by D. J. Butler
“We have many things to discuss. Ambassadors are arriving.”
“I have seen them,” Sarah said. “And…I am sorry.”
“Sorry?” Cathy’s heart beat louder.
“Steel yourself, Cathy. One of them will break your heart.”
Cathy frowned, perplexed, but had nothing to say.
“I have seen the Imperial camp,” Sarah continued. “They are not gone, and the war is not over. And I have seen the Electoral Assembly.” She smiled suddenly, and again looked like the fifteen-year-old girl she ought to be permitted to be. “I’ve seen Cal.”
Cathy laughed. “In the Electoral Assembly? In Philadelphia?”
Sarah nodded, and then tears trickled to her chin. “Calvin Calhoun of all people, God love him, has presented a motion of impeachment to remove Thomas Penn as Emperor.”
Cathy gasped. Sarah smiled, seemingly finished speaking, so Cathy turned to go, saying, “I’ll arrange a meeting tonight.”
“Tomorrow,” Sarah said. “I’ll need to teach you the anointing. And, Cathy…” Sarah looked again into the corner of the apse. “Do you see that door, there in the corner?”
Cathy shook her head. “There’s no door.”
“Are you sure?”
Cathy looked carefully. “There’s nothing there. Just a corner.”
Sarah climbed slowly onto the Serpent Throne, her motions suddenly clumsy, as if she carried heavy weights. “And yet, there is a door. There’s a door there, and I’m the only one who can see it. And I’m very much afraid of what might be on the other side.”