Heinz paced his chambers anxiously, waiting for his wife Astrala to return from her healing session with Neonatal. Since the assassination attempt that robbed her of speech, Heinz felt like he was losing her a little more each day.

Though her physical wounds had mended, a shadow lingered in Astrala's eyes that tore at Heinz's heart. She rarely smiled anymore, often staring silently into the distance with a haunted, mournful look that frightened him. It was as if part of her spirit had fled along with her stolen voice.

A soft knock at the door made Heinz start. A servant entered and murmured deferentially, "Lady Astrala has returned, my lord."

Heinz rushed out to the hall where Astrala was just coming in, supported gently by one of her handmaidens. At the sight of her husband, Astrala managed a tiny, wavering smile that did not reach her eyes.

Heinz embraced her tenderly. "How was the healing session, my love? Does Lord Neonatal believe you are improving?"

Astrala's smile faltered as she shook her head slightly. Heinz felt his heart drop.

"But...surely in time, his magic will restore what was taken," Heinz said, trying to keep desperation from his voice.

Astrala just gazed at him sorrowfully and touched his cheek in a sad caress before turning away. As her handmaiden guided the silent woman to her chambers, Heinz had to blink back tears.

Later, Heinz found himself outside Neonatal's guest quarters. He pounded angrily on the door, uncaring of propriety.

When Neonatal opened it, Heinz confronted him directly. "You swore your spells would heal my wife! Yet she only worsens while you make excuses."

Neonatal raised a placating hand. "Peace, Lord Heinz. The mind cannot be rushed to mend any more than the body."

But Heinz was past listening. "Don't pacify me with platitudes! I want the truth." He stepped closer, eyes blazing. "Can you restore Astrala or not?"

Neonatal met his gaze solemnly. "There are no certainties with wounds of the spirit. But I shall do all in my power, you have my oath."

Heinz deflated, the fight going out of him. Nodding stiffly in thanks, he turned away before Neonatal could see his anguished tears. Astrala was slipping away, and Heinz had never felt so powerless. He would cling to hope and stand by her, even if she fell into silence forever.

***

Menadue took a deep, steadying breath as she and Gideon approached the doors to Aeron's private chambers. After intensive training with Neonatal, they felt ready to employ the techniques for calming Aeron's volatile temper, but Menadue still felt anxious. If they failed to reach through his rage, the consequences could be disastrous.

At Gideon's nod, the guards opened the doors. Aeron sat brooding in shadow, not even glancing up as they entered. Menadue felt her heart clench seeing the emperor she loved so dejected and withdrawn.

"Your Eminence," Gideon began formally. "We have come at Lord Neonatal's urging to provide what aid we can in this difficult time."

Aeron was silent, so Menadue ventured gently, "Will you speak with us, my liege? We only wish to ease your spirit's burden."

Finally Aeron met their eyes, and Menadue had to repress a gasp. His gaze smoldered with barely contained fury.

"Unless you can restore what was taken from me, do not speak of easing my burdens," he said coldly.

Menadue shared an uneasy glance with Gideon. Aeron's anger ran deeper than they realized.

Gideon tried again. "We cannot undo the past, it's true. But together we might find-"

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"Enough!" Aeron snapped, rising swiftly. "I do not need platitudes from simpering counselors."

Seeing Aeron's temper flare, Menadue interjected quickly. "My friend, your pain is understood. But lashing out will only isolate you more."

Aeron rounded on her, eyes blazing. "You overstep your place, attendant! I do not need to be managed like an unruly child."

Menadue stood her ground. "I speak out of care, not disrespect." She met Aeron's turbulent gaze evenly. "But we cannot help against your will."

A charged silence fell. Then finally, Aeron turned away with a bitter laugh. "Cannot help...no one can. Just leave me be."

Though it pained her to leave Aeron in such darkness, Menadue knew they could not force him to accept their aid. With a last anguished look at the emperor's hunched form, she withdrew reluctantly with Gideon, hoping time might open Aeron's heart to their devotion once more.

***

Malrick sat tensely across from Oswald as their peace talks continued going in fruitless circles. Though they had agreed to parley, years of animosity still simmered barely beneath the surface.

"How can we even discuss cooperation when your people still occupy the Stone River Valley?" Oswald demanded angrily. "Those fertile lands belong to my kingdom."

Malrick struggled to remain diplomatic. "The valley provides vital resources now that your forces blocked our coastal trade routes. Necessity forced my hand."

"Necessity or opportunism?" Oswald retorted. "Admit you took advantage of the conflict to seize what you always desired."

Malrick clenched his fists. "This bickering gets us nowhere. If we cannot look beyond past grievances, our realms will remain trapped in discord."

Oswald laughed bitterly. "Bold words now, yet you were eager enough to prosecute this war months ago when victory seemed assured."

"We were both fools to carry on our fathers' mindless feud," Malrick replied wearily. "This hatred may yet destroy everything we hold dear."

Before Oswald could respond, hurried footsteps approached, and a courier burst into the tent, looking grave. "Urgent message from Lord Neonatal of the Imperium."

Malrick took the proffered scroll with growing unease. Breaking the imperial seal, he quickly read Neonatal's stern missive condemning their ceaseless warmongering and commanding immediate cessation or facing Emperor Aeron's wrath for defying the eastern peace accords.

Malrick met Oswald's equally shaken eyes. "Aeron threatens to declare us both rebels if we do not make amends."

Oswald's bravado finally cracked. "We cannot afford imperial intervention right now. My coffers are depleted funding this damned conflict."

Malrick nodded grimly. "Then we have no choice but to settle matters between us, or risk total ruin."

He extended his hand. "For the sake of our people and lands, let the past remain buried with our fathers. If we unite now, neither of us must kneel before the Imperium's will alone."

Oswald considered this solemnly, then gripped Malrick's arm. "Very well. We shall salvage unity from our fathers' ashes. I only pray this accord ends the generations of blood."

Relief swept over Malrick as they embraced like brothers reconciled. Perhaps from this shared adversity, a lasting peace might finally emerge. There was hope yet so long as even fading embers still glowed beneath the ashes of hatred.

***

Blanche sipped his wine calmly as Lord Kind paced before him, gesticulating wildly.

"It makes no sense," Kind fumed. "Months ago, we had that weak-willed boy Aeron under our thumb. Now the Regent has somehow seized control again!"

He whirled on Blanche. "How did you allow Neonatal to blindside us like this?"

Blanche set his cup down slowly. "I assure you, old friend, no one is more surprised than I by the Regent's sudden resurgence."

"Yet you seem complacent about being outmaneuvered," Kind retorted.

Blanche steepled his fingers thoughtfully. "Not complacent. But these turns are not wholly unexpected."

At Kind's incredulous look, Blanche explained. "You see, I have known Neonatal since his youth. He always had a certain...talent for working with challenging rulers like our brash Emperor Aeron."

Kind frowned. "Explain."

"As you recall, even mighty Emperor Heartline in his advanced years grew rather willful," Blanche continued. "Back then, it was Neonatal who gently assumed many difficult duties as Heartline's faculties faded."

Realization dawned on Kind's face. "So the Regent has experience manipulating frail emperors from his time with the old despot? Is that your thinking?"

Blanche smiled thinly. "You make it sound rather calculating. I merely point out that navigating complex politics is Neonatal's forte. We should not underestimate him."

Kind grumbled under his breath and drained his wine cup. "Well, what do you suggest then for containing this wily fox before he steals all authority?"

Blanche's eyes glinted knowingly. "Patience, my friend. The pieces are still in flux on this board. But soon, an opportunity may arise to check the venerable Regent's startling rise."

Both men shared a sly smile. Neonatal's political acumen was formidable, but the schemes of ambitious courtiers could often prove his match. The shadows held many unseen hands ready to strike when the time was ripe. For now, they would bide their time and watch events unfold silently. Their day would come.

***

Aeron paced his study, unable to focus on affairs of state. Guilt gnawed at him over having confined his brother Tomas to quarters. Even if meant to protect him, it was an act born of anger and fear, not wisdom.

Their last heated argument kept replaying in Aeron's mind. The hurt in Tomas's eyes when imperial guards dragged him away on Aeron's command...it made Aeron's stomach twist with shame.

A knock interrupted his brooding. Aeron blinked in surprise to see the guards ushering in a rather smug-looking Tomas.

"Dear brother, did you miss me despairing away in dreary isolation?" Tomas exclaimed dramatically, draping himself over a divan.

Aeron shifted awkwardly. "Tomas, about your confinement-"

"Do not fret; I have graciously forgiven you," Tomas interrupted breezily. "I am simply thrilled to be free again."

Swallowing back irritation at Tomas's flippant tone, Aeron said carefully, "I hope you understand it was only meant to protect you."

Tomas waved a hand airily. "Oh, I know, no need to belabor the point. Now, be a good lad and have some sweet cakes sent up; I'm famished."

Aeron clenched his jaw. Even locked in a cell, Tomas somehow knew exactly how to get under his skin.

Seeing Aeron's darkening expression, Tomas laughed. "Come now, don't be such a dreary despot. Where's your spirit for adventure?"

Despite himself, Aeron felt his temper receding. Tomas had always been able to cajole him out of sullen moods, infuriating as it was. Aeron forced a wry smile.

"Very well, I shall endure your teasing if it lightens your spirit after such unpleasantness," he conceded.

Tomas grinned and pulled Aeron into an affectionate headlock. Try as he might, Aeron could never stay angry at his irrepressible brother for long. The lightness between them endured, binding wounds no darkness could wholly eclipse. For Tomas, Aeron would withstand anything patiently, even the most insufferable teasing.