Seasons of War Episode 15-A Game at Dinner

Episode 15: a Game at Dinner

27th of Nubulis

It took quite a bit of convincing, but Yumi managed to get the servants to prepare her for the king's dinner party without the aid of a mirror. She would, eventually, be able to look at her kimono in the mirror, though she couldn't risk exposing herself to the servants. They pulled her raven hair up, and they kept it in place with combs. Then they used winterflowers to decorate her hair. Her dress was long and the color of blood, a black border over a white dress under the actual kimono. Her obi was yellow, her weapons tucked within.

As she ran her fingers down the silk, she thought to the party. Laura's father, King Jean, was holding the dinner party so he could get, as the invitation said, better acquainted with the teenagers who had been travelling with his daughter. All of the Heroes had been invited, as had their families. Even Aelita had been invited, and though she showed no interest in it, her parents seemed to think it was a good idea. Yumi couldn't help but think that bringing wild elves to a fancy dinner party would end in trouble.

Nevertheless, she brushed a stray hair from her face and prepared to join her parents.

---

When Jeremie returned from the bathhouse, he found that his father had left, leaving him a note that said something had come up urgently and he would attempt to return before the party started; but if he wasn't Jeremie should leave without him. He smiled and shook his head, and he started to prepare for the party. He felt that he had more important things to do, but one did not refuse an invitation from the King.

When he was finished dressing—pale blue tights, a teal green tunic that started at his knee and continued to his mid-thigh, leather shoes and a dark blue cape—he tore at his hair with a brush. He cleaned the lenses on his spectacles, and he blew his bangs out of his face.

---

It was chaos in the Della-Robbia house as they prepared. Though, to be honest it was almost always chaos in their house; it was small and most of them were loud. His sister Louise shouted outside Odd's door, asking if he'd seen her dancing shoes. He shouted back that he hadn't, thankful that the spring thaw would come soon and he could finally leave this hole. He tied a vest over his white shirt, pulling his leather braces over the sleeves. He pulled on his purple pants, tying an orange scarf around his neck. Kiwi jumped onto the bed, barking. Odd bent over and scratched the pooch behind the ears. "I'll be back soon, my little diggity dog."

---

Ulrich had the servants press his Eastern finery. It was still in wearable condition, though his mother seemed to protest that he was wearing it to a second party. He honestly didn't understand why that was such a fashion catastrophe, but he compromised and wore fancy boots rather than his leather bracers and boots. He also allowed his mother to convince him that he should wear rings on his fingers. Later, he would sneak one of these rings to Aelita, who would give it to a merchant in exchange for freshly baked bread, which she would hand out to poor children. The latter events Ulrich wasn't aware of, not that he would've minded had he known.

---

Laura enjoyed getting ready for parties. She liked having her hair washed and braided, pulled up with strings of gold and pearls woven into the plaits. She enjoyed looking at her dresses, dictating which one she wanted to wear. She chose a dress with tight green sleeves, a heavy brown overdress with bright blue and dark magenta designs. When the servants had finished painting her face, she took her mother's set of pearl earrings and necklace, decorating her ears and neck. She stood and spun, her skirts creating satisfactory rumpling sounds as she did.

She wanted to look her best. Tonight she had very shocking news and it would go over best if she presented herself as knowing what she was doing.

---

Aelita flinched as her Aunt Mirianye brushed her hair. It wasn't like Mamae Asha was trying to hurt her; Aelita simply had thick, messy hair that easily tangled. Most days she couldn't be bothered to do anything with it, spare conjuring spouts of water to make it easier to comb. When Mirianye had finished brushing her hair, she plaited it, using yellow mountain flowers that Aelita had conjured to decorate her hair.

Soon Anthea returned, wearing a beautiful gown the color of snow, under which was a dress that looked like the sunset. Anthea wore a necklace made of shells and her hair had been pulled back with shells and feathers. The Matron handed Aelita and Mirianye their own gowns. Mirianye's dress was lilac, purple roses embroidered on it. Yellow ribbon was sewn on the hem and neckline.

Aelita's dress was pink underneath, though Anthea also provided an overdress that was made of fabric depicting what looked like a lily pond. Then, she pulled on a scarf-like piece of fabric that hung loosely around her neck. "You look beautiful." Anthea sobbed happily. This was the first time she'd seen Aelita dressed up, and she was still getting used to the shock of being physically close to her daughter without Aelita being sick from Mehormanda.

"Why do we have to go to this silly party? I don't like King Jean Gauthier, and I like Laura even less." Aelita whined.

"Oh, hush now. You look cute. Might as well go someplace they'll appreciate it." Mirianye smiled.

"Cute? My daughter looks gorgeous!" Waldo called as he entered the house. He was dressed like a human noble, his finery red and white, though he wore a white cape and his feet were cleverly disguised in soleless sandals. Aelita called 'Papi' as she ran towards him, and he lifted her up. "You're a beautiful young woman, da'len. Just like your mother." She smiled, and he rubbed their noses together. He giggled; Edna would do the same thing, saying it was a very common way for elvhen parents to show affection.

Mirianye smiled. "Yes she is." Straightening her back, she asked, "Well, shall we be going? We wouldn't want to get stuck in traffic, would we?"

---

King Jean was a corpulent man, his lifestyle allowing him to get fat and lazy. His hair had once been dirty blond, and it had begun to recede heavily in his twilight years. He now required spectacles to see properly. He stood behind double doors, waiting for the fanfare to commence. He trusted that Laura had already greeted the guests and that everything was in order. Jean wanted to see who these people his daughter had travelled with were—she'd spoken about them but nothing in great detail.

But of course any party a king threw had to be a large party. Many nobles and other wealthy people had attended. However, he was only interested in the teens his daughter called, 'Heroes.'

Jean was still not convinced that his daughter was a prophesized hero. He had enrolled her in Grimoire Academy many years ago to become efficient with her magic, so it did not compromise her claim to the throne. But in doing so, she seemed to think that she possessed some ability to divine the future and, being a man of facts and action, he didn't care for dreams, or anyone who possessed the mistake of the Dreamers. Jean was Blind and could not dream. He often thought how simple his life would have been had his daughter shared this trait.

This is why he was making plans to correct his earlier mistakes. He was currently searching for eligible noble women, and if he found one he would remarry. Regardless of whether she bore him a son—though that would make the ordeal far easier for the public to understand—if that child had no magic they would become next in line. Jean had told Laura of this only a week prior, and while she seemed none too thrilled with the idea, she understood where he was coming from.

The fanfare started and servants forced open the doors. Jean walked through with a swagger, his belly swaying from side to side. He loudly greeted his guests, who cheered after he'd finished. Then, he sought out his daughter, who had gathered near her friends.

They were not what he'd expected. The leader, or the boy he assumed was the leader, was blond, nearsighted and he didn't quite look like he was suited for battle. The boy with brown hair seemed none too happy to be surrounded by nobility, which Jean found very strange. He recognized Yumi Ishiyama, though she seemed to have changed somehow. Then there was the short boy with spiked hair. There was also a wilder elf, but Jean knew his daughter had been raised better than to believe a Surface elf was equal to a human, and he dismissed any notion that the elf was a 'Hero'.

Laura introduced them, and Jean smiled politely, though Ulrich and Aelita seemed to think it was more smug and insulting than polite. Laura eyed her father angrily, red filling her cheeks. When he left, she explained her situation to her friends. "That's terrible! He can't do that, can he?" Yumi said incredulously.

"I'm afraid he can. He is the king after all." Laura said bitterly.

Aelita twisted her face in confusion. "But you're his firstborn daughter! Why on Mediterra would having a son change your position for the throne?" She asked. The others seemed confused, and Jeremie explained that the elves tended to be more matriarchal than human societies, though surface elves were less strict about it than dark elves. Then he explained gently to her that having a son would make the new prince the heir, even though Laura was older. Sighing, Aelita mumbled, "This is why elves elect our monarchs."

Odd seemed none too pleased with that idea. "How would you keep anything straight if you're never sure who is going to rule next?" He demanded.

Ulrich jumped at the chance to make a joke. "Odd, with you, nothing is straight." The Mercenary laughed loudly, though Odd still seemed unamused. "Oh, man, it's sinful how long it took me to come up with that."

Her friends spoke and laughed, seeming to enjoy the party. Laura smiled, and she looked again to her father.

King Jean was not exactly… a doting father. He'd always been rather distant and it had only gotten worse after her magic had been discovered. Her mother was better though frequently busy. Jean was always talking about how much Laura was like her mother, though memories fade over time. She remembered how stubborn her mother was, and how firm she'd been against many practices common at the time. Her father, though likely he would deny it, was a deeply bigoted man and many of the equality acts probably never would have passed without her mother's pressuring.

Laura realized that she was wearing a deep frown, and shaking off her negative feelings, she forced a smile. She turned and looked outside. The sun was setting now, and soon the servants would bring out food so the feast could begin.

Anthea spotted Odd and ran up to him, waving. "Odd! I wanted to speak with you." She said. "I received word the other day about Talia Dorfelas. It appears that she will stand trial soon, and has been moved to a holding facility outside of the city limits."

"I… that is good news." He said a bit awkwardly, shifting his fingers uncomfortably. "What about…?"

"The baby? Perfectly healthy, so I hear. Although, since you are the victim, it is up to you to decide what becomes of it." Anthea explained. "There are several options at your disposal, even some we wouldn't typically offer. But the baby is mostly human so… anyway, I'm sure you don't want me to ruin your evening. We'll talk later." She waved good-bye, and Odd waved back.

Ulrich tilted his head. "What happened between you and Talia, Odd?"

Aelita raised her hands. "I'm getting out of here before this conversation goes any further." She lifted her skirts so she could walk easier out of the way. Odd rubbed the back of his neck in shame, remembering that the last time Talia Dorfelas came up in a conversation he'd struck her.

Jeremie folded his arms. "It's quite obvious what he's done. He went and slept with her and now she's pregnant. I'm surprised only that he doesn't have a brood."

Yumi seemed excited. "Does this mean you're having puppies?"

"What? Oh, the lycanthropy." He said. "I… there's something I've been meaning to tell you all." Shamefully, he explained what happened. Jeremie immediately apologized, and Yumi hid her face with her fan. "Thankfully, Matron Mother Sarethari seems to have taken it upon herself to see that I get justice done."

"If you don't mind me asking, what do you think you're going to do with the baby?" Laura asked. "Anthea said that it was up to you, didn't she?"

He sighed. "I honestly don't know. I'll probably ask Aelita later about what is usually done in these situations. Elven politics are weird." Forcing a smile, he added, "Not that I would mind upsetting them! I just… want advice." He looked at the feast as the servants paraded it into the hall. "Oh, great, dinner! I'm starving!" He walked away, pleased with himself.

Ulrich shook his head. He went to follow him when someone tugged on his clothes. He turned to see a young girl with sharpish features and strawberry red hair standing below him. "Um, excuse me," She said, her cheeks hot and her eyes filled with tears. "M-my name is M-Amelia and… m-may I have t-this dance?" She asked, holding her head down.

Ulrich looked up to Yumi, who smiled sweetly and nodded. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Sissi Delmas, laughing, as if she'd dared the young girl to do it. "Sure. Here, take my hand." He offered, and the girl's eyes lit up.

Elisabeth stared as the pair walked off towards the dance area, her rage making her eyes bulge and her mouth work like a fish that had been taken out of water. Some of the other girls around her laughed and she snapped at them to be quiet before turning to walk away with what dignity she had. The sound of laughter still licked at her back as fire.

---

Aelita walked out to the balcony, looking out over the garden below. Most of it was dead, but with a wave of her hand, it blossomed into a beautifully lush oasis. The smells of a spring that had not yet arrived filled the air. Spring was always her favorite season, when things gave new life after the cold death that was winter. She would be so glad when winter had passed, and not just so she could stow away those boots Jeremie had bought for her.

She heard someone approach, and she smiled, thinking it was Jeremie. "So, what did Odd have to say?" She asked without turning around.

He said nothing, but he did move much closer to her. She realized by his size that this was not, in fact, Jeremie Belpois, and she spun around. She was now face to face with Lowel Tyron. He smiled maliciously, and when she tried to run, he grabbed her arms. Aelita tried to squirm out of his grasp, and then she tried to transform, but he grabbed her neck, squeezing it until it hurt. "It's been a long time, Maya." He hissed. Lowel wove his free hand into her hair, leaning forward to smell it. Aelita cringed in disgust, and again she tried to worm away.

---

Mirianye shuffled uncomfortably, trying her best to discern her brother's face from the crowd. "Ah, there you are! I've been looking everywhere for you." She said when she finally found him.

He pushed his spectacles up the bridge of his nose. "I'm still angry with you, Mirianye. I hope that this is important." He hissed at his sister.

She rolled her eyes. "Then I suppose you don't want to protect your daughter." She said, and he asked her what she meant. "Well, it's just that I was near the entrance when I heard a man named Lowel Tyron had entered the castle. You know, the man who claimed to be her father for a decade and then molested her in a dream while she was trapped in the Beyond by Mehormanda?"

Waldo dropped the goblet he was holding. "He's here? Why? What is he doing here?" He asked.

Mirianye shrugged. "I don't know. Perhaps he wants her back? If that is so, you had best go do something about it. Laws about changelings are very strict and very unfair in Lyoko." She advised. He asked where she was, and she told him that Aelita was out on the balcony. As he ran off, she thought about the laws that dictated changelings, as there were many. They couldn't typically leave the village they were born in, the human parents were free to do with them as they saw fit, they couldn't openly practice magic, and until recently they weren't even allowed to learn how to read. Mirianye tried to think back how many years ago the reading law had changed.

Waldo stormed out onto the balcony. Indeed, a man stood, and he could see the fear in his daughter's eyes. Lowel, as Mirianye called him, was a few inches taller than him, his short blond hair sticking out in triangle-like formations. Actually, he realized suddenly, the more he looked at Lowel's hair, the less it made sense.

Lowel looked up at Waldo, and Aelita took the opportunity to escape from his grip. "Papi!" She called out, hiding behind her birth father. She hid her face with his cape like a small child.

"What are you doing to my daughter?!" Waldo demanded.

"Your daughter?!" Lowel repeated incredulously. "She's not your daughter! By Lyoko law, she's my property! If that isn't what you wanted, you never should have given her up!"

"I didn't have a choice!" Waldo said angrily. The two men started arguing, and lightning gathered around the elf's fists. He pushed Lowel back, aided by the lightning. Lowel stumbled, and he summoned pure magical force around his hands. Aelita's jaw dropped; Lowel had never mentioned he was a mage. Then she got angry with him; how dare he practice magic while telling her that it was evil?!

Nevertheless, Lowel used the force to push Waldo back. The elf lifted Aelita out of the way so she wouldn't be caught in the crossfire during their magic duel. However, before the true magic could begin, a soldier stormed through and forced them apart. When Waldo tried to explain why the two men were fighting, he ordered the elf to be silent or he'd cut off his ears and feed them to the dogs.

The guard turned to Lowel and glared, "The only things I like less than elves are slavers. But we are currently on Lyokian soil so what proof do you have of your claim?" The solider tapped his armored boot impatiently and pointedly ignored the incredulous and terrified looks from Waldo and the younger elf while Lowel looked at his possession.

"Only my word." Lowel said at last. "And his when he gave her up."

Waldo looked straight at the solider, squared his shoulders and kept his hands well away from his face. "I did no such thing."

"But you-"

"Enough!" The guard ordered.

"He shouted it! He-"

Lowel cut himself off when he found the blade of the solider's sword at his throat. "I. Said. Enough." The solider held his sword to the man's throat for a moment longer then, after he was certain Lowel wouldn't speak again, lowered the weapon. "Go back to the party and make no more trouble." Lowel grumbled as he complied and the solider turned to Waldo and Aelita. "I have better things to do with my time then waste it on the paperwork that comes with arresting you and sorting out that man's claims. So go back to whoever was idiotic enough to invite you here and pray nothing further happens."

---

A few hours later, all of the guests had gathered in the dining hall. Laura and Jean sat at the head of the table, and the other Heroes and their families sat nearby them. The feast proceeded fairly normally, Jean asking questions of the teenagers. Yet, oddly, he said nothing of the war and wrote off the elves as a non-threat. This was a very different impression than the one Laura had given them of her father, and judging by the color of her cheeks, she knew it.

Someone stood, and when they looked up, they saw it was Lowel Tyron. "Excuse the interruption, Your Majesty, but I have a matter that is very important." He said, and he glared at Aelita, who shrunk in her seat. "You see, my daughter was switched shortly after her birth with a knife ear, who happens to be sitting right there. She ran away almost seven years ago now, and I demand that she be returned to my possession."

Waldo stood angrily. "Shut your mouth, you puffed shirt son of a halla humper!" He looked at the king. "The girl he speaks of is my daughter. She has rejoined the People and no longer identifies as his."

Jean shook his head. "I'm sorry, sir, but our laws are clear. The girl belongs to the human."

"Those are foolish laws! He abused her!" Anthea argued as she shot up. "Furthermore, Aelita is a da'len Elvhenan! She doesn't live under Lyoko's laws!"

Now Jean stood. "Anyone who lives in my country abides by my laws, you knife eared bitch!" To stop more arguing, he waved his guards closer. Pushing back his 'thinning' hair, "She rightfully belongs to the human. After all, she's just an elf."

Jeremie took a sharp breath in, glaring at the king. Aelita looked like she was about to cry, and she looked for an open door or window to make an escape. Lowel smiled triumphantly, and he approached the elf girl. Once again, he got uncomfortably close to her, and as she cringed at him, he pressed his lips against her neck.

"Jeremie!" Michael shouted suddenly, and the Wise Man blinked. He'd somehow moved across the dining table, and now held Tyron's shirt in his fist. His elvhen bracer blade was pressed at the man's throat. Jeremie's angered face began to shift into one of shock. He didn't even remember moving, yet he'd sprinted across the table and hadn't let anything stop him. One of the guests seemed particularly angry that he'd put his foot in the potato salad. The guards pointed their halberds at him, as it had been forbidden for anyone to bring weapons into the castle. They ordered that he drop the man and surrender his weapon.

Reluctantly, he dropped the vile human man and scooted back awkwardly to his seat. With all eyes focused on Jeremie, the bloodcurdling scream that came from Laura was a surprise. All eyes immediately shifted to the Fair, who had covered her mouth in fear. A window had been forced open, and a curtain blew in the winter wind. King Jean's neck had been slashed open almost to his spine, and the guilty blade had been stabbed in his eye.

The King was dead.

---

30th of Nubulis

Lyoko needed a leader. They needed someone to guide them as they mourned, and as they fought. Laura had lied about her father. He never intended to send troops. And now, as she prepared for her coronation, she was to lie about his assassination being a total surprise to her. In truth, Laura had hired the assassin herself. Jean planned to depose her. He planned to replace her mother and try for a son. He ignored the dark elves and insisted that the problem would go away on its own—he hadn't even bothered to send soldiers! His insensitivity and neutrality had gone on for many a year, and she'd been plotting it secretly for a long time.

She addressed the public afterwards, Her long blonde hair plaited and pulled up, pearls woven into it. Her mantle was warm and her gloves reached her elbows. "Citizens of Lyoko! My father died before his time. But I am in charge now, and I will carry on his legacy!"

Not long ago, her birth had been an inconvenience. It was a way for those lower than her to cower, which she did not want. Now she saw it as a way to help the poorer citizens, and to change things. But she wanted more. "But my father was a fool and a coward. Under him, our fair country would have burned to the ground at the hands of the drow! I will not let that happen! I will ride with our troops after the spring thaw to recapture our cities and reclaim our land!" She paced back and forth. "And I not only promise victory over our enemies, I promise that we will expand, for my reign marks the end of the monarchy. I am not your Queen, but your archon, your magister. I am Empress Laura Gauthier, and we are now the Lyoko Imperium!"

The crowd cheered, and she smiled her political smile. At age sixteen, Laura was confident that she would be the most effective ruler Lyoko would ever possess.

—WINTER ENDS—