“Excellency, Lord Kenaz is requesting additional soldiers to deal with the slave traders.”

Aryn gave a dismissing wave of her hand. “Please. He's been assigned to ending the slave trade for years and hasn't found a damn thing. If I send additional soldiers I'll send them with a new lord to replace him. His incompetence is an insult to the Empire.”

In the throne room advisers and messengers alike brought matters to Aryn's attention. Commoners came to her to request a resolution to a dispute between them and their neighbors. Members of noble houses asked her to pass judgment on fellow nobles who had gone back on deals with them. After twelve years on the throne these matters had become monotonous. At times, when a count or marquis would present a problem her first reaction would be to ask, “Again?”

Yet there was something different about this day. When Aryn had first gotten up that morning she had an uneasy feeling. There was a pit in her stomach and an anchor on her heart. Her every step felt like another step closer towards a punishment. Like a child called to face her mother's discipline. The birds outside the windows seemed to sing songs of warning. The shrill caws of the crows drowned out the robins' chirps.

Now that she sat in the throne room, handling one matter after another, the feeling only grew stronger. And then she saw Malachi, leader of the royal family's messengers, enter with a trembling hand and a furrowed brow. In his hand he held a scroll of parchment, and the seal was that of the March of Muri. Her aunt Nerissa sent the message? Muri was where Tamas and Khol were. Aryn feared the worst.

“Malachi, please step forward,” said Aryn, calling the messenger past the others waiting to speak to the Empress.

“Aye, your majesty,” said Malachi as he drew near. “This is from the Marquise of Muri. Terrible news...”

“Has something happened to Tamas or Khol?” Aryn asked and snatched the letter out of his hand.

“Not yet...”

“Empress Aryn of Arx,

“Over many generations the March of Muri has been the buffer zone between the Kingdom of Nihilus and the rest of Arx. By our people's blood has Arx seen security and peace. Only a generation ago did the forces of Nihilus tear through Muri and murder its citizens in mass numbers. We have not forgotten the atrocities these people are capable of, nor the fact that their very religion demands that we all die.

“Ergo we will not suffer a Nihilite or his spawn to be our ruler. As of this moment the March of Muri is now the Kingdom of Muri. We are now a sovereign nation, no longer a part of your empire.

“Please understand that this is nothing personal between you and I. I understand that your marriage alliance was simply an attempt to create peace. You're young and naive, and do not yet realize that there can never truly be peace with the Nihilites. There can only be subjugation. We will not have it.

“Sincerest Regards,

“Queen Nerissa of Muri”

Aryn dropped the letter and hid her face in her hands. Sweat beaded up on her forehead and tears filled her eyes. Her hands shook and her blood chilled.

Milo reached down to pick up the letter. Sarahi leaned in and placed a hand on Aryn's shoulder. “What's wrong? What did the letter say?”

“Your sister is seceding from the Empire,” said Aryn, her voice wavering. “She all but declares war on the Nihilite people as well. That means Tamas and Khol are probably trapped...”

Milo read over the note. “After all we've gone through she wants war again?”

“Enough marveling at it, we act NOW!” said Sarahi. “Aryn, with your permission I would like to take a battalion of soldiers to Muri. I will retrieve Tamas and Khol and talk some sense into Nerissa. Muri cannot be allowed to secede!”

“I say if they want to secede let them,” said Milo. “We just want our loved ones back. Let Nerissa know that the Nihilite people are under Arxian protection, and if she harms even a single one of them it will mean war.”

Sarahi shook her head. “If Muri breaks away we won't be able to travel back and forth to Nihilus anymore. Muri sits on the border and controls Ten Red Pass and all other roads into Nihilus from here. We'd be an empire cut in two.”

“I don't care about border control, damn it!” Aryn shouted. “Both of you, go to Muri with whatever soldiers you need and bring my husband and son back safely! Mother, get an audience with your sister if you can. Bring her back into the fold no matter what it takes. I will not tolerate anyone threatening my people with war.”

“We will do whatever is necessary,” said Milo.