Cordelian and Theodorian were both attending Fornulus as he sat in his chambers in the middle of the night. Theodorian had returned from the south a few days ago. Cordelian had come to break the news to Fornulus, but it seemed Theodorian had already done so.

"I don't understand. How can Meronion be dead? She was so strong." Fornulus shook his head.

Cordelian too had a difficult time believing Meronion was dead. She was indomitable, and seemed like she would outlive them all. Cordelian felt ambivalent about her death. She was a threat to him, but useful to the empire. Fornulus didn't seem grief-stricken either, but the man might just be drunk. Theodorian was crying over the death of her little sister while Cordelian patted her shoulder. Theodorian had been close to Meronion as a child, but not in recent years.

"Why does this keep happening to me?" Fornulus started to rub his head. "This is a nightmare. How am I supposed to lead the armies without her? When did this happen?"

"Only a few days ago." Cordelian answered. "The messengers just reached us. Ophelion and her attendants are on their way back, but they won't be here for days yet. That leaves the Milem's second in command, General Victorus, in charge of the expedition for now."

Victorus was a self-serving coward who was promoted over Meronion’s objections due to his familial connections: namely Cordelian, his nephew. Cordelian had tasked his maternal uncle with making sure Meronion suffered a humiliating defeat in this campaign. That wasn’t supposed to include her death. Cordelian hadn’t gotten any details yet from the North, but his uncle must have entrusted the job to some blundering oafs with no self-control. Cordelian would need to have a word with him when he returned.

"Right, Ophelion is safe, that's good." Fornulus obviously hadn't thought about Ophelion at all.

"How horrible for her," Theodorian said.

"How horrible for all of us," Cordelian said.

"Yes, yes, but what am I going to do?" Fornulus asked.

"The empire will expect you to massacre the Lorgorin," Cordelian said, but he knew this gutless coward wouldn’t have the stomach for a war.

"A war, but without Meronion..." Fornulus looked gloomy at the prospect of not having Meronion's help.

"What point is there to a war? The barbarians who killed Meronion are already dead, their bodies were at the scene." Theodorian was as peaceful as ever, and Cordelian could hug her for it. It was exactly what he needed. "It won't bring our sister back," she said.

Cordelian pretended to reluctantly agree with her. "We're not prepared for a full-scale war. The Milem was to carry out limited raids, not a full war." Raids she had been meant to lose. "But the patros won’t care. The empire has been humilitated, and that requires an answer in kind.”

"You don't think we should have a war, Cord?" Fornulus asked.

"I said it is not the best time for a war, Your Exaltedness, but you don't have a choice about it. The patros will expect you to avenge their beloved Milem, so you must do as they say."

"I’m the Doukar! Why do I have to go to war just because they want it?" Fornulus's pride and stubbornness could be useful. "I don’t want war, I haven't even had time to grieve for my own family."

Cordelian bowed his head as Fornulus reprimanded him.

"Meronion died because we're always going to war," Theodorian said. "We almost lost Ophelion too."

"Your Exaltedness, honor demands-" he tried once more. He knew that at least a couple of Fornulus's servants in the room sometimes sold information to patros families. They'd let them know how hard he tried to reason with the Doukar, and if not, he'd spread it around himself. Faithful Cordelian trying to defend the empire, while weak-willed Fornulus betrayed it.

"I'm tired Cord! I just want to rule in peace for a while. My family is not even a year dead and already you call for war."

"I could lead the invasion, Your Exaltedness. You wouldn't need to worry about the details." Cordelian didn't have the first idea how to lead soldiers, but he had to be seen to make the offer. On the off chance the idiot took him up on it, Cordelian could delegate to the generals.

"You'd leave me all alone?" Fornulus was horrified at the prospect, as well he should be. He'd pushed all his work onto Cordelian, and was totally dependent on him.

"If you go up there, you might die too," Theodorian said.

"I am willing to die for my country, for my beloved sister, Meronion."

"I don't want to lose you too. You're my full brother." Theodorian shook her head. "Bad enough I lost Vicca and the boys."

This seemed to decide the matter for Fornulus. "No war, not now."

"Your Exaltedness-"

"No Cordelian, no! I won't have it. There's enough death around me. How many have to die before we get Oma's message loud and clear? Leave the savages alone. Dardanians stay in Dardano. I'm not going to be remembered as the Doukar who threw away his whole family on pointless battles.""

Cordelian wanted to roll his eyes. Don't tell him Fornulus was going to turn religious, how common.

Theodorian patted Fornulus' shoulder. "It's the right decision, Your Exaltedness."

"Thanks Theo. At least you're on my side." Fornulus cast a resentful gaze towards Cordelian, who bowed.

"If that is your decision, I will of course convey it to the Kolonai. Naturally there will be some dissatisfaction, but I will remind them of who makes decisions in the empire."

"Good. Now, leave me." Fornulus dismissed him with a wave. As Cordelian left, he heard Fornulus ask Theodorian to summon Munas.

Early the next morning Nik burst into Cordelian's audience chamber without waiting for the servants to announce his arrival. He wanted to catch Cordelian off guard. He found Cordelian with some of his cronies, no doubt plotting something.

"Get out, all of you," he said to them. "I want to talk to my brother."

They rose in indignation, but Cordelian politely bade them farewell. Made sense, he wouldn't want anybody to hear this. Cordelian got up from behind his desk and sighed dramatically as he looked at Nik, before pouring himself a cup of wine. He didn't offer Nik any.

"What is this about, little brother?"

"I suppose you're very happy with yourself, aren't you?" Nik marched over, kicking a chair out of his way. Cordelian looked at it in irritation.

"Of course not, the Milem is dead. It is a mournful time for the Empire."

"You killed her." Nik thrust an accusatory finger towards him.

Cordelian scowled. "There are some things you shouldn't say, even in jest. I would never harm the Empire or our sister."

"I see you're not denying it." Nik grabbed Cordelian's collar and pulled the other man towards him.

"You're being ridiculous. Since you are so dim to need me to say it: I had nothing to do with Meronion's death." Cordelian wrestled himself out of Nik's grip.

"You may have all the rest of them fooled, but not me. I know you’ve got some of your people planted in the army." Nik shoved Cordelian, but one of his strigulos was there and put an arm between them.

"The only fool here is you, Nikolonium. Get out of my sight. If you wish to accuse me, then bring proof," Cordelian sneered. "You won't find any because, as I said, I had nothing to do with Meronion's death."

"What about Vicca's?" Nik asked.

Cordelian looked over at his strigulos. "Time for my brother to leave."

The guard moved towards Nik, who snarled at him to stay away. He had to leave though, if he didn't want to be literally thrown out. He wheeled about, shouting at Cordelian he would find proof one day, and slammed the door shut as he left.

Losing Meronion was a huge blow. He needed to find out who Cordelian was using to get rid of his enemies without Euphastolon around. Pelagius had nothing for him, and Fornulus was growing increasingly detached, happy to let Cordelian take over. Euphastolon…a crazy thought occurred to Nik. Could yesterday’s enemy be today’s friend? What Euphastolon must know should be more than enough to destroy Cordelian, and he might be unhappy at being shoved off into exile. Cordelian had never lifted a finger to help him. Maybe, just maybe, Euphastolon might talk to him.

He needed to wait for Ophelion to get back before doing anything else. He had to be there for her. She needed him more than ever now.

When Tokropos requested – demanded really – a meeting, Cordelian did not refuse her. He knew it would be about Fornulus' lack of action in the North, and angry patros were exactly what Cordelian wanted. The further he could drive them away from Fornulus, the closer he could bind them to himself. So he settled himself in the luxurious meeting room in Tokropos's Manor where she had invited him along with several leading members of the ruling classes, including some of Meronion's staunchest supporters. He took the pride of place, naturally.

"What did the Doukar say? Are we to go back to war?" Tokropos asked.

Cordelian affected hesitation. "His Exaltedness believes that this is not the right time for war."

The Primus of the island of Theto, a rich province, lept up in outrage. She was a sturdy looking middle-aged woman, a relation of the former Empress Rigiaron, Meronion's mother. Rigiaron was out for blood for the death of her eldest, and was petitioning any patros who would listen.

"What is the meaning of this?! Milem Meronion is dead, murdered by those northern savages, and the Doukar will do nothing?"

More and more patros spoke up, each as angry as the last.

“First they killed his wife and children, and now his sister. The honor of the empire demands we destroy these barbarians.”

"The empire will look weak if we do nothing. Our enemies will think they can hurt us with impunity."

“It’ll give the Monar ideas.”

“To say nothing of those filthy Circie lunatics!”

Cordelian let them vent for a few minutes, only paying full attention to Tokropos, who was the leader here, but had remained quiet during all this. Over the years he had carefully cultivated a mild, forgiving persona which allowed them to speak freely in front of him, much more than they would have in front of someone like Meronion. He found he learned so many useful things this way.

Surprisingly, it was Lacratium, the old buffoon, who calmed them down.

"Peace friends, peace. We all know the Eukrates feels even more keenly than we do that justice must be done. Do not forget yourselves."

They quietened down and murmured apologies to Cordelian, and Tokropos spoke up.

"Highness, you know this is wrong. We all know how much sway you have with the Doukar. Convince him that the empire must go to war."

Cordelian doubted she cared about the honor of the empire. A woman like this always knew how to become rich from war. She could make thousands just from selling grain to the army.

He shook his head. "I have tried many times. His Exaltedness is tired. Our losses have taken a toll on him, and he believes the imperial family is ill-fated, and war will only end in further disaster."

"Perhaps we can speak with His Exaltedness directly?"

"Yes, let's go speak with him." One of the younger patros butted in.

"At this moment His Exaltedness is…indisposed," Cordelian said.

"What could be more important than this?" One of them asked.

Cordelian feigned a pained expression. "I believe he is currently with the young lady Munas." This caused more angry mutterings.

"The Milem is dead and he's fooling around with his mistress?"

"Does he even care about ruling?"

They were calmer this time, but no less unhappy. He heard a whispered comment that Fornulus was a drunken buffoon. How amusing.

"The Doukar is weak. How can a weak man rule the Empire? We should find someone else who can."

He spoke sharply to the young patros who said that. "What you have just said is very nearly treasonous." Appearances must be maintained. Best not to set any precedents he wouldn’t welcome when he was Doukar.

Their chattering stopped as the young man realized he had gone too far.

"Forgive Leutiscios, Your Highness, he spoke out of turn. But he only said what we all think. What the empire thinks. Doukar Fornulus is failing us. He cannot lead the Empire to triumph." At least Tokropos had a spine. Nothing would happen if nobody pushed.

"I'll overlook it, of course, we're among friends here. I simply remind all of you that my eldest brother is the rightful Doukar. It is our duty to follow him as long as he lives."

"And after he dies?" Tokropos pushed.

"Then someone else will be Doukar. No doubt the child of Lady Munas. I imagine they will get married at some point, after all."

They didn't like the idea one bit, nor did Cordelian want them to.

"What if he dies without having more children?" Tokropos asked. How bold of her.

"In that case, much as it pains me to think about the death of my beloved Doukar, my sister Princess Theodorian will rule. She is the eldest."

There were whispers throughout the room. Cordelian heard somebody mutter to a fellow "it should be him."

"Without Meronion, who else but him?"

"Theodorian cannot be Doukar, it would be another Sabrian crisis when she dies without an heir."

"Prince Cordelian helped my father you know. He's always been a friend to us. We can trust him."

Yes, he was the only reasonable choice, wasn't he? All those long years of helping the patros and being useful to them were finally going to bear fruit. He pretended to ignore their whispers, but he knew by her evaluating look that Tokropos wasn't fooled. She saw his game fully at last. Well, this woman was somebody who would be driven by calculations of profit and self-interest. She wouldn't mind him getting what he wanted, provided she got what she wanted, and he would make sure she did. He hadn't gotten this far by neglecting his allies.

"The Doukar has been overthrown before," she said, heedless of his previous warning. There were gasps in the room. She was too blunt.

He was equally blunt. "I think it's time I remove myself from this gathering before I hear anything else you all may regret saying."

He swept out of the room in a dramatic fashion, while some of them blubbered their loyalty and called for him to come back, no doubt terrified he would tell Fornulus what they said. Let them sweat, it would make them all the more grateful when he overlooked their indiscretions.

Tokropos was a direct person, and she needed to learn to temper that tendency at least a little. The empire was not a place where directness triumphed, as Meronion’s fate proved. A coup was the wrong move, as it would call into question his legitimacy. Historically, Doukars who came to power in coups were often removed in just the same way. His surviving siblings, while no match for him personally, would work well enough as a figurehead if one of his rivals wanted to depose him. Nikolonium would welcome the chance. His younger brother may have been a rash fool, but he had the support of the church. Their support wasn't equal to the support of the patros or military, but it was a powerbase of sorts that someone more intelligent than him could build on. Furthermore, a coup required the use of the army, and he wasn't entirely sure of his grip on them. Their loyalty had primarily been to Meronion, and he'd never proven himself to them as she had.

"Your Highness, forgive my speaking out of turn." Tokropos followed him into the corridor and bowed in apology.

Tokropos would be vital, if directed in the right way. He could use someone like her now that Euphastolon wasn't around. He looked up at the ceiling, not meeting her eyes, and offered her a helping hand.

"The Doukar has been drinking a great deal. I worry for his health."

"Yes, all the court is talking about it. It's unfortunate. People like that don't live long." Good, she understood his drift.

"He's always complaining his wine isn't strong enough. It's tragic."

"I can have some excellent Ouzo, imported from the South, sent to the Doukar. It's exceptionally strong. I'm sure he'll like it."

Cordelian smiled. "What a thoughtful gift," he said. She really was a ruthless one. That suited him, for now, but he would have to keep a close eye on her once he became Doukar. He didn’t care for allies who could so easily turn against their Doukar. Not when that was him, anyway.

After some pleasantries, he politely took his leave. The patros were easily manipulated. Without Meronion, he had no major obstacles in his quest to claim the Thirty Crowns, if he continued to be patient and careful. Fornulus would drink himself to death soon, and if it started to take too long, well, ways could be found to encourage him along.

Euphastolon could be a problem. Once he heard the news about Meronion, he might expect to return to the capital, but Cordelian had no intention of allowing that. He was a danger to Cordelian with what he knew, and anyway his use was at an end. Matters now required a subtler touch than Euphastolon could manage. He already had the perfect ally for that, and for the rest, Tokropos would do.

He'd fob the man off by promising to recall him once he gained the crowns, but actually, he might allow his assassination soon. It had been raised to him repeatedly, and Cordelian was starting to see the sense in it. Euphastolon would be of no use to him once he was Doukar. The Doukar could legally order the execution of anyone they chose, so had no need for a thug like him.

He usually refused to raise a hand against the blood of Doukar, but Euphastolon had spilled the Doukar's blood himself. Truthfully, Euphastolon deserved death just for all his crimes before Vicca. Besides, the loose end made him nervous. He could wait until Euphastolon had fathered a child or two with Ionola, to bind Zeusis to the royal family. Once Euphastolon was gone he could call them to the capital and make sure they grew up to have sound characters. It might be risky to wait that long though. Well, there was no need to decide right away. With Meronion gone the risk was much reduced.

For all these years Meronion had been a thorn in his side, and now she was dead, and his life was so much easier. It was Braxalus all over again.