When the rest of the palace which had remained largely unchanged from its original archaic designs with the occasional renovation every half-century or so. The Governor-Generals meeting quarters changes every time a new one is chosen.
Each one adopts a style to reflect his own personal taste and character. And the current Governor-General Don Felipe Santos had opted to have the room reflect his passionate love for the hunt. Gone were the old tapestries and statues of the many heroes who were placed here by the last Governor-General several years ago.
Instead, the walls were lined with countless pelts and other trophies from close to every animal in Pinowa while the heads of all sorts of beats were plagued and left hanging on the wall for all to see, their faces curled back to various expressions of snarls and snorts. From pelts to stuffed corpses it was said that at times he would just mount on his horse and gun down everything in sight.
Hanging above them was a stuffed body of a Pinowan Carabao Snatcher. A gold and brown eagle whose wingspan was longer than the length of the meeting table and whose beak was akin to a scimitar. Diego could spot the bullet hole in the chest which was sewn up.
It was a good, clean shot that went through its chest and entered his heart. He whistled in a long, low tune as Gonzalo paled at the sight of the murdered bird. The Minister reluctantly took his seat and Diego sat in the last available chair beside him. The rest of the Colonial council had already arrived and were waiting for us.
In the middle of the table was the stuffed corpse of a Flying Monkey, a simian small enough to sit in the palm of Diego’s hand. Its head was nearly blown off and a line of stitches covered its entire neck.
“Ahh General you’ve arrived at last.” The Chief Judge Salazar who seemed most unmanned by the gory centerpiece said with relief. The man’s broad shoulders, rough face, and matted dark beard made looked more suited to wear the garb of a farmer than the expensive regalia of a judge. He inched it away nervously from the creature and turned his attention to the General.
“Indeed I have,” Diego said and to his right was Archbishop Francisco Delgado. The clergyman who served as the official head of the Church of Lady Light in Pinowa. He was a pot-bellied man was dressed in a red and white robe with a black sash decorated with a single star to mark him an inquisitor to tie it with, while his salt and pepper hair was shaved at the crown to show his devotion to a life of simplicity expected from a man of his station. And the strawberry sized diamond and sapphires on his rings revealed how the men of his station truly lived.
The man himself sat on him the end of the long wooden table, dressed in a pristine dress uniform with epaulets while staring at the stuffed monkey in the center of the table in boredom. He seemed amused as the beady black eyes stared back at him unblinkingly. In contrast the rest of the councilors, he had no problem looking at the corpse.
“At long last someone in this council who can truly enjoy a clean kill!” Don Felipe picked up the Flying Monkey from the table, much to the relief of every man there and threw it towards the General. “Take a look for yourself.”
Diego examined the kill and circled his finger around the bullet hole at the neck. It was a good shot indeed, one that could have taken its whole head off. “Aren’t Flying Monkey found only in the Pahayupan Islands?”
“Indeed they are, Salazar accompanied me on the hunt there last week.” Don Felipe laughed loudly. “He spent more time shaking and shrieking rather than hunting.”
Laughter rang out from the rest of the men, causing the Chief Judge to color brightly and looked down at the wooden table. “Apologise my lord. I am not used to hunting.”
“That doesn’t mean you should be panicking and running back to the ship at the first sound growl we hear” Don Juan complained. “At least know there's someone in this bloody council who knows how to load use gun.”
“Shall we begin now?” A voice drawled away from the table. Another table was set up containing drinks and food in order for the council members to convince on a full stomach. Standing by there with a glass of water was Head Exchequer Lord Ignacio Del Rosario.
The man resembled a pampered house cat, that is to say large, lazy, yet with a certain fierceness and smoothness with the way he walks. Immediately all laughter died out as everyone looked at him. Even the Governor-General cleared his throat and nodded. “Indeed, I suppose it's time we begin.”
Francisco nodded and gestured humbly towards the statue of the Lady placed on a ledge nearby in the ceiling. “Then let us begin with a prayer to thank the Lady for bringing us here and giving us a chance to discuss these important affairs.”
The others nodded and rose from their seats. They clasped hands together and closed their eyes in a silent prayer. All Diego prayed for was a swift end to this meeting so he could return to get some rest. After a few minutes, they broke apart and sat back down. “So what is on the agenda?” The Governor-General asked and slumped into his seat.
“Another revolt has broken out in the Maya region.” Salazar read from a piece of paper which he pulled out from his robes.
“What for this time?” Don Felipe sounded more bored than angry. It was difficult to blame him, these days it seemed like the natives revolted every few months for some reason or another.
“Apparently some of the farmers were upset at our decision to raise prices of rice beer and started to protest. Then my officers tried to calm halt their riot, but things turned violent and five men were killed in the ensuing brawl. Eventually, a man named Quezon led a raid which captured the town hall of their barangay. The chief of police is requesting help from the military in order to deal with these insurgents.”
The Archbishop snorted in derision as Salazar concluded his report. “Rice wine? Have these natives truly degenerated that much that a simple drink is enough to trigger a battle between them.” He slammed his fist on the table. “I say we send two regiments at least to put the natives in their place.”
Salazar turned to the General. “How many men can you spare?”
“I’ll have two thousand ready to move out within the week to put down this uprising.” He ran his finger across the table. His mind was at work thinking about the numbers of troops he would need to move plus supplies. Yes, it was feasible.
“Well with that done, perhaps now we can speak about our Generals campaign in Aterb.” Ignacio declared. “I hear the colony was lost.”
A deep silence filled the rooms as the words were said. The Generals finger suddenly raked across the table, leaving a long line in the wood. He glanced down at his fingernails which had bits of wood stuck in them and hid it under the desk. “Indeed, unfortunate to say but the colony was lost.”
“And how could that be? You had twenty-five thousand soldiers under your command.” He pressed and leaned forward.
“Because they didn’t fight us in conventional battles. The rebels didn’t use large armies or artillery pieces to attack us. Instead, they hid in the mountains and caves, emerging only in small groups and only to raid and harry my men. They attacked my foraging parties and scouts, hit our supply lines but never the main force.”
The men listened with rapt attention even though most of them didn’t fully understand the concept he laid before them. It was only Don Felipe and the Head Exchequer who nodded with understanding, the former with a bit of excitement while the latter with his lips quirked up. “So am I to understand you failed in your objectives?”
Diego ground his teeth together as he entertained the mental picture of hurling the Monkey at him. One more glorious flight for the Flying Monkey. “No. I took back the three largest cities from the partisans and ensured that shipping continued unimpeded. And for every man we lost, my soldiers killed three rebels.”
“And yet you still lost.”
“Because Bristushia threatened to get involved in the war.”
For the first time in the meeting, Ignacio was surprised. He frowned slowly and allowed the General to continue. Bristushia was the massive nation just beyond the straits of Ardenes from Aterb. It is said that only the Five could rival it in power and strength.
“Bristushia?” Salazar tugged at his beat inquisitively. “What does Bristushia have to do with any of this? None of their citizens were on the island. Right?”
Diego crackled bitterly. “Of course not. But they claimed our actions were an affront to liberty and they would intervene militarily if we did not withdraw our forces. To prove their point they sent the Fifth Fleet across the Ardenes to place Aterb under their protection”
Gonzalo gaped, Don Felipe bristled and Delgado roared. “Hypocrites! This is nothing but pure hypocrisy, I tell you within a month Aterb will be another colony in their ‘federation.’” Venom practically dripped from his lips as the Archbishop said the last word.
“An unfortunate loss,” Ignacio agreed and bowed his head low, seemingly contemplating the loss, but quickly raised it up again a moment later. “but our wise Queen Isabel wishes not to dwell on the past and focus on going forward. She has ordered that the remaining Aterb garrison is transferred to our remaining colonies to boost defenses.”
“My lord, that's over eleven thousand men.”
“Indeed it is General, the Queen has already given orders on how the soldiers are to be divided.” The Head Exchequer said as he pulled out a scroll fro, his coat pocket. Diego’s lip quivered in outrage as he noticed the broken seal with the sigil of the queen. By law, only the Governor-General had the authority to open letters sent by the queen. Anything else was considered treason, yet no one even batted an eyelash as he unrolled the scroll and started to read it.
Seeing the smug gleam in his eyes nearly caused the General to gag. He paid little attention to court gossip, but the rumors regarding Ignacio and the Queen, and how a young noble like him was able to snag a position in the colonial government were too delicious to ignore. If he was a cat, then he knew quite well who was his own and who pampered his pussy.
“By order of Queen Isabel, the remaining men of the Aterb Civil guard are to be disbanded and integrated into Madrilias remaining colonies. “Three hundred will be sent to the King’s Stones, another twelve hundred will go to our holdings on the Horn, and the rest will be garrisoned in Pinowa.”
“That's over nine thousand men.” Diego pointed out.
“Your skills in math are impressive General, but the good Queen has insisted that keeping Pinowa in the fold should be our top priority.”
It was hardly a surprising move, nor one without wisdom. Pinowa was the largest and most populated of all of the empires remaining colonies. It would only make sense that it recover the lion's share of the troops.
“But our garrison is already overstaffed as it is, in fact, I’ve been planning on dismissing several battalions in order to lessen the number of troops here ” I explained.
Suddenly the Minister of Labor was at his feet as well. “My lord, General Legazpi speaks truly. My overseers have already been receiving complaints not just from the soldiers, but from farmers and factory workers who are overworked from all the things needed to maintain the army here. Not to mention the need for new uniforms, guns, and ammunition for the new arrivals, it would be a logistical nightmare.”
The others on the council looked shocked at his outburst, even Diego didn’t quite hide his astonishment and was a bit impressed. Lazano was a man who barely even speak out against his own subordinates and workers and he even needed his advisor's encouragement to do even that or make any serious decisions.
To this, the Head Exchequer merely laughed and clapped him on the shoulder hard enough to cause the man to jerk forward. “Well tell me, Minister.” He had the pitcher in his hand and reached for Lozano’s glass to pour him a drink. “Have the soldiers joined in your worker's union?”
Lozano shook his head and looked the glass nervously. He moved his arms away from it as if fearing there might be poison in it. “Well, no they’re not.”
“Then what do their complaints mean to you? It does not matter what they say.” He added with a dazzling smile that showed off all his white teeth. It was meant to be a calming gesture, but Diego could see the conniving gleam he had in his eyes. “As for your workers, tell them that they should be grateful. They need not fear to lose their jobs with much more work. Their jobs are more secure than ever. In fact, why not convince others to join if they worry about being overworked. Can you do that for me?”
The Minister hardly looked any better, his face still pale even as he tilted his head back and forth. Ignacio stepped away and spread his arms out. “So the problem is solved then. Let’s move onto more pressing matters.”
“The ingrates should be grateful they have worked at all. Every day all I see these natives slacking off. Shameful.” Delgado remarked.
“Well if we really wish to increase the garrison we have here then I suggest we begin purchasing more modern weapons for them?”
Ignacio turned to him, weariness lined his face even as he continued to smile. “Diego, I understand your desire for better equipment for your soldier, but as I've told you before we don't have the money in the budget for such acquisitions.”
“What about now?” The General reached into his coat pocket and threw a document on the table. It rolled to Exchequers side of the table. “I think this contains all the information you need.’
He carefully removed the seal and began to read the document over. “Oh, you’ve amassed quite a bit of a fortune in your visit to Aterb General.”
“Close to seven hundred thousand pesos,” Diego replied politely. It still wouldn’t be enough for all the planned acquisitions he had in mind and he would need to cut some corners, but it is still better than nothing. “If the Governor-General approves, then we can begin procurement. I believe you’ve already had the list.”
“I’m not sure,” Don Felipe said quietly as he rubbed his chin and looked over the list. “this appears rather excessive.”
Diego smiled underneath his mustache. This was the opening he’s been waiting for. “Well, as I’m sure you all know that Galdran has begun releasing new repeater rifles that are rapidly being adopted by the rest of the Five. Why should we not do the same for Madrilia?”
“It certainly would be easier to police the colonies with more modern weapons.” The Chief of Justice noted slowly. He seemed reluctant to say it and glanced nervously towards Ignacio who looked impassive enough as he listened to the exchange.
“Indeed, was that not how General Orlando conquer Pinowa? With superior arms and armor?” Diego said and winked at the Governor-General. “And imagine it now sir, what better way to show the rebels our strength than marching your army out with weapons far ahead of their own?”
“It would also ease the workload of my Union.” The Minister of Labor added. “If we buy them overseas then we would not need to make it.”
“Like the heroes of old, very well then. I’ll allow the purchase of these new weapons.” Don Felipe slumped into his seat and stared at me, though his mind seemed to be elsewhere. He looked intrigued and pleased with that idea. “So if we don’t have anything else to discuss then I think it's time for us to go.”
The others began to disperse. Don Felipe returned to his office and Diego noticed Ignacio and Delgio striding towards Salazar, the wraith-like expressions on their face was enough for the General to understand what was happening. “Looks like one of the dogs needs a scolding.” Lozano leaned over and whispered to him before going his own separate way as well.
He nodded softly and looked up at the portraits once again.
The more he thought about it, the more Diego reluctantly saw the wisdom in the decision. Pinowa was unquestionably the most valuable and most important. It's fertile fields and abundant natural resources have often been a lifeline to the empire.
Meanwhile, the King’s Stones were a few barren isles scattered across the sea with a few dozen families making their home there. While their lands in the Horn did have a few ports, none of them were of any real importance.
No, Pinowa needed to be held at all costs.
The mahogany wall clock ticked several times as the hand moved ever so slightly. Juan finally broke down and glanced up front it again. Approaching 2:55, a full minute and a half since he last checked. He growled in frustration and nearly crumpled the copy of the Lenitz Times.
He only stopped when the secretary sitting behind the desk let out a small giggle. She was about his age with a Juan flushed bright red as he straightened the papers and pretended to read it again. The secretary turned back to her work and pretended to have not noticed, something he was immensely grateful
After a few more minutes of waiting, the clock continued its relentless ticking, taunting the young journalist. Tick, tock tick tock. Juan sighed softly to himself and started to actually read the paper in his hands. Most of the news was just about which singer had recently been found in bed with which actor, or of the latest gossip about some prince’s marriage. Things he cared little for.
What did interest him were the stories of new technologies that improved productivity, new resources being discovered in far-off colonies and the stories of those living in said colonies. He smiled and read the same story a second time. One of a fisherman in Bravatinian East Horn who had spent twenty years struggling to make ends meet for his family until the government gave him a nice subsidy. It was things like that which got his attention and kept him reading, of men rising above their stations to reach for something greater than their meager standing.
In Pinowa few people ever had that kind of fire to push for what they want. Most satisfied themselves with making enough to feed themselves and their families, but anything else didn’t interest them enough to even try.
Juan could already picture his own work next to them, sharing the struggles of his own people. And a small part of him, a bit shamefully could also picture the money to be made. At three pesos per word, the profit of selling these papers for a week would be more money than the barangay he grew up in made in six months. He knew that his story would only make a fraction of that at most, still, it would be a respectable sum for his commission. He had already divided the money in his head, a portion would go back to his own funds while another would be sent home for two people, Aditya Fernandez, the Datu of his barangay, and another to Lola Lyda.
A smile suddenly tugged at his lips as he remembered the kind old woman in his youth. Even though she wasn’t his actual Lola, Lyda had practically raised him since his parents died when he was fifteen. He recalled the dozen or so other street children who she took care of, educated and sheltered in her canteen. Many of them were gone now, either moved away, got jobs or who were simply gone, though a few like Juan still remained in touch with her.
He recalled the kind smile on her face which seemed to be the cure for anything from a skinned knee to food poisoning and the smell of raw meat which always clung to her like perfume. The money he would send, he hoped would be a help in maintaining her canteen. Juan wouldn’t need much money, just enough for rent and food, he already decided that she would receive the lions share of the commission, however much that would be.
“Mr. Hamilton is ready to see you now.” The secretary smiled as she stood up and gestured up to the stairs. “He’s in the first door to the right.”
“Thank you, miss.” He quickly folded the newspaper and placed them back on the table before quickly collecting his documents. Juan stumbled slightly as his leg knocked up against the side of the table and caused him to drop a few papers. The girl giggled as she placed a hand to cover her lips as the Pinowan grinned sheepishly in return and retrieved his papers before heading upstairs as swiftly as he could do anything to embarrass himself further.
Juan looked at the dark oak walls and cabinets and nodded in approval at the taste. He stopped only to admire some fine China collected from the Qindong Empire, decorated with images of serene gardens, breathtaking concubines with their emperors and the oriental villages. Beside it was a great bookshelf with a number of books he read, and the rest were books he wanted to read.
Juan ran his hands across the spine of great tomes and gripping novellas while mumbling their titles to himself as if reciting a hymn. Eventually, he managed to tear his gaze from the site to return to the task at hand. He cleared his throat and adjusted his coat once more to smooth out all the wrinkles before knocking on the door.
“Come in.” Said the inviting voice.
Juan pulled the door open and instantly began taking every detail of his future boss’s office, every kind of book on the shelf, the ornaments on his desk and decoration on his wall. Information like that might be very useful in the future if he needed to get in good with him. “Hello, there sir.” He said as he finally turned his attention to the man behind the desk.
The editor and chief was a portly man at the shape of an egg, a fact that wasn’t helped by his head which was as smooth as a newborn infant's buttocks. As far as he could tell, the only hair in his body was a rather impressive handlebar mustache. “Good morning sir, I am Juan Sevilla,” Juan said as he remained in the doorway.
“Ahhh, you must be the new journalist I was told about. I’m Lefford Hamilton, the editor and chief of the Lenitz Times” He said and straightened on the chair, adjusting the suspenders holding up his trousers. “Come in, come in.” He gestured to one of the leather chairs in front of his desk.
Juan smiled politely and did as he was told, shaking the man's hand before sitting down. “So let's get down to business, my secretary said you have something you want to show me?”
“Yes sir,” He said and reached into his satchel, digging through the things there until he produced a small stack of papers. “These are transcripts I made about an interview I conducted with several farmers in Pinowa.”
Mr. Lefford leaned in closer to the document as he counted the pages, eight, nine and ten. His lips parted, closed and parted again as he read. “Oh, you did all of these people. It could hardly have been easy to get so many farmers.”
“Well, I actually grew up in a farming village in Pinowa.” He rubbed the back of his neck nervously, his cheeks turning a bit red. Juan highly doubted that it would give him any more credibility as a writer by saying that.
He seemed to notice Juan’s nervous look and let out a loud laugh. “Hah, fear not my friend. I also grew up in a humble background as well. I’m from a small fisher town in a colony in the horn. What you did here was impressive, I think we can work with what we have here.” He reached for the brass bell on the side of his desk and started to ring it.
A moment later the secretary at the desk appeared at his door. “You called me sir?”
“Yes, I did Amber. Please have Adam come here to my office.” He instructed her quickly, not even really looking up from the documents.
The girl saluted to her boss and quickly made her way down the hall. Her heeled boots clicked loudly against the floor. While she was gone, Lefford went back to work reading the document and whispered softly.
It was barely a few minutes when a man appeared in Amber’s place. He was young, only a few years older than Juan and with his hair slicked back with grease. “You sent for me sir?”
“Yes, I would like you to meet Juan Sevilla, one of our newest journalists.” He held out Juan’s documents for him to take. Adam took the papers but his gaze lingered on the Pinowan, seeming to inspect him all over. Juan saw the appraising look in his eyes and straightened his posture before meeting his stare. Adam nodded eventually and offered his hand. “It's very nice to meet you.”
“A pleasure to meet you as well,” Juan replied with a smile, already deciding he hated the man.
With nothing left to be said, the older man departed with a near silent shut of the door. It was only when he was gone that Juan let the elation he felt building in chest free and move to his face. Although not yet officially hired, the statement that the editor and chief gave him new confidence.
Lefford seemed to notices this as well and grinned back at him through the thick bush on his lips. He climbed to his feet and held his hand out to Juan. “I can sense potential a mile away, and I see a lot in you, my boy.”
Juan gladly took Lefford’s hand in his own along with the pat on his back. “Now your story should be printed within the week, as well as your first commision payment.”