The Emperor's Arrow

by Lauren DM Smith

  Evony winced. She couldn’t even imagine it. If someone attacked her sisters, if they killed one of them... She’d go to the ends of the earth to see them dead and to make sure the message of what happened when someone attacked her family spread.

  “Galen... Calissa was the centre of his world, the person he loved best. When she died, he lost a large part of himself. This is only a guess on my part, but rather than dealing with the reality of it, rather than processing what he was feeling, Galen instead focused all of his pain on anger and revenge.

  “He found out who hired the assassins and went after them. He kept going on up the chain of hiring, until he found the masterminds. The first two he took out without too much difficulty. The others fled. He took the armies after them, destroying anyone who tried to stop him and absorbing every country that sheltered them, knowing or not. By the time the last of them was dead, Galen had conquered the world.”

  Evony nodded slowly. Everything made a lot more sense. Galen hadn’t struck her as someone who’d invade somewhere without reason, so this explanation made all the pieces fit. She had to admit, for someone who was only a small part Amazzi, his reaction to his sister’s death had been very much in her people’s tradition. Though her people were a lot more direct and reacted on the individual level rather than with armies. She supposed by that point of view, he may have taken things a little far. Not that she blamed. How could she, when she’d do exactly the same in his position?

  Still, if he hadn’t yet dealt with his feelings, it would explain why he seemed so statue-like. He must have walled himself off for so long that he didn’t know how to feel much of anything anymore besides anger. Or at least, that’s what she thought.

  She met Balint’s gaze steadily. “Thank you for telling me,” she said, feeling like she understood Galen a bit better now. “I can see why he wouldn’t want to talk about this and I wouldn’t want to make him. I can’t even imagine the pain he must have felt.”

  Balint’s smile was sad. “None of us really can. But Galen needs to find more people to trust besides myself and Rakin if he’s to keep the empire together. He’s too distant with everyone and it’s how we’re in the situation we’re in now. If we could just find out who is plotting...”

  “I already told Galen that I would do all I could, and that hasn’t changed. My loyalty is to the Adnuhom and I will do everything I can to keep him safe.”

  This time Balint grinned. “I was hoping you’d say that. I may need your help with some things in the future.”

  Evony gave him the full Amazzi bow. “Call upon me as you will. I will continue gathering what information I can and hopefully we can put this matter to bed sooner rather than later.”

  Balint bowed his head towards her, his eyes dark for a moment as he looked out at the training fields without seeming to see them. “The sooner the better,” was all he said, making Evony wonder what he knew that she didn’t.

  Chapter 13: Advice

  Evony smoothed out the clean clothes she’d finally had a chance to change into as she headed back into the hall. The news that Rector Cerys of Eirian, Magna Lapis of Tale, and Praetor Mahina of Alani had been eliminated had been a bit of a surprise to her when she’d gotten back. She hadn’t thought so many would have been eliminated at once, especially since they were now down to nine. Evony wondered if Galen was eliminating those he knew were loyal or if he was playing some more complicated game. He certainly seemed like the type.

  Admina fell into step beside Evony as she exited her room, hovering close by. Evony saw the reason immediately and headed towards where Rakin was already surrounded by the other candidates. His eyes paused on her for a moment before he addressed the crowd. “Thank you, ladies, for your wonderful efforts so far in the competition. I am here to give you your next challenge.”

  Venita, Fiorella, and Akasma all leaned forward while Chana, Asahi, and Paran kept politely interested expressions on their faces. Neah nodded and beside her, Admina was fidgeting with her dress. Evony only folded her arms as she waited, wondering what nonsense she was going to be involved in now. She decided she had to tell Galen to pick better challenges. She couldn’t imagine what mucking out a stall had to do with being empress unless he believed the ability to deal with a large amount of manure was somehow a useful skill.

  “This will be another group challenge. We have assigned you three to a group and I will have one person from each group select a name from this box,” Rakin said, shaking the box that Evony was beginning to dislike the sight of. “The teams are as follows: Primus Venita, Primus Paran, and Regulus Akasma as the first group. Primus Chana, Regulus Neah, and Praetor Fiorella in the second. Lastly it is Princeps Evony, Magna Asahi, and Rector Admina. If one of you from each will please join me?”

  Evony glanced at Admina who shook her head. She turned to look at Asahi who was drifting towards them. When the girl in blue reached them, she bowed deeply. “It is my humble honour to be included with your nobilities.”

  Evony awkwardly bowed back, Admina following suit with more grace. “The honour is ours,” she replied, wondering if it really was an honour to be with her. She certainly didn’t think so, and she didn’t think Admina thought that way either.

  Retreating footsteps drew her attention to where the other groups were leaving, each trailing a different man. Their leaders appeared to be court officials of some sort, from their long chitons and black sashes. The only men who wore short chitons were warriors it seemed. At least on the palace grounds.

  Rakin stopped in front of them and Evony hid a wince. “My apologies,” she said, offering him a half bow. “Should we draw now?”

  He looked down at her for a long moment, before he said, “No. I know what is written on the last paper. If you will accompany me?”

  Admina ducked her head, Asahi bowed, and Evony shrugged. Rakin’s lips thinned for a heartbeat as he turned and led them out of the corridor. He didn’t slow when they reached the main part of the building, but took them to the other side of the hall. He passed two doors that, from the muffled voices Evony could hear, likely held the other candidates. At the third door, he paused, opening it and ushering all of them inside.

  The room was a basic square, with one large window at the far end. It was mostly filled with a large table encircled with chairs all made of the same wood that looked like oak to Evony’s eyes. They were all polished, if not especially ornate.

  “If you would please make yourselves comfortable,” Rakin said, inclining his head towards the chairs as he took one himself.

  Evony and Admina sat down immediately, Asahi following suit punctums later. Once they were all settled, Rakin spoke. “This task is simple. I will give your group a scenario and you will give me advice on how best to resolve it. Is that understood by all?”

  All three nodded and he continued. “We have several new aides assisting us in our work. One of them took the time to reorganize our entire document system, labelling everything and ensuring everything was placed in the proper place. The issue we have is that two of our aides are claiming responsibility for the work and we cannot tell which is lying. What would you do in this situation?”

  Evony frowned, wondering what she would do. The worst she’d ever had to do was find out who’d been stealing the last of the honey cakes, her brother, and punish him so he didn’t do it again. She thought she could still make him jump by yelling for him to run laps.

  Smoothing a smile off her face as she remembered her brother’s expression on the last bout of them, she lightly drummed her fingers on the table. “I think I’d talk to both of them first, see if I couldn’t find out that way. If that didn’t work, I’d try asking the people who know them best, because one of them has to be more likely to do this kind of thing than the other.”

  Rakin’s gaze narrowed as she finished talking and slowly nodded. “Those are possibilities. And you t
wo?” he asked, gaze going to the others.

  Fidgeting with the hands she had in her lap and with her eyes locked onto the table, Admina whispered, “I would ask them to find something complicated. Whoever organized the documents will know where everything is and will be able to find it faster.”

  Evony smiled at that. Admina’s idea would work way better than hers and she thought was likely the best option. Rakin offered her friend a curt nod before he turned his attention to Asahi. The last girl had her gaze downcast even as she kept a perfect posture. She said nothing for nearly a minute. “I would speak to everyone,” she said, voice even quieter than Admina’s. “I would ask their opinion and what they would suggest. I would find a consensus prior to making a suggestion.”

  Rakin frowned slightly but nodded. “Thank you for your opinions,” he said. “I will consider them most carefully. Now, if you will allow me, I will escort you back to your rooms.”

  They all stood while Evony hid a faint grimace. They could have just as easily done this in the hallway by their rooms. She supposed that they might have moved here to eliminate the possibility of overhearing each other and changing answers, but that would only make sense if they all had the same question. Evony stopped that line of thinking. It didn’t matter and would be a waste of energy to dwell on. Conserving strength until you needed it was how a warrior stayed alive longer.

  It didn’t take them long to retrace their footsteps, but as the other girls hurried back into their hall, Rakin gave Evony a look. She frowned but held back, watching him watch her. He waited until the other two were well out of earshot before he reached into his robes and pulled out a small sealed paper. “His majesty insisted I give this to you,” he said, voice and face emotionless and yet still managing to radiate disapproval. “I hope this will not give you inappropriate ideas.”

  Evony took the paper, glancing over the black wax that had a stylized eagle and sun pressed into it, then met Rakin’s gaze. “I don’t know what ideas you think are inappropriate, but I serve the Adnuhom with loyalty and honour as do all Amazzi. I would hope you would trust my honour and that of my people even if you do not know or like me personally.”

  He blinked, frowned for a moment, then sighed almost silently. “I am not certain if you will be good or bad for his majesty and must rely on hope, something I dislike doing.”

  “Well, if you have concerns about me, please bring them to me so I can address them. I will do my best to answer honestly and fully as I’m able.”

  That got her a frosty smile. “Balint has said you are not one for anything but direct words. I see he is most correct. I will take your suggestion under advisement.” He offered her a small bow and then turned and walked back the way he’d come.

  Evony watched him go for a moment, shaking her head. He seemed loyal but he also seemed to be a stickler for rules, ceremonies, and the proper order of things. Evony had never put much stock in any of that, so she guessed she shouldn’t be surprised that Rakin didn’t care for her. Still, if he was as loyal to Galen as her people were, she could hardly fault him.

  The thought of the emperor brought her attention back to the paper. She carefully broke the seal and unfolded that paper.

  We may have caught the tail of the dog we are chasing, but he may be hungering for lemons.

  -G

  Evony raised her eyebrows and reread the short note. She wondered whose tail it was that Galen had caught, and what that would mean for the plot against him. The next time she saw him, she knew she’d have to ask him, and only hoped he’d be more straightforward in person than he was in his notes.

  The hint at danger to herself didn’t bother her much. She was more than capable of keeping herself safe, of dealing with any unexpected attacks. Evony was Amazzi. She was more concerned about Galen’s safety. If she was being added as a potential target to those plotting against him, they must be preparing to step up their moves against him and had to know that the only way they would get to Galen was through her and the rest of his guards.

  She crumpled up the paper, planning on soaking it in water to make it illegible before throwing it away. If Galen was writing in code, then he really couldn’t be certain who to trust, which in turn meant she should take every precaution she could. With that in mind she headed straight back to the relative safety of her room.

  * * *

  Evony let her legs dangle down, the muscles she’d developed learning to ride keeping her steady whenever a stray breeze shifted the branch she sat on. Surrounded by the flickering green light with the sound of chirping in her ears and the scent of earth and growing things teasing her nose, she felt she could finally relax. This was as close as she could get to home on the mainland.

  She felt a little guilty about not inviting Admina along, but Evony needed some time to be by herself. Swinging her feet like she was a child again, Evony hummed, enjoying the quiet. It seemed ever since she’d come to the mainland she’d been stuck around people all of the time. She hadn’t even realized how much tension that was causing until now.

  Still, part of that was her duty. She’d been doing her best to talk to the other girls. It wasn’t going as smoothly as she’d like. She was doing her best to stay away from Venita to avoid her poison, but by extension, had difficulty speaking to Paran of Regem and Akasma of Deniz, who were with Venita most of the time. Asahi would speak to Evony, but didn’t talk a lot, and she’d never heard her speak negatively of anyone.

  Chana was very careful about her words and didn’t reveal much. She had, somehow without saying anything bad about her, made it clear she wasn’t fond of Venita. Evony wished she had that kind of finesse. It had been something about the tone of Chana’s voice and the bit of a frown she’d worn that had made her feelings clear without her being direct at all. In many ways, Evony admired Chana of Yarkona.

  Neah and Fiorella talked to Evony as well, but they were clearly uncomfortable being in her presence for long. Evony didn’t really understand why. She’d never tried to be anything but friendly to both of them. Though they were definitely where she’d gotten the most information, telling her all about the feud between the Flanna and Lavan families. The Lavan family claimed a son from the Flanna family had seduced their daughter, promising her marriage and convincing her to run away to meet him. The Flanna family denied it, and said that the daughter of the Lavan family had been the one to lead their son on. Both families refused to back down and were to the point where they wouldn’t attend anything that the other family was at.

  She thought she should try and get more information out of them at dinner or after it. They did relax once she got them talking, their love for gossip obvious. She might get Admina to come with her, since her presence had made them more talkative last time.

  But for now, she wouldn’t worry about any of that. Evony grinned up at the canopy, a shaft of sunlight dancing across her face with the shifting leaves. The rhythmic clop of hooves against dirt drew her attention to what lay below. Sitting straight in his saddle as Kalendae trotted down the narrow trail, Galen kept his gaze moving around the trees. Evony’s eyebrows rose a bit when he didn’t notice her. Going up was one of the best places to lie in wait for someone and here he was, riding without even his guards.

  Evony leaned forward, bracing her hands against the rough bark of the tree she still clung to. “Should you be out here alone?” she called.

  Galen jerked his head to stare at her, hands moving as well, the pressure making Kalendae shy to the side. Evony winced as she watched him slowly calm his mount, before his eyes found her again. “What are you doing?”

  “I wanted some time by myself. Where are your guards?”

  “I confess to having a similar desire.”

  Evony frowned. She hadn’t heard anyone else approach, but here in the trees it would be easy for someone to sneak up on Galen. She sighed quietly. There was no help for it, she
couldn’t leave him unprotected like this. At least here in the woods she was in her element. She straightened and nodded at Galen. “Wait there a moment.”

  She scooted backwards until she was close enough to reach one of the lower branches by hanging down. It was a matter of heartbeats for Evony to half climb, half jump down the tree. Once she was on the ground, she was careful to approach Galen slowly, not wanting to spook Kalendae any further.

  “You really shouldn’t be by yourself, not when people are plotting against you.”

  “Both myself and Kalendae have been well trained in case of attacks. And you should take care while alone as well.” Galen stared down at her for a moment, then shifted so he could swing a leg over his saddle, dismounting in one swift movement.

  Evony watched him, noting he still wore his usual blank face. With what Balint had told her, she found it less bothersome than she typically did, but she still wanted to break through it. “I’m fine. You should really have guards with you here. The trees are a great place to set up an ambush.”

  “I do not think most are as comfortable as you appear in the trees and I doubt many would think to attempt an attack while perched so precariously.”

  She propped a hand on her hip. “It’s easy enough to brace yourself in a tree and there are more than a few that are solid enough with low branches that would make good spots for that kind of thing. Don’t you remember climbing trees as a child and how easy some of them were to get into?”

  A faint wrinkled appeared between Galen’s brows. “I have never had that experience.”

  Evony stared at him for a moment. “You’ve never climbed a tree? Even as a child?”

  He shook his head then glanced up at the one that she’d come out of. “I presume it is not difficult?”

  That decided her. “Tie Kalendae over there,” she said, gesturing towards one of trees with low, thick branches. “And you can see for yourself.”