“There’s quite the crowd,” Kian said, peering in between the curtains to get a glimpse outside.

“I didn’t ask you for your opinion. The people came to hear me, so of course they would fill the plaza.” Kalim rolled his eyes. Alas, it fell to him to look after his younger brother and see to it he made something of his life. In a few weeks, when the whole affair settled, he could send him off to the province where he could rule over farms and the like. Real men, leaders, seized an opportunity when they saw one.

Markus proved to be a perfect opportunity when his network of informants let him know of the satrap’s displeasure with the emperor’s rule. A few shared words and promises were enough to sway him over.

People liked to believe they were destined for greatness. As long as Kalim played along, he could use the man’s beliefs against him.

“Why don’t you do something useful for a change and help me fasten the cloak,” Kalim said, admiring himself in the mirror. He kept his dark hair neatly trimmed and enjoyed breaking women’s hearts with his smile.

Kian obeyed him and helped fasten the white cloak with the hawk-styled brooch to his shoulder. He bowed and cowered back to his corner.

“Stay behind me and don’t you dare interrupt me,” Kalim said, moving to the curtain. He narrowed his eyes at his younger brother to make sure he drove the point in before stepping outside.

The sun blared down with an intensity that would keep animals away until darkness. Most people wouldn't leave their homes at this time of day either but Kalim knew how to draw a crowd. He picked up a bowl he had prepared on the balcony and began showering the crowd with handfuls of coin. It was important to him that the people saw him give out the coin and not someone in his service.

"We served the Shah and spilled our blood in his name," Kalim said, raising his voice. He clenched his hand in the air as if he were squeezing a fruit dry in front of the crowd. "We listened to what the so-called emperor had to offer and I tell you it was not in our interests! The only people who care about the Ruz are the Ruz themselves. Gone are the days of our servitude. We don’t intend to push anyone in front of a carriage but we have all earned our place in the universe. From this day onward we serve none but ourselves and act as equal partners with our friends with whom I have forged a powerful pact."

Attia appeared beside him and gave the crowd a curt bow for which she received ample applause. The bronze-skinned warrior glanced over her shoulder at Kian and gave him a knowing smile.

Kalim frowned but quickly drew the attention of the crowd to the skies where his silver dragon circled above them. He was still small but in a matter of months he’d be fully grown and become a further piece on Kalim’s board.

Today he ruled over Ruz, tomorrow Sumhara and the rest would be up to his imagination. He shared a smile with crowd and waved to them.

With the public announcement ended and Kalim turned his attention to politics. As much as he waned to be in complete control of everything, he still relied upon others to help carry the burden.

The League of Independent Worlds was his solution to the empire. They could have their liberty while also holding a united front against imperial forces. Once the empire was pushed aside, they could mop up the rest of the worlds.

“Come take a seat and be my guests,” Kalim said to the other members. He sat opposite Lord Bijan with Kian sitting beside him.

As servants went to work distributing the food and filling up drinks, Lord Telium turned to Kalim.

“Farid and Parsa haven’t responded to my messages. I’m beginning to worry about their well-being.” Telium folded his hands and looked to the other members. “This pact you’ve made with Markus is on bad terms. I can’t imagine any man letting another take away his wife. He’ll come for us.”

“Bad terms?” Kalim repeated. “I let him keep Mitra, by the Pillars. He should be happy we let him live after he turned against us. We’ll give him some time to cool his mind and come to terms. It’s better to have him on our side, than against us. Adelaxia is merely a guarantee he doesn’t begin to second-guess his decision and I’ll return her to him once the transition is completed.”

“Very well, but I don’t approve with any of these methods. They are without honor.”

Kalim began slicing an apple into pieces. “I understand your concern but look how far it has gotten us. We hold all the power in the universe and even if Markus should dare raise a hand against us once more, we will finish him off with ease.”

“We should have finished him off on Aequilla,” Lord Bijan said in a firm voice. As a military commander in the Magi Wars, he had an air of authority to him and valuable insights Kalim intended to use in their second phase of operations. “Allowing him to live will grant him time to rally his forces and position himself as a victim. He has not pledged himself to the league.”

“The empire has been mortally wounded. If he decides to stake his life to the old system, he’ll go down with it,” Kalim said. “We are fighting for freedom and best interests of our people. Markus Relius is the traitor who killed his emperor. The Inner Realm will never allow themselves to be ruled by one of us, which is why it’s better to have Markus rule as our ally. One we can control.”

“I trust you,” Javed said, leaning forward with an eager expression crossing his lips. “The question is, what are we going to do with all the worlds we have just liberated?”

“Spread the good word, of course,” Kalim said, he turned to Kian and told him to retrieve this material from the study. “There are plenty of records dating back before the Shah’s conquest. They reveal an entirely new perspective on the universe and the boundaries of the olden days. We should take these worlds back into our care and rule them as guardians for the time being. A fair share between all of us present.”