The Servant has Served [PK]

[MCVDK 2842]

THE SERVANT HAS SERVED

 

10th of Owyn’s Light, 1810

 

“No man -- no matter position, birth, peerage or otherwise -- shall be considered above that of which the law enacts.” 

Sir Basileios Baelius, Circa 1787

Crest of House Baelius, Cadet House of Basrid -- Sir Basileios Baelius, 1st Patriarch

    Another normal night within the Municipality of Providence. Another usual walk home for the Chief Justice with the howling wind howling past the man as his robes were raised to mask his visage from the harsh breeze. It had become a habit to return home within the middle of the night. It had become a habit through nearly four decades of service to remain within the office throughout the night: though this cold night had struck the statesman differently than usual -- as an ever lasting pain had started to pound against the inside of his chest. Taunting him throughout his work and flashes of his past flowing throughout his mind, appearing as vivid memories shown before him in an almost cinematic fashion.  

 

It had snuck up on the man as the memories recollected themselves and accumulated within his typically forgetful mind. As if a sudden flash of light had struck him, the man felt himself return to his childhood within the Isle of Ba’as as a female voice shouted: “BASIL! BASIL!” with a softened childish laugh to follow it. Basil’s own gaze had shifted towards the voice as the much smaller and much cuter form of Safiye stood before him -- the scene around them a usual beach covered in small shells of various sea creatures, the ocean as blue as ever. The exotic nature of the Isle was made apparent, as the small child lifted the shell of a crab: “IT’S AN EMPTY CRAB! ISN’ THAT EXCITING? BASIL! BASIL!” before the memories of the beach morphed into the blank piece of parchment before the Justice’s very eyes.

 

It was in the middle of another sentence being jotted down onto the piece of parchment that the next flash of light emerged before the eyelids of the man -- almost arriving as the Justice blinked once, before the man found himself within a more clear and certain recollection of his past. Within his head sounded a collection of footsteps as his gaze panned downwards to peer at the small feet pacing upon the porcelain white floor: the halls resembling the familiar nature of the Basridi Palace which resided upon the Isle of Ba’as. There’d be a rush of wind as a couple of children ran past the aged Basil. “BASIL!” an older female voice exclaimed from behind the child as his emerald hues turned to stare at the source of the noise as his voice -- much lighter and softer than now -- spoke out towards her “A-ai?” as the hues of the child stared at his mother before him: “You are late for class -- come on, now.” before ushering the four year old child towards the door as light once more faded back into the Justice’s office: “I-imma.” He had mumbled as the vision faded.

 

It took but a moment after the previous had faded for another to enter the mind of the Justice: this time within a more lush and natural scene -- the exotic nature of the Isle had faded -- as the return to the vision seemed to have brought him forth to the continent of Arcas. His hues moved around the area as the man was placed within the four safe walls of a carriage while the sound of horses moving outside filled the silence of the vision. “We are almost there, Bann Vasi.” a man with Rhenyari tone exclaimed from the outside as the vision faded into a sudden vision of Helena -- Basil's first vision of Helena. “Tis it?” the eight year old Basil unimpressed with the cold nature as his entire figure shivered within the colder nature of the continent. “Ai, Bann Vasi -- this is it. Your new home.” returned the carriage driver with a nod towards the child as the man continued: “Your baba should be right inside.” as the hues of the child lit with a certain happiness, the child ran towards the entrance of Helena with haste: “BABA!”

 

As the child ran through the gates of Helena another flash of light appeared as the vision faded into the larger frame of the man rushing down through the streets of Helena with a collection of files beneath his arm -- all folded into a black encased folder -- as his hues fell on the doors to the Novellen Palace before a deep breath was taken with a determined nod. It seemed that the man moved towards the Court Halls of the Palace before turning towards the chamber of the Council of State with a nervous shake of his head as the man entered. “Ah. Solicitor-General.” an older man shouted from across the chamber as the man motioned for him to sit: “You’ve arrived a little before the others -- Sit. Please. We will start shortly.” before conversing once more with a different man. 

 

As the scenes all faded into an endless moment of reflection, a halt to the countless visions throughout his life as the highlights of them were mere moments of work. There’d be a realisation over the man for a brief moment as his hues fell towards the skies with a softened tone towards it: “I wasted what I couldn’t control -- Time.” as a strike of pain rushed throughout the frame of the man, stemming from the heart which was soon followed through a softened thud towards the stone of Providence -- right outside of the home of the man. Out of all which could’ve caused his death throughout the years: it was his amount of work in dedication to the Empire which crept to the man. Killed, once and for all, by a failure of his heart -- almost a symbol of himself. 

[!] As news of the death had emerged throughout the Municipality of Providence, there’d be a collection of missives distributed to selected individuals of the Empire. [!] 

 

To His Imperial Majesty, Joseph II @Hunwald

Spoiler

 

“Authority and power are two different things: power is the force by means of which you can oblige others to obey you. Authority is the right to direct and command, to be listened to or obeyed by others. Authority requests power. Power without authority is tyranny.”

 

I read these words within the Novellen under the studies of the law clerks within the Ministry of Justice, Your Imperial Majesty, and I have recalled that quote since the moment it entered the purview of mine. I must have been around fifteen at the time and in these moments of philosophical thoughts to aid within the final words of mine: the last words of which will see the light from the mind of Basil Basrid, those were the words that I thought suitable to write for his Imperial Majesty and whomever else would read it aloud for his Imperial Majesty. One might think, especially due the nature of the quote, that this is meant as an attack on his Imperial Majesty and his form of leadership but it means, in fact, the contrary in the mind of his Imperial Majesty’s most loyal subject. 

 

Your reign has been naught but the quote above. It has never been seen as a tyrannic leadership within Imperial Majesty's own borders and his Imperial Majesty’s subjects have always found a certain confidence and trust within the leadership of his Imperial Majesty’s most wise path forth. I have served his Imperial Majesty for almost four decades and I have never, within the life of mine, looked back at the choice to serve his Imperial Majesty and thought of a different path for I have always known that service was the right path. 

 

But in this philosophical state of reflection and contemplation on the former life which I have led, I have one singular piece of advice for his Imperial Majesty to consider throughout the rest of his reign as the leader of our Empire: Your presence within our government, as our sovereign, is one of vital nature to the entirety of the Orenian people and I am uncertain if his Imperial Majesty is aware of the effect his presence has on the populace of the Empire. As I recall the years, I too recall those moments wherein his Imperial Majesty’s presence was sparse and I recall the issues and troubles which followed with that. You are a vital part of our infrastructure and the presence of yours must remain strengthened -- but I advice this to his Imperial Majesty, though careful with the words of mine as I do not wish to seem as an attack on his sovereign abilities, that once his Imperial Majesty feels the mind falter and hinder the state, that his Imperial Majesty consider, even for a moment, the importance of his position and the vital nature of his presence and therein concludes whether or not the mantle of leadership should see another sovereign.

 

I thank his Imperial Majesty for the ability to serve beneath his state and I shall hope to meet his Imperial Majesty within the Seven Skies, once the time is right. 

 

Your Servant,

Sir Basileios Balthazar Basrid KCM

 

 

 

To His Imperial Excellency, the Archchancellor, Franz Sarkozy @Nectorist

Spoiler

 

It was a shame that I could not serve within the Cabinet of the Sarkozy, I would’ve loved to do so but duties had other thoughts for the destined road ahead. You have done our country proud, Mister Sarkozy, and I am certain such will continue throughout the era of the Sarkozy Ministry. Do not let the ideas of politics and elections cloud the mind of yours -- we need a united Empire more than ever. 

 

I wish not to bicker on as I have a lot left to write, but I am proud to note that I worked within the Empire under the era of the Sarkozy.

 

Your Colleague,

Sir Basileios Balthazar Baelius KCM

 

 

 

To His Lordship, the 1st Count of Susa, the late Jahan Basrid @Dyl

Spoiler

 

“We seek naught but acceptance within the hues of the elder -- for their breath of life is the one of importance, for their utterance of ‘you did well son’ is the highlight of life.”

 

I am uncertain whether it was achieved, baba -- did I make you proud before your death? Did I serve the right people? Did I do the right things throughout this hell of life? So much to discuss as we meet once more in the Seven Skies. 

 

Your Son,

Vasi

 

 

 

To Her Excellency, the Solicitor-General, the late Ophelia van Wick @TheIchorDruid

Spoiler

 

To the former Solicitor-General, now dead due to her valiant actions, I am uncertain for which reason that I have denoted the name of yours within the array of letters which are to be sent from the offices of mine as I have raised to the Seven Skies wherein I shall hand deliver this letter with utmost sincere sadness for the loss. 

 

You have served our collective Empire well, former Solicitor-General, and it is most unfortunate to have watched the early demise of someone with that level of legal knowledge and eagerness to serve beneath our Crown. I must admit, and I shall not state such twice, but I do most sincerely denote within this final testament of mine, these final records, that I did believe and will continue to believe within the Seven Skies, that it would’ve been yourself to follow within the footsteps of mine - that the 9th Solicitor-General, you, would’ve been the one to continue to path of legalise which I had formed. And, while I write these letters in thought of the past and the future, it saddens me to know this fact: You will not be able to do that and so the ideals of the Judiciary suffers a little more.

 

Your Mentor, Colleague & Friend,

Sir Basileios Balthazar Baelius KCM 

 

 

 

To Adryana Baelius @MotherLay

Spoiler

 

I must start this notion with a simplistic: I am sorry. Our lives were not what it was meant to be nor what I promised in the start but we lived. I never reached that peerage which I had promised to achieve -- I never used enough time with you or the children. I was caught within the world which is known as work and I am sorry for the damages which have been forced onto this beautiful life of yours. 

 

I cannot fathom words of what was achieved between you and I nor do I want to bicker endlessly. I am sorry and I love you. Please tell the children that I loved them above all else, I could never manage to do that myself.

 

Your Chero,

Basil

 

 

Sir Basileios Balthazar Baelius KCM J.D. SSE

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

7th Solicitor-General

 

 ( * ) 1755 - 1810 ( † )

 

[MotherLay 975]

Adryana Baelius listens absently as she is told the news of her husband's passing, something in her heart had told her that something had happened even before the messenger had arrived at her doorstep. As if it were glass, her heart shattered completely. The man she had loved for almost forty years had moved onto the next life, without her. 

 

Though it was no secret that he was absent, she did not seem to mind all that much, she knew the workload he faced, and decided to never give a fuss about such a thing. She had always felt a sense of pride for Basil, and cheered him on, even in his worst moments. All she cared about was him, and all that came with it. His hopes, dreams, and wants, she gave him all she could.

 

But now she stands alone at her doorstep, staring at the street before her as the cold breeze pierces her dark skin. The messenger had left minutes ago, but she could not move an inch. It seemed her whole world had come crashing down on her. In the morning, she had been too busy sleeping to wish him luck on his early day of working. She never got to say goodbye to her best friend, her soulmate. 

 

It wasn't until Cala, her youngest child, stumbled out of the door to pull her in that she noticed how freezing she had been. Adryana could not even look into Cala's eyes as she was seated with a blanket in front of the fire, she was too trapped in her thoughts to do so. How cruel it must be. The child barely knows her Baba, and now there is not even a chance. 

 

"Makuahine, what is wrong?" Her daughter questions repeatedly as Adryana tries to piece together what was reality and what was not. There was still a turning in her stomach that hoped this was all a dream, that she'd wake up tomorrow to him getting ready for another long day. She prayed for those short words they'd speak as he finished tying his tie. But it never came, and as a result of her prolonged hope, her shoulders were shaken, pulling her back in the horrid reality she was facing. 

 

She stares at Cala for a moment longer, the only child still in her home. Her eyes well up with tears, her eyes tracing the many similar features she shared with her Baba. "Your Baba- he..." she trails, bursting into a short fit of tears. "He's gone."

 

[ I'm so fricken sad, ily MCVDK, thanks for the cool times 😎]

 

 

 

[rep2k 3192]

In life, a man is sometimes preoccupied with work for a while, presenting a burden that can be difficult to get rid of. Caspian realized this, ever since he left Providence, but still, stubbornness and persistence had taken him into the unknown, where all trace of him was lost. However, one who is persistent can also get to someone or something, at this point only an ordinary letter has managed to catch up with Caspian, leaving him in awe.

 

"What is this going to do here, and how did someone manage to send me this.. ?", the man wonders, rubbing his forehead wearly before taking the envelope from the pigeon, taking a seat on the nearby log. So far, he has received letters only from his family and relatives, throwing him into worry and concern immediately, thinking that something has not happened to someone. "If only it wasn't something serious .. I don't plan to come back yet, I still have a lot to do.."

 

The slow opening of the letter threw him into contemplation, immediately thinking of his siblings, wife, mother, and even father, Basil. Thoughts suddenly filled his head, deciding to open the letter and face whatever was in it. Word by word, his finger ran across the paper on which his father's death was written. The breakdown overwhelmed him, forcing him to take a dagger and take his own life. However, reason prevailed over Caspian, yet one deep wound remained in his heart, a wound he would never be able to heal.

 

"So, that damn day came too..", Caspian says with a struggle, his voice shaking a bit as he goes to stand up, throwing the letter on the sand. "God, help him. He was no father, but he knew his job and how to succeed effectively in life..", he says with a wearly chuckle, wandering around Osanoran lands, before just - stopping. "If he couldn't be a good father already ... then I have to.", with that he turns around, legally taking one of the nearby horses before galloping towards Providence. "Destiny is all, and I must face it."

[TJBMinecraft 821]

Tiberius John Hartcold frowns at the death of Sir Basileios Baelius "I remember him fondly...especially when he approached me to make such a fine coat of arms...may he rest easy in the seven skies now"

[zuziee 4004]

Safiye smiled faintly as she was once more reunited with her dearest brother. “Everyone has their time, I hope you spent your time truthfully” she’d comment softly. 

[kal 170]

Cecile Baelius was silent at the news, she had never gotten to meet her father-in-law. Even with what she had heard, she wished him luck in the seven skies. Her grandmother-in-law and grandfather-in-law had told her about how Basil was, tears coming to her eyes as she thought about Adryana.

 

She frowned, not being able to be with her husband as his father passed. It only furthered her hope for him to come back soon, getting up from her chair to clean the house in hope of Caspian returning.

[RaindropsKeepFalling 886]

As the news emerged from the cracked heart of the late man, it wasn't immediately known to her.  Not in the obituaries, or the papers, the quieter towns: all was the same.  Deep throughout the forestry of the south, in a sunlit shore, naught was heard firstly.

 

Through word of mouth, messenger, and travels, she'd hear the tragic revelation: her father's death, her baba. Cajsa, or Kaia, hinging upon who knew her - in what epoch, sighed.  Daylight seeped through the familiar, yet alien house, and she found minimal words.  Recalling that day: that evening, wherein she'd been hollered to meet. Little did she know, it would be the hindmost episode they would converge.  It was a closure: perhaps she ought to of seen, and opened her eyes widely.  How blind she was to the quiet world, lost amid a music ringing within her head. 

 

Anon, grief consumed her very figure. Her eyes grew glassy, as memories sought to scream in her deafened ears, beside that wonderfully terrible song. She weeped.  Far away, she was, from the moments, the impressions of bygone years and of somber childhood. The lady sniffled, knuckles clenching her desk's rim.  She was a bird, flying alongside the zephyr's winds.  But, the clouds had obstructed the view she'd once basked in. It was something she'd figured she wouldn't miss. Yet, in a nostalgic cry, she wondered.

 

How grey the colorful world was, alone.

 

The woman, and the sister wiped her stained, reddened face, withdrawing paper as she dispatched a note to a brother she'd broken a promise with. Better late, than never, as the absent father's daughter scribed the letter. Else, what was she to do? Nay, she could not remain still... 

 

A canary sung in the following morn, to a day anew, bittersweet. Kaia lay awake in bed, to venture out bravely: and face the old light. 

[Viggen92 326]

Casper Jahan Baelius stared at the missive in disbelief for a long moment before it slipped through his fingers and dropped to the ground with a subtle thud. He closed his eyes as he sunk down in a chair, hiding his face in his palms. "..Baba.. No..." Casper uttered in a breath as he gripped his own hair firmly. The young man gritted his teeth loudly and kept his eyes shut tight. A breeze from the open window grazed his face when a tear rolled down his cheek to fall onto the floor beneath him. With a deep sigh he stood up again, picking the piece of paper up again to place a gentle kiss on it. "I will never forget you, baba... Never forget what you taught me, never forget what you have done for this Empire, never forget how you have helped me and my siblings as a father. I will pray for you every night..." And with that he somberly exited the house to continue his duties.

 

[Ivoreyy 2303]

The Princess Imperial, Elizabeth Anne, had been sitting quietly by the fireplace within her estate of Rosemoor House. The usual peace of the countryside was not often interrupted, par the daily knock at the door from the local Orenian Mailman.

 

As those three sharp sounds echoed through the hallway, she rose from her seat, moving to answer the door. The mailman's usual fervour had all but vanished - and in it's place was a gaunt and silent demeanour. Slowly, he handed Elizabeth a simple letter - a notice from the city.

 

It was within said missive that she was informed of the death of her brother-in-law, and dear childhood companion, Basil Basrid. It seemed that the hand of time, in unavoidable target, had claimed another. The world stood still for a moment as she attempted to process such awful news.

 

Slowly, the Princess made her way to the bedchambers she shared with her husband. Iskander sat by the window, as he usually did, furiously scribing the latest of his long Imperial State Army proposals. She paused at the door, lips pressed into a thin line.

 

"Iskander?"

 

He turned around, a brow raised.

 

"I'm so sorry. It's- well, it's Basil."

 

She extended the letter toward him. 

 

That night, the Princess Imperial remained by her husband's side. The grief of a sibling was consuming, and so Elizabeth sat with Iskander from the late dusk to the early dawn - his ever steadfast wife.

 

[Nectorist 12869]

"Is it not the greatest tragedy of a long life, that we must see so many great people depart?" Muses Franz, remembering the early days of both the Commons and the Stahl-Elendil Ministry, where Basil had served as a critical component, a stalwart servant of the government, and a loyal ally.

[hudsun202 233]

Reserved

[libertyybelle 6187]

Mary Lucille welcomed her childhood friend, once love and once enemy into the seven skies. A grin was on her face as she nudged him. "Not too shabby shy boy. Guess we can finally rest at ease."