In the House of Five Dragons
43. Destiny
“For every dragon, there stands a knight ready to face him.”
— Thainna Mazrem
“We could rebuild it,” Thainna suggested.
They stood together in the charred remains of Mazrem Square, regarding the tumbled statue. Rikard looked down at his own face, broken and shattered and twisted by fire. The rest of Mazrem Square had fared no better. Blackened ruins lay everywhere, charred beyond recognition. Even months after the Day of Bells, the smell of smoke remained. The inferno’s intense heat had cracked the once-white stones down to their foundation.
But even here, life was returning to Dormaen. Bright green blades of early spring grass thrust up between the broken masonry, reaching for the sun. A thick, soft moss spread along the steps of the amphitheater where deep pools of water remained, left over and forgotten after the Sun Court battled the fires. Children chased each other around the edge of the pond, laughing and splashing one another. Offended by the noisy intrusion, a black-masked swan honked indignantly and took wing, flying off to find some more peaceful swimming spot.
Rikard kicked the fragment of statue away. “No one needs more monuments to me. Too many people lost their lives here to Castor’s ambition. This place should belong to them.”
“Hae,” Thainna agreed after a moment’s thought. “The Lyceum’s going to fight you, you know. They won’t want to spend the money.”
“We’ll convince them. It won’t be hard. They lost friends and family, too.”
Thainna smiled. “I think I can get Liam to side with us, at least. He’ll be eager to remind everyone what he lost and be painted the hero for it.”
“You’re becoming quite the politician, beloved,” Rikard said.
“Someone has to. You’re too honorable by half.” She took his hands in hers and kissed him. Don’t you ever stop.
They walked on in silence, listening to the sounds of the city. Dormaen was rebuilding. Slowly at first, but with increasing fervor as the new emperor invested more and more money. With the help of the VEIL knights, the work progressed quickly. Rikard pointed to a new library, an angular thrust of carved granite and slate in a wooden cocoon of scaffolding.
That one will be the tallest building in Dormaen. Or so the architects tell me. They’ll use blood pacts to raise the stones to the top.
What do the knights think of that? Thainna wondered.
They’re eager to volunteer. They all want their chance to shape the new worlds, Terran and Alterran alike.
Thainna took Rikard’s hand and squeezed it gently. “You did it. You brought the worlds back together. The Uprising grows stronger every day.”
“There are still plenty of people who are afraid. Afraid of VEIL and of the Alterra. Of me.”
“Give them time. Your new world is still young.”
“Your world,” he reminded her.
Thainna turned away, biting her lip and Rikard pulled her into his arms. Her green eyes sparkled, the same color as the grass beneath their feet. Thainna clung to Rikard so fiercely that she almost toppled them both down onto the rough stone floor of the plaza. Thainna had every intention of kissing him again. Perhaps more, with no regard for who might be — and was — watching.
Rikard felt a blushing presence nearby and, with an effort, tore his attention from Thainna. The pair turned to see who had interrupted them. Marus Gallard limped across the plaza and bowed deeply.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, Emperor Mazrem,” he said. “But you said that you wanted to know when the Lyceum made their decision.”
“Hae, I did. It’s been a long trial. Laurael would have faced the same disgrace, but Gaius spared her that. History may even forget her… mistakes.” Rikard took a deep breath and lifted his chin. “And what does the Lyceum say for Castor?”
“They have declared General Castor guilty, sir.”
“And their sentence?”
“Castor is a traitor to Carce and to the Alterra, my lord. He will be executed tomorrow morning,” Marus told them, then glanced sidelong at Rikard. “Unless Your Imperial Majesty sees fit to grant him a reprieve. I doubt he could do very much damage out in Fiore or Jumaar.”
“Too many have died already,” Thainna agreed softly.
“Hae,” Rikard agreed, but sighed and gazed out over the burned ruins. He shook his head at Thainna and Marus. “Castor is still a great danger. He has allies among the Shatter, and they are still strong. There is no place in Terra that he cannot reach them. You know as well as I how little distance means to Alterrans, Marus.”
“But you would know, wouldn’t you? The Alterra, Stumble and the rest… They would tell you if Castor started trouble again.”
“I won’t be here forever,” Rikard told him.
“Hae, Your Majesty.”
Marus saluted and turned to leave, but Rikard put a hand on the man’s shoulder. “Don’t go yet.”
“What can I do for you, my emperor?”
“Emperor only for the moment. I’ll be passing the crown on soon enough. Everything is changing, Marus. Especially VEIL. I want to dissolve the courts. We’re fewer than ever now and there’s no purpose in segregating our brotherhood. I need a man to lead VEIL and I’d like it to be you.”
The knight’s eyes widened. “But, Imperial Majesty, what about General Darius? General Hern?”
“Saul never wanted power, and by his own admission, he’s not suited to leadership. My old friend will be happy to retire, I think. And General Hern… Nikas is a survivor. He’ll manage. VEIL needs a man like you, Marus. Will you make this one last sacrifice for your brothers? Will you be their legens?”
“Hae, sir,” answered Marus in a voice thick with emotion.
Thainna smiled at the men and turned, hooking her finger toward the guards that followed their new emperor almost everywhere. At their head stood the young Lyncean, Karl. It was unusual for anyone but a VEIL knight to protect the emperor, but Rikard had made an exception. Thainna gestured Karl forward.
“Karl, you’ve lied to me,” she said with an impish smile.
“My lady? I don’t think…” the young guard stammered.
“Be kind, Thainna,” Rikard said. “You told her once that you didn’t join VEIL because you were too frightened, that you couldn’t make the sacrifices demanded by knighthood. You were wrong, my friend. You’ve proved yourself brave and strong. If you would reconsider, VEIL would be honored to have you.”
“With all my heart, hae,” Karl replied. “Thank you!”
Rikard looked at Marus. “Legens Gallard, you need a squire, don’t you?”
“Hae, Majesty.”
Liam stood, brandishing a white square of parchment that bore the lion and laurel imperial seal.
“Emperor Mazrem, this is highly irregular,” the consul protested. “Tychon never convened the Lyceum so many times in a single week.”
“Emperor Tychon had an empire to build, not to mend,” said Rikard. “I know I’m asking much of you, consuls, but we have much to do and little time left to do it.”
He stood on the tall marble dais in the center of the circular Lyceum. Days of scrubbing still hadn’t entirely managed to remove the last traces of ash and blood, ground into the very pores of the stone on the Day of Bells, when it had served as a fostral. A little wear suited the otherwise starkly white chamber, Thainna thought.
“So you keep saying, Your Imperial Majesty. Why is that? The enemies of Carce lie dead,” Liam said. He seemed to sense that his words were too harsh and softened them. “You and those closest to you have won great victories, Emperor Mazrem. Isn’t it time for some rest?”
“Flickerdim and the leaders of the Uprising sent me back here for a purpose. I was tasked to bring the people of Terra back to them, to renew the bonds that strengthened our worlds,” Rikard reminded them. He looked down at Thainna, who sat in an only slightly smaller gilded seat beside his own. “I swore my life to the Alterra in Njorn Pass. Nothing has changed that. Soon, I must return to the Uprising. Their war with the Shatter is not over yet.”
A murmur rippled through the Lyceum, a whisper like a breeze waving dry grass. Some of them remembered the details of Rikard’s deal with the Alterra, but many more had forgotten in the bustle of past months. Several jumped to their feet and shouted their protest.
“We made you our emperor!” one of Fiori consuls yelled. “How can you leave us now?”
“I will leave you in capable hands,” Rikard said. “Thainna and Gaius will lead you well in my absence. I trust no others more. And I will not leave the most important tasks undone. You called for me to take Tychon’s throne, though I never wanted it. Whatever Carce asks, I have always tried to give.”
Rikard nodded to Liam and the summons the Nianese consul still held clenched in his hand.
“It is to that end that I have asked you all here today. Emperor Tychon built a great empire. I and thousands of others marched in his name to conquer Fiore. Out of fear and desire for the power that VEIL represented, Tychon won his empire. Fifty nations of the world united under the Carcaen banner. But fear and conquest are no beginning for an empire! While I… admire what Tychon accomplished, I will never admire how he did it.”
Every consul fell silent and sat forward, sensing that Rikard was warming to his point. The Lyceum was breathless with anticipation. Rikard reached to Thainna for support.
She smiled up at him and nodded. Hae, this is right.
“I invite any province of Carce to leave this empire,” Rikard announced. “All trade will be sustained and all sovereign rights will be respected. Fear cannot hold us bound. If we are to go forth together, let it be in peace and mutual prosperity. I do not ask for your answers now. Go to your homes. Speak to your governors and kings. Return in confidence of your nation’s destiny as a province of Carce or as a trusted neighbor.”
The Lyceum erupted into applause. One by one, and then in groups, the consuls rose to their feet and shouted Rikard’s name.
When the thundering applause had faded, a knight in black armor came into the room and nodded at Narissa.
“The emperor’s ready for you,” he told her.
To her surprise, he unlocked the chains around her wrists and ankles. Narissa rubbed her chaffed skin. The knight gave her a long, studied look. He wasn’t afraid that the Eye would run. What would be the point? There was nowhere she could go that Rikard Mazrem couldn’t find her.
Trailed closely by the knight and following his instructions, Narissa passed through a door, a short hallway and then out into the Lyceum chamber. Row after row of consuls regarded her. How many of these men had the House of Five Dragons once owned? Now they stood in judgment over her.
Narissa held her head high as she strode to the center of the chamber and curtsied deeply. Emperor Mazrem sat on his throne, his fingers steepled before his stern, handsome face. Rather than the elaborate tabba of his imperial station, he still wore only a functional knight’s black saela.
Narissa spared only a glance for the new emperor. Instead, she watched the traitor. Thainna Vahn was seated on her own throne, studying Narissa just as closely. The young Talon — if such titles even applied anymore — was as proud and regal as any queen. Her burnished copper hair lay in neatly combed waves over her white shoulders and pale green gown.
“I lived my whole life in the Rows and in the service of the House of Five Dragons,” Thainna said in a voice that rang through the whole Lyceum. “I know the people who make up its ranks. Some of them are good men and women who have never known another life, but many more chose their crimes. Thain’s death has brought an end to the worst chapter of the House’s history, but we’re not foolish enough to think that the House of Five Dragons is gone.”
“The enemy we know is better than the one who is a mystery,” Emperor Mazrem continued, smoothly picking up where Thainna left off. “There will always be corruption in Carce, but we can keep it in sight and in mind. Narissa, you will be Crest of the House of Five Dragons. Your House is extensive, the largest criminal syndicate in the history of Carce.”
“Control the streets. I know you can, Narissa,” Thainna said. She sounded almost respectful. “Keep the shadows of Dormaen from their worst crimes. If they cross the line, we will come to you for answers.”
“And if these crimes are committed by others?” Narissa asked.
“We will come to you,” the emperor repeated. His expression was stern, as hard as stone.
“Control the brothels, the dram sales. You’ll corner the market, Narissa, and you won’t have to worry about VEIL,” Thainna told her, then smiled a sad little smile. “You’ll be taxed, of course. The rest will be up to you to monitor and you will report to me. Should any of the greater crimes be committed, VEIL will be brought in. Against you or to aid you — the choice is yours.”
Behind the throne dais, a dozen knights loomed menacingly. Emperor Mazrem stood and strode forward. He narrowed his dark eyes at Narissa and she found herself shrinking back.
“You understand, hae?” he asked. Narissa swallowed hard and nodded. Rikard peered at her. “I feel no deception from you, mana. No more than one might expect, at any rate. Understand that I do not like this arrangement. This is Thainna’s idea and I trust her when she says that this is necessary. Do not betray her faith.”
“Hae, Majesty,” Narissa stammered.
Rikard nodded once and then gestured to the knight standing behind her. He took Narissa by the elbow and guided her from the room. She looked back once. The emperor watched her intently. His eyes seemed to bore into her, to burn with a dark, sacred flame. Thainna stood beside him, bright as fire. They each had their own weaknesses… but together, they stood strong.
Marus wanted to make it a public affair, or at least invite all of VEIL to attend.
“They’ll never forgive you if you just vanish again,” he had argued. But Rikard was firm in his resolve.
He made his farewells in a small, private garden of the imperial palace. Saul, Marus and Karl offered firm handshakes and barely concealed tears. Then, sensing that Rikard had more private moments to share with his son and with his young lover, they quickly departed.
Gaius leaned against the trunk of a maple tree, shaded under the spreading green leaves. He waved as the other knights left and then went back to picking his nails with the point of his dagger.
Rikard took Thainna’s hands. They trembled. Or was it him? It didn’t matter. Thainna’s eyes were bright with tears.
I love you, she thought. Gods, Rikard, I thought I could do this, but I can’t. Please! Let me go with you!
Rikard held Thainna close. His own tears burned in his eyes and down his cheeks. They dripped from his chin into her hair and sparkled like diamonds in the sun.
I love you, too, my fierce Thainna. But you can’t come with me. The Alterra of the Uprising are still so few. They can only bring one through the veil. Perhaps, in time… when they’re stronger.
How long? How long until I can see you again?
I don’t know, Rikard admitted. I have another thirty years left to serve in Alterra…
Thainna wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and looked up at Rikard. She pulled him down into a passionate kiss, tangling her fingers in his hair and ruining his neat tail.
I will think of you every day and visit the shrine every night. You’ll see my blood, hae?
Hae, Rikard told her. His heart was breaking inside him. Always, my love. Thainna, you saved me. I love you. My light, my fire… Always and forever.
Their thoughts were no longer words, but a mingling of pain and love and sorrow, so bitter and so sweet. Thainna kissed his lips tenderly, his cheeks, his closed eyes and brow. They held each other in the slanting beams of golden sun. All too soon, Rikard wrenched himself from Thainna’s arms and went to Gaius. His son looked up with a small smirk.
“So she is going to let go of you after all,” Gaius said. He slipped the dagger back into his belt.
“We will both do what we must,” Rikard answered, so choked by emotion that he could barely speak.
“I suppose this is our farewell, Father.”
“Hae.”
Gaius embraced his father shortly. Rikard shared one final kiss with Thainna and went to an open patch of flagstones, opening his cannula. Blood glittered at the golden tip of his finger, beautiful and frightening. Slowly, carefully, he drew the circle of red and slashed it with Flickerdim’s name. I’m coming, old friend.
Rikard stood and inspected his work, then turned to Gaius and Thainna.
“I love you both,” he told them. “Be good to one another and to Carce.”
“Oh, you’re not going to Alterra,” Gaius said. He held out his hand to Rikard. “I am.”
“What?” Thainna gasped. Rikard stared, dumbstruck.
“You didn’t know? Hae, things have been busy and I guess it just slipped my mind,” Gaius told them, grinning. He was enjoying their astonishment. “Flickerdim and I worked it out about a month ago. I’m going to finish your time in Alterra.”
“You can’t!” Rikard cried, finally finding his voice. “You can’t go! You’re going to be emperor! You and Thainna are supposed to stay here… Safe and happy.”
“Emperor?” Gaius asked, still smiling. “Emperor of what? You’ve invited all of the provinces to leave the empire, you fool.”
“None of them have chosen to leave…” Rikard answered, dazed. “You can’t go, Gaius! Alterra is still at war!”
Gaius’ smile faded and he put his hand on Rikard’s shoulder. “You’ve fought enough for two lifetimes, Father. Stay here in Terra. Marry your pretty little Fiori. I’m going to go make my own destiny, for once. Stay here with yours.”
Rikard let Gaius pull him from the ring of blood. Gaius stepped carefully into the circle and opened his own cannula to make the final mark on the summoning pact, changing his father’s name into his own. When Gaius was done, the blood at his feet began to glow with ruby radiance that grew brighter with each passing moment.
“Look for me in thirty more years. Sixty years in all, a good lifetime for any man. Any more than that is just greedy,” Gaius said from inside the circle.
If he squinted through the glow, Rikard could see his son’s grin.
“Be a little greedy, Father,” Gaius said. “I want to see you again. Take care of him, Thainna.”
The light flared into blinding brilliance. Rikard and Thainna closed their eyes and clung to one another. When they could see again, Gaius was gone. Rikard fell to his knees on the stone where his son had been.
My son…
There was pain in the thought, but there was more joy. Thainna put her arms around Rikard and they stood together in the garden until the last sunlight faded from the sky.
