The Habit of the Emperor

by J J Moriarty

  “My war?” Hyzou asked. “You think this was my creation?”

  “Yes, of course it was your creation”, Kyria Iset said.

  Hyzou glared at her.

  “How have you been? Have the staff been treating you nicely?” Hyzou said.

  Kyria Iset nodded.

  “I want to go home, Hyzou”, Kyria Iset said. “I want to see my son. I want to mourn for my husband.”

  “If you were trained as a Servant, you could find a way to escape”, Hyzou said.

  Kyria Iset grimaced.

  “If I could bring your son to you, would that make you feel better?” Hyzou said.

  “You leave him alone”, Kyria Iset said.

  Hyzou shrugged.

  “I hear we don’t have long to wait in this war, in any case”, Kyria Iset said. “It’s going to end soon, isn’t it?”

  “Is that what you told her?” Hyzou asked.

  Safia shook her head.

  “I just told her what had happened lately”, Safia said.

  “Why?” Hyzou asked.

  “Because we need her help”, Safia said.

  “Her help with what?” Hyzou asked.

  “With survival”, Kyria Iset said.

  “What’re you saying?” Hyzou asked.

  “You’ll probably explain this better than I could. Or at least he’ll listen to you more”, Kyria Iset said.

  Safia sighed.

  “Hyzou. The war is over”, Safia said.

  “I can’t believe you would think that, let alone say it”, Hyzou said.

  “We’ve lost”, Safia said.

  Hyzou struck the table before him.

  “I HAVEN’T LOST ANYTHING”, Hyzou shouted.

  “We have already pulled off one of the greatest military victories in history. You beat Prince Menes’ army. But you won’t be able to pull off another. Kyrios Nerikare and the Pharaoh will slowly strangle Piquea, and you’ll choke with the city”, Safia said.

  “I have a plan”, Hyzou said.

  “To meet them in the field?” Safia asked. “What kind of plan is that?”

  “You’re going to meet them in the field?” Kyria Iset asked, shocked.

  “Yes, yes I am”, Hyzou said.

  “Madness”, Kyria Iset said. “A glorious suicide, is that all you have left?”

  “I’ll win. There’s still hope”, Hyzou said.

  Safia put her hand on his shoulder.

  “Hyzou, I love you, but I came to Kyria Iset this morning and asked for her help because we have been demolished. We can’t win, now that Aheb has fallen”, Safia said.

  “And what deal did Kyria Iset offer you?” Hyzou asked.

  “Exile”, Kyria Iset said.

  “Exile? Exile for whom?” Hyzou said.

  “You. Your family. You may go into exile in the south. The Pharaoh will not harass you. You will abdicate as Emperor, relinquish your Kingship over Piquea, and step down as the Protakyrios over Uqing. In return you, Safia, and your three children will be safe forever”, Kyria Iset said.

  “How do you know the Pharaoh will take this deal?” Hyzou asked.

  “Because the Pharaoh isn’t a fool. You’ve already managed to massacre half his army, what more damage could you do before you’re finally burned to the ground? Lamybla will win, but at what cost? He’ll accept peace for no more military losses”, Kyria Iset said.

  “He’d take over Piquea”, Hyzou said.

  “But only become an ally of Uqing. That’s a deal that can be arranged in accordance with whoever replaces you as Protakyrios”, Kyria Iset said.

  “So he’d let me go. Go in peace and live, after I caused the death of his son”, Hyzou said.

  A shadow passed over Kyria Iset’s face.

  “If I can come to terms with the death of my husband, the Pharaoh can come to terms with the death of his son”, Kyria Iset said.

  “I could have fled. I still can”, Hyzou said.

  Kyria Iset shook her head.

  “You ruined any chance you had of a normal life the moment you placed that crown on your head. Kings in exile are always pawns in the games of another, and you’ll always be a threat to the Pharaoh’s authority over the Kheme. If I’m honest, he’ll likely make hunting down and killing you a term in any future peace deal with Uqing. You could try and run, but how far do you think you’d get, chased by a thousand Servants?” Kyria Iset said.

  Hyzou knew she was right. He was a King now, an Emperor. He could never leave the political life.

  “It’s not just you that would be affected”, Kyria Iset said.

  “What?” Hyzou asked.

  “I take no joy in saying this, but your son would be in mortal danger. One of those twins you just had would be kidnapped, kept in a room just like I am now, and married to a child of the Pharaoh’s to give further legitimacy to his claim to the Kheme. Perhaps she’ll even marry my son. Imagine”, Kyria Iset said.

  “Hyzou”, Safia said.

  “What?” Hyzou said.

  “She’s right”, Safia said.

  “What’s she right about?” Hyzou said.

  “They’d kill Hetep. He’d kill Hetep. That can’t happen Hyzou, not to our son”, Safia said.

  “So what? I’m supposed to surrender and trust myself to the benevolence of the Pharaoh? I’ve been owned by Ganymedes before, and I still have the scars to show for it”, Hyzou said.

  “You’ll be pardoned”, Kyria Iset said.

  “How can you know that?” Hyzou asked.

  “Because the Pharaoh is planning to conquer Sira Su. If he can show his enemies that he is benevolent and merciful with those that surrender, they’ll be more likely to surrender. You’ll be the greatest propaganda tool he’s ever had. His greatest enemy, vanquished. I know you won’t like it Hyzou. Having to be the Pharaoh’s prisoner, his lapdog”, Kyria Iset said.

  “You’re right, I won’t”, Hyzou said.

  “But think of what you’ll gain in return”, Kyria Iset said. “Your children. Your wife. Don’t they matter? They’ll be safe, and you’ll be able to live as a family.”

  “Please, Hyzou. That dream you told me about. The one where we’re out in the sun as a family, enjoying some food and each other’s company, that can still happen. And this is how. We can have more children, so many more”, Safia said. “We can name our next son Mygst.”

  Hyzou felt his eyes water. Tears began to run down his cheeks.

  “It’s all I’ve ever wanted”, Hyzou said.

  “You can have it. Please Hyzou, I want it too”, Safia said.

  “But Kyria Iset was right. Everything changed when I put on this crown. I have a duty now”, Hyzou said.

  “Don’t do this Hyzou”, Safia said.

  “You’re free to flee from the city. Take the children too. But I’m going nowhere. The only way I’m leaving Piquea is through my death”, Hyzou said.

  Safia shook her head quickly. She rose, perhaps a bit too quickly as she winced in pain. But she grabbed her stick and hobbled from the room.

  “Safia, don’t go”, Hyzou shouted after her.

  She ignored him. Hyzou sighed.

  “I’m sorry Hyzou”, Kyria Iset said.

  Hyzou shook his head.

  “A man must do his duty”, Hyzou said.

  Silence fell.

  “Do you still think you can convince me to join the Servants?” Kyria Iset asked.

  “I do”, Hyzou said.

  “That won’t happen”, Kyria Iset said.

  Hyzou nodded.

  “I know. It was just another mad dream I had”, Hyzou said.

  “So you’ve given up on it?” Kyria Iset asked.

  “I have. But you’re lucky. I’ve executed every prisoner we have who was a Lamyblan Noble. I excluded you from that”, Hyzou said.

  “I’m flattered”, Kyria Iset said. “But no doubt you’ve told me too much already, that you can’t let me go.”

  “That’s right”, Hyzou said.

  “It looks l
ike I’ll be here until the bitter end”, Kyria Iset said.

  “You know, that’s the second time she’s done that this year”, Hyzou said.

  “Done what?” Kyria Iset asked.

  “Stormed off and refused to speak to me”, Hyzou said.

  Kyria Iset shrugged.

  “She came around before”, Kyria Iset said.

  “Because she nearly died giving birth to the twins”, Hyzou said.

  “Ah, and that’s not going to happen again. Looks like she’ll be angry with you for a while”, Kyria Iset said.

  “I hope she’ll come around. But she’ll probably go. That’s what it sounded like, didn’t it, that she’d leave?” Hyzou said.

  “It sounded like she loves you”, Kyria Iset said.

  Silence fell.

  “I’ve another question”, Hyzou said.

  “I’ll see if I can answer”, Kyria Iset said.

  “Where’s Luan? I thought he was going to rescue you”, Hyzou said.

  “He’ll come, when the time is right. You have me well locked up here, even my walks are guarded, how is he to rescue me?” Kyria Iset said.

  “He’ll probably just wait until the siege then”, Hyzou said.

  “Something like that, yes. He knows I can be patient. He knows Piquea will fall soon”, Kyria Iset said.

  Hyzou stood.

  “I look forward to meeting him”, Hyzou said.

  Kyria Iset smiled thinly.

  “I imagine by that time the city will have fallen”, Kyria Iset said.

  “And it’ll be the end”, Hyzou said.

  Kyria Iset bowed her head.

  After he left her, Hyzou went for a long walk around the sixth level for the rest of the evening. By the time darkness had fallen, Hyzou was convinced that Safia had left.

  He went to bed, undressed, and got in to find Safia fast asleep under the covers. He placed his arms around her shoulders and let himself fall asleep.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  The two men sat together in the darkness. Upstairs in the house a candle had been lit, but very little of that light filtered down to the lower floor here.

  “Tsy”, the man said. “I’m glad you came.”

  “Gardem”, Tsy said.

  The two men grasped each other’s forearms. All around was silent, there were no noises from the street permeating the thick wooden front door.

  “How were things back here, while we were at war?” Tsy asked.

  Gardem shrugged.

  “Everybody had enough to eat and a place to stay. Emperor Hyzou is very popular around here”, Gardem said.

  “The people will follow him to the very end. I’ll follow him to the very end”, Tsy said.

  “So will I”, Gardem said. “And the end is coming.”

  “I’m not sure”, Tsy said.

  “Oh, come, Archaier. We’re doomed. Everyone says it”, Gardem said.

  “I have faith in Hyzou”, Tsy said.

  “I do too. But he cannot stop the rain, and he cannot stop the Pharaoh either”, Gardem said.

  “He’s already halved the size of the enemy’s force. If he does that again we’ll have done enough to be in a chance of winning”, Tsy said.

  “I hope you’re right”, Gardem said.

  “If you don’t believe it, why are we meeting tonight?” Tsy said.

  Gardem shrugged.

  “You’re right. A victory is still a very distant possibility. And that means we may not get another chance to talk before the Emperor ushers in his new world”, Gardem said.

  “You were alarmed by what I told you?” Tsy said.

  Gardem nodded.

  “Very. Land reforms”, Gardem said, shaking his head in disbelief.

  “It’s a power grab. No one in his empire will be rich enough to challenge him or any of his heirs if the average farmer owns barely more than an acre”, Tsy said.

  “I believe it is, and it is a wise manoeuvre. It will solidify the Dynasty of Nuyin”, Gardem said.

  “Have you told anyone?” Tsy asked.

  “Yes. I’ve mentioned it to the men of stature in Piquea. They thought that if Hyzou won they’d be getting even richer, not losing most of their property and being forced to turn it all over to the Empire”, Gardem said.

  “So they’re alarmed?” Tsy said.

  “Yes. And they agree with you, there is but one solution”, Gardem said.

  “If we win”, Tsy said.

  “Of course, only if we win. But Hyzou of Nuyin must die”, Gardem said.

  “I agree”, Tsy said.

  “Well I’m glad that’s settled”, Gardem said. “May I interest you in a cup of beer? A girl?”

  Tsy shook his head.

  “No. I should be going back”, Tsy said.

  “Sleep well”, Gardem said.

  “Not a word”, Tsy said.

  “No one shall hear of anything from me. I won’t even discuss it until we have to begin to put the arrangements in place”, Gardem said.

  “Hail Emperor Hyzou”, Tsy said.

  “Hail Emperor Hyzou”, Gardem said.

  Quietly, Tsy slipped from the house. It was as if he had never been there.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  The first of the spring rains, which had just begun to fall today, were pleasant against Hyzou’s skin. Though, like every year, it would begin to annoy him eventually, for now he enjoyed it. It was a novelty, like new clothes or a shave after a long time growing a beard.

  The dungeon was on the fourth level. It had been a Temple once, before the building had burned to the ground during Piquea’s sack. Rather than rebuild, Hyzou changed it to a gaol.

  He walked there without guards. All along the fourth level, parents were trying to get their children to come inside and go to bed. But the first rains of the year were too enticing, so masses of children ran about, playing in the puddles and tiny streams that pockmarked Piquea’s streets.

  At the door to the gaol, the guards bowed low and let him inside.

  The gaol was pitch dark inside, and it stunk. There were the usual smells you’d expect with such places. Sweat, and filth, and unemptied buckets. But there was another smell that hung even heavier in the air. The whole building smelled like a slaughterhouse, it smelled of dead livestock and their blood.

  In a way, that was what it was. Once Hyzou had given the order for all Lamyblan Nobles and commanders to be executed, this gaol had been turned from a place where valued prisoners were held, into a place where valued prisoners were killed.

  A Captain awaited him. He bowed before Hyzou.

  “Your Majesty, I’m glad you could come”, the Captain said.

  “I hope this won’t take long”, Hyzou said.

  “I should imagine it won’t. Almost every Noble we have in here comes up with a story to try and save their lives”, the Captain said. “Could you follow me?”

  Hyzou followed the Captain as he led Hyzou down a set of stairs. The smell got worse down here, as did the low moaning that was synonymous with a place like this.

  “Why do you believe that this man has information that I could use then? Isn’t he just like everyone else?” Hyzou asked.

  “Yes, but he is particularly powerful as a Noble, and could have very vital information”, the Captain said.

  “Who is he?” Hyzou asked.

  “It’s best if he explains it himself. I don’t need to warn you that he might be a liar”, the Captain said. “Do I?”

  Hyzou shook his head.

  “No. I understand that myself”, Hyzou said.

  The Captain led him down a narrow corridor. On every side were tiny slits in the wall. These slits were very tall, but barely wide enough for a human to fit through. They were lined with bars made of bronze and could only be opened from the outside using a key.

  The Captain led him to a slit in the wall where a stool stood. He gestured to Hyzou that he should take the seat. Hyzou did so.

  “You have a minute”, the Captain said.

&n
bsp; He was speaking to whoever was inside the bars. Hyzou could only see an outline of a man, it was so dark in there.

  “Your Majesty”, the voice rasped.

  “Who are you?” Hyzou said.

  “Kyrios Harkhuf, sir. I’m from Yobo, sir”, Kyrios Harkhuf said.

  “And why are you in my gaol?” Hyzou asked.

  “The Pharaoh wanted us to seize the eastern banks of the Gahis. I and a lot of other Yoboans led a probe to try and sink your ships and destroy your docks”, Kyrios Harkhuf said.

  “Remarkably honest”, Hyzou said. “How did that work out?”

  “Your phalanxes are strong, Your Majesty”, Kyrios Harkhuf said.

  “So you were captured. Do you know what we do to Nobles we capture?” Hyzou asked.

  “Very well, sir”, Kyrios Harkhuf said. “You plan to have me executed.”

  “You will be executed”, Hyzou said.

  “I’ll trade you some information for my life, and the life of my son”, Kyrios Harkhuf said.

  “Your son?” Hyzou asked.

  “He’s in the cell next to mine. He was captured too”, Kyrios Harkhuf said.

  “We’ll get the information out of you anyway”, Hyzou said.

  “No. This is information that you’ll want to know. Personally”, Kyrios Harkhuf said.

  “Tell it to any one of the guards and I’ll find out”, Hyzou said.

  “No. Please, Your Majesty, this is personally about you”, Kyrios Harkhuf said.

  “I’ve had enough of this”, Hyzou said.

  “It’s about Mygst!” Kyrios Harkhuf said.

  Hyzou paused.

  “Continue”, Hyzou said.

  “No. Not until you spare my life”, Kyrios Harkhuf said.

  “You know the name of my father. So what?” Hyzou said. “That’s not valuable information to me.”

  “I know something about him. I know why he left the Servants”, Kyrios Harkhuf said.

  “What?” Hyzou asked.

  “Yes. I know why he left the Servants. When I heard you’d taken over Piquea and we were going to war, I did my best to find out anything I could about you. Imagine my surprise when I heard that you were Mygst’s son. Mygst, who I thought was dead for nearly twenty years”, Kyrios Harkhuf said.

  “He is dead”, Hyzou said.

  “Yes, but he didn’t die when I thought he did. Twenty years ago, he was attacked while on a mission for the Servants, and his body was never found. Missing, presumed dead. His two brothers, well Luan managed to cut himself away from the assailants. Orman was crucified and died in agony”, Kyrios Harkhuf said.