I stared impassively at the Zarkovian ambassador standing in the audience hall, sensing the envoy's anxiety as the tentacles around its enormous form twitched, glowing a sickly green.

The planetary system of Zarkovia was one of Ardais' strong allies, but that was a thing of the past. Influenced and backed by Xerxes, a powerful star system, Zarkovia attacked a neighboring planet under the Ardais protectorate, killing thousands of its citizens. If the Empire's armada had not stepped in to crush the invasion, the entire planet's inhabitants would have been decimated.

Reluctantly, the Zarkovian accepted the terms of the treaty--more like crippling sanctions that would render them economically incapable of another altercation with the Protectorate of Worlds.

Dealing with Xerxes and its ruler Duke Stevroz, my traitorous uncle, was another matter.

Dismissing the ambassador, I strode from the throne room, ignoring the surprised looks from the courtiers and politicians at my abrupt departure. I signaled the Chancellor to walk with me, the Red Cloaks--the Emperor's elite guards, following just a few paces behind.

I found myself, to my surprise, in the Hall of Ascendants. The statues of my ancestors and prominent figures long gone, lavishly carved in radonite crystal, towered over us. The silence was strangely comforting, which was perhaps, what I needed.

Gerrian, my Chancellor, walked quietly by my side. He alone can read my shifting moods like the back of his hand.

"How is our guest faring?" I asked, breaking the silence.

"Well enough," Gerrian said, his tone a mix of resignation and exasperation. "Your distinguished guest has settled very well in his rooms with its special accommodations, I must say."

'As if he had a choice...' I heard the unspoken words that followed.

The Hall of Ascendants was one of the many places in the palace where security was paramount. Only the Emperor and his most trusted officials were allowed to enter the vast chamber. Gerrian and I had been so used to the Way of Tongues, a cryptic method of speech, that it was second nature to us. But there are times that even I grow weary of it.

As we reached the central chamber, I signaled Rael, the captain of my guard, giving him a quiet command, who in turn gave me a disapproving stare. I glared right back at him. Reluctantly, he ordered the Red Cloaks through the mind-link to take positions closer to the wall of the round chamber.

"You know they're not supposed to be more than ten feet away from your person," the Chancellor admonished.

"At ease, Gerrian," I said, sensing the turmoil in his thoughts.

"I still think this is a bad idea," he continued, clearly ill at ease, grey eyes murky with doubt and concern. "There must be another way. I swear, I will find a way--!"

"Listen, my friend. I have looked into all possibilities, a hundred alternate realities. On all of these my fate is sealed--save for one, one slim chance to save the Empire and all that we've fought for."

"But without you in it!--" Gerrian stopped, realizing that his voice had raised up a notch. He ran a hand through his hair.

"Does the Empress know?" he asked quietly after some time, our steps echoing in the vastness of this place.

I looked askance at my friend and grimaced. "Is that even a question?"

Gerrian knew the Empress and I have not been on speaking terms for years, our meetings reduced to official functions and important matters of state that we were forced to attend. But mention of her name always brought a familiar sadness that I quickly extinguished.

Adara was not someone I can trust, not any longer.

"I've known you since we were infants being bounced on our nanny's laps, and I know you still have feelings for her deep down in that stubborn heart of yours. Before it's too late--"

I laughed, deliberately cutting him off and turned my face away. I stood at the foot of one of the central statues, that of Tarillon Ardais the First, and lightly touched the pedestal, as if by gazing up at my great, great, grandfather's empty eyes I might find the answers. But the crystal statue stared coldly back at me. What did I expect? I shouldn't have come here.

Looking back at Gerrian, I tried to hide the strain in my voice.

"She'd soon as stab me in the back--" I paused; the pedestal under my hand was humming with a soft vibrating sound, gradually growing louder--

"My liege!" Rael shouted.

My first thought was to shove Gerrian out of harm's way. But the man leaped towards me instead, the fool! Rael was much, much faster. He took both Gerrian and I down on the floor and activated his shields. Through his mind-link the Red Cloaks acted as one. With altered reflexes they swiftly covered us with their armored bodies, shields up. All in a second--

The explosion that followed was all I could hear as a terrible weight crushed me into oblivion.