Emperor Cyrus Caning lay in his bed, his blankets up to his neck, covering his entire body. Beside him was his young servant girl. She was naked, lying above the covers. Her hand gently caressed his groin area. Her smile never went away.
His bedroom door opened without notice. The young girl jumped back in surprise. The Emperor did not move an inch. His arms continued to lie at his side beneath his covers. Only the flowers spread across the room reacted to the abrupt entrance.
Heric walked right in, not caring about privacy or proper etiquette.
“Leave us,” said Heric. The girl did as she was told. She gathered her dress and carried it outside the room. Heric closed the door behind her.
“I hate to ruin this lovely moment, but we need to talk,” said Heric.
“You weren’t ruining anything. She wasn’t doing anything for me,” said his father.
“Please don’t get up on my account,” said Heric. His father had not yet moved since Heric made his grand entrance. He remained under the covers, his face not enjoying Heric’s humor.
“I can’t move,” said Emperor Caning. “Why do you think she was here?”
“How long as this been going on?” Heric asked. His mood swiftly changed to concern. His father’s condition had worsened.
“A couple of weeks ago. You would know if you weren’t so busy screwing up my Empire. You should have returned to the Capitol as soon as you arrived, not taken a holiday to Myrus.”
“It was not a holiday. I had official business there. You would know that if you actually ran this Empire anymore, instead of letting it continue to stumble along on one leg. You let the Royal Council make the decisions now. They are making decisions based on their own interests, not in the people's. How long has it been since you’ve even left this room?”
“That’s what you wanted,” reminded Emperor Cyrus.
“I was wrong. I’ve learned better. They still need oversight. You are completely neglecting your responsibilities now.”
“I have not been feeling well. I cannot move. Do you think I enjoy this? I am a prisoner in my own body. I am rotting from the inside. I have to trust in the Royal Council that I chose. They will help run this empire for me because I trust them to.”
“Then you have made a monumental mistake,” said Heric.
“As far as I can tell the only mistake I have made was letting you go to Louson. What did you bring back with you?”
“They are avadons: monsters that live in the forest beyond the Louson Kingdom. None of us predicted they would follow us back to Eluan. A lot happened over there. A lot has happened since we’ve returned. We need to take action- now.”
“Where is Alexus?”
“Alexus is dead.”
Those last words caused a stir in the Emperor.
“Oh? What happened?” Cyrus asked.
“He was killed during a raid by the avadons. It was the first night they appeared. Nikali was able to fight them off after that.”
“What was Nikali doing there?”
“He joined us the day we left.”
“Is he okay? He’s not a soldier like you.”
“He’s fine. He’s shaken. We all are.”
“How many have invaded us?”
“I’m not sure. We destroyed the bridge. No more avadons will be coming through.”
“You cut off the bridge to Louson?”
“It was the only way. We were overwhelmed. They were pouring through into our land. There were thousands on the other side. The Lousons were doing what they could from their end. The bridge had to go.”
“That bridge was our alliance.”
“We will rebuild it,” said Heric, “after we solve the avadon problem.”
“What does your fiancé think about this?” his father asked.
“Princess Arraw was not thrilled. And since you are so kind to bring up the subject, what gives you the right to prepare for my marriage without discussing the situation with me first?”
“I am securing the future of Eluan. If I had left it up to you, you would be trying to marry that Prial girl. You were not as secretive as you think you were,” glared Cyrus.
“She would make a fine empress.”
“Look at you. You are still trying. It’s pathetic. You are the Heir Caning. That means sacrifice. We have to give our lives to these people. Our needs are insignificant compared to the needs of our numerous subjects. It is our duty. Prial was destroyed for a reason. We can’t let any remnant of it come back to power, or you will have a far worse enemy than you can imagine.”
“Your wars mean nothing to me,” said Heric. “I already have enough enemies to deal with. There is an uprising in Myrus. Francesco de Seres made me aware of it. This was the reason I was in Myrus.”
“Myrus has always had colorful ideas about Eluan. This is nothing new. Find somebody to hunt out the leaders, and eliminate them. It’s been done before, and it will be done again.”
“I have already begun to handle it.”
“Then why are you here?” the Emperor asked.
“We need to talk about your Royal Council. What have they told you? Do you know there are thousands of refugees just wandering our streets with nowhere to go?”
“You sent them here.”
“I sent them here with the promise that they would find shelter.”
“Then your promise is broken.”
“No, not this one. I want to build them shelters- not just tents in a field. We can get them work. They can build their own homes. We can solve this crisis.”
“Why are you coming to me with this?”
“Because it should have already started. I should not be coming here to you, trying to solve every problem this Empire has. That is what the Royal Council is here for. Ellen says they are just watching them all feeling sad. I happen to agree with her.”
“May I ask what Ellen is doing about this?”
“She has opened her house to the homeless.”
“I see,” said Cyrus, unexpectedly. “She has changed.”
“She made the Royal Council look bad in front of the people. I would normally send punishment down, but she is not wrong. The Empire needs to start protecting its people, not hoping that others will do it for them.”
“Very well, you may have your buildings. Find these people a home. Then send out the soldiers. Find those avadons and kill them all,” said the Emperor.
“I will lead the parties,” said Heric.
“No, you will stay here. You need to represent me.”
“I am a soldier. They need every bit they can get.”
“They will be fine without you. Alexus was my representative. He was able to help me handle these situations with better showmanship. That time is past. Now, I need somebody to be me. That is you. You are the Heir Caning, and it is time for you to start acting like the Emperor.”
“I have seen first hand what these avadons can do. I am more valuable in the field than I am here. I know how to fight them,” pleaded Heric.
“You are to stay at the Capitol. Am I understood?” said the Emperor, sternly.
“Yes, sir,” said Heric. He bowed his head.
“Good. Then lead my Empire like a true Emperor.”
“Yes, sir.”
Chapter 39
The next few days sent waves of commotion throughout the city. Heric did not have a moment’s peace as he led the city into fixing all of its problems. But first things were first. He ordered his men to travel across Eluan in small groups. He wanted the avadons found immediately.
The soldiers were ordered not to engage the enemy. They were only to locate the avadons and send a message back to the Capitol. They would have to wait for reinforcements. Heric was confident he could defeat the avadons with the full force of Eluan.
It frustrated him to wait for news. He wanted to be out looking for the avadons himself. He wanted to be in the thick of it all. Instead, he was waiting for messengers- in no danger at all. He put all of his energy into
helping build new shelters for the refugees who had lost their homes.
Ellen and Seres were doing their part at her estate. The people there were grateful to be out of the elements, but it was crowded. All of the rooms were full. Many people slept out in stables. After only a day tents were set up all across the yard, and people were still coming in based on the promises of shelter that Ellen had left them all.
The aqueducts reached out to Ellen’s estate. It made life easier for the refugees that found shelter there. It was no bathhouse, but it helped keep them clean.
Every night the people sang songs, and thanked Ellen for opening her home and her fortune to them. They were all fed, and that alone kept their anger and frustration at bay.
Marina had gotten settled into the palace on the first night she arrived. A room had already been prepared for her. It was filled with elegant furniture, but left bare of decorations, and clothes. Abigail had given Marina the clothes Prince Randall had arranged for her. It was not enough and Abigail also needed a new wardrobe to better suit her new status as confidant. They spent the next couple of days gathering things for their new lives in Eluan. Marina wanted to go herself to see the world she would be inheriting. Kastor and Tyeche traveled with Marina and Abigail around the city. They stayed only in the better districts where there were fewer refugees. It did not make the native Lousons any less uneasy. The three of them were in a new land with new rules.
That night Marina was surprised to see Heric arrive in her quarters. Abigail made the announcement as he walked in. Marina immediately rushed to him. She kissed him hello. Abigail did not hesitate to leave them alone.
“Where have you been?” she asked him.
“Forman and I have been busy helping the refugees build shelters. We’ve built dozens in just a couple of days. The people will have places to sleep soon.”
“You don’t need to be doing that,” she said. “You can stay here with me. I haven’t had you to myself for ages.”
“How have you been adjusting to Eluan?”
“It’s been strange, scary and wonderful all at the same time. I’ve seen so many arcan shows. It’s amazing.”
“Has Abigail been able to assist you?”
“She’s been great. She is wonderful at teaching me your language, and she knows so much about your history.”
“She had a good teacher.”
“What about the avadons?” Marina asked.
“They are still out there. It’s only been a few days. We don’t know where they are now, but we’ll find them. We’re going to fix this.”
“When will we be married?” Marina kissed him again.
“Soon,” said Heric. “As terrible as this is to say, I’m not making any plans yet. The Capitol is already dealing with so much loss and the threat of the avadons. An Emperor’s marriage would be too much at the moment. When this is over you’ll be my bride.”
“Do you wish to stay with me tonight?” she asked.
“I can’t,” said Heric. He took her hands off of his waist. “I’m sorry. There is still more work to be done. I just wanted to come and say hello, see how things were going. I haven’t abandoned you. We’ll be together soon.”
Heric left Marina in her room. He said his good-byes and made for the door. When he was on the other side, Abigail was there to greet him.
“She likes you,” said Abigail.
“I know,” said Heric.
“What are you going to do about it?”
“I don’t know yet. My father is adamant about me marrying her.”
“You can’t put it off forever. Even with the avadons roaming the countryside, the Royal Council will expect you to get married. They need a legitimate heir.”
“Everybody needs something,” scoffed Heric.
“If you’re going to make your move you need to make it soon.”
“It sounds as if you’re encouraging my actions.”
“I want to be with you. It gets harder each time I see her kiss you. It should be me. We can still change things.”
“The Royal Council is already crumbling. Their support for my father is growing weaker against their own interests. My father is the only thing standing in our way. All I need to do is win the favor of the people. That is what I am doing now. They will follow me and not those my father has appointed to help make decisions. Then change will come. We can be together.”
“What about Marina? She’s lost everything.”
“We’ll rebuild the bridge. She can go home. I have no quarrel against her.”
Every time they spoke, they got closer to each other. They were now in each other's arms.
“Louson will surely not be your ally after that.”
“It doesn’t matter. They have only given us trouble since we arrived. Now, we’re cleaning up a mess that wouldn’t have happened had we not gone over there. If they want to be our enemy, we’ll just as easily destroy the bridge again.”
“You plan on doing a lot. That’s a lot just for me.”
“You’re worth every decision,” said Heric. He kissed her.
“Thank you.”
They stayed close, whispering to each other for several minutes. It was just them alone in a room with one door cracked open slightly.
Chapter 40
Nikali stumbled through the streets. He no longer cared if he spilled any of his drink. He was no longer thirsty. He’d had his fill of Tamor Blood hours ago. Then he had continued to drink anyway. He could feel the tingle of the arcan in his senses, but the chill down his spine was gone. He could not get it back.
He finally reached his destination. The door doubled in his vision, but it was clearly where he wanted to be. Nikali knocked several times. Each knock was with a different strength. Some were light as a feather and others shook the door.
It swung open. Nikali nearly fell to the floor as he was bracing himself up against the door. He caught himself against the door frame, not wanting to knock over his friend. He looked up and smiled. Cassandra did not share his enthusiasm.
She slapped Nikali across the face. It brought him to attention. He could feel the mark appearing across his cheek.
“Where have you been?” she asked him. “Your group arrived three days ago. You were nowhere to be seen. I was worried about you. They said you were with them when you arrived in the city.”
“I’ve been a little preoccupied,” said Nikali. “I didn’t know you cared so much.”
“I... I just missed you. Come in. Come in.”
Cassandra helped Nikali stumble into her house. She sat him down on one of her chairs. She had to take a second to get a breath of fresh air. She could smell the Tamor Blood all over him.
“How much have you had to drink?” she asked.
“Not enough,” said Nikali.
“What? You’re practically sweating it out of you.”
“And it’s still not enough,” Nikali slurred.
“Enough for what?”
“Cassandra, there is so much I need to tell you,” said Nikali. “But first I need your help.”
“What’s wrong?”
“There is a stronger level of arcan. I’ve seen it. I’ve been there. It’s spectacular. I want to get back there again.”
“How? Even the strongest stuff I’ve seen barely gets you past what most showmen do. I wouldn’t even know where to begin to look for anything stronger.”
“I know somebody who might,” said Nikali. “I just need you to get me through a couple of doors.”
Chapter 41
Soldiers from every direction raced across the land. There was smoke. It was visible for miles. The dark cloud reached high into the sky. It was a beacon for anybody that was looking for trouble. There had to be a great fire raging for that much smoke to be produced. It was a clear sign the avadons were nearby.
This was the first sign in over a week of the avadons. They had disappeared into the forest where few travelers ever went. The smoke had spread across the sky. It dropped a shadow o
ver the entire land. As the men got closer to their destination their fears were becoming more apparent. Familiar landmarks were passed. One of the main roads was close by. Several of the soldiers were using it to get to the fire.
There was only one thing that could burn and produce this much smoke. There was only one thing out in this region of the Empire for the soldiers to find.
The avadons were destroying Myrus.
Heric was in his bed next to Abigail. She had snuck in during the night. This was their third time together since returning to the Capitol.
Their first night together happened after Heric had left Marina’s room. Instead of parting, Heric and Abigail left together. It was now becoming a regular occurrence.
Heric held her in his arms. They lay there silently entertained by their own thoughts. For the moment all of their worries were gone.
“Can you do something for me?” Abigail asked Heric after a while. She adjusted herself to face him.
“Anything?”
“Can you go to Alexus’ quarters? My old stuff is still there.”
“Why haven’t you gone to get it?”
“I can’t,” said Abigail. She buried her head as to not have to face Heric anymore. “I tried once, when we first came back. It was too much. I couldn’t get past the door. Those are my last memories of him. To see them all would be a bit much.”
“You’re going to have to deal with it sooner or later,” said Heric. “He’s not coming back.”
“I know,” said Abigail. “That’s why I don’t want to disturb his room. Once that is gone, he’ll be forgotten.”
“As long as you honor him, he is not forgotten.”
“It still hurts to think about it.”
“What do you need?” Heric asked.
Abigail smiled. “Just trinkets really. I’ve been provided with all the necessities. They are all in my room. I would also like my books. Everything I have now is wonderful. Marina has provided so much. I love my new quarters. It just doesn’t feel like home yet.”
“You could have asked some of the servants to do it.”
Eluan Falls: The Inheritors of the World Page 22