Teal stared at the two closed doors leading to the Hall of Memories. The crowd of welcome bearers left politely enough and now waited in the large courtyard adjacent to the hall a short distance away. They stood awkwardly amongst the flowering gardens, fish ponds and lattice decorations, not knowing what to do with themselves in such an unprecedented situation. Traditionally speaking, no one could enter the official dining hall before the Emperor and Empress.

Teal felt a person beside him and turned to look at Ralen. Lana and Delba also stood to the side waiting. Even Prince Vox and Prince Salren had been sent outside the hall much to their disgust. The Empress and Jale were the only ones who had been allowed to remain in the hall with the Emperor at his orders.

"I wouldn't worry too much. You did well," Ralen said to Teal. "Glad there wasn't a repeat of the Prince Yernal situation."

Teal let out an honest laugh. "I have a sneaking suspicion I would not be standing here now if that had occurred."

Ralen clapped him on the back. "You speak the truth." He nodded towards the outside courtyard. "Continue to be careful however," he warned. "Prince Yernal is here as an honored guest representing his kingdom for the celebrations." Ralen squeezed his shoulder. "If you see him walking anywhere near you, just walk the other way."

"I'm more worried about what they're talking about in there," he said, nodding towards the Hall of Memories, "and what the Empress Dowager knows about me."

"Ah, I wouldn't worry about it," Ralen said firmly.

"Always the optimist, aren't you?" Teal sighed.

"No, he isn't,” Delba suddenly interjected, “but I agree that you shouldn't be too worried right now.”

Teal was surprised at Delba's sudden support.

"I've seen her slice a person in two with words in front of a far bigger audience and send them away," she continued. "If she had wanted you gone, she would have done it there and then."

"And the Emperor has no say in this?" Teal asked perplexed.

"Aaah, no he does," Ralen said. "But he usually sides with his mother."

Teal frowned.

"It was her husband who founded the empire, after all," Delba added. "And he didn't do it alone. He did it with the strength and support of the Empress Dowager. Why do you think the Emperor liked the idea of Empress Crael so much? She is also a strong-minded woman who has her fingers in many areas of running the empire."

"Still, I wish I could hear what they were talking about," Teal muttered.

>>

Jale stood quietly, waiting. The Hall of Memories now held only four people: himself, the Emperor, the Emperor Dowager and Empress Crael who remained on her throne, one hand wrapped gently around her large stomach.

He was filled with concern and unease. What did the Empress Dowager know about the Lombock and more specifically, about the Presence within Teal? They had scoured the Grand Library and had only found the three texts. Did she have more resources they weren’t aware of?

Diligently, Jale watched the Emperor approach his mother, wanting nothing more than to take a step forward and take part in this conversation as well. He swallowed the desire down. The mere fact he was allowed to remain in the same room was indication enough of how far the Empress Dowager liked, trusted and respected the relationship he had with the Emperor. The fact he had also saved the Emperor's life probably had something to do with it, as well.

"You know something regarding the Lombock race?" the Emperor asked, drawing Jale's attention back to the pair before him. "And about this Lombock? How is that so?"

"I don't know if my son is smarter than I'm aware or more stupid than I care to admit," the Empress Dowager replied. She faced her son and asked a question of her own. "Have you been researching the Lombock race?" she asked.

"Of course," the Emperor said. "I thought they were mere myth until I laid my eyes upon him."

"Don't," she said firmly. "Your father ensured that most information on his species was destroyed. That which remains was kept for a reason."

The Emperor frowned. "Explain."

The Empress Dowager stepped away, walking as she spoke. Jale knew it was something she often did when she was being forced to think on the spot. Her body was held tall and strong despite the heavy shawl and clothing she was wearing.

"Your uncle," she began. "He was a scholar in the Grand Library, do you remember?" She continued when the Emperor nodded. "He found material on the Lombock race and shared it with your father. From what they found it was decided that all information on them should be destroyed."

The Empress Dowager stepped towards her son. "They are dangerous, Rathner. I also read some of the material he found on them. Don't let the Lombock discover who he truly is for what was done to them, can be undone."

"You mean the... spell?" Emperor Rathner asked, struggling to say the word, the absurdity of it.

"Yes," the Empress Dowager replied, showing no difficulty in confirming the Emperor's words. "They once ruled the world with their cannibalistic ways, controlling all humans. If the spell is broken and they come back into power, you could risk losing the empire to them. No army will be able to hold them back."

The Emperor dared to scoff. "My armies are large and strong, and there can't be that many Lombock left to be that powerful to cause such a threat."

"You want to chance that?" his mother asked. "Your brother, Prince Salren, poses a threat to you. The Keglar Kingdom are equally strong and waiting to pounce. It could all easily fall apart and the peace you hold, could be lost."

The Emperor turned away, the truth in her words were hard to hear even though Jale knew they weighed heavily on his shoulders at all times or really, Prince Salren weighed heavily on his shoulders. He was relieved that the Empress Dowager had not mentioned the Emperor's other troubles. The Hummingbird, the damn Hummingbird. At least it was still a secret, their secret.

"Why are you so complacent with his Presence, then?" the Emperor asked. "If you fear the Lombock so much, why have you not told me to order him away or even have him executed?"

The Empress Dowager paused, obviously trying to choose her words carefully.

"Mother..." the Emperor pressed when she remained quiet.

"Because the Presence within him, it controls him and the Presence and this Lombock, they are of royal lineage. The colors in him dictate it so."

Even from the distance that separated them, Jale saw the Emperor's eyes widened at that information, a rare show of emotion. Jale jolted, reacting to the news as well. It had been hinted of in the Lost Seas Sagas, but to hear the Empress Dowager say it. Jale couldn’t stop himself, his heart was pounding.

"But what of this Presence?" he dared to ask. He wanted to know what he was possibly dealing with. "What is it exactly?"

"You don't want to know," the Empress Dowager stated without looking in Jale's direction. Jale knew from her tone he couldn't ask her more. She was not impressed by his interruption.

"The Talbecan Empire," the Empress Dowager continued, "has always respected those of other royal lineages and we should continue to do so. It could be our only saving grace."

Jale swallowed hard against a lump that had formed in his throat. The Emperor did not show any hint of disagreement with her last statement.

"Nala, my health giver, mentioned he is apparently rare, maybe this rarity was in line with his royalty," the Emperor stated.

"Indeed," the Empress Dowager agreed.

"She has gone to the Denroin Archives to research them further and should be back in a month."

"They should have destroyed their information, too," the Empress Dowager told him. "Your father ordered them to do so. She shouldn't find anything."

They were silent, the Emperor processing the information that he had been told.

"You said the spell can be broken?" Empress Crael suddenly spoke up from where she still sat on her throne.

The Empress Dowager looked towards her and shook her head, her expression grave. "I wouldn't even think of messing with it. Fortunately, from what I read, a vital key, magic that held the spell together and prevented it from falling apart, disappeared across the Lost Deserts with two people who vowed to protect not only the old states but our whole world as well. Legend says that these two people found a trading route and along it, they found a path to another world. They vanished never to be seen again."

"Another world?" Empress Crael breathed. "How is this so?"

The Empress Dowager shrugged. "I do not know. There were scrolls, lots of them, describing such, but I did not read them all. All information on this whole topic was destroyed."

The Emperor moved away and returned to his throne, rubbing his forehead. "I find this most hard to believe. I'm now to consider the possibility of other worlds?"

"But why keep the Kindra tale?" Empress Crael asked.

"Easy," The Empress Dowager smiled. "To make men think that we can control them and own them."

"And Captain Fretner, The Lost Seas Sagas?" Emperor Rathner also asked.

"To show how horrible they can be from someone who had never seen them before. To show their horror in their purest form."

The Empress Dowager approached them. "Keep the Lombock and treat him well and he will serve you well. If you do that, you do not need to fear him. Instead, you should worry about which new consort you will enjoy in your harem. I will present them to you tomorrow."

The Emperor turned his head away from his mother and glared.

>>

Nearly one hour later, the Emperor emerged from the hall and stalked right past Teal and into the dining hall. Heart pounding, Teal turned and watched his disappearing back. It could not be good. The Emperor looked furious.

A soft hand rested on Teal's shoulder. He knew who it was without turning, Jale's scent so cemented into his memory now.

"It's fine," Jale whispered into Teal's ear. "Meet me in my quarters after I leave tonight's banquet." His hand disappeared as quickly as it had landed. Jale passed him, continuing after the Empress who had walked second into the hall.

Teal swallowed down his fear and glanced at Ralen for guidance. The man only shrugged, and Teal's only choice was to follow after the other consorts.

Three large long tables filled the dinning hall with the Emperor, the Empress and his mother positioned at another long table at the top of the room. The rest of the imperial family were positioned within close proximity to them, followed by the royal guests from the Keglar Kingdom.

The entire hall stood until the imperial family were seated. The Emperor sat, a power domineering stature at the top of the hall, and waited for a servant to fill his first drink. He rose to his feet, the large cup held out in front of him. "To prosperity and long life, may we enjoy this Midsummer Festival and the seasons that follow."

There was open agreement and cheers. The mood in the dining hall lifted immediately. People began to talk happily and openly to those beside them as plate upon plate of food was delivered to the table. The incident in the Hall of Memories was forgotten. Music played in the back of the hall and the wine began to flow. Teal however, remained on edge until Empress Crael caught his gaze. She smiled kindly, and Teal allowed himself to relax a little.

>>

Climax still leaving their bodies, Jale rolled off of Teal. At some point or another, they had ended up on Jale's outside large sleeping mat. It was protected by mesh to stop the mosquitoes and bugs from disturbing their activities.

"So good," Teal said breathlessly. They lay silently for several moments, bodies not touching but close enough to feel the heat radiating off of each other's skin.

Finally, Teal couldn't bear it any longer. "So, are you going to tell me what the Empress Dowager and the Emperor spoke about in the Hall of Memories?"

Do you love the Emperor?" Jale suddenly asked.

It took a moment for Teal to catch up with the swift change in conversation. "Why do I feel like this is a trick question when I am lying in your bed after you were just intimate with me?"

"It's not," Jale assured him. "The Emperor knows that you're here tonight as every other night."

Teal was silent, his mind racing, wondering whether these questions were linked to what had happened in the Hall of Memories. It was hard to tell with Jale. He always dominated the conversation and steered it to where he wanted it to go.

"So?" Jale prodded again.

"To be honest, my loyalty will always be with him," Teal said carefully. "If my loyalty is what you're worried about."

A pause. "No, I don't think I need to worry about your loyalty. But you don't love him?"

Teal was silent. "I always feel a distance when I am with him. Like I am only seeing a part of him."

"Of course, you do. He is the Emperor. He won't show you all of him."

"I bet he shows all of himself to you," Teal said, glancing over to Jale as he spoke.

"That is different."

"How is that different? Just because you have known him for longer?"

"Yes."

"It will come with time," Jale finally responded.

"I am happy, does that count?" Teal said. "I'm happy when I accompany the Emperor. I am happy living in the Purple Jade Palace and I am happy when I'm with you. What about you? Do you love the Emperor?"

"I would have thought that was a redundant question." And before Teal could respond, Jale added softly, "I'm forever the Emperor's."

"He told me once that you saved his life."

"I did," Jale confirmed.

"How?" Teal asked.

"When we first met.”

Teal's breath caught in his throat, a sense, a suspicion that he was on the cusp on learning about their past, of how Jale and the Emperor came to be. But the moment passed before it had even arrived as Jale gave a slow, deliberate blink.

Teal tried to hold onto the sigh that wanted to leave his mouth. He decided to change the topic.

“I get the impression that… you and Delba do not get along,” Teal asked carefully.

Jale snorted. “We are like brothers and sisters. It might surprise you but our history is just as long as the Emperor’s and mine. We bicker but for the most, we get along.”

Teal pondered that information. The more he learnt, the more he realised he didn’t know anything about the different consorts and their pasts.

"And what about me, Teal?" Jale suddenly asked before Teal could question what he had just learnt. "How do you feel about me?"

Teal smiled through the darkness. "I think you know that I enjoy spending time with you."

"Hmm," Jale nodded. "I know that but do you like me?"

It suddenly hit Teal then, the absurdity of Jale asking that question. It had never struck him before that Jale would even worry about what Teal thought of him. He had simply accepted that Jale was merely enjoying his time with Teal in a physical sense, and he was keeping all his love for the Emperor.

Maybe that underlining fear was what the Presence within him had also feared before Teal had been aware of it himself. Maybe that's why the Presence had come forth and assessed Jale that first day in the Emperor’s tower.

"I like you," Teal said quietly, rolling to face Jale. He leaned up and placed a gentle kiss of his lips. "I like you very much."

Jale sighed. "Okay then, I will answer your original question to the best of my ability. You will not like my response though. I have to warn you. I always follow the Emperor's instructions."

"Okay," Teal said slowly.

"The Emperor and Empress Dowager made me swear not to discuss what was spoken about in the Hall or Memories."

"What?" Teal gasped, managing to sit up completely this time. "Why?"

Jale ignored his reactions, but Teal could see some internal deliberation and then all of a sudden, Jale surprised him. He leaned over the bed, reached out and cupped Teal's face with both of his hands. "I like you a lot as well. I don't want to hurt you, but I am always and forever bound by what the Emperor asks of me. Do you understand?"

Resignation set in and Teal nodded, glumly. "Okay."

"Good," Jale responded. He leaned further still and kissed Teal tenderly on the lips. “Will you give me pleasure?”

Teal smiled. "Of course, I would do anything for you."

Jale smiled, a look of almost relief but then, he used his hands to guide Teal's head down in between his thighs.