The Flames of Deception - A Horizon of Storms: Book 1 (88 page)

Thadius shrugged. “That may be true princess, but there are
many people in the world indentured in one way or another. Peasants
in Aralia may think themselves no better off than these
creatures.”

She
nodded thoughtfully. “I have been shielded from all of this, hidden
in the palace walls from real life. How could I be so blind to
things like this?”

Thadius smiled softly. “It is your place in life, princess.
You can’t feel guilty for it.”

“
Yes I
can
,” she said sadly.

From his balcony, Chalize watched the three
figures ascending up the slope. His eyes narrowed, studying the
slender woman approaching. Silar watched behind him. He pressed a
hand on the cold, stone wall by his side. He could have smashed
his
fist
through it, he was so enraged.

“
She doesn’t
look
very much like a princess,” the emperor mused. “In
those tattered and worn clothes.
Hardly
the look of the heir to the throne of
Aralia- a powerful woman.”

“
Looks
can
be deceiving, My Lord,” Silar
replied.

Chalize nodded. “This will be an
interesting
encounter, I am
sure.”

Josephine ran her fingers through her hair,
wrenching out an untidy knot with her thumb. She smoothed it into a
semblance of order and wiped her face. If only she had some
powder
to put on her skin.
She must look an
incredible
mess!

Servants took what little in the way of baggage they had.
When they fled from Crystal Ember they had left with only what they
stood in. They followed a short, strange looking man to see the
emperor. He hobbled along in front muttering “This way!” and “Come,
come!” each time they rounded a corner.

“
He looks like a
goblin!
” Thadius whispered with a
chuckle.

“
Shhh!” Josephine hissed back, a grin on her face.

Finally after climbing uncountable numbers of stairs, they
were led down a wide corridor with a large double window at its
end, to a large set of doors.

“
Your pardon Your Highness,” the man fumbled, dry - washing
his hands, “I will just go and announce your presence to the
emperor.” He rapped on the door and slid in, pulling the door
closed behind him.

“
Have you thought what you are going to say princess?” Thadius
asked, pulling his coat straight and tidying his own
hair.

“
I have had
some
ideas,” she told him. “But if you are asking me if
I have a
master
plan, then no.” She sighed. “I cannot just walk in there
and ask for him to go to
war
with the dragon!”

Thadius nodded agreement. “Probably for the best
we play it by ear until we know what this man is really like. I
have heard
many
things about the emperor, and
few
of them have been good.”

Josephine took a breath. “I do hope this was not a bad idea,
coming here.”

Thadius placed a hand on her shoulder. “We will be fine,
princess.”

The
door opened again and the little man popped back out.

“
The
emperor will see you now princess,” he nodded to both of them, and
pulled one door wide enough for them to walk through.

Clenching her fists anxiously, Josephine walked forward
through the door, followed by Thadius. They emerged into a stately,
luxurious room, with hefty, thick wooden furniture and grandiose
paintings. The silk nets hanging over a door leading to a balcony
billowed inwardly in the light breeze.

Chalize stood on their entry and bowed his head. “Welcome to
Ank’ Shara, Princess Josephine. I trust your journey here was
pleasant? My men made you feel comfortable?”

Josephine bowed her head back, being careful not
to show too much deference, but just enough to acknowledge his
position. “It was most comfortable and we were well looked after,
Emperor Chalize. Thank you for asking.” Her voice was full of
regality in his presence. She had to be careful to maintain that.
The last few weeks had seen her become more relaxed in her speech.
It wouldn’t do to sound like a
commoner
in front of him.

Chalize beckoned for them to sit in two comfortable looking
chairs that had been placed by a window beside a third, grander
chair that was clearly intended for Chalize. They sat and a young
serving girl hurried over at Chalize’s command with her tray and
poured out a green liquid into three glasses, passing them to them
in turn.

“
Tankaad Juice,” Chalize told them, motioning his
glass in the air. “It is
quite
delicious.”

Delicately, Josephine raised her glass to her
mouth and took a sip. She held back a grimace - it was sickly
sweet, like drinking pure honey! She saw Thadius sip at his own
glass hesitantly out the corner of her eye. “Thank you
emperor.
Most
unusual.” Thadius suppressed a spluttering
cough.

“
I must admit I was
surprised
to hear of your presence at the border,”
Chalize commented. “As memory serves me, I have never
had
the pleasure of
your company before?”

Josephine nodded. “No, unfortunately you are
correct. You
have
met with my father though, I believe?”

“
Ah, yes. The last time I met with him was at your
Festival of Lights. Why, that must be at
least
five years ago?”

“
Four, I believe,” Josephine corrected.

He signalled with his glass. “Of course. A
wise
man, your father. I
trust that
you
follow in his footsteps?”

“
I
would like to think so,” she said. He was an unnerving man. He
looked like he was trying to work out something, calculate a
weakness perhaps? Well, he would not get one!

“
Well your reputation for beauty is
clearly
well deserved.
Although I hope you will not mind my commenting on your manner of
dress?”

“
It
is rather a long story,” the princess replied.

Chalize took another sip of his drink. “Those are
always the best kind of stories. I must
confess
to being somewhat
concerned
about the nature of your
arrival on my borders. As I understand it you came from Olindia
with just this
one
man as your envoy?” He took a glancing look at Thadius.
“
Hardly
proper for a woman of your standing.”

“
I was in Olindia at the invitation of Regent
Caldur,” she lied. “We came to undertake a tour of the capital as
has been customary between our nations from time to time. I did
have an honour guard. However, my trip coincided with
great
disaster.”

Chalize’s eyes widened. “You were in Crystal Ember
when the
dragon
broke free?” he asked, leaning forward intently. Josephine
nodded. “My gods! I can’t
imagine
the sights you must have seen.”

Josephine took a breath and nodded solemnly. “All of them are
burned on to my mind forever, emperor. A great many people died
that day.”

“
Do
you know the state of the regent?” Chalize probed. “More Tankaad
juice?” he asked Thadius, who had reluctantly emptied his
glass.

“
No!
” Thadius blurted, and then recovered. “Oh no,
no
,
thank
you, I am
quite
refreshed.” The very thought of more made his stomach
gurgle ominously in defence.

“
You know as much as
I
do, emperor,” Josephine continued. “I am not
certain if he even escaped the city and if he did, I have
no
idea of his
whereabouts. We were driven out, my remaining guard Thadius and I,
by the dragon. I barely got out alive!”

In truth, it was the first time Josephine had
even
thought
about Regent Caldur. Her mind had focussed so much on
Matthias and those who had died in the city below, but she had not
considered those in the
fort
when it was destroyed. The regent
could
have got out, she
supposed. But the chances of that were remote. And the Protector
Balzan! After their shaky start, she
had
begun to warm to him. She felt the now familiar
sensation of guilt sink her heart yet lower. Guilt that she had
allowed herself to forget them. She suppressed the thoughts. There
would be time for mourning again later.

“
That is why I am poorly dressed, you understand,” she
advised, indicating her garments with the delicate flourish of a
hand.

Chalize nodded. “I will have some fresh clothes brought for
you both.”

Josephine nodded in thanks. “The incident in
Olindia, emperor, is why I am here. The dragon appeared with such
speed that we did not have time to gather our things.
All
of our coin
has
long
since run dry. We are left with
little
means of getting back to Aralia. My father
has always spoken highly of you,” she lied again. “So it seemed
only reasonable to seek shelter here until a return is
possible.”

Chalize let out a hearty chuckle. It made Josephine want to
shiver. Chalize did not have the look of one who could or should be
able to make such a happy noise.

“
I
am most humbled you would choose Aslemer as your protection. Have
no fear princess, my forces will keep you safe. I will also send
word to your father that you are here.”

The
doors parted again and Silar slid through the gap, bowing
graciously to the emperor.

“
Forgive the intrusion,” he said. “I simply wanted to pay my
respects to the Princess of Aralia.”

“
Ah yes, of course. Princess, this is Silar. He is
a personal aide, of sorts. It seems the princess and her man here
escaped from the dragon’s clutches in Crystal Ember whilst on a
tour of the capital. They have come to me for
protection
.”

“
I
see,” Silar nodded. “Well, I am most sorry to hear of the trouble
you have faced. At least you arrived here alive and well.” He
smiled. “Perhaps I could arrange for a banquet to welcome our
guests My Lord?”

“
Of course! A
very
good idea,” Chalize nodded.

Josephine smiled. “You are most kind, emperor. I will bring
news of your kindness back to my father.”

“
We leaders must work together to
protect
each other and our
families, must we not?” he asked, still smiling.

Josephine nodded and smiled back. “If I may ask, have you
prepared your own defences against the dragon?”

Chalize nodded. “I have men on the borders looking out for
the creature, however, it seems he is content to remain in Olindian
territory for now.”

“
For
now,” Josephine nodded. “But what happens when his tastes
change?”

Chalize paused a moment and then raised his glass to his lips
again. “Then we will be ready.”

Josephine feigned sudden realisation. “Ah, of
course, the dark mages! No doubt the dragon would have his work cut
out for him against those!” she said gushingly. “Your armies
are
very
impressive.”

Chalize nodded. “They are
formidable
creatures,” he said with
pride.

“
If I may intervene, might I suggest perhaps the
princess would care to be shown to her chambers?” Silar said.
“You
must
be
exhausted
after your experience?”

Josephine nodded, trying to hide her annoyance
that the man had interrupted her steering of the conversation.
“Yes, I
am
rather tired.”

Chalize stood. “Of
course
you are.
Where
are my manners?” He held out a hand to the
princess and helped her up. “We will continue our conversation at
dinner tonight, when you are refreshed.”