Inquisitor's Promise (Act Two, Chapter Six)

Aeneas has to keep his promises. His father's mission will be completed. And while he's at it, he will become Galatea's lord and Inquisitor. But love and politics are an explosive combination.

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Chapter Six: Venetian Politics

“Argh,” Aeneas yelped as a white cotton was being held to his face.

“Hold still, Aeneas!” Giulia commanded; she was the one who held the cotton. “You’re lucky that you’re not left with scar on your face. It was foolish of you to take on an eight-foot-tall orc by yourself!”

Aeneas was frustrated by Giulia’s statement; he was sure that he had little choice but to duel the orc. But knowing how short-tempered Giulia could be, he remained silent.

The two of them were currently in the medical bay of La Serenissima. They were not the only ones as other soldiers were lying on the beds, no doubt casualties from the battle against the orcs. But even so, Aeneas was nervous to have such a beautiful woman treating his injuries.

“Thank you, Giulia,” Aeneas said appreciatively. “Or should I say, Lieutenant.”

The Venetian girl smiled in response. “Don’t mention it, Captain.”

Aeneas chuckled at what Giulia had called him. It was the first time that anyone had actually referred to him as such.

“I suppose you learned about it from Doge Norberto,” Aeneas stated.

“Yes.”

There was a brief silence. Aeneas paid close attention to his interlocutor, and her beautiful smile.

“I can see you’ve taken my advice about smiling,” Aeneas teased.

Giulia huffed in anger. “I didn’t do it for you, foolish Inquisitor.”

But Aeneas did not react in kind. The Inquisitor knew of his interlocutor’s temperament and took no offense. If anything, he found it fun to tease her.

But all was not well with Aeneas as he caught a glimpse of Lavinia at the entrance of the medical bay. From afar, she looked straight at him.

And she was angry.

Aeneas knew that this was going to be a problem. But he mentally put this issue aside, his focus was to get into Veneto. Lavinia could wait.

With Giulia and the crew of La Serenissima rescued, Aeneas finally left the Mediterranean Marshes for Veneto.

To say that Norberto de Medici was happy to see his daughter safe was quite the understatement. In fact, the Doge of Veneto cried profusely when he heard Giulia’s voice over the brick.

Unfortunately, there was not much that could be done for La Serenissima for the moment. Though the ship had survived the crash, it was still unable to fly once more. And not wanting to risk a Slavo-Venetian War, Aeneas decided to leave for Veneto posthaste.

To protect the ship from further bandit depredation, Aeneas left some of his soldiers to protect the ship. In return, the wounded Venetians were brought to the Inquisitor’s airship so they could return home.

Giulia also went with Aeneas, to the consternation of Lavinia.

The flight to the Venetian capital did not take very long. Named Veneto Flotia to distinguish it from Venetian territories down on Earth, the floating city was the hub of the Commonwealth.

Veneto Flotia was a floating city located in the space where the Troposphere and the Stratosphere of the Earth met. A remnant of the Dark Age Civilization, the flying city was the last remaining object of its type. The city flew majestically over the clouds. Most of the inhabitants lived at the lower levels which made up the majority of the city; but few, mostly the rich elites, lived at the top part made up of the buildings that jutted out of station. Jutting to the right of Veneto Flotia was the Venetian Arsenal, a large industrial complex with workers in flying vessels working tirelessly.

As the Inquisitor’s airship landed on Veneto’s largest sky port, for the Venetian capital had multitudes of them, Aeneas couldn’t help but think of space travel throughout the Electrosphere.

But soon Aeneas put his thoughts of wonder aside; he exited his airship and went directly to the Venetian Congress, as requested by the Doge. But not everyone was pleased with his task.

“Why do we even have to go to the Congress,” a disgruntled Lavinia asked.

“That’s right,” Aeneas said as he remembered the events back in Nepoli. “You didn’t exactly have the best experience with our Congress.”

“Democracy is dumb!” Lavinia declared. Her frustration was shown in her hands.

“If I may, Lavinia,” Giulia interjected. The Lieutenant had been walking alongside Aeneas. “Our testimonies are needed given the criminal nature of the incident we were involved in.”

“Criminal?” Lavinia asked in shock. “What are you talking about?”

“Did you ever stop and think how La Serenissima was shot down to begin with?” Giulia asked in return.

“Not really,” Lavinia answered flatly.

“Of course not,” Giulia said sarcastically, earning a glare from the pacifican girl. The Lieutenant then turned towards Aeneas. “What about you, Captain?”

“It is rather strange how it all turned out,” Aeneas answered. “I’ve talked with Tsar Nikolai. It doesn’t seem like the Slavians are responsible.”

“They’re not,” Giulia said. “The laser blast that caused the attack, came from Veneto.”

“What?!” Aeneas exclaimed. He could scarcely believe the Lieutenant’s claims.

“But how?” Lavinia asked.

“That means you have an enemy within your midst,” Aeneas said.

“My papa has a lot of political enemies,” Giulia explained.

“And that’s why our testimonies are needed before the Venetian Congress,” Aeneas stated. His arms were crossed as he was deep in thought.

“Do you know who’s responsible?” Lavinia asked.

Giulia looked at Lavinia, the question had caught her by surprise. “Why would I know that?”

“Don’t act dumb with me!” Lavinia snapped. “The way you carry yourself, I know you’re confident about something.”

Giulia did not say anything as she was caught flatfooted by Lavinia’s declaration. Watching the scene curiously, Aeneas had suspected the same thing but kept silent.

“Fine, I will tell you,” Giulia conceded. “I have reason to believe that Senator Leonardo Grimaldi is responsible for the attack.”

“Who’s that?” Lavinia asked.

“My papa’s chief political opponent. That idiot has been doing all he can to blame papa for the disasters against the Grey Globe,” Giulia said angrily.

“But what makes you think he’s responsible?” Aeneas asked, finally speaking up.

“The laser that took down the ship, could only have come from Veneto Flotia’s defense system,” Giulia answered. “And Senator Grimaldi is Veneto’s Secretary of Defense.”

“I see,” Aeneas said. He still found Venetian politics to be very confusing but kept that sentiment to himself.

The Venetian Congress building was a grand building made out of marble. The columns adorned the entrance to the building. Meanwhile, a distinctive dome topped Veneto’s capitol; Aeneas remembered seeing it from afar when his airship was approaching the Venetian capital.

Inside the building itself was a spacious meeting hall. At the moment, the Congress was filled to the brim with people. Hundreds of Congressmen and Senators had packed in to witness the testimony of Captain General Aeneas Aquilanus and Lieutenant Giulia de Medici.

Aeneas was the first to step up. Despite the anticipation that had been building up, Aeneas’ testimony was rather uneventful. Aeneas recounted his experience in rescuing La Serenissima and the conversation he had with Tsar Nikolai. The cross examination itself was also rather uneventful.

Finally, Giulia stepped forward, ready to give her testimony.

Aeneas was ready to return to his seat, but he was stopped by the Doge who was standing close to the judge. The Doge motioned for Aeneas to stay close to the witness stand. Thinking it to be a Venetian custom, Aeneas thought little of it as he remained where he was.

Or he would have thought little of it if wasn’t for the words that Doge Norberto had whispered to his ears.

“Remember your father.”

The Inquisitor was quite puzzled by the sentence and continued to mull over what the Doge could mean.

Aeneas remembered how his father had died. Killed by a grenade thrown by an assassin. An assassin who had kept herself hidden on a pole located at the ceiling of the domed part of Castle Aquila.

And then Aeneas realized that the Venetian Congress building was also domed.

Aeneas knew that this was a warning from the Doge. And so, he scanned his surroundings in search of any possible assassin. He looked up, but there was no assassin.

Aeneas then looked down from the ceiling. And he found his assassin, standing atop the balcony. For some reason, he was hidden behind a group of senators who paid no mind to his presence.

This meant that this assassin had major political backing. But Aeneas put that out of his mind for the moment.

The man was holding what appeared to be a sniper rifle, pointed at Giulia.

The Inquisitor did not bother figuring out when the assassin was to fire his weapon, he had to act quickly.

And it was fortunate that he did.

The assassin fired his weapon just as Aeneas tackled Giulia into the ground. The shot missed Giulia but hit Aeneas instead.

There was a panic amongst the politicians. But for Giulia, the only thing that matters was her beloved.

“Captain!” Giulia shrieked. She was panicking as she saw the blood all over the Inquisitor’s left side.

But Aeneas remained impassive. “Calm yourself, Lieutenant. You have your medical kit, do you not?”

“I do, Captain,” Giulia answered.

“Good, then treat my wounds. My energy shield absorbed much of the hit,” Aeneas said, remaining calm even as he continued to bleed. “It’s not as bad as it looks.”

“Worry not, Captain. I’ll fix you up.”

Giulia took out a small box from her pocket, revealing a set of items that combat medics use in battle. She took out a gel, a medi-gel, and applied it on Aeneas’ wounds.

The Lieutenant breathed a sigh of relief as she saw the gel started to do its work. The wounds started to close, and the bleeding had stopped.

“I’m so glad, so glad that you’re safe, Captain!” Giulia cried as she buried herself on Aeneas’ chest. Tears were flooding Aeneas’ shirt.

With disaster averted, Aeneas was brought to the hospital. At first, the Inquisitor protested on the grounds that his wounds had been healed. However, both Giulia and Lavinia convinced him to be treated just to make sure that it wouldn’t become serious.

And so, Aeneas was alone in his hospital room, recuperating. Until Norberto and Giulia walked into the room.

“How are you doing, Inquisitor?” the Doge asked.

“I’m fine,” Aeneas answered calmly. “I’m glad I could help, though I wish you’d tell.”

“What do you mean?”

“You know what I mean, Lord Norberto,” Aeneas said forcefully. “You know that Giulia would be targeted by an assassin. That’s why you warned me. And that’s also why you made sure that Giulia had a medical kit with her.”

“Captain,” Giulia said in an attempt to calm Aeneas down.

“And you’re in on it too, Lieutenant,” Aeneas said. It took every bit of his restraint not to rudely point his finger at Giulia.

Both father and daughter looked down in shame. And the two looked at one another, as if waiting for the other to speak. But it was the Doge who finally broke the silence.

“Our apologies, Inquisitor,” Norberto said. “We would have told you, but we can’t risk them figuring out our plan.”

“I….” Aeneas paused as he struggled to swallow his pride. “I understand. I hold no grudge against any of you.”

“Hah!” the Doge barked proudly. “I’m glad you see it my way. But I am not an ungrateful man, Inquisitor. The Commonwealth stands with the Holy League. I owe you that much after you’ve saved my bambina, twice.”

At the mention of her, Giulia looked away in distress. The heart of Aeneas went out the Venetian girl.

With neither Aeneas nor Giulia saying anything, Norberto continued on with his bluster.

“I also want to give a good word for your soldier for tracking down the assassin and capturing him. Now we have everything to convict that obstructionist jerk Leonardo!”

“My soldier?” Aeneas asked. “Who?”

“His name escapes me right now, the dark man with blond hair,” Norberto answered.

“Shaka?”

“Yes, yes. Shaka that’s it. Give that man my regards.”

Aeneas nodded. “I will, Lord Norberto.”

“There’s something else, Inquisitor,” the Doge added.

“What is it?”

“Senator Grimaldi wasn’t working alone. And I’m not talking about his political faction, he had outside assistance,” Norberto explained.

“What outside assistance, though?” Aeneas asked.

“I wish I know,” the Doge said as he shrugged his shoulders. “All I know is that there is a group out there seeking to sow chaos amongst the nations of the Holy League. I’m sure you know why Grimaldi shot down La Serenissima where she was.”

Aeneas nodded; it was so obvious that only a fool wouldn’t see it. “He wants to spark a war between Veneto and Slavia.”

“Not him per se,” Norberto corrected. “Whoever he was working with.”

Aeneas couldn’t help but compare what had just happened with the events back in Castle Aquila. Could this mysterious group be responsible for his father’s death?

“I see. Thank you for the information,” Aeneas said gratefully.

“You’re welcome,” the Doge said. “And I will leave you with my bambina. She wished to speak to you alone.”

As Doge Norberto walked out of Aeneas’ hospital room, he gave Giulia a knowing wink and so he went.

“What is it you want of me, Lieutenant?” Aeneas asked.

“My father,” Giulia said hesitantly. “He wished me to accompany you on your journey to unite the Holy League.”

“And you are okay with this?” Aeneas asked in disbelief. “Giulia, you never liked the military life. I would think the last thing your father would do is to put you in danger after twice you were in grave danger!”

“Fool! You don’t think I’ve thought about that?!” Giulia snapped.

Aeneas was taken aback by the Venetian girl’s outburst; it had been a while since he had been called a fool by her. Beckoning Giulia to say her piece, Aeneas remained silent.

“It’s just,” Giulia said as tears filled her eyes. “I wonder if my father truly loves me. He’d been putting me in danger, and he didn’t even seem to care.”

“I think he loves you, Giulia,” Aeneas said confidently.

“Captain?”

“When La Serenissima was shot down,” Aeneas said, beginning his explanation. “Your father was ready to go to your rescue with a whole fleet of Venetian ships. If I hadn’t come along, there would have been war between Veneto and Slavia.”

Giulia said nothing as she processed the implications of what Aeneas had just said.

“Don’t you see, Lieutenant?” Aeneas said. “Your father was willing to risk a war with Slavia just to save your life. I think that’s proof enough of his love for you.”

“My Captain!” Once more a smile returned to the Venetian girl’s face. “Thank you. It’s honestly not so bad.”

Aeneas raised his eyes in puzzlement. “What do you mean?”

“I’ve got to be with you,” Giulia said, smiling radiantly. “And papa said he’s more than happy to approve of our relationship.”

“Oh no,” Aeneas said alarmedly. His hands raised up in front of him. “You’re a good girl, but I’m not interested.”

“I know of your promise to the Grand Knight’s niece,” Giulia stated.

“What?!” Aeneas exclaimed. He was surprised at finding out the speed of a traveling rumor.

“I wouldn’t put much stock in the words of a girl with delusions of knighthood,” the Lieutenant stated coldly.

Having heard this before, Aeneas sighed. “And that’s why you won’t give up, right?”

“No, Captain,” Giulia said. “We Venetians don’t become the most dominant power in the Electrosphere because we turn back at the first obstacle.”

In response, the Inquisitor shook his head in disbelief and said nothing.

Thankfully for Aeneas, Giulia noticed that her interlocutor was seeking to drop the subject and so she did.

“What is our next destination, Captain?” the Lieutenant asked.

“We’re going to the Moon,” Aeneas answered. “We need to have a word with the Lektros and figure out a way to stop the Grey Globe. Given that this whole mess started with the opening of that gate, I’m sure they know something. But to do that, I need a spacefaring ship.”

“Then let us go,” Giulia said, her hand reached out to Aeneas. “The Arsenal awaits us.”

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