Chapter 169

Imperado

The summons came at dawn. Tommen knocked thrice before turning the locks and opening the door. Shadow sat on the carpet near the smoldering ruins of the fire. Amara lounged on the sofa and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. The young soldier bowed curtly to Shadow while making a great effort not to look over at Amara. His face blushed slightly when he spoke. "My master, the Imperado, has returned. He wishes that you and the lady would join him at his solar for breakfast."

Shadow jumped to his feet. "When did he get back?"

"Just an hour ago."

Shadow frowned. An hour wasn't so long as to hint at treachery. But it is long enough for him to have met with Verlo and come to a decision. "Very well," Shadow said. "Take us to him. But first I would like to confirm that my comrades are alright."

"Your friends are invited as well," Tommen said, his eyes flickering for an instant onto the princess. "Uh, they will be waiting for you. Please, I am to escort you…" Blushing badly, the soldier turned and motioned for them to follow.

Shadow glanced at Amara who smirked back at him. The two of them followed Tommen and were led out of the tavern and out into the central area of the compound. Dozens of Order warriors milled about the square. Some of them were taking arms to the local smith, others were busy padding their armor with heavy layers of fur to keep them warm. A row of targets were lined up near a ruined house and soldiers were taking turns firing high powered laser rifles.

Shadow kept a careful count in his head of how many soldiers, and the kind and types of weapons they had on hand. It seemed evident that the mountain had mostly stayed away from the more modern technology offered by Eggman. Other than the rifles, Shadow only saw a few advanced weapons. Most of the soldiers seemed content with spears and short swords.

Their presence drew many eyes. Warriors halted in the middle of their training to stare after them. Some held expressions of open contempt, while others struggled to conceal looks of awe and amazement. Shadow knew that it was Amara that was causing this disturbance. Rumors must have spread across the compound throughout the night. The heir of the empire had arrived at the Revari. Amongst the snowy air, she seemed to glow like a white star.

They were taken through the main gate of the central keep. Here, a snow swept courtyard led them over a bridge crossing a trenched moat. The dry moat was filled with iron barbs. To defend the keep, the defenders could simply pull up the bridge and force any invading army to have to struggle through the razor wires.

Once within the main keep they were taken down a side passage. To Shadow's surprise, instead of going up the stairs towards the higher towers, they were instead escorted down a series of winding passages.

The Imperado's solar was located in a forlorn corner of the keep. Two sentries stood guard at the door. Tommen bowed hastily to Shadow and Amara, blushed and hurried away. One of the sentries knocked on the door with their spear. A gruff, tired voice answered from within. "Enter." The sentries opened the doors and ushered Shadow and Amara inside.

Shadow gave a quick inspection of the solar. It was a comfortably furnished room with a lush carpet floor and a silver chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Velvet drapes covered the single window located on the furthest wall of the room. Without much sunlight, it was left for candles, torches, and the lights of the chandelier to illuminate the space. For personal decorations, the Imperado had chosen simple banners which were draped loosely along the rafters. Shadow guessed by their sigils that they referenced the specific legion that the Imperado had served under.

A suit of polished gilded armor stood on a stand in the spot of centermost attention in the room. The helmet had huge curved horns and its face was designed to look like enveloping sets of angel-like wings. A great slashing dragon was emblazoned on the center of the golden breastplate.

"Amara…can it really be you?" Shadow's attention shifted as he turned to face the figures standing around the oak desk shoved haphazardly towards one of the corners. Howl and Roran were both drinking from silver cups and looked rested and at ease. The person behind them pushed past to get a better look at Amara.

Garath Valreon was a red panda with hugely disproportionate ears, a short stocky body, and a long bushy tail. His eyes were perfect circles and a smokey gray color. Several old scars lined his face. He stopped a few paces away from Amara and studied her intently. His expression remained inscrutable, and when he confirmed Amara's identity he bowed just low enough to show respect, but not low enough to indicate allegiance.

Garath then turned to Shadow. "And this must be the hedgehog I have heard so much about?" The Imperado had a rolling, booming voice that would have carried easily in the open air. He spoke as one accustomed to addressing soldiers, but Shadow could tell that he had the guile to use that to his advantage. Slippery political types like Verlo would always underestimate the openly boisterous.

Garath ushered Shadow and Amara onto cushioned chairs in front of the desk. The Imperado swept aside the tattered green cloak he wore over a simple leather jerkin and took the seat opposite to them. "Forgive my appearance. I thought it best to meet with you as soon as possible." He flashed them a weary smile, but realized quickly that no one was in a mood for pleasantries. "Right then. First I would like to say that you have come to the mountain under rather auspicious circumstances. The emperor has returned."

Howl and Roran both choked on their drinks. Shadow lurched upright, his heart skipping several beats. "Eggman's come back from earth? When?"

Garath smiled politely, ignoring the haste and terror in Shadow's tone. "I don't know exactly. He returned to the capital yesterday. Much has already happened since then. Imperial communications have been on a black out. That was the true reason for my absence yesterday."

"A blackout?" Howl repeated.

"The emperor has locked down the capital province. Orders were sent that all outlying legions were to be recalled to the city. The final order to be sent through before all communications were shut down was for all factories in the three nearest provinces to increase production tenfold." Garath watched Shadow intently, studying him to see if any of this news meant anything.

Shadow however, was just as lost as the others. Did Eggman already take over the earth? It was pure insanity to believe that the earthlings could hold out for long. But had Knuckles and the others already been defeated?

When Shadow's reaction failed to register with Garath, the Imperado relaxed and continued by making a polite gesture towards Amara. "However, the emperor is far away, the more pressing matter is what we are to do with you. The former princess is a wanted fugitive, and by law we cannot hold her here. If the emperor was to discover that we were harboring her without alerting him, then we would risk his wrath."

Shadow caught the faint smile on the Imperado's face. "Then it's a good thing that there is a blackout."

Garath smiled amiably. "Too true, of course there are other methods for making contact. Though, even the most loyal to the emperor could forgive a slight delay." The Imperado leaned back in his chair and cupped his hands over his round stomach. "I have heard what Verlo had to say of you. Now I wish to hear it for myself. So come, tell me your story, hedgehog. Why is it that our doom is more certain with the emperor than if we oppose him?"

Without reservation, Shadow launched into an abbreviated account. He gave a quick summary of Eggman's history on earth, and his decision to leave the planet in search of other worlds to conquer. Shadow then explained briefly what he knew or guessed about the function of Iblis. However, he explicitly withheld any discussion about the Realm Lord.

During his discussion of Iblis, Roran interjected and confirmed pieces of Shadow's story. The priest did not take a hard line on insisting on the reality of Iblis or Solaris, but allowed the theory of them as names for primal forces within Arvana itself. This flexibility on Roran's part surprised Shadow.

When the story was over, Garath leaned forward and steepled his hands together. He glanced sideways at Howl, who had thus far remained silent. "You are an imperial?" Garath asked. "A captain of the legion in province Thirteen?"

Howl nodded.

"And you believe all this?"

"I had my doubts, and I cannot speak for all this business regarding Iblis, but I feel certain that the emperor has no love for our world or people."

"It is no fable," Roran added. "The increase of earthquakes and extreme weather throughout the empire is a direct result of the emperor's meddling."

"But you say that this threat has passed," Garath pointed out. "If the emperor had indeed intended to use these so-called Flames of Disaster to power up his machine, he can no longer do so."

"For now," Shadow agreed. "But it won't stop him forever. Would you really continue to serve an emperor who was so ready to callously kill you all?"

"If the alternative was certain death?" Garath shrugged.

"And what about your loyalty?" Shadow held up his arm and displayed the Ring of Kings. The golden bracelet reflected the nearby candle light and glowed with a golden shimmer.

Garath's eyes widened. "The Ring of Kings? But…the gem has not burned in centuries-"

"Zertian gave this to me," Shadow said fiercely. "He understood that Robotnik is not just a threat to his throne but to the lives of every single person on this planet."

Garath gaped at him. Clearly the Ring was a much stronger influence than their words had been. However, the Imperado mastered his emotions and drew back. "That is a power from a bygone age. In days past that may have served for something, but what use is fire against machines that can control entire suns?" Garath sighed and wrung his hands through his hair. "You come to me with a priest from a dispossessed people, a defected legionary and the daughter of an emperor I betrayed. Each of you has your own personal grudge against the emperor. Why should I trust that you are telling me the truth?"

Shadow did not take the bait. "If you thought there was even a chance we were lying we wouldn't be talking to you now. You would have killed us last night as Ziham suggested."

Garath frowned. "Ziham is keenly aware of the loyalties of this mountain. He may wear the robes of those cultists, but everything he has done he has done to protect his brothers in the Order."

"But you didn't listen to him, just as Verlo opposed him last night. As soon as you returned here, I'm betting he asked you to have us killed right away and have word sent to the emperor."

"You are very perceptive, hedgehog," Garath said gruffly. "So tell me why I stayed my hand?"

"Because you are afraid," Shadow continued. "You know we aren't lying, but you are just hoping that we are mistaken somehow. That is why you wanted to speak to my comrades first, you wanted to see if we all told the same story. Am I right?"

"Two for two." Garath sounded frustrated, but was also barely holding back a smile.

"You have no love for the emperor. Perhaps you did when he first arrived, when his armies proved superior against overwhelming odds. When he first came to power he would have seemed a breath of fresh air. His early changes were mostly positive and made a marked positive difference in the lives of nearly everyone in the empire. But at some point he crossed a line. Now you are beginning to regret helping him come to power, but are terrified that it is too late to stop him."

The smile vanished from Garath's face. He glowered at Shadow, his eyes darkening into flints of hard coal. "I'm no coward," He growled.

"Then fight with us." Shadow matched the Imperado's gaze without hesitation. "Pledge your allegiance to Amara and help us cut down the emperor's forces."

"To what end?" Garath pressed. "You have no loyalty to this world. What difference would it make to you if Arvana drowned in blood, so long as the emperor was weakened enough to halt his invasion of your own planet?"

"That isn't it," Shadow insisted. "Eggman may have already conquered my planet. Earth's greatest warriors have already come here to save this planet instead of staying at home. Eggman is the true threat, if he isn't stopped, it will mean the end for everyone."

"We have brought this doom on ourselves," Howl told Garath. "There is no way out for our people other than by the sword. We can either choose the hard path and perhaps some of us will live, or the easy path and fade into oblivion."

Garath turned his attention to Amara. "And what say you, princess? Is this the course laid out by your father?"

Amara nodded. "Black Doom tortured my father with a fate worse than hell. The emperor doesn't care what happens to any of us. We are simply his tools, his playthings."

Garath stood abruptly and walked over to stand beside his suit of armor. "When I joined the Order I made it my singular mission to see it returned to its former glory. We are a brotherhood of warriors, our allegiance is to our swords. This was not a place for politics or the shaping of worlds. It is not my place to choose the destiny of the empire."

"The choice has come to you," Shadow said dismissively. "Whatever your original intentions. You betrayed him, but Zertian still named you as his daughter's best hope. There must have been a reason for that."

Garath dropped his head. "I am not worthy. If my sword was my own to command I would lay at your feet Amara. I am not afraid to die, and I have no fear of Black Doom and his demons. However, I am the Imperado and I must consider the fate of the entire Order. Even if it was my wish, I could not hand my soldiers over to you."

"Why not?" Shadow asked in surprise. "Aren't you in command?"

"So long as I am the strongest," Garah agreed. "The Order will follow me, but they will not accept her. We switched loyalties during the Civil War because Robotnik proved himself stronger than Zertian."

Shadow stood up. "Then let me prove my strength. I'll take on any challenger."

Garath shook his head. "It is not you that will lead. If Amara wishes to take her father's throne, the Order will only support her if she can prove her own strength."

"What are you suggesting?" Howl asked. "Surely you don't mean to fight Amara?"

"It is the only way." Garath moved away from the armor stand and bent down to face Amara. "If you want the Order's loyalty I cannot simply give it to you. The mountain is far too divided. An order like that would be met with immediate resistance. A battle here would split your already small forces in half."

"What must I do?" Amara asked. Her voice trembled slightly.

"Prove yourself the strongest. It is the only way."

"And how can she do that?" Shadow asked.

Garath stood at his full height and sighed deeply. "She must defeat me."

"Ridiculous!" Howl fumed. The wolf paced back and forth in their room back at the tavern. Howl and Roran had been permitted to stay with Shadow and Amara. The cold wind whistled outside. Dawn had been delayed by the sudden onset of a spring storm.

Amara sat hugging her legs on the sofa. Roran sat across from her nibbling nervously on a stale piece of toast. Shadow braced himself on the mantle and allowed the warmth of the newly lit fire to shield him from the cold.

After their meeting with the Imperado they had been escorted back to their room. Garath allowed them two hours to make their choice. In the meantime, the arena would be prepared. And every outpost on the mountain outfitted and guarded against us. This was no true choice, but an ultimatum. Either Amara would fight the Imperado, or the Order of Warriors would be unleashed against Shadow and his companions.

"That bastard!" Howl raged. "Who does he think he is challenging a child?"

"There is nothing to be done," Roran lamented. "Warriors cut off from pacifying institutions will only follow strength. No one wants to fight a losing battle."

"Then fight Shadow or me?" Howl insisted. "Amara is not even a soldier."

"But they wouldn't follow you." Amara said softly. "Even if Shadow could defeat every warrior on the mountain at once, it would make no difference. He is a stranger here, and you have no claim to rule. My blood grants me the privilege to claim the throne, but it will not simply be handed over."

The princess unfolded her legs and cupped her cheek in her hand. "Garath is as wise a leader as he is a skilled warrior. He knows that this is the only way. Defeating him is the only way to ensure that I would have the loyalty of all the Order. Not even Ziham could protest that."

Roran perked up. "Then perhaps he will let you win!" The priest's smile faded when he saw the dark looks the others gave him. "Wouldn't that be best?"

"Garath would never stain his honor like that," Howl said simply. "Besides, everyone would know. No, he will fight Amara with all he has…and…" The wolf turned towards her. "I am sorry to say princess, but you have no chance at all."

"So it isn't a choice," Roran fumed. "Either she does the impossible or we all die. Why don't they just call the attack now?"

"Honor," Howl repeated. "Garath will give Amara her chance, no matter what. Besides, if he kills her in the duel then he can avoid the distasteful shame of handing her back over to Black Doom."

"Then what do we do?" Roran cried. "Shadow, we must act now. We should escape while we have the chance!"

Shadow did not answer. He walked over to Amara and watched her closely. "What do you want to do? So far we have dragged you here against your will. I will not force you to fight."

Amara looked up at Shadow. Her bright eyes reflected the light of the fire. She had a perceptive gaze that hinted at a storeroom of wisdom that exceeded her years. Shadow couldn't deny that she had a certain efficacious beauty, and the ability to hold her ground against any one. However, none of these abilities would matter in a fight. "Have you any training?" He asked her.

Amara nodded. "I was trained by the master of arms at the capital. But that was mainly a formality. I was never expected to go to war and fight."

"Sending her out there is suicide!" Roran insisted. "We cannot let her die after risking so much to save her. I say we leave this place at once. There has to be more people that might be willing to follow her."

"There's no time for that," Shadow snapped. "You know what we saw at Black Doom's fortress. We have no chance if we have to fight the empire and Black Doom's thralls."

"What other choice do we have? What will we gain from watching her die?"

Shadow ignored the priest and kept his attention on Amara. "What do you want to do?"

The princess took a deep breath and straightened her back. She glanced over at Shadow and her expression hardened. "I will fight."