The banquet went smoothly as planned, the problems that threatened to arise were forgotten by the taste of savory food and fine wine, and the near quarrel that almost disturbed the merry event was dealt with professionally.
On top of this, the whole guests were easy to permeate like sand except for one who remained invulnerable like a solid rock.
After the banquet ended, only the governor remained in the hall watching the servants as they cleaned and disposed of the food leftovers when he spotted Laurentius talking to one of the guards. The governor stretched his neck and watched the scene. The guard was complaining about something, the time of his shift or something else, and was asking the war counselor Laurentius for help, the guard bowed in gratitude as Laurentius had probably promised to look into his problem.
Though the man lacked any charisma or interest in having people fall for him, that Laurentius was respected by the soldiers more than "loved", the governor smiled at this.
"See Laurentius? We partied and no disaster happened."
The blond suddenly jumped into the scene startling the guard who bowed immediately, but not Laurentius who got used to the blonde's out of nowhere appearance and disappearance.
"It all went well, people love this sort of things. By celebrating the end of the games season I claim loving it, and so they will love me."
The governor said in a victorious tone, proud of his ruling tactics. His smirk was widened by the counselor's comment.
"Such twisted logic."
"Then you find living itself twisted."
"Only when the mind is foolish, and the aim is distorted."
The counselor replied, and Germanous could not believe that the man standing in front of him enjoys anything in life, even with his strong mindset and vague goals and ideals.
"I'd rather celebrate this meaningless event than have the people celebrating at my palace gate."
The governor spoke sardonically, waving his hands to signify that there was no other choice. The picture of the angry mobs roaring at his palace for inhibiting games brought a chuckle out of him despite the way it weakened his status, newly proclaimed back then.
Laurentius sighed, he was there when the near riot was about to happen. The whole matter seemed like a farce, the order and the reaction it ignited. However, he still managed to find a fault in the governor's logic, though it was partially true and wise.
"You claim to celebrate something the people love for them to love you back, then shouldn't you celebrate it with them instead in an isolated dining hall?"
Laurentius asked seeking no answer, he knew this was not a common habit for the governors of provinces and the occasion was significant at all for him, but it was an indirect way to lecture the joyful blond. The answer was obvious and the governor was simply neglecting it, the way he neglected his duties.
"A governor should not distance himself from his people."
"My people?"
The blond muttered under his breath, turning his gaze away to the window where his red orbs joined the sky. Laurentius did not add anything, the conversation was dead from the start, it could reach no point as long as the young governor did not admit his responsibility over these people, he didn't admit these people's existence in the first place and soon, neither they would.
"Have your little banquet, but don't mock the people's "love" you hope it to bring."
The counselor remarked, as a man who lived for his responsibility, Laurentius had to say this as many times as it was necessary, never giving up on trying to shorten the distance between the governor and the people, and fill it with mutual benefits for these two sides were who he wished to serve equally and efficiently.
The young governor stared at his counselor, he was a capable man indeed, someone to be trusted and relied upon but he still could not admit to these facts, and he had never waited for the man's approval on anything he sat his will to do. Once he was determined to do something, he would go through with it regardless of the latter's opinion and the circumstances and the possibility of success. Was this wise of him? Maybe not but he just could not bring himself to care.
"Say Laurentius, how did you acquire your position?"
"Hard work and competence."
"And are you satisfied with the place you've reached?"
"With what little gifts the gods had bestowed on me, failure was not an option, reaching this place had to be accomplished."
The young blond arched his eyebrows at this direct answer, but for a man like Laurentius this answer was likely to be true. He kept looking at the older male with piercing gazes as if desiring to penetrate his soul, but as always, these cloudy eyes of his counselor revealed nothing, solid stones that nothing could be engraved upon.
"And do these "gifts" dictate that you still ought to aim further?"
Laurentius looked back at the young blonde, surpassing him in rank, wondering if he also surpassed him in wit. He was not afraid to allude to a dangerous matter, even when the answer could be easily brandished and beautifully decorated with promises of fidelity and hails of praise. But Laurentius was not that kind of man, eloquent speech was not a gift he possessed nor desired, so he frankly replied.
"I do not see a need for this."
"Huh…"
Germanous leaned his back at cold marble of the balcony, swerving his body and focusing his eyes on the man standing in front of him like a painter looking for the right angle and moment.
Apparently, new aspects were being added to the picture the blond had of Laurentius. The latter realized that. He didn't have a full idea of how the governor viewed him, but he could make few guesses, and they weren't very favorable but likely to be right.
"What do you celebrate, Laurentius?"
The blond asked, as if interviewing an exotic individual. Since he could not get his
way by beating around the bush, he decided frankness was the best option. The counselor sighed at the ridiculous question. He brushed back the long bangs that fell on his face and explained.
"I am not against celebrating. I am merely against celebrating nothing. This is no different from foolishness."
"Or despair."
The governor remarked with a sinister smirk.
"Those outside this palace don't waste a chance to celebrate and bring joy into their lives not matter how brief or foolish… and so we shall tonight!"
Laurentius didn't comprehend, but he knew nothing good was bound to come out that sinister smile the governor bore every time he submitted his heart to a whim.
"Don't refuse me, Laurentius, the night is still young."
The governor said patting at elder's shoulder and motioning him to follow.
"Today, I will take the teacher's role."
The young man stated exited as he led the way, his determination left no room for refusal, and Laurentius did not wish to stir an unnecessary misunderstanding with the governor so he followed silently.
Opening a door to another hall, another hall's and dashing in while clapping, the blond exclaimed:
"Our first lesson; pleasure!"
At the governor's words and claps, two rows of dancers flew into the room from two opposite doors, then musicians took their places behind their instruments, food and drinks were already prepared on a round table surrounded by two long snug couches.
"You see Laurentius?"
The blond spoke, the glittering lights of the candles and lanterns oscillating in the his eyes, entrancing them with the luxury and power their owner possessed.
"This is a governor's true feast!"
The blond announced as he took his place on the couch, his counselor following suit. The blond went on as a servant poured their drinks.
"A governor has to be stronger, richer, and greedier than everyone else! Whatever he desires should be granted and he must possess the power and people's fear to do so! No matter how much people rave about a ruler of their skin, who knows and understands their suffering, a man who stands on the same ground as theirs will never gain their respect and admiration, they will underestimate him and ridicule his authority, and he will most probable be thrown by the same hands that crowned him."
Laurentius raised his head at the young man, still expatiating his point of view, excitement dying his usually pale cheeks. Holding his glass of wine, he stared at it as if his similarly colored eyes could see through the red liquid the entire world.
"A governor should show, not share, his power and fortune. People crave power but are tamed by the fear it inflects. Though seemingly loathing it and continuously rebelling against it, they can't tolerate a weak governor, they aspire a strong one to limit their unfinished whims and control their chaotic way of living. That's why they create gods and seek leaders! Ones they envy and desire their privileges yet know, because of their power, they can never obtain it. "
Turning at the silent counselor, and looking him in the eye, the governor concluded his speech:
"That's why as a their governor, Laurentius, I can't stand at the same ground as theirs."
Not a muscle stirred in the counselor's face, no emotion was conveyed or shown. He silently thought back to the time when Germanous was appointed by his father to rule in his stead while he recovered from an illness, his first decree almost causing a riot and withdrawn in an embarrassing speed. So this view of governing most be a new insight he was developing, and the loyal counselor could only anticipate the worst. Disappointed at the lack of argument, possibly because Laurentuis knew it was futile, or regarded it as a drunkard's raving, he pushed the counselor's cup in his direction, prompting him to drink, his own throat was dry from speaking lengthily, while the other's from remaining silent.
The two men sat each at a couch and drank. The silence eventually overwhelmed by the poignant music and erotic moves of the swaying dancers. While the governor followed every move and twirl, not wasting a chance to catch the denuded flesh accidently revealed when the silky frocks and sashes slid on the soft skins with the music, he kept glancing every few moments at his drinking companion.
Cursed these grey eyes! They could never be read, they held no lines or words. Nothing but emptiness.
"Your heart is as aged as your eye color, Laurentius."
The blond remarked, sneering at the counselor as he refilled his own glass.
"If seeing me getting pleased is that important to you, then I am sorry to disappoint you. Naked piles of flesh and clamorous clashing of strings stir nothing inside of me."
Laurentius replied soberly. He had glanced at the lively women, and glimpsed at what made the governor heat in his seat, he could do this for the entire evening but feel nothing out of it. It mattered nothing to him, and exited none of his senses. Watching the wantonly dancing girls was the same as watching a rock or a tree; it held no meaning or enchantment to his eyes.
"But that doesn't mean you can't feel pleasure, Laurentius."
Laurentius raised his head, nothing till now could make him feel pleasured or excited, and nothing probably will.
"You see Laurentius, pleasure doesn't have one face. You probably can't find it because you don't know this."
The counselor drank his third glass for the night, his brain standing a barrier against the maddening liquid. He could not believe he was getting lectured by a seventeen – year old boy, but he found no harm in amusing him, least he go do something even more stupid.
"Being part of the people's soul, pleasure takes many shapes just like it and it is ought to bring satisfaction regardless of the form it takes."
Laurentius stared back at his wine glass and still saw nothing in it but a red fluid that have a certain taste, he couldn't even define it because that taste was of no relevance to him. The taste merely satisfied his tongue without bringing pleasure to it. Following the governor's eyes and watching the lewd dancing, he thought of what the governor didn't hesitate to elaborate.
"If people did not find joy in mating, adulatory would not have spread. If they didn't find joy in stealing, theft would have ceased, same goes for killing, lying, and every other iniquity..."
"Only a wicked man would seek it then."
The counselor replied calmly staring directly into the youngster's eyes.
"I learned something about you now, Laurentius!"
Laurentius looked at the smiling man, who shifted in his position to face the counselor more closely.
"You are quick to jump into the dark aspects of things."
The counselor turned his face shrugging, perhaps Germanous was right.
"Then what about the good aspects of pleasure?"
Laurentius remained silent and patient, indulging the young governor who apparently found pleasure in talking about pleasure.
"If philosophers did not find pleasure in contemplation about the depth of life, none of the theories that define our lives now would have existed. If priests did not reach some sort of delight in worshiping, religions would have been long forsaken. If warriors did not find delectation in fighting and dominating, leaders would not have been born, and nations would not have existed and widened. These are basically the essences of our living."
"That doesn't sound different from the other sins you have mentioned."
"Huh?!"
The governor was taken aback, surprised by the answer coming from a man who appeared prudent, educated, and knightly. He was a counselor and a warrior! This time, it was the blonde's turn to demand an elucidation.
"Philosophy in its majority is nothing but the rambling of deluded men, only few theories worth the praise and the transformation into abided rules. While gods exist, the method people interact with them is an medicine they abuse to lay their burdens on someone else. And though one's nation greatness is aspired, wars and invasions are merely another face for tyranny and oppression, a mask for one's inner violence and love of supremacy."
"Then you view this world as corrupted?"
The counselor did not reply. In front of him sat a definition of corruption according to his standards.
"Then what about the pleasure that accompanies virtues? Helping those in need, judging people fairly… for example? You cannot find another face to these acts, can you?"
The blond asked, his laugh of mockery returned by a cold stare. Maybe he should not have bothered to argue with the governor, Laurentius thought, what could an inexperienced joyful boy understand? But as his counselor, he couldn't waste the chance to open his eyes, despite the continuous failure of his attempts. He had to hold to his responsibility.
"The meaning of these acts depends on the notion lurking behind them and nourishing them to manifest. Many philanthropists abuse the need of people and their ability to help them to gain ulterior goals. The majority of people except gratitude and loyalty in return for their kindness. Even when they appear satisfied without getting a thank, they are quickly to condemn whom they had helped as ungrateful, falling from their favor and denied an extension to that previous kindness."
"You believe neither in gods nor in humans Laurentius. What ground does that make you stand on?"
The blond asked, eyeing a fortress standing strong and unshakable though build from nothingness, and for nothingness. He admitted to himself, he could never understand that man but this did not mean he had grew to admire him. Instead, he felt he had to pity him but his blood – dyed eyes, matching the red blood that pumped through his veins and arteries passionately from a heart loaded with dreams and beating with visions could only view that man as irredeemable, a menace, a pathetic soulless corpse deserving only disdain and hatred.
Drink after drink, neither men lost their mind to intoxicating drink. One thanks to tolerance, the other to his sheer will.
Dullness drank by the side of dreams, prudence toasted with madness but neither were intoxicated.
The truth Laurentius did not tell was that his only pleasure in life was so simple yet so difficult. He cared for no mundane pleasures and did not mind other people from enjoying them, as long as the hands that held the scales of justice remained pure.
Justice was his pleasure.