AN: I have decided to go ahead and post the rest of the fanfic since my account seems to be working fine now. Please comment on as many chapters as you can. Fresh feedback is always helpful.
Chapter 16: The Imperial Occupation.
Lyude had just finished with his system checks when he heard a lot of shouting and turned to find a sea of Imperial Foot soldiers flooding through the fish storage and several assault ships were now visible on the near horizon.
Lyude froze in place. Several of the villagers looked his way, some accusingly. Before Lyude could blink almost, the Imperial Soldiers had swarmed in and covered the exits to the town. Only one thing was running through his mind. "What in the world is going on!"
He leapt from his boat onto the dock, apparently he drew the attention of one of the commanders because he gestured for him to come over. Andrea ran from one of the soldiers in fright and he gave chase. Lyude veered himself in between the child and the soldier. "What is the meaning of this!" said Lyude bracingly. The soldier smirked at him knowingly. "Still siding with the barbarians, Ambassador? I suggest you speak with the commander. Our squad leader has your orders."
"My orders?" said Lyude, "What orders? What is going on here?"
"If you want to know what's going on, you'll have to speak to the commander."
Lyude seethed, but he turned and picked up Andrea shelteringly. "Who are these people, Sir Lyude?" asked Andrea clutching the front of his uniform.
"SIR Lyude?" laughed the soldier. "So they've knighted you or something? Wouldn't surprise me. You always fit in better with this lot from what I hear."
"You would do best to hold your tongue, soldier." came a voice behind them.
Lyude set Andrea down. "Go inside, please." said Lyude. "Everything will be alright."
Andrea nodded and ran to her house.
"Ambassador Lyricello, I presume?" said the commander.
"Yes sir. I am indeed." said Lyude.
"You are to report to the mayor's manor to be briefed on the situation."
"And the villagers? What are the orders of this unit?"
"We have been instructed to do them no harm as long as they cooperate. You needn't concern yourself with them. Now go, Ambassador."
Lyude sighed. It appeared that no one there was going to explain anything to him. It would be best to see what was happening in the castle town anyway. If security was this tight in Nashira, Sheliak would be much worse. Confused and worried, he had a brief word with Reblys, asking for his patience and cooperation for the present time, and promising he would do everything in his power to find the cause of this problem and resolve it as quickly as possible. He turned from the Village leader and boarded his boat.
"He better make good on that promise." said Reblys, as Lyude cast off and disappeared from view.
Lyude sailed as quickly as he could. What he saw when he arrived appalled him. The castle was under seige! He practically flew to the mayor's house but stopped just before opening the door to collect himself. He knocked calmly.
"What is it?" came a gruff, familiar voice.
"It's Ambassador Lyude Lyricello, sir. Reporting as ordered."
There was a brief silence. "Enter." was the curt reply.
Lyude walked in to find the Commander Stryker behind the reception desk and the Mayor and her secretary held at gunpoint by two soldiers.
"Is that really necessary?" said Lyude.
"Hold your tongue, boy. Cooperation is to be ensured by any means necessary."
"Sir Lyude, did you have something to do with this outrage!" said the mayor.
"Assuredly not, Madame, am as at a loss as you." said Lyude. "What is going on here, commander?" he asked. "Why has the Empire invaded Diadem? There have been no hostilities, this was completely unprovoked."
"Wrong, boy." said Commander Stryker. He turned to the guards who were monitoring the mayor and her secretary.
"Take them to another building while I inform our young ambassador of what he neglected to discover."
Lyude was indignant, but held his tongue. What could Stryker possibly be talking about? He met the mayor's gaze apologetically as they were escorted out and turned to face commander Stryker.
"Now, Ambassador. The situation is this. We have been receiving intelligence from several covert agents sent to Diadem over the past year that Ladekahn has been plotting a surprise attack against the Empire for some time."
Lyude was shocked and disgusted with the accusation. "I find that hard to believe. King Ladekahn, plotting a surprise attack against the Empire?" said Lyude incredulously. He stepped forward throwing his arm out in front of him insistently. " There must be some mistake! The King doesn't want Diadem to go to war. You have my word, sire!" he said desperately.
Commander Stryker narrowed his eyes. "I don't recall asking for your opinion, boy. I am acting under a direct order from the emperor. An order, I am quite sure, you are in no position to challenge." He turned his head to look at Lyude with his arms crossed. "Don't tell me you still believe that nonsense about the infidels being equal to the Empire's chosen elite!"
"I..." Lyude bowed his head. Once again, he was finding himself powerless.
"Have you already forgotten why you were exiled to this godforsaken land, Ambassador?" said Commander Stryker, his emphasis on the word 'Ambassador' stung. "One would think foolishness would have its limits." He turned from Lyude and walked to the other side of the room, his hands clasped behind his back. "Either way, your opinion is irrelevant. Just do what you're told, and stay out of the way. Unless you're asking for more than just another 'exile'."
"Ah...uh..." Lyude sighed. What could he say? He had no say in this whatsoever.
"It's time we were on our way ambassador. We must deal with the king. Play your cards right, and you may just make it back in Alfard."
"Back in Alfard? I am to return?" said Lyude.
"You can't very well stay here, can you?" said the commander. "We will be pulling all officers from Diadem. Including you."
"I...I'm going home?" said Lyude not quite able to believe it. "But the exile..."
"We'll decide on what's to be done of that later. Stay out of the way, and do as your told and you might be able to rejoin active duty."
"Yes sir." said Lyude with very little enthusiasm. He wanted to go home...of course he did...yet...what manner of a return was this? What of Diadem? He followed the Imperial commander with his head bowed. He couldn't bring himself to meet the gazes of those villagers that looked his way in confusion. "This is wrong." he said softly to himself. One of the villagers heard him and his accusing look softened slightly. To him, Lyude looked as if he was just as much a prisoner as the rest of them. A small measure of pity seeped into his anger and righteous indignance. Lyude glanced his way as he passed, his eyes filled with sorrow.
"Come along, Ambassador." said Commander Stryker.
"Yes commander." said Lyude closing his eyes in weary resignation. He prayed for King Ladekahn's safety. He prayed as well that he would understand. Perhaps things could be resolved peacefully. King Ladekahn would be willing to talk. Lyude was sure of it. All the same. He felt that this was Azha revisited.