Walking into the palace at the tenth period, Don Krispa felt a tightening in his abdomen and was not any more relieved when he observed two members of the Imperial Guard approaching him. He was alone, while members of his personal staff had suggested, even urged, him to take them, he had refused.

“The invitation is for me, just me. If you came do you think that you could get past the Head Stewards office? Not likely.”

“You are entitled to access to the Dark Lord.” One had pointed out.

“Yes, I am, but not my staff.”

“We should just turn up and tell the Head Steward that we are going in. He answers to the High Council anyway!” This one, a women from his home planet of Copura, sniffed.

Don Krispa spoke with restraint. “Head Steward Grada Karkart answers to the Dark Lord and no one else. He sees Him every day. Do you really think that it would be a good idea to make him angry at us?”

There was silence followed by some head shaking.

“I will let you all know what happened when I return.” Having said that he left for the palace, wondering if he would return.

*********

Going in the main entrance, the Councillor was met by the two Imperial guardsmen. They stopped and bowed.

“Councillor Krispa, you are welcome. Please come with us.”

“Thank you.” Krispa managed.

There was silence while they walked to the stewards’ office. It was just a fractions walk and Don Krispa was delivered to the Office of The Steward.

“Welcome sir. I will escort you to our Master.” Smiled Madla Dinsta. “The Steward is otherwise occupied at the moment or he would be here to greet you.”

“I see, thank you.”

“This way please.”

While he had spoken to Japua Conti, he had learned nothing of what had transpired between Japua and the Dark Lord so he was surprised when he was lead through a guarded door and into the private quarters. The corridors switched back and forth, bewildering him to the extent that he wasn’t sure that he would know how to return. He had known that the palace was large, but didn’t realise that it was this large.

Feeling an urge, he turned to his guide.

“I am not sure how to address you, but I need to use some facilities.”

“Not a problem, Councillor.”

Moving to another corridor, she pointed out a sign. “I will wait for you.”

After using the facilities, which Krispa noted as superlative, he took a breath and returned to where Madla Dinsta was waiting.

“Not far now, councillor,” she smiled, “and you may call me Madla or Ms. Dinsta, as you wish.”

As good as her word, Madla soon had Don Krispa at the Ante Room. The Dark Lord was waiting but no members of the circle were visible. Madla bowed and left.

“Councillor Krispa, good to see you again.”

“My Lord, I am glad to see you in such a good mood.” Got him a smile.

“Come, let us sit.”

Somewhat reluctantly the Councillor entered the room and sat in the indicated chair. Looking over at the Dark Lord he reflected that his Master was wearing the strangest clothes and would never be a person who set the standard for culture in the city. As well, like Japua Conti, he noted his sovereign’s almost nondescript looks, then he remembered the power that he felt when he took the Dark Lords hands at the oath taking ceremony.

The Dark Lords lips quirked in a smile. “Do you believe in me now, Councillor?”

“Sire, I have held your hands and looked in your eyes. Whatever I thought before you returned, I believe now.”

“So, and the plans you made with those now under arrest?” Came softly, the smile gone.

A chill permeated Don Krispa’s body. Just how much did He know? The thought ran through the councillors’ mind. He looked at the man sitting across from him knowing that there was nothing for it but the truth.

“Indeed my Lord, I schemed, I formed alliances, both with and against others. This was normal for the council, possibly even while you were in the palace. We are appointed to work on the part of our planet, our galaxy, our cluster as well as the Empire. This all has to be balanced along with our oath to you. None of this is simple. Yes, I was trying to take over the Council. No, I no longer believed in you.”

“So what changed?”

“You did, Sire. Your reappearance.”

“Explain.”

“Once you returned, even before you took the actions you did, it was obvious that it was impossible for me to deny your existence. The brilliant maneuver of having us swear allegiance publicly to you, whether it came from you or your staff, doesn’t matter, it is a fact. You are a fact. I told Tama when she visited me that night that I would not oppose you. My exact words were Count me out. I also told her to stop the generals.”

“So can I count on you, now?” The Dark Lord appeared unmoved.

“Sire, you can count on me for my diligence, for my support where it is appropriate. You may also count on me for my opinion forcibly expressed where necessary. I will be looking to the good of the Empire, but will also be exercising my duties to the people who appointed me.”

“I see.” The Dark Lord mused. “So, after all these years, you will be now working for the planet you came from?”

Krispa’s face darkened, the implied criticism stinging. “I have always had my planets welfare at heart, Sire, sometimes at personal cost.” The reply came with some force. He stopped as the Dark Lord smiled, then spoke.

“I will speak plainly, I expect you to fulfill your oath to me and to the Empire. I expect you to be a servant to the council, the same as the others. I do not wish you to be a cypher, simply doing what you have been told to do. As I have said to Japua Conti, what happened before I arrived, I am willing to leave in the past. But I warn you now, I expect full commitment to your oath and to your obligations. Do you understand?”

Don Krispa recoiled slightly. The power unveiled flowed over him and while he had spoken glibly to Tama Priestas, facing the reality of the Dark Lords power was something else. The nondescript man had vanished.

“I understand.” He managed. He took a deep breath. After a fraction he continued.

“Sire, I do understand.” He repeated. “But we, the members of the council do have to give you our plain thoughts, and not just through the First Councillor. We need to have the freedom to speak plainly to you.” He stopped, wondering if he had been too aggressive.

“And I will listen to you but that does not mean that I will take your advice. I have many sources of information and not always can I share them with you.” This was spoken in a level, calm voice. “At such times I expect you to carry out all instructions I give you. Can you do that?”

“I will try sire.” Came after a fraction. “If I cannot, I will plainly tell you and you can replace me.” Don Krispa stopped, then continued. “At such a time I would appreciate it if you would let me leave with my head still on its shoulders.”

With a laugh the Dark Lord rose to his feet. “If it is a true disagreement on principle, then I would have no doubt that you would.” The laughter faded. “Do not, however, play me false.”

“You have my word.” The Councillor bowed.

The Dark Lord stepped out into the corridor, waiting was Administrative Assistant Lea Cania. Don Krispa looked at her and wondered how she knew to be there however he had no intention of asking. He also wondered how one so young had come to such a powerful position. After all she was not even into her thirtieth year, nothing on a planet were the inhabitants could live for more than six hundred years.

The bow she gave the Dark Lord was answered with a nod and she turned to the councillor. “I will escort you back to the Stewards office Councillor.” Came with a smile. “Just follow me.”

The return seemed to be quicker for the councillor then when he arrived. Finding Lea attractive, he considered speaking and testing his charms on her. Just for a fraction. His instinct for survival held him back, the example made of the news organizations still fresh in his mind. Anyone this close to the Dark Lord would be watched over and any slight swiftly avenged.

In any case he had much to think about. The oath he swore, the conflict it raised with his contacts with the various businessmen. If they pushed him, what would he do? The thoughts ran through his mind. He straightened up as the pair reached the Stewards offices. It would not do for a member of the High Council to be seen to be slouching.

“We are here sir.” Lea smiled.

Too bad she is off limits. Krispa thought. “Thank you for guiding me out. I am sure that I would never have been able to find my own way out.”

“It was no problem sir.” Came the reply. She motioned to two members of the Imperial Guard. “These will see that you are properly escorted to your vehicle sir.”

With a smile and a nod in reply, the Councillor departed.

*********

As before the four Ladies stepped through the door leading inward from the ante room.

“That one is different. He did not bow to you easily.” Lady Andrea commented.

“Indeed not, if he can clear himself of the claim his contacts have laid on him, he will be of use.” The Dark Lord replied. “We will have to watch and see.”

Lady Andrea smiled. “I have the Imperial Guard watching them all for now.” They all started to walk towards the room they were accustomed to meet in. While they talked to each other, none of the staff they met understood, as it was their private language spoken.

The other three Ladies gave Lady Andrea looks of respect tinged with prudence. “Do they have enough manpower?” Asked Lady Luca.

“I raised that question with the Elder. He felt that they have sufficient.”

“Tell him to bring in another company.” The Dark Lord ordered. “One trained for surveillance and undercover work. Put them into the safe quarters that were established. Better to have enough on hand. We will be needing them soon, I fear.”

A look of concern crossed the Ladies faces. “So soon?”

“Not for the one, but for the other. Some of these business people, they have grown fat and arrogant. While most will be brought to heel swiftly and many are turning that way already, some presume to be greater than the Empire, and by extension us.”

The Ladies stiffened at the last part. The Dark Lord smiled inwardly. He knew that the last statement would bring a reaction. Prickly as could be, when others showed arrogance towards them, they could get downright nasty.

“Do not take their ignorance personally. If I took every slight so, the Empire would be a sea of blood. We must always be careful in how we handle such matters and be sure that the people involved are the ones that condemn themselves. Remember what the good Lieutenant Commander told us. Their arrogance will suffice to allow them to destroy themselves.”

The four Ladies nodded.

“So … our next move?”

“We continue to watch and wait. We continue our routine and allow others to work on our behalf.”

“And if that should fail?” Lady Dana posed the question that was on all the Ladies minds.

The Dark Lord smiled and turned to one. “Luca, is your sword sharp?”

“Oh yes it is, very sharp!”

They all laughed, eliciting startled looks from both staff passing and Ladies standing close by who did not know what had been discussed.