by K. L. Bone
“Yes, my Lady, we are aware of this. However after much discussion, we have decided that considering the severity of what happened, almost half of the Council’s lives being at risk, the death of a sub-commander is not enough.”
I sighed, “Fine. I’ll kill Harars 3 as well. He was on call that night.”
“It’s still not enough!” one of the Lorid Councilors cut in.
I was confused. “What are you asking then, Councilors? Everyone responsible is being punished.”
“Kavra,” Lindis said. The room went silent.
“Would you care to repeat that?” I said in a very low voice. “Be very specific, Councilor.”
“Lord Kavra was ultimately in charge,” he said with far less confidence. “Therefore he should be held responsible as well.”
No one else said a word. Silence filled the room. I took several deep breaths, trying to calm my nerves. “Kavra is the second highest ranking military Commander on record and one of the key players responsible for the demise of the Lorids. His pilot fell into a random trap, a situation which could have happened to anyone, and you believe that he should be killed for it?”
“He was in charge and ultimately responsible for the mistakes of his men. He should be punished accordingly.”
“Because he was in charge?”
“Yes!” Lindis replied.
“He should be punished because he was in charge?”
“Yes!” Lindis screamed again.
“And would he have disobeyed you had you ordered him to return to the home planet instead of stopping to tend to the wounded?”
“What?”
“If you had ordered him to flee to safety, would Lord Kavra have disobeyed you?”
“I am a Councilor.”
“Exactly,” I interrupted. “You are a Councilor. Therefore the person ultimately responsible for half the Council almost losing their lives…is you.”
Councilor Lindis started to speak, then stopped. It was several moments before he spoke again. “I was not in charge, Kavra was.”
“Setian law clearly states that in an emergency or combative situation the highest ranking Commander is in charge. Yet, you stand here and are telling me that Kavra was in charge. How is that possible, Councilor Lindis? If any of you,” I motioned to the rest of the Councilors, “had followed Setian law and taken command of the ship you would have reached the home planet without being boarded. However, since you failed to do so, I must believe that you agreed with Lord Kavra’s choice to help the injured. Now, Councilors, is there one of you in charge who should be charged for not implementing Setian law, or should I tell the executioner to take all of your heads?”
“Our heads?” one of the men, Councilor Byde, said.
“You have stated that whoever was in charge should be punished. I agree. Which one of you, Councilors, was in charge? Name someone, or I will order all your executions.”
They looked at each other and then around the room. “Give me a name,” I demanded.
Then Councilor Lindis gave me the one answer I had not expected. “Councilor Vektor.”
“Pardon?” I asked, taken off guard.
“If there was a Councilor on the ship who should have taken charge over the others, it was Councilor Vektor. He is the one who takes charge in your absence. He is the one who should have been in charge on that ship.”
“Oh yes,” Councilor Byde jumped in as the other two nodded in agreement.
“I think it would be a good idea for you to leave now, Councilors.”
Lindis looked like he was about to argue, then seemed to think better of it. The Councilors filed out of the chambers and Darin walked in.
“Darin,” I addressed him. “Send me Lord Kasar, now.”
Five minutes later Kasar was inside my chambers. I told him of the Council’s demand. “I didn’t even know Vektor was on that ship.”
Lord Kasar considered it for several moments then said, “They are afraid of you.”
“What?” I asked.
“Think about this, Chrissalynn. If the council had died on that ship then Kavra, myself, and two of your other closest allies would have been promoted to the council. Combine that with your friendship to Revdran and Vektor, and seven of the thirteen council members would have been loyal solely to you. You scared them, so now they are going after your power base.”
“How do I save him?”
Lord Kasar looked me at me with a sadness I had yet to comprehend. “I don’t think you can, Chrissalynn.”
“Vektor wasn’t in charge, it could have happened to anyone.”
“Nevertheless,” Lord Kasar continued, “the council has made a declaration that someone should be punished, a declaration that I happen to agree with. If you choose not to kill a member of the Council, then the blame will fall back upon Kavra. I do not believe it is possible to save them both.”
“Vektor is one of the reasons I achieved my success. I would not be Empress if it wasn’t for him. I can’t…”
“You must choose.”
I looked at Lord Kasar’s stern expression. “If I have to kill Vektor, then I will kill them all.”
“Yes,” Lord Kasar said. “You will.”
I looked at him somewhere between horror and fascination. “Execute the Councilors?”
“Yes,” Lord Kasar whispered in a voice so low that I had to lean closer to hear. “You have the right to demand the life of the highest ranking Setian who was on that ship; their demand gives you that right. Kill them, Chrissalynn.”
My voice sounded childlike as I stared into his eyes. “And Vektor?”
“A necessary sacrifice.” If it had been a film, the sky would have been dark and the thunder would have shaken the building as the cold wind howled. But in the darkness of space, there was only silence.
I stared at him for several long moments, considering. Then I said, “Call the guards. Have each of the council members taken into custody and inform the executioner to prepare for a series of private executions. Then send Lord Kavra to me.”
“I will tell him,” Lord Kasar stated.
“Fine. But do so quickly.”
“My Lady,” Lord Kasar said as he turned and left the room.
A few hours later the other members of the Setian Council had come aboard my ship, summoned from Setianata. I informed them what was about to happen and was greeted with a tense approval. I then called my servant and she brought a royal blue gown of jeweled satin. I slipped into the gown and let the full skirt flow around my waist and down my long legs.
I then stepped into a pair of matching high heels and added a thin golden chain. I slipped a small sapphire onto the chain as my maid clasped it around my neck. Makeup, a pair of sapphire earrings and a matching clip in my hair completed the attire. “Thank you, Tessersa,” I said to the maid. “You can go now.”
She left the room. I stared into the golden mirror before me. The firelight reflected in the mirror and my jewels sparkled back at me from the reflection. My lips were painted deep red, my cheeks flushed with rouge, blue eye-shadow and a touch of gold glitter. The eyes that stared back at me were harsh. As though they had long ago forgotten the warmth of joy or happiness.
“Lovely,” a deep voice startled me out of my trance. My eyes remained on the mirror as a tall, handsome man appeared in my reflection wearing a black suit jacket with a crisp, white shirt and black pants. I remained motionless, allowing him to walk slowly toward me until his hands were on either side of the back of the black, carved chair in which I was seated. “Beautiful, my Empress; but then again, you don’t need me to tell you that.”
“Kavra,” I whispered. “Who am I?”
His left hand touched my shoulder, laid bare by the low cut of the dress. “You are the Empress of the Setian Empire, my Lady. Lord Kasar’s chosen heir.”
“I do not want to do this,” I whispered softly, as though afraid to ruin the silence of the room. “If I am the Empress, then why do I not want to do this? Lord Vektor is…H
e’s,” I struggled with the words. “He was my teacher,” I finally said. “If you had just…”
“Yes,” Kavra answered. “Chrissa listen to me. Vektor had nothing to do with this. You don’t have to kill him. You are the Empress and forgiveness within this Empire is found both in death and in you.”
My eyes remained on the mirror staring into the reflection of his eyes. Why were my eyes so empty? Kavra was right, I could save the Councilor. But…
“Lord Kavra,” I said in a firm voice. “It does not matter if they were the ones who ordered the ship to stop or not. What matters is that they have demanded a life in payment and the debt must be paid. By attempting to place you in charge, they admit their unworthiness to hold the rank of a Councilor. Then they attempted to blame you for their own failure. That is unacceptable behavior and those men, yes even Lord Vektor, proved themselves unfit for the Council.” I turned away from the mirror and looked into the depths of Kavra’s eyes. “They will die today and I will sign their order of execution, because our traditions require me to do so.”
Lord Kavra pulled back with a strange look on his face. It was as if he was seeing me for the first time. It was a look that crossed Darin’s face every time he stood witness to one of my more horrific acts. It was a look of surprise, horror with perhaps just a touch of fear. A look I had never thought to see grace Kavra’s usually proud, brave features. “My god,” he whispered. “You are everything we had ever hoped for. A true daughter of the Setian Empire.”
“I am what you and Kasar made me to be.”
“Lady Dehartra,” came a call over the communications system.
“Yes.”
“The other council members are ready. They await your presence.”
“Good. I will be right there.”
I turned my attention back to Kavra. “Shall we finish this?”
He gave me a sad smile, turned, and offered me his arm. He led me from the room down the hallway and into one of the “formal” rooms where we would greet my fellow council members. Councilors Revdran and Mekert both held Lorid hosts that looked remarkably alike while Iselita stayed in a human woman of about thirty years old. Iselita had long brown hair with green eyes standing about 5’10, but appeared six feet in her black high heels. She wore a thin, floor-length black gown with no sleeves. Those under us would whisper that the only gaze more piercing than that of Iselita Tastara was my own.
“Councilors,” I greeted them. “I welcome you.”
“Thank you, Empress Dehartra, Lord Kavra.” The reply came from Iselita. “I did not expect to see you here, my Lord.”
“I’m not,” Councilor Revdran joined in. “I am usually surprised to see them apart.”
“I am but a student,” Lord Kavra replied slyly, “learning from the best.”
“Ah, yes,” Revdran said, “we must always continue to learn.”
“Yes,” Iselita agreed. She turned to Kavra. “A nasty business, this. Yet it seems you might gain some reward out of it yet.”
“I am sure I do not understand you,” Kavra replied.
“The open council positions,” Revdran said. “Come now, you must have realized that after this mess you are as good as in.”
“I assure you, my Lord, I take no pleasure in these affairs.”
“Okay,” I cut in. “We are all here. Let’s finish this.”
We walked into a small room with stark white walls. Everyone was waiting. Guards surrounded the condemned council members. Of them, only Vektor had requested the privilege of taking his own life. The others still verbally fought their fate. “You can’t do this!” Councilor Lindis called as we entered the room.
“Yes, we can,” Councilor Iselita said. “The order’s been signed by all the non-guilty council members and approved by the Empress.”
“You four will be executed by the guards immediately. Councilor Vektor will then be allowed to take his own life.” The executioners stepped forward and forced the Councilors to their knees. “No!” one of them screamed. “You can’t do this!”
“Councilors,” I spoke to the room. “You have been found unfit to sit on the Council of the Setian Empire. For your failure, by imperial decree of the loyal members of the Setian Council, you shall be executed.” The executioners raised their blades as I spoke the ancient lines. “May your sins haunt you for all eternity.” The blade sliced down, dealing a death blow with a single stroke. Moments later, their bodies were incinerated, leaving only Councilor Vektor standing between the guards.
Lord Kavra stepped forward, handing the ancient blade of Dehartra hilt-first to Councilor Vektor. “Thank you, old friend,” Vektor said softly.
“The sword was on loan for the Darcoth execution,” Kavra told him.
“It seems that we have cleared the room,” Vektor replied.
I glanced around to see he was right. The only ones still in the room were Councilor Iselita, Lord Kasar, Lord Kavra, Councilor Vektor, and myself. I stepped forward and tried to speak, when Councilor Vektor said, “It has been an honor, my Empress Dehartra, to live long enough to serve and die under a ruler worthy of the ancient title. May your name live forever and may my death further serve to honor the glory of the Empire. Be proud, my Lady. You truly are the perfect Setian.”
I nodded, my eyes completely dry and put my hand over Councilor Vektor’s. This was the man who had made me a member of the Empire, the one who had promoted me to the council and ultimately, proclaimed me Empress on high. Every victory of my life had been shared by this man. “Lord Vektor, Councilor of the Setian Empire,” I said in a voice that was the perfection of emptiness. “With your death.” The blade sank into his flesh, straight through his heart. “We forgive you for your sins.” He died moments later, his blood covering my hand as I withdrew the blade. Lord Kavra stood with tears in his eyes. Mine were dry.
“Thank you for your attendance, my Lords. Escort his body back to the home-world and bury him in his place of honor among the Setian Lords. His choice to willingly give his life has earned him that honor.”
“Yes, Empress Dehartra,” Councilor Iselita said.
“Thank you, Councilors,” I replied. “Is there any other business at hand?”
“No, my Lady. Not at this time.” I walked out of the room and towards my chambers.
“Chrissa!” Kavra’s voice called out as I reached the door. I stepped inside and Kavra ran in behind me.
“Kav, please don’t.” I stared at the floor. He gently reached under my chin and pulled my face up to meet his eyes. He leaned forward and kissed me before pulling me into a tight embrace and began to cry silent tears.
My own eyes remained completely dry.
Chapter XXX
I awoke in the middle of the night to what I thought was the sound of thunder. I heard the sound of people running and orders being given. As I tried to awaken from my dazed sleep, it was to shouting and someone opening the door to my chambers. My captain stepped forward and gave a low bow. “Forgive me, Empress,” he said. “Our ship is under attack.”
“Attack?” I said. “Who is attacking us?”
“Empress, throughout most of our journey we brought a huge fleet, but in the last days where the current events took us by surprise, we dropped to only a few ships. I believe the renegade rebels have found us, but I don’t think they know who is on the ship.”
“No,” I said. “They attacked Kavra’s ship yesterday and we saved them.”
“Yes, my Lady. Now they are attacking us.”
“What?” My mind raced. We had fallen into the same trap? What the hell was going on?
“How many ships are attacking us commander?”
“Nine as of right now, my Lady. We can destroy many of the ships but not all of them; it is impossible. We do not have enough power to defeat them or enough speed to lose them before we are annihilated. They are asking to speak with the commanding officer.”
I took a deep breath as I said, “Give me a moment to think.”
“Forgive m
e, Empress. We don’t have a moment; we must answer now.” I took another deep breath and tried to think clearly. It was all happening so fast. In all my years of ruling I had never made a mistake; now in an instant everything was falling apart. Five of the thirteen council members were on this ship.
I looked to my guard and told him that I would be on the bridge shortly. He came back with an idea I had not thought of.
“My Empress, I do not believe they know that anyone of your rank is on this ship. If you put out the private transmission to your ships and allow your commander to handle the situation, we may all be saved. Do you truly think they will bother to take prisoners if they are aware that the most powerful of all their enemies sits within their grasp? Please allow someone else to take the fall. They know they have found a high-ranking ship, but your face has never been made public and they have no idea that you are here.”
I considered this for a moment before giving a slight nod. “Do it,” I said. I then turned to Darin who had woken up halfway through the conversation. “Stay in this room,” I replied as I left to enter the command room and watched my commander give an official surrender. I also entered my private codes into the core computer and sent out a frequency to any and all Setian ships in the area that a member of the council was in trouble. This surrender would buy us time. I only hoped it would be enough.
I gave my commander the codes to power-down the weapons systems and allow the rebels to board the ship. While they were coming aboard, I changed from my robe to a pretty, but mellow blue gown appearing to be the mistress or servant that any decent-ranking commander was allowed to have. It helped to make me appear insignificant and harmless.
After changing clothes I moved Darin from my bedroom to a cell. When he questioned me I simply said, “You are and always have been my prisoner. Lying in my bed will not convince them of that.” The look in his eyes told me that there was more he wanted to say. I gave him a small, sad smile. “There is no time.” He nodded and to my surprise, pulled me to him and kissed me passionately while holding me against him for what could be the last time.