Just a very short chapter now. This was always going to be a short chapter anyway. Thanks for the reviews, keep 'em coming. ~G

Chapter Thirty-Six: Rebuked

Council of Six, Athkatla, 26th Tarsakh, 1370 DR

"Nalia de'Arnise, you have taken unlawful powers for yourself. You arranged an alliance with the elves of Suldanessllar without first consulting us. You promised them free control over the Forest of Tethir, but asked them to keep it open for druids and human traders? You asked them? By rights, you should have commanded them to withdraw to their city, and stay there. Instead, you acted as if you were a diplomat, whereas your dictate was t-"

 Nalia cut in. "My dictate was to pacify the south, which I did. For now, there will be no threat whatsoever. The forest is clear, every last remnant of the dark empire has been defeated. Murann is being rebuilt by Firecam, and I have arranged supplies to be sent from Trademeet, south. Also, it would have been impossible to start a war, just after this one was finished…"

 The Council Member who was speaking said, "Yes, and you are responsible for the largest loss of life this nation has ever experienced in a war. About seventy thousand fighters lost altogether! You should have defeated that rabble in the south easily. Instead, your ineptitude cost us the jewel of the south, and the pride of our army!"
 Anomen roared in anger. "Your reticence and cowardice cost us the jewel of the south, you corrupt idiots! Nalia fought for you! Nalia died, and had her head cut from her shoulders for you! She spent nearly four months in constant battle, fighting for you! At all times, she acted in honour, and-"

 "You will be silent, Lord Delryn. You have committed high treason. You disobeyed a direct order-"

 "What, for sending warriors to aid Nalia?"

 "-and for that you will be punished. You should be glad that-"

 "Are you even listening to what you are saying?"

 "-we are not going to hang you, but-"

 "Nalia, you don't have to listen to this, you have the army outside! March in here, kill these bastards, and take power yourself! They are weak, limp-willed cowards who have doomed this nation! Think of how much better you could rule."

 "-exile you instead!"

 Nalia looked at Anomen, and shook her head. Respectfully, she bowed to the members of the Council, and said, "Well, I hope that in time, I am forgiven for my actions in the south. Know that I am apologetic. My disloyalty and ineptitude will not happen again, I assure you… I will stay here one night, and then I will return to my keep."

 Anomen stared at her as if she were mad. "Nalia!"

 She bowed again, and then walked out of the Council chamber. Anomen stormed out after her, and grabbed her by the shoulders, pulling her around. "What was that? Playing all humble now that you realise your pretty speech was a waste of bloody time?"

 Nalia regretted telling Anomen about her speech, but he would never understand. She wiped away the tears of humiliation and the tears from the pain of being shaken, and said, "Anomen, please… leave me be…"

 "No, Nalia! Seventy thousand people died for you! Are you going to let the Council go unchallenged! Nalia, listen to me! For gods' sake! You cannot take this lying down! Raise your banner in the streets, and the people will rally to you! Drive the evil, corrupt scum from Athkatla, and take the empire yourself. Imagine it, Empress Nalia de'Arnise… think of what you could do if you wanted to."

 "No, Anomen."

 His rage snapped. "For fuck's sake!"

 Nalia whispered a spell, and in a moment, they were teleported into her private rooms in the de'Arnise estate in Athkatla. He blinked, and then carried on. "Aren't you bothered, Nalia? What, have you gone back to become that spoiled little princess running around crying about the poor. You died, Nalia. Has it shattered your courage? Did the little bargain you made with Kelemvor turn you craven?"

 She slapped him across the face. "You have no idea what bargain I made. How dare you!"

 Anomen froze, seeing the terror, and anguish in her eyes. "Wh- what… what is it, Nalia?"

 She shook her head, trying to wipe away the tears and look away at the same time. "It… it doesn't matter, Anomen… it… it… it… doesn't mean anything here… not anymore… it… doesn't… matter…"

 Finding it difficult to breathe, Nalia sat on a seat, and saw Anomen look at her strangely. "Gods… what did you promise him, Nalia?"

 Holding her head in her hands, Nalia tried to stop herself from crying, tried to regain her dignity, but failed. "Please… Anomen… don't… ask…"

 The Prelate shook his head. "I am sorry, Nalia… but as a friend, I want to know. What happened? What did you promise him?"

 "No."

 "Nalia, tell me."

 "No."

 "Please, tell me?"

 "No… I… can't…"

 "Just tell me."

 "No!"

 "Tell me!"

 And then she cracked, and shrieked hysterically: "Fine! I gave him my fucking soul! I… I told him I would spend eternity in torture, so that I could help Amn! And now that I have won, I get these bastards telling me I have failed!"
 Anomen stared at her, pale with shock and horror. "Then… then… why don't you want to kill the bastards, why don't you want to become Empress… you could do so much with your life, Nalia… so much…"

 She sighed. "You… don't understand… I have to make sure my life means something, Anomen. I have no chance to spend a happy eternity… I at least want to spend forever knowing that I did some good in the world… and what good is there in starting a civil war? I want to help this country, not plunge it into bloodshed… not plunge it into bloody combat."

 Nalia sniffed, and Anomen enfolded her in his armoured arms, pulling her close. "Oh, gods, Nalia… I'm so sorry… I'm so sorry… I… I didn't know… I… I swear to you that I will stand by you, forever… forever and even more. This I swear by my love to Kathryn."

 Nalia nodded. "Thank… thank you, Anomen…"