The approach to the palace down the long avenue leading to the front facade seemed to take forever. At least that is how it seemed to Armistee as the vehicle she occupied approached the palace. The automatic transporter turned and took the underground entrance to the restricted parking area. Apart from the two members of her security detail, she was alone, Les Dom Resta had declined to join her, pointing out that the appointment was for her alone.
Arriving at her reserved parking spot, she left the vehicle and approached the two members of the imperial guard standing at the transit shaft. Returning their bows, Armistee took the swift passage to the Stewards offices.
“Welcome back to the palace, Madam Devonis.” The Head Steward greeted the High Councillor – Designate. “This is the Chief of Security, Ferni Massett and Special Assistant Anis Le Brackel, who handles the news groups and similar matters. Madla is otherwise occupied at the moment.” Greetings passed back and forwards. She would be known as Madam Devonis until such time as she was actually sworn in as the First Councillor.
“Let us go, He is waiting.” Garda moved off.
After passing through security, Armistee turned to Garda with the question as to why one of the senior staff always had to escort someone to the Dark Lord.
“That is a good question, Madam Devonis. In theory, I could task one of the ushers to escort you but that can be difficult for them as they are unused to dealing with our Master and His moods can be unpredictable. Also, serving the Dark Lord has always been the responsibility of the Head Steward.” He gave a slight smile. “It is not a duty that I can just ask anyone to do in my stead.”
Armistee nodded, she could see better now. Indeed, as much of the responsibility for the Empire would fall on her shoulders in less than four months, she would have her own worries. In addition, her head was still buzzing from the secrets that had been passed to her by Les Dom Resta, so she also understood that the Head Steward would have his own burdens.
Walking through the corridors Armistee kept looking around with interest, after all this was just the second time she had ever been in the palace. She had never visited during her previous service on the council. Anis Le Brackel was amused.
“If you like, Madam, you could come back one day and we can arrange a tour for you.”
Armistee looked over her shoulder at the young special assistant and laughed, “I may just take you up on that offer. I had never seen the inside of the palace before the last visit. I confess that I knew little about the palace before my briefings.”
“You should include your staff as well, they will be dealing with the palace staff from time to time and they have had little contact with such things.”
At the sound of the Dark Lords voice, the group came to a stop. They had not realised that the Dark Lord was standing in the hallway, his usual companion missing.
“Sire,” The Head Steward bowed, receiving a nod of acknowledgement.
“How go’s the palace, good Steward?” The question was a familiar one, Armistee felt.
“It goes well, My Lord. The work progresses and there have been no further surprises so far. I anticipate that the work will be finished in accordance with the schedule approved.” The Head Steward bowed.
“No other surprises?” The Dark Lord, walked slowly forward, holding his head to one side. Armistee noted the Ladies gathering at the door to the study and moving into the corridor.
“Nothing worthy of your attention, sire.”
“Very good Steward, you have my trust.” The Dark Lord smiled. “You may leave our visitor with me, I will see her safely returned.”
“Of course My Lord.” The Steward quickly concealed his look of surprise.
“Our conversation may take longer than what has been typical in the past.” The Dark Lord explained, “Madam Devonis will be safe in the Ladies hands.”
With a bow, the Steward and his small group departed. Armistee looked somewhat perplexed as to what she should do next.
“Come Madam Devonis, walk with me.” The Dark Lord beckoned her to His side as He started in the other direction. With some apprehension Armistee walked in silence with the Dark Lord along the corridor until the pair reached another room. The Ladies did not follow.
Arriving at the room known as the Ante Room, Armistee was bidden to take a chair, reluctantly she sat, while the other chair was occupied by the Dark Lord. He smiled, and spoke.
“If you check with the other councillors, they will tell you that this is the room in which all the one-on-ones with them have taken place. All have survived.”
“So far.” Armistee threw a wry look to the Dark Lord who laughed, then turned serious.
“I will have your thoughts on the situation in the Kingdom of Findus.” The sudden change of topic surprised Armistee and put her of balance for a fraction; recovering quickly, she answered.
“It is the same thing that comes up again and again, my Lord. There are always those who are discontented and believe that they can find greater freedom if they take control and leave the empire. Often such people encourage the angst of others to create the confusion and conditions to gain such power.” Armistee ventured. “I never met any of the leaders of the agitation so I am reluctant to attempt to give you any feel for them. As you know the motives of the leaders of such movements can range from the altruistic to the malign.”
“You have dealt with such people before, Madam, what is your feeling?”
Armistee paused before replying. “My feelings may be prejudiced by my experiences and by what I was told about them by the people I spoke with. They were almost unanimous in their condemnation of the leaders as power-hungry and dangerous.” She shrugged, “I have no information which would lead me to disagree, but I would say, if power is all they want, then that would make them less dangerous than if they were true believers.”
“Interesting, why do you say that?” The Dark Lord asked.
“Because a true believer will take any risk, do anything to achieve his goal. The consequences matter less to him or her then not achieving or getting what their ultimate objective is. That is the danger and that is what you faced in Ti Lepus, at least so far as I understand. I hope that the leaders of this ‘Free Findus’ movement are politicians, not fanatics. That would make them easier to deal with, at least I hope so.”
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“And King Theadore?”
“He thanks you for your actions and assistance. If the crowds I saw were any indication, He remains very popular and rules with a light hand. Also the majority of the people of Findus were aware of the honour, if I can call it that, of my visit to their planet. The King and his councillors also were appreciative of your plan to use me as an excuse for the arrival of Detachment T. The Findus military was especially pleased to work with Detachment T!” She smiled. “When we were leaving, Admiral Traska observed that Commodore Quill was not giving any free passes to the forces of Findus!”
The Dark Lord smiled as well. “It is good for the troops who stayed behind to have such exercises with a worthy foe. They will learn more and feel better about themselves.” After a fraction, the Dark Lord continued. “Do you feel that your visit was worthwhile?”
“On the balance, sire, I believe yes. I made several appearances and spoke with a large number of people, making certain that I stayed away from any sensitive topics.” The High Councillor – Designates face held a thoughtful expression, “I was there only long enough to visit the capital world, but I made certain that I spent one day with all the ambassadors to the King and I also arranged a meeting at the rim station with the governor of the galaxy. All in all I believe, or perhaps hope, that the trip was a positive one.” Armistee feeling more comfortable and was beginning to feel relaxed.
“Excellent, now what questions do you have for me.”
Somewhat unbalanced at the sudden switch in the conversation, Armistee hesitated, swallowed and spoke. Looking straight at the Dark Lord, she asked the question uppermost in her mid. “You did not answer me before, tell me now, why me?”
“Because you can do the job, and it won’t be easy.” The Dark Lord voice was cold and hard. “I have had many First Councillors or their equivalent. They have all been different but they all had, like you, the ability to do the job.” He held her eyes with His and spoke in a softer tone, “If I didn’t believe in you, I would never have picked you.” A wry smile appeared on his face, “I do admit however, that not all my picks were completely successful! Some in the past have failed, fallen by the wayside, but I do not believe that you will be counted amongst those.”
Armistee took a fraction to digest that, but there was one other thing that bothered her, “Did you send Lady Taryn to talk with me?”
A quizzical expression crossed His face. “No, but I knew that she was going to, she has always been independent, that one.” The Dark Lord stood. “Come,” He said, “We have talked overlong. You should eat, before you go back to your lonely nest. Send a message to your staff that you will be eating here. Tomorrow you must sit with the Admiral, the First Councillor and Myself. That will be enough for all!”
Unsatisfied and disconcerted, she had never thought that the Ladies might work on their own initiative, Armistee stood taking out her comm, tapping on it as she followed the Dark Lord. In silence they walked down the corridor following its twists and turns, to another room. There, a meal had been prepared.
Looking around surprised, Armistee saw many of the staff of the palace were present, all dressed in a variety of uniforms. From the smocks and single suits of cleaners and carpenters, to the formal clothes of the office staff and the palace uniforms of the ushers and guards, they all mixed with no regard for rank, and chatting with one another. Amongst this grouping there were circulating several of the Ladies, A hush fell as the Dark Lord entered with the High Councillor – Designate.
“Please continue to eat, there will be no standing on ceremony at this time.” The Dark Lord turned to what Armistee saw was an equally surprised Grada Karkart, standing nearby with a plate in his hand. “See good Steward, I have delivered Madam Devonis and she is still intact!” The incoming First Councillor gave the Steward a somewhat weak smile. “I leave her in your safe hands.” With a nod to both, the Dark Lord left them and, picking up a plate, joined the self-serve food line. Both Grada and Armistee stared mesmerized for a fraction.
Garda turned to Armistee after a last glance, “You should get in line as well, Madam, everyone serves themselves here. Let me show you.”
A few staff members had joined the line after the Dark Lord, so Armistee took the opportunity to observe the Dark Lord dealing with the palace staff. He moved easily amongst them; a word here; a smile there; never too much or too little. The younger staff were clearly in awe while the older, more mature members of the palace workforce hid it better. What was really interesting Armistee noted, was that while the Dark Lord was clearly in absolute control, He never used his powers to overawe the palace staff but treated everyone he spoke to with equal courtesy. The staff were also polite and deferential, but not in a cloying manner. It was abundantly clear that the palace staff was completely loyal to the Dark Lord and the Ladies.
Armistee found the reaction of the Ladies to the presence of the Dark Lord intriguing. They carefully kept close, but not too close except for the one that Resta had referred to as His companion. When Armistee had asked for this Ladies name, she was surprised to be told that no one knew it, as also no one knew the Dark Lords real name. The Ladies also showed a certain nervousness’s which vanished when He left. She wondered why and the thought of asking the Head Steward crossed her mind, but she dismissed it. Such a question would never be answered, she knew. Perhaps only the Ladies could.
Filling her plate, she returned to the Head Steward. They talked quietly while eating. “Are the meals in the palace always held like this?” She felt was a safe question.
“Always.” The Head Steward answered with a smile.
“I can see why.” Armistee replied. “But I could tell that our Master does not normally join you.” She continued with a smile, “I was given a rare treat today, it seems.”
“I have to acknowledge the truth of what you say.” Garda replied, giving a smile in return. “Do you wish for more? A drink perhaps?” He continued.
“No thank you.” Armistee replied, shaking her head. “I must return to my office.” The smooth manner in which Garda had changed the subject was further confirmation that the palace was a closed community. She also noted that most of the Ladies had followed the Dark Lord out. Watching His exit she saw that He stopped to greet those just coming in, ignoring their looks of surprise. The looks on their faces spoke clearly to her about where the loyalty of the palace laid, even though she didn’t need the confirmation.
“I will contact you for the tour that Special Assistant Anis Le Brackel said that she would arrange for me. I will also speak to my staff and see which ones want to join me. I feel that it is imperative for the staff of the office of the First Councillor and the palace to know each other and so to be able to better work with each other.”
Garda looked surprised and was about to say something when Armistee continued. “I am not suggesting that the two staff’s become best friends, indeed, nothing like that. But I have already noted a certain tension which exists.” She grimaced, “Perhaps it can be eased a little.”
“Perhaps, but in honesty, this tension has always been there.” Garda replied. They had left the room where they had eaten and were now walking along a narrow corridor. Passing through a door, they entered the offices of the Steward. “It was there, even before He returned. I remember that there were even noises being made to turn the palace into a museum.” Garda did not smile.
“Then his return was well timed,” Armistee responded. Then before Garda could reply, finished, “As I have been informed by both the First Councillor and the Admiral of the Legion.”
At that, Garda nodded slowly and a look passed between them.
Armistee’s security detachment was waiting, ready. With a word and a nod of thanks to the Head Steward, she left.
Garda Karkart face held a thoughtful expression as he returned to his office. Madla, who was waiting for him noticed.
“You have been surprised by our new First Councillor, I see.”
“Indeed, I wondered when our Master selected her. But she has some steel in her and she is much more than she appears. Deeper.” He glanced at the Deputy Steward, “I feel that some will underrate her, to their cost!” Then with a smile, “But that is not going to be our problem! What do you have for me?” They turned to matters of the palace.
*********
While travelling back to her office, Armistee considered her meeting with the Dark Lord. Well aware of His prowess, she wondered what the meeting had actually accomplished. There was but one conclusion, it was a test of her but also, a means of placing the cloak of His approval on her shoulders, showing the rest of the Empire, that she was His approved successor in the position of First Counsellor. She sighed, this was not going to be easy.