Lori was beyond surprised, the last thing she expected was that Cami sis Nep would want to approach the Dark Lord.

“I must speak to him!” Cami pleaded with Nurse Lori Janist. “I must!”

“Why do you want to see him?” Lori asked. “What do you expect Him to do?”

“There is something I have to ask him.” Cami insisted.

“What?” Lori frowned; this was not the Cami she had gotten to know. This Cami was scared but also determined, the planets inherent stubbornness showing.

A sound at the door of Camis room caught their attention. Lady Sydney stepped in from the corridor. Standing behind her was another Lady, Lady Sofia, she remembered. Both had concerned looks on their faces.

“He will see you Cami, but be warned, His mood is … uncertain.” When Lori moved to go with them, she stopped at Lady Sydney’s upheld hand. “I am sorry,” Sydney said, “but we were told to bring Cami only.” The three left.

For a fraction, Lori considered following them, but the warning about the Dark Lords mood held her back. She had only seen Him twice, once just after Camis arrival and next, when He seemed to have run into her by accident in the corridor. That had been quite enough to convince her not to risk his wrath. Even as she wondered, How did He know, the import of her conversation with Usher Heidi was now clear in her mind.

*********

It took less than a fraction for Cami and her escort to descend the two flights of stairs and reach the room where the Dark Lord was waiting for them. At the entrance to the room, Cami glanced at the two Ladies, squared her shoulders, lifted her chin and stalked into the room, stopped with her hands on her hips and opened her mouth to speak. Nothing came out as she was stunned speechless, the Dark Lord was asleep in His chair! Sydney and Sofia had exchanged smiles at first at Camis determination, but these now changed to startled looks.

Giving a soft laugh, the blue-eyed companion that both Cami and Lori had heard mentioned but had seen only once, was sitting in her own chair just reached out and touched His knee. The Dark Lords eyes flickered open and He turned His head.

“Ah, you are here,” He said, looking the trio over, “step closer Cami, I see that you wish to make a request of me.”

With uncertain steps, the young woman moved closer to the chair. She looked around, seeing that only the five of them were in the room reassured her.

“I was told back home that you can do anything, grant any wish, nothing can be hidden from you, nothing can stop you.” She stopped talking. Silence reigned,

The Dark Lord remained expressionless. After a fraction He replied. “People say lots of things. Most are just stories.”

“What I have said, is that true?” Cami persisted, stepping further into the study.

Again the Dark Lord delayed his reply. “In part.” He stopped and looked away, then looked back. “There are things I cannot do and things that I will not do.”

Cami stepped closer. “I want to ask you to do something. Will you do it for me?”

There was silence again. The Dark Lord seemed to be struggling with his answer. The three Ladies watched, caught by the drama of the moment.

“I will consider what you want, but you must tell me.” He finally replied, arms now folded across his chest. “Choose your words carefully and speak the truth.”

“Will you save my family and my friends?” Cami had reached the Dark Lords chair, and was gripping one chair arm with both hands. The two stared at each other. One in need, the other expressionless, but moving to a decision. The three Ladies in the room watched in fascinated silence.

“I will try,” He replied after a fraction. “But if they say no, I will not force them. They must make their own choice.”

“Even the young ones?” Cami spoke with urgency, reaching out as if to take His hand.

“I repeat, I will do what I can.” He suddenly smiled and took Camis hand, holding it for a fraction. Releasing the hand but continuing to smile, He told Cami to go back to her room. Cami gave a tentative smile and left the room.

The three Ladies exchanged glances then stared at the Dark Lord who was now standing.

“Well I have to go there some time anyway.” He said somewhat defensively. “And I may not be able to persuade them. They are a stubborn lot! Also, Cami, though she hasn’t fully realised it yet, has one more task to fulfill before this is over.” The Ladies just looked at him in silence. “Say nothing of this to anyone,” He added, then with a sigh, left. At his departing nod, Sydney followed.

*********

The deadline ruled by the Dark Lord and laid down by the ambassadors was at hand and no one knew what was going to happen when time expired. The whole task force was on alert for any contingency.

*********

In his crowded office, Trem de Markus smiled as he waited for the visitor he expected. While he had been one of Leves representatives, it had been an act. What Leves did not know, it had been kept from him, was that the judicial branch of the Scrutineers had just issued arrests warrants for Leves. The police were ready to arrest him but Markus had held them back, waiting for this moment. The men now with him were all of the high class and leaders in the community looked uncertain but resolved, trusting in Markus judgement. Sitting beside Markus was the previous Chief Councillor who had been working with Markus from the beginning. Without warning the office door slid open and the Dark Lord walked in, His eyes scanning the room. “Gentlemen, welcome,” He said as He stepped aside revealing Cam sis Nep and a Red Haired Lady. The men stared at the Lady, they all recalled the stories they had heard about the Circle of Ladies, one often mentioned was a Lady of uncommon beauty, crowned with a cloud of red hair.

Councillor de Markus however stared at Cam sis Nep. “But she was killed with a knife!” He exclaimed. The silence was profound as the other councillors switched their gaze to the young woman. Stunned, they saw that she was dressed in a brightly patterned dress and sleeveless jacket which, while the dress covered her knees, was still short enough to cause comment here. But the intimidating presence of the Dark Lord accompanied by one of his Ladies was enough to keep even these men silent. With her new found confidence, Cami matched Councillor de Markus stare with stare.

“I was healed.” She replied calmly, throwing a glance at the Dark Lord.

After a fractions silence, Markus spoke again. “What do you want?” He asked Cami.

“Freedom.” Was the flat reply.

*********

Before coming to Ti Lepus, The Dark Lord had gone to Camis room and spoken privately to her. He finished with, “Only you can do this, I cannot help you, if I did anyone watching will see that it is not you, not natural.”

Terrified, Cami crouched in her seat and stared back at Him, The Dark Lord, the man who healed me can’t help? The thoughts burned through her mind. How can I do it alone? “What will I say?” She whispered. “I don’t know what to do.”

“What do you most want, what questions have you being asking yourself Cami? Think of them and you will know what to say. Also think about what happened to you and who ordered it.” The Dark Lord replied. “What is the one thing you really want for your people?” He sat back on the couch he was occupying.

Surprised, as Cami opened her mouth to reply, the Dark Lord raised His hand. “You don’t need to tell me, I don’t need to know,” He replied, “the ones who do are the people of your planet.” He continued as He stood, “You need to get dressed now, changed into whatever you want to wear. Oh there is one thing I do suggest from personal experience that you do before we leave.” He pointed and Cami looked, made a face as she looked back at Him then walked into her bathroom, shutting the door behind her.

*********

On the command battleship Maiden Constance everyone waited. “Point one period to time, sir,” the navigator reported.

“Noted,” Captain Thompson, the ships commander replied. She glanced at Lady Andrea and Lady Dana and the slender Lady with light brown who was only known as the Dark Lords companion, then looked away. The Dark Lord had vanished, to where, no one knew. Also gone were four of the six ambassadors, without explanation.

*********

In his office, Chief Councillor Leves laughed, while secure in his belief that he had won, he could not completely disabuse himself of all tension. He turned to his senior military adviser.

“Any reaction from the Empire’s forces?”

“Nothing, sir. No raising of shields, at least not by the closest ones. These are the only ones we can read remotely from the transfer station.”

“Good, they will do nothing!”

His military advisor was unconvinced, but said nothing.

*********

“Time, sir,” the Navigator reported. General Major Dennus, the officer responsible for the ladies protection looked at the only Ladies present, opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by the unexpected appearance of the holograph image of Cami sis Nep. Not even the Ladies were able to react before the image opened its mouth to speak.

“I am Cami sis Nep and I was almost killed in the savage attack on my contract family the Dressilers, this was ordered by Chief Councillor Leja Leves. He is the leader of the agitators and is responsible for all the murders and my injury which came later.”

*********

“Midday has passed, Chief Councillor.” The military advisor turned to Leves and continued, “There is still no reaction from the Empire’s forces.”

Leves smiled. Then his smile vanished. “What is this?” He stuttered, “But she’s dead!”

His staff stared at him, some exchanging looks.

*********

Jean ne Pator, the Dressiler’s housekeeper sat at the large picture window. The family member who had inherited the dwelling had assured her that the position she held would be retained and her status improved. Looking out the window and remembering back when the Dressilers had told her about the Dark Lord and described his powers in a casual conversation, she knew that the family would never move in. Picking up the remote controller, she waited. When it started, she intended to open the window and step out.

She too thought that Cami had been killed as her brother had never told her the truth and was stunned by Camis appearance, this apparition changed her mind and she began to listen intently.

*********

Tension was, if possible, even higher on the bridge of the Maiden Constance. Captain Thompson glanced at General Major Dennus as she called for an update and watched the hologram speak. Absently she noticed that the Ladies had vanished.

*********

In his office in the Council’s building at Lepus Mal, Leves was sitting behind his desk also watching Cami speak. He had commed General Dennus and demanded that the transmission be cut and was shocked to learn that the Empire had nothing to do with it and was as surprised as he was.

*********

“I am telling you this because I have wondered about the ways our lives have been ordered for some time as I am sure that many of you listening have also wondered. I never talked to anyone about this out of fear. Fear that mine and my family’s status would be affected, and I am sure that many of you have the same fear.” Cami paused and took a breath.

“Well I am no longer afraid. I have been stabbed and healed. I owe my life to the Dark Lord who healed me and to him I owe a debt of gratitude I will never be able to repay. I also know that because of what I will say now I will never be able to return to Ti Lepus, but I will always hold it in my Heart.

“However I fear for my planet. I have felt the power that the Dark Lord holds within himself and tell you now that the legends are real! But I won’t speak any more about that, what I will speak of is the murdered family that I lived with. The ones that brought my contract with the Trigon Club.

“The mother and father were Cheaine and Rentap Dressiler and the day that they brought my contract was the happiest day of my life and the day that they were murdered was the worst.”

*********

Captain Thompson stepped away from the comm station and stepped over to where Dennus was staring at the holo schematic. Looking and listening to the ghostly projection, the Captain shook her head. “I don’t know how He did it and I am quite certain I don’t want to know.” Captain Thompson looked at her superior officer, “Everyone seems to be listening and there is a lot of comm traffic.”

Dennus spoke heavily. “I doubt that we will see any shuttle craft with people trying to escape, they just aren’t like that.” He turned away. “Any information as to what is going on down there?” He stabbed a finger at the display.

“Lots of comm activity and people moving around in the streets.” The Captain gave a wave at the display. “Other than that it’s hard to tell.”

“Any signs of unrest?” Dennus asked Major Hunt Van Houser who was monitoring the transmission from his station on the satellite.

“It’s already started, sir. This is totally unreal for the planet, I mean, there are people running in the streets and I mean all the streets!”

“Could this become a general uprising?” Dennus was taken aback by the strange turn of events and wanted to be ready for anything.

“Anything is possible right now sir. The attack on the Dressilers was broadcast live and got a lot of play.” The Major replied. “There was a lot of unrest and sympathy for them when it happened. How He swung this I don’t know.”

“I am certain that our Master has planned well and that he has a backup plan.” Dennus had not forgotten the conversation he had, had with the Dark Lord by the window in the palace. They stood for a fraction in silence.

“Captain.” Dennus turned to face Captain Thompson. “If you need me, I will be in my office. Gentleman.” With a wave to his staff, who quietly followed, subdued and shaken by the unexpected turn of events. Everyone wondered where the Ladies had gone and where the Dark Lord was.

*********

Cami had continued talking to the population.

“The Dressler’s were a wonderful family. I was scared when they first optioned my contract and then purchased it but they accepted me fully and wholeheartedly. Dinis their son and Kapat their daughter accepted me almost as family and their mother, Cheaine, was wonderful, their father, Rentap kind and understanding. They also accepted my family, my da and ma, my brothers and sisters. The day the Dressler’s all died was terrible, I have had help but I know that I will never be totally free of the horror of it.

“None of you can come close to understanding what I have gone through. I don’t expect you to, but I will try to explain it. Think of your happiest day you have ever had. I don’t know, say a walk with friends or family in the sun. Or rain, if you prefer.” Cami paused. “Then imagine that your day is ripped away from you.” Cami spoke in a harsh whisper as she brought her hands to her face.

Dropping her hands and taking a deep breath, Cami continued. “The blood, the sounds of the weapons, the swift horror it all, the shots that barely missed me, it was over so fast and I was running for my life because I knew that I was in bad trouble.”

Cami stood in silence for a fraction. Markus, who had watched in fascination like the others in the room, moved to cut the feed, but stopped when the Dark Lord raised his hand.

Lifting her chin up Cami continued. “Let us not forget to that many others were killed or injured by the killers, completely innocent of anything except that they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Killed because they were in the way! Others were also killed or injured in attempts to stop the killers. My heart goes out to them and their families.”

*********

Osterwald ra Tyrrel and his wife Sirian hugged each other as they listened to Cami. Their four children were sitting on the floor, eyes wide open as they listened. Their oldest a girl a few years younger than Cami turned to her parents. “Does this mean that I can do what I want to do now?”

Her parents looked at each other. “I don’t know Lanni, I don’t.” Osterwald answered his daughter.

“Well, I like her.” Lanni said. “She seems awfully brave!”

Osterwald stared at his daughter. Giving a swift look at his wife, he pulled out his comm unit and sent a message to the security company that had been engaged to protect what was now his company.

*********

Back in Libus Re, Jarmel, Yives and Dar is Nep all watched, surprised beyond measure at what Cami was doing. They stared at her projection and wondered what was going to happen next. Dar nodded with pride as his sister continued her talk.

“At least the others are safe, Cami saw to that.” He murmured to his parents. At the soft note of his comm, Dar nodded and smiled, “I was expecting you to call. “ He smiled at the face of Edek ne Fosker.

*********

Abandoned by most of his staff, Leves had painfully made his way to the Emergency Command Center in Lepus Mal. This was not a lavishly fitted out back up to the government’s main offices. It was just a set of offices with some communication links.

“Get me in touch with the Empire, now!” Leves was gasping. He wondered why he was so short of breath. Not enough exercise. He thought.

“Sir, we will try.” The senior officer, a member of the militia sat at a console and desperately touched icons on the sensitive touch screen. After trying for a fraction, he turned to the Chief Councillor. “Sorry sir, it is hopeless. I can’t get a signal to the next block, it appears that we are being blocked by someone.”

Leves took a closer look at the colonel. He saw that the colonel was quite expressionless, more so than any citizen would normally be. Were things getting that bad?

“What’s happening, tell me?” Leves demanded. “I am still chief minister.”

“There is growing unrest in the whole country.” Was the reply. “Just a fraction.” The officer listened then turned to Leves. “It appears that the council of ministers is meeting with Councillor Trem de Markus.” The Colonel replied. “At least that is the information I have just received.”

Leves stared at the militia officer, he had never met him before. “Look around,” the officer continued, “you pissed off the most powerful man in the Empire and this is just the start of what he does.”

“What should I do?” Leves felt suddenly helpless.

The officer just stared at him, face blank.

*********

By now Cami was in the finishing stages of what she wanted to say. “I somehow made my way to Nether West where I found some sanctuary among people willing to help. Men and women of Ti Lepus, ordinary people there who tried to help me but the agents of Minister Leves tracked me down. There was a battle and one of Leves men managed to stab me and left me for dead, or at least they thought that they did! They were wrong! The Dark Lord saved me and he healed me, just like he wants to heal everyone listening.

“While I was recovering I thought about the Dressilers, what happened to me, why we were all divided up the way we were. It is just wrong! People should be able to do what they want to do so long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else. Not be put into a certain type of work just because they are born into a particular class someone made up. It should be their choice, not what they have to. Some can be lucky, I was but I am rare and everything I hoped for was snatched away from me and people that I loved, yes loved, were murdered just because someone wanted power.”

Her hand stabbed out, her finger an accusing dagger, her final words were spoken with a cry from the heart. “Chief Minister Leves, I mean you!”

*********

Now alone in the command post that he had retreated to, Leves cringed.

*********

The broadcast ended, the people of the planet began to talk to each other. In as strongly structured society as this one it took a while for the fractures that had appeared to widen, but they did. In this case, it started with Jean ne Pator who called her family.

Jean had kept in touch with them all, especially her older brother, Ilari ne Pator, one of the acknowledged leaders in the underclass community. The discreet messages kept them informed as to what was really happening, things that they weren’t getting from the news media but information that Jean had picked up from listening to what the Dressilers had talked about amongst themselves as well as what they had told her directly. This had been quietly spread amongst several prominent members of the underclass who, on hearing what she said now, called a meeting.