07-25-2019, 05:20 AM
The Chamber of Whispers was an architectural marvel, even for the ode to Huenyan architecture that the Palace of Flowers represented. It was a perfectly round chamber, thirty feet tall, rising to a dome. Four windows were mounted in the walls of the dome, each corresponding to a cardinal point and representing the four tribes of Huenya. At the top of the dome, a skylight representing the unified Empire shone sunlight down onto the center of the Chamber, where the Emperor's seat was located. Around the Emperor's seat, the solid black stone floor was broken up by an inlaid golden replica of the sun from the Xiomeran flag. On the section of the wall underneath each window, long strips of highly polished silver beechwood from the Matpilli mountain range ran from windowsill to floor, and were used to cleverly mount pictures to the rounded walls. One was a painting of the Empress Camaxtica, revered even today as the founder of the modern Xiomera. Another was a depiction of the Battle of Huatl'pa, where Camaxtica defeated the nobles who had rebelled against her vision. The third was a picture of the Emperor, in the grand dress uniform of the Xiomeran general that he had been before being chosen to lead the Empire by the ihuicatl for the first time in 2001. Unlike the other three paintings, the last of the four, behind the Emperor, was a photograph - a high-quality, giant image of Tlālacuetztla. The Emperor had chosen that picture to replace a rather ugly painting of the Battle of Milintica - where the Xiomerans defeated the last resistance of the other three tribes and founded the Empire. The painting of the Battle of Milintica had always been a sore point for the representatives of the other three tribes whenever they occupied the Chamber, and the Emperor had decided upon his election to remove it as a gesture of cooperation.
Around the Emperor's seat, a U-shaped table and chairs made of more polished beechwood stood for the use of whoever was meeting with the Emperor at any given time. Huey Tlatoani Topilpopoca, the Emperor of Xiomera, often felt as he sat in the chair reserved for his use that he was at the center of a hurricane in the Chamber. The man in the eye of the storm, as vigorous debate raged around him.
Today was no different.
"This crackdown on XUN and other forms of public debate and dissent is idiotic and counterproductive," a slim young woman said, shaking her head in frustration. Huitzilhuani, the Secretary for International Affairs, eyed the rest of the Chamber with a look of frank exasperation. "We're trying to improve how the rest of the IDU, and the world, see Xiomera, are we not?" Huitzilhuani said, an imploring tone to her warm voice. "We can't simultaneously do that while shutting down media outlets, trying to throw people in jail, and acting like the autocratic, barbaric state they already think we are. With respect, huey tlatoani, these actions are making my job, and the task you have given me, far more difficult, if not impossible."
"I must agree. This has simply gone too far," Tlanextia said, rising to support Huitzilhuani. The Secretary of Trade shook her head; the hood she habitually wore slipped off with the vigorous head movement. Tlanextia did not care. "We have just sent trade representatives to multiple democratic nations. They will not agree to significant trade with a nation they see as despotic or as abusing their citizens. My task is also made much harder by this silly crackdown that Tepilcayotl has insisted upon!"
"I also grow concerned," a third voice said. Cozamalotl, the Secretary of Scientific Development and Advancement, rose in turn. "I have been seeking scientific and technological partnerships with other nations. I am worried that if nations see us as a dictatorship, or believe we will use any technological advancements obtained to repress our people, that they will refuse to partner with us." Cozamalotl took off the set of pince-nez glasses he wore, using them as a prop to gesture at someone else around the table. "I have no doubt that Tepilcayotl meant well with his actions, but truly, this is not the time for taking actions that may offend our neighbors. The implementation of recent technological restrictions under Tilmahcoatl will only make things worse."
Upon hearing his name mentioned twice in short succession, Tepilcayotl chuckled softly. The Secretary for Security waited until Topilpopoca gestured for the other three Cabinet members to sit down before standing up to speak. "You are all so worried about offending our neighbors. Despite your soft-pedal approach to the matter at discussion, our neighbors do not seem similarly concerned about offending us. Laeral, Lauchenoiria and Zamastan all, quite frankly, told us to take our warrants and shove them up our rear ends. Laeral flatly refused our ambassador when the matter was raised. The Lauchenoirian foreign minister called our charges 'so-called crimes' and said they would do nothing! The Zamastanians never responded at all. Your desire for love from these countries, though laudable, is clearly going unrequited," Tepilcayotl added with a soft snort of derision. "So, since no one seems to care if we are offended, or that our laws are being violated, we had no choice but to take our own action. They left us no choice, in fact. So we took care of the matter through the actions outlined in Project Tilmahcoatl - a project the Emperor approved, with all of us present, I might add. Why berate us for this now? Do you not trust the Emperor's judgement on these matters?"
"I trust our Emperor's judgement," Huitzilhuani said, her brown eyes flashing. "You are not the Emperor."
"So you don't trust Tepilcayotl's judgement. Then add me to the list of people who you think lacking, madam, because I agree with Tepilcayotl," a large man sitting next to the Security Secretary barked. Xochiqui, the Secretary of Defense, shook his own head so fiercely that his mustache waved like a flag caught in the wind.
"You were already on that list, Xochiqui," Huitzilhuani murmured softly, earning a laugh from Tlanextia, a small smile from Cozamalotl, and a glare that defined the phrase "if looks could kill" from Xochiqui.
The Defense Secretary stood next, as Topilpopoca waved at Huitzilhuani to sit down. "We talk about earning respect, and having to appease the foreigners and make concessions. Why should we? Our economy is strong, our people are prosperous, and most of our people love living in Xiomera and like things as they are. Why should we upend all that - or allow malcontents like XUN to do so - just because foreigners may disapprove? If we are succeeding as a nation - and we are - and our people believe in our system - which the overwhelming majority of them do - I say we tell the foreigners to take their cultural and social imperialism and shove it. Xiomera has prospered without them for centuries. We can keep doing so if need be," Xochiqui snapped.
"Not in the modern world, we can't," Huitzilhuani shouted, as Tlanextia laughed helplessly at what she was hearing. "We aren't living in the age of isolation before Camaxtica's reign anymore. Nations need other nations to trade with, to have alliances with, to work with," Huitzilhuani added. "With respect, Emperor Topilpopoca, please don't listen to this lunacy."
A soft sigh from the man at the center of the room silenced everyone. "I am weary," Topilpopoca said, standing up and walking to the photograph of the Xiomeran capital that stood behind him.
Everyone seated at the table paused, confused. "Are you tired, or not feeling well, sir?" Huitzilhuani asked. Topilpopoca laughed slightly, smiling at the Secretary. "I am not weary in that way, Huitzilhuani," Topilpopoca said.
As the Cabinet members watched, the Emperor traced the lines of the photograph on the wall with a single elegant finger. The signet ring of the Xiomeran Emperor shone in the sunlight as his finger moved. "Tlālacuetztla is a marvelous place, isn't it?" The Emperor's finger moved past the many-flowered Palace gardens, past the walls, to the skyscrapers and highways below.
"It is, sir, but I don't understand..." Huitzilhuani said, her confusion apparent on her face.
"I see you are not sure where I am going with this. Let me clarify for you, Huitzilhuani. For all of you," the Emperor added, his voice switching from wistful to firm in a heartbeat. "This city, this glorious pinnacle of the Huenyan civilization, we built this. With our hands," Topilpopoca said, his voice growing in volume. "The countries that criticize us, they did not build this. But they certainly see fit to criticize us as if they did. They have no idea of how Xiomera has struggled, and the sacrifices we have made to become the prosperous and stable land we are now. How we had to overcome tribal conflict, how we had to build our land out of nothing."
The Emperor walked away from the photograph, to the center of the room. "This palace, this city, this country; they know nothing of it, nor do they care to. It has always been this way. Ever since Camaxtica first allowed foreigners to enter our country, they have been telling us how to live, how to govern, how to work and worship and produce. And we accepted it! We modernized, we adopted their technology and their ways, we embraced the world. But today, still, they look at us with the same disdain that their ancestors did upon seeing us walking around with spears and stone axes and living in stone buildings and huts. To them, we are still a backwards people who need their 'guidance' and 'correction'."
Topilpopoca looked at the painting of himself on the wall. "They label me an autocrat. They claim we are undemocratic. They have their elections, and people vote for their Presidents and Prime Ministers and their legislatures. We have the ihuicatl, chosen by the people, who vote for the leaders of their tribes, and who in turn choose the Emperor....myself, luckily enough, for almost two decades now. But, we are undemocratic and tyrannical, because we refuse to do things as they do. We are tyrants because we choose to enforce our laws and maintain our social harmony. Peh!"
The Emperor sat down, pointing a single finger into the sky. "By the gods, I am done with being told by foreigners what to do, or how to run our country. I am weary of their need to guide us as if we are children. I will accept it no longer. Huitzilhuani and Tlanextia. You may continue your trade and your diplomacy. But know this, and more importantly, make sure the foreigners know it as well. Xiomera is a sovereign nation, Xiomerans are a sovereign people, and we will not accept being treated in a cavalier fashion and ignored, as we were over the warrants, any longer. We will accept being told how to run our own country no longer. If they wish to trade and partner with us on our terms, not theirs, they are welcome and we will be their friends. But if they cannot accept our terms, they will be saying that they do not need us. And they probably don't, frankly." Topilpopoca looked once more at the image of Tlālacuetztla and the Chipahua Valley, the heart of Xiomeran civilization, behind him. "But we do not need them either. We are a strong people, and we shall survive no matter what. And even if these nations who look down their noses at our country see fit not to trade with us....others will not reject us. Xiomera will befriend those who accept us, and our country, as we are. Other nations will give us their respect....or we shall give them our indifference."
"I do hear your concerns about this decision making your jobs harder, Huitzilhuani, Tlanextia and Cozamalotl. If your tasks are too challenging for you, you may resign at any time, and I will choose people who can do the work that is required," Topilpopoca added, glaring at the three as if daring them to quit on the spot. None of them said anything.
"As for the actions to eliminate the unwanted influence of dissident rabble such as XUN, and Project Tilmahcoatl....they will continue as planned. That is all." Topilpopoca stood and walked out of the Chamber, leaving only silence behind him.
Around the Emperor's seat, a U-shaped table and chairs made of more polished beechwood stood for the use of whoever was meeting with the Emperor at any given time. Huey Tlatoani Topilpopoca, the Emperor of Xiomera, often felt as he sat in the chair reserved for his use that he was at the center of a hurricane in the Chamber. The man in the eye of the storm, as vigorous debate raged around him.
Today was no different.
"This crackdown on XUN and other forms of public debate and dissent is idiotic and counterproductive," a slim young woman said, shaking her head in frustration. Huitzilhuani, the Secretary for International Affairs, eyed the rest of the Chamber with a look of frank exasperation. "We're trying to improve how the rest of the IDU, and the world, see Xiomera, are we not?" Huitzilhuani said, an imploring tone to her warm voice. "We can't simultaneously do that while shutting down media outlets, trying to throw people in jail, and acting like the autocratic, barbaric state they already think we are. With respect, huey tlatoani, these actions are making my job, and the task you have given me, far more difficult, if not impossible."
"I must agree. This has simply gone too far," Tlanextia said, rising to support Huitzilhuani. The Secretary of Trade shook her head; the hood she habitually wore slipped off with the vigorous head movement. Tlanextia did not care. "We have just sent trade representatives to multiple democratic nations. They will not agree to significant trade with a nation they see as despotic or as abusing their citizens. My task is also made much harder by this silly crackdown that Tepilcayotl has insisted upon!"
"I also grow concerned," a third voice said. Cozamalotl, the Secretary of Scientific Development and Advancement, rose in turn. "I have been seeking scientific and technological partnerships with other nations. I am worried that if nations see us as a dictatorship, or believe we will use any technological advancements obtained to repress our people, that they will refuse to partner with us." Cozamalotl took off the set of pince-nez glasses he wore, using them as a prop to gesture at someone else around the table. "I have no doubt that Tepilcayotl meant well with his actions, but truly, this is not the time for taking actions that may offend our neighbors. The implementation of recent technological restrictions under Tilmahcoatl will only make things worse."
Upon hearing his name mentioned twice in short succession, Tepilcayotl chuckled softly. The Secretary for Security waited until Topilpopoca gestured for the other three Cabinet members to sit down before standing up to speak. "You are all so worried about offending our neighbors. Despite your soft-pedal approach to the matter at discussion, our neighbors do not seem similarly concerned about offending us. Laeral, Lauchenoiria and Zamastan all, quite frankly, told us to take our warrants and shove them up our rear ends. Laeral flatly refused our ambassador when the matter was raised. The Lauchenoirian foreign minister called our charges 'so-called crimes' and said they would do nothing! The Zamastanians never responded at all. Your desire for love from these countries, though laudable, is clearly going unrequited," Tepilcayotl added with a soft snort of derision. "So, since no one seems to care if we are offended, or that our laws are being violated, we had no choice but to take our own action. They left us no choice, in fact. So we took care of the matter through the actions outlined in Project Tilmahcoatl - a project the Emperor approved, with all of us present, I might add. Why berate us for this now? Do you not trust the Emperor's judgement on these matters?"
"I trust our Emperor's judgement," Huitzilhuani said, her brown eyes flashing. "You are not the Emperor."
"So you don't trust Tepilcayotl's judgement. Then add me to the list of people who you think lacking, madam, because I agree with Tepilcayotl," a large man sitting next to the Security Secretary barked. Xochiqui, the Secretary of Defense, shook his own head so fiercely that his mustache waved like a flag caught in the wind.
"You were already on that list, Xochiqui," Huitzilhuani murmured softly, earning a laugh from Tlanextia, a small smile from Cozamalotl, and a glare that defined the phrase "if looks could kill" from Xochiqui.
The Defense Secretary stood next, as Topilpopoca waved at Huitzilhuani to sit down. "We talk about earning respect, and having to appease the foreigners and make concessions. Why should we? Our economy is strong, our people are prosperous, and most of our people love living in Xiomera and like things as they are. Why should we upend all that - or allow malcontents like XUN to do so - just because foreigners may disapprove? If we are succeeding as a nation - and we are - and our people believe in our system - which the overwhelming majority of them do - I say we tell the foreigners to take their cultural and social imperialism and shove it. Xiomera has prospered without them for centuries. We can keep doing so if need be," Xochiqui snapped.
"Not in the modern world, we can't," Huitzilhuani shouted, as Tlanextia laughed helplessly at what she was hearing. "We aren't living in the age of isolation before Camaxtica's reign anymore. Nations need other nations to trade with, to have alliances with, to work with," Huitzilhuani added. "With respect, Emperor Topilpopoca, please don't listen to this lunacy."
A soft sigh from the man at the center of the room silenced everyone. "I am weary," Topilpopoca said, standing up and walking to the photograph of the Xiomeran capital that stood behind him.
Everyone seated at the table paused, confused. "Are you tired, or not feeling well, sir?" Huitzilhuani asked. Topilpopoca laughed slightly, smiling at the Secretary. "I am not weary in that way, Huitzilhuani," Topilpopoca said.
As the Cabinet members watched, the Emperor traced the lines of the photograph on the wall with a single elegant finger. The signet ring of the Xiomeran Emperor shone in the sunlight as his finger moved. "Tlālacuetztla is a marvelous place, isn't it?" The Emperor's finger moved past the many-flowered Palace gardens, past the walls, to the skyscrapers and highways below.
"It is, sir, but I don't understand..." Huitzilhuani said, her confusion apparent on her face.
"I see you are not sure where I am going with this. Let me clarify for you, Huitzilhuani. For all of you," the Emperor added, his voice switching from wistful to firm in a heartbeat. "This city, this glorious pinnacle of the Huenyan civilization, we built this. With our hands," Topilpopoca said, his voice growing in volume. "The countries that criticize us, they did not build this. But they certainly see fit to criticize us as if they did. They have no idea of how Xiomera has struggled, and the sacrifices we have made to become the prosperous and stable land we are now. How we had to overcome tribal conflict, how we had to build our land out of nothing."
The Emperor walked away from the photograph, to the center of the room. "This palace, this city, this country; they know nothing of it, nor do they care to. It has always been this way. Ever since Camaxtica first allowed foreigners to enter our country, they have been telling us how to live, how to govern, how to work and worship and produce. And we accepted it! We modernized, we adopted their technology and their ways, we embraced the world. But today, still, they look at us with the same disdain that their ancestors did upon seeing us walking around with spears and stone axes and living in stone buildings and huts. To them, we are still a backwards people who need their 'guidance' and 'correction'."
Topilpopoca looked at the painting of himself on the wall. "They label me an autocrat. They claim we are undemocratic. They have their elections, and people vote for their Presidents and Prime Ministers and their legislatures. We have the ihuicatl, chosen by the people, who vote for the leaders of their tribes, and who in turn choose the Emperor....myself, luckily enough, for almost two decades now. But, we are undemocratic and tyrannical, because we refuse to do things as they do. We are tyrants because we choose to enforce our laws and maintain our social harmony. Peh!"
The Emperor sat down, pointing a single finger into the sky. "By the gods, I am done with being told by foreigners what to do, or how to run our country. I am weary of their need to guide us as if we are children. I will accept it no longer. Huitzilhuani and Tlanextia. You may continue your trade and your diplomacy. But know this, and more importantly, make sure the foreigners know it as well. Xiomera is a sovereign nation, Xiomerans are a sovereign people, and we will not accept being treated in a cavalier fashion and ignored, as we were over the warrants, any longer. We will accept being told how to run our own country no longer. If they wish to trade and partner with us on our terms, not theirs, they are welcome and we will be their friends. But if they cannot accept our terms, they will be saying that they do not need us. And they probably don't, frankly." Topilpopoca looked once more at the image of Tlālacuetztla and the Chipahua Valley, the heart of Xiomeran civilization, behind him. "But we do not need them either. We are a strong people, and we shall survive no matter what. And even if these nations who look down their noses at our country see fit not to trade with us....others will not reject us. Xiomera will befriend those who accept us, and our country, as we are. Other nations will give us their respect....or we shall give them our indifference."
"I do hear your concerns about this decision making your jobs harder, Huitzilhuani, Tlanextia and Cozamalotl. If your tasks are too challenging for you, you may resign at any time, and I will choose people who can do the work that is required," Topilpopoca added, glaring at the three as if daring them to quit on the spot. None of them said anything.
"As for the actions to eliminate the unwanted influence of dissident rabble such as XUN, and Project Tilmahcoatl....they will continue as planned. That is all." Topilpopoca stood and walked out of the Chamber, leaving only silence behind him.
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