Author's Note: Well, here's the humble beginning of my second fanfiction. Right now it's just a prologue, but I wanted to post it anyway. Those who have read my first fanfiction, a one shot named Hopes Lost have probably noted that if I got enough approval on that story, I would start another story about Zalasta. Well, I got three comments on the positive side, and Cylent Dragon, whose Shadow Sorcerer I definately recommend to you, has encouraged me even more. I guess it doesn't take much to encourage me, but I'd like to thank all the people who has commented on Hopes Lost, and especially Cylent Dragon. Thank you all so much!
Disclaimer: The characters, and the world all belong to David Eddings. I'm merely borrowing them all for this little story.
THE JOURNAL OF THE STYRIC
by Ephetat
PROLOGUE
Excerpted from Chapter Ten of the A True Account of The Recent Crisis, compiled and published by Professor Itagne of the Contemporary History Department of The University of Matherion.
The crisis, which has plagued Tamuli like none other in our past, revealed a lot of inner conspiracies and betrayals, as well. It was quite obvious that these conspiracies within the Imperial Council were not the work of petty undersecretaries and other minor officials. Prime Minister Pondia Subat, Minister of the Interior Kolata, and Director of The Secret Police, Teovin, were all involved in high treason. But even these were no match for the one of the most shocking revelations: the duplicity of the First Citizen of Styricum, Zalasta. Ironic as that may sound, it is, nevertheless, true.
Unearthed by Anarae Xanetia of the Delphaeic People - who do, in fact, exist, and will be explained in greater detail in Chapter Twelve - Zalasta's treachery was made clear to us all by the brilliant political move of Queen Ehlana and his Champion and husband, Prince Sparhawk of Elenia. During an Imperial Council meeting, in which Emperor Sarabian overthrew his treacherous and inept government, Kolata was interrogated by Foreign Minister Oscagne. Zalasta was also in attendance, and threatened by the revelation of all his plans, the Styric made a desperate move to kill Kolata. Prince Sparhawk, aided by the Bhelliom, - described and explained in Chapter Eight - crushed his attempt, and at that moment was Zalasta's treason revealed. After another failed murder attempt, this time at Lady Sephrenia, tutor of the Pandion Order of the Church of Chyrellos in the Styric Arts, he fled.
It was now clear that Zalasta was feeding the Empire false information all along. The counsel, obviously another part of the Zalasta's ruses to achieve his goals, (which will be explained in the next chapter) could have been disastrous to the Empire if it was allowed to continue.
"We must admit, however, that Zalasta was a brilliant man and also very intelligent. His ruses, deception, and lies were all carefully mastered. Rising to the First Citizen status of Styricum, and hiding his duplicity, which probably wouldn't have been made clear if Anarae Xanetia hadn't been with us, is an astounding feat. I think some kind of insight to his life during his power hunting would be very useful." These were the words of Emperor Sarabian himself just before he requested that more information be found about Zalasta's plans and his life. While early searches have been in vain, we seem to have found something relevant.
An odd, grey-bound small notebook was found in the First Citizen's Lodge in Sarsos by Lady Sephrenia. Identifying the writer as Zalasta himself, Sephrenia explained with a hard voice that this might be what we have been looking for. She translated some excerpts from the notebook, and concluded that it is exactly what we needed.
The journal was analysed in further detail by the University, and it was decided by his Imperial Majesty himself that the notebook be copied numerously. The journal has so far proved to be very informative, and it is recommeneded that any student who's interested in the story of the crisis should examine it. There are still some in the University who think that Zalasta is "the greatest man of the century", as the ex-academician Pessalt sneeringly used to proclaim, and it is our hope that the journal cures them of that misconception.
Well, I hope you liked it. I know it's short, and it's just a prologue right now, but it's the best I can manage, so I'm sticking with it. I haven't even made an outline of the story yet! My time is really rather limited with school having begun, but I will try to update it as soon as I can. Please don't expect 2-3000 word chapters though, I can not manage that at the moment, it's simple. I'm not planning a 50000 word story or anything. Sorry about that.
Thanks for reading!
Ephetat.
