Firebrand

New Quarters

Martel looked up, seeing Eleanor and Lara in his study. “Both of you. This must be important.”

The prefect handed over a small bundle of parchment. “A list of the northern emissaries. The first sheet shows their names to help you familiarise them. The remaining contain more detailed information about them and their regions. Anything we thought might help you.”

Martel accepted the bundle. “I suppose I should prepare as much as I can.”

Eleanor nodded. “They will arrive soon. We should all make our preparations.”

His eyes glanced over the lists. “Six representatives from the provinces and three commanders?”

“Indeed, captain. Each province outside our control except Nordmark. Helena of House Honorius, legate of the urban legion of Aquila, has been chosen as captain prefect. Your counterpart,” Lara elaborated. “The other two have some influence, especially Legate Miles of the northern legions, but she is the one to sway to end the civil war peacefully.”

“I guess his fate was sealed when his parents named him that,” Martel mumbled. “The other legate is called Alexia, and the representative from Anvallum is Alexius. Strange coincidence?”

“They are siblings,” Eleanor told him. “Her legion defends that province. Whatever their opinions, you may expect they will be in agreement.”

“And he is one of the magistrates to persuade. Anvallum, Aquila, and Marbury are what matters.” Lara pointed at each of their names on the list. “The smaller provinces will follow their example, I am sure. But that is all explained in the additional pages.”

“Alright.” Martel took note of the names before leafing through the small bundle, glancing at the other pages.

“They will have to be housed in the Imperial palace. There is no better place we can herd them all together and keep them under watch,” Lara claimed. “It is also the most suitable place for the negotiations to take place.”

“Sure. Have it seen to.”

“You should move there as well,” she suggested. “Discussions might last late into the night only to resume next morning. It will also allow you to be close to the envoys for intimate talks.”

An expression crossed Martel’s face. He felt weird about staying in a palace so lavish while his soldiers stood sentinel on the walls in the winter wind and slept on simple cots. “Is it necessary?”

“It is preferable,” Eleanor replied.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

He looked from one to the other. “Well, I know better than to argue with you both. Will you be there as well?” His eyes came to rest on his protector.

“Of course. I will be by your side throughout the negotiations.”

“We can have the fifth and sixth cohort assume their duties in the palace. Act as a form of Praetorian Guard,” Lara considered. “I will remain here, coordinating our troops and handling minor matters as usual.”

“Fine.”

“Another matter,” she continued with a touch of hesitation. “We have kept every member of the High Council under house arrest since our arrival. It might look like intimidation to the envoys. We want it to seem like the nobility supports your Senate.”

“Whether they do it or not,” Eleanor inserted.

“Alright. Pull our troops away. Let them prowl the streets as they wish. Not like it prevented them from conspiring against me,” Martel remarked. “But the emperor and his family stay in the fortress. It’s not a secret he is our prisoner. We won’t pretend otherwise.”

“Of course, sir.” Lara bowed her head. “What of Duke Cheval and Duchess Trior? They are to be present for the negotiations. Should we allow them to stay at the palace?”

“It would let us keep an eye on them at all times,” Eleanor considered.

“Fine. Anything else?”

His legate smiled at him. “Nothing other than you should pack your belongings.”

***

The next day, Martel and Eleanor moved house. The Imperial palace had extensive living quarters to accommodate not only the emperor, but also nobility, courtiers, and visiting dignitaries. With the court drastically reduced in size, it was easy to find chambers. Martel received a wing with his room next to Eleanor’s, easily guarded by his soldiers. Similar was prepared for the duke of Cheval, the duchess of Trior, and all the arriving envoys.

Martel did not bother with the bed on his first night. He had everything from his room at the fortress brought to his chamber, including his cot and soldier’s blanket. The servants watched in distress at seeing such furniture installed in a place of exquisite beauty, where even a bedpost had complicated carvings as ornament.

Martel did not see the point of that. When he closed his eyes to sleep, no amount of artistry would make a difference to the quality of his rest. Only the softness of his mattress or rather lack of same. He still found it hard to fall asleep when surrounded by complete silence, but a solution presented itself, as his chamber had a hearth. Martel simply set a few logs aflame, and the crackling of the fire provided him with the disruption of the quietude he needed. All in all, Martel slept well in the Imperial palace.

***

Taking a break from his duties as ruler of the city – he would soon only have time to deal with the envoys anyway, leaving Lara to deal with other matters – Martel spent a day walking the halls and grounds of the magnificent complex built to be the home of one man.

The Dome of Stars, appropriately, showed only a blue sky during the day. Martel looked outside to find that it was cloudy. He realised the enchantment did not actually replicate the night sky as it was currently; rather, it showed the dance of the celestial objects according to a star map. Of course, that corresponded to how the actual stars moved across the firmament, but should a comet appear, for instance, the dome would not show this.

Walking outside, he saw gardeners everywhere tending to the grounds. He imagined that they did not recognise him and simply took him to be another prefect among many, wearing that uniform; they continued with their work without signs of apprehension at his presence. Martel saw no reason to disturb them either; he appreciated the fruits of their labour, creating a beautiful space of green in a city dominated by stone and grey. It seemed a shame one had to be emperor or in his favour to be allowed to enjoy it.

At length, he returned to his chamber and the notes provided to him concerning the emissaries. Tomorrow, they would arrive.