Legacy of War

by Nyk Nova

  The entire hall was empty save for a lone individual. Pan Argus stood in front of a mirror just behind the throne, marveling at the crown around his head. The metal band expanded as he took it off then retracted when placed back. He laughed at the sight of the Mantle as it changed its size to accommodate whoever the wearer was. It was truly a genius piece of technology. There were no seams on it as far as he could tell. Just a solid silver band. “It looks better on me that it would have on you, Kade. I’d say I did you a favor. Besides, by your own words, you didn’t want this.”

  The door to the throne room burst open and Arista stormed inside. Pan only noticed her in the mirror but didn’t bother turning around.

  “What is it, dear sister? You have the expression of one angered by something. Perhaps your bath water grew tepid?”

  She ignored his comment and pointed at the crown. “It isn’t yours, yet.”

  “A minor technicality. One that is close to being rectified.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “How exactly?”

  “We have had this conversation, Arista.” He turned to her. “Even if I were to explain it to you, you would not understand.”

  “I am not a child, Pan. You will stop insulting my intelligence. Now, explain. How are you any closer to the throne?”

  Pan sighed as if inconvenienced. “I haven’t the time. I must mentally prepare myself for the ceremony of the Mantle passing. The true passing that will place me as Emperor Permanerea of Osceria.” He pushed past her and made his way to the throne.

  “What about the election?” Arista asked.

  “This is what happens when you do not stay current with events.”

  “I know what happened. About the candidates dying.”

  Pan sat in the throne and eased back, stretching his arms on the gold velvet cushioned arm rests. “It’s always a tragedy to lose more of our own. As if the war didn’t take enough.” Nothing about his demeanor was remorseful or even focused on the strange and sudden deaths of the people who would have been his opponents.

  “You’re right, brother,” she said, feigning ignorance. “I don’t keep up with current events. I guess I’m just too busy dancing in the fields with my head in the clouds. I just want to be surrounded by pretty things.”

  Pan closed his eyes, only half paying attention to her. “It’s not your fault, sister. Father did not let you want for anything.”

  “How many opponents did you have?”

  “Five, at last count. Well, I suppose it’s zero at this point. I did hear the deaths all happened at roughly the same time. It’s very sad. I will decree a memorial for each and every one of them once I am Emperor.”

  “You’re wrong, brother,” Arista said. “You have one.”

  “Oh?”

  “Me!” Arista stood with a complete air of authority.

  Pan took in the sight of her, sizing up the opposition. Then he burst into laughter. “My dear, Arista. Thank you so much. It has been hard these past few days with Father’s passing and now the deaths of our fellow people. Your words bring humor and comfort to my weary frame of mind.”

  “It’s not a joke, Pan!” Arista shouted. “And I’ll have you treat me with more respect.”

  “Of course. Of course. Forgive me. I am a little nervous about the coronation, that is all.”

  “Do you seek to brush away what I just said? I am your opposition for the Mantle.”

  “Are you even aware of what that means? It means going against your own brother. Your very blood. And for what? Do you know the duties of Emperor?”

  “Do you?”

  “It has been my birthright since before you were born. What more do I need to know. Tell me something. Why do you challenge me? Where does this even come from?”

  “Because Osceria deserves someone who is just. And not one who would assassinate those who stand against him.”

  “Assassinate? Mind your words, sister. You tread a fine line.”

  “The others, tell me you weren’t responsible for their deaths.”

  “How could I be? I have not left the palace since Kade plunged that dagger into our father. You recall that fateful moment as plainly as I do.”

  Arista’s eyes began to tear at his words. She struggled with the feelings of loss. Both of Dom, whom she loved absolutely. And Kade who her feelings for had become harder to hide. Feelings that had not, entirely, gone away despite what she’d witnessed.

  Pan stepped down from the throne and embraced his sister. “There, there. I am saddened by it all as well. But do you see, Arista? Do you see how you react at the mere mention of Kade’s name? I believe that you would be a great Empress. Fair and just. But right now, Osceria needs strength and resilience. Two states that are not suited to one as kind as you. This is not an insult that I give you. It is a grace.”

  Arista pushed herself away from Pan, eyes of sorrow turned to those of a hardened heart. “You speak with little sympathy. You would have fit in with his other sons had you been born then. A true descendent of Aurtune Argus.”

  Pan bowed his head and smiled. “A well received compliment.”

  “It was not given as such. Mantle or no, Pan, the people will never accept you as Emperor. I hope you’re ready for that.”

  “Then it is well and good that once the Mantle is undisputedly passed to me that they will have little say in the matter. That same goes for you as well, my dear, sweet, sister.”

  31

  The morning suns broke through the open balcony, bathing the room in an orange glow. Pan stood in the room, surrounded by members of the Sorcery Guild and the Administration Guild. All of them explaining their roles within the Oscerian empire and how he, as Emperor, was expected to cooperate with them.

  Eran and Sel walked slowly around the group, like hunters stalking prey. They listened to their own subordinates and watched Pan’s reactions which were less than concerned. It was obvious to the heads of the guilds that this Emperor had little care for their goals. The two of them shared knowing glances. So long as their goals were met, it mattered little to them how Pan conducted himself as Emperor.

  “I realize, Pan Argus, that this must all seem so unnecessary to you,” Eran said.

  “But we assure you, it is more than ceremonial,” Sel added. “You are about to be the head of the entire planet. All will look to you for guidance and wisdom. Heed the words of the Guilds. We want nothing but the best for our people and while your name is great, it would be too large a burden on one individual.”

  Eran stopped behind Pan. “The Guilds were created to ease that burden.”

  “Kade’Tor Lorenth did not go through all this upon his coronation,” Pan complained.

  “That is because Dom Argus interrupted,” Eran told him. “All Emperors must go through this.”

  “Try thinking of it as your first official act as Emperor,” Sel stepped toward the balcony overlooking the crowd. “An act of self improvement. Patience, after all, is what sets the vaulted from the floor.”

  In the street below the palace stood guards, keeping the crowd back. It was very different from Kade’s coronation. The people were not rejoicing. Most were silent while others had begun murmuring their disdain for this new Mantle holder.

  “Enough!” Pan yelled at the Guild members. “These notes and reminders are trifling and boring. Never once did I hear of or see an Emperor put them into practice. That is what the Guilds are for.”

  “Pan Argus, I beseech you—”

  “An Emperor’s word is enough, Administrator Sel.”

  The other Guild members backed away, bowing their heads while Pan made his way to the balcony entrance.

  “Now, in leu of a former Emperor to announce me, I believe the task falls to the Guild Directors?”

  Eran and Sel bowed to Pan and stepped out onto the balcony.

  “Shall we rile them up?” Eran whispered.

  “Let him hear their first words. Perhaps he will learn humility from it.”

  “Certainly, he will lea
rn obedience.”

  Both men smiled. On the surface, it was an expression of joy for the day’s passing of the Mantle. But underneath, it harbored a scheme. Sel glanced back at the Emperor Temporea who heeded them no mind. All of Pan’s thoughts were on the crown that was to be placed permanently on his head.

  “My good citizens of Osceria,” Sel announced. His face plastered all over the feed screens hanging in the air. “It was not long ago that we stood in this very spot, celebrating the passing of the Mantle to one we thought we knew.”

  “Today,” Eran continued. “We celebrate passing it to one we absolutely know.” He held up the crown while he and Sel parted, giving entry to Pan.

  “It is with great pride that we grant to and continue in the fine tradition set by Aurtune Argus, the passing of the Mantle.”

  Pan stepped between the Guild Directors and cast his eyes forward, basking in the moment.

  Sel hovered the crown over Pan’s head. “This is your moment, my Liege.” He lowered the royal decoration onto Pan’s head. “May your rule be just and your actions decisive. I present to you, Osceria, Emperor Pan Argus.” He held his hand out as an invitation. “You may address your subjects.”

  Pan stepped forward, intoxicated by the announcement. His eyes finally cast down on the citizens below who still remained silent. For Pan it was a sign of reverence. For them, it was a shared feeling of hopelessness.

  “People of Osceria!” Pan shouted. “I stand here, disheartened. It was only days ago that my father was betrayed by one we all loved. And only yesterday that we lost those who wanted only what was best for us all. And so close to the end of a war that saw even more loss. I have no doubts that any one of my former political opponents would have made us all proud and treated us all with fairness and respect. I had looked forward to discussing with them, our different viewpoints on our world. But that is not to be and for reasons we may never know.”

  Eran and Sel stole a glance at one another, neither of them entirely sure of the other’s involvement.

  “It is for these reasons that I accept, with the heaviest of heads, the Mantle of Emperor of Osceria. And I make this solemn vow to you all—”

  “The line of Argus ended with Dom!” a voice from below shouted.

  Pan’s eyes scoured the crowd, searching for the offender.

  “We don’t want you!” another voice declared.

  Pan gritted his teeth at the insolence before recomposing himself. “Ever since my great grandfather from generations back began the long tradition of the Mantle going to an Argus, our world has prospered and grown. It was because of the Argus’s that we have gained new allies on other worlds. And new resources to better our own lives. The Argus family is synonymous with Osceria. And so, my first official act as Emperor is to instill the Law of Argus. That the Mantle, henceforth, be passed only through my family.”

  The crowd roared their discontent at the law. Even though the loose tradition had been enacted over the years, it was never a law. There had never been a single bloodline on Osceria that had absolute dominance of the Mantle.

  “I assure you all that my family rule is best for all of you. We have ruled for this long. Surely you can all—”

  “We don’t want tyrants!” was yelled up from the crowd.

  “We’re not Lugazians!” yelled another.

  The crowd pressed forward, shoving against the guards.

  “They seek to revolt,” Sel said.

  “Emperor, we must get you to shelter until this passes,” Eran warned.

  Pan spun around to both of them. “I have just been crowned. I will not hide from those under my rule. Send out more guards!”

  A sudden gun shot rang out from the crowd, its bullet slammed into Pan’s back, spinning him to the balcony floor.

  Eran rushed to the Emperor and held out his hand, casting a spell that turned the air around them into a wall of diamond just as another shot went off.

  The second bullet struck the wall and bounced off while the crowd below dispersed in a chaotic wave of arms and screams all rushing for cover.

  32

  Pan sat hunched over in a chair against the wall of the coronation room. The new Emperor ground his teeth together at the pain in his shoulder while Eran looked over the wound.

  “The Emperor is very lucky. You will not go the way of your father.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means, dear brother, the wound is not mortal,” Arista said. “You will heal and your rule will continue.”

  “Try not to sound too excited by it, dear sister.”

  It was true, Arista’s tone was conflicted. Pan was her brother and despite their differences of opinion, she still loved him. But it was those differences that she took such issues with. Even before he became Emperor Permanerea, he was making new decrees that went against those of their father. And with the guards keeping the citizens back, something Dom Argus had never done, Pan was proving more a tyrant than a gracious Emperor of the people.

  “I want to know who dared such an attempt on my life! Find them! Bring whoever it was to me!” Pan ordered.

  “My Liege,” Sel began, “With so many down there, it would be difficult to know who fired that shot. And now they’ve all scattered, making the task even more impossible.”

  “I have the offending projectile, Emperor,” Eran said. “Steel yourself.”

  Pan gripped the arm rests and gnashed his teeth as Eran’s hand glowed over the wound. Pan’s side pulled up toward the sorcerers hand and he growled at the pain inflicted from the attempted removal.

  The bullet ripped from the entry wound and into Eran’s hand. He presented the projectile to Pan who’s breath was heavy from the ordeal. Removing any lodged item with magic was always a tricky matter. Especially when dealing with flesh. There was always a chance of causing further damage. And though Eran was a master at the art, he was dealing with the Emperor and had to exercise greater caution.

  Pan stood, waving the bullet off. “Then send the law to round up all who were down there. I want the entire crowd questioned until someone comes forward. Offer a reward if you must but I want that shooter found.”

  “I will endeavor to do my best, Emperor,” Sel said before bowing and turning to leave. He directed the rest of the Administration Guild to exit as well.

  “Eran?” Pan said. “How long till a court of execution can be set up?”

  “Who does my Emperor wish to execute?”

  “The moment the shooter is found, I want his head locked in and lopped off.”

  “Because that will endear them to you,” Arista said.

  “Would you have me send them to Razen with your beloved?” Pan’s words were cold. “Kade killed an Emperor. And now an Emperor’s life was threatened. A secret banishment will not do. An example must be made to ensure no Argus’s life is ever again at risk. What if they were to come after you, Arista? I’ve no doubt you would demand repentance of sorts.”

  Arista said nothing. She did not know exactly how she would react if something like that happened to her. And she hoped no day would come that she’d have to find out.

  “Place my sister under a secure guard. I do not wish for attempts on her life to be made.”

  “Your sister is beloved among the people. I do not believe such is necessary,” Eran said. “However, I would not wish the same and so will hand select the best for her protection.” With that Eran made his way to the door, urging his Guild members to do the same.

  “Eran!” Pan called out. “I need one more thing.”

  “Yes, my Emperor?”

  “I need a spell of protection cast around me at all times. Make me invincible.”

  “There are protection spells and their is a spell of invincibility. Which would you like?”

  “I said invincible.”

  “It will be difficult to cast,” Eran said. “Near invulnerable may be better. Perhaps something that would work near large crowds?”

  “I nearly died on my
coronation day. I do not want half-measures.”

  Eran thought for a moment, going over the needs for such a spell. “You are aware of the costs for such things. An exchange of some sort will be necessary. A part of you must be used in such a high level casting. It will also take a rare artifact of antiquity that I do not posses. Nor am I certain of its location.”

  “Whatever it takes.”

  Eran smiled sinisterly. “Then, my Liege, You will need the ancient Sword of Aurtune Argus.”

  “No one knows where that is. Not even father knew,” Arista said.

  “Then a task force will be sent for it,” Pan said. “And what else. A part of me, what does that mean?”

  Eran turned his gaze at Arista and looked at her lasciviously. The expression gave her reason to step back. Pan’s eyes darted from the sorcerer to her.

  “My sister?”

  “It is the second requirement for such a spell,” Eran said. “You could order me to do such but then the exchange would come at even higher cost to the Emperor. For what good is invincibility if the Emperor is unable to walk?”

  Pan stared at Eran, pondering his options. Invincible, he may not need to worry about his life but how would the people view his strength if he could not even stand on his own.

  “And how will it affect Arista?”

  “Pan!”

  “Silence!” he yelled at her.

  Arista’s eyes grew wide at his question. As though he were actually considering Eran’s proposal.

  “Nothing a few days in my personal care couldn’t cure. What do you think of such an exchange?”

  “She is not enough?” Pan asked.

  Eran merely shook his head.

  “Send the task force out. Find the sword. Turn over whatever you must on whatever planet you must.”

  “The people will be most displeased,” Eran said.

  “I don’t care! I am their Emperor and they will do as ordered! Bring me the sword, sorcerer, and my sister’s hand is yours.”