Chapter Seven: King Marlowe

"Uncle?" Iolene knocks on the door of the king's study. Saying softly as her uncle King Marlowe sits at his desk. He allows her to come inside.

"Iolene?" Marlowe says looking surprised. He gestures to the seat across his desk. Iolene sits as she rubs her calves nervously. There is a short silence between the two. Iolene tried her utmost hardest to not look nervous. He is the King... Did not help she argued with him about her freedoms, when she first arrived. "What are you doing?" She asks innocently.

"I am signing contracts for portable trebuchets to be built. They are a heavy cost at thirty thousand gold per brand new trebuchet. For a cheaper and more sustainable solution. I have made a law to anyone who no longer wants their old ships they send them to the shipyard. We give them gold depending on the state of the ship and we reuse the parts to build new weapons or even houses... The trebuchets will be fortified with gear that can create draconium force fields. Here take a look!" The King slides over a blueprint of the trebuchet. Twenty meters high with stationed levels for soldiers to shoot arrows or mag cannons. It is comparable to a tower. It has four wheels and is pulled by dragons. Bull dragons specifically as can carry massive loads with ease.

"Impressive... What about the dragons? Your breed will not be able to pull such weight."

"That is true. I have already spoken to Queen Hara to borrow some Bulls from the Brown Empire to do the job. She only asks that they be paid well and if they accept. I happily agreed. They are soldiers, they must be paid. I will not go to war unprepared."

"Shouldn't this be the job of the treasurer and Lord of Defence?"

"Yes, but as King I must oversee all financial matters. As a leader, you cannot be blinded as to where your money is going. As you saw at Mille-Voix..." Marlowe looks at Iolene with a certain face of cheek. But his face quickly changes to seriousness. "It was unfortunate as to what happened there... I was counting on them to be allies. Their greed became too much and it destroyed them. Avery is under our protection for now. Let us just say she complains whenever she has to dust anything. But she is doing what she is told. However, if the Shadow Emperor or any of his associates come knocking on my door for her, I will let them take her. She has done enough damage."

"I do not believe she is part of this madness." Iolene quickly jumped to the ex-queen's defence.

"Avery should have checked the numbers and is very complicit in what happened. Being a monarch to them became a joke... It is a job and Avery, like many kings and queens before her did not do it. The great game they lovingly call it. The cycle of never-ending, short-lived monarchs as they kill for the power they do not care about. Only the name and get to live in a pretty palace. I never understood it... Their kingdom's foundation was to crack eventually. Just unfortunate it had to be now." The king clears his throat.

Iolene admits to herself he has a point. The people in the Turquoise Empire love status more than anything else. Now... They are the Black Empires' country in all but name. Constant recently discovered his accounts and businesses are frozen and are in review under the black empire's control. He was summoned back to Turquoise Empire to discuss the matter. But Constant knew better... He was Iolenes guardian at the ball. He is not risking going there to be questioned and then killed. With no money, Constant has been working under the treasurer as Eidith is working as a fashion designer. Hoping the black empire will eventually release the banks' control. But it would not be anytime soon.

"Where are grandfather and grandmother?" She asks changing the depressing subject.

"Mortimer is holding court for me today. There are some days when you don't want to attend court and senate meetings. As for your grandmother, she is overseeing the new dreadnaughts. They are quite a sight."

Iolene smiles and nods. All of this for me? No... For my mother and my family's entitlement for revenge... She thinks to herself.

Taking a deep breath in. "I am going to the Waterfall of Life." She says outright.

"No, you are not." He replies with the same tone.

"I am! A piece of the meteor rests there. I need to understand myself and strengthen my powers!" Iolene's voice has no hint of waver. "If I am to get my country back. I need to be more than a lady... I was shafted into this situation blind. Without knowing how to survive the outside world." Iolene remembers being kidnapped by bandits and meeting Samuel. The man who lied about who he was... Macdan and spoke to Queen Hara. Meeting Zhen a powerful Empress Iolene managed to gain her respect. The fall of Mille-Voix... She was prepared for none of it. The world she saw was from history and books. It skewered her perception of how life actually is.

The King opens his mouth as his great-niece continues on. "What kind of Empress will I be, if I cannot help fight for my own people. I have never seen any of these plans before." Iolene lifting the trebuchet blueprint. "Then what is the point? Once I become Empress I will fail as everyone will see me as weak... How long will it be until I am disposed of? People will see me as someone who got their kingdom back with no effort on a silver platter. I gained the respect of Empress Zhen because I made a choice and helped her son. Me hiding has done no favours for myself!"

The King sighs as Iolene is right, having his reasons. She needs to bring confidence to those who serve her. Which she has done in her own way, when she is not locked away.

"You will not be going alone..." Marlowe says sternly. This time he does not want his eldest son to go with her. He missed Murray terribly and he has changed much since he first left. Murray will be useful and safe to remain here.

"Stein, Lei, Ponderrah, and Lexi will be with me," Iolene says confidently. "I trust them with my life."

"Very well... What do you plan to do with this meteor part?" The king asks genuinely curious.

"The meteor fragments are pure gold draconium. I can use it to help enhance my powers. If I am strong enough to enter the ether again and speak to my ancestors. They can have the answers I need, to understand myself."

Marlowe nods his head in subtle agreement. A power his family has no knowledge of. It can be useful if she can gain information about Black Empire secrets. The thousands of years of squabble between gold and black should have something useful. Ancient mag techniques and weapons. The Black Empire keeps everything close to the chest.

He stares at Iolene with a light expression of a smile. When he first met her she was a baby. Next a petulant nine-year-old, when he insisted on taking her on a small visit to Watersgate. Then she came of age at fifteen and now she is sixteen. She is becoming such a beautiful woman Marlowe notes to have paintings made to show potential suitors. Him wishing they had gold technology that can make pictures appear with light and holograms. Shallow as that is the King knows how to get young noblemen's attention.

"I shall bid you farewell when the time comes. Now do not leave the country!" He demands in the last sentence. Remaining seated while Iolene laughs as she promises she won't, she stands up to leave placing her hand on the door handle.

"Before you go... You should know this." Marlowe says as she stops and turns around. "My ambassador Armina remains in Mille-Voix. The Shadow Emperor made his appearance known. He is there right now settling businesses and political matters. He went to my embassy and questioned her."

"About me?" A sharp jolt is felt in Iolenes heart as goose prickles appear on her skin.

"About you." He replies. "And it was not just him." His voice sounded so full of dread he did not want to mention them. "Can you guess as to who else?" Marlowe asks.

"I don't know..." Iolene trembled as she really did not know. But the tone in his voice sounded so somber it can make anyone fear what he is about to say.

"The league of eight... Valadeera, Volantriss, Colossus, Kaunis, Vipstranius and Rapax. Together again..." He says giving out a long pause for the news to sink in.

Iolene nods as she leaves the King's study without a word.

Iolene rushes to her room, vomiting into a bin. The League of Eight tracked her parents down and murdered them. But the King only said six names, not eight. Where are the other two?! She thinks repeatedly. Pacing around her room and her body trembles. Sweat starting to drench her. They are going to find me... And destroy me... Iolenes heart raced as her breathing became rushed and unsteady. Everything around her is becoming a blur, as the world seemed to spin around her. She stumbles onto her bed and collapses. Where she lies breathing hard and flustered. Closing her eyes she loses consciousness.

Awaking after a few hours, feeling dizzy. Her heart slows down to its normal pace. She sits on her bed staring at the mirror on her vanity desk. Iolene looked disheveled and sweaty. Her hair is a complete mess as her waves have become frizzled and tangled. No wonder Marlowe kept me imprisoned in my room. The dragons are after me. But they are there, not here. They cannot enter this country, a price for murdering my MOTHER. Iolene takes another deep breath in.

She holds the box of her mothers' letters. They always sit next to her bed. Opening the latch as she sees them all organised. Iolene prepping them by dates. But some of them went missing throughout her adventures. Iolene whispers sorry to her mother, hoping she can hear. "That is not all mother... They are coming after me. Like they did with you."

"Oi! Iolene!" An all too familiar shout is heard. Breaking Iolenes deep thoughts. Princess Marina's low and gruff voice is so loud the whole castle can hear. Iolene stumbles to the door as the rough princess barges inside. Iolene is slightly annoyed that she did not get a chance to fix herself up.

Stretching her arms, Marina's bones crack as she moans with relief. "I am saying goodbye rounds before I leave for the ocean life once more. My bloody twin misses me." She says laughing.

"You are returning to the sea?" Iolene asks softly. Princess Marina has always fascinated her. The temple raised Iolene to be such a petite lady. Always stand up straight, speak politely, always use manners, and never show your anger, elegance is always key to being the perfect princess. Marina though is the complete opposite. She despises wearing dresses, drinks like a sailor (even though she is), and her manners are brash and harsh. Making herself an interesting spectacle at the gala. "So un-lady like..." One lady said. But Marina is unashamed. She is always herself...

She grabs Iolene for a rough bear hug. Swaying as Marina jumps with her. Iolene jumps and plays along with her, hiding her thoughts of the League of Eight. Laughing fake playfully as she felt like a little girl, for a moment.

The tall sailor lets go as Iolenes straightens herself up. Marina knows nothing of inner politics. Loves the sea and serves as a commanding sergeant for the Royal Navy.

"Yes, I must return to my lover the ocean. The land gets me on my nerves... But it is nice seeing you again. Be safe little cousin..."

Iolene admires her... Dreamt to be like her. The League of Eight she will not fear. She wished Marina farewell as the rough sailor storms out of the room with quick haste.

Iolene is alone again. Snatches the box of letters again. Deciding to make her way to Grand Princess Nerida's room. Usually the heir lives in another palace on an island across the sea. But she made her way back at Iolenes arrival, helping her father with political matters.

Iolene sees the two guards standing there as Iolene approaches calmly. "I would like to see Grand Princess Nerida." She says softly. The guards notify. The princess allows her to come inside. The guards open the door as Iolene enters.

"What do want?" The Grand Princess plainly asks.

"I came to return these to you." Iolene presents the box. "They will not be safe with me on my journey. It was so hard keeping them safe when I was gone." Iolene tries her hardest to not fall back on her plan. She needs to see this meteor. Herself repeatedly thinks they are nowhere near her.

Nerida stretches her hands out as Iolene approaches and gently places the box in them. Nerida sighs as she opens the box. Some letters are missing. Closing her eyes and deep breaths. She does not thank you as she looks down at the girl.

"Journey you said?" Her voice sounds so cold and steely. Iolene could not but feel intimidation from that question. Her glare alone can easily cut diamonds as she stares down into Iolenes gold eyes. Nerida was immensely close with Laelia. Iolene attempted multiple times to get alone time with the princess. Which she did, but it wasn't loving nor comforting. As Iolene still felt like a stranger within the palace walls.

Iolene asked Murray and Marina for details about family members. Nerida's favourite dish is salt and pepper fish. Colour is velvet purple, enjoys watching water shows on the ocean. Her children sound wonderful and energetic. Yet Nerida asks nothing about her... Iolene accepted it. It was a shock to the Grand Princess of Iolenes' real parentage. Yet her younger brother Murray knew... Maybe she is still furious about it... Iolene thought as she glances at the future Queen.

Iolene repeats the same answer as she did the king. Nerida did not look impressed. Only nodding not saying much. Iolene smiles as she takes a seat near Neridas' personal table.

"Well... If you have to become stronger. You must take risks, do not be afraid." Her voice sounded cold and uncaring. Nerida walks to Iolene looking down at her. Iolene looks up straight into Nerida's beautiful light blue eyes.

"I won't be..." Iolene says assuring herself. Even though she fainted not too long ago. "Not afraid..."

"You very much are. I can see it, steel yourself. Because the League of Eight was last seen sneaking around our borders and I now need to find a new ambassador."