Ellen came up to the guard. Francesco de Seres walked beside her, their arms intertwined. She stroked his arm as she spoke. “This is my son. He is a Caning, if in name only.”
“What are you doing here?” Nikali asked.
“Seres has duties here. I am merely joining him for his return to our home. I heard your whinny voice all the way across the palace,” Ellen smirked.
“Your help is not necessary,” said Nikali.
“May I ask why you want to see the Emperor?” his mother questioned.
“It’s nothing that you would surely care about. I promise you that. Some of us like to stay in touch with family.”
“I see,” said Ellen. “Carry on then. Your business I’m sure is more important than real matters.”
Nikali turned away from his mother. He looked at the guard. “I’m just going to go ahead and go in. Feel free to stop me.”
Nikali began to walk toward the door. The guard did not move. He was frozen in place. Nikali brushed past him. He never looked back. He did not want to show the smile on his face. The power he was using sparked a tingle down his spine.
He had no further trouble on his way to the Emperor’s chambers. Nikali was rather upset about that. A lot was going through his mind, and releasing his anger on an unsuspecting guard would have felt good at the moment. Nevertheless, he calmed himself down outside the room. He composed himself and straightened out his clothes. Then he opened the door.
Inside, the room smelled of rose petals and perfume. It was strong from floor to ceiling. Along with it was a faint smell of something sour. It bit at the nose, but Nikali could not place it. He could not see the source of the sour odor. It simply existed, and was more than likely the reason for all the perfume, he deduced.
Nikali walked up to his uncle. Emperor Cyrus was half asleep. He stirred in his bed when Nikali approached. Only his head was out from under the covers. He looked up at Nikali and smiled.
“Hello, brother,” said the Emperor.
“It’s Nikali, your nephew,” he replied.
“Of course, how are you, my boy?”
“A lot has happened since I spoke to you last.”
The Emperor coughed. It sounded deep and was accompanied by blood. “I know. Heric told me you joined them for the trip to Louson.”
“Yes, I needed to get away for a bit.”
“Did it help?”
“I don’t know. I got away from a lot of my problems. But I also gained more.”
The Emperor laughed. It turned into a coughing fit, but he smiled the entire time.
“You said that my father wouldn’t have been proud of me,” said Nikali. “Why?”
“Your father was a good man. He worked hard for his people. He sacrificed many things to keep this city going. He envisioned a greater future than any of the rest of us. When he first heard about Louson, his eyes lit up like torches. He wanted to breach the canyon and discover new paths to the future.”
“And that is not me,” said Nikali.
“I’ve watched you grow older, Nikali. You keep to yourself. You battle the world every chance you get. You’re not entirely to blame. You were lost. Heric and myself usurped your position in the Empire, and we could never give it back. I tried to offer you an exchange for it all, but I could never fill the hole in your heart. Now, I’m afraid it’s too late. You’ve spent your entire life looking out for yourself. You know very little of self-sacrifice. Your father would not be proud. I blame myself for it.”
“I can still change things. I can still make him proud,” said Nikali.
“Your father is dead,” said his uncle. “Do not try to grant the wishes of the dead. If you are going to change, do it for somebody who will appreciate it.”
“Then I will change for you,” said Nikali.
Emperor Cyrus shook his head. He tried to lift his arm, but he was too weak to get it out from under the blanket.
“That would be as pointless as trying to please your father,” said the Emperor. He continued to try to lift his blankets from over him. His hand kept bobbing up and down under the blanket. “Please remove this cover. There is something you need to see.”
Nikali did as he was told. He lifted the cover and when he did the smell hit him. It was the smell of rotting flesh. Nikali stepped back to avoid the full power of the stench. It was no use. He gagged and covered his nose and mouth with his arm across his face. It took every bit of strength and arcan not to vomit.
Emperor Cyrus’ body was decaying. His skin had turned putrid brown. Boils and welts covered his body. His right foot was barely attached to the rest of him.
He looked down at himself. The sadness and reality of the situation was evident on his grim face. He looked back up at Nikali.
“I am already a dead man,” said the Emperor.
“No, no!” said Nikali. “What happened to you?”
“I have stopped questioning the origins of things. I just try to figure out how to deal with them.”
“This was Alexus. Somehow, it had to be Alexus,” said Nikali.
“What are you going on about?”
“Alexus, he was conspiring against us. He was planning to kill Heric. He must have been planning on killing you too. It’s the only way he would be able to take complete control of the Empire.”
“Alexus was my friend,” said Emperor Cyrus.
“No, he was not,” said Nikali. “He was plotting against you. I found out about it before he died. He never said how he was doing it though, but the pieces are there.”
“Alexus helped me,” said his uncle.
“He was your arcan master. I know,” said Nikali. “He was a more powerful user than either of us knew. I remember the pain he put me through. I don’t know how, but he did this. I know it.”
“Then which one of us got the last laugh?” the Emperor quipped.
“I’m so sorry,” said Nikali. He covered his uncle back up with the blanket. The sight of him was too much to take. It took several moments for Nikali to compose himself.
“Do you think there is another world out there?” Nikali asked. “Somewhere you go after you die? A place with gods?”
“Alexus really got to you? I heard the stories as well. They are just stories. Those people beyond the canyon tried to give themselves explanations for things they didn’t understand. We never needed them. We just accepted the truth around us.”
“They spoke of arcan like it was the work of the gods. Maybe they are right?”
“I don’t plan on seeing other worlds after I die,” said the Emperor.
“Would my father have planned on it?”
“Now, you are talking nonsense, Nikali.”
“I’ve seen our world through different eyes, Uncle. There is a greater realm out there. I can feel it. It calls to me. My father is there.”
“What has happened to you, Nikali?”
“I have seen the work of what one man can do to my family. Alexus is having the last laugh. He played us all for fools. The only reason he is not here to gloat is because I killed him in my rage. He overlooked me. He overlooked me like they all do, even you.”
“Nikali...”
“No. Alexus knew more about this world than anybody. He had figured something out. I plan on finding out what that is. Maybe then my father will be proud of me. Maybe you will be, too.”
Nikali turned away from his dying uncle. He spoke again as he left the room. “When Heric becomes Emperor I’ll forget to tell him about the time his father almost lost everything. I guess we all make sacrifices, after all.”
Nikali left, closing the door behind him. He would never see his uncle again.
Chapter 48
The day was nearly over. The sun would begin setting soon. It hung just above the horizon. The guards kept to their duties on the city walls. Ever since the avadons began their attacks, nobody slacked off. The Capitol became a place of refuge for so many travelers. The remaining guards were charged with protecting them.
&
nbsp; At first it was just a tiny speck against the setting sun. Then as time passed the speck became larger. It grew to a massive size. The guards all gathered at the post to the north of the Capitol. They all wanted to take a closer look at what was approaching their walls.
Men had been sent on horseback to investigate. They would use mirrors to signal the men back at the wall. The sooner they knew what was approaching the better.
The guards waited in nervous anticipation. Messages had been sent to all the generals still in the city. The citizens outside the city walls made their way back back inside. Nobody was going to be taken by surprise tonight.
The signals started to bounce into the air. They watched as the sun reflected back into the sky messaging the Eluan city. When it was finished many of the men jumped in joy. Most simply let out a sigh of relief. It was not an attack from the avadons. But it was a cause for trouble.
Coming towards them was a mass exodus from Myrus. The survivors were making their way to the city. It was a sign of jubilation that the people had been found.
The guards kept watch. The people were close enough for many of the guards to start seeing more details.
The people of Myrus continued at a slow but steady pace. There looked to be very few horses. They were all on foot, and they were all frantic.
Dust clouds followed their path. In the distance the ground shook and blurred in the debris.
Then more messages started to fill the sky. They were getting duller because of the setting sun, but one word got through.
Avadons.
Chapter 49
The panic was spreading quickly. Once the guards became anxious they could not hold in their fears. They began shouting orders to the others. They needed to spread the word to the other soldiers. After that started, panic soon reached the streets of the Capitol. As the word spread, people took to the streets. They did not want to be caught off guard in their homes and shelters. They were going to be ready to run if it came to that.
The streets became congested with people. In only a few short minutes there was little movement on the ground. They had blocked themselves in.
In the palace, the Royal Council had convened. With them were many of the generals and high ranking soldiers. They had ordered their men to stand ready and prepare for battle.
Advisor Quaet led the meeting. He sat at his usual seat trying to gather everyone’s attention. He did not dare move over to the Emperor’s chair. It remained empty. They were on their own.
In the corner of the room sat Marina and Abigail. The two women were blocked from view by Kastor and Tyeche. They kept quiet, unnoticed by the rest of the Council.
“Will you all shut up?” Quaet ordered. This got everybody to look at him.
“Good,” he said. “We need to discuss this like gentlemen. Yelling at each other is not going to get us anywhere.”
“How long until the people from Myrus reach our gates?” asked General Twell.
“Our reports say by the morning,” said General Paraf. “They are moving slowly.”
“And what about the avadons behind them?”
“About the same time,” said Paraf. “They are gaining. Our scouts have been reporting in. They are picking off people from Myrus as they travel. It’s like they are toying with them.”
“Are there any recommendations?” Quaet asked.
“We need to ready the army for battle. We cannot let the avadons past the walls,” said General Kayl.
“What about the people?” Quaet asked.
“We can’t risk opening the gates,” said Kayl. “They have made it this far. They can make it a little further.”
“May I remind you, General Kayl, those are our people out there.”
“I know damn well who is out there,” Kayl yelled.
“Those people will be slaughtered if they stay out there,” said Captain Tanrill. “They came all this way to get to the Capitol. They are not going to just keep going. They will approach the gates and find themselves pinned against them and trapped by the avadons.”
“If we have our army waiting for the avadons, the people will just as likely get caught in between our two sides,” said Twell. “They either die by our hands, or by the hands of the avadons. I know which one I would choose.”
“There will be no choosing. Those people will not die,” said a firm voice.
The Royal Council all jerked their heads around. They wanted to find the source of the voice. Marina parted her two guards out of her way. She came forward to the table, Abigail closely behind her. The men looked stunned. Without a word, Marina approached the head of the table. She stood next to the Emperor’s chair, caressing it with her hand.
“Get out of here,” said Advisor Quaet. “You have no right to be in this meeting. Who are you?”
“I am Marina Arraw, Princess of Louson, and your soon-to-be future Empress. I demand to be shown some respect.” She spoke Eluan with no problem. Abigail held back her smile.
“I have heard of no such thing,” said Quaet.
“Yes, Heric wanted to keep it quiet for the moment. The avadons are a bigger problem at this time.”
“I do not believe this,” said General Kayl. “I did not see you at Myrus when Heric returned from his trip.”
“She speaks the truth,” admitted Abigail. “I am her confidant, and the foster daughter of Alexus, former member of the Royal Council. She was promised to Heric to be his wife. She has the right to be here, as do I.”
“You’re the Prial dog that Alexus raised,” said Kayl. “Why should we listen to you? You should be dead with the rest of your people.”
Abigail’s eyes grew narrow. Her face turned red in anger, but she held back her words.
“Those people out there need to be given a chance. They trust their survival to the Emperor,” continued Marina. “We can not keep the gates closed to them. The avadons will do horrible things to them if they are allowed to attack the people. I have seen what they are capable of too many times back home. I would hate to see it here.”
“Then what are your suggestions?” Paraf asked.
“I know our tactics back at Louson. We can hold back the avadons long enough for the people of Myrus to get inside. Then we fight them back. They are like a herd of wild beasts. If enough lives are lost they will run.”
“You cannot lead an army,” said Kayl. “Nobody will listen to you. I will not listen to you.”
“Then perhaps you will listen to my men, Kastor and Tyeche.”
The two Louson guards stepped forward.
“They will tell your men what they need to do. They have fought and killed many avadons.”
“Louson men will not be leading my army,” said Quaet. “We need an Eluan man to do that.”
“I will lead the Eluan Army against the avadons.”
The crowd once again turned their heads. Lieutenant Francesco de Seres approached the Royal Council, accompanied by Ellen.
“I have seen these avadons in action. I have fought alongside Heric Caning against these monsters. I know what they are capable of. I can defend our city against them.”
“The Heir Caning would never allow it,” said Abigail.
“What?” Seres asked.
“Seres is here to take orders, not to lead an army.”
“Heric Caning is not here. He is off playing savior against a less immediate threat. He is not giving the orders here today,” said Ellen.
“Ellen and Seres are right,” said Kayl. “He is the best man for the job. If Heric were here he would agree.”
“What about the Emperor? Emperor Cyrus Caning? Our actual Emperor?” Quaet demanded. “He is the one who should be giving orders. We should not be deferring to Heric’s notions, not yet.”
“If that is the case, then Emperor Cyrus Caning would have no problem with me leading his army,” said Seres. “He rewarded me for my bravery during the raid in New Salid. It is in the record books. My small disputes with his son should not bear witness to what I have ac
complished in the past.”
“I agree,” said Quaet. “Francesco de Seres will lead the Eluan Army in the Capitol. Please formulate a plan and get those people to safety. We’ve had enough arguing for this meeting. Get to work.”
The crowd began to disperse. Seres and Ellen came up to Marina, Abigail, and Marina’s two guards. They bowed their heads in greeting.
“Thank you for the opportunity to lead the army,” said Seres.
“Heric will not stand for this,” said Abigail. “You know that. When he returns—”
“When he returns the Council will stand up for him,” said Ellen. “He will be a war hero.”
Ellen looked over at Marina. She smiled disdainfully, as if looking down at a child. “Don’t get too comfortable with the power you threw around today. Your surprise appearance was what did it for you. These men will not listen to you in the future. They tend to disregard the Empress whenever it suits them. But it has been a pleasure to formally meet you. Until next time.”
Seres and Ellen left the Council room, arm in arm.
“Abigail, write up a note. Have Kastor give the Louson strategies against the avadons. We’re not going to be left out of this.”
“Understood,” said Abigail. She and Kastor left.
Marina and Tyeche remained in the Council room. She wanted to mingle further with those who stayed behind.
Chapter 50
Heric wasted little time when the Eluan Army arrived the next day. The sun was high in the sky. They still had time to take decisive action against the avadons in Myrus. Heric sent his orders out as quickly as possible.
Without stopping, the men got their orders and continued on to Myrus. They marched on past Heric and Forman. Every impulse in Heric’s body urged him to move forward with his soldiers. He wanted to be in the thick of the battle. He stayed put. He had other duties to perform now. He was no longer just a Commander of the Eluan Army.
As the soldiers drew closer to Myrus, the men picked up their pace. The dust kicked up behind them as they advanced toward their target. There was no further point in hiding. The avadons had seen them.
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