Then a loud voice cried out, “Ichindar! Ninety-one times Emperor!”
Instantly every soldier in the room, regardless of which side he struggled for, dropped to the floor, putting forehead against the stone. The officers stood with heads bowed. Only Hochopepa and Pug watched as a cortege of Warchiefs, all in the armor of those who constituted the Blue Wheel Party, entered the room. In the forefront, wearing armor not seen in years, came Kamatsu, again for a time Warchief of the Kanazawai Clan. Forming up, they parted to allow the Emperor to enter. Ichindar, supreme authority of the Empire, walked into the hall, resplendent in his ceremonial golden armor. He stalked to where Pug waited, the Warlord still hanging in midair above him, and surveyed the scene. At last he said, “Great One, you do seem to cause difficulty whenever you appear.” He looked up at the Warlord. “If you’ll put him down, we can get to the bottom of this mess.”
Pug allowed the Warlord to fall, striking the ground heavily.
“That is an amazing tale, Milamber,” said Ichindar to Pug. He sat on the pillows occupied earlier that day by the Warlord, sipping a cup of the Warlord’s chocha. “It would be simple to say I believe you and that all is forgiven, but the dishonor visited upon me by those you call elves and dwarves is an impossible thing to forget.” Around him stood the Warchiefs of the clans of the Blue Wheel, and the magician Elgahar.
Hochopepa said, “If the Light of Heaven will permit me? Remember they were but tools, soldiers, if you will, in a game of shah. That this Macros was attempting to prevent the arrival of the Enemy is but another concern. That he is responsible for the betrayal rids you of the responsibility of avenging yourself upon anyone but Macros. And as he is presumed dead, it is a moot issue.”
The Emperor said, “Hochopepa, your tongue is as facile as a relli’s.” He referred to the water-snake-like creature known for its supple movement. “I will not be punitive without good cause, but I also am reluctant to take my former stance of conciliation toward the Kingdom.”
Pug said, “Majesty, that would not be wise at this time, in any event.” When Ichindar looked interested in the comment, Pug continued. “While I hope that someday our two nations may meet again as friends, at this time there are more pressing matters that demand attention. For the short term, it must be as if the two worlds were never rejoined.”
The Emperor sat up. “From what little I understand of such matters, I suspect you are correct. Larger issues need to be resolved. I must make a decision shortly that may forever change the course of Tsurani history.” He lapsed into silence. For a long time he held his own council, then said, “When Kamatsu and the others came to me, telling me of your return and your suspicion of some black terror of Tsurani origin upon your world, I wished to ignore it all. I cared nothing for your problems or those of your world. I was even indifferent to the possibility of once more invading your land. I was fearful of acting again, for I had lost much face before the High Council after the attack on your world.” He seemed lost in thought a brief moment. “Your world was lovely, what little I saw before the battle.” He sighed, his green eyes fastening on Pug. “Milamber, had Elgahar not come to the palace, confirming what your allies in the Blue Wheel Party reported, you most likely would be dead, and I would soon follow after, and Axantucar on his way to bloody civil war. He gained the white and gold only because of the outrage against the betrayal. You prevented my death, if not some greater calamity for the Empire. I think that warrants some consideration, though you know the turmoil in the Empire is just beginning.”
Pug said, “I am enough a product of the Empire to understand that the Game of the Council will become even more vicious.”
Ichindar looked outside the window, where the body of Axantucar hung twisting in the wind. “I will have to consult the historians, but that is the first Warlord hung by an Emperor, I believe.” Hanging was the ultimate shame and punishment for a warrior. “Still, as he no doubt planned the same fate for myself, I don’t think I’m likely to have a rebellion, at least not this week.”