Alsace entered the Emperor’s office. He had several scattered throughout the city, yet he was using the grander one of two he had established in his palace when she found him. He seemed most pleased with himself, she noted. Then again, he had drawn enough power from his subjects to summon another legion of Shimmer. Additionally, more and more of his subjects from throughout the Empire were arriving at his beck and call. Knights and Mages of great renown arrived every day, each with an impressive back story, tens of travelling companions and enough treasure to last her several lifetimes. Many were presiding over the training of the militias being set up from amongst the citizenry, a back up for the army apparently. Others were starting the tournaments which had sprung up around the city.

“Sit down.” He said, smiling. “I think I have some news you will enjoy.”

Alsace’s stomach dropped but she took care to make no evidence of it in her expressions.

“Marlow tells me your studies are coming along most excellently and Horace tells me that you have filled all positions in the Slum army. I am very impressed. I had no idea that you had such potential when I first took you in. Of course I knew it was a possibility that you would be useful, but not this much.”

Alsace felt the familiar rage which usually accompanied Eradin’s dismissive remarks rise once more. It was getting harder and harder not to react. But she would never let this man get the better of her, not in the ways that truly mattered. His face remained passive, with a slight grin. She mirrored him. He waited for a brief moment.

“You are too kind, your Majesty.” She forced out, though the words sounded natural.

“You are to be granted the position of War-Master. You are to be a general in my slum army.” He smirked as he spoke. “One of a very small number of women ever to do so in the history of Qursa.” He paused but Alsace knew it was not for breath.

“Thank you, your Majesty.” She bowed diminutively.

“Well you have earned it have you not? You will have permanent charge of a couple of units directly and have joint responsibility over the entire section comprised of the Slummers, when your commanding officer is not present. Which I imagine may well happen from time to time.” Eradin smiled.

“And who may that be, your Majesty?” She asked the question which she knew he wanted asked. Though she strongly suspected she knew.

“Well Horace of course. And in certain matters Dorota. You and him are getting on so well that I thought it would be a shame to split up the dream team.”

Alsace cursed under her breath. She had allowed half a hope that one of the several handsome and experienced heroes which had come into the palace recently would be by her side. Not that she would was looking. She still couldn’t do that to Jano though who knows, if he was even still alive, but at least she could have had something pretty to look at while she did the real work. “A fine choice.” She said through gritted teeth.

“Excellent, excellent. And then there is one more thing, we need to discuss your upcoming marriage.”

Alsace almost missed it. She wished she had. “I’m sorry, what?”

The Emperor looked at her with a different kind of smile. She quickly cleared her throat. “….your Majesty,” she finished.

“Why haven’t you noticed the influx of mighty heroes suddenly loitering around the place? I think it is about time we use your newfound status to finalise your place in society. Do you not agree?” He said the words so sweetly, that she could have spread it on a fluffy scone from the palace kitchens.

“Of course your Majesty.” She said with another curtsy.

“Good. I will begin preparations straight away. I have a potential suitor in mind, and don’t worry, it isn’t Horace this time. You may leave. I have some matchmaking to do.”

She gave a sickly sweet curtsy and turned quickly. Her footsteps thundered in her ears as she put distance between them. The office faded into the distance and her footsteps disappeared into a general buzzing which now filled her ears. Out of Eradin’s earshot she began to breathe fast and soon she was full on panting. She saw dots begin to fill up her vision so she found a hidden spot and lay down on a stone sofa.

What am I going to do? She thought over and over again. She buried her head in her arms.

“Is everything okay?” Marlow’s voice cut through the general buzzing. He was standing nearby and hunched over as though to try and hide her from any nosy passer by. She looked up to see that he was dressed in his usual shabby robes, no cleaner for being in the palace. She liked that about him, he didn’t seem to care for Eradin’s graces or sensibilities. Where others lay down their entire sense of self worth to kiss his backside, he seemed no more willing to add the airs to his words.

She looked at him and knew the tears would be obvious as they welled in the corners of her shimmering eyes. His aging forehead crumpled with concern in contrast to his bright green eyes. He put a reassuring hand on her shoulder, which almost led to Alsace letting go entirely. She pressed down the anger, the frustration and the fear. She took a deep breath.

“Not particularly, no. He’s marrying me off.” She said, her voice artificially deeper as she fought herself.

“Ah.” He perched on the end of the sofa and took a deep breath. “And I assume you’ve had no say in the matter?”

She shook her head, anger rising up again. It was unfair but what wasn’t in her life. They sat in silence for a while, then she started to grow more confident in herself. “Do you think there is any chance he will forget about it? Don’t suppose you’re going in there to deliver some devastating news?”

Marlow smiled at that. It was an oddly youthful smile, one which made her feel that he was on her side. As much as he was on anyone’s side anyway. “I’m afraid not my little apprentice.” He stood up slowly, his knees clocked as he did so. “But perhaps I may suggest that we should increase the frequency of those lessons of yours? Would you like that?”

“So I can fight off my betrothed you mean?” The thought brought a grim smile.

He responded with a smile of his own. He held out his arms and shrugged his shoulders. “Something like that.”