Darkness Falling: Soldiers and Slaves (2 page)

“I don’t know what to do now, Wini.” Brosen said, “I promised to keep her away from Xander, but I'm not sure of the next step.” 

Winifred stood up in a flourish and took him by the arm. “You must go before they notice what you have done,” She advised him, her voice as calm and soothing as ever.

“Go where?” He asked, confused.

“Back to the barracks. Return the vehicle and report that you left the girl at the East Gate hospital. Then return here as swiftly as possible.”

He shook his head, a gesture that Wini knew well. “No, I can’t go near the barracks they will have my head if they find me.”

“You must,” she continued quietly. “Gather a few of your things, and get a different transport. You can’t drive that other thing around if you want to escape.”

Caught in the disbelief that her plan would work he asked, “Escape to where?”

“Just go!” Winifred pushed him toward the door. “Before it's too late!”

Without thinking, Brosen did as he was told. He went back through the building and out into the parking lot where the EOV waited. It almost felt like a dream. He also knew Wini was right, they wouldn't get very far driving the Enforcer Operated Vehicle. It could be shut down remotely once it was deemed stolen. Trusting in his old friend, he started the engine and headed back out the way he had come.

CHAPTER TWO

Seventy stories above the streets of Rau’Tesche-Awn, Kei Xander Kei’Oren stood before the gaping hole in the window of his personal office. His black hair fluttered across his forehead. The cold morning air pushed through the Field Energy. It crackled and flickered as it devoured particles of dust and pollution. He dared not stand too close lest he be disintegrated by accidentally brushing against the invisible energy.

His dark brown eyes traced the arch of her fall. Although he could not see where she landed he felt a mixture of sorrow and relief at her loss. She never appreciated what he had done for her, and her lack of gratitude was aggravating. It was difficult to love someone who refused to return that love.

Across his office his computer beeped to alert him of a new message. Xander glanced at it out of the corner of his eye but wasn’t in the mood for interruptions. Stepping away from the window, shards of glass crunched beneath his feet. His silk shirt and black slacks had been crumpled in the struggle and he took a moment to put himself back together.

His phone buzzed in his pocket, but he ignored it.

The room bore signs of the night’s events aside from the broken window. The cushions were askew on the black leather sofa that sat at the center of the room. On the coffee table were two glasses of wine. One of them had overturned, allowing the red liquid to spill onto the gray carpet. Xander frowned. A perfect evening was ruined by the girl’s refusal to submit, which was not unusual in itself.

Her decision to fight back so ferociously was what confused him.

There was a knock at the door. Before he could tell the intruder to leave him alone, the door opened to reveal his mother Ky Thella a-Ky’Harn. She was a stately woman, her long black hair pulled back into a bun. Dressed in a casual blue gown, as was decreed by her position as Queen. Her eyes flashed bright with anger. She stepped forward without being invited. It annoyed him that she believed she held authority over him as if he were a child.

“What have you done, Xander?” She asked as she took stock of all that was amiss.

“It wasn’t my fault, mother.” Xander glowered. “It’s over now, send someone up to clean up this mess.”

Thella crossed her arms over her chest, her head tilting to the side, her face set into a hard line of stone. “You need to be checking your messages,” she said. “The girl is not dead. Two Enforcers encountered her and one is taking her to the hospital as we speak.”

Xander tensed. “What?”

“She broke through the Field Energy and managed to survive the fall,” Thella spoke slowly to irritate him. “How long have you known she had regained her powers?”

“The Field Energy must have had a critical failure,” Xander dismissed the idea.

His concubine would not keep such a secret from him. He made sure she knew the consequences of secrets.

“How long have you known?” The Queen repeated firmly.

Xander furrowed his brow. “I knew she still had power, but nothing that could help her survive this,” he pointed toward the window, raising his voice. “She was capable of parlor tricks.”

“Your father is displeased. He sent me to inform you to hurry to the hospital and take care of this situation.”

His parents had never been pleased with their son’s choice of concubine. The ability to manipulate energy was a dangerous gift, one that had been made illegal within the Empire during the last century. The girl had been cleared of having such a gift by the Emperor’s own scientists and accepted as a house slave, but always under the knowledge that she would be killed should she exhibit any sign of power.

When she caught the prince’s eye, he had protected her from that threat. She intrigued and amused him. 
Learning that she had used his generosity for her own benefit was infuriating.

Xander curled his hands into tight fists, rage surfacing on his face. “Her blood is my blood, as it should be.”

“Just take care of it,” she sighed, uninterested in his dramatics.

“Call ahead to the garage for a car,” he demanded as he strode past her.

As he stepped into the elevator a sense of calm overcame him. She may have attempted escape but she had failed. When he arrived at the hospital no one would question that it was his right to take her life. Xander would have the pleasure of reminding her one last time that he made the rules.

* * *

Brosen arrived at the EOV depot and turned over the keys to the elder Enforcer behind the desk. The old man nodded, giving him a brief greeting that he barely acknowledged. His mind was a whirl of anxiety and racing thoughts. Usually he would cross to the mess hall and eat breakfast. Today he walked passed without a glance. He wasn't hungry.

Entering the barracks, he went straight to his bunk. His eyes darted around the room. Treve was nowhere to be seen, which was a relief. He didn't want his partner to be involved. It was better that he wouldn't be able to say goodbye. Moving quickly, he changed from the dark blue jumpsuit of his uniform and into a pair of jeans, t-shirt, and a dark jacket. He didn't own many civilian clothes, and he didn't have a bag to pack even if he had. Instead, he slung his gun on his shoulder and took a key down from the wall.

Every Enforcer was given one allowance; a tiny taste of the freedom they would never possess. It was the Emperor's way of keeping moral alive within the ranks. Brosen's perk had been that he wanted a motorcycle. They were a rarity within the Empire, an expensive luxury that the common folk could not hope to obtain. Brosen's bike was old. He spent what few off hours he had working on it. He never thought he'd need it for anything other than tinkering and maybe a brief ride around the city.

Back outside he felt the hair on his neck standing up. It felt like everyone was watching him. Did they know? Although he felt as if his heart was going to speed out of his chest, he was outwardly calm. Some of the other Enforcers raised their hands to him, but he merely nodded or offered a tight smile in return. His motorcycle was parked by the depot. It was a beat up old thing, rusted and needing fresh paint. It wasn't pretty to look at but it started easily and hummed without complaint.

It wasn't unusual for Brosen to head out for a ride after a shift. That was what got him through the gate without question. As he turned out onto the street he felt himself relax a little. That was only the beginning, he knew. The hard part was still ahead of them.

* * *

The day should have been done.

After making his report to the captain he headed into the mess hall. Grabbing a tray which held a bowl oatmeal, a few strips of bacon, and a slice of toast, he sat down at a table with a few others who appeared just as tired as he felt. He wasn't interested in conversation and he wasn't pressed. Eating in silence, he was just finishing his meal when the hall doors flew open. Enforcers coming in and out was not unusual, but Imperial soldiers in full palace uniform were never seen in the city barracks.

Treve instantly knew why they were there.

He pushed his tray back and waited as they marched his direction.

“Treve En-Harn,” the leader said. He stood up and saluted.

“Captain,” he said.

“We're escorting you to Empire Tower for interrogation.” It was all the explanation he was going to get.

As they led him out into the yard, he thought about his report. He hadn't left anything out, he knew. This must be some official procedure because the girl was a house slave. Perhaps taking her to the hospital had not been the correct action. The Tower might have an internal procedure for injured slaves that they were unaware of. Hopefully any reprimand would be swift and not too painful.

Treve was placed in the back seat of an EOV. It wasn't a position he was used to being in, but he took it as a time to relax. Approaching the Tower, he watched as the small side gate slid open. He could see a slight flicker as an opening appeared in the Field Energy to allow the vehicle to pass through. Once they were inside they pulled into an underground garage. From there they stepped into an elevator.

Expecting them to take him into an interrogation room, he felt at ease. This wasn't that different than what he had done countless times with criminals off the streets. Treve was confident that he would be back in the barracks shortly. He had nothing to hide.

When the elevator doors opened on a vaulted, dimly lit chamber of dark wood and embellished design, his stomach dropped into his knees. One of the Enforcers pushed him forward when he didn't move on his own. The chamber was at least two stories high. Long benches covered with dark blue velvet cushions sat in neat rows before an elevated dais.

Seated among three tiers of benches were the members of the Imperial Court of Rau'Tesche-Awn. The lowest level consisted of four magistrates, each one representing one of the four districts in the city. Treve knew them as they were the ones who handled the law that he helped to uphold.

On the second and third bench sat the eight men who were of the higher court. They handled far more serious crimes. They also acted as city council members, taking on issues where the Emperor's attendance was unnecessary. There was one man for each area of government; war, commerce, public relations, technology, city planning, foreign affairs, pollution, and the treasury. These eight men were traditionally called the High Council, but they no longer acted as advisers but as representatives of the law.

High above the benches on a raised platform was the throne of the Emperor himself; Ka Harn Kei'Oren

Already a tall and muscular man with jet black hair sprinkled with gray, the great height from which he peered down made him all the more intimidating. His eyes were dark and his face creased with worry and anger, but it was difficult to see more in the dim light. Treve fell on his knees in a sign of respect and reverence before his ruler; it was the first time he had ever stood before the Emperor. Treve was made for physical confrontation, and being brought into this situation made him feel very small and insignificant.

“Rise, Treve En-Harn,” Ka Harn said, his voice echoing off the high walls. “This is not a trial, and you are not suspected of treason, nor will you be unless you give Us reason to think such a thing. We are here to discuss the peculiar actions of your fellow Enforcer and partner, Brosen En-Harn.”

Treve’s amber eyes darted around the room in search of Brosen, but he did not see him present. Confused, he slowly stood. He should not be afraid of this. He was an Enforcer, and nothing should disturb his calm.

“What do you want to know?” It took a slight effort to keep his voice from trembling, “Majesty,” he added hastily, suddenly remembering whom he was addressing.

The councilman of war stood, holding a sheet of paper from which he began to read. “At 6:23 on the morning of Delena 22, during the 1048 turning of the sun, the female slave, Impyra Sava-Harn, leapt from the window of the personal office of Xander Kei'Oren, Crown Prince and Heir to the Empire of Sa'Toret-Ekar, and landed on the sidewalk that runs parallel to the west wall of Empire Tower.” The councilmen lowered the page. “Is this your report, Treve En-Harn?”

“Yeah, with a few extra details that I didn’t know, Majesty,” he answered promptly.

“Everything has been filled in for the court, Enforcer,” The Emperor said briefly.

“After her impact,” the councilman continued, “it was discovered that the slave Impyra Sava-Harn still lived. Enforcer Brosen En-Harn requested an Enforcer Operated Vehicle, model 250, issue number 1286, by rights to his rank, and stated that he would admit the girl into the East Gate Hospital for Health Services. At 6:25 on the morning above mentioned, Brosen En-Harn left his partner, Enforcer Treve En-Harn, to continue at post until their shift ended.” The councilman set the paper down, then looked at Treve with cold eyes. “Is this report correct to your knowledge?”

“Yeah… yes, my lord.”

“And did you see Brosen take the girl in the direction of the hospital?” Another man asked.

“Yes, my lord.”

“Have you seen Brosen at any other time on this day?” asked a third.

“No, my lord.” Treve was growing nervous about where the questioning was leading.

“Has Brosen ever spoken of a disapproval of the Empire or anything associated with the Empire?” The Emperor asked, annoyed with the responses he was receiving.

Treve suddenly wished he knew something that would help the investigation along. “Never, Majesty.”

“Did he ever have prior contact with the slave girl Impyra?” the Emperor continued.

“Not to my knowledge, Majesty.”

A member of the court suddenly spoke up, almost lifting himself to his feet as he did so. “Did the girl speak to him before he took her?”

A hushed murmur rustled through the assembled counsel. Treve ran the situation through his memory. Brosen shouting at him to get the EOV, saying she was alive. He did not remember the girl being conscious at any point.

“Not to my knowledge, my lord.”

Murmurs rustled through the council as well as through the audience. Treve kept his eyes forward, hoping that this would soon end. He was worried for Brosen. Perhaps his partner truly had been part of the escape as they were accusing.

“Do you know anything of import that We can use for this case, Enforcer?” The Emperor asked.