Highness

[a_libertine]

This thread is Looking for a partner. PM with interest. Thanks, Al.

Marsdan flew silently toward home. The Star Maze Plateau, the location of the imperial home, was visible on the horizon, or more precisely the glow of the lights against the clouds on the horizon were visible.

The steady rhythm of the Scythe Griffon's wings allowed Marsdan to relax and reflect on the state of the war against the Death Pyramid. The war had come to a remission with a dire event. Star Empire had lost its emperor, news that Marsdan was bearing for the capital, and more importantly it's princess, now Queen. She would gain the title Empress only after expanding the lands of the Star Empire.

Marsdan swore to himself that the first conquest would be the Death Pyramid and the lands it controlled. The lands were pretty much already in control, the pyramid itself turned out to be a warren of undead in a series of mazes littered traps. Deep within the bowels was a festering mass of dead mage bones; which happened to be the last body available to the Lich King of the Death Pyramid.

Marsdan had battled the lich repeatedly each time defeating it, destroying the body the lich had used. Each time Marsdan missed the phylactery that powered the lich's undeath. The break was unfortunate. Marsdan was so close to finishing the war, but the queen had to be informed of the happenings with her father.

His pale blue, almost white, eyes focused on the city, much closer now and he closed them. The scythe griffon was more of a battle creature than a long distance transportation, but this magnificent creature, augmented by magic, was giving its noble life getting Marsdan back before the rising of the sun over the plateau.

As the griffon approached the sheer walls that made up the plateau, Marsdan incanted a spell and disappeared from the griffon's back and appeared in the imperial throne room. Sapphire and silver marble glinted in the torch light as Marsdan spun and headed toward the royal apartments.

Marsdan waited a brief time until he heard movement in the apartment behind the double ivory door, then opened it. In a flourish of spell and sword that left Marsdan bowed, on one knee, with his black hair flowing down his chest informed the princess of her new rank as simply as he could.

"My Queen."

 

[plightofsabine]

Sabirah’s dark eyes gazed out the arching windows; beyond them and beyond the walls, laid a city stretching from one side of the horizon to the other. It was the epicenter of commerce and as of late, had been emptied of its military might. Some of the soldiers had been pulled inside the walls of the imperial home while the rest joined their comrades on the field of battle. What citizens remained continued to carry on in their absences. Sabirah spied carts on the road headed for the morning market. The land surrounding was mainly farmland; half dedicated to food stuffs and the other half to the production of fabrics, for which the Star Empire was known. If one didn’t pay too much attention, one wouldn’t notice the temporary decrease in population.

The last six months were dedicated to expansion of the empire. The Emperor had taken it upon himself to see to the front lines and it was there he was the most vulnerable. It was of his mind to always lead from the front and would never ask anyone to go forth and do what he wouldn’t willingly do himself. It was always thus. Therefore, Sabirah was left in the capital in the event something went awry.

This morning was a little cool and the sun was just starting to peak over the horizon. Sabirah rubbed her hands up and down her arms to fend off a shiver. She turned and the wave of long, midnight colored hair shifted across the small of her back. Her bronze skin glowed against the sunlight, highlighted by the sleeveless, silver gown that draped over her shapely form. Sabirah was restless and when she approached the doors, her whole world suddenly came crashing down on her.

"My Queen."

Her immediate reaction was to close her eyes tight. It just wasn't possible. Surely, he was mistaken, she thought. When she dared to open her eyes, Sabirah motioned off her ladies and the three of them silently exited the room. Her attention returned to Marsdan who knelt before her and indicated for him to rise.

“Please join me,” she asked, making her way to one of the two high-backed chairs. Sabirah swallowed hard and settled down, resting her hands on each arm. She gripped tightly, feeling a tremble make its way through her. When he had settled in the opposite chair, she engaged him again.

“What happened?”

 

[a_libertine]

Marsdan nodded then with a word and a brief gesticulating an image filled the room. The room became an opulent tent filled with men in armor circling a table. From the right side of the tent came three shadowy figures slithered in, followed by a sword cutting through the thick fabric. As the shadows fell upon the commanders, a large skeleton in fine armor stepped in.

The mayhem of battle quickly replaced the orderly eating that had been discussing tactics. The swords and maces of the men sliced through the shadows with little effect. Chanting could be seen as one of Marsdan's associates cast a spell. The ensuing light filled the tent limiting the effect of the shadows. The armored skeleton swung his sword in a mighty arc lopping off the heads of two of the commanders.

In a very short order the skeleton, with fear inspiring red eyes, was face to face with the emperor. The two swing at each other the vile knight sundered through the emperor's sword.

Marsden ended the 'show' there, sparing the queen the outcome of the fight. His eyes sought hers out. He saw the tears that were barely held back in the deep emerald pools. "I had fought the lich all the previous day, and was sleeping the mages sleep," His voice cracked as he finished, "they woke me as fast as they safely could."

 

[plightofsabine]

Sabirah’s jaw was set. He could guess there were a million things running through her head of which grief and anger were a party to. She broke their eye contact and glanced down. The queen rose from her chair and walked back to the window, resting her fingertips upon the thick pane of glass as she looked out. She stood there, visibly shaking.

It wasn’t even an honorable death. It was a death brought about by the vessels of dark magic. Magic no ordinary man could possibly wield, not even the greatness that was the Emperor. His spirit would wander the earth and would find no rest until the source of the dark magic had been eliminated. His death had to be avenged; for the sake of his immortal soul and for the sake of the Empire.

It wasn’t Marsdan’s fault; like she, he was similarly affected by the death. She heard it in his voice. Sabirah couldn’t remember a time Marsdan wasn’t near. Her path had been clear and she knew from a very young age, her responsibilities would only grow heavier over time. With him, however, he was free to do whatever he wished; to carve out any path he so desired. Yet, even with the world to explore he chose to stay. If for no other reason but this single moment, she was glad he did.

 

[a_libertine]

Marsdan sat a moment then walked over to the window behind Sabirah. He placed his hand on her back between her shoulder blades to comfort her. He long dark hair, like rusted ebony, was soft to his touch, a silken texture unlike any other in the world. It was not his place to pull her into his arms to give her the intimate hug she probably needed so desperately so he waited until he felt movement then lowered his hands.

"Sabirah, I cannot stay long, a be the day and I must reenter the mages sleep and finish it. There are thousands of troops at dire risk of my absence."

 

[plightofsabine]

She took in a long breath and released it. Marsdan had good instincts. Sabirah didn’t want to break down in front of him, though she very well could have, had his hand rested a second longer. There was still so much to do and so many people were still at risk. Only now did she realize why the Emperor chose to be out on the front. Her first instinct was to ride out.

Magic was a combination of skill and natural ability. Few people could use it successfully. Sabirah respected it for what it was. Used in the wrong manner, the magic became corrupted as well as the soul of the one who wielded it. The Death Pyramid was a cesspool of the dark magic and if they were going to live in relative safety, everything in the pyramid had to be destroyed. This opinion was only reinforced by the missives her father sent back from the front. She didn’t receive them regularly, but now and again, he took some time to pen his thoughts so she would have something in hand to help her understand why he did what he did.

Sabirah’s turned and her eyes shifted between the view below and to the wizard.

“I understand. I won’t keep you. Thank you for taking the time to inform me of the events. Tell me what you need to be rid of this scourge and I will make it happen,” she responded in a strained voice.

 

[a_libertine]

Marsdan knew the Emperor would be very proud of his daughter and her strength. The Empire would be in good hands if three things worked out.

The first was her ability to hold the throne until he got back from the Death Pyramid. While the majority of the major undead had been laid to rest in their own hells, Marsdan knew that the lich remained and until they found the philately it was nothing more than a holding pattern. Marsdan was sure he would find it, the problem was finding it while fighting the lich over and over. It was time to change that stalemate.

The second was Sabirah's ability to hold the throne while he was gone. There were a myriad of political enemies and she knew them all as well as she knew her home. The underlying truth was that the palace held many secrets that she didn't know; and truth be told, many he didn't know. There were allies that would sell them out for a more advantageous position. And there would enemies that would help them if the circumstances warranted it.

The third and trickiest was whom would she marry? The conversations that the Emperor had were inconclusive and Marsdan had no idea what or if the Emperor ever decided. Whoever she married would be a major factor in the two other issues as well.

"Hold the throne, Sabirah, hold the throne," he said voice weary. "I must go before I cannot."

With that he spun on a heel and strode from the chamber, lacking the strength to teleport.

 

[plightofsabine]

The Empire would need to mourn. That meant she needed to get her father’s body back and have a proper service. They would leave his body open for viewing for three days. No more. Then he would be laid to rest in the family tomb. Once his body was laid to rest, only then would she officially take on the mantle as Queen.

Most of the military might was out on the field. The first thing she needed to do was to reinforce the security around the capital. She would also need to collect those around her she knew were strong supporters. The announcement of the Emperor’s death would soon come and she needed to be prepared when his body was returned to her. Sabirah wasn’t too worried about those she knew; it was those she didn’t know. Her father had a group of ministers he drew from when he made his decisions. She really didn’t have the luxury of complete trust. Sabirah stood there by the window thinking.

Who could she trust implicitly?

Ministers came with agendas and while she would rather just toss them out on their rears, she had to keep them in their positions if for nothing but to maintain the stability of the government. A few good names came to mind and she would, no doubt, see them after she broke her fast.

Sabirah took some time to clean her face. She didn’t want to appear distraught and out of control when she went out those double ivory doors. In fact, she decided a show of strength was most appropriate under the current situation. She donned a gold necklace that held a single emerald stone. It was a special gift from her father when she was just coming into adolescence and one he knew would come in handy. When he had presented it to her, he made the statement that every leader needed the ability to determine the truth from a lie. The stone had been enchanted to detect such things. In addition to the necklace she also added matching gold and emerald armlets, each that held tiny hidden blades laced with poison. Though she never had an offensive use for them, she wanted to insure her own safety. Satisfied, she finally left the security of the royal apartments.

The moment she stepped out of the doors, the two guards came to attention.

“Good morning, Gentlemen,” she said, as she always did. And, as they always did, they remained silent. Disciplined. Sabirah smiled to herself and headed for the throne room.

The throne room had two purposes. One was to receive guests and entertain and the other was for taking meals. As was the norm, there was a small line of ministers waiting with their parchments and quills for the daily business who bowed as she entered the room. Sabirah entered and took the seat at the head of the table, again, as was the norm in her father’s absence.

She motioned them to rise.

“Good morning, gentlemen,” she greeted, and was met with the reply, “Good morning, Your Royal Highness.”

She often wondered if they practiced their response often enough because they always sounded like a single voice. Humor was what she needed right now, so it would get her through the coming days.

The Lord Steward clapped his hands and the serving maids entered the hall with trays of food. There was no way Sabirah was going to eat all of it and suspected before long, she would have some company. Normally she would have taken her breakfast in her apartments. Today she just wanted to get out.

“Sit, Gentlemen, I want to have a frank conversation with all of you,” she announced, waving off the servants once the food had been placed on the table. She waited until the room was empty of all others before she began to speak.

“First, I want to commend all of you on keeping up with your duties. I have had nothing but good reports in all areas. So thank you for that,” she stated. She watched as the men around the table started to relax. “I would also like to think each of you would like to stay on in your positions over the long-term,” she added.

Heads nodded around the table.

“I want to see that happen, gentlemen. I promise I will come to the point very soon. Just this morning, before the full light of day hit, I received news from the battle front. Our Great Emperor, Muhktar Almasi, my father, was slain by the dark forces of the Death Pyramid.”

Sabirah paused, watching the faces of the ministers around the table. Some were obviously concerned while others kept a neutral expression.

“What this means, gentlemen, is that we will soon receive his body back from the front and we will need to prepare for an appropriate burial. This also means, being the imperial crown princess, I will be elevated to Queen.”

The murmuring around the table started.

“Gentlemen, please,” she waited until their talking stopped.

“Now – I have every intention of continuing on in my father’s footsteps and see through all the plans he had for the Empire. What I want from you, is your continued loyalty to myself and my family. In return, you will keep your current positions as long as you can continue to perform your duties to the Empire. When you cannot, I will make sure you retire comfortably and in peace.”

Now she saw the smiles and the head nodding. That was a good sign. She placed her hand over the emerald stone briefly.

“Do each of you accept?” She asked, looking to each of them individually.

“Lord Stain?”
“Yes, my Queen.”

“Lord Hamed?”
“Yes, my Queen.”

She continued on until she got the answers from the ministers. No warmth from the stone. Sabirah visibly relaxed.

“Thank you, gentlemen.” She responded.

“Before we go any further, these are the things I need done. First, I need the guard in the city and the imperial apartments doubled. Now that the Emperor is dead, our enemies will be looking for an opportunity to take advantage of our situation. Second, I need to see the ambassadors for Ilrania, Llytith and the Citadel. Since those are our long-term neighboring allies, I will need to solidify relations. I haven’t been told of their departures, so I am guessing they are still housed here. Third, we must prepare for the return of my father’s body. Are there any concerns so far?” she asked, looking around the table once again.

It was going to be a very, long day. She reminded herself silently to meet with the captain of the imperial guard.

 

[a_libertine]

Marsdan reached his apartment and collapsed into a chair and his eyes snapped immediately shut. His consciousness left his body immediately headed toward the place where magic and knowledge waited for those whom knew how to access it.

Safely in his own abode, he dared look for that which he could not in the field, the phylactery. Through the massive monolithic building Marsdan searched while collecting his strength and might back.

The Death Pyramid stood nearly a quarter mile high, each side almost half a mile long. The blocks that made the pyramid were tens of tons each, carved from the heart of a mountain fifteen centuries ago. Krixeor made the pyramid not long after his infernal transformation into one of the most powerful creatures to ever exist. A creature he had sworn to kill.

The interior of the pyramid was darker than night. No light survived long. A spell suppressed the light of torches to a radius of less than that of a candle. Marsdan was aware of the vast riches that the pyramid held, had seen much of it. What he hadn't seen was the magical treasure specifically the tomes and other books in various forms.

He realized his mistake at long last. Marsdan had been always fighting his way up the pyramid. The Secret was down. He would find his victory in the bowels of the pyramid not at its Apex. Down he sent his mind until he found an area so magically warded he dared go no farther.

It was long after dark when Marsdan awoke. Realizing that his servants were back on the front he called for one of the palace servants to draw a steaming hot bath. "One indulgence, " he muttered to no one in particular.

 

[plightofsabine]

By the time the sun fell, Sabirah’s head was pounding with a headache. She hadn’t taken much time to herself for the day. There had been so many documents to review and sign; she thought she was going to lose her mind. She wasn’t one that would just sign anything. Sabirah chose to read everything, which became tedious and time intensive. But. It was something she needed to do if she was going to understand everything that was going on.

The ministers were more than happy to go about their business with little interference. Sabirah was satisfied with that for the moment. At some point in the coming days, she would go over every order of business with each of them. One would say she was auditing the palace business. She knew at some point she would find something and would have to start asking questions.

Ladies Alia, Farah, and Minha met Sabirah at her apartments. Just as Sabirah had ordered, the guard had been doubled throughout the palace. For that she was glad to see. She had dismissed the ladies earlier for the day in order to get her mind and some of the business straight. She really didn’t want to have another conversation about this, but it was one she had to have. Sabirah sighed heavily as she pushed the ivory doors open, and the three ladies followed her in.

Sabirah sat down in her chair and motioned for the ladies to sit around the front of her feet her so she could see each of them. The three knew something was terribly wrong and they looked up at her with wide eyes.

“I’m sorry I haven’t had time to sit with you today, but I’ve had many things on my mind today…” Sabirah began to explain what happened. There were gasps and chatter expressing their sympathies, and she expected that from these three. They had been with her for a few years now, so they had gotten close to Sabirah.

She held up her hand briefly, waiting for them to quiet before she spoke again.

“This is what I need you three to do for me. I need you to keep your eyes and ears open. Pretty soon, the word of my father’s death will spread and those who would rather attempt to try to take what’s rightfully mine away from me will start plotting. I need to know when that happens. I want you to pay attention to the nobles in particular. Farah, I want you to stay close to Lord Hadad. He seems to have an eye on you and I don’t trust him. Gain his trust and let me know if anything he says and does sounds odd. Do you think you can do this for me?”

Each assured her they could.

“Good. Thank you. We have a long couple of days ahead, so I really need to get some rest,” Sabirah said wearily.

It didn’t take long for the ladies to assist her with getting undressed and when she had had enough, she sent them out. Left to the silence of the room, she realized she was completely alone. Sabirah sunk down into the bed and finally broke down into tears, sobbing inconsolably until she had no strength left and finally fell asleep.

 

[a_libertine]

Marsdan sat in the streaming tub, the fragrant water eating the wear and tear off the last day away. He pondered the state of affairs and how to best handle everything. The Death Pyramid was nearly 500 miles away, and Marsdan knew he could buy a considerable amount of time by preserving the Emperor and shipping him back by carriage. At the absolute fastest it would take 20 days for it to arrive. With a large enough guard it could easily take twice as long; and, if anyone deserves a long stately parade it was the Emperor.

After the water cooled Marsdan stepped out and looked at himself in the mirror as he passed it. What he saw made him stop and look again. It appeared that military campaigns agreed with him. Most of the sedentary paunch was gone. His arms were defined and stronger than they were before. Tossing the thought aside as mindless drivel, Marsdan dressed in his customary robes. They were a deep blue, the color of the ocean at its deepest and trimmed in silver runes and images.

A moment later he was standing in his tent at the Death Pyramid barking out orders. It took less than five minutes before Marsdan headed back into the pyramid.

 

[plightofsabine]

Just before daybreak, Sabirah’s dreams started to haunt her.

Voices, some she knew and some she didn’t know, seemed to taunt her every time she turned around. They were laughing at her. She couldn’t see their faces; they were but shadows that seemed to flit in and out at will. Gaping maws of saliva and teeth lurched forward at her causing her to shriek in fright. Sabirah was running… but she didn’t know where she was running to… she seemed to be running in a maze. A thick, dark fog rolled in around her, obfuscating everything around her.

“FATHER!” she cried out. “FATHER!!” Sabirah had to find the Emperor. She knew he was here, somewhere in the dark. He was probably hurt. Why wouldn’t he answer her?

Sabirah tried to run again and when she was able to gain some speed, it was as if time slowed her very movement. She moved achingly slow. Sabirah looked down. She wanted to know what was happening. She noticed she was barefoot in her emerald night gown.

“WHAT THE?!!”

Sabirah fought against the invisible force that was slowing her. The more she struggled, the stronger it held her. When she thought she could give no more, the barrier eased and she flew forward, shrieking and tumbled clumsily onto the stone floor, scraping her thigh. Sabirah winced and slapped her hand over the scrape that now oozed blood. She grit her teeth and came to her feet. Sabirah limped on for a few steps before she was able to ignore the pain.

“FATHER! WHERE ARE YOU??”

Her voice echoed down the halls and she was met with a hauntingly deep laughter that surrounded her.

“WHO ARE YOU? WHAT DID YOU DO WITH MY FATHER?” she yelled out demandingly.

The laughter continued, vibrating through her very being. The bass voice caused a shiver to crawl up her spine.

Sabirah tried to find a direction from which the voice was the strongest and she ran towards it. Wall after wall appeared. When she thought she had found her way, she would find a dead end and would have to back track. It felt like it was taking forever. When she found another dead end she slammed her fists against the wall and screamed out in frustration.

An ice cold breeze came up from behind her, sending a chill racing through her. Sabirah turned around only to see an armor-clad figure towering over her. When she approached, there was no face beneath the helm. All she could see was a pair of glowing orbs for eyes. Sabirah gasped in surprise and started to retreat. The figure moved toward her.

“You’re next, little princess,” it jeered, in the same booming voice she had heard earlier.

Sabirah shook in fear as she was cornered back against the wall. The palms of her hands finally made contact with the stone. The closer the figure approached, the colder the air around her became. Just as the giant maw opened, she turned her head, closed her eyes tight and flung her hands up in front of her face. She let loose a scream that would have rocked the very earth itself.

~~

Sabirah was jarred from the vision by one of her ladies, shaking her awake.

“My Queen! Wake up!” Lady Farah continued to shake her until she was conscious.

Sabirah flickered her eyes open and realized she was surrounded by the Imperial Guard.

“It was a nightmare, that’s all,” she said, soothingly. “It was just a nightmare.”

Sabirah was visibly shaken and she tried to rise. She was complete and utterly exhausted. There was no telling how long this had gone on. It felt like she had been running all night long.

“Perhaps you should rest a while longer,” Lady Farah suggested.

“Yes… yes, I should rest here a while longer,” Sabirah replied shakily. She thanked the guard and sent them back to their posts before she flopped back down on her pillow. Her brow was wet with sweat.

“Give me an hour and then make sure I’m awake,” Sabirah instructed. Lady Farah stepped back and curtsied before disappearing from the room.

Sabirah ran her hands across her face. What a horrible nightmare. She attributed it to the stress from the previous day. Sabirah tried to lay there a while letting her heat beat slow from the fear that had gripped her so tightly, but after a while, she got restless. Sabirah rose once again and tried to shake the drunken fog that had enveloped her in sleep.

She placed two feet on the fur-covered ,marble floor, and when she came to her feet, she felt a shooting pain in her thigh. Sabirah slapped her palm over her thigh, wincing again. She pulled up her gown to reveal her long legs only to find a scrape the length of her thumb across her left thigh. She grew confused.

It was a dream.

Did she fall out of bed?

Sabirah had to clear her head. The only way she could do that was to ride. She slowly made her way to the small, round table near the large windows of her chamber. Upon it was a tray of fruit, a fresh pitcher of water and a small goblet. She plucked a few berries and popped them into her mouth as she poured the water into the goblet. Her throat was sore and dry. The water would help ease the discomfort. Sabirah drank slowly and deeply. When she was finally sated, she headed for her dressing room. Before she entered she shouted out for Lady Farah.

When she appeared in the doorway she instructed her to have her mount brought to the steps of the palace. She was going for a ride. The lady acknowledged her command and disappeared.

Sabirah stood in her dressing room glancing over all the different garments. She finally chose and black pair of breeches, a soft emerald green shirt and a black cloak with knee-high leather boots. It wasn’t that she didn’t enjoy being dressed up, but she found for riding, it was best to be more practical. It took some time to dress, but when she was finished, she tied her long, silken hair back with a leather tie and pulled out a pair of riding gloves. Satisfied, she headed for the door.

Before long, she was headed out and down the steps to where her mount had been waiting. There were also four of the Imperial Guard waiting, no doubt, to accompany her. Lady Farah followed up behind Sabirah.

“My Queen, are you sure you don’t need me with you,” she asked.

“Not this time. I just need to clear my head a little. I have the guard in the event something goes awry,” Sabirah reassured her.

The Queen mounted her steed. He was breathtaking with his snow white coat. The stallion was a gift from her father just on her last birthday. He was a tall beast; full of spirit… her father said he had a spirit just like her. Just like her, he could get cranky, though she thought he became more unmanageable just because of the mares. Typical male. She called him Aladon, and he was trained as a warhorse. A necessity in these times.

Sabirah gathered the reigns and nudged Aladon forward. The only thing that was heard was the thundering of hooves as the group left the courtyard.

 

[a_libertine]

It took hours using some of the most unsavory people the army had, but the found a concealed door that opened to a small hallway, which of course was unlit. Once Marsdan stepped into the hall a great, horrendous scraping noise, two large rocks scraping against each other. A warning was screamed from behind him, " 'Ware my lord!"

Marsdan wasn't sure how the man behind him saw it, but coming down the hallway, climbing along the ceiling much like a spider was a woman who looked startlingly like Sabirah. Marsdan uttered a word of arcane might and the hall filled with the light of the sun. The Sabirah look alike screamed in rage then horror as it caught fire then died.

No sooner had Marsdan looked down the hall and a great wave of undead creatures came crashing down the hall. Two knights jumped in front of him and took the brunt of the charge, giving Marsdan the time necessary to cast another spell. Lightning crackled between the knights' shoulders, filling the hall with the clean smell of ozone, followed by the sickly sweet smell of burnt flesh. As the body parts landed, Marsdan quipped wearily, "Well that is one hall way down."

Marsdan looked behind him and pointed at the man who yelled the warning. 'What is your name?"

The man looked around trying to deflect then said , "Jaden, mi'lord."

One of the knights snorted, "He means the Eye Jaden, Lord Marsdan. Folks say his eyes don't miss anything."

The man did not try not deflect, causing Marsdan to smile ruefully, "You are with me Jaden. If we live I will make a lord of you."

The man groaned, "If'n it's all the same to you, I don't want to be no lord. Too many rules for the likes of me."

 

[plightofsabine]

Instead of heading into the city proper, as soon as they hit the gates, Sabirah nudged Aladon out across the countryside. The terrain surrounding the city was farmland and foothills and was perfect for taking a good, long ride. There were some storm clouds moving in over the countryside, but Sabirah guessed the rain wouldn’t come for some time yet.

Her mind was flooded with images from the nightmare that had gripped her and she figured it had something to do with the visions Marsdan provided her. It was all so real. Everything she felt. The cold, the stone, the fear… it was all so very real. Sabirah shivered at the thought. She hoped that for all her mind’s work, it was truly just a nightmare.

Today, Sabirah had to meet with the ambassadors of her allies. Though she only took it upon herself to speak to them as the Emperor had directed, she was on her own now. What was she going to say to them? How was she going to broach the subject? She didn’t exactly have a plan, so she’d have to figure something out before she returned to the palace.

The biggest concern in the security of the Empire was who she would stay aligned with. It was more than just having an agreement. In this day and time, agreements were made between families through contractual marriages, of which, had the Emperor lived, she would have been party to. Sabirah was now of age where he would have already begun negotiations to expand his influence. She would have been the key. Since he hadn’t said anything to her, she would have to start digging to find out just what had been said in her behalf. Sabirah didn’t want to be surprised by something that was already arranged. More than likely, she would find some fault in it anyways.

Sabirah glanced back over her shoulder, “Keep up, I’m going to give him the rein,” she warned, spurring Aladon forward. The stallion broke out into a canter and the guard managed to keep up. The wind rushed into her face and she could feel the powerful muscles under her working hard. She gave him a little more rein to stretch out and he moved into a full out gallop. Sabirah’s spirit lifted as they swiftly crossed the countryside. The thunder of the hooves beating into the ground and the wind whipping in her face was an experience that she could get in no other place. Sabirah laughed as she felt her stress melt away. It was just her and Aladon. Horse and rider, moving as one. She could hear him snorting with effort as his heart pumped soundly in his chest cavity and his lungs expanded. He was positively amazing. She didn’t want him to get overworked, so after a time, she reined him in, slowing him down until they finally came to a walk. Sabirah stroked the beast’s neck and pat him affectionately.

“Thank you my friend,” she murmured.

Aladon snorted and tossed his head. Sabirah laughed.

When she looked up again, the clouds had started to settle in. Sabirah had lost track of the time.

“My Queen, we’re going to run into some bad weather.”

She looked up again and to the four who had accompanied her.

“We should head back then,” she remarked.

Turning towards home, they headed back at a decent, steady pace. The outing had cleared her mind and she counted the ride a success, despite having to cut it short. Before they made it back to the steps, the rain started to fall. Sabirah pulled up the hood of her cloak and she spurred Aladon along a little faster. What luck. She’d be soaked to the skin upon her return. By the time she made it back, she was indeed soaked. Sabirah flipped the hood of her cloak back and dismounted. The guard led Aladon back to the stables and she climbed the stairs back into the palace.

Sabirah stripped off her wet cloak. Her hair was a complete mess and she looked like someone who would have come off the street. She made her way through the halls intending on heading back to the apartments. Lord Hadad was headed her way. She really didn’t have time to deal with him and she intended to ignore him as they passed. He’d never recognize her anyway. As he brushed past her, he grabbed her arm and she shrieked in surprise.

“Let me go!” she commanded, trying to jerk her arm out of his grip.

“Just where would a maid like you be going?” the large man asked, sneering.
Lord Amir Hadad was an imposing figure. He stood at 5’10 with jet black hair, brown eyes, bronzed skin and a shaved goatee. The man was full of ego. Sabirah never liked him and she found him annoying. He thought every woman was born to spread her legs for him. Lord Hadad had a bad habit of trying to talk down to her and she didn’t take kindly to his advances as subtle as they were.

“I am no maid!” Sabirah responded.

He pushed her up against the wall and pinned her against it with his body.

“You’re not? Then we really need to become good friends,” he said.

By all the gods, his breath stank! And, he was heavy! Sabirah slid her hands up between her body and his and physically shoved the pompous lord away from her.

“I AM YOUR QUEEN, YOU FOOL!” she roared out in anger, pushing her ebony hair from her face. “HOW DARE YOU TOUCH ME!”

Lord Hadad looked stunned she had said anything. It enraged Sabirah further. She flung her hand back and slapped him hard across the chin. “I will have you imprisoned for taking such liberties,” she growled threateningly.

Lord Hadad recovered from the slap and he pressed his hands together and bowed. “I’m sorry, My Queen, I didn’t realize it was you…”

Boots could be heard down the hallway and they sounded like they were running. It would be only a moment before they arrived.

“It didn’t matter if it was me or any other woman. You have no right to take such familiarity with any woman!”

"I I..would never..." He started to explain, stuttering.

When the guard arrived, Sabirah was standing in front of Lord Hadad with her hands on her hips. “Take him and lock him up for his efforts and laying a hand on one of the royal family. Let him sit there in a cell for 3 days and think about what he’s done,” she commanded.

Lord Hadad was led away and Sabirah was able to get back to her apartments relatively unharmed.

She had to change out of her wet clothes and finish breakfast before she would be able to talk to the ambassadors. Her little event frazzled her nerves. It should have been something for her to expect, but, she hadn’t. Sabirah wouldn’t make that mistake again.

 

[a_libertine]

Marsdan looked at his small coterie. Two knights, an unsavory looking rogue and a young cleric made up the troop that he planned on breaching the utter depths of the blackest hell. "We go now to a place where saner people would not go. Now is the time if you have doubt, to leave."

He looked at the two knights first knowing their nodding heads would set the tone for the other two. The young cleric replied, "Where you go, so shall I in the name of the Ikhael, Lord of Magic, Keeper of knowledge. "

Marsdan turned to Jaden, who said, "If'n riches come with that damnable title, then aye, I go."

Marsdan replied amused, "Aye, an income comes with it, we can't have a beggarly lord."

Without another word or glance, Marsdan turned on a heel and headed down the hallway. They found a stair heading down, the feted odor of decay and rot wafting up toward them. With a quick word and gesture, a light shown from the shields of the two knights, brighter than the light of a lantern. Downward they went, the dark unknown forbidding them.

Wave after wave of lesser undead crashed against the shield wall provided by the two knights. Each time the stalwart knights held their line, repulsing the attacks. Their arms grew weary, sweat stung their eyes, yet for all their effort, their progress was slow and uneven. By noon, they had made little more progress than several hundred feet.

They rounded a corner and faced a large black door, seemingly made of onyx. The door was engraved with numerous runes and glyphs. Marsdan looked at the door deciphering the many spells.

"Have a rest men," he said. "This will take a while."

Jaden looked at the door and said, "Let me give a go at her. I gots something that will help."

Marsdan looked at him dubiously then nodded, "Go ahead."

Jaden pulled a bolt of cloth from his pocket. It was no more than a foot square, black with gold trim. It was pricey, so much so that Marsdan wondered how Jaden came about it, then decided best not to ask.

The mousy, gray rogue stepped up to the door and rubbed the cloth across it. As he did the glyphs and symbols. One symbol remained at the end, and Jaden smiled ruefully, "Me magic cloth."

Marsdan looked appreciably at the rogue and nodded. "Excellent work, sir." It took Marsdan only a moment to rid the door of the final ward. The door opened onto a wider hallway, more like an elongated room.

A voice colder than ice hissed, "Sssssooo, Marsssdan a lesser Arch Mage of the Sssstar Empire has so arrived at lasssst."

An amorphous mass moved a long sinuous head darted forward stopping feet in front of the group of four. The large reptilian maw opened wide and spew a gout of fire at the group. The knights dropped to their knees shields raised protecting them from the fires. Jaden rolled back and around the door opening. Marsdan uttered a word encasing his body in a sheet of ice which melted away as the fire passed over him.

Immediately the knights jumped up, rushing the dragon. It's scales were rotted, falling off bit by bit. The might pyramid shook and quaked with the ensuing brawl. The Dragon roared in pain, anger and triumph as it bit the head off one of the knights.

It was a short lived victory as Marsdan cast a spell, a sickly yellow green ray which struck the dragon dead on. The Dragon began to compress upon itself, bones cracked, snapped and splintered as the dragon halved in size, and then again. In the course of a minute, as the dragon roared, it reduced in size until it was the size of a pea, then exploded in a rain and hail of blood and bone.

"Lesser my ass," Marsdan whispered.

 

[plightofsabine]

When Sabirah made it back to her apartments the ladies swooped in on her. Between the three ladies and Sabirah, the apartments were filled with chatter.

“My Queen, you’re soaked!” Lady Farah exclaimed.

As the ladies peeled off her clothes onther brought a soft towel to dry her off and then she slipped into a soft robe.

“The weather was good when we headed out, but half-way out, the clouds started rolling in. It didn’t take long for the bottom to drop out of the clouds,” Sabirah said.

“Oh, Lady Farah, you won’t have to look for Lord Hadad for at least 3 days. He’s in confinement.”

The woman’s eyes grew wide. “What happened?” she asked.

“He made a mistake,” Sabirah replied simply.

“I need to get my hair dried and get dressed. I have some things to do today,” Sabirah added.

It didn’t take long for the ladies to have their Queen re-dressed for the day. Sabirah was still mulling over what happened with Lord Hadad. He had pressed his luck. She suspected others would find similar nonsense and she didn’t look forward to it.


---

Sabirah was still focused on Lord Hadad when she heard Lady Alia’s voice.
“His Excellency, Gayor Hambin of Ilrania,” Lady Alia announced.

With a grace uncommon in men, the ambassador bowed reverently as Sabirah’s gaze shifted.

“Thank you for coming.”

“It is always a pleasure, Your Highness,” Gayor replied.

Sabirah offered him a seat. “Please do sit. I have something I need to discuss with you.” The ambassador smiled and got comfortable.

“How are your children?”

“They’re doing well, for the most part. They do not understand why Papa is always gone. My wife does her best to explain it to them. They are still young you know. Andra is 7 and Elsie is just now 5,” he answered, puffing out his chest proudly.

Sabirah smiled warmly, “I’m sure they miss you very much. You cannot stay away too long. They grow very fast,” she commented.

“Your Excellency, I needed to let you know my father, the Emperor, was suddenly struck down by the vessels of evil on the front lines. His body will be returned and we will have a proper service for him. In the meantime, I am now responsible for the empire and elevated to Queen.” Sabirah’s smile disappeared. “I know Ilrania has had a long standing alliance with The Star Empire and I would very much like to continue that relationship.”

“I’m sure Ilrania would want to continue the alliance. It makes sense considering its proximity to The Star Empire,” he reassured her. “Is there anything I can do for you during this difficult time?” His look of concern was touching. Sabirah had always gotten along with Gayor.

“Your Excellency, you’ve done so much already. I just need Ilrania’s commitment to our alliance.”

“Your Grace, you do realize your security will not be guaranteed until you consider a more substantial arrangement. By that I mean a marriage contract.”

Sabirah glanced down a moment, “I realize that. I’m not going to consider any such decisions until after the return of my father,” she answered. “Thank you for the reminder.”

“I will do all I can, Your Grace,” he said as he stood from his chair and bowed deeply.

Sabirah rose from her chair, “Thank you.”

That was fairly easy, now she just had to get through talking to the other two. And as was the norm, nothing was ever that easy.

 

[a_libertine]

They rested a few minutes allowing the priest to administer last blessings on the fallen knight. Once finished they began to work their way further into the depths of the pyramid, faster now, the resistance seemingly having evaporated away. The air was oppressive and fetid. It carried the sickly sweet odor of rot and decay. Sound died not long after being made, carrying no more than a foot or two. Even conversations, as sparse as they were, we're more subdued that they should have been.

At last the reached the bottom of the stairs and faced one last door. Like the previous door this one was covered in sigils, runes, and glyphs. Instead of onyx, the door was made of a metal that Marsdan had never seen before. He studied the door and whistled a low, impressed sound. "I don't suppose that magic cloth of yours will work again."

Jaden shook his head mournfully, "No sir. It only works once a day."

Marsdan nodded, "Make yourselves comfortable, this will take a while." He turned his attention to the door, and bit by bit he began to take the spells down one by one. An hour, then two went by, then eventually the door opened, swinging easily inward.

Inside was the largest library Marsden had ever seen. He could see neither side nor the back. Stacks of books and shelves of scrolls as far as he could see. He stepped in and a voice filled the chamber, "Now."

Marsdan was confused which went away with a sharp stabbing pain. "Begging your pardon but he offered wealth, not power."

Marsdan's hand shot to his back and came back covered in blood. He looked at Jaden, and uttered, "Die." Jaden grabbed his head as blood began pouring out of his ears, nose, and eyes. Before he could assess the full impact of the spell, Marsdan was covered in fire, as an explosion enveloped him. Turning around he saw the skeletal figure of Krixeor covered in a black flowing robe.

Spells flew back and forth each mage trying to kill each other. Marsdan could hear the priest Chanting the same invocation over and over. The knight's duty was done for now, and he stood to the side standing out of harms way. Marsdan shook his head, the fight taking a familiar feel. It was as if Krixeor didn't learn any more, he fought the way he fought and couldn't help himself.

Marsdan linked two spells together, one of fire. The other more insidious, destroying all magic it touched. As the second spell reached the lich, Krixeor exploded. Bone shards flew through the chamber ricocheting off of every surface it hit.

An hour later Marsdan figured it out, and ordered the other two to leave the library. Standing at the door, Marsdan rained fire up on the library, fireball followed by fireball until the entire place began an inferno. The priest wailed, "What!?!? Why?!"

Marsdan looked at the priest and said, "The library is the phylactery, it must be destroyed to kill him, and he bet that no one with the power to defeat him would do it."

Turning back, he was nearly despondent saying, "He was almost right."

 

[plightofsabine]

After a long morning, Sabirah finally took a breath. The ambassadors weren’t unreasonable, but they all had similar comments. They were all willing to pass along the information and assure her the current relations could continue. Yet, all three of them hinted to her choosing an alliance of marriage. There would be others looking at the Star Empire and vying for control over it. She wasn’t about to let anyone near enough to her to kill her, and she wasn’t nearly ready to be married off, let alone to a stranger.

Sabirah sighed heavily. She had been avoiding going into her father’s apartments since she found out about his death. But, under the circumstances, she had to at least go through his things. She rose from her chair, smoothed out her clothes and headed for her father’s apartments.

As she made her way down the hallway the she passed two sets of guards until she reached the double doors she had gone in and out of countless times. Sabirah placed her hand on the door handle and paused long enough to take in and release a long breath. She entered the room and it was completely silent; it wasn’t something she was used to. The last time she had stepped into this room, her father was announcing his next campaign.

The room was divided into three areas; the sitting area/war room, dressing room and chambers. Sabirah wandered through the sitting room area and found the latest plans spread over the table. It was a large map with the Star Empire in the middle and the areas in question shaded out. Sabirah studied the map. Some of these areas bordered their allies, even if it was only a small portion. Wait! She saw something odd. Sabirah studied the map much closer. Both the Death Pyramid and the Citadel shared the same markings. Did her father have plans to annex the Citadel? That move just didn’t make sense. If he would have moved on the Citadel, the countries bordering the Star Empire would get nervous and pull out of the alliances.

What was going on?

Sabirah started sifting through documents. She focused on the ones that had anything to do with the Citadel. She read notes written back and forth between here and there. From what she gathered, these reports were outlining defenses, normal activities, and names of leaders.

Sabirah let out a heavy sigh. All the groundwork was being laid. This was to be his next campaign. So the question was, who was he communicating with and were they running around free within the imperial palace?

 

[a_libertine]

Marsdan and the two remaining people of his group worked their way back up the pyramid, this time a much easier trek than the one down was. It took little time at all until they made their way to the opening that allowed them to leave the pyramid.

The general was standing before the door as they exited. The general was tall and lean, his eyes perpetually mistrustful. Two pools of oil separated by a thin arch of a nose. His white hair cropped close to his head, each one no longer than the hair next to it. He was dressed in his normal array of green and gold cloth.

Marsdan looked at the general with some confusion and asked, "General Tarath, is something amiss?"

The general's eyes seemed to strip Marsdan and the priest naked and flay their skin off as well. The general was slow to respond, but when he did, "No. Merely making sure that you are you, and not something else."

Marsdan's curiosity was piqued, "Oh? How do you intend to prove what I may or may not be?"

The general sneered as he replied, "You are smart, you figure it out."

Marsdan barked in a derisive laugh, "This was a fool's errand."

The general peered at Marsdan, "It's over then?"

Marsdan nodded, "Yes, we had to burn the damn library, I could not risk bringing any of the tomes in it out. Krixeor, may the gods eat what is left of his soul, bound himself to the library."

The general pursed his lips, much like a fish that ate one lemon too many, thinking. "Okay. I took the liberty of having the men loot the rest of the pyramid while you were in there."

Marsdan nodded. "Good. I have to go back to Star Maze Plateau soon. She will be pressed for decisions best not made alone."

General Tarath looked at Marsdan, "I will bring the bounty and the Emperor back, maybe twenty days."

Marsdan nodded, "I will let her know."

Marsdan left the general and walked to the area where the loot from the pyramid was stored. With a whispered spell he walked through the area until he found the item he was looking for, a skull made of ebony. Picking it up, he transported himself back to his tower.

He didn't need to look out the window, he knew it was late, yet there was so much to do. Storing the ebony skull in a chest which disappeared when he closed the lid, Marsdan quickly changed his clothes and walked out of his tower and headed to the Queen's apartment.

 

[plightofsabine]

Sabirah sank into the chair behind the table, still staring at all the documents. It was almost too much to take in at once. She had thought and alliance was just that. An alliance. Clearly, her father had a different perspective than she did. After all, she was only his daughter and he was the one that had to keep a handle on everything.

Feeling a bit of a headache coming on, Sabirah pinched the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes momentarily. It seemed like she sat there for some time before she felt the tension ease off. Thankfully, none had disturbed her. Sabirah wasn’t sure how she was going to deal with this new information.

She wondered how Marsdan was faring with his task. She was concerned with the number of troops that had been committed to all of this and perhaps it was just because she felt a bit of insecurity with the sudden change of leadership. She didn’t know too much about her father’s military leadership. Winning their support would be key to maintaining the security of the empire.

She sat there a while longer in her father’s apartment. Sabirah needed to feel a connection. She didn’t even have an opportunity to say goodbye.

“What would you do,” she murmured to herself.

 

[a_libertine]

Marsdan approached the queen's chambers when one of the guards called out. "She is not here, my lord."

Marsdan pursed his lips thoughtfully a moment then turned and went the other way, making his way to the Emperor's chambers. Two guards standing outside the chambers confirmed his thought and Marsdan brushed past them with a nod.

He stepped into the Emperor's study/war room and he saw her there behind the table. Her eyes were closed and a hand on her nose as if she were trying to pinch out a sour smell. He stepped up quietly and gazed over the documents she had been looking at. After a moment or two, he whispered. "Sabirah."

 

[plightofsabine]

She had been in deep thought and it took a moment to realize he had said something. Sabirah opened her eyes and dropped her hand from her face. She looked up at Marsdan and smiled. She seemed…tired.

Sabirah leaned forward in the chair and offered him a seat. He had a unique way of dropping in when she was wrestling with something. Not that she minded in any way, it just happened that way.

“Any luck on your end?” she asked with interest.

It was important that everything that had been in motion went smoothly. Her intent was to keep the transition fairly seamless and transparent. Her father didn’t make mistakes and she intended to keep that tradition in place.

 

[a_libertine]

Marsdan poured them both a glass of wine and sat while handing her a gem encrusted goblet.

He nodded slowly, "Yes, the Pyramid is clear. Tarath is coming back with your father and the loot such as it is." He saw her curious look then expounded, "The library was the phylactery, and so I burned it. Every last damn book went up in flames, I couldn't risk bringing back a single tome."

He looked at the map and scattered papers then back at Sabirah. Holding one finger to his lips, Marsdan touched each of the four corners of the meeting table, causing a scintillating sphere to shimmer in place five feet around the table. He looked at Sabirah, saying, "The sphere is a field that interrupts sounds. None will come in from outside, and nothing will escape it. This, and my chambers, are the only two places I know of where the ears that permeate the castle have no traction."

He sat down, turning his chair toward Sabirah, "How much have you figured out on your own?"

 

[plightofsabine]

Sabirah nodded then sipped from the goblet as her gaze flicked between Marsdan and the documents. For the time being, she was very alone in all of this and he was literally the only person she felt comfortable with. Thankfully, they were close and she didn’t have to hide what she had learned thus far.
“Mind you, it’s been a day’s time and there’s still much to go through,” she began. Sabirah sifted through a few documents and pulled a few notes from them and shifted them to her left hand.

She waved the documents in the air, somewhat annoyed.

“I know for a fact we have someone who has infiltrated the Citadel, our supposed ally, and is reporting the state of affairs to us; someone other than our official ambassador.”

She drops the documents upon the large map, right next to the overlays indicating movement of men and supplies.

“I also know, after reading these and studying the map and overlays that the next planned expansion happened to be right into the Citadel. Now forgive me if I am wrong, but if we start looking at taking this area, it will leave Ilrania and Llytith with some difficult decisions. Those two flank the Citadel and if they feel their security is compromised in any way, they will unite with the Citadel to stabilize the region. It’s just good business sense. The only way I could justify this move is if the Citadel was in some way aligned with a force that threatened the security of all the regions surrounding. In speaking with the ambassador, he assures me all is well and even encourages me,” she pauses for effect, “to consider solidifying the alliance through other means.”

She watched as Marsdan listened. He raised a brow. Sabirah continued.

“Yes, I get it. I know we have greedy neighbors and they’re going to say anything to make me believe what they do benefits us. I’m also smart enough to listen to what my gut is telling me. It’s telling me, I’m in for a rude awakening. There’s no way I’m going to push another campaign this soon. What say you of all of this?” she asks.

 

[a_libertine]

Marsdan looked at the map then up to her. He stood and with a wave of a hand her chair scooted back two feet, making room for him. He took the sheaths of papers and rearranged them in proper order, and then laid them out on the map fitting the geographical layout.

None of the papers other than Citadel's named the region they were of by its proper name, but by code names that they had been assigned. Most pertinent to the current discussion was that Ilrania was named "White Bridge," and Llytith "Caravan Gallery."

As he finished he pulled her chair back into place with another wave of his hand. "I apologize for the impertinence of moving you like that, but it seemed slightly easier."

He sat back down after refreshing their goblets and said, "Yes we have spies in the Citadel. We have spies in every country within two hundred miles of our borders, and then some in some cases."

With something of a boyish grin he admitted, "Ambassadors, like all sycophants, are easily bought and sold. One merely needs to know the currency and the amount. Therefore, I do not trust our ambassadors to provide timely and accurate information."

He picked up a stack of paper, flipped through it, then set it back down. "Read these, Sabirah, start at Death Pyramid stack, and see if the papers lead you to where your father landed. There is a tenuous, but visible link between the Citadel and the Death Pyramid. Your father meant to war on them as soon as he could."