Van Laven Chronicles (40 page)

“She’s our late Emperor’s daughter and
heir to his throne
,” he declared. “If you destroy this ship, you will be guilty of assassinating the family you swore an oath to protect. Do you want that on your head?”

A cool veneer spread across Bruen’s face. “Why don’t you come out of the corona, and we’ll discuss it?”

“First, I want you to give me your word, as one of the Emperor’s Generals Elite, that you will allow her safe passage to Novoxos.”

This was his master plan?
Comron thought.

Bruen stared with eyes full of incredulity, but then sobered. “You have my word.”

“Can I still trust in that?” Erlacher asked.

“Trust it or stay in there and burn for all I care!” Bruen snapped.

“All right, here we come.”

“Erlacher, no!” Comron shouted. “He’s obviously lying.”

Erlacher waved Comron silent. “Ease us out Yaeger. Cut audio, DeOrchis.”

Yaeger spared a glance at Erlacher before complying. “Aye, sir.”

Comron’s heart thundered in his chest as they emerged to find themselves staring down the barrels of five galaxy class cruisers and the Star Harvester, charged and ready to fire.

“Everyone, gather around,” he said with a sense of urgency. Comron, DeOrchis, Yaeger and the two Murkudahl took up a position in a half circle around Vaush. Erlacher made a hand signal at Bhedrus. That’s when Comron noticed an orange orb glowing in his hands. “On my mark, not a second sooner.” Bhedrus nodded.

“I stand ready, General,” Chaiyse said.

“Return audio,” Erlacher said.

“Audio on.”

“Well, you don’t exactly appear to be standing down, General Bruen,” Erlacher accused. “I guess the word of a Generals Elite’s simply doesn’t mean what it used to twenty-five years ago.”

“Fire!” Bruen ordered.

Instinctively, Comron shielded Vaush’s body with his own, as he watched the Harvester emit its energy. Erlacher signaled Chaiyse his “Now” command.

But Comron only heard the thunderous noise as the white beam of light started cutting through the ship’s hull. Then he witnessed another burst of energy emanating from Bhedrus’ orange orb, pushing outward to envelop the small group. Comron held Vaush tighter, as the noise grew louder and the angry wall of fire roiled forward to devour them.

CHAPTER 74

And then there was dead silence, except for the beating of Comron’s heart. Vaush lifted her head from his chest and looked around in confusion. They were in what appeared to be the cargo hold of another spacefaring vessel. One that was considerably colder than the last.

“How did we get here?” she asked bewildered, “And where
is
here?”

“It was Chaiyse and Bhedrus’ idea,” Erlacher said, restraining a grin. “We’re in the cargo hold of the Dynasty.”

“Thalonius’ ship,” Comron said, sounding all at once impressed and concerned.

Chaiyse suddenly collapsed into Bhedrus’ arms. Alarmed, Vaush dashed over, praying Chaiyse hadn’t pulled that maneuver at the cost of her own life.

“Is she going to be all right?”

“Yes,” Bhedrus said, lowering Chaiyse to the ground. “We are of an age now where teleportation takes a heavy toll on our system. This state is only temporary.”

“Is this the best place for us to be?” Vaush asked, looking around. “Right in the lion’s den?”

“It’s the very last place he’d think to look, not that he would anyway, right, Erlacher?” Comron said. “He believes we’re all dead and his mission accomplished.”

“And now he unwittingly carries us safely to Novoxos,” Vaush said, casting a dubious eye at Erlacher. “This clever fox never intended to beat Thalonius in battle.”

Erlacher cracked a grin. “I’m good, but not that good,” he said with a wink.

“You might’ve let us in on the scheme,” she said with a mock frown. “You really scared the hell out of us.”

“Which was precisely the point, love,” Comron said.

“Your reactions had to look authentic in order for them to believe it,” Erlacher confessed and walked over to one of the storage crates. “Hand me an iron, Yaeger.” He proceeded to work open one of the boxes. “Not that I anticipate any visitors down here,” he said, reaching in to retrieve a military grade blast rifle. “But you can never be too sure.” He handed one to each of them and turned to Vaush. “Well, my dear, I say it’s about time we introduced Novoxos to its new Sovereign.”

Comron Van Laven stood alongside Empress Vaush Hrollaugr and General Erlacher as they awaited the news. Three days had passed since Erlacher had masterfully outmaneuvered Thalonius, and Vaush had undergone an invasive battery of tests to prove, indisputably, her hereditary claim. As was the tradition, the Royal Houses sent a delegation, consisting of members of their household and their chief medical officer, to ascertain for themselves the veracity of the alleged heir’s claim. One by one, they came forth and drew a small sample of her blood
from her body
– precluding any chance of chicanery. And Vaush submitted willingly, for after all returned with the same conclusive results, there could never be any questions as to the truth of her royal lineage.

Comron had watched the order of acknowledgements, first, most notably, came House Dredfort with their positive results proclamation and hearty congratulations. This was to be expected, as Grand Duke Dredfort had two available sons of marrying age and great aspirations for the Imperial throne. With a powerful military machine to join to the Imperial ranks, they would be a formidable force which none could rival. House Barukan was next sending the male heir to their enormous diamond mines fortune. Vaush had never seen such a fine spread of sparkling jewels as was laid at her feet. Then came the political powerhouses led by Warbrenger, as if his ships hadn’t been recently on the battlefield seeking to take Vaush’s life. But Vaush handled the matter graciously and Warbrenger left feeling assured he had a legitimate shot at forming a marriage alliance.

Displaying the same diplomatic aplomb, Vaush left Houses Westasfell, Shen Mao, Vikhram, Presovach, Saruku, Cressmorg and Ostengard all believing they were at the vanguard in the race for the Empress’ hand. Still a quorum hadn’t been reached until ten of the thirteen most powerful and wealthiest houses of the old Empire acknowledged Vaush as the rightful sovereign. So it was, on the third day, late in the hour, it finally came – House Nostrom’s reluctant acknowledgement and muted felicitations to the new Empress. As expected, they didn’t miss the opportunity to insult her by sending an all-female delegation. Vaush mockingly marked,
“We offer no male in hopes of forming a marriage alliance with the crown – at least not while it’s on your head.”

The official coronation and parliamentary ratification would take place in a fortnight at which time her court would be assembled and a High Chancellor appointed. But her real seat of power and influence would lie in her shadow council headed by Comron. And Vaush had insisted that a small task force be sent to extract Laney Hunner from Ti-Laros so that she and Captain Yaeger could take command of her proletarian guard.

But the thorn in Comron’s side had already begun to rankle. Lady Spira
Van Laven
, the consummate opportunist, was busy spreading rumors that Comron had taken a high ranking advisory position in Her Majesty’s administration and therefore, the two blissfully happy newlyweds would be relocating to Novoxos at the first opportunity, and Spira couldn’t be more delighted about her husband’s prestigious new role or the prospect of living in the capital city with him.

When Vaush heard the news, she’d been too exhausted from the day’s demands to vent her full displeasure. Instead, she collapsed into Comron’s arms and begged him to take her home away from all the clamoring nobles petitioning for an audience. For the interim, while Thalonius vacated the Royal Lion Palace, she and Comron resided at one of the Imperial properties in the capital district. The luxurious suite of rooms overlooked the city with a view clear to the palace in the east.

As Vaush slept soundly in their bed, Comron stood on the balcony on the cool autumn night. It was no longer a farfetched dream or mad delusion as Crausin had declared. He was here, at the Empress’ side, standing at what seemed like the top of the world, looking down over their vast Empire. And it was
their
Empire, to one day be ruled by their son and his son after that.

Earlier when he’d watched the Great Royal Houses come forth, presenting their eager young men, all with grand hopes of wooing an Empress, Erlacher had clasped him on the shoulder and thanked him for all he’d done to see Vaush to Novoxos, but then verbally gutted him by implying that his usefulness had reached its end and that it was high time Comron returned home to his beautiful, blushing bride. Erlacher reminded him that the threat to Nethic still hung over it more ominously than ever. After all, what self-respecting nobleman would countenance his future bride having such close association with a devilish rake like Comron Van Laven? Loud rumblings to that effect could already be heard coming from the Dredfort and Warbrenger camps.

The anger blazed in Comron as fiercely as it had upon hearing it. His jaw clenched hard and his brow set sternly.
The Empress and I are one, fortified by the gifts of the Essence!
So let all those prancing peacocks believe they have a chance in hell of stealing what rightfully belonged to him. Let Spira spread her deluded fantasies, he’d even use that ruse to his advantage. Let the ghastly Kurukaii come and wage their bloodiest of wars, he would make
them
tremble!

He slammed his fist down upon the balustrade and gazed out at over the glorious city. The dazzling lights lit the district brilliantly, the towering buildings and vaulting structures all monuments to the greatness of the Emperors that had come before, and to the east lay the true seat of power, the Royal Lion Palace, rising like a majestic mountain overseeing its realm. As his eyes beheld it all, something primal and fierce seized hold of him, crystallizing the thought.

This Empire is mine – to rule and defend!             

Comron lifted his eyes to the heavens and into the cold night air, he gave words to the singular thought that possessed him, “Let begin the reign of Van Laven.”

Van Laven Rising
(Book 2) to be released              January 2015

If you’d like to be notified of the specific release date, please send a message to [email protected]

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tyler Chase’s true passion is writing and studying geopolitics. She’s spent the last twenty years working in the Global Investment Banking field as a CPA and holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Tyler Chase was born in Delaware, USA and currently lives in the southeast United States with her husband, an engineer, and their two children. This particular novel is the first in the series of three.

You’re invited to contact the author at [email protected].