The rain poured furiously, drenching everyone under its wrath, but Emperor Bazeir Durmaddon disregarded his soaked clothes as his horse halted. Nothing could ruin this day. He turned his head, barely acknowledging the nine guardians, and gazed upon his ancestors’ throne room ahead.
Bazeir glanced behind him and saw peasants staring at him with awe. There was no mistaking the excitement building around Taldria. His servants had spread the word weeks ago that he would be visiting the city and occupying the throne room for the first time in three hundred years. Would Kalthone Durmaddon disapprove of him taking the throne so soon? His ancestor’s decree had been to not take the throne until it was time to strike at Aidris. That was his plan. Why am I wondering how a dead man thinks? Kalthone’s approval doesn’t matter.
It was time to learn of his enemies. His boots splashed through the mud as he strode toward the grand double doors. Only servants had been allowed entry into the throne room since Kalthone’s decree.
What would my great ancestors have thought about how far we’ve come? Bazeir paused in front of the doors. His family had been overthrown 1500 years ago and only a few survivors had been able to escape to this island, the Neverus isle, where the local people had taken them in.
The Durmaddons had spent seven hundred years amassing enough power to conquer the locals. They had manipulated the two major clans of Taldria to fight against each other, enabling their family to take advantage and secure power themselves.
Taking a deep breath, Bazeir made a gesture of command and the servants opened the doors. Guards lined the room leading to the throne itself. He stared at the simple red chair, with its golden arm rests and soft red padding on the back.
His lips curled into a smile as he walked toward it. The ground was bright from the water dripping off everyone’s rain-soaked clothing. He was grateful to be here. His ancestors had only been able to grow their power. Their preparations for this day would not be in vain; he would make sure of that.
He stopped in front of the throne, turned around, and sat down. Bazeir touched the armrests and looked at the gathered nobles and guards. Nobody spoke. The silence built for half a minute before footsteps echoed not far away. A lone man entered and approached Bazeir.
Bazeir recognized the man, Eldorin, who knelt before him.
“Your grace,” Eldorin said, keeping a perfect posture while waiting for the emperor to respond.
“Rise.” Bazeir motioned with his right arm and Eldorin stood. “Tell me what our prisoners have told you.”
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“I regret to say that none of them knew what I was talking about. The sword was a mystery to them all.”
Bazeir wasn’t surprised. The fools from Aidris who had sailed here did not know what he was looking for. How could the people of Aidris forget about such an important artifact? “This was expected, was it not?”
“Yes, your grace.”
“Put the prisoners to work,” Bazeir commanded. He stood, reveling in what he was about to do. After centuries of planning, he would make his ancestors’ dreams a reality. “I have chosen to move forward with my plans. We will launch our first raids against the people of Aidris!”
The room exploded with cheers from the guards and nobles The raids would be the first move to restore the Durmaddon dynasty. The people of Aidris who sailed to this island knew little of military matters and were usually commoners. They were useless in getting information from the nations of Aidris. A few years ago, Bazeir had sent spies over to Aidris to gather knowledge about the enemy. While this had been useful, there was only so much he could learn that way. He needed to know the potential of his enemies.
The continent had changed since his family had ruled it. Aidris was no longer ruled by one person, but had split into five major nations with their own rulers, and a few minor nations too. It was disgraceful. How could the people of Aidris allow themselves to be split apart? While it angered him, Bazeir knew he should be grateful. Conquering five separate nations would be far easier than fighting a united force.
Still, he could not yet launch a full-scale assault. The Sword of Calamity had to be located before he could show his armies, for once he began his attack, the enemy would do everything they could to deny him his prize. The raids would provide him with information on how the nations would react to an attack by an unknown enemy. How quickly would the five nations—Azzellia, Vandalor, Eshil Domain, Skahad, and Malvarian—respond? The Sword of Calamity would give him the power to level armies.
“What are your orders, sire?” Eldorin asked.
“Put the prisoners to work, then prepare the ships for departure,” Bazeir commanded.
Eldorin bowed and hurried out of the room.
“What about us, your grace?”
Bazeir glanced over at the leader of his Mardimers. They were his most powerful weapon; they were capable of utilizing the power, like the mages of Aidris. “Patience, Tusdar. I know how eager you are, but I can’t let the enemy know of you—not yet. But you will be part of the invasion,” Bazeir said, not missing the disappointment on Tusdar’s face. The Mardimers had been training hard, hoping to be part of the raids.
“I shall keep training until that day,” Tusdar said, bowing before turning heel and leaving.
That you will. Tusdar might be disappointed in how much longer that would be. He wouldn’t send the Mardimers until the sword was recovered, which could take years. It might seem foolish to some, but only he and his family understood how powerful the sword was. Besides, it was a symbol of the Durmaddon family and he wanted his enemies to know what was coming for them.
“I want to be left alone,” Bazeir said.
His followers quickly scuttled off. The guards ushered people out and were the last to leave. Bazeir let out a sigh and stared at the ceiling, trying to quell the excitement within him. “Soon my ancestors will be avenged. I will take back the lands that belong to me.”
Bazeir threw back his head and laughed. The people of Aidris had no idea what was coming. By the time they realized, it would be too late to stop him.