All right, here's the deal-
I'm sorry it has taken so long to continue this, but I've got two huge Star Wars projects I'm working on. However, I promise to keep pumping these out every couple months, So, please slap an alert on here and keep an ear to the ground if you enjoy this story. Also, I'm considering doing these types of fics(Describing what happened after the game) for all of these characters, and maybe expanding into their children. I've already done one for Neimi and Colm that ties into this one and will be important in the next chapter. I would read it to help you understand the next chapter, though it shouldn't be to hard (It's only a oneshot).
So, thats my speal. I hope you enjoy the story!
Duessel sat uneasily in his chair, drumming his fingers on the table in front of him. He felt alone, without Amelia or Cormag at his side, and the constant bickering certainly didn't help. Knoll sat at his side though, providing him with some comfort and Natasha sat behind him. Between the two of them, he felt reasonably secure, even when surrounded by the greedy squabbling leaders of Grado. Now, the eastern districts, seemingly on their last leg, were still desperately trying to maintain control over the grain shipments.
Duessel was completely startled when Rotrai stood up before the congregation, beginning an eloquent speech. It was long, tedious, and seemed to cause the many leaders to gape in admiration.
"Ladies and gentlemen," He said, raising his hands above his head as he finished, "I do not believe that this body can continue to function as the ruling government of the Empire, therefore, I call for a vote appointing the next Emperor of Grado." The motion was followed by silence. Dead silence. Then, a furious uproar shattered the air. Both sides rose to their feet, shouting angrily. Oddly enough, both sides were a mixture of both East and Western District leaders. Evidently, neither side wanted to give up the power of this council.
"Why would Rotrai propose this?" Duessel whispered to Knoll. "It would only lead to a loss of power on his part.
"I don't know." Knoll confessed. "Unless he has a secret majority that I don't know about. Either way, we need to act before he is elected. Are Amelia and Cormag on their way?"
"Yes." Duessel answered solemnly. "I still don't like it, but about two hundred of my personal soldiers should arrive any minute. When that happens, we will seize control of the Council, and force them to accept the new government."
"A bloodless coup. How rare…" Knoll mused. He turned back to the crowd, watching as they gradually calmed into a simmering mass, each anxious to scream their opinions about the future of Grado. It was anarchy, and Duessel feared that it was going to be an excellent representation of Grado's future.
"It had better be bloodless." Natasha whispered over his shoulder. "I can guarantee the support of many of the holy priests and clerics of Grado, but not if this turns into a bloody civil war over the crown. Morally, we could not."
"I understand, old friends." Duessel bowed his head slightly, and shifted so the sword hanging off his hip was no longer digging into his side. As the politicians continued their roundtable discussions, Duessel watched as, one by one, the politicians split their votes down the middle. Finally, they came to him.
"This body," He said, raising himself onto his feet, "Does not have the authority to appoint a new Emperor. It is a position that has always been granted on merit and birthright, not the political maneuverings of a few head people. This council has therefore acted illegally." Duessel paused, wiping a sweaty hand through his hair, letting his words sink in.
"If you continue with this farce, I will be force to take steps." He let his hand drift down towards his sword, but leaned easy. The last thing he wanted to do was get into a brawl with these various lords and ladies. He had only Natasha and Knoll at his side, while they had each brought many men-at-arms from each of their own lands. Even with his skill, he would be overwhelmed.
"You can hardly threaten this council." Rotrai declared confidently, his own men-at-arms positioning themselves at his shoulders, flanking him. "And as for your taking steps, I hardly think you are in any position to threaten us." Around the room, the lords and leaders nodded, each grumbling and clearly siding with Rotrai. Duessel sighed. Clearly none of these men were remotely interested in giving up their power. Even voting for Rotrai seemed to be nothing more than a power grab. With their substantial power, they could make the Emperor a puppet as opposed to the decisive authority figure it was supposed to be.
At that moment, Natasha tapped Duessel on his shoulder, pointing at the door to the Great Hall. It had just creaked open slightly, unnoticed in the loud arguments and important declarations. Duessel saw Amelia slip inside, her red armor abandoned in favor of a small simple tunic. She sidled over to Duessel, and quickly stood at his side.
"They're here." She whispered, leaning over briefly. "General, what are your orders?"
Duessel thought for a moment, then nodded. "It's time to act. Begin securing the castle. Have fifty men ring the exit and arrest anyone who attempts to flee. I will make the announcement."
"As you will general." Amelia said, her face pale. She rushed from the room, drawing eyes as she drew her sword from her belt with a small hiss. Duessel turned his attention back to the Council, and was distressed to see a look of recognition flash across Rotrai's face. He stood to speak, but Duessel began before he could.
"Regardless of your intentions, none of you possess the blood of the royal family to be named Emperor."
"Nor the blessings of the Temple." Natasha added loudly, standing at his side. "Without such holy conformation, this body does not have the authority to declare a new Emperor."
"That is a lie!" Rotrai yelled, jumping to his feet. His bodyguards stepped forward as well, revealing a pair of curved swords that had the distinct shape of a myrmidon's. "I am related through the royal family-"
"Through marriage, not through blood!" Duessel thundered, slamming his fist down on the great table. "And I fear you have alternative motives for your own Emperorship, motives and ambitions I will not allow to pass after the past couple years disasters."
"I know better than anyone the foolhardiness of the War of the Stones!" Rotrai roared back, raising his sleeve to show a scar left by a Renais knight. "Do not presume to lecture me on sacrifices the war brought on our country."
"Oh, I do presume. In fact, I believe you could do with a good bit of lecturing, particularly in the area of integrity and honor."
"Lord Rotrai." Knoll said, his usual quiet and reserved voice amplified by the sheer authority it carried. "You are charged with the bribing of Councilmen and attempting to install an unsuitable monarch onto our throne."
"Bribing Councilmen!?" Rotrai laughed, letting his hands fall peacefully inside his cloak. "I have done no such thing."
"We have it on good advice from a Colm of Renais that Lord Rotrai has bribed many today to support him for Emperorship."
Rotrai snorted loudly, no longer raging against his shackles. "A peasant thief and a foreigner. These are ridiculous accusations from a pathetic source."
"Colm is a hero of the War of the Stones who fought alongside Grado. He is a far more legitimate source then you!" Knoll paused, raising one hand to point at Rotrai. "Traitor!"
Duessel stepped back, drawing his sword as Rotrai roared, drawing his own sword from his belt. His bodyguards followed, leaping gracefully onto the table.
All around them, Lords drew their weapons, their bodyguards and men-at-arms joining them. Soon, the whole hallway was lost in a fierce melee as those who sided with Duessel and those bribed by Rotrai fought each other. Seeing Rotrai's reaction, many of the neutral leaders sided with Duessel, while those fighting him fought with wild desperation. Both sides roared, battling each other in a long brawl like setting.
Duessel leapt into the fight, wielding his sword in one hands, trying to wound rather than kill. A pair of arms men lunged at him, their spears thrusting. Duessel caught the spear of one with his free hand, deflecting it away and cleaving off the hand that held it in one swift move. His companion spun, trying to smash his head with the butt of his spear, but Duessel ducked and smashed the man's kneecap with the flat of his blade. He rose, leaving them both wounded, but alive.
There was a flash of magic to his right, and fire nearly engulfed him. At the last second, tendrils of darkness seemed to rise in front of him, forming a solid shield against the attack. A second later, the mage who cast the fire was smothered by a wave of shadow cast by Knoll, his face set in a grim stare of concentration. Knoll made a wave with his hand and whistled.
There was a loud roaring, and Duessel saw the doors to the Great hall flung open, and Cormag leading the red clad soldiers of the Empire into the room, ringing it with archers and lance wielding troops. With a nod from Cormag, a squad of them charged into the fray, surrounding Duessel with a wall of shields, deflecting arrows and javelins.
Suddenly, Duessel felt his neck hairs rise, and looked up. There, the two myrmidons that had been protecting Rotrai had leaped over the heads of the soldiers, using the table as a springboard. They came straight down on him, one sword flashing towards his neck, the other his waist. Dropping, he grabbed the wrist of the hand holding the sword aimed at his waist, twisting it with a sharp jerk. He felt bone brake and the sword drop.
Kicking the wounded myrmidon to the side, he turned to the other, sword flying towards his back. The skilled swordsman turned however, and stabbed with his own weapon at Duessel's neck, but the old General's weapon was there to block it. They slid off each other, sparks flying as the combatants spun. They turned again, and now the myrmidon was joined by his wounded companion, who held his sword in his uninjured hand.
They prepared to attack, but before they could, were set upon by the squad of red clad soldiers, forced back by their spears. The wounded one received another injury, to both his shoulder and thigh, while the other was skewered through by a pair of spears, even as his sword scarred the face of one of the men. Duessel rushed to the fallen man, helping lift his face up, but then noticed an enormous calm seemed to have settled over the Great Hall.
There was quiet as the soldiers began rounding up the lords and their bodyguards, dragging them sullenly out of the room. Rotrai was under particularly close guard, his word held by Cormag personally, and a pair of guards holding swords at his throat. He looked furious, his face a mask of rage as Amelia applied a pair of shackles to his wrists. Natasha rushed besides Duessel, and began healing the wounded soldier, waving him away.
"You traitor!" He yelled, wincing as Amelia tightened the metal restraints around his wrists. "Do you really expect that the people will stand for this? That my people will stand for this!?"
"I assure you they will." Knoll said, suddenly appearing at Duessel's side. "You have committed numerous crimes against the state, and impeded the government and its efforts to recover. You will be put on trial, convicted, and executed, of that I am sure."
"But," Rotrai, looked around, anger sharpening his features, making him look angular and fierce. "I'm innocent! I've done nothing-"
"Silence!" Duessel said. He was now addressing the entire hall, which had fallen dead silent. Even the struggling lords seemed quieter. "I am declaring martial law, until new leadership for each district and providence can be decided. Any acts of treachery will be dealt with swiftly and justly, and I swear on every God I know of that any attempts to undermine the work of the Empire will be stopped immediately."
There was scattered applause from his supporters, both army and Lords seemed to rally around his words. There was clearly support for his actions, particularly amongst those who had witnessed the former Emperors madness, and the War it had brought about. Nodding to Cormag, he turned his back, letting them drag Rotrai away.
Weeks later, Duessel found himself sitting nervously outside the rebuilt Great Hall. He was alone, dressed in the flowing garb of the Emperor of Grado. At his side, the axe Garm hung loosely from his belt. He had not used the weapon since the War of the Stones, but it was the rightful property of the Emperor of Grado, a former possession of its great hero.
He took a deep breath, and waited for Knoll to enter; telling him it was time to be crowned. No doubt the Lords, foreign dignitaries, and other important leaders of the world were inside, waiting for the endless speeches and oaths of loyalty to finish.
Somehow, Duessel suddenly understood just how boring the rest of his life would probably be. Not that Duessel enjoyed battle or war, but he would never again need to pick up his sword, or throw himself into battle. He would also never be permitted to travel the country without a bodyguard or entourage of retainers.
He groaned, just in time for Knoll to slip through the door like the shadows he controlled. "Are you ready?"
"More or less." Duessel said gruffly. "I don't suppose there's time to back out." Knoll looked at him blandly, eyes dull, face still gaunt with sickness.
"The Empire is in your hands now." Knoll spoke in a raspy voice. "I'm afraid that my time is coming to an end. I want to know, before I move on, that the Empire is safe."
"Knoll…"
"Ahh," Knoll said, cracking a rare smile. It looked strange on his face. "But let us not dwell too much on the future today. You become Emperor today, and may your reign be long and prosperous." With that, Knoll bowed and opened the doors of the Great Hall.
"Presenting General Duessel, Obsidian, and the future Emperor of Grado."
His voice was amplified by his magic, thundering throughout the room. Duessel stepped out, his robes trailing behind him and his steps echoing in the hallway. Then, the crowd broke into applause. Duessel stopped for a moment, looking around.
Standing along the crowd, Duessel saw many familiar faces amongst the crowd. The beautiful Princess Erika was standing, applauding delicately as her ever present guard Seth stood at her shoulder. Behind him was his young prodigy Franz, who kept stealing glances at Amelia who was standing next to him.
"An okay lad." Duessel thought in approval. After all, the girl was like his daughter. "She'll be fine."
Prince Ephraim was also there, flanked by his loyal knights Kyle and Forde. All were clad in ornamental armor, and smiling in excitement. Except Kyle, who was holding onto Colm's arm, keeping him from stealing food from the nearby buffet while Neimi looked on in mild amusement.
On the other side of the room, Innes was standing with his usual reserve, surveying the crowd coolly. Oddly, the entire Frelian congregation was following his example. Vanessa, Syrene, Gilliam, and Moulder were all watching intently, though Tana seemed distracted by Cormag, standing at attention nearby.
Duessel continued his slow advance down the hall, approaching the throne erected at the end. As he passed, he saw that just about everyone had come to see his coronation. Gerik and his mercenaries were standing in a circle. They bowed respectfully as he passed.
Lute and Artur were talking to Garcia and Ross as they applauded, laughing. It seemed so odd to see them all without the grim fear they'd all been used to during the war. Ewan had obviously been caught doing something by his master, as Saleh had him by the tunic while Myrrh watched silently, her wings hidden by a billowing cloak.
L'Arachel stood beside her uncle, the Divine Emperor Mansel , and her usual group of followers; Dolza the wild berserker and her forced companion Rennac. The pair seemed to be arguing about something, so nothing new there.
As he finally came to the raised platform on which the throne sat, he saw Natasha standing next to Joshua, who was obviously looking at her in interest even as she held the crown of the Empire in her hand. The applause fell, as Duessel knelt on one knee and Natasha approached.
"General Duessel." She said, raising the crown above his head as he knelt on a knee. "Do you swear to defend the Empire and all its providence?"
"I do." Duessel answered solemnly.
"And do you swear to devote your life to the Empire and its survival?"
"I do."
"And do you swear to uphold and restore honor and glory of the Empire?"
Duessel paused. The part about 'restoring the honor of the Empire' was new.
"I do."
Duessel felt his head grow heavier as Natasha placed the crown on his head.
"Then by the power of the Empire, and the grace of the light, rise, Emperor Duessel and take the throne."
Duessel rose, and the applause rose again as he stepped forward. The roars of approval redoubled, and Duessel sat, now Emperor of Grado.
The after coronation party was enormous. Thousands of people from all over Grado were jammed into the castle. The Great Hall in particular was full of people who Duessel knew personally. In the corner, Garcia, Dolza, and Gerik seemed to have collapsed in a corner, each seeing a classical ballad in their drunken stupor. In the center of the floor, the many partygoers were dancing, each paired up.
Amelia was dancing nervously with Franz, like a couple of young children, while Forde watched his brother with a huge grin. As they came closer to him, Forde let his leg slide out, tripping his younger brother and sending him into a heap on the floor. In spite of himself, Duessel couldn't help but smile at them.
"She's grown up a lot." A voice said besides him. He turned, and was surprised to see Melina, Amelia's mother, standing beside him.
"Indeed, they have all grown up so fast. The war forced many of them to."
"But they are better for it." Melina finished, nodding at him. "I should thank you again for reuniting me with my daughter."
"Not at all." Duessel said, taken aback. "The girl is like a daughter to me. I-" Realizing what he'd just said, Duessel felt his cheeks redden and waved his hands. "That's not what I meant…"
"I know." The lady said, smiling up at him. "Still, I don't suppose you would care to dance?" Duessel, Emperor of Grado, commander of the greatest army on the continent, and a fierce warrior in his own right, stared, mouth agape in shock.
Melina was hardly hideous. In fact, despite being close to his own age, she seemed to have a bounce and youth to her step, similar to Amelia. On top of this was wizened experience and years of hardship that had caused her straw blond hair to be streaked with grey. She had a handsome face, even given the weathering from years of work.
"I would be honored." He said, taking her hand and stepping onto the dance floor. "I'm afraid I haven't danced in many years though, except with the enemy." She laughed, her voice like crystal bells.
"Don't worry Gener-Sorry, your Highness."
"Duessel will be fine." He assured her, as they began to dance. "No need for honorifics amongst old friends."
After dancing for several hours, Melina took her leave, bowing to the general before leaving with a crowd of other partygoers. There were still several people around, dancing and drinking, but the main events had wound down.
Duessel gingerly stepped over a passed out Ross and Ewan, who had decided that the best way to decide who was more of a man was to see who could drink the most. Of course, this lead to Ewan trying to do magic while intoxicated, and Saleh having to put out a fire that had charred the Great Table. Still, everyone had laughed and had fun.
Still there was Knoll, conversing with Colm, Neimi, Erika, Ephraim, and Seth. They seemed to be relaxed, lounging in chairs, each with a glass in their hands.
"Evening my friends." Duessel said, approaching the group. "How did you enjoy the festivities?"
"Very much so!" Neimi said, turning in her seat. "I've never been to such a large party."
"And the food was amazing…" Colm declared in a dazed voice, picking his teeth with a toothpick. "I've got so much shrimp in my pockets and-"
"Colm!" Neimi shouted, grabbing his arm.
"Relax!" He yelped, warding her off. "I'm just kidding." He turned slightly, so his cloak covered himself better. "Seriously though, I need to thank you for the job. I needed the money."
"No problem." Duessel said, "I hear your planning to build a-" He stopped as Colm's heel kicked back into his shin.
"Build what?" Neimi asked. Colm threw him a dirty look.
"A-A ship!" Colm declared, thinking quickly. "I'm building a ship! Figure since you all won't leave me alone and let me pickpocket in peace, I'd better go find other continents to steal from."
"Oh," Neimi said, her face falling. "I-I guess that's all 'sniff' all right."
Colm groaned, slapping his face, and wrapping an arm around Neimi's shoulders. "Don't worry. I won't leave yet. Besides, if spying is as easy as it was this time, I might make it a new profession. All the guy did all day was lounge around in his-"
"Colm!" Knoll growled sharply. "Perhaps you and Neimi should go see Grado Keep's nightlife. I'm sure the festival has continued there." Colm, obviously taking the meaning from Knoll's voice, nodded.
"Right you are! Come on Neimi. Places to see, people to steal from." With that, he waved good bye, and ran off, followed closely by a sputtering Neimi.
"What did he mean by spying on Rotrai was boring?" Duessel asked, looking at Knoll suspiciously.
"Nothing." Knoll rasped pointedly. "He meant nothing by it."
Duessel turned to Erika, Ephraim and Seth. "Would you three mind leaving me alone with my advisor. We need to talk." They complied, graciously excusing themselves and not asking questions. Once they were out of earshot, Duessel continued.
"Why would Colm have been bored if Rotrai was such a hot bed of corruption?" Duessel questioned demandingly. Knoll stood his ground, staring up at the Emperor with his pallid face. They stayed like this for several minutes, neither moving an inch.
"Because there was very little evidence." Knoll confessed finally. He plopped down in a chair, hanging his head. Duessel stepped back as though he'd been punched. For a moment, he had to stop himself from picking his old friend up and throwing him across the room.
"You lied to me." He murmured, his voice growing in horror. "You made me take a throne I did not deserve and condemn an innocent man as a traitor." He felt his knees begin to buckle and pulled a chair up to sit on. Numbly, he looked at Knoll. "He's sentenced for execution…"
"As he should be." Knoll declared quietly. "He may not have been a traitor, at least, not in the sense you thought, but his own ambition could have destroyed this country as easily as any earthquake."
"He's going to die." Duessel whispered numbly. He looked up at Knoll. "You tricked everyone. Natasha, Amelia, Cormag…Everyone."
"I did what I did for Grado." Knoll shot back. "I am not like Natasha. I practice dark magic, magic based on knowledge and logic. As much as I hate to say it, this was the only logical course of action-"
"But it wasn't the right one." Duessel growled, his voice lying. "You've made Natasha, and Cormag, and everyone involved in this government a traitor to the Empire. Rotrai has more honor then us now."
"And do you think Rotrai will drag this country from its destruction?" Knoll shook his head. "No Duessel, now that an Emperor has been restored to the throne, I leave Grado's glory to you. Peace and knowledge go with you."
With a flurry of cloak movement, Knoll stood up and walked away. Duessel stood to follow and…and then what? Arrest him? Throw him in prison? Have him executed?
"As the leader of this conspiracy, only I should be punished." Knoll said, turning suddenly. There was steely determination in his eyes. "My lord, banish me, and justice will have been served. Send me away." Knoll fell on one knee in front of Duessel. "I beg you!"
Duessel looked down at his old friend. There was no begging in his voice, only the calm knowledge that, to legitimize his goverment, Knoll needed to be sacrificed. Knoll was sick. He was frail. He, like Duessel, was a traitor.
"I will keep the throne." Duessel forced out. He could practically feel his soul crisp and blacken. "And never speak of this again. But I will not kill Rotrai. He will be imprisoned. And you," Duessel declared, drawing himself up to his full height, "Will be banished, so justice may be served. An eye for an eye." He added, partially to reassure himself.
"Very well my lord." Knoll whispered, a sense of finality in his voice. "Thank you." Knoll made a gesture with his hand, and a dark pillar of shadow crawled up from the floor, engulfing him. "Take care, old friend." There was a flash of light, and Knoll was gone.
Thanks for reading! Please review (I've got to admit, the reason I re-picked this story up is because someone new put it on thier story alert. Your reviews really do make a difference :)