you down here?"

"When I found Sephiran in your office alone," he said, and she could imagine the beginning of a grin on his face, "I guessed you were angry - again. He's got nerve, turning you down like that."

Sanaki flushed. "Have you any purpose here, Kilvas? Something useful to report, perhaps?"

He laughed low, folding his wings to sit beside her. She refused to look at him. "What do you mean by 'useful,' Empress?"

"Politics," she said, taking a deep breath, though they rarely associated when it came to other matters. It was hard to trust someone on the senate's leash, however unwilling he might be. Yet, aside from Sephiran, he was the only person she knew who would talk to her - for a price. "Am I really here on Sephiran's influence alone?"

He contemplated that a moment, eyes flicking aside to follow a bird. "No." The raven king leaned forward, elbows on his knees, and picked at a nail. "Not that he wouldn't grind them under his boot if he could - but he can't. The force of his influence is pennies with the senate right now."

Sanaki shifted on the bench to face him. "That can't be right. He maneuvers them into corners all the time."

"That's skill, Empress. Different story." Kilvas shrugged. "He's been at it for forty years, give or take, longer than Lekain. Try outmaneuvering that."

She watched his profile, lower lip working between her teeth. "But that's impossible. He's..." Sephiran certainly was good at nudging the representatives in the right direction when they were being difficult, and he managed a balance with the senior council too. Sanaki still didn't know how he did that. They obviously disliked him, and yet invited him to all of their meetings.

They hadn't once tried to slip their leash, come to think of it. How odd.

"So," she said, filing those thoughts away, "Why is he in such a bad position with the senate? That is, if you're not just reading into the situation."

"Reading into the situation doesn't turn a profit." He flicked pine needles from his wing. "As for why, the information will be free over at the Archives. You should go there."

"If it's in the archives, and therefore worthless, why won't you just--"

"Don't depend on others for reliable information, Empress." He stood up, stretched his wings, and the air turned chill for a moment. "What if I were hired by the senate to mislead you? Or by Sephiran? They can do that, you know. The contract doesn't stipulate loyalty to any one office."

Sanaki frowned. "He-- Sephiran wouldn't do that."

"Probably not," Kilvas agreed. She couldn't see his face. "Well, good luck, Your Majesty. You know my fee if you need anything."

*

The office was empty when Sanaki returned to check her appointments, so she penned a short note with her whereabouts and made the journey to the Archives. The building was at the edge of the cathedral complex and dwarfed by Mainal but still imposing, with rows of white columns in the front, and walls of solid stone blocks. Tanith accompanied her, and a small detachment of the royal guard in plain clothes were sent ahead to filter through the stacks and assure their safety.

"So much for doing this quietly," she said.

"We will not risk your safety, Your Majesty," Tanith said. "It wouldn't be prudent to conduct a confidential search yourself, in any case."

"I suppose not." That had occurred to Sanaki - the possibility that anything she removed from the archive would be noticed simply because of her interest in it. But surely these people had work to do, and better things to talk about than gossiping over what she wanted to read.

The catalogue room for the last five years of Misaha's reign was deserted when she entered. Twenty paces wide, forty long, it was crowded ceiling to floor with bays of drawers in narrow rows, step ladders, end tables with scraps of paper and bits of vine charcoal for note-taking, and lamps hung from the ceiling on bronze chains. After a round of the room Tanith said she would wait by the door.

The Emancipation Act was blamed for Misaha's fall, so Sanaki started with the summer of 624, when the law would have been passed. Mention of Sephiran was easy to find; his name was written at the top of one card, referring to a document on his ascension to the governorship of Persis - year 623 - and on another as author of the proclamation's first draft.

She remembered reading a transcript of Misaha's final speech as a child, and wondered why she'd never caught on to how strange it was that his name was there. Sephiran, Lord of Salinos and Duke of Persis, aide to Apostle Misaha of House Kirsch and descendant of Altina--

"--honored to meet you here, Senator. The Apostle is here on business, so I must ask you to wait."

"How odd. What on earth would she need from this room in particular?"

Sanaki rested her head against the drawer and sighed deeply. Culbert. What luck.

She replaced the card and relaxed her expression. He had good timing as such things went; the honorific told her where to look next, and she thought it might even be possible to walk out there and smile when she greeted Culbert. As long as she didn't think about his nephew's proposal or his part in her current situation, not to mention his comment last year on her choice of dresses for the New Year's celebration, she would be fine.

"Ah, Your Majesty," he said when she left the shelter of her aisle, bowing. "A wonderful coincidence. What brings you to the archives?"

When she was younger, perhaps five or six, Sanaki had been terrified of Culbert's hair. It didn't look real. She thought it was a wig, the sort that had to be powdered white to look decent, though of course he didn't. And she recalled - with somewhat gleeful pride - trying to pull it off and pretending ignorance of protocol afterward.

She wished he could remove it, and show her he had some claim to normalcy. Perhaps she would order him to shave his head.

"Senator," she said once she'd crossed the room. It was no use trying to smile - her face had stiffened like a clay mask. "I was hoping to find the original articles pertaining to the Emancipation act. You know how tricky the subject is, I'm sure."

"It's a trifle dull, Empress. Sephiran should have been a legal secretary - his hand is well-suited for it." Culbert offered his arm. "May I escort you back? Since we had the luck to meet, there is a matter we must discuss."

"Of course." Sanaki rested her hand at his elbow and allowed herself to be led out. They passed several other officials on their way to the door, and she wondered how coincidental this meeting really was. "What is it you wanted to speak with me about?" she asked when they emerged from the building into clean, cool air. She took a deep breath and withdrew her hand. "Would it have something to do with your nephew's suit? I'm not prepared to speculate on my choices at this time."

"No." For once he simply folded his hands instead of smiling or tittering. "That is his own ambition talking, Lady Sanaki. We of the senior council have another match in mind if you will consider it."

The way he looked straight ahead instead of addressing her directly left Sanaki frowning, and she wasn't sure why. He almost always had the nerve to look her in the eye when he lied. "I make no promises."

"Just so." Culbert smoothed his hair behind an ear. "Daien has accepted our invitation - we received word today. This alliance would be greatly beneficial to Begnion, especially to the impoverished areas up north. Their support in an effort to forge new trade routes would be invaluable."

She kept her hands at her sides with effort, her fingers trying to curl. The area around them was clear, and she found herself wishing someone was there to overhear besides Tanith. "I agree with your assessment of their value, but I don't see what marriage--"

"--Ashnard, if you will excuse me for interrupting." Culbert offered a shallow bow in apology. "He is rather difficult - you know this. Though I have my doubts as to the favor he may express toward his son, the prince's knowledge of Daien's court might allow us to sway their decisions. He is reputed to be quite adept at manipulating others."

Ah, of course -- it was no wonder Daien had captured their attention. Like was attracted to like, after all. "I will remember your recommendation when the time comes to choose, Senator." Sanaki clasped her hands together tightly under her mantle. "I cannot say more until I meet him."

"Completely understandable!" He did laugh then, and Sanaki avoided cringing only by virtue of long experience. "The Prince will make the journey as soon as the snows melt. We estimate he will arrive formally some time in the third month."

Wonderful.

*

"You're late."

Kilvas bowed low, his wings folding, the tips of his feathers crossing. "I apologize, Your Majesty. Your minister had me tied up with another commission."

"Finance?" Sanaki scowled when he confirmed her guess. "What now?"

"Another twenty thousand has disappeared--"

"What?"

"--and if I didn't know better, I'd suspect your Sephiran about to order a beheading."

She leaned back into her chair and let her head fall back. "If this goes on much longer..." For the first time she could remember, Sephiran's temper was growing short. Even when his bills were defeated by the senate again and again, his expression was one of resignation - not anger. What had gotten into him? "Do you have time to take on another commission?"

"I always have time to find dirt on your senators," the raven king said. "They're watching the treasury, though."

Sanaki waved that away. "I have my own assets - enough for this."

"And?"

"I found confirmation of what you told me, and very little else before I was interrupted." She watched his face, twisting her fingers together in her lap. "Salinos, right? It's in the north, near Serenes Forest I believe - they even have the same linguistic root. He came from there, attained office, and did nothing until 623." Sanaki sat up, leaned forward. "I will have your fee in a week, and an additional stipend for your silence. Speak."

Naesala smiled wide, showing teeth - she'd always liked that smile, despite the predetory implication of it. "At the moment I can only tell you what I already know - seeing as we weren't on your tab until a few seconds ago."

"You were there," Sanaki said. "I assume your ears were open."

"Naturally. A lot of strange stories were flying around, but there was one in particular I think you'll like." His smile hadn't disappeared yet, and she wondered if it would be more prudent to stop him and ask pointed questions instead. "He wasn't much until about a year before the law was passed. Rumor had it he attained the Duchy of Persis by worming his way into the Apostle's good graces and manipulating Misaha from the inside - literally."

Sanaki's cheeks flamed. "Kilvas--!"

"I'm not done, Empress." He spun Sephiran's chair around and sat down, folding his arms over the back. "There's no proof - there never is - but they worked closely that year, and came out with the Emancipation Act during the next summer conclave. That was a bold move, even for someone with the ear of the goddess."

She rolled her eyes to the ceiling. He always had to slip something in to embarass her. "You would find that rumor, above all others."

His chuckle made her teeth grind. "It was a popular one."

"I'm sure." When her cheeks had cooled sufficiently Sanaki lowered her gaze to him. "That's not enough to create this situation with the senate."

"The senate cleaned up after themselves pretty nicely." His wings unfolded a bit, compressed again - she wondered if it was a nervous gesture. "They accused him of being involved in the assassination because he just happened to also be involved in all sorts of things - the seclusion of Misaha's family and the defense of Serenes, specifically."

"Fine. But if he was there at Serenes..."

"With an army. He was prepared." Kilvas shrugged. "An amazing coincidence, don't you think?"

"Yes." Sanaki stared past him, at the candles lit on the wall. "Nobody ever mentioned this to me, but if there are still rumors... find more."

His gaze was level. "That's why I told you to do your own research."

"It's too late for that now," she said. He made it sound so easy, but when was she supposed to do this research - when Sephiran was looking over her shoulder? Under the eyes of the senate or their agents? "Just do it, Kilvas. Find out what happened. There must have been hearings, which means there are records somewhere. They'd need evidence."

"Why," he asked, unfolding from the chair, "are you so interested in finding dirt on your beloved Prime Minister?"

Sanaki averted her eyes. She wasn't, was she? Not really. Whatever happened must have been resolved, because it had not impacted his popularity with the commoners or the military. If he were guilty of such terrible things he would be dead. She couldn't imagine his face watching impassively as someone - anyone - was killed. "Sephiran and the others are at an impasse. Something is ensuring their cooperation. I want to know what."

"And what are you going to do with this information?"

"That isn't your affair."

"But it is." Kilvas approached her desk and planted his hands on the surface, leaning down. "Anything involving the senate is my affair, Empress. Anything they choose to view as a betrayal of my contract has a very unpleasant way of becoming my business."

Sanaki stood up and met his gaze with a glare. "You may serve the senate, Kilvas, but the senate serves me." She imitated his pose, leaning over the desk and in his face. "This office is the highest in Begnion. No order from the council or the Minister supercedes my will and I will not condone any betrayal of the contract under those circumstances."

The raven king straightened, slowly, leaning away and working his shoulders back. "You're confident."

"Absolutely. Even second-born, my position is not so bad they can flagrantly ignore my decrees." She had to tilt her chin up to gaze at him directly. "Do you want to put an end to their influence in your nation, Kilvas?"

His eyes narrowed. "You really aren't in a position to make a move like that."

"Yet." Sanaki rounded the desk to stand beside him, tracing the edge of the wood. "Report directly to me, and you don't have to follow their orders to the letter. Help me put an end to this betrothal nonsense and undermine their influence, and I will do everything in my power to help you in return."

Selfish. Her lips compressed, but she didn't avert her gaze this time. It didn't matter who she intended to help - the senate was a thorn in many sides. She hadn't realized how far their corruption went when she was a child.

She knew about the pact, though, and had done nothing about it. Trying would have been useless.

"Why should I trust you?" he asked. "You benefit as much as the senators from that contract."

"I would rather pay extra and be sure of your honesty." Sanaki grabbed his hands. "Kilvas, please. I will not go back on my word."

The raven king sighed. "How much of this confidence can you display before the senate, Your Majesty?" He put some distance between them, only a step, but gripped her hands. "Don't make promises you can't keep."

She tightened her hold, and this time she didn't flinch away from the skeptical arch of his brow. "I"m not. I won't."

....................................

I'm not sure what to make of Sephiran being sentenced to drown in a pool of rancid butter. Hahaha Sanaki, making fried chicken jokes well ahead of your time!

(Oh, what am I saying? ;_; I know what I think of it~)

Naesala has his pick of lucky deals in this story. :p

I'm so terribly sorry for the joke, but-- but--

[July 17] [Fire Emblem] Ignorance of Protocol (S.Chronicle 3/?)

[July 17] [Fire Emblem] Ignorance of Protocol (S.Chronicle 3/?)

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