CHAPTER 0 - SIANA'S COUP
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«”The people seem to be dissatisfied with your choices, Empress,”» said one of the advisors, specifically Astraco, an advisor elected by the previous Empress. Now well into his adulthood, he was responsible for overseeing the people's health and hygiene.
With a slight frown, he guided the servants with his finger as they set the dishes for the banquet. His aggressive wrinkles suggested a hint of wisdom, but his empty and cruel eyes betrayed a sip of malevolence, the cruelty of those in power, their bitterness, and it seemed the civilians were growing tired.
The young Empress, Nisarra, daughter of Minargo and Rimaletta, pondered over the food served in front of her. Her innocent and naive face scanned the great hall. It was her fourth year of ruling after her mother"s death, but she still lacked much experience, perhaps due to her age. Needless to say, the hands guiding her were those of her advisors, although she never seemed to have noticed any issues in her governance.
«”What is there to report? What are they dissatisfied with?”»
«”They say…”» He hesitated a little before speaking what he had to say. The memory of the previous Empress' cruelty flashed before his eyes, but looking at the daughter, he realized how weak she was compared to her mother. That realization gave him even more strength in his statement.
«”…You are not up to your mother"s standards.”»
«”My mother"s reign was short but effective. For all the praise I can give her, I am the one in charge now.”» Her face contradicted her words, and her tone belied them.
She wasn"t so sure of herself, nor was she assertive. The banquet table was full. After all, it was an important celebration. In that brief period of evening, the long imperial table was filled with the most important figures in Narwhalan government: advisors, high-ranking generals, tribal leaders, and the Empress herself.
«”If I may object,”» a voice came from the end of the table. Seated alone was General Siana, commander of the largest platoon in the Narvalan empire.
A threatening aura covered her face, and her position at the table obscured half of it in shadow. Her horn, rigid and sharp, protruded just enough to be seen in the light, but her dark blue skin and decorated braids were not fully visible.
Her eyes, however, gleamed with power.
Empress Nisarra couldn"t avoid feeling a drop of sweat run down her forehead.
Of all people, Siana was the most ruthless general she had in her platoon, and for some time now, Nisarra had begun to feel a bad premonition whenever she watched her.
After the attention shifted to her, Siana continued her speech.
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«“The people are indeed dissatisfied, of that I agree. But it would be quite... foolish to attribute it to the past strength of your mother. I was her most proficient general; together we expanded the empire. A tool works well depending on who wields it." "What are you implying?”»
Nisarra, tasting her banquet meal, listened attentively. «“Unfortunately, this command lacks military strength, Empress. You are very naive and weak. In four years, we have made no conquests, and we have not gone to war.”»
Advisor Ascaro, along with all the other tribal leaders and four advisors, turned around. Ascaro, before all, voiced the opinion of everyone.
«”How dare you speak to the Empress like that! Have you gone mad?! Show some respect!”»
Siana quickly stood up, but with her usual elegant and orderly tone, from her chair. She had not touched her food, unlike the others.
Once again, the shadow covered half of her face, but a wicked smile had possessed her. «”The management of resources is going up in smoke; the people are dissatisfied. We use the people"s money for these…”» With a furious blow, she knocked the bowl containing her food to the ground. «”Disgusting displays of wealth, while we neglect the glory of our empire. What shame is this?”»
All the banquet participants watched with a strange feeling, torn between the terror of her threatening tone and face, and the fury over such rebellious behavior toward the Empress.
«”Our people are dissatisfied, indeed. Every one of you is aware of it, but what do you do? None of you is as close to the people as we are, who fight for them.”»
«”What are you trying to imply?" This time it was Nisarra speaking, who, at the end of that speech, could do nothing but stand as well, with frustration and offense.
«"Your empire is weak, Nisarra. You do not deserve to be Empress; your weakness rots our strength, and for this..."» A small platoon of guards, previously stationed at the doors of the hall, approached the attendees. With them, however, came a considerable number of other soldiers.
Before those present at the table, including the Empress, could fully grasp the situation, all of them, including General Siana, drew their weapons—aggressive spears made from the fins of Stritizoids, dangerous marine animals, but common around the islands of the empire. The first to understand the situation was Ascaro himself.
«"This is treason! Guards! Guards!"» he exclaimed, but was immediately met with two spears pointing at his face.
«"You desire to call for the guards? I’m sorry, but they are under my command,"» Siana said, then once again looked at Nisarra, that same depraved smile that characterized her even stronger now rested on her face.
«"The people have spoken, Nisarra, and with them, your army as well. We repudiate you as our Empress."» Nisarra's surprised face betrayed all her emotions.
Confusion and shock kept her from speaking, but before she could do anything, one of the guards, with a well-placed blow, struck her from behind, driving the spear straight through her head, piercing it and emerging between her eyes. Immediately after the attack, Nisarra fell onto the plate she had been eating from, spilling blood all around.
All the others, seated in their chairs and surrounded by spears, watched in horror, but said not a word. Their silence might have spared their lives.
Among them, Ascaro stared directly at Siana's face with a deep sense of betrayal. After a few seconds, noticing his gaze, Siana looked back at Ascaro, completing her speech.
«"And the people… have chosen me."» Approaching Nisarra’s corpse, she stole the mantle, worn exclusively by the Empress, and, still stained with blood, put it on.
She looked at the table, taking a few steps to move away, her eyes fixed on her warriors.
With a determined tone, she gave the last order of the brief evening. «"Slaughter every one of them."»
And that day, Siana became Empress.