Cirrin’s blue magic blasts past me, and I turn to where his pupils remain widened as he stares upward, confounding me with his behavior as he acts so far out of character, but also dissimilar to anyone given such a high dose of the flower known to enhance one’s emotions.
My lungs constrict as I follow his line of sight to where Sal sways in place, with the gold rail before him being the only thing keeping him from falling forward.
I send Varic a thick ribbon of urgency, needing him to shield the betrayer to keep him from befalling some accident which would call attention to my Guards’ involvement. Especially with this being the last complication we need when we mean to leave this place.
“Today we commemorate the noble actions of our first Emperor Aldo,” His Majesty begins. “Whoso earned our right to reside in this land by valiantly tracking Mythsea’s Dragon egg through treacherous dwarven territory. With the power of his force magic he so famously trained in alone. Being the first to forgo the use of all other forms of inborn magic so he could strengthen this ability above all others. Thus allowing him to capture the egg from the snatchers, to then safely return it to its mother. An endeavor which the Dragon Elders honored by offering a title and reign in the land they govern.”
I narrow my eyes at the Emperor after he gives such a lengthy speech without so much as a shaky breath, nor the cough which I have not witnessed him engage in once since we left Annovia. Along with his straightened spine and increase in stamina, I can’t help but feel the prickle of suspicion with these changes having taken place without his healer, Mille, possessing the ability to induce any of them, coupled with the fact I have rarely seen him imbue the Emperor since we have returned to the Palace.
His Majesty seems to be full of vigor as he peers out into the crowd, pausing to consider every section of citizens, apparently happy with what he observes as my magic detects his mood remaining stable.
“However enterprising, Emperor Aldo lacked the vision required to expand our dominion! His theory to strengthen the highest form of inborn magic was wasted on his generation, and every other after them—until now!”
I stare in disgust at how his skin now appears to be more luminous than any healer has ever been able to achieve in him.
“We will not allow our power to be wasted! We will never need to trade or barter for any more goods when every resource in the Continent will be ours to begin with!”
My pulse purrs, as if the blood in my veins is unable to move the same. I turn back to look at my Guards, who do not seem to be noticing anything outside of tormenting Sal.
“With the combined power of our sorcerers, we will colonize the Continent!”
Every muscle in my body quivers as he proclaims this so publicly. And though he has never hidden his thirst for power, something about the confidence in his tone is unsettling in a way it hasn’t been any time before this.
“We cannot rely on trade negotiations forever, nor on the proclamations from other lands. We will not need to play their games for much longer, as we will finally take control—for the good of all!”
Every one of my Guards shakes with tension, perhaps with the regret of not risking everything to rid us of the tyrant when we had the chance.
“We will not live in fear, not when our own benefactors—the most ferocious beasts to have ever existed—are not allowed to cross any of our borders without starting a war among Dragons.”
His mere mention of the possibility feels like icy water has been poured straight down my spinal column.
“An agreement made before my time, which controls the most majestic beasts of all, forcing those who provided our ancestors with such kindness to remain within the lines denoting our land. It has gone on long enough; now that we are in possession of such power as to abolish them all.”
What power? Does he mean me and my Guards? And does he really think it best for us to waste resources on a war we most certainly cannot win, since we magical beings are nothing compared to the might of Dragons?
“We will enable every being to roam across the whole Continent! For it is my firm belief that we must share the wisdom of our ways. We must ensure there is no more need to squabble over such trivialities as spices or minerals. We will raise every magical being in our custom of strengthening one’s greatest magical form, so their contribution to the greatness of the Ampara Deicra Continent will be one for the history books!” His white-knuckled fist pumps in the air to the tempo of the cheers rising from his audience.
The citizens appear sincere, without need for my influence, seeming to believe him and his message. Or else they are just as well-practiced at feigning fealty with conviction.
My magic feels depleted, yet I might be capable of subduing him long enough to tell those in this room the truth. To force him to his knees and make him face me. To keep him from seeing the audience as they await his execution, while I inform the citizens of how our government and military have become unsalvageable due to our Emperor’s lack of leadership. I could prevent this plan from taking shape, for it cannot mean anything good should he be capable of proceeding.
“Together we will create a unified Continent!”
Cries of celebration rise as high as the gray domed ceiling, increasing the pressure inside my skull with the urge to dissent. To reveal all he claims to be true as the delusions they are. Mere falsehoods forged from the fragile ego of a tyrant.
I could explain how our military has been used to increase his influence, and the strength he purports is mere fabrication—another way to distract us from noticing our crumbling foundation.
“Ampara Deicra will reign supreme!”
But would the citizens believe it? No. Because the truth is too unbelievable, regardless of the evidence I could present. No matter how much sense I infuse within the argument, their minds will deny it. It would be too overwhelming to learn this all at once, and since we do not have the luxury of time to convince them, it will be in our best interest for me to remain silent. Like I always am.
“All hail Emperor Aldritch!” They praise him and all his lies as he absorbs their enthusiasm with his hands raised in pride. “To Ampara Deicra! Our glorious Empire!”
My magic detects satisfaction blooming inside Varic’s chest. And the darkening ring of amber around his widened pupils is made even more distinct by the thick black lines drawn around each of his eyes. He stares up at Sal with a distant quality—which isn’t the effect of luss essence. It shouldn’t make him have such a singular focus outside of my safety. Yet amber, blue, and purple ribbons swirl from my Guards to surround Sal’s frame, with his expression shifting from frightened to nearly asleep, over and over again.
Panic engulfs me in its black cloud of misery, overtaking my vision and obscuring everything aside from what is projected inside of my mind?—
A thick haze of dust casting down over the Throne Room.
