Head Steward Grada Karkart had left the matter of interviewing Tobis Nenna to his staff. He and Senior Administrator Madla Dinsta had enough to take care of with Councillor Authua of the sixth cluster arriving at the eleventh period. Especially after his meeting with the Dark Lord.

The usual items passed across the desk of both. The Chief Usher had his problems and as did the Head Carpenter, the Painter and the Grounds Man. These problems resolved, Grada was ready and waiting when Authua of Terra X2 arrived.

Authua was not particularly happy to be at the Palace. She had never believed that the Dark Lord would return and now that he had, then all her plans had gone pfft! While that was annoying, she wasn’t foolish enough to challenge the Dark Lord like Tama Priestas and Tim Deuris. Look where that put them. In a security police cell, she thought, right alongside those traitorous admirals!

“Welcome to the Palace, Councillor.”

“Thank you Head Steward.”

“This way please.” The two passed through security into the palace’s private quarters.

The walk to the Ante Room was on this occasion a silent one. Authua was not in a mood to talk and the Steward decided to respect that. As they approached the Ante Room, he turned and announced, “We are almost there Councillor.”

“Thank you Head Steward.” Authua repeated her response.

The usual several Ladies of the Circle awaited there. To Grada’s surprise there were none that he had seen before in the group. They were all, in their different ways, beautiful. One stepped forward.

“Greetings Councillor Authua, Head Steward.”

The Steward gave a small bow. “Greetings Ladies, and welcome to the palace.”

“Thank you, Steward, it is many years since I and my sisters, had the privilege of serving the Master here.” The lithe, dark haired and white skinned Lady smiled as she replied with her attractive lilting voice.

The Steward remembered what the Dark Lord had said earlier, indeed he had not had much experience with the Ladies, but he had learned to control his features at such unsolicited comments. Absently he wondered if the Dark Lord had set up this and other such encounters deliberately to observe arrivals reactions.

Councillor Authua was an experienced diplomat who had represented her planet, galaxy and cluster for many years. But coming face to face with so many Ladies of the Circle in such close quarters was a revelation for her. The Lady who had spoken was wearing a pants suit made of a shimmering red material, the type of which she had never seen before. The top of the suit was a halter top with no back! The effect was completed by the black shoes with long thin heels and in total was devastating.

The other Ladies had equally strange dress. One brunette wore a short purple dress, another slim blonde wore a short black strapless dress, while a dark haired, dark skinned beauty wore a long white dress with slits cut up each side. Authua was stunned by her sudden exposure to the Ladies and had no idea of what she should do. One raised an eyebrow and opened her mouth to speak. Whatever she was about to say was lost when a quiet voice interrupted.

“Greetings Councillor Authua. Thank you Steward, again.” The Dark Lord turned to the Ladies. “Taryn, you look well.” Came with the same calm tone that the Steward was beginning to recognise, he bowed and left.

“Thanks, I just got here.” The Lady wearing the pants suit smiled. “Have to find a bed.” The smile changed to a toothy grin which showed perfect white teeth. The Ladies started to move off, down the corridor.

The Councillor was standing still, mouth slightly open, eyes staring and still taking in her first exposure to the Circle.

“Councillor.” Snapped Authua out of the slightly stunned state she was in. Shaking herself, she acknowledged The Dark Lord.

“Sire.” Had her moving into the Ante Room. Taking her seat, she muttered. “I feel like a fool.”

“Take it not to heart, many have reacted in a similar fashion to a sudden dose of the Ladies. Your reaction is not unusual.”

Authua looked sceptical and threw the Dark Lord a glance. “I never believed that you would come back. You disappeared so long ago.”

“I know.” Came the smiling reply. “I also know of your intrigues against the First Counsellor.”

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A shrug was the councillor’s reply, followed with. “So, what do you want me to say?”

“Say?” The Dark Lord replied. “I want you to speak your mind when necessary. To speak the truth. To support the decisions of both the council and myself when they are made.”

“You want me to be your mouthpiece? To support your edicts when you make them?”

The Dark Lord regarded Authua thoughtfully. “Is that all you took out of what I said? Did you actually listen to my words?” He gave a soft laugh. “I do believe that you need to work on your listening skills.”

A sullen look was the reward for that remark.

“Must I remind you of the oath you took just eight days past?”

“You mean the oath you forced on us?”

“The only forcing was, when it was your turn, you could not bring yourself to give up the power and status you have as a member of the high council.” The Dark Lord replied with a smile. The smile vanished.

“You have not given me a straight answer this whole time. Neither have you spoken with proper respect. I require an answer now, are you prepared to fully honour your oath, both to me and to the Empire? Answer now.” There was power in the Dark Lords word, Authua felt it.

“I will fulfill my oath, however much I don’t wish to. Your return has already caused much disruption sire.” The Councillors tone revealed her bitterness.

“So at least there is truth in what you say.” The Dark Lord replied. “And I agree, many have had their plans disrupted. You do realise that the treasonous Admirals planned to kill every one of you as did Tama Priestas. You all were marked for death by both sides, but that means nothing to you now, as you are still alive and they await their several fates.” Authua made no comment, but her expression changed with that revelation.

The Dark Lord paused, then continued. “If you cannot see your way to honourably serving, then you should resign. I gave you that option already, on the day of oath taking. I will repeat that now.”

“So you would replace me with another to be your mouthpiece? Why should I allow you to replace me?”

“I will do no such thing. Any replacement will be discussed with the First Councillor and his opinion will be solicited. The process for replacing a councillor is well established. Are you willing to serve on the council, to fulfill your oath?” The Dark Lord was relentless in his probing. “Not unwillingly but with all your heart? You have been less than convincing so far.”

With a sigh, Authua surrendered. “I will serve. I am not happy, but I will serve faithfully.” She looked straight at the Dark Lord. “But, sire, I wish to be heard, it is my right to be heard.”

“You have your voice in the council that did not change with my return. But once a decision is made, you must adhere to it. Equally when I make a decision, I expect your active support. I will listen to your arguments and hear you out. But I have many sources of information, some of which I cannot share with you. I may not agree, but I will listen.”

The Dark Lord stood. “We will talk again, Authua of Terra X2, I will continue to meet with each of you, at least once each year.”

Outside waiting was Rita Caenett, she bowed as the two stepped into the hallway. “Sire.”

“Lieutenant Commander.”

Authua, along with others, had wondered about Rita Caenetts appointment, but dismissed it as nothing important. Now, she wasn’t so sure. The Dark Lord she realised, was not just their ruler, but deeper and more subtle. If he was just interested in power, her head would have gone already. She knew that she would have to be very careful.

“Until the next time Councillor.”

“Indeed, my Lord.” The Dark Lord acknowledged the submission with a nod, for which Authua was grateful. Turning, she followed her new guide.

*********

The Dark Lord lent up against the door jamb watching as the pair rounded a corner. “What do you think?” He asked without turning around.

“She is trouble.” Lady Luca spoke flatly.

“I agree.” Lady Dana voiced her opinion.

“She yielded in the end.” The brown haired Lady pointed out.

“Yes, but will she stay submissive and true to her oath?” Lady Andrea wondered.

An argument ensued between the four Ladies. The Dark Lord listened then spoke.

“Authua is brought, and will stay brought, but unwillingly. She is concerned for her neck and is also concerned that her past actions will catch up with her.” He smiled. “I am sure that you noted I gave no assurance regarding past actions in her case.” There followed a cold laugh. “She is smart and should notice that, especially if they discuss these meetings with each other.”

“So that is a chain you will bind her with.” Lady Luca voiced her query as a statement.

“If necessary. I would prefer that she bind herself with her own chain, built by her own fears.” He sighed. “She is not one in which I feel unqualified trust as yet. She must be watched.”

Andrea stepped into the corridor. “I will speak to the Senior. The guard will pay close attention to her.”

Looking down the now empty corridor, the Dark Lord nodded.