Captain Kaller Hame marched back into his room. His pulse racing. Normally, an order from his Emperor and charge would settle things. He always assumed the Emperor knew better than he on most matters. The man had the Dome-ni of Perception after all, which meant, he usually did know better. But on this matter, the Captain knew the man’s opinion could not to be trusted.

Kaller had been there when Leeta Amnell a lowly farmer’s daughter had become an Empress just to be persuaded to come back to the White Palace and bring the young Prince with her. Kaller had certainly been one of the first ones alerted when the Empress and Prince Adar had gone missing. And Kaller had also silently watched for twenty years while his charge simmered over the injustice done to him.

It had been all Kaller’s fault. He had been the one in charge of the palace’s security when Aragon had snuck in and took Adar right from under his nose. The Emperor had never once set the blame on Kaller, but the truth of it was obvious enough.

The Emperor had chosen not to draw attention to Kaller’s horrible failure, and he had been indebted to his charge for doing so. But the failure still stayed with him as much as the Emperor’s anger at losing his chosen Heir. Both of them had carried their burdens in their own ways.

Unfortunately, the Emperor’s had done much to break down the already dissolving relationships with his other sons. Eventually, the Emperor had finally had enough, and banished his first three sons. Kaller himself had to escort them from the palace to make sure they left without incident. It had been almost as black a day as when young Prince Adar had been stolen right from his bed chamber.

“This isn’t right, Hame. He’s making a mistake and you know it.” The furious Zorren declared when Hame had come to collect the eldest son.

“I am simply following orders, Highness,” Kaller had replied as he stood near the entrance to the Prince’s bed chamber.

Cases were stacked all over the room. Ready to be transferred to the waiting ship that would transport Zorren wherever he wanted as long as it was far away from Dyniss. The servants would be coming along in short order to cart the cases away. All that remained was to personally escort each of the sons. Kaller had already taken Hazeth and Xavier to their respective ships. Zorren had been the most reluctant by far to leave.

“Yes, father wants to get rid of us to make room for him. You know that, right? I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors same as us. They are even saying Father’s handing over a piece of Ethia to those yavit Fazha. Can you believe that? To freaking Fazha, Hame!”

The Prince paced the floor like he was a mad man on a mission. Only the battle had been lost before it had even really began, and they both knew it. The Prince stopped and swirled around. He marched up to the Captain, and stopped a few feet from him.

“It makes one wonder. What else Father will do for that brat? He isn’t thinking straight, Hame. He’s so bent about Aragon taking Adar away from him in the first place, he can’t see what he’s doing. You know that better than anyone. You are with him the most. You see what others don’t see. Don’t you?”

Yes, he did. But he couldn’t say that. The Emperor had spoken. He had a job to do, even if he didn’t like it. The Captain looked down his nose at the still fuming Prince.

“Your ship is waiting, Highness,” Kaller gave a simple reply.

He stood ready for whatever response the Prince might have toward that, even a physical one. He knew this one liked to lash out when he was angry. It was one of many reasons the Emperor refused to give Zorren back his title of Ascendant. But Kaller could handle whatever this angry Prince decided to throw at him. Let him try. The Emperor had certainly expected something. That was why Kaller was here in the first place.

But surprisingly the anger faded from Zorren’s face and was replaced by a look of pity. “I don’t envy you, Hame. Able to see everything, and not able to do anything. You just follow orders like a good solider. You don’t even really get to be a real Protector, because if you acted against the Emperor, he would punish you for it. Shame.” The Prince shook his head.

That sent a spike of anger through Kaller. “I am the Emperor’s Protector,” he couldn’t help but put that out there.

“Yes, and what a high honor that is, but that’s all it really is, isn’t it? Just an honor. Sure, you get to order around all the guards in the palace. Each of them just waiting to snap to do your bidding. But when it comes right down to it, my father has the last say about everything, even when it comes to his direct protection, doesn’t he?”

That caused Kaller to shift from his position as he tried to figure out a way to discount the Prince, but he couldn’t. Because wasn’t that exactly the way he felt? When he had first come to the White Palace to be the Emperor’s Protector, he had been so proud of the position.

But in the thirty years he’d been here, Kaller had learned very quickly that the usual powers of a Protector didn’t apply to the Emperor. While he had great latitude in what he could do for the palace’s protection, Emperor Ghar Zahn did not respond well to many of the Captain’s suggestions to the Emperor’s own personal security.

Normally, this didn’t usually cause a problem. The Emperor had an almost omniscient ability when it came to personal threats against him. Sometimes it left Kaller wondering why the Emperor even needed a Protector. Most of the time, he could certainly get by with the palace’s normal guard.

But there had been a few incidents over the years that had caused Kaller to step in and prove why he was still needed when there had been security breaches the Emperor had not anticipated. Many of them had involved Leeta Amnell Zahn or his youngest son in some capacity. And that included the dark period right after the young Prince’s kidnapping when the Emperor had acted erratically and not with the normal decisiveness everyone had become accustomed to dealing with.

Zorren waved a hand as if to dismiss what he just said. “Don’t feel too bad about it, Hame. He’s that way with everyone. And I mean everyone.”

The Prince then stood with his hands behind his back like he normally did before making some sort of proclamation, or just to say something he thought very important, whether it actually was or not.

“Just do me a favor, will you? My brothers and I won’t be here to protect Father from himself. So promise me you will do it? Our beloved Emperor is compromised when it comes to my younger brother. You’ve seen it for yourself. He won’t even be able to see any possible dangers where Adar is concerned. Promise me, Hame.”

“I will protect him as it is my duty,” Kaller replied.

Zorren stepped in much closer. His stone blue eyes boring into the Captain with as much steel as the Emperor. It felt unnerving to be under such a stare, even for Hame.

“Even from himself?”

“If necessary, yes,” Kaller replied.

“And what if my brother is a threat to Father, what would you do then?” Zorren held the gaze for a long uncomfortable moment.

Kaller stood a little taller and replied in a clipped tone. “I will do whatever is necessary to protect my charge.” He felt offended that the question should even be asked. What other possible answer would he even give?

Zorren nodded as if it was exactly the answer he was hoping for. “Good. Just remember that when my brother acts against Father.”

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Kaller eyed the Prince carefully. “You seem certain he will.”

Zorren scoffed. “And you aren’t? Aragon’s certainly had him long enough to turn my brother into a weapon. In fact, I’d be surprised if he doesn’t attack Father shortly after he arrives here. Mark my words Hame, my brother will make trouble, and when he does, you just remember your duty to Father first and foremost.”

Irritation raced through Kaller. This conversation was dragging on far more than he liked and he certainly didn’t appreciate this man questioning his dedication to his charge.

“I don’t need you to tell me my duty, Highness.”

Zorren raised his hands in mock surrender. “Of course, dear Captain. Forgive me. I am simply concerned for Father’s safety, but you are right, if there is any trouble, I know you will take care of it. And that makes me feel a little better leaving, knowing that you will be here keeping an eye on him.”

A long moment passed, and the the Prince stretched out an arm toward the bed chamber’s exit. “Then do your duty, Captain. Lead me to my shameful exile. The day isn’t getting any younger.”

The Captain gave a quick nod as he turned on his heels and led the way. Part of him was a little disappointed things hadn’t gotten physical. He enjoyed a good scuffle, and certainly didn’t shy away from them even with the higher borns.

That was the last time he had seen Prince Zorren or his brothers. Certainly, Kaller kept a pulse on their movements at the Emperor’s request, but they had stayed far away from the Capital world of Ethia like the Emperor had declared. At least they were no threat to his charge.

He wished the same could be said of the newly arrived Prince. Kaller had been alerted to the scuffle outside the Emperor’s door almost as soon as it had happened, but he had been in the middle of… he looked to the sleeping form in the tousled bed.

He paused in the center of the room for a moment as he took in the sight of the lithe body laying only half covered by the bed clothes. The swell of rounded breasts fully visible as they rose and fell softly in quiet slumber.

Kaller wasn’t surprised she fell asleep. He hadn’t been gone that long, but they had been quite vigorously active the last hour or so. If he hadn’t been alerted to the conflict caused by the young Prince, both of them would have been passed out by now. Side by side. Wrapped in a tangled sweaty mess. Until they awoke in the early hours of the morning to do it all over again.

Irritation rose in Kaller. He didn’t like being interrupted when he was spending time with her. Being the Protector of the Emperor and Captain of the Guard of the White Palace didn’t allow him much down time, but when he did have it, he spent a large portion with her. His duties rarely required any sort of physical exertion, so she was often the release he craved. And she was only too eager to provide it.

Kaller’s irritation only seemed to grow. He realized he’d never be able to settle down to rest anytime soon. His blood was pumping too hard for that. So he turned on his heels and made for an open doorway that led to a small office he spent more time in that he liked in his Captain of the Guard duties. Kaller much preferred physical action to management and paperwork.

He sat down heavily in his chair, and paused for a moment as the back and sides conformed to his large frame. His mind running through the conversation with his charge once more.

I can only imagine the tall tales Fator and Jemon told you, but I assure you, Captain, all is well in hand.

The Emperor wore his usual stoic mask as he spoke, but Kaller knew his charge. The small tells were there. The twitch of his left eye as he spoke. The tensing of his jaw. The way he stood a little to the side as if bracing himself for a battle of the wills. Kaller knew the signs well. He’d seen them often enough over the last three decades.

The Emperor had expected more resistance from Kaller, which meant that the confrontation was much more than just a little conversation. At some point during the conflict with his son, the Emperor had felt threatened, otherwise, he wouldn’t have tried so hard to warn Kaller off.

That forced the Captain into action as he powered up his nanite terminal and scrolled through the security feed outside of the Emperor’s bed chamber. It was only a matter of moments to access the live feed, and then rewind it to the moment the Prince had stepped out of the transporter and marched to outside the Emperor’s door.

There had been no hesitation from the young man as he made a beeline right for the guards. He did finally stop a few feet in front of them and demanded to be let in to see the Emperor. The guards had done their duty to warn off the Prince. They knew like everyone else in the palace that once the Emperor retired for the evening, he did not want to be disturbed. But this young welp didn’t seem to care. It wasn’t long before he made his move against Jemon.

Kaller watched intensely as the Prince deftly managed to fight back Jemon and disarm Fator over a span of seconds. He was actually a little impressed. Most Princes he knew didn’t know the first thing about self-defense, and certainly not about aggressive tactics. All of them had Protectors for that sort of thing, so they considered physical combat in any form completely beneath them and a waste of their time.

This one knew how to handle himself in a fight. That was a certainty. Some of his moves were different from what he was used to seeing, but they were effective. So much so that when the Emperor finally opened his door to see what all the ruckus was about, Prince Adar was in possession of Fator’s blaster.

Kaller tensed as he watched. This was the recent past. He had only just left the Emperor alive and well in his bed chambers, but he still didn’t like the idea of having a combatant with a weapon so close to his charge. He didn’t breathe easy until the Prince handed the gun back over to Fator.

He continued to watch as the Emperor stood aside to let the Prince enter the room. That was a mistake in Kaller’s book. First rule of dealing with combatants was to never let them think they had won, even if they did. And the Emperor just moved aside and allowed the Prince to enter his personal space without so much as a reprimand?

The Emperor would have never allowed such a trespass to anyone else. Kaller was certain of that. His charge would have ordered his guard to restrain and detain the offender to be dealt with at a later time at the Emperor’s choosing.

Kaller could only sit there blinking in disbelief as the Emperor not only acted in opposition of his normal self, but also put himself in direct danger to someone who had shown he could act quite aggressively.

It makes one wonder. What else Father will do for that brat? He isn’t thinking straight, Hame. He’s so bent about Aragon taking Adar away from him in the first place, he can’t see what he’s doing.

Zorren’s words echoed in Kaller’s mind as he watched the door close on the Emperor and his youngest son. He stopped the feed wishing there was a recording device in the Emperor’s room so he could witness what happened next. Certainly it had ended without further violence. The Emperor looked well enough when Kaller had visited him, but it still concerned him. If the Prince could show such disrespect and violence in just the short time he had been at the palace, what else was he capable of?

You will leave my son alone. He was angry and made a bit of a ruckus, but we have talked it out. He won’t be a problem anymore. There is no need for you to get involved.

Kaller wasn’t so sure about that. He rewound the video and watched the Prince march from the transport again. He saw the anger etched on the young man’s face. Kaller knew that look well enough. That young man was out for blood whether his charge wanted to see it or not.

Aragon’s certainly had him long enough to turn my brother into a weapon. In fact, I’d be surprised if he doesn’t attack Father shortly after he arrives here. Mark my words Hame, my brother will make trouble, and when he does, you just remember your duty to Father first and foremost.

Kaller couldn’t help but think that Prince Zorren may have been right all along. He eyed the returned Prince with a concern. The young man certainly could handle himself in a fight. Aragon’s doing, no doubt.

“There you are. Why aren’t you in bed keeping me warm and satisfied?”

The Captain looked up from the screen to see the naked form in his doorway. Her normally well-kept hair a blonde messy halo around her head. Her lips protruding in an exaggerated pout that made him want to get up and erase with a vigorous kiss.

“I’m attending to my duty,” he replied simply. It was all he had to say and she understood. She always did.

Sure enough, her whole demeanor changed. She stood up straight. Her emerald eyes alert.

“Is everything alright?”

“It will be,” Kaller grunted more to himself than to anything.

His mind was already made up. He knew what he had to do. He was just trying to decide the best way and time in which to do it. There would certainly be a fallout from what he was planning, but Kaller was ready to pay the price if it meant protecting his charge, even from himself. But he also realized that perhaps tonight wasn’t the right time to act. That he needed to give himself time to consider his best move. Until then, he certainly wasn’t going to be getting any sleep this night.

Kaller stood up from his desk. He then closed the distance between himself and the naked woman in several quick strides. She fell right into his embrace with her arms flinging around his neck. He yanked her off the floor and wrapped her legs around his waist and walked them both back into his bed chamber and toward his bed.

“But I’m done for now, and I could certainly use a distraction.”

“Oh, I am good at those,” the woman squeeled as he threw her onto the disheveled bed.

He had added a little extra push from his Telekinetic Dome-ni so that she landed smack in the middle of the bed. She lay there with legs sprawled open and a wide grin, panting just a little. He loved how much his use of his Dome-ni got her excited.

Kaller gave her a broad smile as he quickly unhooked his waist coat and tossed it onto floor, and then eagerly climbed onto the bed. “I know.”