Microstate
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MICROSTATE CHAPTER I: INITIUM NOVUM
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)
Sunreach Villa di Kligenberg
March 11, 2020 / 2:40 PMMikaela adjusted her sunglasses as she sat by the pool, with both of her legs dipped into the cool water while she sat on the pool’s edge. Mid-March temperatures in Inquista were typically quite temperate, but unusually warm days like these could sometimes bring temperatures to well over 20 degrees. While Mikaela rejoiced in the sun’s rays, she held her phone in one hand while she drank from a wine glass in the other.
Mikaela tilted her head forward, with her eyes peeking over her sunglasses, as she texted furiously on her phone with one hand. Mikaela’s phone buzzed and she grinned as she read the incoming message.
“Pfff! She’s so funny,” Mikaela quietly laughed to herself.
Suddenly, a large splash of water rinsed Mikaela as someone emerged from the depths of the pool before her.
“Si, you got my swimsuit wet!” Mikaela winced as she got splashed.
“That’s literally the point of a swimsuit,” Silas commented matter-of-factly as he stood up in the pool, pulling himself to the edge where Mikaela was sitting.
“Now I will have to buy a new one,” Mikaela moaned.
Silas then used his hand as paddle and took a deep cut to the surface of the water, sending another wave of water toward Mikaela. Mikaela shrieked and immediately pulled both of her feet out of the water and stood up, spilling half of her drink in the process.
“Si, stop! Now you’ve also gotten my phone wet. I also just spilled my drink.”
“Your fine, it’s just water. Who are you texting anyway?” Silas asked as he placed both of his elbows on the edge of the pool and pulled himself upward. Silas then laid his arms flat on the edge of the pool and rested his head on his hands while the rest of his body floated in the water.
“My girl, Irene,” Mikaela answered as she then sat herself down on marble tiles, a few feet away from Silas and the pool. Mikaela then sipped the rest of her wine until it was finished.
“Apart from the fact that’s she a complete psychopath, I’m pretty sure Irene only uses you as a tool in her deranged schemes. She isn’t your girl,” Silas replied in a mocking tone.
“Don’t say that. Irene is actually really sweet. She’s just misunderstood and I totally relate to that,” Mikaela retorted.
“Once you get over the fact that she has a temper, delusions of grandeur, split personalities, is mentally unwell and unstable, has violent tendencies and a demon that lives inside of her, then yes, she can be very sweet,” Silas responded as he rolled his eyes.
“Well, just so you know, I’m having a party here tomorrow evening and I’m inviting her,” Mikaela smiled.
“Another party? You had one just last week, and we’re still making repairs to the villa thanks to the damages that the wild tigers did to this place.”
“Si, how was I supposed to know that when Diplo started playing music that the tigers would get all distressed and would start attacking everybody? I had it on good authority from this guy I dated once who said tigers were good exotic animals to have at parties. I really think it was Diplo’s fault. I tried to warn him to keep the bass to a minimum.”
“Mikaela, you’re supposed to sedate the tigers first. You can’t just have them roam around fully functioning.”
“I don’t want PETA or Bishop Lallana on my back! Can you imagine the scandal? I didn’t want to do anything to mess with the tigers.”
“Mikaela, for the last time, they’re wild animals. PETA and Bishop Lallana would be on your back regardless if you sedated them or not. But now, thanks to you, we have another massive bill to pay. This is like Ibiza all over again.”
“It’s not fair to bring up Ibiza like that. How was I supposed to know that a woman would actually die on the dance floor and that another woman would be abducted and a whole international incident would unfold?”
Silas laughed. “Don’t forget the fact that you also brought back a Spanish pool boy who is also wanted by the Spanish police. Oh, and the fact that he’s now your fiancée.”
“Rude,” Mikaela gasped as she gave Silas a stern look that made him laugh.
“I mean, he does clean the pool for us, so I’m not wrong,” Silas defended himself as he laughed.
Mikaela’s phoned buzzed again. Mikaela read the incoming message and let out a defeated sigh.
“What?” Silas asked out of curiosity as he studied Mikaela’s disappointed face.
“Looks like Irene won’t be coming to the party tomorrow.”
“How come?”
“Apparently her head chef prepared a dinner for her with too many calories in it. She has to publicly berate and humiliate the chef in front of the rest of the staff tomorrow.”
“And that takes all day? I told you she was a psychopath,” Silas said shaking his head in disbelief.
“Aww, it’s a shame she won’t be able to come. I invited Saweetie to come perform for us tomorrow, and I think Irene would really enjoy her performance. There’s always next time,” Mikaela pouted.
“Wait. Who else did you invite to the party tomorrow?” Silas questioned as he pushed himself away from the edge of the pool and began floating toward the centre.
“Basically everybody to be honest,” Mikaela shrugged.
“Even… Edward Firoux?” Silas questioned before then slowly submerging himself in the water, keeping only his eyes and the top of his head above the water. Silas kept his concentration fixed on Mikaela as his eyes peered just above the water’s surface.
“Well I had invite to JennaMarelle of course, and you know JennaMarelle, she always then has to invite Anja, and then Anja always invites Edward. So yes, Edward will probably come.”Silas continued to hold his breath as he kept his entire body and lower face submerged under water. Silas furrowed his brows and then gave them a wiggle as he continued to stare at Mikaela.
“Si, I can tell you’re grinning under the water. What’s up? You’re giving me that look,” Mikaela commented with a tinge of worry in her voice.
After a few seconds of silence, Silas finally fully emerged from the water again and slowly swam back to the edge of the pool. Silas resumed his previous position of having his arms cushion his head as he clung to the pool’s perimeter. “Si…” Mikaela further prompted.
“I heard a little rumour today,” Silas mischievously grinned. “Apparently Bishop Sunderson - who is the bishop of your father’s former diocese - is very ill and will be stepping down from the College of Bishops in the coming days. I got a text from a staffer of his that suggests he wants his seat to go back to the Kligenberg family and that he wants a Kligenberg back in Inquistan politics.”
“Oh wow, my dad’s former diocese... I’m sad to hear that about Sunderson. He and my dad were good friends. I know that my dad would be proud of him. I hope that Sunderson will be okay,” Mikaela responded with sad hesitation as she lowered her gaze toward her feet.
“Oh, I’m sure he will be fine. But like I said, Bishop Sunderson wants a Kligenberg back in politics and I think the diocese would love that too,” Silas asserted shamelessly.
“So, are you gonna do it?” Mikaela questioned as she returned her gaze from her feet and looked Silas in the eyes.
“Totally. Bishop Sunderson hasn’t reached out to me yet, but I’ve already organized for a few people to come over to brainstorm some pre-emptive campaign ideas. I’ve also got this excellent campaign manager,” Silas enthusiastically revealed.
“So does everyone know about Sunderson? Is Edward okay with you running to replace him?” Mikaela further questioned.
“No, nobody technically knows about Sunderson except for one or two of his staff, who I happen to be close with. Firoux doesn’t know anything as of yet. I mean, he isn’t even the leader anymore of… whatever is left of the old League. But, if he’s at the party tomorrow, I might have to make an appearance.”
“Oh no,” Mikaela grimaced. “I’m canceling the party.”
“Nah, nah. I’m very suddenly into the idea of you hosting another party,” Silas joked back.
“You were right, last week was sooooo crazy, it’s better that I cancel the whole thing.”
“I think I can use the party to strike a deal with Firoux. He backs me, then I agree to combine our forces against the Archbishop… and maybe I can become leader of our united effort in the process.”
“I want my party to be fun. Please leave politics out of it. Call Edward right now. Or call him tomorrow before the party. Literally any other time would be better. Why does it have to be at the party? It’s going to be a massive scene…” Mikaela moaned.
“Since when did you ever care about causing a massive scene? That’s quite literally what you do best,” Silas laughed. “On this occasion, I wouldn’t even mind one.”“Si! That’s not nice or reassuring. I really like Edward. I don’t want trouble. Don’t dodge my question. Why my party?”
“Because he’ll be there with all the other important people. Firoux and everyone else will be drinking… speaking without inhibitions and without filters. I don’t drink anymore since I’ve seen sober. They won’t be prepared either, so I’ll have the upper hand. Firoux will have no choice but to say yes to my run. This is perfect,” Silas exclaimed, pushing himself off the edge of the pool and throwing his arms in the air.
“Ugh, fross. Fine. I better win some sort of peace prize for this. Please keep it light, though? Please also keep the peace. We need a united front between all of us, especially if you do decide to run.”
“See, this is why your father entrusted me with the Kligenberg legacy. I know what I’m doing. This is how both politics and business are done. Without politics or business, our family wouldn’t be where we are at now, so you should embrace it. You should watch and learn. But don’t worry, I will keep it light,” Silas grinned as he then fully submerged himself under the water.
Archbishop’s Palace
March 11, 2020 / 6:15 PMArchbishop Craticus was seated at a large, ornate desk in the middle of his study in the Archbishop’s Palace. Craticus was surrounded by an array of beautifully decorated shelves that contained thousands of ancient books and treatises. The study was graced with various ancient artifacts and beautiful trinkets that often gave Craticus the impression that he was living in a museum. On his desk, Craticus was sifting through heaps of papers, documents and memorandums which he had neglected over the past few days. Due to the various crises currently unfolding in Europe, Craticus has had his attention diverted from domestic affairs. Bored out of his mind, Craticus leaned back in his gold and sapphire-embellished chair and slowly began to sink.
“Alexa,” Craticus called out, “play Shut up and Fish by Maddy and Tae.”
Shut up and Fish by Maddy and Tae began to play over the elaborate speaker system which had been planted in the ceiling of the library. Craticus then leaned forward in his chair and continued to study some of the documents before him, occasionally signing-off on a document which required him to do so. The door to the study suddenly swung open as Aleksandra walked into the room with the couple’s daughter, Ali, in her arms.
“We will be called to dinner very soon. Work time is over,” Aleksandra began before pausing and then breaking out in a muzzled laughter. Aleksandra couldn’t contain her laughter despite a serious effort to remain cool. “Are you seriously listening to EuroVoice music? Shut Up and Fish, really?”
“It’s seriously the best song Inquista has entered in years,” Craticus retorted defensively. “Finally, a song that isn’t crude, profane or totally degenerate. Besides, I’ve been a big fan of Maddy and Tae ever since they released their song Christian Girl Autumn. That was much, much better than that filthy song Hot Girl Summer… what a disgrace.”
Aleksandra continued to laugh. Aleksandra lowered her arms so that Ali could jump out of her arms and land on her feet. Ali then ran to Craticus’ desk and eagerly climbed onto her father’s lap.
“I have no idea what’s more sad, the fact that a grown man has serious opinions on EuroVoice and EuroVoice songs, or the fact that I’ve put my entire life on the line due to the same grown man who has serious opinions on EuroVoice and EuroVoice songs,” Aleksandra said shaking her head in exacerbation.
“Hey! Maddy and Tae are a joint Inquistan-Red Croatian effort. Just like you and I,” Craticus responded with a smile.
Aleksandra cringed. “I’ve left my crown, jeopardized my life, had a child, and now basically live in house arrest… all for a man with a tacky sense of humour and terrible taste in music. I need to write to Shallon Lester for advice and penance immediately.”
“Ok, now you’re being mean-spirited,” Craticus huffed as he cuddled with Ali on his lap.
“Daddy, are you and Mommy married?” Ali asked very suddenly.
Craticus’ face suddenly went red with embarrassment. Craticus shot a panicked expression toward Aleksandra. Aleksandra walked over to Craticus and Ali, and knelt down besides the chair and gave Ali a sweet smile. “No, Daddy and Mommy are not married. Not all dads and moms are married.”
Craticus’ face was flushed fully red. “Although, they all really ought to be…” Craticus whispered aloud.
“Well, that’s not my fault is it?” Aleksandra said turning her head to Craticus and then looking back at Ali. “So even if Mommy left Daddy, Mommy wouldn’t even get any money out of it. Isn’t that sad, my darling?”
Craticus gasped and covered Ali’s ears. “Don’t say things like that in front of her,” Craticus scowled.
“Sorry to obstruct this… umm, moment?” interrupted a voice from the library door.
Craticus, Aleksandra and Ali all turned their heads to see Bradley Costa, the Archbishop’s Chief Assistant, standing between the door frames.“No, no, you’re not interrupting anything,” Aleksandra croaked, lifting Ali up from Craticus’ lap and taking Ali into her arms.
“Ah, good,” Bradley exhaled with relief. Aleksandra simply laughed and began to walk toward the library door, but Bradley lifted his hand and motioned for Aleksandra to wait before she passed him.
“You’ll probably want to stay for this,” Bradley smiled.
“Oh?” Aleksandra responded with worry, turning back to look at Craticus, who shrugged at her.
Bradley walked into the study and seated himself on a small, old velvet sofa that was positioned against the wall. Aleksandra closed the library door, with Ali still in her arms, and turned to square their focus on Bradley.
“There’s been a leak,” Bradley announced ominously.
“A leak?” Craticus questioned as he tilted his head with a confused expression across his face.
“Yes, a leak, Your Holiness. One of Mikaela Kligenberg’s stylists has made a post on social media claiming that you and the former Queen of Red Croatia are an item, and that you have a daughter together.”
“First off, she’s still the Queen of Red Croatia,” Craticus began. “Secondly, how much traction did the post get?”
“Virtually none. We managed to catch the post almost immediately, and we deleted the post and suspended the stylist’s account. For good measure, we got hundreds of Malboryan Twitter bots to post malicious and mean-spirited tweets claiming that Mikaela was pregnant, which should bury the lead.”
“See, this is why I didn’t want Mikaela Kligenberg babysitting our child. She can’t keep quiet about it. I knew she that she would tell someone. Besides, I don’t trust that woman to take care of herself, let alone someone else’s child,” Aleksandra lectured.
“I love Mikaela, Mommy,” Ali smiled.
“One moment,” Aleksandra said excusing herself, opening the library door and leaving with Ali. After a few seconds, Aleksandra returned to the library without Ali and closed the door behind her.
“No more Mikaela Kligenberg in this palace, you hear me?” Aleksandra pressed.
“Besides you two, and our palace staff, there’s not many people I can trust. Mikaela Kligenberg, on the other hand, is so naïve and wide-eyed, that I knew that she would never ask any tough questions. I knew it was a tall order asking her to be quiet about our situation, and about baby Ali, but she promised up and down that she would be quiet about it. I’m disappointed to learn that she’s talking,” Craticus muttered as he thought aloud.
“To be honest, we can’t really keep up this charade much longer anyway,” Aleksandra responded. “I can’t keep living like this. I can’t be some secret. Neither can Ali. This isn’t good for the both of us anyway. I think we should be open and transparent.”
Bradley narrowed his gaze as he spoke. “The political ramifications of opening up about this would be tremendous, especially considering the reputation you have accumulated, Your Holiness. But this is something you could overcome…”“No, no,” Craticus responded defensively. “Living unmarried with a political exile who also happens to be the mother of my secret child? Everything I worked for would be ruined.”
“Oh and of course this is all about you,” Aleksandra replied sternly while rolling her eyes.
“I accept this is my fault. But we have to be one step ahead. We shouldn’t throw out momentum while we’re still on top. I think we need to install you back on your throne in Red Croatia, then we can come out about this,” Craticus said while looking Aleksandra in her eyes.
Bradley nodded. “That would be most politically convenient.”“Absolutely not. I don’t even want to be queen. I want to live a private life, but I don’t want to be held up in some palace where I’m living a secret life. Besides, Irene’s not going to simply abdicate. She won’t go without a fight. She wants me killed,” Aleksandra muttered.
“We could always have Ali on the throne,” Craticus suggested.
“What, a 5 year old child?”
“Yes. You could still rule as a regent, but you wouldn’t have as many duties. You could delegate responsibilities to a council or a group of advisors. You could lead a much more normal life.”
“No, that would be dangerous to Ali. I also don’t want to force Ali into the exact same situation I was in. I never had the option of becoming queen. It was thrusted upon me and I was never given the option to consent. I won’t push that same fate on Ali.”
“At the very least, don’t you have some sort of cousin or something that we could put on the throne? No matter what, we need a favourable situation in Red Croatia again. You’re right, we can’t go on like this. But you can’t live as a political exile, with some deranged queen eager to assassinate you. Ali can’t have that either. The priority should be to remove Irene from the throne. We can sort out who succeeds Irene once we cross that bridge.”
“We could try and have Irene killed, before she gets Aleksandra,” Bradley interjected.
“I like the way you think. This is why I keep you around,” Craticus laughed as he looked at Bradley.
“People would know I’d be behind that. It would look so convenient. They’d never accept me as queen again with blatant blood on my hands,” Aleksandra said while lowering gaze.
“We won’t make it too obvious. We can make it look like an accident or a suicide,” Bradley suggested.
“I can see it now on Malboryan twitter: #IreneDidntKillHerself” Aleksandra sarcastically mumbled.
“Oh please, Red Croats love drama. They wouldn’t even care if we blatantly killed Irene. In fact, they’d probably be more upset that it won’t be televised,” Craticus scoffed. “Anyway, this is a battle that we all knew was bound to happen. Only you or Irene can come out on top. This isn’t even about me. It’s not even just about you. This is also about Red Croatia as a whole.”
“Fine, fine,” Aleksandra responded. “We can figure this out later. Dinner?”
“Sure,” Craticus said as he turned to then look at Bradley. “Is that all you have for me this evening?”
“One more thing, Your Holiness. It’s related to domestic politics,” Bradley responded as he caught Craticus’ gaze.
“Politics that doesn’t involve me? Don’t care,” Aleksandra muttered as she swung the library door open and exited the room.
“We have been observing Silas Kligenberg’s incoming and outgoing telephone messages,” Bradley continued.
“I knew hacking his phone would be brilliant,” Craticus interjected proudly.
“Yes, Your Holiness. We’ve discovered that Bishop Sunderson will be soon retiring due to his failing health. As you know, his diocese of Eamony is the former diocese of Archbishop Kligenberg. Should we win the diocese in a by-election, this would be a momentous moral victory. The former diocese of Archbishop Kligenberg going to a Bishop of our bloc would be a story for the books.”
Craticus eagerly sat on the edge of his seat. “A victory in Eamony would decimate Firoux and the former League for good.”
“Better yet, according to the messages, Bishop Sunderson’s staff are also looking to have a Kligenberg replace him. Silas Kligenberg has apparently began organizing a campaign. A victory in Eamony would also mean a victory against a Kligenberg,” Bradley smiled.
“A moral victory? No, this would be more than that. This would be a victory for the very soul of Inquista,” Craticus grinned from ear to ear. “Although, to be honest, having Silas Kligenberg in the College of Bishops would also do us good. It would be like inviting a wolf into a sheep’s herd. Silas Kligenberg wants Firoux gone as much as we do. If Silas Kligenberg gets in, it could set the stage for a civil war between all the members of the old League. Why try to defeat Firoux ourselves if we can have his own people sink him?”
“That is also true, Your Holiness. The situation really is a win-win regardless.”
“Then we have to make sure Silas Kligenberg gets the backing from the old League. We need to make sure it’s us versus him. I can’t wait for it. We’re really running circles around them, aren’t we?”
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(CHAPTER I: INITIUM NOVUM continued...)
Sunreach Villa di Kligenberg
March 12, 2020 / 9:25 PMCouncillor Edward Firoux combed through hair with his fingers in a futile attempt to keep his curls in place. The Councillor was seated in the back of a limousine alongside Bishop Anja Emerett, who was giggling quietly as she watched Firoux meticulously groom himself. Firoux and Anja were dressed very elegantly in formal clothes, ready to take Mikaela Kligenberg’s party by storm.
“You look handsome tonight, you have nothing to worry about,” Anja said very warmly and reassuringly to Firoux.
“I don’t think I’ve been to one of her parties in a while,” Firoux responded defensively, still playing with his hair.
“It’s because you’ve been too busy. Apparently when you’re not in Europolis, you’re in Gallorum or Icholasen. I saw you on Stephanie DeVey’s show a few weeks ago,” Anja laughed.
“Oh, did you? What did you think?” Firoux asked with a cheeky smile. Firoux finally gave up on fixing his hair and redirected his gaze to Anja beside him.
“I thought it was good. Safe, but good,” Anja nodded.
“Better safe than sorry”, Firoux said laughing before softly jabbing Anja with the side of his elbow.
“Speaking of which, how are you and Gisela doing?” Anja inquired.
“Honestly, we’re not on the best of terms right now.”
“Oh? Is this about the Elected and Accountable Council Act?” Anja asked as her face turned from happy to sad.
“Yes, it is actually. She’s been pretty upset by it. As you know, we try to keep work and politics out of the relationship, but she’s kinda reached a breaking point I think.
When Councillor Cruthin resigned, Gisela had a few choice words for me.”
“Aww, I’m sad to hear it. I really hope this can be sorted out.”
“I’m not too sure. I’m just giving her space for now,” Firoux replied coolly as he looked down at his dress shoes.
“Time heals all wounds,” Anja smiled as she placed her hand on Firoux’s shoulder. Firoux laughed and shrugged off Anja’s hand.
After a few moments, the limousine came to a halt as it reached a large ornate gate. A few more moments later, the gate began to slowly open and the limousine slowly crawled into a massive walled-off property. The limousine followed a long, narrow driveway that led to a gargantuan, beautiful villa. Dozens of luxury cars clogged the front entrance of the villa, and a team of frantic valets attempted to keep the traffic moving. Luckily for Anja and Firoux, they had no intention of having their limousine waiting on them, so the two of them thanked their driver and bid him adieu as the limousine approached the front of the villa. Firoux exited the limousine first and held the door open for Anja. Like a proper gentleman, Firoux helped Anja carefully climb out of the limousine and closed the door behind her.
Anja and Firoux interlocked their arms and gracefully ascended up the stairs together toward the villa entrance. Loud music was playing and the vibrations from the bass could be felt under Anja and Firoux’s footsteps. Valets scrambled up and down the stairs and multiple guests were loitering around atop. When Anja and Firoux made it up the stairs, Firoux gave Anja a slight nudge as he caught a glimpse of Adele, Whoopi Goldberg and Tyler the Creator all sharing a cigarette together a few metres away from the front door.
As Anja and Firoux reached the large front door of the villa, it suddenly swung open as General Juan-Bernardo Fernandez-Velasquez came storming out with Chris Brown wrapped under one of his arms. The General threw Chris Brown down the front flight of stairs. Chris Brown tumbled before getting back on his feet and yelling at the General.
“I’m out of here, I didn’t even want to come to this shitty party in the first place!” Chris Brown yelled before storming off.
The General dusted off his hands before turning to look at Anja and Firoux. “You two want to get inside? Name and ID por favor. We have a guest list.”
“You’re… the… bouncer?” Anja hesitantly asked the General while handing him her ID. “My name is Anja Emeret. Bishop Emerett.”
“Si, Mamacita,” the General responded nonchalantly as he studied Anja and her ID. After a quick second, the General handed Anja her ID back before carefully taking Firoux’s ID.
“My name is Edward Firoux. I’m the European Councillor for Inquista. Aren’t you Juan-Bernardo? You’re Mikaela’s fiancée?” Firoux quizzed. “I also heard you’re now our new top military general. Good job on the promotion, buddy.”
“Si,” the General quickly responded with stern seriousness. The General handed back Firoux his ID and nodded at the pair.
“Fiancée, personal security and entertainment, that’s all you could ever want in a partner, isn’t it?” Anja joked as she looked and whispered to Firoux.
“Oh totally. I’m all three of those things to Gisela,” Firoux whispered back.
The General opened the front door and Anja and Firoux were allowed into the party. A sound wave akin to a tsunami just about knocked Anja and Firoux over as they walked in. DJ Tiësto was performing and massive speakers had been planted all across the inside of the villa. The scene was buzzing with activity, and a swarm of familiar faces, celebrities, politicians, business people and various accompanying D-list leeches scurried around the villa.
“Anja! Mr. Eddie!” a familiar voice called out.
Anja and Firoux spun around and were both immediately engulfed by Bishop JennaMarelle Johnson’s friendly embrace.
“JennaMarelle!” Anja and Firoux excitedly exclaimed in unison.
JennaMarelle hugged Anja and Firoux for several seconds before letting them go. “My babies! How are you? Mr. Eddie, my man, long time no see! You’ve been very busy. I’m surprised you managed to find some time to fly to lil ol’ Inquista with your new, fancy private jet?”
Firoux broke out into a laughter and shook his head. “I definitely did not fly over with a private jet. Jeez, that’s been a mess. I don’t want to hear about jets again in my life. Just talking about it now is giving me a headache.”
“How about we fix that?” JennaMarelle smiled. “Let’s grab you two darlings something to drink. Mikaela was also looking for y’all. Follow me!”
JennaMarelle wedged herself between Anja and Firoux, and she grabbed the two by their hands. “Mikaela’s by the bar, I think”.
The trio began navigating their way through the bustling villa, pushing past guests, and having to speak very loudly in order to be understood over the booming music. The villa seemed to be a never-ending labyrinth of rooms and stairs. After taking several left and right turns, JennaMarelle successfully found the bar, where Mikaela and Silas Kligenberg were laughing as they entertained some guests.
As Anja, Firoux and JennaMarelle approached the Kligenbergs, JennaMarelle suddenly pushed Anja very gently sideways and almost knocked her off balance.
“Sorry! Watch your step,” JennaMarelle warned, pointing to ground. Anja looked down and noticed she just about tripped over a small crocodile. Anja was stunned. For a moment, Anja was unsure if the crocodile was real or not, but after it suddenly began darting between her legs, she had to cover her mouth in order to stop herself from screaming. Firoux was also stunned, but a smile began to slowly creep across his face.“Was that… a crocodile?” Anja finally asked after her moment of shock surpassed.
“Yes, there’s several in the building. I don’t know why,” JennaMarelle explained with an unsure tone.“Anja! Firoux!” Mikaela shrieked as she noticed them in the front of the room. Mikaela darted her way over to the trio and kissed the air beside each of Anja’s and Firoux’s cheeks.
“Mwah! Mwah! Welcome. It’s so good to see you again,” Mikaela said as she smiled from ear to ear.
“It’s good to see you too! But what’s up with the crocodile?” Firoux asked. “Anja just about stepped on it.”
“Oh, I got several of those from the Archbishop,” Mikaela shrugged nonchalantly.
“The Archbishop? The Archbishop gave you crocodiles? Where did he get crocodiles from?” Anja asked with a puzzled expression.“Well, technically he’s just lending them to me. I have no idea how he got his hands on them. I thought they’d be great for the party. After last week’s incident with the tigers, I thought having large reptiles would be much safer. Plus, they match my shoes,” Mikaela said as she displayed her expensive, crocodile skin platform heels. “Always good to have live decorations around to accent your shoes.”
“Oh totally,” Anja nodded, pretending to understand Mikaela. “Where did you get those from?”
“Oh, they’re also a gift from the Archbishop. Apparently they’ve been fashioned from a crocodile that was slain by a famous Nicoleizian huntress,” Mikaela blushed. Mikaela then turned around and called out to Silas, who was still standing by the bar talking to several other party goers. “Si! Come here, don’t be rude!”
Silas spun his head around and smiled as he noticed his esteemed guests. Silas coolly walked over and joined Anja, Firoux, JennaMarelle and Mikaela. Silas shook hands with Firoux and put his hand on his shoulder. “Good to see you, Councillor. How’s Europolis?”
“Full of nonsense. Same as always,” Firoux smiled. “I wasn’t sure I was going to see you around. I thought parties weren’t your thing anymore?”
“They’re not, but I still make exceptions,” Silas curtly replied, before moving toward Anja and giving her a kiss on her cheek. “Always good to see you, Anja.”
“You too, Silas,” Anja smiled.
“So... drinks?” JennaMarelle interrupted while Silas was finishing his introductions.
“Yes, please,” Firoux sighed.
“Definitely,” Anja echoed.
“Here, I’ll grab them – I was about to fetch myself some water anyway,” Silas announced. Silas then smiled and slipped away from the group and returned to the bar.
“What brings you back to Inquista? I thought you’d be super-duper busy in Europolis right now, considering the fact that, you know, we’re sending troops overseas?” Mikaela asked Firoux.
“Well, that’s exactly why I’m in Inquista. The Archbishop is trying very hard to cut me out of the picture. I’m barred from leading our bloc in the College of Bishops, I’m not being consulted or informed on anything that’s going on in foreign affairs, and I’m being totally undermined… I need to make something happen,” Firoux replied with seriousness. “Honestly, I’m pretty sure you probably know way more than me. Your fiancée is the General of the Inqusitan Army now.”
“Yes! He looks really cute in his new uniform,” Mikaela laughed. Mikaela then held up her hand and displayed her engagement ring. “We’re going to get married sometime very soon. You guys will be the first to get the invites, I promise.”
“Awww, baby, you’re glowing,” JennaMarelle smiled.
As Silas prepared two cocktails behind the bar, he inconspicuously took out an orange pill bottle from his pocket and carefully emptied a bill into one of the drinks, which he intended to be received by Firoux. After spiking one of the drinks, he carefully stirred it and made sure that the cocktail would appear visibly normal. Silas then hurriedly returned to his group of guests when, suddenly, Bishop Karinn Lallana entered the room.
“Bishop Lallana! I was wondering if you’d be able to find us,” JennaMarelle greeted her.
Anja, Firoux and Silas all exchanged confused glances with one another. Firoux seemed particularly baffled.
“Err, Bishop Lallana… hi?” Firoux croaked.
“Hello, all,” Karinn announced with a serious expression across her face.
“I don’t mean to be rude, but I would never have thought to ever see you here, at a party like this, chatting to us,” Silas chimed in, unable to veil the disgust in his voice.
“A party like this? You mean where Europe’s 1% come to flaunt their wealth, indulge in excess and waste away their lives while the impoverished people of our country get poorer despite the fact that they’re working harder and longer, and most of the world is being destroyed by the climate crisis?” Karinn responded.
“Well, I can clearly see why you’ve came, because you’re very fun at parties,” Silas laughed as he rolled his eyes. “The party is officially here, everyone!”
“I didn’t come for the party. I came because JennaMarelle wanted to meet me, and for whatever reason, it had to be here and it had to be tonight,” Karinn explained.
“Alright, come, let’s take a seat somewhere,” JennaMarelle laughed as she took Karinn by the hand.
“I also just wanted to say,” Karinn continued, “I saw some crocodiles crawling in the halls earlier. This is unacceptable. What are wild animals doing here? They belong in the wild. I will have this reported,” Karinn warned as JennaMarelle began to slowly tug her out of the circle.
Mikaela coughed and nervously ran her hand through her hair, and placed her one foot behind the other, in attempt to mask her crocodile leather shoes.
JennaMarelle dragged Karinn from the group and the two went off to the other side of the room, where they sat down on a sofa and began to quietly engage in what seemed to be a very serious and secretive conversation.
“Well, that was strange,” Firoux smirked.
“I could really use that drink just about now,” Anja laughed as she nudged Firoux.
“Ah, here,” Silas said as he handed a drink to Anja. Silas then suddenly realised he forgot which drink he had spiked, and he became unsure if had given Anja the wrong drink.
“I could use one too,” Mikaela moaned.
“You can have mine to be honest. Martinis aren’t really my thing,” Firoux smiled as he looked at Silas. “Thanks, but don’t worry about me, Silas. I can get something later. Mikaela can have mine.”
“You… sure?” Silas nervously asked as a panicked expression swept across his faced.
“Oh yeah, it’s fine,” Firoux insisted.Mikaela snatched the martini from Silas’ hand without any hesitation. “Thanks. This has been quite the evening so far,” Mikaela murmured as she began to sip the drink. “Well, I’ll leave you guys to it. Saweetie should be performing any minute now and I really need to catch her.”
Mikaela gave Silas, Anja and Firoux each a kiss on the cheek before departing to intermingle with other guests.
“I’ve actually been meaning to talk to you two,” Silas admitted, putting a hand on Anja’s back and Firoux’s shoulder. “Here, let’s go to a quieter place.”
Silas led Anja and Firoux through the room to another room, and then opened a glass sliding door which led to an outside balcony that overlooked a large rose garden below. Silas led the two to the edge of the balcony and leaned on the marble railing. Anja took a deep inhale and exhale as she examined the rose garden below. Firoux also took a deep breath, taking a moment to enjoy the fresh outside air. Anja nudged Firoux and the two smiled at each other.
“So, what’s the deal? Why did you want to speak to us?” Firoux asked, turning his head to Silas. “I imagine this can’t be good.”
“Why can’t it be good?” Silas asked, seeming genuinely puzzled.
“You’ve been undermining my leadership ever since I was elected as the leader of the League… and then when Craticus dismantled it, you’ve been dragging your feet, trying to stop the old League from forming back together into a bloc,” Firoux responded cynically, unable to contain a cold tone.
“That’s not true. I want the League back together. It was my uncle that created it, and it’s up to me and my family to keep it alive,” Silas said as he turned his gaze toward the distance, looking toward the nighttime horizon.
“Silas, countless Bishops look up to you, and you know it – and you’ve asked that they don’t get behind Edward. We have Bishop Lallana on one side, with her own bloc attacking us, and then we have the Archbishop, with his own bloc, also attacking us. You’ve been purposely stopping the old League from forming our own cohesive bloc,” Anja chimed in.
A still silence descended as Silas continued to stare into the distance for a moment, before suddenly turning and focusing his gaze on Firoux and Anja besides him.
“Bishop Sunderson is very sick. He’ll be stepping down very soon.”“How do you kn-“ Anja began, before being interrupted by Silas.
“One of his staff told me. He’ll be resigning very soon. He also told one his staff that he wants a Kligenberg to succeed him. I plan to run,” Silas responded in a hushed tone, then turning his gaze toward his feet.
Anja and Firoux were shocked. They each looked at each other with their mouth agape. “So… is this a coup?” Firoux hesitantly burst out.
Silas shook his head. “No, not at all. I want us to be united. I want the old League to regroup into a new bloc. I also want you to support me in my effort to become the next Bishop of Eamony. In turn, I will support whoever you want as the new leader of our bloc. I’ll support either of you to become the next Archbishop.”
“I knew everything here tonight was too good to be true. Someone always wants something, and it’s always up to me to give, give, give and give. What do I get in return? A stab in the back?” Firoux scoffed, as Anja placed her hand on his back.
“Edward,” Anja sympathetically cooed. “We do need unity right now. One thing Silas has right is that we can’t keep going forward as a broken family.”
“I know,” Firoux shot back. “I’m so angry with myself because I knew it would come to this. I feel like I’ve totally lost control of everything.”
“I’m not trying to usurp anything,” Silas chimed in, moving himself closer to Firoux and placing his hand on his shoulder. “We’ve had our differences, but I want to put those behind me. I want us to work together – I want to work with you.”
Firoux rolled his shoulders and backed away from the balcony, and away from Anja and Silas. Anja frowned. “Edward… you can’t keep carrying this burden on you. We do need to do this, together.”
“I know, I know,” Firoux repeated. “Of course I will support you, Silas. Of course I will. Right now it’s sink or swim for us. We can’t tear ourselves apart. I need you to promise me you will support Anja as the leader of the bloc… the next Archbishop of Inquista.”
Anja’s eyes widened in shock and she began to shake her head. “No, no. You ought to be the leader. The people chose you.”
“I can’t. The Archbishop has done everything he can to ensure that I can’t lead. Even if I wanted to, I’m not allowed.”
“No. The people chose you. We’re not going to succumb to the Archbishop now. The people believe in you.”
“I can’t.”
“You can and you will.”
“I won’t.”
“If I can’t show you, then I will have the people of Inquista show you. You have a movement behind you. I promise you. The people will rally behind you,” Anja pleaded.
Firoux ran his hands through his hair in disbelief and shook his head. Silas let out a quiet laugh and extended his arm to Firoux, with his hand out and ready to shake. “So what do you say? A future together, as the Bishop of Eamony and the Archbishop of Inquista?”… ... ...
“My source is sure of it. 100% sure,” JennaMarelle insisted.
“I… I can’t believe it. The Archbishop is the leader of the Crusade Against Corruption?” Karinn asked in shock.
“Absolutely. The assassination of Archbishop Kligenberg, Archbishop Donwick, President Glorious, and all the countless terrorist attacks. he’s behind it all,” JennaMarelle continued.
“But you only have this one person’s word as proof?”
“Only their word. But they’re very, very close to the Archbishop. I trust them on this completely.”
“Have you told anyone else about this?”
“No. Just you so far,” JennaMarelle quietly whispered as her eyes carefully studied the room.
“I really, really can’t believe it. I’m not top surprised, actually, given his views and his religious doctrine. However, to think I’ve come face-to-face with this monster so many times,” Karinn pondered aloud.
“This is why we need a truce. Girl, you know I got you. Please extend an olive branch to Mr. Eddie. We have to stick together, now more than ever. We can’t be fighting like kids no more,” JennaMarelle pleaded.
Mikaela Kligenberg suddenly barged back into the room, moving from side to side, as if she was walking on a capsizing ship. Mikaela then fell to the ground, began rolling, and then crawled to where JennaMarelle and Karinn were sitting.
“Why are you girls whispering so much? Are you keeping secrets from me? I have secrets too, you know!” Mikaela slurred as she giggled.
“Girl, how wasted did you get? I swear we only just left you alone for 15 minutes. Do I need to tuck you into bed?” JennaMarelle laughed as she pulled Mikaela on the couch between Karinn and herself.
“Well, can I tell you a secret?” Mikaela asked before bursting into another round of laughter.
“Please, go ahead,” Karinn insisted.
“Nah, I shouldn’t tell you this. I really shouldn’t. I shouldn’t. But I will,” Mikaela said before laughing even more. “Ok, ok. Phew. Ok, let me collect myself. Ok, ok. Did you know that the Archbishop has a secret lady? Yup, he has a lady. He even has a baby who is the absolute cutest thing. She’s so adorable. I’ve babysat her a bunch of times.”
Mikaela continued to ramble for almost a minute straight, but JennaMarelle eventually put her hand over Mikaela’s mouth to shut her up. “Girl, you got me confused. The Archbishop has a baby? With who?”
“Aleksandra, the former Queen of Red Croatia,” Mikaela laughed.
JennaMarelle and Karinn looked at each other in shock. For Bishop Karinn Lallana, this had been an evening of many revelations. She found herself speechless. Just as all these revelations were coming to light, Anja, Firoux and Silas returned to the room. Upon seeing Silas, Mikaela immediately jumped on her feet and dashed toward him.
“Si! Si! Si! I have the best of news,” Mikaela slurred while speaking a mile a minute. “You know how you said Bishop Sunderson wanted a Kligenberg back into Inquistan politics?”
“Yes,” Silas answered with hesitation, studying Mikaela up and down, realising that she had drunk his spiked drink from earlier.
“Well, he called me! He wants me to run! I said yes!” Mikaela shrieked while clapping.
“You? He wants you to run?” Silas answered with a lump his throat. Silas shivered as a cold sweat ran down his spine.
Without any sort of control, Mikaela then proceeded to immediately vomit on Silas, emptying out her contaminated stomach all over him.
-
MICROSTATE CHAPTER II: IGNIS ET CINIS
“For the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.” (Proverbs 24:16)
City Gates Square
March 30, 2020 / 7:20 PMIt has been over a week since massive state-wide protests erupted in response to Councillor Firoux being recalled from office by Archbishop Craticus. The protests ballooned exponentially over the weekend, with an estimated 7.5 million Inquistans having now taken to the streets. Inquista was effectively now in crisis. A majority of streets were closed, with protestors, police and military police creating their own barricades and barriers. Movement around Inquista was virtually impossible. The mood of the protestors had also significantly shifted, from a feeling of defiance and hope to a feeling of outrage and combativeness. Protestors organized themselves in all of the major city squares and spilled out into all of Saint Dominico’s busiest streets. City Gates Square was regarded as the epicentre of the protests. The protests originally began in Saint Dominco’s Square, right by the Archbishop Palace, but a significant presence of security personnel limited the amount of protesters in that area.
A make-shift camp was erected in the centre of City Gates Square, where protesters were camping out and protest leaders were organizing their efforts. An exclusive section of this camp was barricaded and had several armed protesters protecting it. A barricaded and guarded route to the camp was connected to the side of the street, where a large building stood with a helipad on top. As protesters flooded every inch of the square and streets below, a helicopter flew overhead and landed on the building. Mikaela and Silas Kligenberg exited the helicopter. A few armed guards exited the helicopter shortly after.
Mikaela shuddered as a cold breeze blew over her. She was wearing a very revealing mini skirt and five inch heels.
“Once again, you’re definitely not dressed appropriately for a protest or this weather,” Silas scolded as he saw Mikaela shiver from the cold.
“Hey, rude! I have to look good when I take pictures of myself protesting. I‘m going put up the pictures on Instagram. How else are people supposed to know that I’m out here doing good?” Mikaela retorted. Mikaela then smiled with pride as she showed Silas her home-made protest sign, which was covered in glitter, was heavily jewelled and made out of bright pink poster paper. “What do you think?”
Silas scrutinized Mikaela’s sign and rolled his eyes. “Shall has two L’s in it, not one. You spelled the word rise with a Z. Also, you spelled Firoux’s name as Firoud.”
Mikaela re-examined her child-like decorated sign and sighed. “Oh man, I tried googling Firoux’s name and I think my phone autocorrected it to Firoud. Firoud was that really hot Sahrawi guy that I thought was a Marrakechian Prince. The one that I ended up lending our Lambo to and that we then never saw again? Remember him? Anyway, I think my sign still looks pretty. I worked very hard on it. People will get my message.”
The Kligenbergs observed the protesters and the protest camp below them from atop the building. “Imagine staying and sleeping there,” Mikaela said with awe. “They’re so brave. I wish I could. I simply can’t though, because, like, I don’t think I’d be able to have my cinnamon crêpes and green apple yogurt in the morning. Besides, I also bet they don’t even have a jacuzzi.”
Silas scoffed. “Of course you couldn’t survive out here overnight. You need everything handed to you.”
Mikaela winced. “What’s with you today? You’re being very rude. Are you still mad about Bishop Sunderson asking to me run for my dad’s old diocese? The by-election isn’t even going to happen soon at this point.”
“I’m not mad. Like you said, the by-election isn’t even going to happen. I just think it’s interesting that I’m always the one working hard and putting in the effort for our family, and then somehow, it’s always you who’s just gifted and given everything in the end. Even this now. You’re not taking these protests seriously. Look at what you’re wearing,” Silas commented with a bite in his voice.
“I am taking this very seriously! I worked all night on this sign and on my outfit. I’m definitely taking this way more seriously than my Internal Affairs Commissioner term.”
“Well, that’s a high bar. Secondly, I also find it interesting that I’m putting our family first and you’re always quick to stab me in the back. You said I should run for your dad’s old seat. Then, suddenly, when it’s presented to you, you take it knowing that I was already going after it,” Silas responded in exacerbation.
Mikaela frowned and buried her face in Silas’s shoulder. “Family is always the most important thing. That’s why I’m doing this with you. That’s why we’re doing this together. This is for our family, for Inquista,” Mikaela reassured Silas.
Silas rolled his shoulder and nudged Mikaela away. “They’re waiting for us, we better get down before we’re late. Bishop Johnson said they’re expecting this supposed moment of reckoning any time now.”
The Kligenbergs began descending the building to the bottom floor. They were followed very closely by their security detail. Once at the bottom of the building, they were joined by several of the armed protesters who also served as additional security guards. The pair were escorted through the barricades and barriers towards the exclusive zone within the protest camp. As they approached the centre, Mikaela interlocked one her arms with one of Silas’s arms while she proudly held her sign with her other hand. Various protesters on the sidelines clapped as the Kligenbergs walked past while others took photos of the two. Mikaela smiled and looked at Silas. Silas couldn’t help but let out a soft smile in return, and despite his best internalized efforts, he couldn’t muster enough resentment to push away Mikaela’s arm from his own. Silas was always quick to forgive her. The two soon entered the exclusive zone and walked into the middle of a large circle of tents.
Bishop Anja Emerett welcomed the Kligenbergs to the square. “Mikaela, Silas! Good to see you two. I wasn’t sure if you were going to make it on time,” Anja excitedly exclaimed as she extend her arms out in order to hug Mikaela and Silas. Mikaela and Silas each kissed Anja on both her cheeks as they hugged her. Anja then stared at Mikaela in disbelief.
“I’m wearing several layers of clothes right now and I’m freezing. I swear it felt like summer just yesterday! Why is it so cold today? This isn’t a normal spring temperature at all. Surely this has to be one of the coldest days in March ever?” Anja asked as she rubbed her shoulders and gestured that she was feeling frosty. Anja was correct, it was an exceptionally cold day, with the evening temperature falling to just barely above 0.
Silas laughed. “I have no idea how’s she coping,” Silas said as he chuckled and side-eyed Mikaela.
“Honestly, I’m totally fine. They say less is more, so you know, I think I’m more prepared than you think,” Mikaela smiled as she nodded innocently.
Councillor Edward Firoux suddenly exited one of the tents that was positioned just behind Anja. Mikaela’s eyes lit up with excitement as she saw Firoux. “Eddie!” Mikaela squealed as she gave him a tight hug. “The man of the hour! Great to see you finally out here! I’m sure you’ve been going stir crazy while you’ve been hiding out at home.”
“It’s great to be out. The crowds out here are amazing. I’m so glad that I’ve been able to see the supporters and speak to them directly today,” Firoux answered as he hugged Mikaela, before then giving Silas a friendly handshake and a nod of recognition. “You guys have been fantastic and I have to thank you for supporting me every step of the way. The support out here is phenomenal and I’ve been feeling better than ever that I can finally be here with you myself.”
Bishop JennaMarelle Johnson and Bishop Karinn Lallana then emerged together from another tent. They were busy whispering to each other very intently while checking on their phones, and they didn’t seem to notice everyone else who had gathered before them. The pair of busy bishops then stumbled into the meeting before them.
“Oh, hello! My babies!” JennaMarelle said bumping into Silas. JennaMarelle and Karinn then exchanged greetings and pleasantries with the Kligenberg cousins. A sense of worry and responsibility then retook JennaMarelle and Karinn, who began to check their phones again.
“It’s happening real soon. You should probably go out and warm up the crowd again. I’m not sure how things will unfold. We can’t lose control of the situation. We have to keep everyone grounded,” JennaMarelle commented as she looked Firoux directly and sternly in the eyes.
“What’s happening again?” Mikaela questioned.
“What we told you at the party a couple of weeks ago,” Karinn responded.
“Honestly, I remember nothing of that night. I was beyond hammered,” Mikaela pouted. Silas blushed and looked at the ground.
“I’ve been telling you about it all week too,” Anja chimed in as she tilted her head.
“There’s been so much going on recently in Inquista and in the world! I honestly don’t even remember what clothes I wore yesterday, and I normally always remember, because I would never repeat an outfit,” Mikaela responded defensively.
Karinn’s phone began to buzz rapidly. “Councillor, you ought to address the crowd now, quickly,” Karinn commented.
“But first, let’s pray for what’s coming ahead,” JennaMarelle said as grabbed Karinn and Silas’s hands. JennaMarelle, Karinn, Silas, Mikaela, Firoux and Anja all held hands and stood in a circle. They bowed their heads and JennaMarelle led them through a prayer.
“Amen,” they all said in unison at the end of the prayer.
The group then walked toward and climbed a large platform that overlooked a part of the square. A camera was set up to the side of the large platform, which recorded and captured video footage. A number of large screens were erected all over the square and on the side of the street, and projectors projected a feed of the platform onto all the screens. A series of large speakers were also planted throughout the square. These series of screens, projectors and speakers were not permitted to be inside the protest zones, but the large crowds of protesters prevented any of the police or military police from taking them down.
Firoux grabbed a microphone and began speaking into it. The very noisy crowds of endless protesters began to slightly quieten down, but an echo of background noise could still be heard despite Firoux’s best efforts to speak very loudly into the microphone. Firoux then did what he did best: he gave an impassioned speech. Firoux’s voice burnt with zeal and energy as he delivered his spiel. Firoux’s speech crescendoed into him repeating the phrase ‘we shall rise’, which is a phrase that has become the moniker of the recent Inquistan protests. As Firoux wrapped up his speech, Karinn’s phone began to buzz very loudly in her hand. Karinn then moved to Firoux’s side and tapped him gently on his back, signaling that he should finish immediately. Firoux thanked the crowd and advised them to continue to remain quiet. Firoux also advised them to watch the screens very closely, intently and to remain calm.
Suddenly, the feed was cut. A familiar face then appeared on the screens. It was Bradley Costa, the former protégé, confidant and Chief Assistant to the Archbishop. Bradley Costa deserted the Archbishop recently while on a trip to Icholasen, where Bradley had since sworn his fealty to Chairman Michul Jirluchuz of the UNSR.
“Good evening to everyone watching. I am Bradley Costa. I am the former Chief Assistant and Chief Adviser to His Holiness, Archbishop Craticus of Inquista. Currently, I am broadcasting to you live from Icholasen. This message is being broadcasted to all networks in Saint Dominico. Please forgive me if I interrupted anything… don’t worry about tonight’s episode of Big Brother, though. Kelsey, that bitch, is probably being evicted. Anyway, I will try to keep this as short and brief as possible.”
Bradley took a sharp inhale before speaking again. “I have been one of the most ardent - if not the most ardent – supporter of His Holiness, the Archbishop. His promise of uprooting corruption and returning the Inquistan Orthodox Church to its fundamental tenants is what inspired me to begin working for him more than a decade ago. His Holiness has accomplished many things in his seven and bit years of being Archbishop. For a long time, he has brought complete and unwavering stability to a nation that was once wrecked by civil war and political chaos. He has brought safety and peace to a country which was once very unsafe. He has brought immense economic prosperity to the country, raising it from the ashes, and turning it into by far the largest and most powerful economic force in Europe. He has brought countless, good paying jobs to many Inquistans. He turned a microstate into one of the biggest and powerful superpowers of the world. All the while, he has resisted the dark powers of Europolis and its corruption of our Church.”
Bradley closed his eyes and sighed. He then continued. “However, I’ve come to realize that he cannot fulfill many of the promises he once made to me and to many of you. In an ultra-capitalist society like Inquista, the possibility to reform the country and to end its addiction to corruption and greed is impossible. There is absolutely no way for the Archbishop to bring the Inquistan Orthodox Church to its most basic fundamental tenant, which is that all man were made equal by God. I’ve realized there is only one solution: full communism now.”
A significant portion of the crowd of protesters broke out into a concert of boos and disapproving jeers. While the protesters hated Archbishop Craticus, they hated communism even more. “Communism sucks!” yelled a protester. “We will never become a basket case!”
“Now that I’ve realised that the Archbishop will never be able to achieve what he has promised, I believe that you all deserve to know the truth. I have been, up until now, the second-in-charge of the Crusade Against Corruption. Our Archbishop, Paul Craticus, is the leader of the Crusade Against Corruption,” Bradley admitted.
A series of gasps began echoing throughout the crowd. A blanket of horror could be felt covering the entire square.
“I deeply regret my history and my work for the Crusade Against Corruption. However, if I can turn any of my wrongs into rights, then I hope that I can start by admitting the truth. His Holiness orchestrated the murder of Archbishop Kligenberg, Archbishop Donwick and President Julia Glorious of Pax Aurea. His Holiness has always been dedicated to ending the corrupting force of greed. He has done so through any means possible. As his Chief Assistant and Chief Adviser, I have been at his side every step along the way. As his second lieutenant in the Crusade Against Corruption, I have seen every action of his. It has always been my duty to document, organize and record all of His Holiness’ interactions, whether they be public or private. I have faithfully done so with extreme diligence and under an oath of secrecy. I now reject that oath, and shall cast all those secrets into light. Every document, log, video recording, voice recording and other file which I have accumulated over the years, I have now uploaded onto publically accessible internet cashes. These caches contain over 240,000 detailed files, photos, videos and recordings. I have distributed these caches not only publicly online, but I have already leaked them into Inquista’s defence, security and intelligence networks. They are not only accessible to Inquista’s military, but also to other militaries that Inquista shares intelligence with.”
Bradley’s voice began to shake. “I am so, so, so sorry. It’s time that we put this darkness and greed behind us, and it’s time that we bring a new dawn to Inquista. Glory to Chairman Jirluchuz.” The feed then abruptly cut.
Mass hysteria immediately broke out throughout the crowd. Some began to panic, while others shouted and yelled in rage, and others stood quiet in complete and utter shock. A cocktail of pure confusion, shock and hatred filled the air. Mikaela began whimpering behind Firoux. Mikaela covered her mouth, preventing her cries from being heard, and fell to her knees. “Why?” Mikaela finally squeaked through her tears.
“I’m going to kill him, I’m going to fucking kill him,” Silas muttered with disgust and rage in his voice.
Mikaela got up from her knees and pulled out her phone. She cried as she dialled the number of her fiancée, El General. Mikaela attempted to communicate with him, but instead just cried. Mikaela then suddenly took off, making her down the platform and running in her heels, while still on the phone.
“Going to fucking kill him,” Silas repeated as he then sprinted off behind Mikaela, catching up to her.
Despite knowing what was coming, Anja, Firoux, JennaMarelle and Karinn all looked each other in quiet shock. They knew this was coming, but even then, they could never have prepared themselves for this moment. All their phones were going off and exploding with notifications. JennaMarelle took Karinn’s hand and rubbed it with her own. “Thank you.”
Anja turned to Firoux and gestured for him to retake the microphone. “This country needs your leadership now more than ever. Prove to everyone what you’ve got.”
Firoux took a deep gulp of air. His mind spun as it attempted to process everything. He retook the microphone and then began speaking into it. His face was suddenly projected onto the screens around the square and the streets. Firoux began to try and calm the crowd. He attempted to rationalize everything that was just seen and heard, but protesters began to move and hustle in each and every direction, and much of Firoux’s speech could not be heard. Finally, Firoux relented and began shouting for peace and order into the microphone.
-
(CHAPTER II: IGNIS ET CINIS continued...)
Archbishop’s Palace
March 30, 2020 / 10:05 PM
Aleksandra paced around the Archbishop’s study with tremendous worry. She was shaking, breathing heavy and was totally restless. Suddenly, the study room doors swung open and Craticus walked inside. Aleksandra darted towards Craticus and nearly struck him with all her strength. Instead, she grabbed him and began to shake him.“What’s going on? Can you explain to me why there’s a battle going on outside?” Aleksandra demanded to know as she got in close to Craticus’s face. Aleksandra grabbed Craticus by the sleeve and then pulled him towards the study window.
Outside, a small army of militia, armed protesters, street thugs and other heavily armed combatants engaged in an armed struggle with the palace guards and police officers. The palace guards and police officers were outnumbered and outgunned, and were pushed to the perimeters of the palace. In the distance, a convoy of black vans began approaching the palace. Once the vans drew close to the palace, the back doors swung open and several heavily armed militiamen poured out of them. They joined in the battle and began unloading rounds of bullets toward the palace guards and police officers.
“Where the military? What’s happening out there?” Aleksandra begged to know. “Will we be ok?”
“I declared a state of emergency, a national lockdown and martial law hours ago. However, the military has been wholly uncooperative. It seems that our army has gone completely rogue under El General’s watch. I believe our air force has joined the army in doing so, as Air Marshal Copala has gone completely radio silent on me. Our palace guards will keep us safe,” Craticus explained with a strain in his voice.
Craticus pulled the curtains over the window and spun around. Craticus moved toward his study desk and grabbed a remote that was lying on it. The Archbishop used the remote to turn on a small TV which was located in the corner of the study. Rosemary Barker was live on Inquista Today delivering breaking news.
“Hours after declaring martial law and a national lockdown, violence has exploded outside of the Archbishop’s Palace, which appears to be under siege,” Rosemary explained.
“Under siege?” Aleksandra asked with worry.
Rosemary abruptly stopped speaking and began listening intently to her ear piece. Rosemary’s eyes widened, yet seemed relieved. “We have breaking news to report. It has been reported that Juan-Bernardo Fernandez-Velasquez, the General of the Holy Inquistan Armed Services, has proclaimed himself as El Caudillo of Inquista and as the temporary leader of the country. “
“That piece of Ibizan shit,” Craticus yelled as he pointed and lunged at the TV. “Dumb Spaniard can’t even drive a Formula One car, how the hell could he lead this country?”
“Fernandez-Velasquez is reportedly backed by the Air Marshal of the Holy Inquistan Air Force, Hariett Copala. The general has vowed to hold democratic elections to elect a new College of Bishops and a new Archbishop in April. The general will step down as El Caudillo and transition power to the newly elected Archbishop in May. It is also being reported that Councillor Firoux is being restored to his office. The ongoing status of martial law and the national state of emergency have not yet been lifted at this time.”
“I’m disgusted! I’m mortified! I’m astonished! I can’t believe he’d even dare suggest such a thing… who is he?” Craticus began before a very loud explosion interrupted him.
The palace doors exploded and a rain of bullets began pouring through the explosion’s smoke. Palace guards inside the palace rushed to the broken doors and began defending the building with their lives. Craticus and Aleksandra, who were in the study, were in the room at the very end of the hallway. Craticus immediately got down on his knees and gestured for Aleksandra to do the same.
“Where is Ali?” Craticus asked.
“I’ve locked her in her room,” Aleksandra responded with uncertainty.
“Locking her in her room won’t do anything!”
“Not now it won’t! I had no idea what was going on, that was the only thing I figured to do.”
“We need to escape,” Craticus murmured in a hushed voice.
A few more explosions could be heard from down the hall and from the front doors. Several armed men began spraying bullets and were mercilessly killing all palace guards in their way. The armed men then began shooting at some of the palace staff who were hiding or holding their hands above their heads near the palace entrance. “Kill everybody, kill each and every last of them!” a voice could be heard booming from the broken palace entrance.
“They’re going to kill everybody! They’re going to kill Ali,” Aleksandra cried out.
“Shh!” Craticus hushed. “You need to get out here now. Immediately. I’ll go get Ali and follow you. In the meantime, you need to get to safety.”
“No! I’m not leaving Ali behind!”
“I’m not giving you the option. You have to go now. I will get Ali. I promise you that I will.”
“I’d rather die with Ali than live without her,” Aleksandra quietly wept.
“You’re both going to survive. We all will. I know this place like the back of my hand. I can save her. However, we can’t both go up. If they swarm this place, we’ll get caught. You need to leave now.”
“No, I’m not leaving Ali,” Aleksandra responded as she continued to weep.
Gunshots started getting louder and it seemed as if a sizeable amount of armed men had now entered the palace. A few palace guards rushed by the study door and began to engage in a firefight with armed men. Screams of women and of familiar voices of palace staff could be heard as they were being shot by the intruders.“You are leaving now, immediately. Ali and I will be right behind you,” Craticus announced as he silently leapt onto his feet and darted toward one of the study bookshelves. Craticus grabbed a book by its spine and pulled it outward. The bookshelf then began to move sideways and revealed a secret door behind it. “C’mon!” he yelled.
Aleksandra moped on the ground. Craticus shook his head and quietly darted to Aleksandra and lifted her onto her feet. He dragged her to the secret door and nudged to walk inside. Aleksandra wrapped her arms around Craticus and they embraced.
“I love you so much,” Craticus assured her. “Remember, no matter what, I’m always with you, ok? I’ve always been with you. Through all of our ups, our downs, our trials and our everything. I have always been with you. I was with you when you were in the Sahara and I’m with you now and always.”
Aleksandra quietly wept while she was in Craticus’s arms. “I love you,” Aleksandra murmured. Craticus slowly pulled away from Aleksandra and wiped the tears away from her eyes. Craticus then suddenly pushed the book back into its place and the bookshelf quickly returned to its position, sealing Aleksandra away. Craticus sighed in relief. He knew Aleksandra could make her way through the maze and return to safety.
The sound of gunfire and screams went quiet. The sudden silence frightened Craticus and he quickly fell to his knees. He crawled to the entrance of the study and looked down the hallway. Blood and corpses lined the entire passage. The intruders indiscriminately killed everyone in sight. However, no intruder was anywhere to be seen. An armed person suddenly appeared in his vision, descending down from the stairs to his right. These were the stairs Craticus needed to take in order to get onto the right wing of the second floor and to Ali’s room. Craticus pulled his head away from the passage door and laid down on the ground. He observed the person walk to the other side of the hall and ascend a different flight of stairs to second floor of the left wing of the palace. Craticus quietly got onto his feet and slipped out of the room. He darted toward the right-hand stairs and tiptoed up, cautiously making sure nobody else was in the stairway. Craticus made it to the second floor of the palace’s right wing.
Craticus noticed several armed men in the hallway of the second floor. They opened the doors of each room and peered inside. They move down from room to room, turning each doorknob and making sure each room was empty. Halfway through the hallway, they opened the door to Craticus’s room. One of the men signalled for the other to follow him inside. Once the men entered the room together, Craticus quietly tiptoed down the hallway. As he approached the room the men were in, he began to pick up speed. Craticus then very quickly and silently performed a front summersault as he passed the room the men were in. He then ducked down and quickly moved two doors down, where Ali’s room was. Craticus pulled a key from his pocket and very carefully used it to open the door. Craticus quietly shut the door behind him.
Ali was hidden under the covers of her bed. She was visibly shaking. Craticus lifted the covers off of her bed and scooped Ali up in his arms. Ali was wet with sweat and seemed to have relieved herself while in a state of fear. Ali silently wept in Craticus’s arms and he could feel tears fall down his shoulder. Craticus then heard the men whispering as the re-entered the hallway. Craticus rushed to Ali’s closet, opened it and then hid himself and Ali inside as he shut the closet door. A man with a large automatic weapon then entered the room. Craticus carefully observed the man through a slight crack in the closet door. The man studied the inside of the room but didn’t seem to be looking for anything in particular. “Empty,” the man finally announced before leaving the room. Craticus weakly cooed and rubbed Ali’s hair as she let out an audible murmur that was too loud for Craticus’ nerves.
Craticus patiently waited two or three minutes in the closet before quietly opening it and exiting. He walked to the edge of the room, with Ali still in his arms, and carefully peaked out the room with just one eye. He noticed two armed men stood at the top of the stairs on the one side. Craticus slowly backed up and then moved to peak at the other side of the hallway. Two men guarded the other end of the hall. Several men were now moving between doors, checking them and seeing if anyone or anything were in the rooms. Craticus and Ali were trapped. There was no way getting downstairs now. The stairs were guarded and both ends of the hall had guards watching them. It was a matter of time before the men returned to Ali’s room.
Craticus returned to the closet with Ali and quietly shut it. He then whispered in Ali’s ears and assured her how well behaved she was right now and how proud he was of her. Craticus pulled out his phone, turned it on silent and then dialled a number. The phone silently rang for some time before the person on the other end picked up.
“This is Paul. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. I know I am quite literally the last person you want to hear from right now. I’m so sorry,” Craticus said in a barely audible whisper. The person on the other line didn’t answer. “They’ve killed everyone here. They’re going to kill Ali. I’m so scared for Ali’s life,” Craticus continued, hoping for a response. Still nothing. “I’m going to take Ali to her playroom and I’m going to put her in her hide-and-seek hiding spot.”
“No, I hate hiding in there, it scares me,” Ali murmured.
“I’m taking her to the hiding spot, ok? You have to get her. Please,” Craticus continued to plead before the person hung up.
Craticus sighed in exacerbation. Ali’s playroom was two doors down from her room. He wasn’t sure if he could reach it. He exited the closet and went to the doorway, and carefully peeked at each side of the wing. The armed men were now re-checking each room for the second time, and were only a couple of doors down from Ali’s room and her playroom. A third guard also appeared at the top of the stairway. It was now or never. Craticus very suddenly dashed from the room into the open and sprinted two doors down. The armed men seemed to be genuinely startled by the sudden presence of a fast-moving figure. They barely had enough time to lift up their weapons and aim it down the hall before Craticus made it into the playroom. The men began to shout and sprint toward the room.
Craticus slammed the door behind him and put Ali down. He frantically began trying to lock the door. Craticus was shaking so much he could barely hold his key, which he then dropped. Craticus frantically picked up the key and somehow managed to lock the door despite his nerves. He could hear the men reaching the door.
He darted to the corner of the room, pushed aside a small side table, moved the carpet underneath it and unveiled a small hatch. Craticus opened the hatch which revealed a tiny hiding space, which Ali requested to be built for her 4th birthday, as she liked playing hide-and-seek. The men began violently banging on the door and started to shoot through it. Craticus quickly grabbed Ali and rushed back to the hatch. Craticus put Ali in the hatch and kissed her on her head.
“Dad!” Ali shouted as she tried to reach for Craticus.
“I am so proud of you. You have been so well behaved. You are a really good girl. I love you so much,” Craticus said as he closed the hatch.
Craticus moved the carpet over the hatch and placed the side table back over it. Craticus then moved to the side of the room and squared himself with the window. The door behind Craticus suddenly exploded open. Craticus sprinted with all his might and jumped through the window as the men behind him began to unleash a round of bullets. Craticus went flying through the glass of the window and fell two stories down.
Archbishop’s Palace
March 31, 2020 / 2:50 AMThe sound of heels clicked as she walked down the hallway, with several armed personnel flaking her sides. She covered her mouth in shock and sadness as she passed through the palace hallways and witnessed the carnage. She eventually made it to Ali’s playroom. She was immediately startled when she walked in. She looked at the broken window and a chill ran down her spine. She then turned to the corner of the room where the side table was. She moved the side table and the carpet underneath it. She opened the hatch. Ali was sitting inside, asleep. She lifted Ali up and into her arms.
Ali woke up and was initially quite dazed and confused. Ali then began to cry as soon as she remembered what had just transpired. “Mikaela,” Ali cried out loud as Mikaela embraced her and held her in her arms.
“You’re safe, sweetie. You’re safe,” Mikaela said with sadness and dread in her voice. Mikaela walked out of the Palace with Ali in her arms as several security personnel followed behind her. Mikaela wasn’t sure what fate met Craticus and Aleksandra, but her heart ached for Ali. Mikaela knew what it was like to lose a father. As they walked down the street, the feeling of cold took over. It was extraordinarily cold.
Mikaela put Ali down. She removed a necklace of a cross that was around her neck. It was the last gift she received from her late father, Archbishop Alexander Kligenberg. Mikaela put the necklace around Ali’s neck and then picked her up again. Mikaela suddenly felt something very cold and wet fall on her nose. She looked up at the sky.
It started to snow in the streets of Saint Dominico.
-
MICROSTATE CHAPTER III: NOVUM AURORA
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:5)
Sunreach Villa di Kligenberg
May 14, 2020 / 1:10 PM“No way! He didn’t. He didn’t. Really? Oh gosh,” Mikaela squawked loudly into her phone before bursting into a fit of laughter. Mikaela clutched her phone tightly to her ear as she threw her head back and laughed. “I can’t believe that. That’s so typical. Mhm. Okay, well, glad you’re doing well. Yeah. Girl, same. Yeah, see you tomorrow. Great. Ok, bye!” Mikaela giggled as she hung up.
“So, is Bishop Fiorlin voting my way?” Silas asked Mikaela, standing behind her as she laid down on the couch.
“No, she’s voting for Firoux tomorrow. She was telling me about this great th-“
“So you just spent three hours on the phone with someone who won’t be voting for me? What are you doing with your time? We need votes. We’re down to the wire. You shouldn’t be chit-chatting, you should be hustling.”
“Silas, she’s a good friend of mine, I wanted to catch up!” Mikaela moaned as she frowned. Mikaela grabbed a cushion from the couch and hugged it intently.
“A so-called friend who isn’t voting for your cousin, what kind of friend is that? Didn’t you plan her wedding? You also bought her wedding dress, and this is show she repays you? You should have reminded her of this fact. If there was ever a time to return favours, it’s now,” Silas scoffed.
“Silas, I’m not doing that. I can’t beg for votes. That just isn’t me. Besides, I did all of those things simply because she’s my friend. I’m not expecting any favours in return from anyone. This attempt to fish for votes is pointless. Eddie has all the votes wrapped up. It’s time that you get behind him. He’s lead us here. Eddie would make a great Archbishop.”
“Ugh, you’ve given up already. Terrible. Your father is looking down at you right now and he must be shaking his head in disbelief. This is exactly why your father trusted me to carry on our family legacy. You can’t just roll over. If we roll over now, Firoux will be Archbishop for… for… forever! Who would have thought that Archbishop Craticus would have lasted eight years? Firoux could easily last ten years at the very least. The Lord knows he has nine lives.”
“Silas, it’s time that we have a united country. Eddie can do that.”
“So could we. We’re the Kligenbergs. It’s our destiny to lead and unite this country. We can do it. I already have some votes secured. I just spoke to Bishop Bradot, he’s another one we can count on. All I needed to do was remind him that I contributed 5 million Inquistos to his library, 2 million Inquistos to his literacy campaign of pro-life children’s books, 500,00 Inquistos to his-“
“Si! Isn’t this vote buying? You can’t be doing this,” Mikaela interrupted in shock. Mikaela rolled off the coach and stood up.
“No, no, this all happened years ago. He just might have to… financially rely on me again in the future, and he wouldn’t want to upset me, would he? Anyway, now isn’t the time to be playing fair. We have one shot and we have to take advantage of all the aces up our sleeves. We have quite a few votes on our side. Can we count on your fiancé? What about Hariett Copala?” Silas asked as he furrowed his brow and fixed his gaze on Mikaela.
“Well, I spoke to Juan-Bernardo and he doesn’t seem very keen on you to be honest.”
“What? How come? We’re soon going to be family. Who is he voting for?”
“Himself. He wants to be Archbishop. Ugh, I love a confident man. His confidence makes him so much hotter, doesn’t it?” Mikaela lovingly sighed.
“He’s engaged to you and he isn’t even going to vote for me? This is the worst political marriage, ever. This would have never worked out in the middle ages.”
Mikaela shrugged. “He’s very stubborn.”
“That’s a good word for delusional. Alright, can you speak to Bishop Johnson? If we have her support, the support of the liberal bishops, as well as the Black Bishop’s Conference, then we can really begin to put together a winning coalition,” Silas smiled.
“Si, she’s definitely voting for Eddie. She’s a team player. JennaMarelle and I have a great relationship, I don’t want to ruin it.”
“Please? You’re probably the person closest to her in our whole bloc. She adores you. She will hear you out.”
“Ugh, I don’t like doing this. Fine. I’m doing this for our family. I’ll give her a call.”
Silas grinned and nodded his head in approval. “Thank you.”
The Bishop’s Balls
May 14, 2020 / 6:45 PMAnja comfortably sat herself down on a barstool while she sipped on her mojito. A few seconds later, Firoux seated himself on the barstool beside her, with a light lager in his hand.
“I have to say, this place looks much, much better than I last remember. This place has undergone some pretty big renovations,” Firoux mused as he looked around the bar in awe and admiration.
“Oh absolutely,” Anja answered after taking a sip from her drink and placing it on the bar table. “The rumour is that some sort of vigilante distributed 500,000 Inquistos among the bar managers and some of the drag queens. It seems that they put that money to good use.”
“Well, that’s pretty fortunate. Why can’t things just fall in our laps so easily?”
“I know, right? Well, at least today’s meeting went much better than yesterday. We’re very fortunate for that,” Anja remarked with a smirk.
“That’s because we didn’t have the entire bloc with us today like we did yesterday. It’s always such a mess when we have hundreds of voices going on at once. It was hard yesterday, having to sit across from Silas Kligenberg, seeing the cogs turning at the back of his head and just knowing that’s he’s constantly plotting.”
“It’s a shame that we can’t just get behind one leader now. Though, I think we’ve sorted that out for the most part today. We’ve got at least 102 votes that we can count on for sure, we just a need a dozen or so more.”
“I have to say though, I’m very proud and pleased with our new colleagues. I know we’re going to accomplish so many great things together. Regardless of what happens tomorrow, I think our country is finally in good hands.”
Anja laughed. “We have you to thank for it. I still remember when you first became our councillor to the European Union eight years ago. You’ve never stopped fighting for us. When things looked bad, you kept fighting and you never stopped. Seriously, who would thought that after the disastrous results of 2018 election that we’d be sitting here now in this sort of position? You made that all happen.”
Firoux shook his head. “It’s only thanks to you. You’ve showed so much bravery, Anja. You led the stand against Craticus here in Inquista through fire and flames. It took serious courage to lead the protests, and we simply wouldn’t be where we are without your fearless actions.”
Anja raised her mojito in a toast. “We make a pretty good team. No matter whatever happens tomorrow, we will always have each other’s backs and we will continue to fight. This has only just been the beginning.”
“This is just the beginning,” Firoux smiled as he knocked Anja’s mojito with his lager in a toast. “We couldn’t have done it alone. You’re right, we do make a pretty good team, eh?”
Anja nodded and smiled. Anja’s phone then began to vibrate and she quickly pulled it out of her pocket. She studied her phone for a few moments before sighing. “I have so many calls I need to make tonight. It seems that Silas is trying very hard to whip up some votes.”
“The man has no subtlety, does he? At least you can follow his trail of finger prints pretty easily. It’s going to be a long night tonight. I actually have another meeting at nine. I’m going to be up until at least two or three o’clock in the morning.”
“I don’t envy you right now. Evening meetings are the worst. I’m going to draw a bath and just sit on my phone, and get these calls out of the way. We have a big day tomorrow. Promise me you’ll at least get some rest?”
Firoux grimaced and pulled a funny face. “I mean, I’ll try.”
“I know you have a long night ahead of you, but you have an even longer day ahead of you tomorrow. Let’s have one more drink?”
“One more, then we probably ought to go. I don’t want to leave twenty angry bishops waiting on me.”
“Sounds good,” Anja smiled as she downed the rest of mojito. “Your drink will be on me. It’s the least that I, or this country, owes you.”
The College of Bishops
May 15, 2020 / 7:20 AMMembers of the newly elected College of Bishops carefully shuffled into the College chamber. The atmosphere of the College was jovial and celebratory, with many of the Bishops chatting and acquainting themselves with their fellow colleagues. The recent election in Inquista had produced a vastly new college, with many of the bishops being newly elected representatives. This was the first session of the new College, and the bishops had a momentous task before them, as they were about to begin the process of electing a brand new Archbishop of the Inquistan Orthodox Church. It was a very crucial decision which faced all the bishops, and yet there didn’t seem to be much anxiety or worry in the air.
The Reformist bishops, who made up the majority of the chamber, seemed to be the first to arrive. Firoux intermingled between the bishops, and busied himself by chatting with each and every one of them. Anja sat contently with a friendly smile across her face, patiently waiting for the session to begin. Mikaela arrived somewhat late, having changed her outfit several times at home in a struggle to find a something glamorous and appropriate to wear. Mikaela was flanked by Silas and her fiancée, El Caudillo Juan-Bernardo Fernandez-Velasquez. Mikaela and Juan-Bernardo exchanged kisses on each of their cheeks before departing to their respective seats.
Karinn Lallana sat neatly with her legs crossed, and stared across the chamber as members of the newly-formed Traditionalist Bloc entered the College chamber. The Traditionalists were a bloc of bishops that consisted of the former Craticist bishops that were recently re-elected as non-affiliated candidates. The word among political insiders was that the newly formed Traditionalist have rallied around Michael Cunard, who was one of the very few Bishop Secretaries of the previous government who was not involved in any Crusader activity.
After several minutes of bishops entering the chamber and the echoes of chin-wagging filling the room, the Prefect of the College of Bishops hushed the legislature and began the process of electing the new Archbishop. In alphabetical order of their dioceses, each bishop was to be summoned to the front of the chamber, to the speaking podium, and announce their vote aloud to the College. The Prefect carefully reiterated and re-explained the rules and procedures of the upcoming vote. Each bishop would get one vote, and the College would vote in consecutive rounds until a bishop received a majority of total votes to become the next Archbishop. In this case, a bishop needed to receive 116 votes in order to be anointed as Archbishop. After reiterating the rules and procedures, the Prefect led the College through a prayer.
Some moments after the prayer, the Prefect summoned the first bishop to the speaking podium. The diocese of Bayside-Bronze Docks was alphabetically first, and so the Bishop of Bayside-Bronze Park was first to cast their vote.
“I, Hadrian Lund, Bishop of Bayside-Bronze Docks, cast my vote for Edward Firoux, Bishop of Swanridge Heights.”
No applause was allowed until the archbishop was elected. Instead, bishops around the chamber simply either smiled, nodded or stared blankly as the votes were cast. The first several votes all went to Firoux. Firoux sat contently with an empty expression, concealing his emotions. The chain of votes for Firoux was interrupted when the first Traditionalist bishop was summoned to the podium. The bishop voted for Michael Cunard.
Firoux then finally smiled, and looked sideways and caught the gaze of Anja. In that moment, they spoke telepathically, both understanding that the rumours were indeed true, and that Michael Cunard was the leader of the Traditionalists. Neither of the two were especially worried by this fact, because Bishop Cunard certainly did not have enough votes to become Archbishop.
The first noteworthy vote came when Hariett Copala was summoned.
“I, Hariett Copala, Bishop of City Centre-Viewmont, cast my vote for Juan-Bernardo Fernandez-Velasquez, Bishop of City Circus-Two Pillars.”
Not long after Copala’s vote, it was Juan Bernardo’s turn. “I, Juan-Bernardo Fernandez-Velasquez, Bishop of City Circus-Two Pillars, cast my vote for myself.”
A series of votes for Firoux, Michael Cunard and the first for Karinn Lallana then followed. Soon enough it was Anja’s turn to vote.
“I, Anja Emerett, Bishop of City Gates-New Chapel, cast my vote for Edward Firoux, Bishop of Swanridge Heights.”
More votes for Firoux, Michael Cunard and Karinn Lallana ensued. As it went on, Mikaela looked across the chamber toward Silas. The two met each other’s eyes with worried looks. They were expecting one or two votes by now. They were hoping for a breakthrough with the next vote.
“I, JennaMarelle Johnson, Bishop of City Marches-Hillfort, cast my vote for Edward Firoux, Bishop of Swanridge Heights.”
Silas immediately sunk in his seat. He was hoping that JennaMarelle’s vote could shift the tides in his favour. His embarrassment was shortly soothed afterward when he received his first vote from Bishop Bradot. Firoux immediately side-eyed Silas when he received the vote. Firoux knew in that moment that his chances of winning in the first round was now compromised by Silas’s machinations.
Firoux continued to receive the lion share of votes from the Reformist bishops, with a small handful of votes going for Silas, while Karinn secured the votes of her Progressivist colleagues and Michael gained the votes of his Traditionalist colleagues. Juan-Bernardo only received two votes so far, one from Copala and one from himself. Mikaela was the next to vote.
“I, Mikaela Kligenberg, Bishop of Eamony, cast my vote for Silas Kligenberg, Bishop of Zion Canal-New Market.”
Mikaela’s vote was shortly followed by several more votes for Silas, before then returning to votes which almost all went to Firoux. They were reaching the end.
“I, Karinn Lallana, Bishop of Sundance, cast my vote for myself.”
Firoux soon followed. “I, Edward Firoux, Bishop of Swanridge Heights, cast my vote for myself.”
When Firoux returned to his seat, he knew he would come just short of winning a majority. There would need to be at least one more round of voting. Firoux then patiently sat in his chair as the voting continued. Silas Kligenberg, who was the Bishop of Zion Canal-New Market, would be the last to vote.
“I, Silas Kligenberg, Bishop of Zion Canal-New Market, cast my vote for myself.”
Shortly after, the Prefect of the College took to the podium to announce the total vote tally. “108 votes have been cast for Bishop Edward Firoux. 71 votes have been cast for Bishop Michael Cunard. 28 votes have been cast for Bishop Silas Kligenberg. 21 votes have been cast for Bishop Karinn Lallana. 2 votes have been cast for Bishop Juan-Bernardo Fernandez-Velasquez. As no bishop has received at least 116 votes, we will move to a second round of voting. The second round of voting will commence in exactly twenty minutes. We will have a twenty minute recess before voting begins again.”
-
(CHAPTER III: OVUM AURORA continued...)
The College of Bishops
May 15, 2020 / 9:55 AMFiroux sighed in his seat. He was eight votes short. He felt angry that Silas had complicated things for him, but at least victory was within reach. Silas clearly didn’t have the support to move forward, and so whipping the votes of the Reformist bishops who supported Silas didn’t seem too daunting or challenging. Firoux got up from his seat and signalled for Anja to join him. Together, the two quickly put a plan to peel Silas’s votes, and began to dart around the room and make deals with their prospective voters.
While most of the bishops remained within the College chamber, some bishops spilled through the doors into the antechamber, the hallway and some made their ways to the bathroom. Mikaela stood waiting in the antechamber, waiting for Silas. As she waited, Michael Cunard suddenly approached her.
“Ah, Bishop Kligenberg. That has a familiar ring to it, doesn’t it? Your father would be proud,” Michael smiled.
“I think so,” Mikaela answered uneasily, feeling slightly unsure of Michael’s sudden appearance. She couldn’t figure out what this conversation could be about.
“I hope you don’t mind me asking this. How is Aleksandra, Craticus’s daughter? I know she was very special to him, and it has been very brave of you to care of her,” Michael asked.
Mikaela was taken very aback by Michael’s question. “Oh! Umm, she’s doing ok. She’s adjusting as good… as good as one can, all things considered. It’s just a very confusing time for her. I’m trying to be there for her as much as I can. I’m going to file the paperwork to adopt her,” Mikaela answered earnestly.
Michael placed his hand on Mikaela’s shoulder. “I’m really sorry about everything, especially everything with Craticus. Despite everything that Craticus put you through, it’s very forgiving and empathetic of you to take care of his daughter. I mean it when I say your father would be proud of you.”
Mikaela simply nodded. Michael removed his hand from her shoulder and gently smiled. “It looks like Silas will not have the votes.”
“I’m hoping to talk to him. We’re going to fall in line with Firoux and support him. He has this,” Mikaela announced.
“Are you sure about that?”
“Yes, why?
“I would rather have literally anybody else than Firoux as Archbishop. My bloc of bishops firmly agrees with me: anybody but Firoux. We would support Silas, but we don’t think he has what it takes. That’s why we will be voting for you.”
“Me?” Mikaela gasped in shock. “Why me?”
“You’re not Firoux. You’ve also shown great kindness.”
“I don’t have any other votes. This won’t work out. Besides, Firoux is about to have this wrapped up.”
“Well, then you better try and get those votes, then. We have 13 minutes until voting begins again, so you better start working,” Michael chuckled before abruptly turning around and walking away.
Mikaela was overcome with confusion. She quickly scanned around the antechamber trying to find Silas, who was still nowhere to be seen. Mikaela then noticed Karinn and JennaMarelle talking together in the doorway. Mikaela hurriedly approached them.
“Auntie JJ!” Mikaela squealed.
“Hi, sweetie. Sorry about my vote. Silas just doesn’t have the support, so I couldn’t do it,” JennaMarelle smiled as she furrowed her brows in a disappointed look.
“Silas doesn’t have the votes, but I might just. You won’t believe this! Bishop Cunard just told me that he and his bloc will be supporting me!”
“Wait, what?” Karinn asked in confusion.
“Bishop Cunard?” JennaMarelle asked, joining Karinn in confusion.
“Yes, seriously. Bishop Cunard is supporting me and-”
“You will also have the support of the Progressivists,” Karinn interjected. “If it’s between you or Firoux, then you don’t have to ask me twice.”
Mikaela grabbed JennaMarelle by her arm and yanked her. “Please, Auntie JJ, could you vote for me? I think I could do it. With your support, and the support of your conference, I could have the numbers.”
“Maybe just enough numbers, but I’m not so sure, sugar. I will need to talk to a lot of people, and I don’t think I have the time,” JennaMarelle pouted.
Silas appeared in the doorway and sighed in defeat. “Well, I just conceded to Firoux. We have it a good shot,” Silas huffed. “Hi JennaMarelle. Hi Karinn.”
“Si! No, we haven’t lost yet. We have the votes!” Mikaela beamed.
“From who?”
“Bishop Lallana and Auntie JJ here. Also, you won’t believe this, but Bishop Cunard and his bloc too!”
Silas silently gasped in astonishment. “This is a miracle. I can’t believe this. Okay, I need to start telling people to vote for me again.”
“Oh, we’re not voting for you,” Karinn laughed. “We’re voting for Mikaela.”
“I really can’t lie or make promises. I don’t have time. I need to talk to some people,” JennaMarelle exhaled. JennaMarelle and Karinn then suddenly took off from the group.
“Wait, for you? They’re voting for you?” Silas questioned.
“Yes! Can you believe it? We might have a shot. A slim shot, but a shot.”
“How did you do this? Why did you do this? Was this your plan all along? You’ve made me look like a proper fool now,” Silas grumbled with deep annoyance.
“I didn’t plan this, I promise. It just happened. Bishop Cunard approached me. Neither the Traditionalists nor the Progressivists want Firoux.”
“Well, they clearly don’t want me either. Mikaela, I already conceded to Firoux. I’ve also told several of our voters to vote for Firoux. I was just speaking to them. I promised I would vote for Firoux. This is nonsense now.”
“I thought you told me to never give up? Why are you giving up, Si? We have a chance now! Let me talk to Juan-Bernardo and Copala, and I think we should have a few more votes wrapped up.”
“You get everything handed to you. Everything. I put in all the work, and you simply just take the rewards. I’ve had enough of it. Enough. I already told everyone to vote for Firoux. You’re making me look like an idiot, too, by the way, by switching the votes to yourself. You’ve embarrassed and betrayed me. At every turn, you’ve undermined me. You first took Eamony from me, and now you’re trying to take this from me. Excuse me, I need to return to my seat,” Silas muttered with anger as he pushed Mikaela aside and stormed to his seat.
Mikaela looked down at her watch. She had only two minutes.
… … ...
The Prefect of the College hushed the chamber and once again reiterated the rules and procedures of the vote. After another explanation, the second round of voting was underway.
The diocese of Bayside-Bronze Docks was alphabetically first, and so the Bishop of Bayside-Bronze Docks would again be first to cast their vote. Again, the vote went to Firoux. The next dozen votes all went to Firoux, until the first Traditionalist bishop voted. As promised, the bishop voted for Mikaela. An audible gasped was emitted across the Reformist caucus. Firoux stared blankly in confusion. Anja spun her head around and looked at Mikaela.
Several more Traditionalists bishops voted, all for Mikaela. Then, the first Progressivist bishop announced their vote. It was also for Mikaela. Mikaela smiled in her seat and exchange glances with Karinn, who smiled back at her. Firoux then caught on, realising that the Traditionalists and Progressivists have shifted their support to Mikaela. Nevertheless, Firoux remained cautiously optimistic, as the ensuing Reformist bishops continued to vote for him. Soon enough, Hariett Copala was at the speaking podium.
“I, Hariett Copala, Bishop of City Centre-Viewmont, cast my vote for Mikaela Kligenberg, Bishop of Eamony.”
El Caudillo soon followed. “I, Juan-Bernardo Fernandez-Velasquez, Bishop of City Circus-Two Pillars, cast my vote for Mikaela Kligenberg, Bishop of Eamony.”
Mikaela rocked nervously in her chair. Even with the support of the other blocs, her fiancée and Copala, she was still several votes behind Firoux. Mikaela knew that the only way she could catch up was if she hemorrhaged the support of the Reformists. Anja, who was then next, stemmed the tide of Mikaela support.
“I, Anja Emerett, Bishop of City Gates-New Chapel, cast my vote for Edward Firoux, Bishop of Swanridge Heights.”
Anja’s vote was followed by a flurry of Reformist bishops who stood steadfast in their support of Firoux. A Reformist bishop who previously voted for Silas too, voted for Firoux. Firoux continued to maintain a decent lead over Mikaela. Firoux peered at the bishop beside him, who was keeping a vote tally. Firoux was up 18 votes. Firoux, himself, had a bad feeling. He looked nervously over his shoulder at Anja, who was staring at the podium with fixated gaze. Mikaela, meanwhile, nervously twitched as JennaMarelle took to the podium.
“I, JennaMarelle Johnson, Bishop of City Marches-Hillfort, cast my vote for Mikaela Kligenberg, Bishop of Eamony.”
Firoux, Anja and dozens of bishops all instantaneously covered their mouths in shock. Reformist bishops all began to exchanged looks with each other, and an echo of faint whispers could be he heard. As Reformist bishops then took to the speaking podium, they all seemed either confused or unsure of their votes. Most continued to vote for Firoux, but some had changed their allegiances and voted for Mikaela. Mikaela began to creep up in her support. She glanced at the tally beside her. She was now only down 4 votes. Soon enough, it was her own turn to vote.
“I, Mikaela Kligenberg, Bishop of Eamony, cast my vote for myself.”
Mikaela’s vote was soon matched by Michael Cunard and Karinn, who placed their votes for her. The remaining Progressivists and Traditionalists votes clashed with Reformist votes, which mostly still stood strong for Firoux. An unsure Firoux then took to the podium.
“I, Edward Firoux, Bishop of Swandridge Heights, cast my vote for myself.”
Mikaela Kligenberg looked at the tally beside her. It was almost even. 109 votes for Firoux and 108 votes for Mikaela. The winner need 116 votes to win. There were only 13 votes left. A complete back and forth of Firoux and Mikaela votes were then made. After a few minutes, the third last bishop cast their vote. It was now tied. 114 votes for Firoux and 114 votes for Mikaela.
Mikaela couldn’t bare it. She covered her eyes and peered through the cracks of her fingers as the second last bishop went to vote. He announced his vote for Mikaela. Mikaela gulped the air in her throat. She was now in front. She had 115 votes. She needed the final vote. If not, it would be a tie. A tie would result in a third round of voting. This was Mikaela’s only chance. She knew her Reformist support would crumble in a third round. Mikaela’s heart sank as she realised that Silas was the last to vote. She carefully eyed Silas as he coolly walked to the speaking podium. Silas smiled and nodded at Firoux from the podium.
“I, Silas Kligenberg, Bishop of Zion Canal-New Market, cast my vote for…”
Silas narrowed his gaze. He looked disappointed. Then, after a second, he raised his head. “For Mikaela Kligenberg, Bishop of Eamony.”
All the bishops in the College rose to their feet and erupted in applause. Finally, a new archbishop had been elected. Firoux stood and clapped. For some reason, he felt relieved. Firoux exhaled. “This has been 11 years in the making.”
