1

It was already mid morning when Elwin finally opened his eyes. He could feel Livilla’s warm flesh cuddled up tight against him. He struggled to remember what had happened the night before. He could remember most of it, but there were large gaps after he had the Elvin wine.

Elwin sighed and lay there staring up at the canopy that covered the bed. The brightness of the sun that streamed in through the windows was forcing his eyes to squint. The strain on his temple did not help his growing headache. He felt like vomiting even though his stomach was raw and empty. He had drunk too much before, but this was a whole new experience for him.

A few minutes later Livilla stirred. She opened her eyes, her beautiful pale blue colored eyes. She squeezed him tighter and reached out a kissed him gently on the cheek. Her warm flesh made him hot.

“Ah… good morning?” He ventured.

“Good morning,” she said followed by a big sigh. She yawned and drew her long well manicured fingernails gently across his bare chest. Casually she asked, “Any idea what time it is?”

“There’s a pocket watch in my cloak,” Elwin told her. “Why? Do you have to be somewhere?”

Livilla did not answer. She got up. She was completely naked. Her curvy body was silhouetted by the gossamer curtains surrounding the bed. She looked like a work of art, like a marble statue come to life. Elwin remembered some of what happen last night once they made it back to the bedroom.

Livilla searched through his cloak. She found his watch. She looked over the brass carved face. “Is it accuracy?” She wondered. She climbed back into the bed next to him. Her heavy breast and pert nipples staring him right in the face.

“Of course,” Elwin replied. He lay back on the pillows and admired her curves. “I wind it up every day.”

“Wow, such an exquisite time piece!” She flipped it open. Inside the glass face was open showing all of the gears behind the hands and numbers. “Damn! Past nine, already. We’ve slept half the morning away!”

“Back on the farm I would have had three hours work in already. What’s the matter, you have some duty to attend to?” Elwin questioned her. After last night he was ready for more that morning, if she was up for it.

“We all have our duties Elwin, especial slaves!” She said rolling her eyes. She was no longer afraid to admit what she was to him. Things had changed since last night.

“I don’t understand. What’s it like to be a slave?” Elwin’s question had been nagging at him ever since he found out that she was owned by the Emperor.

“I guess that depends on the slave. I can only speak for myself. It’s not as bad as you might think,” Livilla explained. “Honestly, I enjoy my life here. In the past, times were hard. The war was a cruel mistress, but now that my master is Emperor… I have the greatest life I could have ever hoped for. I’m a slave to the most powerful man in the Empire. This is a gilded cage. I have an education. I can read and write, in both common and Elvin. I’ve studied history, philosophy and literature. I sleep in a lavish room and have free reign over the Imperial Grounds. I eat the finest foods and wear the best clothing. I have privileges that other servants, even servants who live in this palace, could only dream about!”

“And you’re a priestess of Al-Morah!” He added.

“Of course, any well-trained pleasure slave is,” she pointed out. “I have a great education in religion. I have studied the Fire Lord and the Grand Architect, but I worship at the altar of Al-Morah. Not to worry Elwin. Last night was not a duty or chore. I enjoyed it very much.”

Livilla leaned over and kissed him on the lips. Her breasts rubbed up against his chest. He could feel the stiffened nipples.

“My arm is sore, right here near the shoulder,” Elwin complained as he rubbed it. The pain was a distraction. It felt like someone had punched him.

“Having trouble remembering some things, are we?” She laughed. “I tried to warn you about Elvin wine.”

“I’ve had Elvin wine before,” Elwin countered. “But not like that. I think it was all the brandy that did it.”

“Look at you, the world traveller!” Livilla teased him. “Elvin wine is rare in the Empire, when did you get to try it?”

“In Domara, there’s this Elf…” He stopped what he was saying as he thought about her. About the kiss, about what Jax had said to him concerning Myra. He was starting to have strange feeling about last night now. He really wanted to see and talk to Myra now.

“An Elf? In the Empire?” Livilla questioned.

“Yeah, she was helping the sick and wounded,” Elwin explained.

“She?” Livilla questioned with a raised eyebrow.

Elwin nodded.

“I heard that Elvin women are exceptionally beautiful,” Livilla said. If Elwin did not know any better, he could have sworn that there was a hint of jealousy in her voice.

“Yes, but in a boyish way,” Elwin replied. “They are very slim. They don’t have the beautiful curves like you do.”

“Ah, you’re so sweet,” She said to him. She kissed him again. “Anyway, you arm, remember? Take a look.”

He tried to look, but it was hard to see from his angle. It looked like tattooed lettering.

“You have a tattoo now. See I have one here in the same place,” She showed him her small griffin tattoo on her left arm, the main symbol of the House of Frey. A symbol of her own loyalty to her master. She explained that some slaves got tattoos, but usually the just had a name tag on a necklace that they wore that identified the house they belonged to.

“I have a tattoo!” Elwin said stunned. “I wish I could see it better!”

“Hold on, I’ll fetch a mirror,” She got up and went to a large dresser. Her naked body gleamed white in the brightness of the room. He watched her with a wide smile and thought about the night before. That was one thing he could remember clearly! He thought. He was very grateful for that memory. He watched as she dug through a drawer until she found a small, polished silver mirror.

She brought it back and climbing into the bed once more. She held up the mirror so he could get a good look at it. The mirror reversed the image of course, but he understood what the letters meant.

“Wow, that is so amazing!” Elwin said as he stared at it. His feelings about were mixed. He never had a tattoo before. He had to admit it. He thought that it made him look tough and sophisticated. In recent years tattooing had become popular among warriors and sailors. Then when the aristocrats started to get little ones that show what house or class they belong to, tattooing quickly became a fascination for the masses.

“Avanti insisted that you get one,” she said rolling her eyes.

The mirror showed three letters, ORD outlined in black and filled in with red. Of course, Elwin knew that this stood for Order of the Red Dragon. But he was surprised by the other black letters above it, VFLF. The artistry was very good. The lettering looked fancy and elegant. Elwin had to admit he was impressed with the work. Just wait until his friends see this! He thought. Emerson will be jealous for sure!

“Verant, First, Last, Forever,” he said reading the letters. It was the most common and popular slogan in the Empire. Those letters were carved everywhere around the city, on the side of public building and at the base of statues.

“I know, you insisted on that one!” Livilla said with a chuckle. “That’s a classic soldier tattoo.”

“I did?” Elwin said with surprise. He did not remember it. “I insisted on that tattoo?”

“Yes, you said if you were forced to get one, you want something that was really yours. You told the artist to put the Imperial slogan above it. I felt it was very patriotic. I must admit, it compliments the other one quite nicely.”

Elwin just shook his head in amazement. I hurt a little like a bruise. He could not believe that he had a tattoo! It was so mazy! He thought.

2

There was a sudden knock at the door. They both froze in place. The two looked at each other. Livilla just shrugged unsure of who it might be. Then they heard a key in the lock. Instinctively, Livilla grabbed the blankets and pulled them up over her exposed body.

The door was flung open. In marched the head of the household, Marca, the Headmistress. She had two young servant girls with her. When the servants saw them in bed, they both cast their eyes to the floor, but they could not hide the smirks that crossed their faces. They held their hands behind them and waited for orders.

“It’s time to get up!” The Headmistress bellowed with a scowl on her face. Livilla knew her to be large dark-skinned woman with a no-nonsense attitude. Her job was to run the day-to-day operations of the Imperial household. She oversaw all the servants, who worked inside the palace and often travelled with the family when they took trips.

“What do you think Livilla? That you can just keep a guest this important in bed all day! There is much to be done already! Don’t you know that the Emperor is waiting down in the Great Hall for him?” The Headmistress said with a sternness that made Livilla shake. Elwin could feel her anxiety.

“I-I-I’m sorry Headmistress, I didn’t realize!” Livilla stammered an apology. She jumped out of bed still completely naked. She began to gather her clothing.

The Headmistress shook her head and scowled. “The Emperor nearly came up here himself. But I told him that it was beneath him. I reminded him that I’d do scolding and punishment details around here!”

Livilla quickly got her dress on. It was all wrinkled from lying on the polished oak floor all night. Her hair was a mess. She blushed with embarrassment and humiliation.

Elwin just froze, unsure of what to do. When in doubt, keep your fool mouth shut, he thought. That’s what Anna would tell him, if she were here.

“Sir Elwin, when you are dressed, please join the Emperor in the Great Hall. He will be waiting for you. Hopefully!” She said with a chuckle. She stared hard at Livilla as she walked to the doorway. “As for you young Lady, I really hoped you were smarter than this! I have a good mind to give you a taste of the whip. When was the last time you were flogged?”

Livilla stood in the doorway looking at her, horrified. She trembled in fear. Her voice was cracking. “H-H-Headmistress it was an honest mistake. Please, I beg you!”

“Well, you’re in luck today, princess! I don’t have the time for such things!” The Headmistress grumbled. She was a little disappointed. “But watch yourself around here or next time your luck might run out! Never forget that the Emperor gives me free reign over these matters.”

“It was entirely my fault,” Elwin blurted out before he even knew he was saying it. Livilla stood uncomfortably trying not to look shocked. The Headmistress turned to him and studied him carefully. Elwin continued. “I kept her here longer than I should have. She begged to leave earlier, but I wouldn’t let her. I will apologize to the Emperor when I see him.”

Livilla looked very relieved to hear Elwin’s words in her defence. She smiled and gave him a thumbs up. The Headmistress turned quickly trying to catch her, but Livilla pretended to look at her nails.

“Alright, maybe I overreacted… this time!” The Headmistress said, but it was obvious she was not totally convinced by Elwin’s claims. She knew Livilla better than Elwin after all.

“It’s quite alright,” Elwin said. He grinned at her. “Anyone could have made that mistake!”

The Headmistress grimaced. She knew she would not win this battle. She rounded on Livilla. “Well! What are you waiting for slave? Get to your room and make yourself presentable for the day! Make sure you brush your hair out. You look like a cheap doxie!” The Headmistress roared at her.

Livilla winced at the last comment. She hugged the door jam as a child would half hiding from a scolding. “I have my orders to entertain Sir Elwin as long as he is here at the palace.”

“You can resume your duty after his meeting with the Emperor. I suppose you’ll want to have lunch together since you have already missed breakfast!” The Headmistress spat. She pointed menacingly at Livilla. “Now go before I change my mind about the beating! The Emperor is waiting!”

Livilla disappeared instantly.

The Headmistress looked back at Elwin who was still sitting up in bed. “I don’t know why you’re defending her. It’s better than she deserves!”

Elwin said nothing, he only grinned at her.

“Ah, damn men! A tight ass and perky tits! Is that all it takes?” The Headmistress cursed and grabbed her own ample breasts pulling them up to accent her point.

Elwin got out of bed and approached he was still completely naked himself. There was a moment where he had to over come the fear of being naked before three fully clothed women, but he got past that moment and walked up to the Headmistress.

Elwin had a lifetime of hard work and training behind him. He was lean and muscular, the kind of physique that Verantian women seem to like. His chest was smooth lacking hair. His arms corded with muscles. With a shrug he said. “Well, I mean… I can’t think of a better reason. Can you?”

The Headmistress laughed. A deep laugh from down in her stomach. She shook her finger at him. “Alright, I get it. You’re bold. That must be why the Emperor likes you, I suppose,” she looked down briefly. She had too. She smiled as if Elwin had just made her day. The Headmistress told him. “I’ll post these two servants outside your door. They will escort you to the Great Hall when you’re ready. Don’t delay if you know what is good for you!”

“Yes, ma’am,” he replied.

The three left. As they did, Elwin noticed the two servant girls sneaking a quick look. It made him laugh to himself.

3

Elwin came away from the meeting with the Emperor clutching a dossier filled with documents and a deep sinking feeling that he was in over his head. The Emperor was asking a lot for him and had very high expectations. Elwin had to admit that the Emperor was what he claimed to be, a very ambitious man! Of this there was no doubt in Elwin’s mind. But he had his doubts about his own abilities.

Was it possible that the Emperor had made a mistake here? Had he overestimated Elwin’s ability to take on this immense task? Conversely, was Elwin underestimating his own ability? Elwin had run into Domara while everyone else had fled. Was he braver and stronger than he thought? Or was he foolish and lucky to be alive? Would he ever have any answer to these questions? He doubted it.

When Elwin reached the Great Hall that morning, he found the Emperor had not even noticed that he was late for this unexpected meeting. Instead, he stood in the center upon the great map, talking to one of his advisors. The Emperor wasted no time in laying out the plan. He handed Elwin a heavy leather folder wrapped with a braided leather thong. He told him, “Everything you need to know is contained in that dossier, so don’t lose it!”

Imperial Directive thirty-eight the Emperor had called it.

The plan was simple. The people of Domara were Elwin’s people now. He was their ward their protector and he had orders to take them on an amazing trek across the Empire and into unsettled territory. At first Elwin could only gape in horror as the Emperor explained that they were not coming to Verant City as he had originally hoped.

The Emperor held out a rosewood cane and began to tap out spots on the map as he talked to Elwin about the plan. He pointed to a spot by the Verant River several hundred miles north of the city. “Alright, currently the refugees are right here. That’s still two weeks out from Verant City. They are heading down this road here. I have a caravan loaded with supplies that should meet up with them in a day or two, probably right here. Not to worry Elwin you should make it back there in time to meet them.”

Elwin had to admit that he was glad to hear that he would be returning to his friends shortly. As much as he enjoyed the Imperial Palace, it was not for him. The comforts that the rich enjoyed were too excessive for his taste. He could not live like this everyday. He was just too simple of a man with his own simple pleasures.

He liked smoking his pipe around a campfire and talking with his friends about tales of adventures. He would rather train with his sword and share bread with his friends, than recline for a never-ending meal of exotic foods.

The Emperor assured him that Jax was leaving about mid afternoon and Elwin would be on that griffin.

Then came the dossier and the infamous Imperial Directive number thirty-eight. “This is your directive, understand?” The Emperor had told him. “It’s for your eyes only. Everything you need to know about this assignment is in that file. We have included other Order of the Red Dragon business information in there.”

Elwin opened it and flipped through a few loose pages as the Emperor continued to explain a few of the details.

He saw list of names of people who were traitors to the Empire, beneath the title it read to be eliminated. These were assassination list Elwin thought to himself. And that’s when it hit him. The war is not over. It never was. The old Getta loyalist had disappeared into the land. Now they were being hunted. How many lists like this were there?

Elwin was quickly told that he must take charge of all the refugees including the two ships that made it out of Domara harbour loaded down with over six hundred people. This was the first time that Elwin had any new information about the devastating event. He had assumed that no ship made it out in time. He was very surprised and happy to here that hundreds of others had gotten out safely.

The Emperor pointed to a spot down river that had a large bridge crossing. “I want you to meet the two ships at Deer Fields Bridge here. Then take everyone down this road here.”

Elwin looked surprised. “They aren’t coming here to Verant City?”

The Emperor shook his head. “Elwin, I’ve made it my life’s work to turn catastrophes into opportunities. I want you to set up a new colony. Right here,” he tapped a spot on the map in a territory to the east where the coast of the Verant Sea curved up to the north.

As the Emperor continued to explain to a wide-eyed Elwin Birch, it was a territory that had been surveyed three hundred years ago, but never settled. It was believed that the area has some very rich soil. Great for growing crops. He suggested to Elwin that he set up the hub of the colony somewhere on the coastline. It would be easier to bring supplies in by ship.

“If I may, my Imperial Majesty?” Elwin asked.

“Of course, go ahead,” the Emperor replied.

“Don’t we have a treaty with Heathlon that forbids us from settling this territory?” Elwin had remembered something that Selby had said to them when he was telling them stories about his hometown.

“Well now, you have quite the intellect, haven’t you?” The Emperor said with much surprise. “You are right, we do. But you see, this region is filled with valuable resources. We have had peace with Heathlon for twenty years. They are not going to raise an army and come after us. Not over something like this.”

Elwin questioned the plan. “These people from Domara are mostly miners and metal workers. I don’t know if they can farm.”

“Not to worry Elwin,” the Emperor said. “The survey also noted that the area could be rich in mining, especially on the south side of the Kessels Mountain Range. Samples of precious metals and iron ore were brought back by the second survey team. So, you see there is mining that could be done in this territory.”

The Emperor explained that Elwin was not being hung out to dry here. There would be a lot of support from the crown. This was an important project to the Emperor. He would keep close watch over what was happening with the new colonists.

“But how do I get two thousand people to follow me?” Elwin questioned. This was the part that was really overwhelming for him. He had a hard enough time trying to get five other people to follow him. Two thousand? Surely the Emperor was joking about this!

“Come now Elwin, you’re a knight now! You have Imperial Orders!” The Emperor laughed. “Don’t worry about it. Jax will be given a prepared speech to address the crowd. It will be made very clear that you’re my representative and that you’re to be obeyed in all matters concerning your directive. If anyone argues with you, show them the stern imperial hand that they know and fear, understand? Remember that you’re the law now. These people must be made to obey you.”

Elwin he must have still looked sceptical be cause the Emperor added. “Trust me. Once you assert your authority, they will follow.”

The Emperor explained a bit more of the plan by pointing out other places on the map. Once Elwin had met the other refugees at the bridge, he had to guide them southeast down a main imperial road. He warned them that the roads were far out in the wilderness and maybe rough going. He told him that another caravan should meet them right where the road crossed the Eastern Palantine Road.

“If you get there ahead of it, wait,” the Emperor stressed. “You’ll need the supplies since you’ll be running out by that time, understood?”

Elwin’s head was aching and swimming with all this information. When he admitted this to the Emperor, the Emperor merely laughed. “Not to worry Elwin! These instructions are all on page five of the directive!”

The Emperor continued with the instructions. He told Elwin that he had to meet one last caravan. He was to follow the Eastern Palantine Road south down to a point indicated by a tap of the Emperor’s cane. A golden thread representing the road glimmered from the light coming through the high second story windows.

Elwin nodded and studied the spot.

“I chose this spot because it was at the south end of the Kessels Mountain Range right here. The range heads north from this point, so a new road can be cut just south of it without having to pass through the mountain range. Make a road that runs due east until you come to this eastern shoreline here. This territory did not have a name, so we are going to call it Xander Territory,” The Emperor gave a little smirk at the name. “This whole southwest corner of the territory is yours to command. I’m putting it all under your control. Northeast of here is still uninhabited, by humans, but who knows what you find out there. You can expand where needed, but that could be years away so don’t worry about that too much right now.”

“Years?” Elwin eyes bulged. He never considered that this whole plan might take years to execute!

“Yes, of course. As I told you Elwin, you’re getting an incredible opportunity here. Setting up a colony will be years of hard work, but the rewards are beyond your wildest dreams. Think about it this way Elwin, if you do well, you could be a future Earl or even a consul. This is the greatest adventure you’ll ever undertake! The opportunities for advancement are beyond most people’s wildest dreams! Do you not like this plan?”

“No, my Imperial Majesty! It’s not that at all! It’s just ambitious beyond anything I could’ve imagined. I’m overwhelmed by the breadth of your plan!” Elwin replied. The words earl and consul spun around in his mind. Was it possible for him to move up so high in social standing so quickly? This just seemed too mazy to seriously consider. He clutched the folder tight in his hand. The entire plan at his fingertips.

Once again, the Emperor reassured him that everything would work out perfectly, but Elwin doubted it. He wondered just how realistic the plan was. There was no mistaking that the Emperor was enthusiastic about the plan. He fully intended to take the Empire in a new direction. But did he understand how difficult it was going to be? Elwin felt he talked too casually about outpost every thirty miles and areas that maybe infested with goblins and orcs. Elwin had his own experiences with such things, and they had ended with great tragedy and much bloodshed. Elwin though these were dangerous things that he talked about with such ease. It just did not seem realistic.

“Maps have been included in the dossier for you,” the Emperor explained. “Do you have any further question?”

Elwin was overwhelmed. Did he have a few questions! He had hundreds of them, but where to begin. It was a lot to think about and would take days or even weeks before it all sunk in. He did not even know what questions he should be asking. At least he understood the basic framework of the Imperial Directive. He started with the most obvious one, funding!

“Kindeller handles the money. Talk to him about it. He’ll set you up with what you need to get started. He’ll explain the taxation system as well,” the Emperor replied.

“Well, there was one thing on my mind, but it’s not related to this assignment,” Elwin said at the end of their long talk. He had been feeling guilty that day. It had been gnawing at him ever since he was knighted. Now he had to get it off his chest.

The Emperor sensed that this was important to Elwin, so he encouraged him to sit with him on the raise platform in back of the vast room.

“Look I know everyone thinks I’m this big hero or whatever I am, but the truth is I never acted alone. I had a party of loyal friends and family behind me the whole time. I couldn’t have saved all those people without them.”

“And now you feel guilt because you’re here in luxury and they aren’t, right?” the Emperor sympathized.

“Exactly.”

“It’s alright Elwin,” the Emperor said dismissively. “I understand how you feel. You think I became Emperor by myself? Do you have any idea how many people I had to get help from? The people I had to either charm, pay off or intimidate? What’s that famous saying? No man is an island. Truer words were never spoken. Why don’t you tell me about these friends of yours? I’d really like to hear about them,” the Emperor encouraged him to speak free.

Now Elwin felt stupid. Of course, the Emperor of all people would understand that no one stood alone! Elwin took a deep breath and began to speak. “Well, first there is my younger brother, his name is Rith. He’s young, but he’s the only close family that I really have. He has been incredibly brave.”

The Emperor nodded and looked very interested while Elwin explained his complex relationship with all his friends. He stroked his chin deep in thought and let Elwin continue without interrupting.

Elwin told the Emperor all about his cousin Anna. How she had followed them on their journey and worked her way into the group. He told him about his trusted and loyal friend Emerson. He also told him how indispensable Selby had become to the party of adventurers.

“So, there are four others beside you then?” The Emperor questioned.

“Well, the engineer we hired for the original mission is a Gnome named Rowdy Pinkerton.”

The Emperor laughed heartily. “Rowdy Pinkerton? Such a funny name! I’ve always found Gnomes to be quite comical. I’ve had a chance to meet a few and they have a good sense of humour!”

Elwin smiled. He had to agree that they were interesting. “Ah, since we are on the subject, I wanted to ask about engineers. I know nothing about building a town. We’re going to need engineers.”

“Well, just hire this Rowdy fellow. Would you say he would be up to the task? Did he know what he was doing?” The Emperor asked.

“I think so, he did seem smart, although he is a little pompous,” Elwin admitted.

Again, the Emperor laughed. “Oh, he’s a Gnome alright! They’re all a little pompous!”

“What does an engineer get paid? What do I offer him?”

“I think a permanent job at a hundred gold coins a month should be a decent wage for some one of talent. I will see that an official offer in included in your file. Gnomes can be picky about official documents and such things.”

“Alright, there was one more person that helped us greatly. Although it’s not official, I feel like she is part of our party. Her name is Myra-Lynn.”

The Emperor cocked an eyebrow suspiciously. “That’s not a typical Verant name at all. Where is she from?”

“Ah, well… as I understand it, she’s from the east coast of Gaia.”

“Is she an Elf?” The Emperor questioned. His voice had dropped an octave.

“Yes,” Elwin conceded.

“I see,” the Emperor said. “And what is her family name?”

“She claimed to be from the Deepwell clan, but all I know is that she’s a Forest Elf.”

“Ah, even worst!” The Emperor spat.

“Please my Imperial Majesty. She’s not like that!” Elwin protested. “She’s helped us out greatly. She saved a baby in Domara when the mother was killed by a hail of large stones. She has used her healing powers to save many human lives. I witnessed it myself. I wouldn’t lie to you!”

“It doesn’t matter,” The Emperor said waving it off. “Elves are still resented in Verant. I can’t give her any official reward as I can the others.”

“That’s disappointing. I feel she deserves one,” Elwin said. Although he was happy to hear they were getting a reward, it was bittersweet since Myra could not.

“For all we know her last name is Shadowwalker. Those Forest Elves are all related anyway you know,” the Emperor stated.

Elwin still did not understand it. He did not feel like anyone should be judged on whom they were related to, even if it was true. No one had control over their own kin like that. Why should Myra-Lynn suffer for the sins of someone else? He thought angrily.

The Emperor must have noticed his disappointment because he thought about it for a moment before he sighed and conceded a little. “Alright, I can see it means a lot to you. I can give her the same monetary reward as the others, but she won’t get a metal of honour. I can’t allow it. I won’t do it. It would be a scandal!” The Emperor said shaking his head.

Elwin knew this was the Emperor’s last word on the subject. He could appreciate the Emperor’s position. The throne was not totally secure yet. He had only worn the crown for six months. Elwin thanked him for his generosity.

Suddenly Kindeller appeared in the Great Hall.

The Emperor wrapped up their meeting by saying. “Well Elwin. It’s been a pleasure meeting with you again. I want you to leave with this one thing in mind. Loyalty to me and the crown is the most important thing. Above all your other duties hold this one highest. Understand?”

“Of course, my Imperial Majesty!”

“Good boy! Remember your oath. I have a feeling we will be meeting again someday. From now on, you deal with Kindeller,” the Emperor now addressed him. “Kindeller, could you escort Sir Elwin to the tailor and see to his expenses? There’s some compensation to be handed out. I will need metals to issue along with rewards for services to the Empire. I’ll give the details to one of your assistants.”

“Yes, my Imperial Majesty,” Kindeller said.

The Emperor bid them both a good day and left.

4

Kindeller escorted Elwin downstairs, below the palace down long dark corridors until they came to a supplies area. There was a small room with a tailor waiting for them. Elwin was measured and fitted for the suit of armour that he would receive as an Order member.

This was new experience. In the past the Red Dragon Army always wore suits of red scale armour, but that army was dead and buried. The Order of the Red Dragon had its own new traditions. Elwin had a choice. He could have the traditional scale armour made from shiny steel and not painted or a suit of chain mail armour. He chose the chain mail. Most people did. It was lighter and more flexible. He could move much smoother in chain mail.

In the past Red Dragon Army soldier had to pay for their own armour which was deducted from their wages. Now the armour came as part of the position and the Empire paid for it. Of course, there were far few Order members. The tailor told them it would be one or two months before the suit of armour was completed, but it would be strong and last a long time. He told Elwin that Order members always got the best, the highest quality that could be offered. He should wear it proudly.

They thanked the man for his time and returned to Kindeller’s office to sort out the money. Once again Elwin found himself sitting in one of the comfortable chairs in the dust old room.

“Now I have some documents here that explain everything, so this should be straight forward,” Kindeller sat down behind his desk. He put on a pair of reading glasses and started to explain all the payments and what they were for. He handed a copy of the document to Elwin as he explained. “Firstly, was the assignment you were on for the Empire when you went to Domara in the first place. The second half of the payment was never made for obvious reasons. Twenty-five gold each for five people. We will pay for that since it wasn’t you fault the assignment could not be completed.”

“Thank you, my Lord. It will be greatly appreciated. My friends and I aren’t wealthy,” Elwin said. It was true of course they did not much on the way of coin. There were so many expenses that kept creeping up.

“Indeed, next is the imperial reward for acts of heroism. Each party member will receive a metal of honour, a document signed by the Emperor himself and grant of fifty gold coins each. The Elf will only get the money, of course,” Kindeller pointed out. “I also have an official copy of the offer extended to the engineer, plus the first two months advance payment. That will come to a hundred gold in total.”

“Wait,” Elwin said. Something did not seem right here. “Ho do you know about my friends or about the Elf? I only just told the Emperor that.”

Kindeller sat back in his chair. “Elwin do you remember a short while ago there was an incident you were involved in where a young boy was killed?”

“Yes, of course,” Elwin replied. It was not something he would soon forget.

“Well, you called and spoke to the city guard, correct?” Kindeller questioned him.

“Yes,” Elwin replied again.

“Well, the city guard filled out a report,” Kindeller explained. “I read the report and it details you and your friends in it as well as your account of what happened.”

Elwin suddenly had a thought. “Did the Emperor read that report?”

“It was presented to the Imperial Council, so yes, he is aware of it,” Kindeller related to him.

“By the Gods!” Elwin said to himself. A few things were starting to make sense. The Emperor knew who Elwin was long before he ever arrived here.

“As for your little Elvin friend… Well, I had a conversation with Jax about what happened when he found you. He filled me in on what he could remember,” Kindeller explained. “Now, shall we continue?”

Elwin nodded. He looked at his own document and read along as Kindeller continued to explain the figures and calculations. “Next is the Order salary. You get one hundred and twenty gold with which to pay anyone in your service. I recommend about four people at about thirty gold a piece. Every month the money will be sent to pay for them. Now if we add that all up you will get about seven hundred gold now to cover all those expenses.”

It was a staggering amount. Elwin had never seen that much coin before. He had to hand out a lot of it to others, but in total it was a lot of money to have to carry around and it worried him.

“Now there’s one more thing,” Kindeller explained further. “Since you’re starting a new colony, you’ll need seed money. Think of it as an investment by the Empire in the new land. Of course, the government expects a return on this investment. This money is a loan that must be paid back in proportion once the colony becomes profitable.”

“Ah, this business stuff is over my head,” Elwin complained. He squirmed in his seat. He was going to need a secretary just to keep all this straight!

“Well for now, whatever money you need, you will get without having to beg for it. But the Empire will own a piece of the land and will get compensation for it. A ten percent stake in the food production, we can draft soldiers from the able-bodied men if needed and twenty percent stake in all mining and mineral rights,” Kindeller said.

“Okay you’ve lost me somewhere. This is too much to learn,” Elwin said shaking his head. Elwin had no formal or special education in this area. His head was still hurting him from the night before. “I though I was a knight? This seems like a lot of business, a subject I know nothing about.”

“We know that Elwin, so don’t worry. I’m just making you aware of the basics. Once the colony is set up, we’ll send a clerk who works for the Emperor. That clerk will handle the money and the taxation. You don’t have to over see any of this personally. There is an entire pool of highly train accounts and tax officers that are kept just for this purpose. I’m just making you aware of all of this, so you know that the money comes with… Oh, let’s call it an obligation. Look the important thing to remember is that the colony doesn’t have to pay any money back until it starts producing enough to sustain itself. You dictate where the money is spent, so be wise with it,” Kindeller explained. “Now the first sum will be a thousand gold coins.”

“Wait, I’m already taking seven hundred with me and we are on griffin back. I don’t want to lose any of this,” Elwin objected. He felt his worries were more than legitimate, but they seemed to always be swept aside by people who felt his complaints were trivial. Well, they were not trivial to him. Carrying large amounts of money made him a target for bandits or he could lose it somehow while flying over so much open field and wilderness.

“Oh, this money will follow in one of the caravans. You don’t need it right now and we don’t have it, so it will be sent later as you need it under armed guard,” Kindeller clarified. “You’ll take the seven hundred now. The coins weight a tenth of an ounce so that many will weigh about four and a half pounds. That’s manageable on griffin back.”

Kindeller continued to explain a few more details, but in the last few days it had just been too much. Elwin’s pounding head just could not absorb any more facts or figures.

All these extra documents that Kindeller gave him just went into the leather-bound folder which was tuck neatly into Elwin’s cloak pocket once he got back to his room.

5

Elwin waited for Livilla on the balcony of his room. Out beyond the gates of the palace he could see hundreds of people going about their daily lives. He was still feeling guilty about staying at the palace despite his talk with the Emperor. His friends were all back with the refugees. The people were starving. His friends maybe starving! Yet here he was well fed, sleeping on a comfortable bed and celebrating in excess at the Imperial Palace.

This place was crazy! He thought. Even the slaves were well fed and lead a life of leisure here! But being here and enjoying the palace just all seemed so hollow without Rith, Emerson, Anna or the other friends he had made along the way. He was longing to go back to them. The palace was too isolated. Like an island in the stream of the city. People flowed around it, but few understood what went on within its walls. It was easy to forget the outside world. But he would not forget his friends.

He was also starting to feel a bit of angry arise at the injustices he was seeing. The city and government went about its business at a leisurely pace while people were thirsty, broken and hopeless just a few hundred miles away. It just did not seem right.

But then he thought that maybe he was overreacting. Maybe he did not understand it all. Maybe the Empire had responded, and he did not know it? Was it possible that things were going on behind the scenes that he could not understand?

The Emperor did sound very interested in what happened. They had even coordinated several caravans of supplies that Elwin was sure had been done at great expense. He had to trust that the Emperor and the machine of government did know what they were doing.

Still, the relocation almost two thousand people to another part of the Empire a thousand miles from where they came from, seemed daunting at its best and completely insane at its worst! Elwin thought he understood that the Emperor was looking at a much bigger picture of the Empire. A view that a simple farm boy could not fully realize yet, not even with all the new things he had experienced.

He still felt it was a lot to ask of simple townsfolk from a mining and logging community in the north, to take up fishing, farming and hopefully some mining in the far southeast.

To make matters even more complicated, the climate would not even be the same. Kindeller had explained it. That part of the Empire was more sub-tropical, like SeaSide, Marble Hills and White Cliff. There were palm trees and warm sea breezes. There would be no snow in the winter. Although it would still get a bit cold, for the most part it would be rainy during the winter. The growing season was longer and there would be more variety of fruits and vegetables.

It was a different terrain from Domara and even different from Salome Hollow. Elwin’s home village had a bit of snow in the winter for a month or two usually, but nothing too bad. Still his former home was far from a tropical jungle, more like temperate forest and fields. Kindeller explained that warm sea currents came up from the south into the Verant Sea. This made the shoreline region, especially in the south where they were headed, much warmer that the weather on the north side of the Kessels Mountain Range.

Avanti called it the greatest adventure of all time! Elwin was not sure if the term adventure really fit in this case. He thought the word challenge suited this assignment better. It would be the greatest challenge that Elwin and his friends have ever faced.

Now when it came to adventure Elwin still had a few tricks of his sleeve. He had an ancient map that warranted further investigation. There was Emerson’s ring and the whole mystery of the Order of the Blood Chalice. However, these things were quickly becoming secondary to the Order of the Red Dragon and all its power and obligations.

Elwin was ending his brief career as an adventurer and embracing his new roll as knight and servant of the Emperor. More power, certainly more prestige and hopefully more coinage, but would the work be more fulfilling? At almost nineteen years of age, Elwin had a lot of time on his side and a vast challenge ahead of him. The only question that remained was could he rise to this challenge?

Only time would tell.