29 The Meeting

I rubbed my eyes in amazement. Everyone in the room was looking at me, still nestled in Henry's arms. I felt my cheeks flush violently, and I jumped to my feet. Everyone there seemed tired, but no one had gone to sleep, and apparently they were all waiting for me, looking at me sympathetically as they waited for me to go to my seat.

Henry led me to a vacant seat on the other side of the table, where we did not have to look directly at Marco, who seemed to have the most angry and tired face possible for the occasion, and was personally hideous with deep dark circles in his usual face of boredom.

They gave me a translator which could let me communicate. I guess no one else was aware that I magically started to speak the language of Keret. When they all sat down, Iago began to speak. Apparently he was going to preside the meeting.

"So we can finally say good morning and happy New Year formally. We are gathering here again because of the Guardians of the Relics, for the first time in more than seven years. As everyone already knows, it happened that our young friend Alesia was summoned by the Creation Relic itself to be its new guardian. And for the second time in history, and second time in a row, we have a Brard as the chosen one."

Murmurs of agreement spread through the room.

"The Xenophobic Wars have affected us in many ways", he continued, "but in my opinion, the fact that the Relic has deliberately chosen a Brard twice in a row is a way of showing us that the Jomons are not as sovereign as they want to think. It is a way of teaching us humility, and preparing us better to defend the guardians and his people from those who try to enjoy their power."

More murmurs among the listeners.

"Therefore, I ask all of you to treat our new young guardian well, much more carefully than was dedicated to... well, let us strive to make this difficult task of it as comfortable as possible. So…", he took a screen from the table and looked for some note, "so... ah, here it is... the agenda that I raised tonight for the meeting."

He activated a digital image that was displayed in the center of the table, showing everyone a small list of words that seemed to float in the air.

"The first topic is the new identity for her. It would be good if she could be represented with a young Jomon identity, so she can walk freely and not have to resort to subterfuge whenever she comes across any need in ours worlds. Secondly, it would be, with the grace of the young master, grant to her of an imperial seal, in the name of that identity. This will facilitate any eventualities that may occur to you in the future. The third topic is the passage of the Wisdom Relic. I believe that this would be a good time to pass it on, since only the Creation Relic has passed hands. These were the points indicated by those present. Anyone have anything to add?"

The interesting thing is that everyone looked at each other, but at last all eyes stopped on Marco, as if they expected his approval. Then he sighed deeply and spoke, as if it were something obvious.

"I do have a topic to add!", he said and the atmosphere felt heavy for a moment of anticipation, then he folded his hands under his chin and leaned on the table but still displaying a majestic and proud posture, "I'd like to put Henry Siever's ban on the agenda.

I caught my breath at the words of Marco, and I could feel Henry stiffen at my side. As I turned to look at him, I could feel a furious instinct flickering in his eyes.

"..." Lord Iago remained silent for a moment with his mouth open before finally being able to continue slowly, as if he was not sure what to do, "All… right. Added. We can start."

The first agenda took time to be decided. My identity should be based on my physical appearance. Although my breed was pretty generic and common, it was still a bit difficult to allocate myself as some pure Jomon. Especially since none of them knew exactly what my subspecies was, and should not know, to keep the secret of my home planet still more protected, and to avoid another tragedy like the great xenophobic wars. Then, as long as no one had access to my blood and did a genetic search, that part would be safe.

Finally, they decided to create a mixed Jomon-Brard immigrant registry from an interplanetary orphanage that emerged shortly after the end of the war to shelter refugee children, in which one of the members of the table, a man named Elias, had contact. I would have the record with the date of birth unknown. So, as long as I did not tell my age to anyone, I should not call attention even if I had a superior longevity.

The second agenda was just mentioned. As soon as Iago had finished reading it, they all turned to Marcus, and he dragged a small object from his pocket, and threw it at Elias without saying anything. Taking the matter as closed, Iago continued the meeting. Then came the third topic. I felt the aura of Marco's power circulate around my mind reminding me of what I should do.

"Then on the passage of the Wisdom Relic, it will be decided which of the two should have priority possession of it, but I believe everyone agrees here that the principal holder should be Henry, for his greater experience."

Assent echoed across the room. I could not help but imagine that by "experience" they meant "because he is Jomon". As soon as everyone showed agreement, Iago continued:

"Then, as is unanimity, could the young master…"

"Sorry, but I do not agree…", I said quietly from my place, and all heads turned to me. Even Henry's. I squeezed his hand under the table, and waited for him not to contradict me as I spoke. "I wish the Wisdom Relic would continue with Marco a little longer."

Henry's jaw dropped. He knew I was lying. And despite my bad reputation on my planet, this was the first time I actually lied, especially in front of so many people on such an important subject.

Now the heads turned frantically from me to Marco and Marco to me. Everyone expected me to say more. It was known that the Emperor's opinion was the most valuable of the whole galaxy, and what he always spoke of was the right thing to follow, because of his miraculous powers.

"But... I'm sorry Alesia, you should not know, but the young master was only responsible for the Relics after the death of the previous guardian, for being his wife, and for him to have the best security that exists, to protect then in the absence of a guardian", Iago spoke so softly that I felt as if he was afraid to say something that might offend Marco.

"I know…", I tried to continue.

"Besides, it is an agreement among all, of which the young master also consents, that the Relics must be kept away from people who are attached to governments", Iago interrupted.

"I know that, but…", I did not know how to fight back. And I did not push myself beyond that. He had already done what Marco had asked for. Tell everyone that the Relic should stay with him.

But Marco was faster:

"So I think we should decide the last agenda of the meeting before this", he said quietly, still not looking up from the table, "How to grant two of the galaxy's most important objects for someone emotionally unstable like Henry?

"How dare you?", Henry got up from his chair. I squeezed his hand trying to stop him from getting out of control.

"Do not give him reason to say he's right!", I whispered to Heny as soon as I could make him sit down.

"Everyone here is aware that Henry spent almost seven years isolated from the world of his own free will, because of an intense depressive mood", Marco started to speak, "He did not really show any interest in maintaining the guardian status, to the point that I doubted he could maintain the security of his own life. As far as we know, he did not speak to anyone, not for a moment during this time, and my guards always reported moments of tension when they heard the screams and the destruction that he caused inside the apartment where he locked himself. The only reason he left was for our young lady here, for some inexplicable reason, she had been able to break the barrier he had established at the door of the apartment where he resided, and get him out of there.

"But…", Cásira interrupted Marco, but she blushed intensely as soon as she made eye contact with him, immediately looking away, "Henry left! It's an improvement! He suffered greatly from his mourning. We have to give him an opportunity to start a new life."

"So until he proves to me that he is emotionally apt to live by himself and not be a threat to himself, or to the new guardian of whom he has the custody, or even to civilians who might cross his path, I will be in favor of requesting that it be interdicted and kept under constant surveillance."

"You can't do that! You're the one who hurts him the most!", I yelled from my chair feeling my anger against Marco growing.

Henry said nothing. He was completely furious and stared at Marco with intensity and fearlessness, which until now had moved nothing beyond his mouth to speak. But everyone seemed to stop breathing as they heard me yell at the emperor. Simple like this: Yell. At. The. Emperor!

"This remember me, I also do not think it's wise to keep the girl's guard under Henry at this time", Marco completed.

I felt my mouth open in shock! But this time it was Henry who raised his voice, angry:

"What's your problem with me anyway? What heinous crime have I committed for you to hate me to this point? Why do you spend your time making my existence hell? After all, you just have my life left to take, isn't that right? Everything else you took, you stole.

Marco sighed, looked up from the table, and looked at Henry with a cruel smile.

— It is you who do this to yourself and your weak mind. Here's an example: It's just you spend more time with this woman, and you will be completely in love with her.