Chapter 14
I sat my stuff back on the book shelf and walked out of the room. I walked out of the building and launched myself into the air. I flew to the prison first. I asked the guard take me to the General I had spoken with before. They led me to a room and asked me to wait. A few minutes later they brought him into the room. He smiled when he saw me, “Lady Sa` Tain, I was wondering when you were going to drop in for a visit. How is the battle going?”
“Were you laughing at me as I told you about the Kier?”
“What do you mean?”
“You can drop the act. We have already discovered the army is Kier.”
“No, I wasn’t laughing at you. It was a good attempt at intimidation. Had we been human it might have worked.”
“Why does the Emperor hunt our Clans when we are all the same race? Is it left over from the Clan Wars?”
“In part. It is more due to the death of General Kh` Oman by the hand of Le` Than. General Kh` Oman was a personal friend of the Emperor and Queen Valora was under the Emperor’s protection.”
“Just as Ra` Tain was a personal friend of mine. Are we going to slaughter each other until kill each other off entirely? I don’t mind the opportunity to fight, but I still wonder.”
“What would you give to see this war ended? Would you turn Le` Than over to Imperial Justice?”
“What justice? General Kh` Oman threatened the life of Le` Than’s betrothed and unborn child. What would you do to one such as that? Furthermore, Le` Than didn’t kill Valora.”
“On whose word? Le` Than’s? That won’t fly in Court.”
“Not Le` Than’s word alone. I have something better.”
“Oh? Do you have Valora’s word as well?”
“Something like that.”
“It would have to be something that cannot be contested. Letting us go would go a long way to helping resolve this. Nice job on that, by the way. It is a rare occasion that I am taken so completely off guard.”
“Thank you, but it’s not going to happen until this is over. You are my bargaining chips.”
“You make a formidable opponent, Lady Sa` Tain. It’s too bad you are going to have to die.”
“I’m only seventeen, General. I have no intentions of dieing any time soon.”
“Is there anything else that you wanted from me?”
“Your unconditional surrender.”
He laughed, “A sense of humor too. It’s no wonder they are so loyal to you. Well if that is all, I will bid you good day. Use care though Lady Sa` Tain. If this is not concluded soon the Emperor himself will be here with his elite warriors.”
I stood up, “I thank you for the warning.”
I left the room and let the guard escort the general back to his cell. I walked back out of the jail and flew to the cavern entrance. I sent a thought to Skyler and Ja` Lynn to meet me then made my way to the front lines.
I was only about half way there when Skyler dropped out of the sky and wrapped his arms around me. I hugged him back just as hard. He reluctantly let me go and looked me up and down, “Your not still hurt are you?”
I laughed, “He asks after he tries to crush me. No, I’m not still hurt. I’m actually better then I have been for a while. How’s the battle going?”
“It’s about even. If we keep it up like this there isn’t going to be anything left of either side to bury the corpses.”
“I was afraid of that. Where are The Clan Heads and the other Heirs?”
“I was just with them. They are at the Command Tent. Ja` Lynn and the rest of your personal guard have been doing guard duty there. I told them I would be back with you.”
“Good. Let’s head there. This battle has gone on long enough. I aim to put a stop to it before the week is done.”
“How do you plan on doing that?”
I smiled, “Still working out the details.”
We walked through the lines to the Command Tent. Le` Than saw me and smiled, “Good to see you again, Yarianna. I do have to say that you look much better than you did the last time I saw you. Near death is not a very good look on you.”
I grinned, “I’ll keep that in mind. I need an update on how things are going.”
“Not as well as we had hoped but better then the first week. We are down half a Division to injuries and death. It is hard to tell due to the size of their army, but It seems as though they are about the same. We are better off due to the capture of their supplies so if we can end this soon it will be better. If they manage to get resupplied it could be a while before it is over. We put a Division to work getting that tunnel to the crater finished to resupply, but we can’t count on that happening soon enough to do any good. If all else fails we can use it to retreat.”
“No we can’t because I’m not going to retreat.”
“Yarianna, the possibility…”
“It doesn’t exist Le` Than. Would you abandon the crater? Would you tell your people that it was a nice thought, but you are going to have to leave a place that you’ve come to think of as your home?”
“You have only been here a few months.”
“I have been here my entire life.”
“I’m not going to hear any argument on this.”
“Good. That means you are dropping the idea of retreat. We did it last time. It is their turn.”
“Yari…”
I looked him in the eye and let my eyes go to slits, “Do not ‘Yari’ me Le` Than. I would happily give my life to ensure that my people are safe. Would you do the same?”
He was silent for a few moments. I could feel his other side fighting to get out and fight but I refused to break eye contact. Finally he said in a very controlled voice, “Fine. We stay and fight no matter what. Now can you please look away.”
I held his eyes for a moment longer then looked at Skyler, “I need a Wing of the most powerful channelers. If I’m not going to be able to stop this battle today then I will give them something to think about.”
Skyler smiled, “Any chance your going to tell me that something?”
“Nope. The best way to make sure that a plan like this works is to do it all at once and not tell anybody what is going on so that nothing can be betrayed even by accident.”
“I don’t think I want to know what you are planning because it will probably get you killed.”
“Most likely. I’m going to need them to meet me in three hours and be ready with an Energy Channel to me.”
“Ja` Lynn and I will be in your Quad.”
“Of course. Now go or you won’t be ready in time.”
He left and Le` Than looked at me, “Just what are you planning this time, heir of mine?”
“We will shortly be receiving a visit from an emperor. It is my intention to give him an offer he can’t refuse and since one of his heirs is currently in our prison win or lose today we shall still win in the long run.”
“Your not planning on assassinating the emperor are you?”
“Not if he does what we want him to.”
“It won’t work. He tends to reward threats with death you know.”
“That is exactly what I am counting on.”
“So you want him to kill you?”
“You have to admit that it would make everything so much easier.”
“I have a sudden dislike of this plan of yours.”
“That is why it is my plan and not yours.”
One of my messengers ran in, “Lady Yarianna, The Emperor had been spotted. He should be in their camp within the hour.”
“Very good. Go get something to eat then tell the nurse Anna Marie to get a bed ready for me. If things go the way I think they will I may need it in a hurry.”
He saluted me then ran off. Le` Than asked, “How did you know the Emperor would be here?”
“I had a conversation with one of the generals we have in prison. I have some things to prepare but before I do I need you to pull all of our warriors back into the cavern except those that go with me. If you see Skyler and Ja` Lynn come in without me seal off the cavern until I return. If I don’t return then it would be a good idea to withdraw to the crater because the Empire will be rather upset with our clans.”
“Again I am going to express my dislike of this plan.”
“Again that is why it is my plan and not yours. Are you going to do it or not?”
“I’ll do it. I will also be expecting to name a new Heir before this is done. It seems as though my current one is going to do her best to get killed.”
“Bah, Ja` Lynn is next in line after me. There, now everything is settled. I have some things to prepare.”
I left the tent and made my way to the vents at the top of my city. From there I could see the other army rather clearly. I watched as our warriors made their way into the cavern. Skyler and Ja` Lynn joined me a short time later. Skyler looked at me, “You look like your planning on doing something really stupid.”
“That’s because I am. Everything ready?”
“Yeah. We are waiting on your word. Can you tell me why you had everybody else return to the cavern?”
“That depends. Will you swear on your blades that you will follow my orders without question or hesitation no matter what they are or the situation we are in?”
“Is it going to be that bad?”
“I am going to require the same oath of every member of the Wing.”
I am fairly certain he used every swear word in both languages. He looked at me like he was going to try and talk me out of it so I held up a finger to stop him. I turned to face him directly. He finally stopped swearing and said, “I don’t like or agree with this plan of yours. You are putting yourself at too much risk.”
“Before you say what I know you want to, don’t. I have to do this.”
“Yarianna I…”
“Skyler. Sk` Yler. I love you, but if you cannot agree to this then I do not want you there.”
There was a long moment of silence before he sighed, “I don’t like it, but I will do as you say. I swear it on my blades.”
“Thank you. Now, I need you to go to Valora and tell her that I need her memory stone and hers only.”
“First tell me why you had everybody return to the cavern.”
“I am going to turn myself over to the justice of the Emperor. If he decides to kill me I will be holding enough energy to vaporize anything within a ten mile radius.”
He swore again but left to do as I asked. While I waited I sat down and meditated, gathering as much personal energy as I could. Skyler returned and I stood up. He handed me the stone. I looked at him and Ja` Lynn. “Ready?”
They answered in unison, “No.”
“Good. Lets go.”
We flew to the mid-point between the two camps and I sent my Wing the thought, “Begin the Energy Channel and all but my Quad return to the cavern. Continue to hold the Energy Channel until you are released.”
My Quad and I continued on and we were met in the air by a Patrol of Imperial Elites. The Sergeant sent the thought, “We are here to bring you to Imperial Justice. Fight and you will die.”
I felt the Energy Channel mix with my own energy and sent back, “I have come to settle a Blood Feud with the Emperor. Allow the remainder of my Quad to return or be held accountable.”
The Sergeant nodded, “So shall it be done. They may return.”
I nodded to my Quad, “Return directly to the cavern and wait for my return. If I do not return then follow Le` Than as you did me.”
They saluted and very reluctantly started back to the cavern. I looked at the Sergeant, “If you would escort me as I do not know the way.”
They formed ranks around me and flew me through the camp to the Emperor’s tent. We landed and the Sergeant went in. A short while later he walked back out and said, “Bring her in.”
We walked into the tent and I saw the Emperor for the first time. He looked a few years older the me, but his eyes said that he was at least as old as Le` Than. The Sergeant acted as herald and said, “Emperor, this is Lady Yarianna Nicole Sorenson Sa` Tain, Heir of Le` Than Sa` Tain who is the Clan Head of Clan Sa` Tain of the Rebel Kier. Lady Sa` Tain, this is Emperor Kh` Oman of the Imperial Kier, Protector of the Steward of the Solstice Province, Queen Valora Sorenson, first cousin of General Le` Sean Kh` Oman, both of whom Le` Than murdered, and third cousin of Lieutenant Ra` Yler Kh` Oman, who you murdered. Lady Sa` Tain has stated that she is here to settle a Blood Feud with Emperor Kh` Oman. You may state your case Lady Sa` Tain.”
I looked up at the Emperor and around at the Kier surrounding me and shook my head, “This is all just a show to you isn’t it? None of you particularly care if I can prove innocence, self defense, or guilt. You have already made up your minds that either way you are going to execute me. Is this a reasonable assumption?”
The Emperor smiled, “Yes. This is a reasonable assumption. I would still like to hear what you have to say though. You never know, I might find it in my heart to be understanding.”
“That smirk on your face and gleam in your eye give lie to your words, Emperor Kh` Oman. Since you are going to insist on continuing this pretense of a trial then I will go ahead and present my defense. First, I have proof that, not only is Le` Than innocent of Queen Valora’s murder, he was also acting in defense his wife, who General Kh` Oman had threatened, then caused physical harm to and coerced the signing of a treaty by threatening the death of Valora and her unborn child.”
“What proof do you have? Valora’s word? Le` Than’s? To produce either could be contested. In our records Valora is dead and Le` Than is a murderer who would lie to cover his transgressions.”
“Both and neither. I have Queen Valora’s Memory Stone.”
I saw a flash of surprise in the Emperor’s eyes. The Emperor looked at the Sergeant, “Bring in the Wizard. He will be able to verify the truth of the Stone.” The Sergeant left and the Emperor looked at me, “If you do truly hold her Memory Stone look into it and tell me what I was wearing in my left ear the first time we were introduced.”
“I will wait for the Wizard to verify it. I do not trust you enough to leave myself that vulnerable.”
“While we are waiting for the Wizard I would like to hear your reasoning for the murder of Lieutenant Kh` Oman.”
“He attempted to assassinate me and killed my guard instead, who was a personal friend and one of the contenders to Heir of Clan Sa` Tain. This was after demanding entrance to privately owned land five miles beyond the border of the Empire in the Eastern Waste. I told him that we were a peaceful settlement and he was no longer welcome to which he replied, and I quote, ‘Peaceful? I’ll show you peaceful.’ After saying those words he fired a shot from a hand crossbow, killing my guard who had shoved me to the ground to protect me.”
“Do you have proof of this as well?”
“My own Memory Stone is the best proof that I have, but I will not let you view it at your leisure due to secrets that are not mine to tell. I also have the word of the General who was Lieutenant Kh` Oman’s commanding officer. Said General is currently imprisoned within my city.”
“So what you have are witnesses you won’t produce to a crime you admitted to committing. How convenient.”
I heard a voice in the back of the tent say, “Emperor, I am a witness to that event. I was the one she handed Lieutenant Kh` Oman’s head to.”
“Step forward and be seen.”
The Private stepped forward. It took me a little bit to recognize him in the uniform of an Elite Guard. He bowed before the Emperor and said, “It is as she described. After shooting the guard Lieutenant demanded the surrender of the city, using the dead guard as an example of what could happen to the rest of them. She stood up and revealed her true nature as she punched her fingers through the Lieutenant’s throat, gripped his spine, and ripped off his head. She then handed the head to me and stated that the Lieutenant had declared war and that our Division would share the Lieutenant’s fate if we did not get off her doorstep, as she put it.”
“I see. Your testimony is noted Private, you are dismissed.”
The Private bowed again and left. The Sergeant walked in leading a man that looked exactly like Valora’s Court Wizard from the Memory Stone. The Wizard bowed before the Emperor, “You sent for me?”
“Yes. This girl claims to have Queen Valora’s Memory Stone. A stone which you said was lost beyond recovery when you came into my service. Tell me, Wizard. Is the girl lying?”
The man looked at me, “For the girl to have that stone she would have to be Valora’s blood descendant. How could she be if Valora died in her throne room?”
“How indeed. You have the power to display the images stored on a Memory Stone do you not?”
“I do.”
“Then Display for me the contents of that stone beginning with General Kh` Oman entering the city before the signing of the treaty.”
The Wizard took the stone and said a few words in a language I had never heard. The stone started to glow then began displaying the images. We had to watch as General Kh` Oman marched through the city, killing anybody that got within ten feet of the street. He walked into the throne room, dragging the Queen’s double in by her hair. We watched as the double was stripped, using a whip to remove any clothing, then raped by the General and his men. Afterward the General slit her throat then walked up to the Queen. He handed her the treaty and said that he would love to do the same to her. He only option was to sign the treaty and be under the Emperor’s protection. We watched as Le` Than entered and killed the General then left with the pendant. We watched the Queen’s escape and eventual death in child birth.
It was quiet in the tent when the stone finally stopped glowing. I took the stone back and put it away. The Emperor looked at me, “It seems as though you were telling the truth after all. It is too bad that it is a crime for you to exist in the Empire. Guards, finish her off.”
“I wouldn’t. The consequences would not be pleasant.”
“Why not?”
“I am currently holding an Energy Channel linked to a Wing of the most powerful Kier in my city. Can your people kill me faster then thought? If you try to kill me, I will vaporize everything within a ten mile radius. My city is shielded and just incase that doesn’t hold, the only beings within range are your Generals and son, whom I have imprisoned. One way or another, Emperor Kh` Oman, our Blood Feud with you will end today.”
“You would sacrifice your life for this?”
“Yes.”
“Well, you have my attention. What do you propose?”
“First, that you release the Kingdom of Solstice from the treaty the Queen was forced to sign and restore the monarchy to the proper bloodline. Second that you recognize the Eastern Waste as being the territory of the Kier and not part of the Empire. Third that you repel the law forbidding Kier to exist as you are in obvious violation of your own law. Fourth that you grant safe passage to all Kier who wish to enter Kier territory and grant immunity to all Kier in the Empire who bear the Clan Markings of the Kier from Kier territory. Fifth that you declare the Blood Feud over and release me to return without any harm to my city.”
“Are those the terms of your surrender?”
“No. Those are the terms of your survival.”
“You have a Wing of Energy at your disposal, yet I have Divisions at mine. What makes you so sure that I just counter your blast?”
“By the time you react to counter it you will already be dead. I have been bleeding the energy into everything within the ten miles throughout this entire pretense of a trial. Sense it for yourself if you wish. All it needs now is for me to trigger it.”
The Emperor looked me in the eyes then said, “She’s bluffing. Kill her.”
Blades flashed out and descended toward me. I triggered the explosion then released the Energy Channel so that my city could completely seal.
I felt a weight slam into me a moment before the blades would have decapitated me. The sensation that followed was the most unpleasant feeling I had ever felt. It was as if I had been turned inside out, sucked through the eye of a very small needle, then reassembled on the other side. I was then slammed onto the ground and pummeled by rocks half the size of my head. It was only due to the shield of whoever it was that had tackled me that none of them did more then cut my skin. Even still, a thousand paper cuts is not a pleasant feeling.
Half an eternity later the rocks finally stopped and I was greeted by the Wizard’s voice, “You fool of an idiot child. What, in the name of Kier, possessed you to do something so slack-witted?”
“Um, Why am I not dead?”
“The Order of Saleen protects it’s own, child.”
The Wizard let me up then pulled up his sleeve and showed me the mark that was on the front of my book was glowing slightly on his arm. I knew that the only reason I could see it was because I was also in the Order.
“You still haven’t answered my question. What were you thinking?”
“I was thinking about protecting my people.”
“There are better ways to go about it, child.”
“Name one, and quit bloody calling me child.”
“I will bloody call you child all I want, Yarianna. I am you father.”
