Reviews are greatly loved.
Also, unedited. I will be editing down the line.
The third servant, Cayla, led Azul and Aran off, telling them tonight was a special night since Barack was joining them for dinner. Abel moved over to Alain. There were matters he needed to speak with Alain over before the man left to oversee the dinner perpetrations. While he, Ilka, and Cayla were all head servants, Alain was considered the top of the three within the internal ranking of the servants, despite him being the youngest. Alain was Abel's personal servant as well as the one who oversaw saw much of the day-to-day running of the servants within the palace.
"Do you have a preference for tonight's meal, Majesty?" Alain bowed low to Abel.
"No." Abel raised his hand. "I trust your judgement on such matters." Abel gestured for Alain to walk with him. "I wanted to speak with you over Ion and Astharoshe."
"Of course, Majesty."
"I take it there was problem with servants you assigned Ion this morning?" Abel asked, tone casual. "I see no other reason you would be tending Ion otherwise."
Alain bowed his head. "Yes, your Majesty. Forgive me for not mentioning it before hand."
"It's fine. If Ion continues to be an issue after this evening, tell the servants to ignore him. I'll give him a warning tonight and inform him if he acts out again none of the staff are to tend him. There should never be a need for you to step in."
"Thank you, your Majesty."
"And, Alain."
The servant looked up.
"Thank you for your hard work and kindness to my sons."
A smile appeared on Alain's young face. "It's my honor, my emperor." A slight flush could be seen heating his ears. "Shall I see to the dinner preparations?"
"Please."
"It will be done, Majesty." Alain bowed low and vanished into a side passage.
Abel continued through hall towards the guest chambers. While he had seen Astharoshe earlier, he hoped both she would have returned before dinner and Ion would just be there. Otherwise he would have to wait until after dinner to pull the two of them aside.
The servants outside of the guest apartments bowed low to Abel as he approached.
"Have any of them left for dinner yet?" Abel asked.
"No, majesty." The two servants opened the doors for Abel.
The guest apartments were sectioned such that a grouping of around six rooms opened into a shared common room. Ion was lying on the couch. He looked board as he stared up at the ceiling. There was an odd elegance about even the way he lay there. The feeling, power, and elegance of a sleeping cat.
Ion tilted his head back when Abel entered. The boy's eyes narrowed before he returned his attention to the ceiling.
Astharoshe lounged in a nearby chair. Her ivory hair darkened with water as drops hit the almost plan clothing she had been given. The only other in the room just then was Baybars. He sat across from Ion in the other couch. A few papers were spread across the desk along with a book. Abel recognized the book as one of the ones which had come out documenting the first few years of the war.
"If you're here to inform about tonight being a more formal dinner, the useless excuse for servants have already done so," Ion stated with a casual flick of his wrist.
Baybars stiffened. "Master Ion," the large man started, "that is the emperor you're addressing."
"I am not here to inform you about dinner, Ion." Abel fought against the urge to scowl. "I've become aware on the way you're treating my servants."
"They can't get it through their heads how to act or do even the simplest tasks, especially that fool this morning."
Abel's jaw tightened. Air hissed between his teeth as a release of his mounting anger. "That so called fool is the head of the palace servants," Abel managed an even tone. "If you step out line with one more time, Ion, they've been instructed to not tend to you."
"What?" Ion's voice cracked as he sat up. "But they're ones who don't get the difference in our social standing. They're terran servants,citizens. I'm a noble!"
"This isn't the empire you know." Abel stared down the boy until Ion looked away from him. "The terran aren't of a lower class than the Methuselah at this moment. If not for them we wouldn't have farms or land the empire has now. The servants chose to serve the royal family and the commanders. At this time, there is no nobility."
"But," Ion started to protest.
Abel gave the boy a sharp look. "This is your only warning, Ion." He turned his gaze on Astharoshe. "Astharoshe, the servants are also having minor problems with you. This is your first warning. There will only be one other before you also lose the hospitality of being a guest to the royal family."
Astharoshe stiffened. Her yellow eyes flashed with anger before they flickered to a point behind Abel. There was no need for Abel to turn to know she was looking at one of the guards assigned to the four of them. Given the choice any among the yeniçeri would chose to protect Abel over her.
"Very well, but perhaps you should leave instructions on how to treat your people in this time."
"I will draw it up this evening after dinner and have them delivered before the morning. Is that agreeable?"
Astharoshe gave the slightest of nods. "It is."
Abel turned, feeling his cape pull and whip out from the quick movement. "Then you had best prepare for dinner." He strode from the room. The situation could have been handled easier if he hadn't been fighting back a rising temper. Still, it was for the best he got the message off as clear as possible.
The doors snapped shut behind Abel. Perhaps he had been a bit harsh with the way he had come off to them. This didn't change the fact he couldn't risk having the terran within the empire decide they wanted to break away from the empire. They needed the terran, perhaps, even more so than the terran needed them.
Abel entered the dining hall to see the servants were just finishing setting the table. As with when he had guests of realative importance over to the palace, mainly the command staff and their family, the place at the head of the table had been set for him. Seth stood close to her changed position at the table. She was speaking with Alain. Her gaze flickered to Abel as he crossed the room towards them.
"Did you speak with Ion and Astharoshe already, brother?" Seth asked.
"I did. I'll draw up instructions for how to act around the servants after dinner for them."
Seth smiled. "I'll take care of it. From what I hear, Barack's going to have both of us here for part of the night and you need to get some sleep."
A protest died on the tip of Abel's tongue. She was right. He hadn't gotten much sleep since this had started. No matter how little he slept in the future, his body in the now wasn't used to a lack of sleep.
"All right, thank you, sister." Abel settled himself at the head of the table. His mind turned away from the issues within the palace proper. There was still the matter of not having heard back from the pope just yet. Granted, the empire being more active in the terran night also made such communications having a bit of a delay.
It could also be the pope didn't want or trust peace meetings thanks for Myles and Cain. Myles had been the one to turn the pope away from the original peace meeting back after the mass awakening before the war had started. At least, Abel believed this to now be the truth. Lilith had told him something like this had happened; yet, he had been unable to believe her at the time. Little would have been able to stick to him after the events of that day. Rage, pain, and grief had blinded him to any truth there had been in Lilith's words.
Despite the war having been forced to a start through the manipulations of traitors, there would never ben denying Abel's own hand in setting into motions the events which had led to war. There would be peace. No matter how long it took, Abel would see to it this mistake was rectified.
The doors opened. Cayla lead Aran and Azul into the room. She bowed and left them.
"Is Barack bringing his daughter?" Azul asked as he got into his seat.
"He should be," Abel answered.
A little of the color drained from Azul's face. "R-right."
"Is something wrong?" Seth asked. "You got along with Karasi the last time you saw her."
Azul stiffened.
Children. Sometimes there was no way to figure out what was on their mind.
The door into the hall banged open. "Prince!" A girl shot into the room.
A yelp escaped Azul. He leapt from his chair and raced to the other side of the table. A young girl gave chase. She giggled as she ducked under the table to try and get at Azul faster. All the will she chanted Azul's title.
"Karasi, show more respect," a woman scolded as she entered the room a step ahead of Barack. This was Thema, Barack's wife. She was tall, with soft features, then turned stern at the way her daughter was acting. She wore fine clothing trimmed in gold which completed her skin tone. Her dark eyes narrowed as she tracked Azul and Karasi through the hall. "This isn't the way you should be acting before his majesty."
Karasi caught Azul and wrapped him into a bear hug. "But, mom," her lower lip quivered. "Azul is my prince and is the princely prince there ever was." She hugged him tighter.
"Gah!" Azul choked. His entire face turned bright red as Karasi rubbed her face against the side of his.
Barack scowled. "Karasi, please don't strangle Prince Azul."
"I'd never! I be his guard after you, daddy!" Karasi declared.
"W-what?! I don't need a girl to protect me! I'm a soldier." Azul strained against Karasi's hold. "Let go."
"Nope. Not until my prince says he needs me."
"Why—" He gasped as Karasi dragged him back over to the table.
Barack and Thema had taken the seats to Abel's left where the guests from the future normally sat.
"Karasi, being a yeniçeri is far too dangerous a job for you." Thema looked at her daughter. "You should think more about safer jobs."
"Na-ah, I be daddy's apprentice!"
Abel chuckled while Barack choked on the water he had just taken a sip of. Thema glared at her husband.
"W-what?" Barack stuttered.
"You're giving my daughter dangerous ideas." Her eyes narrowed.
"I never even suggested she join the Abel's guard," Barack defended himself.
"When you're actually home, you talk about how you're lacking guards! It's giving her ideas."
"When I'm 'actually' home? I come home every day!"
"For an hour to change clothes and freshen up." Thema turned her blazing, brown eyes on Abel. "You're working him far too hard," she scolded. "His daughter needs him and for him to talk about something other than work."
Abel had expected the lecture coming from Thema. At least it wasn't the one where she yelled at him after Barack had decided to work almost a solid. This one was far less violent.
Thump. The table jumped a little when Azul hit it. He had wiggled out of Karasi's hold and struck the table with his head. "Ouch."
Abel rose a little.
Azul yelped and bolted when Karasi lunged from him.
A chair clattered to the floor. The two children took off through the room, running around the table.
"What's going on?"
The question brought both Karasi and Azul to a stop. Azul took off after he had noticed it was only those four from the future. He clambered into Abel's lap. "Girls are scary," he muttered with a glare at Karasi.
"You look like a girl!" Karasi raced over to Ion. She looked up at him. "I'm Karasi." She buffed up a little. "I'm ganna be a guard like my daddy!" she boosted. "Who you lot?" She raced around Baybars. "You look like my daddy. You his brother? You could be."
"Karasi!" Barack was on his feet at once.
Baybars bowed to the six-year-old girl. "You honor me with such words," the tall man stated. "But, no, I'm not your father's brother."
"Ah." Karasi puffed out her cheeks in a pout. "But I wanna have an uncle that's here. Uncle Taye long gone. I don't got grandparents either. Mom says they went to better place. You could've been Uncle Taye."
Color drained from Barack's face.
Abel fought the urge to frown. Barack had mentioned Taye to him only once, long ago. Taye was Barack's younger brother, the one red mark on his spotless record back in the UN. Though calling and legal child a red flag on a record, wasn't something one should do. Yet, that had been the UN.
The thought Barack had told his daughter about Taye already made Abel wonder how he would break it to his own children Cain was a traitor to the empire and they could never see their crazy uncle again.
"Daddy says I too young to fight yet, but my prince gets taught by Lady Seth," Kasari was still babbling to Baybars. "Can you teach me? You look strong like daddy."
"Karasi." Barack moved over to them and picked up his daughter. "Sorry about her, she likes to talk."
"Na-ah." Karasi shook her head, one hand on her hip. "I wanna learn fight skills like Athy! She knows. She says I make a great guard when I get older."
The smallest of smiles appeared on Baybars normally stern features. "I'm certain you'll make a great guard."
Thema let out a small breath.
Seth giggled a little. "It's a losing battle, Thema, at least for now Karasi has her mind set on being Barack's next best guard. Like Azul wants to be my brother's best soldier."
"I will be too!" Azul declared.
"I'm not a girl!" Ion shouted. He'd been bristling in silent rage since Karasi had called him a girl. "Why does everyone call me a girl? It's so annoying."
Mirka gave a soft laugh. "Oh, you're just too cute." She pinched Ion's cheek.
His entire face went red.
The group settled down from the meal.
"How have you been as of late, Thema?" Seth asked. "I heard a rumor your group was working on a way to restore the desolate land around the empire."
A rumor? More likely Seth knew it to be truth and it would happen. It was how the empire gained land centuries from now. From what Abel remembered, Thema's project would be taken up by Solomon and Seth after the war came to an end in the other timeline. It was where the legends of the empress restoring the land the empire rested on came from. Right then, they had around a third of the territory the empire would encompass and this wasn't the territory they had taken from the terran during the course of the war. The boarder had returned to the old one after Lilith had joined the Vatican.
"Well enough." Thema smiled towards Solomon. "Though, if I could borrow your husband and yourself, the project would see completion within a couple of years."
Solomon straightened a little. His eyes glittered, but not with excitement, rather fatigue. It appeared he had no desire to be pulled in a fourth direction. Overseeing the war, the peace meeting plans, the project Seth had started for the shielding around the empire, and the little time he had free were more than a full enough plate for anyone.
"A matter to bring up at a later date, Thema." Abel gave the woman a bow of his head.
Thema gave Abel a sly smile. "I would be honored for your help as well, majesty. Your knowledge of computers and software is second to none."
"I find politics have me a little too busy to be of use on any projects." Abel bowed his head towards Thema. "You're thought to include me is humbling, Thema."
Astharoshe made a small sound which looked to be her stopping a short laugh of disbelief.
"You're brilliant, Thema!" Seth exclaimed. "I never even thought to include my brother on projects, but he could advance several of the projects by months."
Abel let a low breath. Hadn't Seth just told him to get more sleep? Adding a project to his to do list would mean no sleep at all.
"The meal is quite good," Barack changed to subject before Abel had a chance to respond to Seth's brewing plans. He turned his gaze on Alain who stood back. "I take it the green houses are producing what remained of the spices from now lost countries?"
Thema took a careful bite of her food and closed her eyes. "You're right. I've not tasted some of these spices since before the Civil War and that was just because farms were such prime targets during the civil war." She looked at Abel. "I didn't realize a few seed had survived."
Abel gave a soft smile. "The only seed which did were spices. But the soil was so poor before returning, we couldn't grow even that and it wasn't worth wasting what little we had to keep attempting it."
"So, not other seed survived then?" Thema asked with a frown. "Not even cinnamon?" She flashed him an "I will pay the world to just have this one spice."
"Cinnamon is a spice," Abel pointed out, very confused. "I believe a few of the agriculturists are still getting the conditions right for a few of the spices, including cinnamon. So, it's unlikely we're going to get a laurel tree growing anytime soon."
"What sinmen?" Karasi asked.
"Cinnamon," Barack corrected his daughter.
"Dad taught me that word too," Aran smiled. "He said it was spice used in certain candies and sweets!" He nodded.
Abel smiled at youngest. "Right." He turned back to Thema. "We were placing more priority on other spices, but I will see if they can get a few laurel trees started."
Thema grinned. "That would be wonderful. I know the only laurel tree we had Mars was destroyed by the rebels before we could harvest the bark. It would be a shame to lose cinnamon."
"It really that good?" Karasi asked.
"It really is." Thema soothed her daughter's hair.
"I try some then?"
Abel felt himself smile. "If the first harvest produces enough, I will see to it all children get their first taste of cinnamon." He gave her a wink.
"Us too?" Azul asked, almost jumping in his seat.
"You're still a child, Azul," Solomon stated.
Thema smirked a little. "Such enthusiasm, Admiral. Here I thought you would love more spices from around India returning."
Solomon's lip twitched in a barest hint of a scowl. "Just because I am from India doesn't mean I jump at the thought of the spices of my home returning. If it was the case I would never be seated."
"Ah, the machine admiral shows his humorous side." Thema's voice took a on a teasing note.
The ring on Solomon's finger started grow as his rage grew, despite his features remaining straight and unreadable.
Abel coughed, eying his brother-in-law. "If you would like, Thema, I could see if the technology you're developing will have uses on the agricultural side." Abel had no desire to pay for more repairs to the palace. Or having more broken glasses.
Thema frowned before her eyes brightened. "Yes, I can see how it could cross over into agriculture. Though, the technology is more getting the radition from the air and restoring life to the earth and soil, it could be modified to aid in plant growth in controlled environments." She clapped her hands together. "That settles it, if you, your majesty, find yourself with a free moment, please stop by my labs. We could do with your programming skills and creative touch. You always have an idea where what's being developed can be used elsewhere and long-term."
Azul tugged on Solomon's sleeve given the boy was seated beside his uncle and brother instead of next to Seth. "Does it mean father won't have any free time for us?" he whispered.
The question could be heard by all at the table. Thema's smile softened. "Of course not, Prince Azul. His majesty will always have time for you and Prince Aran," she assured Abel's sons in his place.
Yes, just not for sleep it would seem. Oh well, at least it meant there would be less chances for nightmares.
The meal wrapped soon after. Alain moved to Thema and Karasi, telling her one of the spare of apartments had been prepared for them for the night. Thema took more than half asleep Karasi with her after thanking Abel for the meal.
Abel excused himself so he could make certain Azul was doing his homework and Aran in bed. Only once he was certain Azul was working on his homework did Abel dare return to the dining hall. It was to find Barack deep in conversation with Seth over the skills and talents of each of the nobles from the future.
The four were still in their seats, tracking the conversation.
"So, you want us to work?" Ion asked Seth. "And not in the way we did our time?" his voice squeaked a little with shock.
"As we've explained several times, Ion, the empire doesn't work the same in the now as does in the future," Seth spoke with the boy in patient tones. "You heard Thema during dinner, everyone works in fields related to their skill level and what they were trained in pre-empire and even before the empire was a colony."
"Yes, she was trying to recruit that idiot," – Astharoshe jabbed her thumb towards Abel – "for programming."
"I can program," Abel stated as he returned to his seat. "As can Seth and Lilith." He didn't mention Cain though he could as well.
"Abel is actually the best in my family at programming and hacking," Seth stated with a shrug. "I'm far from shocked Thema was after him to aid in her project. Heck, if I had thought about, I would have pulled my brother in on the protective shielding for the empire." She folded her hand before her and rested her chin on them. "The point being, is if there is a skill or talent which can be used to benefit the empire and its future, it's used. Nothing is wasted in this time."
"I'm willing to join the yeniçeri," Baybars stated with only a glance towards Mirka. "After all, there hasn't been a generation of my family which hasn't been a part of the yeniçeri or led it." His gaze moved ever so subtly towards Barack. "Of course, your parents might have worked as such given the empire didn't exist yet."
Barack paled. "Mercy, if my mother tried to work as a soldier," he trailed off.
A least this part of Barack would never change, the fact he had been so close to his mother.
The Barack frowned. "Wait, are you my descendant? Sorry if that's not right, but," he gave a slight smile and let the sentence hang.
Baybars bowed his head. "I am indeed your descendant."
"Wait, but that means," Barack groaned and placed his head in his hand. "Thema's going to kill me. Karasi might be – ugh."
"Karasi, in the timeline we come from, was the second leader of the yeniçeri," Mirka almost purred. "She started the long-standing tradition of your line leading the palace guard."
"Just as Azul Fortuna started the tradition of Fortuna's being the right hand of the empress and the heads of the imperial secret council." Ion nodded, pride radiating from him. "And Solomon the standing tradition of his family being the third ranked among the nobles of the empire."
Seth went sheet white.
"I see," Solomon stated. "I had figured something of sorts had happened. Given Abel had to go underground with his identity as the emperor, it only followed Seth and I would be forced to split to hide our royal family."
Nothing ever seemed to slip passed Solomon. Abel let out a small breath. He really was a genius in the truest of terms.
Seth cleared her throat. Eyes sharp. "Ion, you're a skill swordsmen, you could join the military or the yeniçeri or even work under Alexander Barvon when he returns for the frontlines learning how to pilot."
"Why would I want to pilot?" Though his tone told another story. It sounded as if he didn't want to work in any of those positions.
Seth's eyebrow twitched. "Mirka," Seth started.
"I will speak with my grandson on this matter and look through what positions I am suited for."
"Thank you." Seth nodded to Mirka.
Astharoshe had remained silent through this. Her eyes now thoughtful. "Since I no longer possess Gae Bolg, given it's in Athina's hands at this time, I take it if I joined yeniçeri or military, I'd have to be trained in another weapon? Or is there still the office of the inspector general."
Seth nodded. "No matter which, you will need a new weapon."
"I'll join the Duchess of Moldova in weighing my options," Astharoshe concluded.
"All right." Seth smiled.
"Once you have figured it out, inform me of your decisions," Barack stated as he stood. "I will see to your placements in either the yeniçeri, military, or other sectors of work throughout the empire." Despite standing, Barack made no move to leave the room.
"And I'll have the way to treat the servants drawn up before the morning," Seth told them. "Until then you could all do with sleep." Her eyes lingered on Abel. "Especially, Mister I didn't need sleep for past two nights."
"All right, all right, I get it. Sleep." Abel stood. He nodded to the others and left the room. He could hear Barack following close behind him. "You should spend the night with your family given they're staying in the palace," Abel pressed.
Barack hesitated.
"Take the time to be with them. The moment we get notice from Albion and the Vatican we could be gone for weeks."
"I will then," Barack said with a heavy sigh. "Goodnight, Abel." Barack bowed to him before moving off down another hall towards where his family would be staying.
(Author's Note: Alain is one buys man. One matter I really regret now I am looking back through Divergent Path, was never giving the servants more face time. They are too important to the day-to-day running of the palace and given who Abel is he would make it a priority to get to know his servants
Alain is going to be playing a large-ish role in the story. He is going to be accompanying Abel to the peace meeting.
Karasi, in my head-cannon, does follow in her father's footsteps and take over as the next head of the yeniçeri. I sort of see it as a family tradition where the head of yeniçeri has been Barack's direct line since his time.
Also, I am going to try focusing on this story, Emperor's Mask, and Dawn of the Empire mainly out of my Trinity Blood series.
The last note is I did apply to AO3. I am also posting this story (more slowly) there under the same username (it will only have 2 chapters posted by the time I post this chapter so still worth reading here).)