Jale drummed his fingers along the wall as he walked away from Teal's room. One of the guards accompanying him coughed, and he glanced over his shoulder. It had taken him a long time to become used to the fact that he would be escorted on such matters. He clenched his fist that bore his soldier tattoo, rightfully earned, and he remembered vividly the initial insult that he had taken in those guards' presence. Some would say it was merely tradition for anyone who was anyone knew that Jale was more than a significant threat with a sword in his hand. It had taken a long time for him to see it for what it was; a compliment of the highest degree. It was the highest possible indication of the value the Emperor put on his life.

The Emperor’s actions were a bit of contradiction considering he now wanted a Lombock to reside at the palace, Jale mused. Why have guards follow and protect him when if the legends were true, no one would stand a good chance of survival against a Lombock?

Jale stopped in his tracks, deep in thought, although he was aware of the two men behind him stopping as well.

Maybe it wasn't a contradiction after all. And maybe it wasn't a hint of the rebelliousness that had been very much part of the Emperor when he had been younger, when Jale had first met him. In those days, the Emperor had always been one to enjoy breaking and stretching the rules, taking risks and seeing how far he could push his elders. That's what the Emperor's official criticizer's would say he was doing. Even the imperial council and his mother, the Empress Dowager, were going to have an issue with this.

Jale could understand wanting Teal for his capabilities, but the Purple Jade Palace? It had been a long time, four summers in fact, since Emperor Rathner had taken a new concubine to reside in his harem. The Emperor was known for his selectiveness regarding those who shared his bed, so when he had called him aside and had asked him to proposition Teal, Jale had been surprised.

But then, seeing Teal in his mind's eye, he could see why the Emperor was so besotted.

Jale frowned and started to walk again. All the tales Jale knew regarding The Lombock race had depicted them as monsters. No doubt Teal was of Lombock descent. He had all the defining features. But despite the odd coloring in Teal's eyes and hair, there was a naivety and confidence that was completely opposite to what those tales suggested. He was handsome with symmetrical features, high cheekbones, strong jaw and shapely brows, and a strong muscular body framed with manly hair. Jale let out his breath slowly as he came to a stop outside the Emperor's cabin. Teal did not only satisfy the Emperor's tastes. They also satisfied his own.

Jale shook his head, clearing his thoughts. Professionalism and assiduousness. Jale would not have time to think of his desires. Back in that small room there was an innocent young man who would need to be cultivated and educated if he decided to begin a life at the palace. He had been through the process himself having made the transition from soldier to the Emperor's personal adviser, and it would be his job to do the same for Teal.

Jale reconsidered the Emperor's reasoning. His wayward thoughts had allowed him to come up with the most plausible reason for why the Emperor had asked Teal to enter the Purple Jade Palace, and it had nothing to do with sharing his bed.

Without knocking, Jale opened the door to the Emperor’s cabin. The room was empty of people, and he continued across the small space to another door that led out onto a deck that could be found at the stern of the ship.

"How is our guest?" the Emperor asked as soon as his eyes fell on Jale.

"Overwhelmed but comfortable," Jale said, walking towards him. He took the Emperor's hand and kissed it, his lips lingering at the feel of his skin. Their eyes locked and the Emperor smiled warmly. Jale returned the smile before he dropped his hand and accepted a cup of wine from a servant.

Jale turned and nodded in acknowledgement to the two other people present, Galton, the Emperor's chief of security and Nala, the Emperor's health giver. Both had remained on the ship while they had waited at Cleaven Estate.

"So, Ladet was telling the truth? A Lombock?"

Jale turned to face Galton, a man that Jale had reported to years earlier. Bulky, broad and middle aged, with unrefined features, a soldier from head to toe. He crossed his arms over his chest, unimpressed.

"I wouldn't go pick a fight with him, Galton," Jale said with a hint of amusement in his voice. "Apparently, he brought down several Talekan Assassins all by himself."

Galton let out a low impatient sound, almost like a growl. "So, what's the plan with him?"

"The plan," the Emperor stated, taking a seat next to Nala. "Is to have him reside at the Purple Jade Palace." He looked at Jale. "What was his answer?"

"Please tell me you are jesting," Galton sighed before Jale could respond. "You want him to share your bed? Aren't you aware that the Lombock are supposed to be cannibals?"

The Emperor's face remained neutral. "The tactical advantages of having someone who can see in the dark would be phenomenal."

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"It would also be great for your safety," Jale agreed. "And Teal is thinking about it," Jale added, answering the Emperor's earlier question. "I believe he is interested, just scared."

"Scared?" the Emperor asked.

"He's spent all his life in Hulena and you are the Emperor, after all. You are quite daunting." He said the last sentence with a wink.

Galton stepped in between them. "Can we just take a moment to think on the fact that there is possibly a cannibal on this ship? Have you even considered that there might not be any of us left in two weeks?"

"My mind is made up," the Emperor said, his tone still light. "Teal has lived for the past eighteen years in Hulena, and from what we have learnt, they have treated him as one of their own. They wouldn't do that if they didn't trust him, and they are simple folk, easy to believe in conjecture and untruths. The past two-and-a-bit weeks, he did everything in his power to deliver Brelen's message. And just think, this is a perfect opportunity for us to learn more about his race, too. Think of what a powerful ally they could be."

Galton snorted, their years of friendship allowing him to do so in their private setting. "I didn't know that learning about another race would require you to take one to your bed chamber as well."

The Emperor smiled in acknowledgement of Galton's sarcasm. "Who am I to waste such a beautiful opportunity?"

Galton shrugged. "If you say so, but if I find him eating you in the middle of the night, I will say I told you so."

"I trust that you and your men can do their job," Jale interrupted, turning to take a seat opposite the Emperor and Nala. "And haven't you heard the tale of Kindra and his pet?"

"A hundred-year-old folktale!?" Galton exclaimed. "It’s make-believe."

Jale shrugged. "The story stated that old Kindra found an injured Lombock and took care of it. The Lombock in return became his faithful ally and protected him until he died. Who is to say it was a folktale now that we have a Lombock in front of us?"

Galton turned away grumbling. "Still, I will not take the blame if the Lombock is successful."

"There's also The Lost Lands Sagas," Nala spoke up from under her wispy, grey hair and wrinkles.

"The tales of Captain Fretner, the greatest pirate from the old days?" the Emperor enquired. "No, I've never had the time to read them."

"You should take the time," she said, her tone serious. "Galton has every right to be concerned. There is more than just the cannibalistic urge. They were said to be a very intelligent and powerful race of people. They wreaked havoc over their original lands until for some reason we are yet to learn why, they began to die out."

The Emperor folded his arms over his chest and ignored the frown that had fallen onto Galton's face again. "Well, they obviously didn't die out, for we now have one on our ship."

"But you're right," Nala continued, nodding her head in Jale's direction. "The Kindra folktale described the Lombock as a very loyal and devoted companion, not afraid to kill for Kindra at all."

The Emperor rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I will refer to the texts when I return to the capital and can access the Grand Library." He turned to Jale. "Ensure that I don't forget."

"Don't worry, I won't," Galton intoned. "And until then, I'm going to keep two guards on him at all times."

"They're already in place." The Emperor smiled. He rubbed his hands together and looked at Jale. "Nala, Galton, thank you, that will be all."

The pair rose without another word and left, although they began talking quietly amongst themselves once they reached the doorway off the deck.

Into the silence that followed, Jale's sarcasm rang thick. "And just when I thought it was getting dull around the palace."

The Emperor's gaze rested on Jale with determination, and he waved for Jale to approach. Jale rose to his feet and crossed the space that separated them. The Emperor pulled Jale towards him and rested his head on Jale's navel, head downcast and eyes shut, only now showing the true levels of his exhaustion and stress.

"I thought as much," Jale sighed, placing his hand on the Emperor's back and giving it a firm squeeze, familiar with every inch of his skin. "I've known you too long, I know how you think."

"And how's that?" the Emperor asked, not lifting his head.

"You're taking precautions."

The Emperor snorted. "Am I that obvious?"

Jale took another mouthful of wine as the Emperor's hands landed on his waist. "No," he answered. "And I think it is a good idea too, but you'll have to play it out carefully. Obviously, you are aware of the Kindra tale, and Teal is already determined to serve you. Your brother is not going to be happy about it though." The Emperor lifted his head, and their eyes met in the dim light. "You're worried that the other consorts will be targeted, aren't you? As revenge?"

The Emperor sighed and dropped his head again. His hands ran up and down Jale's thighs, then over his hips and across to his buttocks.

"Well," Jale said, setting his cup aside. "If you wanting to scare them off, placing a Lombock in the midst of the Purple Jade Palace is a sure way to do it."

"Why is peace so hard to maintain?" the Emperor asked wearily.

Jale gripped his fingers into the Emperor's hair and pulled his head back to stare into his eyes. "You're a good man, and it wasn't your fault." The fingers in Jale's buttocks tightened, the only acknowledgement to Jale's words. Jale breathed allowing his body to respond to the Emperor's touch until he had another thought. "But what if you're wrong, and he does turn around and eat us all?"

"If what my scouts said were true, then at least it will be far quicker than the alternative."

Jale sighed and leaned down stopping only inches from the Emperor's lips. "Let's just hope it doesn't come to that," he whispered, and then brought their lips together.

"He must bond with the others," the Emperor said when they parted. "I want him to be as loyal to the Empress, and you, and all of them, as he is to me. Be nice to him, overly nice to him. When we return, I will meet with the other consorts and explain his presence, but for now, I don't want to worry them. I don't want them to know the real reason for why he is here. I just hope he says yes."

"I think he will. He seems to like a sense of adventure."

The Emperor looked up at Jale, a mixture of weariness and a little of something else. "I hope so."

Jale nodded, pulse increasing under his skin. "Now," he said softly, pushing the Emperor back slightly. He lowered to his knees, hands dropping in between the Emperor's thighs, palm cupping suggestively. He tilted his head back. "Forget about everything else and allow yourself to enjoy. You've been so tense over the past couple of days waiting for Teal to arrive."

The Emperor leaned forward, colliding their mouths together. "You're right," he muttered over Jale’s lips. "I have been preoccupied lately."