It was with a some surprise that Armistee woke to the soft call of the annunciator, followed by one of the maids knocking on the door and asking if she could come in. At the approving answer, the young maid Armistee remembered from the night before, came in.
“Good morning, Ma’am, it is the seventh period, cook will have breakfast ready by seven point five.”
“Thank you, Irea, isn’t it?” Armistee asked, “Irea ne Castrena?”
“Yes, thank you Ma’am.” Irea nodded her head in acknowledgement. “Which clothes would you like me to lay out for you?”
“I think the grey suit. That will do.” Armistee smiled. “And my name is Armistee.”
“Oh, I couldn’t do that Ma’am!” Irea replied with a rueful expression. “I would have the Housekeeper down on me.”
“No you won’t, I insist.”
“Of course Ma’am.” Irea continued to lay the requested clothes out. Armistee gave her a look then went to the bathroom to wash and refresh herself.
*********
Arriving in the High Councillors office, Armistee found Les Dom Resta already there waiting to appraise her of her day’s schedule and introducing her to Dertre, the Chief of Staff. The schedule was, as expected, full. First he told her that they would have a private meeting together later that evening so that he could tell her about several matters that would never appear in the briefings. She nodded, expecting that. Next, he explained that she would, over the following days, be meeting many of the people she would be dealing with. With a smile he then turned her over to the council’s staff for their briefings.
The morning then became very busy. Armistee was inducted into the security protocols of the High Council, a reasonably simple item as she was already known to security due to her having served an earlier term. However she was also given several unique codes including the access codes to her residence. Les Dom Resta’s codes would be deleted the day he retired. This was followed by several briefings from various departments. These dealt with matters from the war, that being given by Legion officers, to cluster politics. All these activities took up most of the morning, which lead up to the luncheon with the council.
As it was an informal lunch meeting, it went well. Along with the Councillors, Armistee was also introduced to the Admiral of the Legion, Mont de Templer and several senior staff members who were also present. A swift study, she was impressed by all she met, and carefully noted their various comments. She had already been told that two councillors had been sent to the Kingdoms galaxy by the Dark Lord along with the Assistant Steward. Mont de Templer was also a careful study and took note of the steel hidden in the woman. Later, to his chief of staff, he commented that if certain councillors wanted to take advantage of the incoming First Councillor, they had better be ready to duck!
The luncheon over, the First Councillor approached his designated replacement, “Armistee, it is time.” Neither smiled, they both knew what he meant.
They were to go to the palace.
*********
All too soon they were parked in the slot reserved for the High Councillor. Two members of the Imperial Guard were waiting. They bowed.
“Welcome to the palace, Madam Devonis, High Councillor Resta.” The senior guard greeted both. With a wave she indicated the transit elevator.
“I know the way, thank you.” The High Councillor smiled to the two guards. Armistee noted absently that it was the usual pairing of an older experienced guard and a younger one. In this case, both were women. Having never heard of this, Armistee wondered about asking. On a quick reflection she decided to say nothing and do some research into the Imperial guard first.
“We are an honour guard for the named successor.” The elder replied and lead the way. Swiftly they were all whisked to the steward’s offices, to be greeted by the Head Steward.
“Welcome to the palace, I am Garda Karkart and you will remember Deputy Steward Madla Distra.” The Head Steward greeted the two arrivals with a bow. “Come, He expects you.”
Armistee regarded the pair closely and carefully as she replied. “Thank you for your kind greeting. I appreciate your courtesy and I have a lot to learn so I am sure that there will be many questions.”
“Our Master will I am sure, answer all questions that you have.” Garda replied with a smile. “This way please.” He moved off, the rest following.
Interesting. The High Councillor – Designate thought, the palace staff won’t answer questions, speaking out loud, she addressed Madla, “It is good to see you again, Madla. I trust that it is appropriate to address you like that.”
The Deputy Steward replied that it was fine as they passed through security to the private area of the palace.
Looking around as they walked, Armistee noted the ongoing construction work.
“Our Master, on his return last year noted that the palace needed some updating.” The Head Steward answered. “We have been working steadily since settling on the most urgent needs and getting the Masters approval.”
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“That is almost a year and a half ago,” was voiced with some surprise.
“Indeed, and we have about two more years of work ahead of us.” The Steward replied. “While previous Steward’s had done much necessary work, some areas were not accessible due to the Masters orders when He left. Mainly the Hall of hearing, which still needs much work.” He shrugged, “The necessity of completing all work in-house along with other items that are seasonal, also means that the upgrades are going to take time.”
Armistee was about to make the suggestion that the resources of the Empire be made available when they turned a corner and bevy of Ladies announced their arrival.
“Look who we have here!” A tall, brown eyed brunette called.
“The new girl.” An equally tall, green eyed blonde smiled.
They fell silent as a slim, alabaster skinned Lady with jet black hair, wearing sandals and an off-the-shoulder short black dress stepped forward. “Welcome Madam Armistee Devonis, I am Taryn, the Master is waiting,” came in her lilting voice as she pointed. Armistee stopped, frozen in shock. Almost forty years ago, she had talked to this very woman during one of the transits between galaxies while returning to Copus Minor. Impressed by her unusual maturity, an offer of employment had been made and politely rejected. Now she knew why.
“Lady,” came out in a stutter. “Lady,” was repeated stronger. Taryn smiled. Armistees’ companions were staring at her, surprised by her reaction. The Ladies were showing considerable interest and more had gathered.
“It is indeed a long way from Copus Minor, but we had better not keep Him waiting.” With a wave Lady Taryn directed them to the door leading into the study. Still in shock, Armistee followed the Steward through the door. Les Dom Resta followed, giving his replacement a look of concern.
“I’m ok,’ She said, “tell you later.” Then taking a deep breath Armistee composed herself and stepped into the study.
*********
The Dark Lord was standing in his usual spot by the empty fireplace. Garda noted with a twinge that He had His impassive face on. His companion was sitting in her usual chair and other Ladies were scattered around the room. When Lady Taryn and the rest entered, interest perked up immediately. The First Councillors gift of prophecy had however, misfired, Sabra Boon was absent.
Back to an alert state, none of the four missed the look and the nod that passed between Lady Taryn and the Dark Lord and wondered what it meant. The Dark Lord retained his impassive stance.
“Welcome, Madam Armistee Devonis to Tihab.” A slight smile touched his lips. “I hope that you found the bed comfortable, if lonely.”
“Thank you sire.” Armistee bowed her head, “You are correct on both counts.”
“Ingre Devonis will be joining you soon?” Came with a look of inquiry as the Dark Lord sat.
“I hope so sire.” The answer came with a smile. “At least it will keep him out of the dangerous mining operations back on Copus Minor.”
“Dangers abound everywhere, do not dismiss them so readily.” The Dark Lord cautioned.
“I remember the words of wisdom you spoke to my staff, sire. I repeated them to my husband, I hope he doesn’t take them the wrong way.” The last words came with a wry tone. The Ladies laughed, while another slight smile had the Dark Lord lips twitching. Resta, Garda and Madla listened with interest and wondered what had been said.
“Indeed, some take such warnings as encouragement.” The Dark Lord stirred in his seat. “However your husband is a level headed man and no doubt took your words to heart. As well he has the protection assigned him by the good First Councillor.” Les Dom Resta gave a bow of acknowledgement.
After a pause the Dark Lord spoke again. “Do you have any questions for me?”
“Several, my Lord, but they can wait until I meet with you formally, I have many more briefings to attend. They may answer some of my questions.”
“Of course, I will meet with you in two days’ time, the 3rd Augur, eleventh period.” The Dark Lord smiled, “We can discuss your meeting with King Theadore at that time.”
“Of course sire.”
The Dark Lord stood and advanced on Armistee to her not very well hidden consternation. Reaching out he touched her forehead with his right hand. She jerked, party in surprise and partly at the power she felt. He smiled and spoke, “Now that you are confirmed, some things will become clearer to you.” Confirmed? Ran through Armistee’s mind. She knew nothing of this, it was in no record that she had ever read. While Admiral Traska had mentioned being confirmed, Armistee had thought that it was just a formality.
The party bowed at a nod of dismissal from the Dark Lord, turned and left.
*********
Watching them leave, the Dark Lord turned and, with an impassive face although his eyes were twinkling, addressed one of the Ladies.
“Taryn, how would you like to be the main point of contact with the new First Councillor?”
Taryn’s mouth opened and closed soundlessly as the other Ladies present all turned with looks of a mixture of interest and glee and stared at Taryn. The Dark Lord smiled.
*********
Walking down the corridor, the four were silent. Reaching the Stewards offices, quiet farewells were given and the outgoing First Councillor and his successor took the transporter back the council’s offices. On the way, Armistee explained the warning that the Dark Lord had given to her staff and also the meeting that she had had with Lady Taryn many years ago.
“It scares me to think that even back then, He was watching me!” Armistee’s eyes were wide open in shock. “And that was years before He returned.”
Les Dom Resta sighed, “Now that you have been confirmed, I can tell you what the Head of the Legion, the Head Steward and the First Councillor have known since the Dark Lord disappeared. We knew that he was watching and the Ladies would bring messages from Him. He told Ardent Nespot, the then Head Steward to tell us but we were not allowed to tell anyone else.”
“You knew!” Armistee ejaculated as she swivelled in her seat.
“Not that he was watching you, just that he was remote but aware, so as to speak.” The First Councillor shrugged his shoulders, “Of his activities, I had no more idea than you. All I knew was what the messages contained that He sent through the medium of the Ladies.” They arrived back at the tall building that housed the Offices of the High Council. “Come,” he said, “there is much that I have to tell you. Things not even the Councillors know.” They left the vehicle and together took the transit tube to the Office of the First Councillor.