The Awakened Book Two (30 page)

Magnus turned to Dacien and the Eastern General. “We should all take the next few hours to rest, eat and get cleaned up. I’ll see you at the High Council chambers at sunset.”

Dacien and his counterpart saluted with closed fists to their chests, then entered the northern gate and immediately went their separate ways through hundreds of loyal citizens screaming at the top of their lungs.

Dacien didn’t feel much like eating, and went straight to his chambers for rest. Despite his own instincts about the wisdom of striking up a conversation prior to sleep, he asked his guards about Kael. They didn’t know where he was, but they relayed the happenings from the previous evening.

“And he left his post?”

“That’s the rumor,” one man replied.

“I…,” Dacien began, but couldn’t finish. “I don’t want to be disturbed while I rest. If I oversleep, wake me one hour before sunset.”

“Yes, my lord,” the guard replied.

Dacien collapsed on his bed, exhausted and ready for sleep. But after a few moments, his mind was racing about Kael.
Why would he leave his post? Why did Kael have to get into the Palace?

Slowly, the feelings that Dacien had kept hidden since their time in
Leoran
began to come to the surface again. He had a sickening feeling that Kael was the assassin. But he quickly tried to dismiss the idea.

No. He couldn’t be. Or could he? He said himself that he had been trained since he was young.

Dacien rose to his feet and paced around the room. Never before had he been so close to such intrigue. The Emperor and his Commanders murdered in the Palace. Emergency sessions of the High Council.

So much for resting!

The mood inside of the Council chambers was quite different than the last time Dacien had been present, and for good reason. Three of the seats in the circle were vacant. An awkward silence lasted for several minutes before the youngest council member spoke.

“It is under grave circumstances that we meet here today. By now, you have all heard of what transpired yesterday evening. I will not recount the story; there will be time for that later. We will have to postpone our mourning to deal with the emergency at hand.”

The young man sat back in his seat, and another older gentleman took over. “Our Emperor has been assassinated. The Syvaku have destroyed countless cities in the southern region. And the Korgan have breached the wall in the northeast and taken the city of
Orlek
. Fortunately, the army that you defeated,” he said, pointing to the General from the north, “was the only group to have penetrated this far to the interior of our Empire. While this council is devastated by what has transpired, we must act quickly or all will be lost. This is why we called you together.”

The man took a deep breath and continued. “Magnus Calidon, we wish to appoint you as Emperor of the Orudan Empire, effective immediately.”

The General from the north stood and looked around the room as murmurs of approval mixed with nods of affirmation. “Does this council understand what is being asked of me?”

“Yes we do,” the man replied. “Our Empire is crumbling, and these times call for drastic measures.”

“Sir,” the General replied. “With all due respect, this council has opposed many of my initiatives and has consistently chosen to disregard my advice.”

“Yes. And look where it has gotten us!” the man said, more to the council than to Magnus. “The economies of the North and East are strong, even amidst the conflict along your borders. And though we haven’t given you the support you requested, you have proven your ability to act decisively and defend this Empire.”

Magnus looked to the ground while the council chambers were silent. “Very well. I have not asked for this position, but I am first and foremost a servant of the Empire. If this is what is required of me, I will take up this position with the utmost respect and reverence for it. It is my honor to serve you as Emperor!”

Cheers of approval went up from the rest of the council. Dacien stood and clapped as well, a deep satisfaction welling within him. At a time of such turmoil, he was confident that the council had chosen wisely.

Magnus spoke over the applause as it slowly quieted. “We will have to postpone the coronation as well as the funeral due to our urgent situation. However, I think a small celebration is in order. The gods know that we could all use a respite. Tomorrow evening, we will have a banquet, and all of the most influential citizens of the city will be invited. During the feast, I will announce my plans to bring this Empire together and make it strong once again. And I will proclaim the following day as a day of rest and play for the citizens of
Orud
. No work is to be done within the city until sunrise the next day.”

The young man from the council replied. “That’s only one day. Will you have enough time?”

“It will be enough,” Magnus answered. “Sleep will have to wait. My first order of business will be to appoint our new Naval Commanders.”

“Do you have any thoughts on who you will choose?” the older man asked.

“I will start by speaking with the second in command from each navy, although I will not necessarily choose them. I will be looking for strong leaders, regardless of age or seniority. Skilled men are what we need in times like these. I know this has been a point of contention in the past, but I expect your full support.”

“You have it. We are ready for change,” the man replied.

“Very well. I have a busy night ahead of me, but I will see you all at the banquet tomorrow evening.”

“Hail Emperor of Orud,” the council members shouted as Magnus walked down the aisle.

Dacien smiled.
Now we’re getting somewhere!

* * * *

Kael chewed a piece of roasted chicken, while Dacien recounted the events of the past few days. He and the other soldiers from
Leoran
sat at the table and shared dinner as had become their tradition since arriving in
Orud
. It was amazing how quickly things could change. One day, Kael was riding back toward his home in
Bastul
, and now he sat with a General in the Empire’s capital city, discussing the appointing of a new Emperor.

He was doing his best to stay engaged in the conversation. And though it was all very interesting, especially the battle with the Korgs, Kael was deeply troubled. He hadn’t had a moment alone with Dacien since his return, and it looked like he wouldn’t get to speak with him anytime soon. He was burning inside with a vital piece of information, but he’d only shared his history with Dacien, so he couldn’t speak openly in front of the others.

The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. Narian leading the Syvaku was strange by itself. But after seeing the assassin… It must have been Ukiru. No else could move like that! And if that’s the case, then the logical conclusion is that they are all behind the attacks on the Empire. I need to discuss this with Dacien. I have to get him alone!

“…what do you think?”

“Sorry?” Kael questioned, shaking off his thoughts. “Were you talking to me?”

“Of course I was,” Dacien replied. “I said the new Emperor wants to meet you.”

“Me?”

“Yes. Well, actually, he wasn’t Emperor at the time he asked about you. It was while we were returning from the north. He said he wanted to meet you, so I thought this banquet would be a good opportunity.”

“Sure,” Kael responded.

“Try not to sound so excited,” one of the soldiers said.

“Alright. I would be honored to accompany you to the banquet.”

“That’s better,” Dacien said, raising his glass.

Kael tried to make eye contact with Dacien, who was in good spirits this evening and clearly enjoying his wine. When he finally looked back, Kael tried to get his attention. “…could we…” he began, nodding his head away from the table.

“No,” Dacien announced. “No more serious discussion. This is a time for celebration. Eat your food and drink your wine.”

Kael shrank back in his chair.

* * * *

The sound of wheels against the dirt road brought Maeryn out of her seat. She ran to the edge of the porch and saw Magnus’ carriage coming down toward the house. She tried to wait patiently, but her wringing hands indicated otherwise. Putting them behind her back, she stared out to the road.

That’s strange! What are those soldiers doing with him?

A moment of panic seized her throat as she feared that their secret had been revealed. Trying to calm herself down, she thought of the possible explanations.

He is a general, so he does have soldiers. Perhaps with all that’s been happening, he is traveling with increased protection.

The carriage stopped and Magnus stepped out.

Maeryn walked briskly out to meet him. “I’ve been worried sick. They said that the Emperor was assassinated. Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine,” he dismissed.

Maeryn could see that he wasn’t fine. His eyes were bloodshot and rimmed with red lids. He looked as though he hadn’t slept at all. “Is something wrong?” she asked, looking to the soldiers who had come up beside Magnus.

“Please give us a minute,” he asked the guards.

“Yes, your majesty,” they replied, bowing low.

“…your majesty?” Maeryn questioned.

“I’ll explain. Let’s take a walk.”

Magnus led Maeryn toward the cliff overlooking the ocean. They were both silent until out of hearing from the soldiers.

“Alright. Tell me what is going on.”

“Maeryn. Something incredible has happened. It’s tragic, but amazing at the same time.”

“What?” Maeryn pleaded.

“You are looking at the newly appointed Emperor of the Orudan Empire.”

Maeryn stopped walking and turned to the man whom she had grown strangely attracted to. She put her hand over her mouth and stared at him for moment, taking in his words. Their relationship was strange enough as it was, but now this!

“Isn’t it amazing?”

Maeryn removed her hand from her mouth. “They appointed you after…”

“Yes,” he replied.

“And now you’re…”

“Yes.”

“That means…”

“Exactly!” he exclaimed. “Think of what we can do now.”

“But how will you explain to the council?”

Magnus smiled. “They don’t have to know. But I’m the Emperor now; I can change it all. I can put an end to the slave trade. In fact, that’s why I’m here. I’m having a banquet and I want you to come.”

“…as what?” Maeryn asked. “I’m flattered, but I won’t go back on what I said just because you’re an Emperor now.”

“I didn’t expect that you would,” Magnus replied with a gleam in his eye. “You can come as my guest, or anonymously if you wish. But I would like to share this moment with you. I will be presenting the new Naval Commanders and laying out my plan to unite this Empire against our enemies.”

Maeryn was silent.

“Will you come?”

“What about Aelia?”

“Of course she can come, as well. So what do you think?”

A slow smile spread across Maeryn’s face. “Your majesty,” she bowed. “It would be an honor.”

Chapter 22

The feast was being held on a rooftop terrace on the Palace grounds. Kael and Dacien arrived together, but Kael still hadn’t been able to inform the General of what he thought was happening. It was frustrating, but he tried to stay in the moment and enjoy the feast.

There will be time tomorrow, after the feast!

The building was surrounded by a double assignment of guards, who pulled their spears apart when they saw Dacien. Kael followed a half-step behind, enjoying the privileges of traveling with his friend.

A short flight of stairs led them to the rooftop, which was lavishly decorated for the occasion. Sconces burned along the short walls surrounding three sides of the building. It was already crowded with honored guests of every powerful family in the region. The members of the High Council were also present. At the far end, a canopy covered a wide table with five chairs facing back toward the rest of the terrace. Behind the center chair, and raised slightly, was an elaborately carved chair with a dark-haired man seated casually. He was leaning forward and speaking into the ear of the man seated in front of him.

“Is that him?” Kael asked.

“Yes,” he said, pointing. “In front of the Emperor is the newly appointed General of the Northern Territory. The men to the left are the Northern and Southern Naval Commanders, and to the right is the Eastern General.”

“And the empty seat is yours.”

“Precisely!”

“So you brought me to this feast so that I could make small talk with strangers?”

Dacien smiled. “But they are the wealthiest citizens in the Empire.”

“Well, in that case, I think I can manage.”