Chapter 21 : The wraith and the sword…

They had lost followers, loyal people who had been precious to them and now even the assassin was gone. They weren't stupid, he was probably dead or worse, alive and in the hands of Chenlar. To kill their own to prevent anyone from speaking was needed, they all knew that. They would rather die than betray their own and that level of fanatic loyalty was expected of them all. Yishma was sitting there listening to one of their leaders, the man was not somebody of great power or influence but he did harbour an intense hatred towards the emperor and his kin and it didn't have so much to do with the fact that he was an eunuch than the fact that he had been passed by when some jobs were to be distributed. He had expected to get a position as an accountant and a man with less experience than himself had gotten the job instead, just because he was related to the emperor way way back.

Now the man stood there gesticulating and he had a very unpleasant voice, it was sharp and shrill and some did bow their heads to hide their discomfort. He had panic in his voice and that added to its nasty nature. He was sure that the emperor was onto them, that they would be found and executed soon. The others tried to calm him down, nothing had happened yet, they would go through with their plans. They had to, there was no other way. The emperor couldn't possibly know of the bomb under the palace and they were safe. He couldn't know! Yishma was biting into his thumb, it was a nervous habit he had but he didn't reveal any sort of emotions, he was convinced that it would end with the emperors death. The gods were with them, he knew they were.

The leaders had heard rumours of a ceremony to be held soon, the emperor would announce his choice of heir and it would be the perfect opportunity. They just had to know when and where. The choice of basement to plant the bomb was a calculated one, the blast would ruin a large portion of the inner palace and if they could kill two flies with one blow it was perfect. Some would have to be sacrificed to achieve their goals but it was for the greater good. The secrecy was perfect and they had gotten hold of everything they needed through their contacts in the city. It was a good thing that there were criminals there who were ruthless and never asked any questions. They wouldn't hire anyone now, the last man they tried to hire had been a disappointment, a former member of the guild ought to be a top notch killer but he was pathetic, a loser. Keeping him under control with drugs was easy and he was no big loss. Besides, he knew next to nothing.

Yishma had heard about the one who did help them, the stranger. He didn't believe them at first and thought that they were just joking around but no, it was real. He had seen the stranger with his own eyes, a tall dark figure clad in black and with a voice that would make your blood freeze. Yishma wasn't stupid, it wasn't out of charity that this stranger wanted to help him and his brethren. He was hoping to achieve something and Yishma wondered what. He had spoken of a true king, of a lord of immense power who could make them all immortal and return what had been taken from them and Yishma knew that some of the leaders did believe this. He didn't. It did sound too good to be true and he had never been anything but pragmatic. He didn't trust that creature to do anything good at all. If he said he would help it was just to cause more problems later on. Yishma didn't want the emperors reign to last but he didn't want the weird creature to gain control either. Somehow he felt that it would be worse than anything. So he waited and listened and tried to evaluate the situation and he was lucky that his master was old and frail and gave him greater freedom than usual. He could pretty much come and go as he liked and that suited him just fine.

The leaders did congregate and discuss and the plan was ready, they would strike at that ceremony, and apparently it wasn't that far away. Yishma did sigh, he had a feeling that this day would be crucial in many ways, their victory or their ultimate doom. There was nothing in between. The thing which bothered him was the speed with which his brethren had accepted this stranger, it wasn't natural for they were all very suspicious and yet he had been told their every secret rather fast. Yishma didn't really believe in magic, he was not that old fashioned but he did believe in power and this man had lots of it. Power does never come on its own, other things do follow it like greed and haughtiness and he promised himself that he never would listen to that man in black. He felt that there were worse things which could happen to you than being executed.

Maglor and Aodh had left the brothel with the two soldiers, they had to tell the emperor of what they had heard and it was with a very nervous feeling Maglor did approach Ayjun. The emperor was reading and he did raise his head and nodded. "So, what did you find?"

Maglor did swallow and he sat down, he started to tell everything and Ayjun did grimace and leaned back into his chair. "You believe that this stranger is a servant of evil? Of the same power which controlled that war lord?"

Maglor nodded. "Most certainly, I do not like it at all. We should lay low and see if they can be caught, see if we can track them"

Ayjun did tilt his head. "It would be the rational thing to do yes, but we cannot afford to wait Maglor, we have to flush them out. I will declare that my ceremony of abdication will take place in one week from now. It will flush them out"

Maglor moaned. "Don't! We haven't found that bomb yet, it could be hidden anywhere! Juh doesn't remember where he hid and the palace has way too many rooms and places to hide"

Ajun did smile " I know, but I do also know something else. We know they will use gunpowder, and it is put into jars. There is a way to get around that"

Maglor frowned. "How?"

Ayjun grinned. "By flooding the basement"

The elf gaped. "Are you serious? The damage will be enormous?!"

Ayjun did grin. "And we can afford to fix it, the foundations are strong and old and we have people enough. It will ruin the bomb. They will have to try something else, a much more direct attack and that is when we are gonna be ready"

Maglor frowned. "Flooding the basement, how?"

Ayjun did snicker. "We have cisterns here, huge ones. They hold several thousand tons of water, if one was to rupture? Ah, water does what water wants to do, it seeks the lowest point, the basement."

Maglor had to blink a few times. "Oh Gods, that could actually work, but how…"

Ayjun grinned. "It has to happen soon, I think already tonight, and it has to be an accident. I have already given the right orders. Nobody will suspect anything."

Maglor had to think, the basement was filled with valuable things and the idea of all that being ruined was actually rather disturbing. Ayjun shrugged. "I have ordered for the most valuable things to be taken to the north wing for registration. It is done every so often, just to keep track of what's down there. Nobody will see anything odd about that at all. It was due to be done months ago. And the stuff that will be ruined, well, there is always a price to pay"

Maglor nodded. "Yes, so, you are really going to go through with this? "

The emperor nodded. "Indeed I am. The orders have been given, it will be a day of splendour"

The elf was grinding his teeth. "It may be your last day, are you sure of this?"

Ayjun nodded sternly, he did take a sip of wine. "My father wasn't all that wise, he ruled well but that was because he had good counsellors and he did listen to advice. But he did tell me one thing which I have remembered and treasured ever since. Do never shy away from what you fear"

Maglor did look down. "I know"

Ayjun lifted a finger, like a teacher scolding a kid. "If you do you are allowing the fear to rule you, instead become its master. That is what I am doing now"

Maglor took a deep breath. "So you are afraid?"

Ayjun scoffed. "Of course I am afraid elf. I am a mortal man, an aging one too. Death will come for me soon, one way or the other and I do prefer to die on my feet, facing my end like a true ruler shall."

Maglor had to smile. "You are brave."

He nodded slowly and put down his goblet. "There have been arrangements made for the possibility of my demise, Yanjem have been informed of everything and he is a solid man. He doesn't buckle under pressure at all. I can afford to be brave Maglor, for I know I have nothing to lose. If I am to die the empire will go on, the power will be undisturbed. Chaos will not be unleashed"

Maglor had to grin again. "You have planned this well my liege"

Ayjun did pour himself a little bit more wine. "Yes, unlike my ancestors. Some of them did truly believe that they were chosen to live forever and when the end came their domain did fall into complete and utter mayhem. I won't do that mistake"

Maglor had read about that, centuries when civil war ruled and death was at everybody's door as a frequent guest. Ayjun sent Maglor a swift smile. "You will wed my daughter after the ceremony, it will look natural. The dates are set my friend and she is ready. You will help my son and see everything with the help of her and our contacts."

Maglor did wince but he didn't say anything. Aodh would have to take care of their two concubines from then on, he didn't think he would need them anymore at all. This was all about politics but he didn't think that she was a cold woman and if there could be some happiness in their marriage then it would be a blessing.

Ayjun smiled at him. "Go back to your chambers my friend, rest. I will make sure that whatever goes on in that brothel is exposed. I have people everywhere and some serve me without even being aware of it"

Maglor did hide a wry grin, there were probably hard core criminals who were secretly working for the emperor and he liked the idea. Eyes and ears everywhere. He did return to their chamber and he felt conflicted. One week, that wasn't much time to prepare and he was unsure of what to really think of the plan. Ayjun was wise in some ways but also too impatient the way he saw it, but then again, he had eternity, the emperor did not. Aodh was told of the plan and he did gape and then he did laugh. "Flooding the basement, I must admit that it is a grand plan, one of grandeur. It ought to work too. Gunpowder doesn't like water at all"

Maglor did frown. "Yes, but just one week? I wish he wasn't this eager to have things over with"

Aodh did sigh. "Listen, he is old and he is sick. He doesn't know for how long he will live, he may die tomorrow for all we know. He wants to leave a perfect legacy behind for his son, an empire without inner enemies. I can understand that rather well"

Maglor did nod. "So do I, but still, I don't like it"

Aodh did pull forth a tray with food. "Let us eat and forget these troubles, the girls are coming here soon and they want to show us some new moves"

Maglor had to chuckle. "You do know how to distract me doesn't you? Alright, I am looking forward to it"

Yanhe and Yanhu did impress, they were excellent dancers and they did keep their ears open as they did dance so they had often given Maglor information which was important. After the dance they hit the beds but Maglor wasn't really into it this time, he was too worried and so he was just passive and allowed the girl to simply finish him off with a quick blowjob. It didn't make him feel any better at all.

The next morning they all awoke to a chaos unlike any they had encountered before. There were people running around everywhere with buckets and mops and whatever they could get their hands upon and the reason behind it was rather clear. Two of the massive cisterns behind the palace had ruptured over the night. Somebody had been given the order to fill two empty ones with water from the river but they had started to fill two which were already close to capacity and they had simply given inn to the pressure. There was water everywhere! The courtyard outside of the main palace was covered with a foot of water and the basements were full all the way to the roofs. The emperor did take the news with astonishing calm. He just mentioned that they wouldn't have to water the gardens for a while and then he retreated to his chambers to read.

Maglor had to grin, the servants were pumping water using some sort of primitive pumps and hoses made from tightly woven cloth and they were if not efficient then at least in working order. After the water was pumped out the things which had been soaked had to be removed and they carried stuff for two days. Rolls of cloth were hung out to dry, old paintings had to be tossed away and antique furniture did crack and fall apart. It was rather nasty and the rooms did stink of mould rather fast. The servants were told to wear masks and never stay down there for more than half an hour and the room were left with open doors to air the moisture out. Meanwhile the preparations for the emperors abdication did move ahead and many were confused since he had decided to do it this fast. It had been months away, suddenly it was pushed forth and some suspected that his health was failing. Maglor was helping out too, the ceremony was to be closely guarded and he knew how vulnerable the emperor would be, it was really a nightmare and he was afraid that Ayjun had underestimated the enemy.

The group was shocked to the core, the accident with the cisterns couldn't have come at a worse time and they had no idea of what to do now. They couldn't get that much gunpowder again fast, and they didn't really want to wait. They had prepared for so long and it was that one day when both the new and the old emperor would be there, together. The other sons of Ayjun were not his chosen heir and even though they could inherit the title none of them were capable of ruling. To get control over them would be relatively easy. They just had to get rid of Ayjun and his fourth son.

Yishma was listening to their complaints and their woes and also their plans. He knew that there was just one way to do this and that was an all-out attack. As many of them as possible, at once. Even with guards there one or two were bound to get through and weren't they all willing to lay down their lives for the cause? He was. He did stand up and offered his view on the case and many others did cheer. Most were younger men who had some passion and strength left and still felt the sorrow and stigma of having been turned into something many regarded as a mere slave. It was decided, they were to attack. Everyone would carry weapons and they would all try to reach the emperor. If they did die it was a death of glory, one which would honour them. Yishma did offer to lead the charge, and he felt his heart swell with pride as he did swear to kill the emperor. The others did look at him with admiration and respect and he felt strong, invincible. There would be a new rule and the old ways would be thrown aside.

Ayjun had given his orders and the brothel was being held under surveillance, nobody could enter or leave without being seen and the spies were discrete. They didn't reveal themselves to anyone and they were simply part of the street life who everybody had grown accustomed to. They were beggars, people who had fallen to the very bottom of society and most of them were the sort of people most others do shun. They were lepers, people with deformities, people with severe injuries and they were always there, like a background noise you have forgotten about. But they were not dumb and they did receive help, not much, but enough to keep them going and their loyalty was with the emperor. They knew that in a way less civilized society they would have been culled off. One of the beggars was limping towards one of the booths where they sold a sort of strong brew used both for medicine and relaxation. He held out a hand and tried to grin, the face was scarred and he had lost a foot in a terrible accident and now he was forced to make a living like this.

The vendor did frown and did a gesture as if to shoo the beggar off, the beggar did lower his head and held his cape together with one scarred hand. He did discretely make some signs with his hand and the vendor did blink, he had understood. The message would be delivered soon enough. An hour later a man did leave the brothel, he was wearing a rather ragged cloak and he did look like an ordinary person but the lanky look did reveal his nature. He was walking fast and he was a bit nervous. The stranger had been told of their plans and he had no idea of whether or not they would be received with approval. The man was a servant of one of the kings counsellors and he was if not among the most fanatical there one of those who did hate his master the most. He had joined the cause because he wanted his master to lose everything and he was quite convinced that he would get his vengeance through the group. The master did like lads and this eunuch was rather young and very pretty and he wasn't very strong so he couldn't put up much of a fight. Thus he had to suffer his master's advances almost every day and he hated that of a full heart.

He was going through a narrow street when he suddenly was grasped from behind and something hit his head with considerable force. He had time to wonder if he was about to be robbed before he passed out. He was grasped by his feet and shoulders and carried inside of a house and some other servants of the emperor were waiting there. The man was unconscious but they were used to dealing with people who were trying to avoid a slip of the tongue. One of them did prepare a syringe and injected the man with something. Now they had to wait and it didn't take long before he woke up. The drug made you completely confused and you would feel as if you were in a dream the whole time. They wouldn't use it normally for the things people said could be just nonsense but now it was needed. The man did moan and writhe and one of the men did step forth, he did whisper to the eunuch and the voice was warm and gentle, soothing. The eunuch did smile, he was so confused and did believe that he was dreaming. A very odd dream but it was alright. He did answer to the questions that nice voice asked and he was praised for being very good before he went back to sleep. They did administer a new drug which made him forget and then they dragged him back into the street and left him there. One of the beggars did stay by his side and when he did wake up with a splitting headache he was told that he had been robbed and left in the street.

The men in the room did send a messenger and Ayjun did receive word of it before an hour had gone by. He did stare at the message, made a grimace. They were many, he had suspected that but some of the names revealed were shocking. There would be a whole lot of new and available jobs when this was over, and who was the stranger really? Ayjun didn't like that unknown factor at all but they couldn't stop it now. Things had to be done and he did sit down and made a list of his own. The positions had to be filled with new people, and this time with people he did trust.

There would be an attack during the ceremony, he had anticipated that too. There wasn't much of way around that if they wanted to harm him. He wondered if there was something he could do to keep the danger at a minimum and realized that there was in fact little anybody could do. If they did use too many guards they would reveal themselves and show the attackers that they already knew and he didn't want to risk that. He had to trust his guards and their skills. He would make sure that he was dressed in such a manner that he could move and so would the others there. It was a risk he had to take to ensure that his empire would be safe.

The stranger was hiding, few did even notice that he was there and he was content with that. He was impatient, and the news he had received was causing some worries. The idiots did believe that they could bring down the emperor and his son in a head on attack? They were morons and should know that no ruler ever is unprotected. No, if he was to follow the words of his master he had to see to this on his own. He would make sure that this empire did bow to his master, taking over the crown would be easy and no mere mortals could compare to him. He was after all more than a human now. The powers of the dark lord was within him and he was a chosen one, special and revered above all others.

He had been a chieftain and the activity of the dark lands had lured him inn, the dark lord had seen his potential and promised him that he could become so much more than a mere leader of a small tribe of men. He could become the dark lords chosen general and he had taken the chance with glee. He had taken a ring from the hand of the dark one and now he was an obedient tool, not aware of the fact that he was more a slave than anything else. He had forgotten his name but the dark one had given him a new one, Ghereez, and he liked it. He had great powers now and had been given weapons which owned their own power and he was sure that he could give the dark lord the empire on a silver platter. It would be sweet. He would make sure that the attack was a success and then he would be the new ruler. Yes, it would be so.

Maglor and the others were nervously preparing and he was impressed by how calm Ayjun was, he didn't appear to be worried at all and Maglor knew it was because he was used to being the one who had to be in control all the time. Maglor knew he couldn't spend much time with his old friends when this was over, some yes, but not as much as before and he did regret that. They had survived the harem of the Sha'al together and that created a strong bond. He promised the others that the new son in law of the emperor would demand shows rather often and they all laughed and knew that he would keep his word.

The day of the ceremony was planned in detail, there were dignitaries gathered from all over the realm, the palace was being decorated in the colours of both the old emperor and the son who would take the title from now on. It was opulent and majestic and in the streets vendors would give away free drinks to honour the emperor. Free bread was distributed and the people was cheering and celebrating and the palace was buzzing with life. Maglor and Aodh was placed very strategically. Both were dressed as the emperors honorary guards and Maglor did stand in such a position that nobody saw how tall he really was. There were guards everywhere, seemingly only there for show and the atmosphere was relaxed. Ayjun had ordered that some of the guards were to appear to be a bit tipsy and everybody were smiling and jolly. But there were servants there too, and they were in fact soldiers and ready to strike.

Ayjun did chose a nice place to do this, in front of the main entrance to the main hall. It was a very wide room with stairs down to the plaza in front of it and there was a solid wall behind them. If anyone was to attack they had to come from the front and Ayjun had been very strategic and placed all the dignitaries and clergy on the sides. There was a crowd any attacker would have to get through and that left only the stairs. If they were desperate enough they would try, but there were archers hidden on the roofs and the soldiers did in fact carry sharp weapons.

The ceremony was to begin and the emperor did appear, he wore a very simple grey kimono and no jewellery. For once he did look like an old man and he did walk slowly. The clergy began to chant and he did walk up to a small table. It was very simple and with no visible engravings or ornaments. It was just a table. Ayjun did remove his rings and his necklace with the symbol of his power engraved in jade. He laid it on the table and now his son did appear. He did walk slowly too, towards the table from the other side and he did bow to his father a final time. There was silence. The ceremony of abdication was a solemn one, there wasn't much to be said or done. Yanjem did pick up the ring and the necklace and put them on without saying a word. Both turned around and now Ayjun did bow to his son. The power was officially transferred and Ayjun raised his arms. "The circle unbroken, from the old days to now. Our empire lives, all glory to our emperor"

Maglor had held his breath, he didn't move for he wasn't allowed to but he kept a keen eye on the crowd gathered on the plaza. There were several thousand people there and each and everyone could be a member of the conspiracy. There was a sudden sound, a sort of crack and everybody turned their heads in confusion, a thick cloud of some sort of smoke did spread over the crowd and some started to scream. Maglor swore, they used a nasty tactic. People were suddenly running everywhere and the smoke did burn their eyes and Maglor ran forth. Ayjun did stand there, he did appear to be a bit shocked and suddenly he made a jerking motion and fell, a crossbow bolt through his torso below his waist. Yanjem was immediately surrounded by soldiers and a sort of jar came flying through the air and landed on top of the stairs. Maglor did react with lightning reaction, he did kick the jar out over the crowd where it did explode and spread even more of that nasty smoke.

A huge group of people did fight their way forth, all had covered their faces and they were armed and now the guards were falling into combat positions. They were forming a solid wall of steel and armour and most of the attackers were slain there and then but some did manage to get through on the sides and they were storming towards the emperor with desperation. They had nothing left to lose now. The soldiers met them with a sudden and violent fury, there were women and children in the crowd who were being trampled in the panic and the soldiers were sworn to protect the emperor and his family no matter what. It was a clash of wills and none would yield before it was over.

Maglor had taken the sword the dwarves helped him forge, why he didn't know but it was a good blade and he hadn't used it yet. Now it felt strange in his hand, almost hungry and he could have sworn it was whispering to him, words he couldn't quite pick up but he could feel it. Yarmaica had awakened, and it was ready to fight. He was standing in front of Ayjun, some of the servants were dragging him to safety and Maglor did swing the blade, shocked by the tenacity of the attackers. They were cut down like lambs for the slaughter and yet they kept coming. A young man with dark hair and a relatively masculine face did fall not far from Yanjem, the sword he had held flew out of his hand as he crumpled, screaming in pain as one of the soldiers did pierce him with a spear. The young man did look terrified but Maglor could sense that it was because he was about to fail their mission. These men were fanatical.

That was when a tall dark figure appeared, as if he was gathered out of thin air and he did walk towards the soldiers guarding Yanjem with obvious determination. He was wearing all black, a hood covered the face and he wore armour too, a ghastly one. Maglor knew it, immediately. He felt his heart sink, if this monster came anywhere near the emperor it was all over, Yanjem would be naught but a tool for the darkness and he let out a shriek and gathered all his courage. This was no balrog, nor was it a fallen maia. It had been a man once but the power of the dark lord had transformed him into something which Maglor had never encountered before and he didn't expect it to be an easy fight. Yet he had to try. He met the tall dark creature with a yell and the blade did pierce the dark cloth but it was as if there wasn't anything there. The creature did chuckle, a terrible alien sound and then it did spin and punched Maglor in the chest so hard he flew backwards and collided with a column with a crash. Pain shot down his back but Maglor couldn't give inn. He had dropped the sword, it laid on the ground and he heard it, begging for blood. The dark monster did wander towards him and it was laughing. "You silly elda, no man can kill me, adan or elf alike"

Maglor did realize that this was no mortal man, it was no man at all. It had been a man but now it was undead and how do you kill what has already died? The monster did stab after Maglor with its dark long sword and he barely managed to roll away, his back hurt like hell but he had to stop this servant of Sauron, he knew what sort of blade that was, one infested with dark magic and vile evil. He managed to avoid yet another blow simply because of his elven speed and strength and the soldiers were taking Yanjem into the palace, not breaking ranks even once. The monster did hiss and reach out and Maglor saw a golden ring on his finger, it did shine with an infernal light he had seen once before, when facing the troops of angband. It was the power which came from the dark vala, somehow concentrated and he suddenly felt as if he was choking. He couldn't breathe and the beast did lift him in the air, just by raising a hand. "Die now, your fea will serve my master for eternity!"

Maglor saw it out of the corner of his hand, the wounded young man had been ignored by everybody since he was seemingly dying but now he did stagger to his feet. He took a couple of steps, reached down and grasped Maglor's sword with shaking hands. He did tremble, the face filled with agony and terror. He more or less fell forward, the tip of the sword did pierce the dark figure below the shoulder and the creature shrieked and spun around. It hit the lad with one hand and he did fly like a piece of rags taken by the wind and hit the floor, motionless. Maglor saw his chance and he did take it, he reached out and got a hand on the hilt and he pulled the blade towards him, screaming as he did it. He had no idea of what those words were, or where they came from but the blade did respond. It started to glow, not a light like any Maglor had seen before, no, it did spread a terrible dark light, like a miasma in the air and it was horrible to behold but the sword seemed to sing with dark joy as he did plunge it into the dark figure's chest.

The wraith did scream, a horrible high pitched scream and it started to shrivel. Maglor fell to his knees and he saw that the dark creature simply disintegrated and seemed to be swallowed up by the blade. Even its own sword was reduced to dust and disappeared. Only the ring did remain and Maglor did get up with a groan and stared at it with very narrow eyes. The attackers had been cut down, each and every one of them and the stairs were floating with blood. There were bodies everywhere and Maglor couldn't help but think that this was a very bad omen for the new emperor. He saw that the crowd was being escorted out of the plaza and healers were ready take care of those wounded. Maglor did grasp the ring using a piece of his tunic to wrap around it and he did place it within a pocket in his belt. He felt the heat from it and shuddered, it was a cursed object, evil and devious.

He hurried inside, Yanjem was unhurt and he ignored the new emperor, he did run to the bed where the healers were working with Ayjun and he saw that the man was slipping away, The wound was fatal and nothing could save the old man. Maglor let out a wail and fell to his knees, he hadn't felt this heartbroken since his own father died and Ayjun did lift his head with some effort and smiled. "We did well Maglor, they are wiped out"

Maglor nodded slowly, the price had been too great. Ayjun did cough. "In two days you will wed my daughter, I am sorry I cannot be there but I know that the legacy of my rule will be taken care of. Don't worry Maglor, you are blessed, and I have made sure that you never will know poverty or hunger again"

Maglor just took Ayjuns hand and kissed it and he saw that Mei-Lan did show up, she and the other children of the emperor did say their farewells and Maglor did step aside to allow them their privacy. Ayjun did whisper something to Yanjem and kissed his hand and then the old man did closed his eyes one last time and fell silent. There was a collective wail coming from everybody there and Yanjem fell to his knees, sobbing wildly. Maglor did stagger out of the room, he was dizzy and felt terrible, his back hurt and he was sore as if he had fought a long battle. Outside the dead were carried away, they were being registered and the bodies would most likely be burned soon. The young man who had attacked the wraith had been placed on his own, he did look as if he was asleep now but Maglor saw that his hands had been burned almost black and the impact with the ground had crushed his body completely. He had been one of the attackers but he had also saved them all from a greater scourge than anybody there could imagine and Maglor ordered that he was to be taken away and given a warriors funeral. Aodh did come over, he was limping badly and his left arm was bandaged. He did spit and sat down next to Maglor. "I am sorry old buddy, I am no fighter anymore. One of those bastards did almost get me"

Maglor did pet him on his shoulder. "Don't worry Aodh, they were obsessed. We can just pray something like this never happens again."

The blonde did nod towards the plaza. "Their old emperor did just die, they have new one, there was an attack and what do they do? They carry on as if nothing is amiss. Look at them, washing the stairs, clearing away debris. I cannot believe these people"

Maglor just sighed. "They have their orders. It is safety and comfort in that"

Aodh took a deep breath. "So, what will happen now?"

The elf did shrug. "There will be a coronation and then a wedding"

Aodh sent Maglor a shrewd grin. "Your wedding Maglor, he was smart you know, you will be the one who controls everything here, from behind the façade "

Maglor did grimace. "I am not so sure I should, but I guess there isn't any choice. The dark lord wants this land Aodh, and he wants it bad."

Aodh took a deep breath. "He wants it to use it against the west"

Maglor nodded and made a grimace. "Yes, he wants to expand again, to regain his power."

He did touch the sword again, almost reluctantly. "This did devour him Aodh, I am not going to wear it unless I have to. It has a will of its own"

Aodh nodded. "I understand that."

Maglor got up. "Let's go, I need to see a healer and I need a bath and then I need to get royally drunk. This has been one fucked up day"

Aodh did support him down the stairs. "You are right, a fucked up day indeed."

Maglor did grieve deeply for Ayjun, and the loss of the old emperor did throw the city into a mixture of sorrow and joy. Yanjem would be a good ruler but they did feel outrage because of the way the old emperor had died and as he was laid out in a wake thousands did pass by to show their respect. He would be buried after the coronation and Maglor didn't really know what to do now. He found some refuge in the small garden connected to his rooms, it was very isolated and he found himself singing, it started as the noldolante but transformed into something else, songs he sang while at the harem, songs of his brothers and of the sorrow he felt. It all merged together into a new haunting tune and he didn't realize that he had been sitting there singing the entire night until the sun did rise. He could no longer be a dancer, now his role had changed yet again, he was the law brother of the emperor, a strange and foreign person and it would be both a refuge and a prison.

He did hide the ring in a small compartment in a desk, he had to find out what he was to do with it, it was dangerous and even now he could hear it whisper, sweet words of power and perfection. He did close his ears and refused to listen but he knew that men were weak. They would listen and he did come up with an idea. It had to be removed from the world of man and he suspected that it was so well made no forge could undo it. He did grin to himself, it would sleep under earth and rock forever, and he would make sure that none ever disturbed its sleep. It was probably just one of many but this one in particular would never bother mankind again. The realm would be protected by him for as long as he was needed, darkness would never be allowed to take over and if any more of those beasts did appear, well, he had the sword.

Maglor did grin to his reflection in the mirror, a rather sinister smile. Whatever the fate had in wait for him, he would honour his promise to Ayjun. His legacy would be kept safe, forever.