Enlightened Empire

After the the tables had been filled with food, the mood within the room improved even further. The Ape King’s Banquet was famous countrywide, and it was famous for a reason. They had even brought out their garum fish sauce, coveted by nobles all across Medala. This one was absolutely Corco’s brand, so the prince dug in with great gusto. Infected by his uninhibited attitude, Lord Betucio followed suit after a few toasts more. Soon, the two had settled into the atmosphere and were immersed in their discussion.

"Is this not too simple? There must be more to be said about morality," Lord Betucio questioned.

"Why does it need to be complex for it to be true? Reciprocity is the golden rule of ethics. If any society wants to function, the same rules need to apply to all of its members. Otherwise it just causes conflict. Just imagine a village in which the richest family master decides that it’s okay to marry any woman he pleases, even those already married to other men. You don’t think that after a while there would be trouble?"

"The cuckolded husbands surely would not like the master’s actions." Tacao returned a bemused smile, his head filled with the scene of peasants storming the country mansion to fight for their wives.

Although Corco wouldn’t share the man’s sense of humor, he still followed his train of thought. "In this case, there are only two possible outcomes: First, the villagers overthrow the master and restore balance, so as before, no man in the village can marry an already wedded woman."

"But the master could hire men to protect his mansion," Tacao said, his brows furrowed. In anticipation of his own answer, a smile crept onto Corco’s face. Among all of the mental gymnastics in his head, he was especially impressed of this one.

"Of course the master could manage to suppress those men by force. But what does that lead to? That’s the second outcome: The one society of the village splits into two, one above the other. Once the master has to use force to rule over the peasants, they are no longer part of the same society. And within each society, once again, the rules of reciprocity apply."

"But how can a new society just appear out of thin air? It seems like trickery with words."

"True. It sounds like a trick. It’s as if I just defined ’society’ as ’a group of people which upholds whatever principles I think are morally right’. However, consider this: What do the people themselves believe? Does a peasant believe he is part of the same society as a lord?"

"He wouldn’t dare!" Tacao pounded his fist on the table and was answered by the clatter of the tableware.

"Of course not. That’s why in Medala, there’s one society for nobles and a second one for commoners. However, any lord, no matter how weak and unimportant, would expect the same treatment as a governor, even if in principle, he is in charge of other lords. As long as the people believe that they are equal to, and thus part of, the same society as the ones who rule them, they will no longer tolerate unequal treatment. They would consider it an injustice. That’s what I mean by ’society’. It’s not a word I made up myself. It’s something the people have already made up in their heads, all on their own."

Lord Tacao sank into deep thought as he buried his chin in his hand and steered his glance out of the window. Meanwhile, Corco decided to gorge himself on some more rice with palm hearts and garum. After a while, Betucio seemed to have come to a conclusion.

"So a Lord should always be certain his subjects do not develop any undue thoughts?" he asked.

"Well, it’s not that simple. You can’t really control people’s thoughts after all. There’s no way to look into someone’s head. No internet yet. It might just be cheaper and safer to increase equality in the treatment of the classes and make sure everyone benefits from the system in place. That’s probably a much more stable way to structure a society." Though Corco couldn’t openly talk about true equality or even outrageous ideas like democracy, at the very least he could make the man understand that a violent beatdown was never the best way to combat a violent uprising.

"Prince Corco, since you have such deep understanding on ethics, I wondered wether you would be equally learned on mazzers of governance?" Betucio skillfully directed the conversation in a direction he, as a local ruler himself, would be the most interested in.

"Of course I do," Corco beamed. This was another one of his favorite topics. "There’s two basic things a ruler needs to provide to his subjects. If he can’t do that, he fails at the most basic level." Although Corco had just geared up for another lecture, he was soon interrupted, betrayed by his own brother. Second prince Amautu burst into the room, entirely uninvited and surprisingly rude for a man who would make a point of his sophistication any chance he got.

"It seems like brother always has all the answers." With reckless abandon and unwilling to follow etiquette, the second prince forced his way into the private room and took a stand in front of the private table, arms crossed and head raised. Close on his heels followed an even more surprising visitor: Young Prince Wacoca of the Verdant Isles, this time without the company of his sister.

"Prince Corco, we apologize for our rude and sudden entry." The green prince showed himself to be far more mannered than his civilized counterpart. With a humble attitude, he bowed and apologized in an honest tone.

"Why would a pirate need to apologize anyways?" Amautu shot back a rude remark before he once again focused on Corco and Lord Betucio. The lord showed his discomfort as he moved around on his chair. However, Amautu didn’t aim at the traitor from his own ranks. Instead, he aimed at his competition. "So tell me, brother: What are those two things a king ought to do? This prince is curious and eager to learn." The sarcasm dripped off Amautu’s words like the fat dripped off the duck on the table.

"How about you take a seat first, brother? If you please." Corco gestured towards an empty space on their table and across from himself. At the same time, the quick-witted Primus got up like lightning to place a chair to correspond with the first prince’s gesture. He even remembered a second one for the final guest of the evening.

Lord Betucio, on the other hand, busied himself by sinking his face into his drink to avoid a conversation with his former ally. It seemed like he felt some guilt for abandoning Amautu’s camp so readily. The man wouldn’t be much help in the following conversation.

After his brother had taken a seat, Corco continued. "What exactly are you doing here, middlest brother?"

"This Prince had formal matters to discuss with captain Wacoca. Since this Prince had heard about brother’s arrival, it was only proper to make a courteous visit."

Corco looked at ’captain’ Wacoca. Although he sat next to Amautu, the prince had moved his chair a bit to sit farther away from his ally. In general, Wacoca didn’t seem all that pleased with his company, or the form of his address, for that matter. Corco’s brother seemed pretty adamant about the pirate theme, to the displeasure of his companion.

"So, you’re actually willing to listen to that mother of yours and get married? Play toll station for the young hero?" Corco joked, eager to stoke the flames of conflict further.

"Impossible!" Amautu hit a heavy fist onto the table, far worse than anything Betucio had managed before. All activity within the room stopped. No one had expected the always subdued second prince to blow up like that. Driven beyond the limits of his patience, Prince Wacoca broke the silence in a displeased voice.

"I wonder, Prince Amautu, what is it that makes my sister so undesirable?"

"This Prince has no interest in a marriage arranged by a brutish woman to a brutish girl. This Prince will only consider those of high birth and high knowledge. A pirate’s bride is neither."

Again Amautu ignored Wacoca’s clenched jaws and tightened fists and instead turned to his brother.

"Not to mention our youngest ’brother’... I would rather you be emperor, no, I would much rather see the empire destroyed than have that monkey take the throne!" As Amautu talked himself into a frenzy, he forgot even the last of his etiquette training. Maybe it had to do with the fact that his teacher wasn’t around to restrain him, but Amautu had truly let loose. Meanwhile, Wacoca didn’t take too kindly to Prince Amautu’s ideals for marriage. After he had calmed himself with a deep breath, he turned to fully face the second prince for the first time since they had entered the room.

"Prince Amautu, we have come here today to consider relations between our sides. While the Green King is interested in cooperation, the pride of the verdant folk will not be trampled! If Prince cannot show sufficient respect, we would rather try our luck with the Chutwa navy."

As much as Corco would love to watch the train wreck between his brother and his ally happen, he couldn’t help but focus on what his brother had said first. ’Rather see the empire be destroyed’? What had Pachacutec done to make Amautu this mad? Corco was determined to find out. And so, before the train could derail any further and take the conversation with it, he decided to step in.

"What’s so bad about Pacha? Yeah, his macho act is annoying. Yeah, he is too close to the Ichilia. But still, aren’t you brothers? Proper ones I mean. Not halfsies like us."

Amautu gave his brother a surprised look. Bit by bit, his eyebrows lowered and his lips widened as surprise turned into amusement. "So you do not know. It should have been expected, since you do not have a single worthwhile ally within the city. If you want to learn just what, or who, your good brother Pachacutec truly is, maybe you should take a look inside the Ghost Courtyard."

"Inside Pluritac Castle? What could I possibly learn inside an abandoned yard?" At this point, Corco was confused enough to ignore his brother’s change in address. After all, the Ghost Yard had been empty for generations, ever since the Lords of Pluritac had decided that it was haunted, for whatever arcane reason. He wasn’t even sure how the place would look on the inside, let alone what could be found in between the dusty furniture and spider webs. Like a snkae in front of its prey, Amautu returned a wide grin.

"You should trust your brother on this. Go take a look and find out."

"Like I could trust your word at the banquet? What happened there?"

"This prince would always keep his word. There is nothing to confess and nothing to rectify."

"What about Qirinu then? You know, the guy who declared me dead? And stole the great general’s mansion? Where is he? Why do I not have him at my place, to stub his toes however much I want?"

Now that he was reminded, Corco’s anger returned. Even now, he still hadn’t gotten his hands on that weasel Quirinu. Not only would he be able to get valuable information out of the man, his former warrior was also an important pawn in the fight for succession. If he could present the vile liar who had tricked the elders to the Ancestral Hall, the old men could return Corco’s crown prince status without having to admit to their mistakes. Plus, having the rat close at hand, helpless and shaking, would be good for Fadelio’s mental health as well.

"That servant of yours lacks loyalty, as expected from the example of his weak former master. On the day of the banquet, he escaped the mansion and tried to flee the city. Luckily, my men were at the ready to put him into custody. Not to worry, your precious servant is safe and sound. He will be brought in front of the Ancestral Hall at its next meeting, to stand trial for his deception." Which meant he wouldn’t be handed over to Corco for interrogation. Another dead end. Corco was beginning to lose patience with his brother’s little visit.

"Right. So you tell me again just what it is you are doing here?"

"Oh, this Prince was simply interested in these great theories on what would make a good ruler. It all sounded so simple when brother mentioned it."

"Sure. Maybe you’ll learn something in the process." Amautu, still seated, raised his proud head, ready to see just how his brother would embarrass himself.

"There’s really only two things an emperor has to do. Or any ruler, for that matter. First, he has to provide the things everyone needs, but no one is willing to pay for. Be they armies or roads, the ruler has to build them and maintain them, to make sure everyone else in the country can live their lives without any threats."

"But the lord maintains his armies for himself. How else could he protect his lands?" Wacoca chimed in. He seemed far more engaged in the topic than the haughty Amautu.

"Yes, but." With quick hands, Corco pushed himself to the edge of his seat and leaned his head forward. This sort of revelation was always the most fun to him. "While it might not be the ruler’s intention, everyone else profits from the army’s presence as well. For example, the safety and peace provided by the troops means that everyone can plan for the distant future, rather than having to worry about an invasion tomorrow."

"And the second thing a ruler has to do?" Wacoca asked.

"Equality, of course. Make sure people are equal enough, so that everyone may provide for him- or herself. Only if everyone can provide themselves with basic necessities for honorable living will a country be stable and productive."

"Utter nonsense!" Amautu shouted, now that he had found an apparent flaw in Corco’s ideas. "How could some simple commoners ever be equal to the great nobles?"

"Then how exactly do you guarantee that there won’t be any uprisings? Suppress them by force? That’s expensive. And it only has to go wrong once for the whole thing to collapse."

His eyes on top of his head, Amautu returned a smirk.

"In that case, all it takes is a wise and benevolent ruler. Such a ruler will always treat his subjects with the amount of fairness they deserve. The subjects will follow his example and treat those lesser with the amount respect which suits their stead as well. Thus, a society of peace is created."

"So it all depends on the one guy? And whether or not he is ’benevolent’? I wonder who decides what benevolent means."

"Of course, it will be up to the emperor’s teachers to educate him in the proper methods of rule, to guarantee a new wise ruler in every generation. Thus, only the wisest men of the empire can ever be close to the emperor. I will rid our empire of this warrior nonsense and guarantee those brutes get nowhere near the throne."

"Let’s just agree to disagree then." Corco said, accompanied by a tired sigh.

At this point, he had long given up on trying to convince his brother of the dangers of his ideas. Even though leaving himself and his country in the hands of others was stupid, Corco wouldn’t repeat himself any more.

Amautu, meanwhile, still sat there in smugness, convinced of his victory.

"You will see the light soon, brother. I will show you the strength of the western wisdom," he said as he got up to leave. Already halfway out of the door, he turned around again for one final reminder. "And do not forget about the Ghost Yard, my brother. I just hope your barbarian devils are as capable thieves as they are killers."

With a last victorious grin, Prince Amautu up and left the room, without sparing a single thought for his still seated companion. Meanwhile, the companion himself had decided to stay behind for a while longer. Corco wondered what the green prince could possibly want.

"You’re not going after my brother?"

For a few tense moments, Wacoca looked at Corco before he seemed to come to a decision.

"Prince Corco, I heard from my sister. It seems Prince owes some kind of debt?"

"Yeah, that’s right," Corco said with a light smile. He quite enjoyed the obvious disagreement between Amautu and his supposed ally.

"In that case, I have some interest in Prince Corco’s theories on governance. I myself strive to be a good monarch, but I lack direction, as do all of us. I wondered if Prince could refer me to his teacher for advice."

"Who’s to say that we won’t be enemies after this? Why would I help you?"

"Prince, there really is no need for suspicion. Since the marriage between my sister and your brother won’t come to pass, there is little in the way of our cooperation. Even more so due to Prince Amautu’s obvious disdain for the verdant folk. Further, if Prince Corco fails to win the crown, my allegiance would be the least of your problems."

For a while Corco mulled the request over. There really was no reason to decline. If everything went well, he could even win over another ally. In fact, he already had a few useful ideas on how to employ his new-found connections in the Verdant Sea.

"I agree. It might take a few days, but I will help you out soon enough. With that, I’ll consider my debt repaid."

"In that case, I am grateful for Prince Corco’s help."

With a polite bow, Wacoca left to follow the second prince. Their mood ruined by the intruders, Corco and Lord Betucio soon got up themselves to make their ways back to their respective mansions, to rearrange their plans.