(Trinan, Imperial Castle)
The seven generals of the Empire could count on one hand the times they had all been called together to the palace at one time. The six Lower Generals and the one High General knew that when all seven were demanded, it was a sign of grave importance.
When Marcus Quint arrived, he found Alexander Renduex and Vincent Martine in the hall outside the throne room. "Well?" he asked the taller males quietly. "Is it true?"
"I'm waiting to ask General Southerwind." Alex's gaze lowered. "But I suspect it is true."
Vincent let out a long breath. "It's . . . disturbing." His head lifted quickly as he sensed a familiar presence. "Hello, Samantha."
"Well met, Vince." Samantha Yureny sighed. "Or, at least, I wish it was." She ran her hands over her arms to ward off a brisk chill. "There's nothing welcoming about being summoned all at once and with such rumors flying around, I might add."
Gordon D'terio came around the corner in time to hear her last comment. "Agreed," he said. His voice had an odd rasp to it that his fellow generals were well used to hearing. No one asked where it had come from. "It's hard to believe."
"Believe it." The sixth Lower General, a woman named Diamond Cutter, approached from another hallway. "I just confirmed it with a soldier who was released. Tyrian Southerwind is the leader of the Rebellion. Newly, however. He came onboard when he went looking for his brother's murderer."
In a very quiet voice, Marcus asked, "So then why did we issue a bounty for him before he joined the Rebellion? Lady Blaine may have driven this prophecy to occur by having a price put on his head."
"And if so," Donald said calmly as he joined them, "then there may as yet be something to be done. For now, if Tyrian is a danger to the Empire then we will deal with him." He paused and then added, "And let your soldiers know that we prefer him alive, not dead. You can't ask questions of a corpse."
"Yes sir." Vincent exchanged a glance with Samantha but neither said a word.
Marcus, ever the one to ask questions, said, "Do you think he's just being fooled?"
"Someone's being fooled in this scenario, that's for damn sure." Donald opened the throne room doors and walked inside. If he felt anything when he saw Annareal standing to the side, his face didn't show it. He crossed the room to stand before the throne and bowed deeply with the Lower Generals right behind him. "You summoned us."
Albanion nodded curtly and his fingers gripped the arms of his throne. Beside him, a hand on his shoulder, was the Lady Blaine. A slender and beautiful young woman, she had long black hair and piercing blue eyes. Something cruel almost always lurked at the edge of her mouth even when she was smiling.
Often, Di had wondered if Blaine's smiles were even capable of warming her icy eyes. Neither she nor Samantha liked Blaine in the slightest. Their male associates had at first, but they had eventually listened and really looked. Now none of them trusted Blaine. They especially didn't trust her power.
"Lady Annareal reports that she removed Ophelia Goldwind as a threat, but that Tyrian Southerwind has taken Ophelia's place." Albanion's fingers flexed and gripped the arms harder. "What in the name of the gods is your son up to, Donald? Is he trying to destroy the Rebellion from the inside or has he truly turned traitor?"
Without hesitation, Donald said, "If Tyrian is in the Rebellion, he is in the Rebellion because he wants to be. He's not the type to use subterfuge and deceit. If he was out to destroy them, he would have challenged them to a duel, one by one, until they surrendered."
"So he has been deceived." Albanion nodded curtly. "Blaine was right."
Di opened her mouth and then closed it. Seeing it, Blaine purred, "Did you have something you wanted to say, General Cutter? You are known to be quite sharp and cold."
The very subtle digs made Alex and Marcus both tense. Vincent shifted his weight warningly. Gordon's eyes narrowed. Samantha's hands curled into fists. Di just lifted her chin. She had heard every insulting reference to her name possible. "I was merely going to ask if perhaps we drove him there by offering a bounty for him. A self-fulfilling prophecy, if you like."
Albanion paused and Blaine leaned down intimately. "She's just offering a ridiculous opinion. You know it's not true."
He nodded, the frown fading from his face. "Of course." He brushed off Di's words almost carelessly. "Since you seem to believe Tyrian is there of his own will, the bounty stands. We cannot underestimate this boy. We will have to be more aggressive if we want to stop him. If they make a move for other towns, we will try to stop them. However, you, Generals, will focus your attention on the checkpoints."
Marcus blinked. "May I ask why?"
"The mentality of power. If the Rebellion starts to take control of checkpoints, the people will rally around them."
Very, very softly, Alex asked, "Do the people have reason to rally around a Rebellion?"
There was a long silence. No one moved or spoke. Then, curtly, Albanion said, "There is always discontent when a ruler does something for the better of his people and they don't understand. You may take your leave, Generals. Keep the checkpoints safe. General Southerwind, I ask for you to remain."
All seven generals bowed and the Lower six left the throne room. As they walked down the hall together, Gordon commented idly, "He didn't answer the question. Not really."
"We serve the people," was Samantha's murmur. "So we need to evaluate what is best for the people." She glanced at Di. "If you'd just marry Alex and put him out of our misery, you could get a new name."
Alex grinned. Di just scowled. "He'd be miserable married to me. And the Emperor would never allow it. We might distract each other." She stalked off down the hall, her white hair swinging behind her.
"Not that you're not already distracted by her," Vincent murmured to Alex.
Alex snorted softly. "She's distracted me since we were five. It's been thirty years and I'm not over it. I probably never will be. But thanks for the vote, Sam."
She smiled. "Anytime."
©Stacy J. Garrett. Do not reprint or redistribute without permission.
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