"Hey Grayson."

Grayson startled. He looked up from where he had been surveying the training grounds. The troops had been coming along nicely. The Emperor, for all that Grayson despised him, would be pleased.

The man approaching him was clad in purple and white. A hood styled in the image of the now extinct penguin adorned his head. His eyes were blue and orange.

Grayson recognized him immediately.

"You know, Luke, you really need to work on how you approach someone when you're not trying to kill them. You almost gave me a heart attack."

Luke laughed.

"No, I don't. You're just an old man."

Grayson scowled, pretending to be hurt.

"I'm only a couple of years older than you!"

Luke winked.

"Just old enough that I don't have to try too hard to beat you in a fight."

Grayson rolled his eyes, punching his friend on the arm. They both knew they were, currently, at the same skill level, just in different areas.

"What's up, man? Come to play the role of the messenger? Does the Emperor want his results now?"

Luke held up his hands. Grayson fell silent and gestured for him to continue.

"Uh, no. Well, yes, but... I am playing the role of the messenger, but not for the Emperor. I overheard this from him."

Grayson raised an eyebrow. Eavesdropping on the Emperor could get you killed, even if you were as quiet as his friend the assassin.

"Oh?"

Luke looked uncomfortable.

"Its... well, Grayson, its about you. You might want to sit down for this."

Grayson frowned, but he acquiesced.

"What's wrong?"

Luke took a deep breath, steadying himself.

"It's your family."

They're going to be executed.