The dignitaries from throughout the empire settled in at a snail's pace and even after an hour of waiting, over half the seats remained vacant. Rouya should have expected as much from the warlords on the Frontier but most of the outer worlds decided not to show.

Only the officials from the interior worlds showed up fully, most of which were elder men loyal to her father or grandfather at some point. She'd have to rely on their continued support in keeping order while she retook the relics stolen from her.

Evelyn took form beside her and bowed her head. "He's not coming."

"Not coming," Rouya repeated, tapping her foot. "I asked Markus to join me for the first meeting and he leaves me."

"I can press the matter and bring him."

Rouya raised her hand. "That won't be necessary. I'll speak a word with him once this is over. For now, I'll have to work on containing the damage and securing our future."

"I believe in you. You're a good person and they will see it too."

"Excuse me, Your Highness," came a striking voice from underneath the archway. Strands of blond hair slick with sweat hung in front of his eyes. He had his helmet tucked under is arm and waited for her to spare him some attention. Evelyn was much more defensive and sized him up as she moved ahead of Rouya.

"And you are?"

"Captain Helodion of Fort Larcin." He removed a slip of paper from his glove and held it out to her. "A message for you, Your Highness. I apologize for not going through the proper channels but it required a measure of urgency and confidentiality."

Rouya cocked a brow and unfolded the paper. She didn't have time for games and secret messages but the fact that he came all the way just to deliver a message intrigued her. Her heart fluttered at the words and she glanced up to meet his eyes. "They got away? I can't tell you how glad I am to hear they're all right. When are they coming back?"

"Not at all. Lady Calisma decided to leave and took the child with her. We don't know which world she went to." Captain Helodion rubbed the back of his head. "She also wanted me to wish you a speedy recovery."

"A speedy recovery…" Rouya began, laying her hand to her thigh as her thoughts returned to her ankle. "How thoughtful of her. Well, she'll be welcome here any time if she changes her mind. You're free to take a rest and regain your strength. Be my guest for the day."

"Too kind, Your Highness. I await any further orders you have before returning to the fort." Helodion took a curt bow and gave Evelyn a nod before he stepped away.

Rouya marveled his grace but shifted her attention back to the Great Hall and the matters at hand. Silence swept through the hall all she entered and marched to the head of the long table. She went to sit at her usual spot but stopped herself in the last moment, hand resting on the back of the chair. It was no longer her place to sit beside her father but in the shadow of his massive portrait ordaining the wall. The empire needed her to fill his seat and let everyone know she was in control and would be able to restore order.

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Evelyn moved on ahead to pull back her father's chair and help her get seated in front of some twenty officials.

"It's good to see familiar faces here," Rouya began. "Yesterday marks a tragedy which we will carry with us for the rest of our lives. We've all lost much and are filled with grief, hatred or can't find the words to describe what's going on inside of us. You don't have to explain yourselves to me. Being here in this time of need is enough. I will do everything in my power to bring justice to those responsible. I'm counting on your services for which my father held you all in such high regard."

A governor from one of the interior worlds rose. She'd seen Nicon plenty of times and at his high age was still loyal to her family. "My sincerest condolences, Your Highness. Unfortunately, this does bring back dangerous times for us all. I don't wish to be too intrusive but how many of the relics do you currently possess?"

"The Nazar."

"Just the one?"

Rouya nodded, holding her hand out to Evelyn. "She'll be more than capable in dealing with any situation we may come across. I've also trusted Satrap Markus with Mitra to help locate the remaining relics."

"A single relic leaves the empire in a precarious situation." Nicon pressed his lips together, fumbling with his hands as he waited for some assurance from her. Better to hear it from them directly than have them work against her.

"We just spent twelve years campaigning for Justinian," Governor Lans said before looking around the table. "My people will be difficult to convince to sacrifice their loved ones for another war."

"Nobody's said anything about war," Nicon said.

"Don't blind yourself. The war's already begun and as we speak villages all across the galaxy are in turmoil."

Rouya signaled for silence. "I understand what both of you are saying but arguing will benefit no one. I'm very much aware of my father's tactics in the Magi Wars but can guarantee you all that I will not follow the same course of action."

Lans coughed a laugh but quickly held a fist to his lips when the other members shot him disapproving glares.

"I've crafted a plan that will allow me to honorably restore control over several relics and gain a clear advantage over the separatists."

"Honorably?"

"We're going to challenge each of the summoners individually to a duel," Evelyn said.

"As if any of them would be foolhardy enough to gamble their Battle Maiden away."

"While my intentions are to minimize the loss of life, I'm quite certain they will accept my offer," Rouya said. "Who would they be to decline the power of two Battle Maidens? It would put them in a position of power over the others. The ego that propelled them to murder my father will be their undoing."

A moment of chatter broke out amongst the dignitaries. They all wished to have secure homes, far away from any battles with the potential to destroy entire cities. She let it carry on and help ease the tension inside them before wishing to continue.

"Silence," Evelyn said, kicking her heels together.

Nicon rose once more, cocking his head to the side while he tapped his fingers on the surface of the table. "I don't wish to be naysayer amongst us—"

"Then don't," Evelyn said but Rouya signaled her to calm down and let him speak his mind.

"You've never taken part in battle before and your skills as a summoner haven't been tested before. What faith do you have in succeeding and not just giving our enemies another Maiden?"

"You're free to test my abilities at any time but I can't guarantee you'll be unscathed by the demonstration. Out of all the separatists, Kalim is the most skilled summoner. I'm not going to walk into his court first thing tomorrow and challenge him. I'll take out his allies one by one until he's just as alone as the day he sent his goons to kill me."