The Rise of the Emperor--The First Celebration

Siurbu 2174

It was the first day of the new turn, and the Emperor had invited the elders of the Elite for a celebration. He was also planning on returning the foolish boys who had risen up against his riders to their fathers. Eirathem watched as the elders of the thirteen houses gathered in the special pavilion that had been built for the occasion. One chair was notably vacant. The boy at his side said bitterly, "I told you he would come not, Casari. We are lesser sons. We matter not."

"Then," said Eirathem so softly only the boy could hear, "You shall remain with Casari'n and grow strong in your magic."

"Aye, Casari" said the boy sadly.

"Go," said Eirathem, "Sit with your brother."

"Aye, Casari," said the child as he made his way to sit upon the bench where the remaining four who had stood against the Emperor's riders nearly a year ago were sitting quietly.

The Emperor's councilor approached him slowly. "You are looking well this morning,Casari," he said quietly. Eirathem had donned an open robe of shimmering black over his riding clothes this day, his only concession to the sensibilities of the Elite about how an Emperor should appear.

"I notice," he said in hard voice, "one Hus {house} has chosen not to attend to me."

"Aye," said the councilor, "they believe that since I am of Sheyuhus'n {The sixth house}, there is nae need for them to attend as well."

"You are my councilor," said Eirathem, "if they wish a voice for husleu {their house}, they will attend to me."

"I will inform them," said the councilor gravely. He tilted his head to where the two boys from the eighth house sat upon the bench with the others. "They will fare better with you, Casari," he said. "I fear for their treatment should you return them to their family."

"How so?" asked the Emperor.

"Their father is most grieved with the eldest," said the councilor.

"They were quite foolish to attack Fehrahndineu {my riders}," said Eirathem shortly.

"Nae, it is not that," said the councilor softly, "He is upset that his son did not continue to support the heir of Teyuhus'n {the second house} when they were captured."

Eirathem's eyebrows rose, "The boy acted with wisdom, and out of care for his brother," he said.

"Aye," said the councilor. "But since the fall of the heir, he has lost favor with Teyuhus'n {the second house}."

"And that is more important than his sons?"

"Aye, Casari," said the man gravely.

"He is a fool," said Eirathem harshly.

The councilor said nothing else, calmly walking away. Eirathem heard a child running, and turned to see Taniva, the mundelihta {Munde girl} who had taught his Munde his ways running towards him. He folded his arms and glared down at her. "And does your da know your whereabouts?" he said sternly.

The child nodded eagerly, pointing to a ways off where his head patriarch was approaching at a much calmer pace. Eirathem watched him closely. Like all his Munde, the man's health had improved greatly over the last turn. "Are my Munde prepared?" he asked.

"Aye, all is ready, Maestir," affirmed Banim.

The Emperor returned his attention to the child standing impatiently in front of him. "And are you ready to walk at Maestir's side and show these Myende how an obedient, respectful mundelihta {Munde girl} acts?"

"Aye, Maestir," she said, "Bahnahfne mie mundelihta {I will be good Munde girl}."

"Ehte mion {You had better}," he said shortly. "Attend to me."

The girl ran to him, taking hold of his belt. The patriarch walked over to where the Munde were gathering, each according to the great house they had been placed in. There were some who could not attend, as there were tasks that could not be avoided, even on this day. But Eirathem had decreed that every child was to be in attendance. If work was to be done, it would be the adults who dealt with it.

The Emperor flicked his wrist, and his wand shot into his hand. With a thought, the wand grew, until it became his great staff. He banged it on the earth, grounding it until he was sure all on his lands would hear his voice. As he completed this task, the head of every Munde rose, for they knew this act well. Those not already seated hurriedly ran to their places and sat quietly. The Myende quickly followed suit. Only when the silence was complete, did Eirathem move. He forced himself to walk slowly and regally towards his great pavilion. Taniva looked at him curiously at first, but quickly set her pace to match her Maestir's.

The pavilion had one great chair at one end, resembling a throne, though it was much simpler than the thrones of the emperors before. On the right, sat two rows of chairs for the heads of the remaining twelve houses to sit. Normally, there was a Table of Judgment within the pavilion, but it had been moved out so that a bench could be provided for the boys he would judge this day. All of his Munde knew that should there be a need for discipline this day, the Emperor would be angry indeed.

For one of his goals for the day was to show the foolish Myende there was another way for the Munde to live. He had not attempted to end the rule of slavery upon the Munde, knowing such a deed would cause an immediate uprising of all the Myende, but he had changed the way the Munde on his lands lived. Each and every patriarch understood Eirathem's goals for this day, and they were watching their charges closely.

Once he entered the pavilion, he turned and faced the Elite. "From this day forth," he said, "Mona {the first moon} shall be known as Casariu'n {the Emperor's} Respite. I will begin upon the first day of siurbu'n {the turn}, with a celebration, such as we are having today. It has come to my attention," he continued, "That you wish to reconvene your council. You may have your council, however all requests will go thru my councilor. Only upon this day may you approach me individually with such needs as you have. However," he said more sternly looking upon the one empty chair, "those who choose not to send a representative to attend me on this day shall have no voice with me for the turn."

He saw the faces of the Elite darken, but he did not care. He banged his great staff upon the ground, saying regally, "Ahns secgaehn. Sprecaehnahtne. {It is said. I have spoken.}"

Afterwards, he turned the staff back into a wand in front of the Elite, placing it back in the leather holder that adorned his arm. He turned his attention to the girl who had stood quietly at his side, clutching the now threadbare doll she had earned nearly a turn ago tightly to her. "Mundelihtaneu {my Munde girl}," he said quietly, "what is today?"

The girl chewed on her lip for a moment, and then said, "Our birthing day, Maestir."

"Aye," said Eirathem softly, "It is the day my Munde will celebrate attaining another turn. And what do you think is most important about today?"

"Toys, Maestir," she replied eagerly.

"You are quite sure toys are the most important?" he asked gravely.

"Aye, Maestir" nodded the girl.

"Then," said Eirathem softly, "we shall attend to the gifting first, shall we not?"

He turned, ignoring the Elite for a moment, and walked over to the end of the pavilion where a great number of sacks laid, full of toys for the children of his land. He pointed to a stool that he had ordered sat there, knowing full well before the event what the girl's reaction would be.

"We will begin," he said gravely, "with my older myendelihtoi {Myende boys}. All those aged ten and over will attend to me now."

The children slowly rose from their places where they sat and approached the Emperor. Eirathem motioned toward the section where the young riders sat, flanked by their stern older riders. "Fehrahndi {riders} as well," he said.

The boys rose and joined the others. Eirathem surveyed them seriously. "Can any of you," he asked, "tell me what is to occur soon?"

"Maestir is opening an Academy," said one boy eagerly.

"And what type of Academy is Maestir to open?" asked the Emperor.

"We are to learn to use our magic," said another boy softly.

"Aye," replied Eirathem, "For Hofmi'n (in the Garden}, all will use their gifts to serve me. A number of you," he continued, "have already received your bags and have begun to gather the items you need as you served Fehrahndineu {my riders}. Those of you that have may be seated."

Most of the young riders and a few of the others made their way back to their seats. An elder rider approached, with many of the bags his students would use to gather the items they needed to create their wands. As he began to place the bags over each boy's shoulder, he said, "In these bags, you will place items of interest to you. When the bag is full, you shall be ready to fashion your wand. The wand you make will contain more power than those that can be procured from wand makers, for it will be attuned more closely to your magic."

When the rider was finished, Eirathem motioned for the boys to return to their seats. Then he pulled the first bag to him and began to hand out the gifts that had been prepared. When he was finished, he stood, folding his arms and surveying the Munde seriously. "And now," he said, "that mundelihtineu {my Munde children} have received their gifts, they shall sit quietly as Maestir conducts his business."

"Aye, Maestir," said a chorus of voices.

Eirathem reached for Taniva, who stood quietly and returned to his side and grabbed hold of his belt with her free hand. She now had two dolls clutched tightly to her in the other hand. "Now that you have the new doll, shall you put the other away?" he asked as they walked slowly towards his throne.

"Nae, Maestir," she said seriously, "she wanted a friend."

The Emperor just shook his head at the logic of the child and pointed to a low stoop by his throne. The child quickly ran and sat, settling the dolls on her lap. Eirathem continued to his throne, seating himself and turning to again face the Elite. Their countenances were dark, at the gall of the Emperor who would choose dealing with his Munde over giving them his attention. "Very soon," he said, "You will be allowed to partake of the feast that has been prepared. However," he said more darkly, "first there must be judgment."

He turned his attention to the bench, where the five boys had sat quietly. All but the youngest looked apprehensively at the Emperor. "The four remaining who dared to raise their wands against my riders will attend to me now."

The boys rose, and came to stand at rigid attention in front of him in a row from eldest to youngest. He pointed to the brother of Kaiadon. The boy stepped forward, and Eirathem said, "You will tell me what you have learned."

The boy looked at him seriously, "I will never again raise sagol against Casariu'n Fehrahndi {the Emperor's Riders}," he said.

"Anything else?" asked the Emperor.

The boy blushed, looking down, "I have learned to mind, Casari" he said seriously.

"I notice," said the Emperor, "that the bag at your side is quite empty."

The boy proudly pulled out his wand, showing it to Eirathem. "And it is made of your own hands?" asked Eirathem

"Aye, Casari," said the boy proudly.

Eirathem clasped his hands in front of him. "Should you be given the opportunity to attend my new Academy, would you wish to?" he asked seriously.

The boy's eyes widened, "Oh aye, Casari, very much so," he said eagerly.

"Then you may do so if you wish. Return to your father," he said.

The boy made his way to the Elite, sitting upon the ground next to the chair of the leader of the fifth house. Eirathem questioned the other two younger boys in the same fashion, inviting both to attend his new Academy as well before sending them back to their fathers.

Finally, only the eldest remained. Eirathem motioned for the young boy remaining on the bench to join his brother. He looked upon the eldest boy seriously. "It seems," he said, "that your father alone has chosen not to retrieve his sons."

"Aye, Casari," said the boy bitterly.

"Of what age are you now?"

"Seventeen, Casari" the myendo replied.

"When a boy reaches the age of sixteen," said the Emperor, "he is considered of age, and is given duties to reflect that. Therefore, since you have proved to me you have learned from your foolishness, you may return to the lands of your birth if you wish. However, your brother, even though he is blameless, must remain until his father comes to claim him or he reaches his full stature."

"I will not leave him, Casari," said the older boy boldly.

"Then," said Eirathem softly, "You shall remain. Even though you are of age, you shall attend lessons with the other myendelihtoi {Myende boys} until I am satisfied of your ability in magic. Then, should you prove worthy, I will place you with Forsahndoneu {my head overseer}, after which you will oversee the lands of Teihusiuhus'n {the thirteenth house}."

The boy nodded gravely. All knew of course, that the former emperor had cursed the inhabitants of the thirteenth house, so that they could own no land. They were forced to serve others. Many had come to serve Eirathem, as healers and overseers. His head healer sat as the ruling member of the house.

"Go sit with Fehrahndon {head rider}," he ordered.

The boy took his brother's hand, and then turned and walked over to where the young riders sat. Eirathem turned his attention back to the Elite. "Your sons have been returned," he said. "Know this," he continued as he pointed the butt of his wand at them, "these received a great deal less than they deserved for their foolishness. Should another rise against me, I will be not so lenient."

He softened his stance, and then said, "Beginning with the next turn, I shall open the Academy I have created to the sons of Teinusi'n {the thirteen}. Should you desire your sons to attend, you will bring them to my Celebration, and they will be placed with Fehrahndi {riders} until the beginning of the term. After their first turn, they may return to you during Mona of each turn. But for this turn, only those I have invited may attend."

He paused for a moment. "Know this," he said harshly, "These boys will attest that I tolerate nae disobedience of chldren upon my land. Those who obey not find themselves dealt with quickly and completely."

"And now," he said, rising and motioning for Taniva to join him, "You may partake of the feast I have prepared, and you may approach me as you wish with any desires or needs that you have."

--

From a distance, the Emperor notice a grim faced overseer heading towards him with a mundelihta {Munde girl} tethered to his side. Alongside him walked one of the young Myende men, who had arrived with the elders of the elite he had invited. He seemed to be arguing with the overseer fiercely.

Eirathem motioned for the overseer to approach. "This one," said the man shortly as he pointed to the boy, "accuses this mundalihta {Munde girl} of attacking him. He is upset because I have not ordered her beaten."

"She kicked and bit me!" declared the myendo.

The Emperor pointed at the ground in front of him. A short distance away, several small Munde children were playing. When Eirathem forgot to turn his wand around, they cowered on the ground, and shouted, "STAFF!"

Eirathem glared at them. "Mayhap," he said as he flipped his wand around, "Maestir does not wish to use his staff." He continued to glare at them for a few more moments before saying, "Up, my mundelihti {Munde children}, Maestir has turned his wand around."

The children got up cautiously, "Go," he said harshly to them, and they ran off closer to one of the homes the Munde lived in.

"Do you always allow your Munde to dictate your actions?" asked one of the elders harshly.

Eirathem was saved from answering the question when one of the boys who had risen up against his riders said, "It is not that."

The Emperor glared at the boy, but motioned for him to continue. "If the Casari is angry, sparks shoot from his wand. Sometimes," he said quietly, "Strange things happen. If any are harmed, he gets even angrier."

Several eyebrows rose at the boy's last pronouncement. But Eirathem ignored them all for the moment, pointing at the ground in front of him with the butt of his wand. The overseer uncuffed the girl from his belt, and she scuttled over to where the Emperor was pointing. Eirathem folded his arms again, looking down at the child. "Did you kick and bite that myendo {Myende male}?" he asked levelly.

"Aye, Maestir," she said as she kept her head firmly bowed.

The Emperor reached over and tapped her chin lightly with his wand. She obediently lifted her head. Tears were streaming down her face. "Why would you do such a thing?" he asked gravely.

"H-he held me down on the ground and t-tried to lift my dress. I w-was only trying to get away."

"And how is it," asked Eirathem in a hard voice, "that you were where he could get to you?"

The girl gulped. "I was picking flowers amongst the trees," she admitted.

"I believe," said the Emperor harshly, "That I made a particular decree concerning today. Can you mayhap tell Maestir what that decree was?"

"Nae mundelihta {Munde girl} is to be out of sight of her Da or her Daehfreon," she whispered.

"Then," said Eirathem firmly, "You know that you shall be dealt with when your da is found. Which sele {house} do you reside in?"

"Fuersele {fourth house}, Maestir," she whispered.

The Emperor gave a pointed look to the overseer who nodded and walked away. "You shall attend to me until he is found," he declared, pointing to the ground beside him. The girl scuttled over to him, turning and grabbing his belt. Eirathem reached down and grabbed the cuff at the end of the tether still upon her wrist, attaching it to the ring that hung from his belt for such occasions.

Then he turned his attention to the man, who appeared to be in shock that he had not ordered her yet beaten. He said very levelly, "It may be that upon your land you may touch any munda {Munde female} any way you wish. However in Hof'n {the garden}, I have decreed that mundelihtai {Munde girls} under the age of sixteen are to be left untouched. In addition, unless I specifically say otherwise, the mundai {Munde females} upon my land are not for the carnal pleasure of my guests. If you cannot control your urges during your visits here, I will have you overseen by an overseer."

The young boy's father, the leader of the seventh house, said harshly, "You go too far! First I find you placed my son with Munde as a punishment, and now you clearly refuse to punish this mundelihta that has accosted my other son."

Eirathem looked at the man levelly. "I do believe," he said very softly, "That had your son been unwise enough to raise wand against the former Casari, you would have him nae longer, for he most certainly would have seen to his death. I merely forced him to learn to obey, and appreciate the magic that resides inside of him. I suffered the exact same punishment as a boy, and it harmed me not."

"And as for the other," he said in a much harder voice, "I will tolerate nae child to be defiled upon my land. He is nearly twice her size and I very much doubt she harmed him. If she did, he may take himself to my healers, and they shall see all his hurts are healed. Upon my land, a girl who screams and fights not when one attempts such knows she will be in a very great deal of trouble. However, she shall be dealt with, as I was quite well aware the Myende of this land hold not to my values and thus ordered all the children to remain within clear view of those that care for them. I ask not any of you to follow my ways, which are largely similar to how Munde are dealt with in Puethion'n {The Land of the Sands}. I only ask that you respect my wishes when you are on my land."

The leader of the seventh house just glared at the Emperor before taking the hand of his youngest son and storming off. The older boy sauntered after him. Eirathem looked at the remaining elders of The Thirteen, daring them to join him.

The Rise of the Emperor--Consequences

Siurbu 2173



Eirathem called for one of his overseers to bring the heir of the second house to him. Once the boy had been brought to his study and secured to a chair so the girl would fear less, Kaiadon brought the one he had dared to defile, and her child in. He led her to a corner where a comfortable chair sat. After she was seated, he took the infant from her arms and calmly walked over to the boy. The boy glared at the overseer who was holding out his arm but seemed at least wise enough to not resist as Kaiadon gently held out the infant's arm next to his. The black band around his arm opened and like a snake, wrapped itself around the child's arm. The new heir to the Second House had been born.
"It seems," said Eirathem coldly, "that you are indeed the one who defiled and harmed this myendelihta {Mynde girl}. Besae {green}," he said as he pointed towards the green rider in the room, "You shall administer the potion."

The young rider approached the boy, and with the help of the overseer, forced the potion down the boy's throat. Afterwards, Eirathem said icily, "Your judgment is thus: the potion you have imbibed shall insure you never raise wand to my riders again, as quite soon the magic residing within you shall seep from your body. In addition," he said even more darkly, "you shall never defile another, as I have ensured you shall never feel the need to mate again."

The boy glared at him. "Bring the elder of Teyuhus'n {the second house}," said Eirathem shortly.
A short while later, the man walked in apprehensively, being the first allowed to enter the Emperor's domain since he had locked his lands away. Eirathem pointed at the boy, "I return your son to you," he said shortly.
"And how is it that I have granted this honor?" asked the Myende man.
"I have found him unteachable," said Eirathem coldly. "And," he said pointing towards the corner where the Myende girl sat holding her infant close, "I retain the heir of Teyuhus'n, insuring the loyalty of those remaining."
The man strode over to the boy, slapping him hard upon the face. "You fool!"
"They have given the band to a myenda {Myende female}!" cried the boy.
Hearing this, the man whirled to face the Emperor, "How dare you!" he cried as he lifted his wand. But at the first hint of trouble Eirathem's wand had appeared in his hand, and before the man could utter a word, the wand grew into a staff. He banged it on the ground and the carpet underneath flew out from under him, encasing him within while the wand clattered uselessly to the floor.
Eirathem strode over to where the man lay trapped in the carpet, folding his arms and glaring at him. "You dare to raise wand against me!"
He reached down and picked up the man's wand, snapping it in two and throwing the pieces in a nearby bin. Turning to the green rider, he said, "This one shall suffer the same punishment as the other. And when you have completed that task, you may retrieve my councilor."
"Aye, Casari," said the green rider as he rushed off to gather more potion.
Sometime later, the councilor walked calmly into the room. He eyed the man wrapped in the carpet curiously. "There were issues?" he asked mildly.
Eirathem just glared at him. "Does this one have more offspring?" he asked coldly.
The councilor walked over to the shelves where the Book of Genealogies lay. "I assume you wish to know only of the boys?" he asked softly.
"For now," said Eirathem darkly.
He perused the book for a time. Finally, he said, "Aye, two boys, aged ten and four."
Eirathem pointed the butt of his wand at his head rider, "Retrieve them," he said shortly.
The rider squeezed the shoulder of the girl at his side softly, and left the room. Eirathem motioned to her, and she cautiously approached. He banged his staff on the ground again, and said loudly, "Daehlfreon!"
Soon a Munde man came walking quickly into the room, "You shall watch over this one until Fehrahndon {head rider} returns," he said shortly. "In addition, you shall find the Forsahndon {head overseer}, as we are to receive two myendelihtoi {Myende boys} that need to be placed."
"Aye, Maestir," said the man as he put his arm around the girl and gently lead her from the room. It took some time for Kaiadon to return with the boys. In the meantime, two other riders had entered the room, standing at the brisk attention of the riders, arms folded in a wide legged stance. They looked formidable as they stood there guarding the two inhabitants.
But eventually Kaiadon did return, with one child in his arms while the older walked at his side, clutching his hand tightly as he looked apprehensively at the Emperor. "Were there any difficulties?" asked Eirathem mildly.
"Nae," replied Kaiadon, "they saw the wisdom of releasing two of their own to spare the remainder of their house."
Eirathem nodded briskly. He motioned to the overseer who had also entered the room. He returned with two Munde men, ordering one to take the child from Kaiadon's arms. "Bring him to me," said Eirathem quietly.
The man approached. The child looked at him cautiously, tears in his eyes. As Eirathem put the brown braided band around the boy's wrist, denoting him as a myendelihto {Myende boy}, he said to the mundo, "You shall teach this one Maestir's ways, shall you not? He shall grow up to be a true myendo {Myende man}."
"Aye, Maestir," said the man calmly before walking out of the room with the crying child.

Eirathem turned to gravely face the remaining child. "You," he said sternly, "are old enough to understand a bit. You are here because both your brother and your father chose to raise their wands against me."

He picked up a pair of cuffs to bind magic and approached the boy. "Hold out your arms," he said.
When the boy did not immediately obey, Kaiadon took him by the arm and delivered two sharp smacks to his bottom. "Obey the Casari," he commanded.

The boy sniffled, looking at the Emperor with wide eyes, but immediately obeyed. Eirathem was sure the boy had not been physically disciplined before in his life, so it must have come as quite a shock. "These bands," he said as he put the cuffs on the boy, "shall prevent you from using the magic that lives inside you. However, this mundo," he continued as he pointed to the Munde man, "shall bring you to me again on the day before the new turn. Should you prove you can obey, I shall remove the bands and you may begin to learn the old ways of magic. Otherwise," he said more darkly, "the bands shall remain until you have learned to mind."

He motioned to the mundo {Munde man} and he approached the boy. "Take my hand," he commanded. The boy hesitated, but finally took the hand of the man, who led him from the room.
Eirathem turned to face the leader of the Second House, who remained bound within the carpet, though he had been struggling wildly in an attempt to reach his children. "You will find," said the Emperor very darkly, "that those who stand against me shall be crushed. Your sons are lost to you until the next Siurbumihtu {year of thirteen}. And I quite imagine the youngest shall dare not ever raise a wand against me. The eldest...we shall see."
"In a short time," continued Eirathem, "I shall invite representatives of Teinusi'n {the thirteen} to attend to me. However, your house must choose a new representative, for you, and your son shall be forever banished from my land."
He banged his staff on the ground, ending the spell causing the carpet to bind the man. "Get them on their feet," he said shortly, changing his staff back into a wand.
While the riders obeyed, Eirathem reached into his bag, withdrawing a small amount of the special dirt he used for his spells. He added a bit of water, then after the mud was made, lifted his wand. Shortly thereafter, a strand of mud began to rise and weave itself into a band. He encircled the father's wrist first. The man cried out sharply as the mud heated to burn the mark upon his wrist. Then he repeated the process with his son. "Get this filth off my land," he said coldly to his riders.

The Rise of the Emperor--The Fremdesaelihta

Siurbu 2172

Kaiadon landed his dragon softly upon the ground outside the forest of Fremon. He gathered up the child who had ridden with him. "Mayhap we will meet some distant relatives of yours," he said softly as he slid down from his dragon.

He left his staff tethered to his dragon, as he wanted to make no show of force here. He walked for a bit to the interior of the forest. "I have been told," He said a little loudly, "that should I have need of the Fremde, to come here and ask to speak to one called Tanehdon."

He waited a few moments, knowing that if there were any Fremde in the trees they would surely hear him, and soon one dropped silently to stand in front of him. "What business do you have with Taronsel {high king}?" he asked.

"This girl," said Kaiadon softly, "is part fremdasae {female Fremdesae}. We are unable to care adequately for her. In short," he said with a smile, "she would create havoc upon the new Casari's land every time she opened her little mouth to sing."

"If what you say is true, she indeed would," said the fremdo {Fremde male} with a laugh.

"I assure you, I saw her bathed myself. She is indeed part fremdasae."

The tall man regarded him for a moment, before saying, "Come this way, I will send for Taronsel."

Kaiadon followed the man to a clearing. "You may rest here," he said, "Please be respectful of the trees."

"I spent time amongst the Fremdafyr," said Kaiadon softly, "They have ensured I learned the ways of old."

The man nodded, sitting himself upon the ground and eyeing Kaiadon and the child curiously. Kaiadon mirrored his stance, setting the child upon his lap. The girl leaned into him, making it quite clear she was unsure of this new stranger.

A short while later, a very tall Fremde man, dressed in a simple tunic and leggings with a sword at his hip strode into the clearing. He had long white hair that flowed to his waist, signifying he was among the older of their race. He walked right up to Kaiadon, kneeling in front of him and surveying him gravely.

"How is it," he asked softly but quite stern, "that you have come upon this girl?"

“Casari'n {the Emperor} is reclaiming his lands and decreed their Great City of Magic must be dismantled, We found her in a building where a great many had been murdered, I am sure to prevent us from discovering their heritage. It appears," he said with distaste, "they were using them to run a brothel. But swamon {this one} hid herself away, escaping their fate."

"And you are sure you know not the culprits who committed this grave act?" demanded Tanehdon. "Or mayhap, you are protecting your kinsmen."

"Nae," said Kaiadon firmly. "The Emperor and I both have spent time among those of Puethion'n {The Land of the Sands}, and the Emperor has also lived among those in Denu'n Rhaciu {the Valley of Snakes}. We both respect the ways of old. Neither of us would condone such wanton cruelty."

Tanehdon studied him intently for a few moments before finally nodding his acceptance. He turned his attention to the child in Kaiadon's arms. "Come here, little one," he said softly.

The child leaned even further back into Kaiadon, thumb firmly in her mouth. "Stille," said Kaiadon softly, "he will harm you not. Let him look upon you."

Finally, with much coaxing, the child agreed to go to Tanehdon. He stood her in front of him, reaching down the back of her dress to pull at the skin of her back. He lifted her, and then set her down gently. "Aye, she is a fremdasae," he said with a chuckle. "No other can be lifted thus."

He picked the child up and held her close. "We will keep her safe," he promised. "It is a wonder, how she came to be amongst us. I believe," he said very softly, "there must have been a fremdasae trapped here at some point. For I cannot fathom a fremdosae {Fremdesae male} allowing their young to suffer as those you described obviously did."

"Aye," said Kaiadon. "We will keep watch out, though I imagine whomever she was, she has long since passed."

"Let us hope," said Tanehdon softly. "But keep eye out in case. And if you come across another such as she, we will gladly care for it until such time as the Fremdesae may return to us."

Kaiadon sensed this was an end to the conversation and took his leave of the man, thanking him for his help

The Rise of the Emperor--The First to Rise Up

Siurbu 2172



Eirathem landed his great dragon just outside the city where six boys sat bound upon the ground. "This is the best they could send against me?" he asked dryly.
"Apparently so," said his head rider, Kaiadon. "This one," he continued, pointing to the second boy, "claims the smallest was with him and was meant not to get into the battle."
Eirathem reached into his bag and pulled a small amount of dirt into his hand. "Water," he said simply.
After the water was added, he stirred the mud with his wand, "Get the smallest on his feet."
Kaiadon walked over and jerked the boy up. The child looked terrified. "This," said Eirathem calmly, "is Casariu'n {the emperor's} mud. If you speak the truth it will harm you not. However, if you lie to me it will burn hotter and hotter until you speak the truth. So you will speak true, will you not?"
The boy nodded his head.
"Aye, Casari," corrected Eirathem sharply.
"A-aye, Casari," the child parroted.
"Hold out your arm," he commanded.
When the child didn't obey immediately, Eirathem grew his wand into a staff and banged it out on the ground, and a stoop wide enough for a man to sit grew out of the ground. "Fehrahndon {head rider}, show this one how we deal with boys who obey not in Casariuhof'n {the emperor's garden}."
Kaiadon sat and pulled the child over his knee. When he had dealt about ten smacks to the boy's bottom, Eirathem said, "That will do. Get him back on his feet."
The child had the beginning of tears streaming down his face. "Hold out your arm," the Emperor commanded again. The boy began to cry harder, but this time obeyed.
"Did you raise your wand against my riders?" asked Eirathem.
The boy shook his head violently. "Answer with your voice," commanded Eirathem.
"N-nae," answered the boy.
Eirathem spread a bit of mud on the boy's arm with his wand. "You speak true," he said, "however if you forget again to speak to me with the proper respect, I will believe you need another lesson in obedience."
"A-aye, Casari," the boy said softly.
"Is your father in the city?" asked Eirathem.
"N-nae," replied the boy.
Eirathem spread the mud showing the boy was telling the truth, then said, "Ten more smacks to his bottom for not showing the proper respect."
Once the boy was back on his feet again, the Emperor said, "I daresay you shall not forget again. Hold out your arm."
The child was crying hard now but obediently held out the arm. "Where is your father?"
"I kn-know n-not, C-Casari!" he cried, "Our fathers were supposed to meet w-with t-the C-Casari; w-we w-were l-left in t-the c-city b-because he l-likes not to b-be b-bothered."
Eirathem shook the remainder of the mud back into his bag then wiped his wand and hand upon his pants. He folded his arms and looked sternly at the boy. "If your father were here, I would set you aside and have him claim you as he left the city. However, he is not, so you shall remain in my care until such time as he reclaims you." Eirathem pointed on a spot on the ground, "You shall sit, and sit quietly whilst I deal with the others. If you obey not you shall get another lesson in obedience."
The boy sat.
Eirathem turned his attention to the remaining boys. The oldest still looked defiant, the second he could tell was worried for his brother, and the last three had differing looks of anxiety on their faces. "What do you plan to do with them?" asked Kaiadon.
Eirathem strode in front of the other five. "They look like myendoi {Myende men} with strong backs. They shall make fine Munde. These Myende, and any others who stand up in defiance of me or my riders shall be given the bonds binding their magic as these have and serve me for a time. These shall serve until my lands have been reclaimed and I invite their fathers to reclaim them. That may be one turn, or thirteen; I have yet to decide. Transport them to my stronghold. They can journey with my Munde and work alongside of them."
"I lay claim to one," said Kaiadon mildly.
"Oh," said Eirathem, "and by what right do you lay claim to him?"
Eirathem knew full well Kaiadon was an heir, but had chosen to allow him to choose the time to reveal it. Kaiadon reached up and loosed the band he had worn all his life and let it fall to his wrist. "You," he said to one of the boys, "on your feet and over here. What does this band say?"
The boy approached cautiously, and as he inspected the band his hands started shaking. "What does it say?" demanded Kaiadon.
"Y-you are the heir of Fifuhus'n {the fifth house}"
"And what house are you from?"
The boy gulped, "F-Fifuhus'n."
"What relation are we?" Kaiadon asked more gently.
"Y-you are my eldest brother. W-we thought you were lost."
"I am very much alive, and well able to deal with you I assure you," he said sternly.
Eirathem said, "You may have him, but the bands remain."

"The first thing I shall do," he said harshly as he grabbed the boy by the arm and headed towards the stoop, "Is let you know exactly how I feel about a boy raising his wand against riders. You could have died you fool of a myendelihto {Myende boy}!"

He strode with the boy over to the stoop, where he sat down and proceeded to turn him over his knee. As he began smacking the boy's bottom, he said, "And while I teach my brother a lesson, somebody shall find a tunic. For you are dragon boy now, and dragon boys wear tunics so that when their rider needs to deal with them there is nothing between that rider's hand and their errant bottoms. And I have the feeling; I will need to deal with you often."
When he was done, he proceeded to change his brother's clothes. Once the boy had been redressed in the tunic he marched him over to where the other boy sat. "Sit there," he said harshly, "on your bottom, hands flat on the ground, head bowed. You are very much in disgrace."
Eirathem said, "We gave them a chance to leave peaceably, and they defied us. So send your riders through the city, and get those people out of there. Give them not time to gather belongings, just get them out. Then go through the city and remove everything we can use. Afterwards, get the brown riders and have them level it. If they need my help to level the city, let me know. This Great City of the Myende shall be no more!"
Eirathem strode over to the wall he had made when he took control of his land. He grew his wand into a staff and ground it into the dirt a bit. Then he used the end to draw two lines on the wall a little wider than the width of a man. He banged his staff between the lines and stone fell away revealing an opening. Changing the staff back into a wand, he made the intricate movements to create the portal only Myende could leave though. Then he strode back to where the boys sat. "Up," he said harshly.
The child rose to his feet looking at Eirathem fearfully and the Emperor said, "Take my hand."

He walked over to where the remaining boys sat. "You," he said pointing to the brother of the boy at his side "shall say goodbye to your brother. He shall remain with me. Neither of you need be harmed so long as you obey." He allowed the boys a few moments together and then called the boy to his side.

He turned and strode over to the head rider. "Did you confiscate their wands?" he asked.

"Aye," said the rider as he walked over to his dragon and pulled the wands out of his bag. Eirathem noticed his brother had been moved and now sat next to his dragon, although the rider still had him sitting in the stance of disgrace.
"How long do you plan to have him sit that way?" asked Eirathem.
"Mayhap for the remainder of his life," said the rider darkly. Eirathem nodded and took the wands from the man. He held them out to the boy. "Choose yours," he ordered. The boy chose his and then Eirathem broke the others. "Now break yours," he said.
The boy whimpered, but obeyed. "Now that you have broken your wand and shown a willingness to obey, I shall take those cuffs binding your magic off your arms."
He removed the cuffs, and handed them to the rider. "Soon, I shall get a bag for you in the ways of old," said Eirathem to the boy. "Each day you mind, we shall walk amongst the trees, where you shall find things of interest you want to keep in your bag. I may also send you with my riders. When that bag is full, I shall take you to the trees and teach you to make a wand with great might. Do you understand?"
"Aye, Casari," the boy said softly.
"You shall call me if there are any other issues," said Eirathem shortly to the head rider.
"Aye, Casari," he said calmly. "I will have the others taken by dragon to you by tonight."
Eirathem said nothing else, grabbing the boy's hand and striding to his dragon.

The Rise of the Emperor--The Fremde meet the Emperor

Siurbu 2172

It was just days after Eirathem had taken control of his lands when he was awoken early in the morning by his dragon's voice within his head. He sat up in his bed, which was just a mat upon the ground as he had ordered the former Emperor's stronghold demolished and they were all now residing in tents. He was forcing the mundo Banim and his family to reside with him so they could learn to trust him. Banim's eldest son, Belllonien, had been given into the care of an elder rider in hopes the man could help the boy learn to control his temper.

However, this morning (if it was even morning yet), Eirathem was not concerned with Banim's eldest son. He said very tersely into the room, "Can she not wait?"

"She is very distressed," said his dragon calmly in his mind.

Eirathem sighed, and rose to prepare for the day. He glanced across the room and saw the mundo {Munde male} tense. "I know you are awake," he said to the prone form, "Up!"

Banim rose himself, taking the time to resettle the blanket over his mate a place a soft kiss on her forehead. "Stille," he said softly, "I shall return tonight with Maestir."

Still yet, he looked nervously at her after he had risen. Eirathem crossed his arms and gave the mundo a very level look. "What is the rule?" he asked evenly.

"So long as I obey, my family shall remain safe, Maestir," said the mundo softly.

Eirathem nodded in approval. "See to your needs. I shall expect you at the side of dracaneu {my dragon} as soon as you may."

The mundo rushed out and Eirathem finished dressing himself. Before he could make his way out of the tent himself a small voice said, "Maestir?"

Eirathem strode over to the third mat in the room which held Taniva, the original girl he had taken, and Banim's second eldest son. "Aye?" he asked tersely as he knelt down and lifted Taniva's chin.

"You promised," she whined.

"It is not safe," said the Emperor. "Should I return in time and hear that you have obeyed, we shall take a short ride then."

The girl began to pout, and Eirathem drew back the covers to land one resounding smack on her leg. "Should I not hear from Daehlfreon's {head patriarch's} munda {Munde female} that you have behaved as an obedient, respectful mundalihta {Munde girl} in my absence, I shall order Daehlfreon to give you the smacks you very well deserve instead of the tale I am sure you will wish to hear," he said sternly.

"Banahfne mie mundalihta {I will be good Munde girl}," said Taniva fervently.

"Ehte mion {You had better}," replied the Emperor shortly as he gently resettled the covers over her. "Go back to sleep. It is much too early to rise."

He shook his head as he made his way out of the tent and to the tents of the riders. The girl alone, of all the Munde, showed no fear of the new master that had come. He was soon at the tent of his head rider, Kaiadon. The man stuck his head out when Eirathem rang the bell attached to his tent. "There is a draca {dragon} in distress," he said shortly. "I know not how long I shall be. I wish for you to send riders to Teinusiuhus'n {the thirteenth house} in my absence. I will join them as soon as I may."

The rider nodded. "Do you wish any to attend to you?" he asked.

"Nae," said Eirathem. "I shall send word if any aid is needed."

The man nodded and retreated back into his tent, and Eirathem strode over to his dragon. As had been instructed, Banim awaited him. In fact the man had taken out the oil and cloth and was attending to the dragon's scales. "That will do," said the Emperor shortly, "We wish not to slide off her back."

The man blushed. "I just thought..." he began.

"My ire is not raised," said Eirathem levelly, "However since it is she who demanded we awaken, she can suffer as well."

"Aye, Maestir," said Banim quietly as he stowed the cloth and oil in Eirathem's bags upon the dragon. Soon they were loaded and in the air. The journey was a long one and finally Banim asked, "Maestir, why did you wait?"

Eirathem had expected the question at some point. He decided now was as good a time as any to explain to the mundo. "I am but the age of twenty six," he began. "It was advised to me to wait until a siurbumiht {turn of might} to assume power as to influenced the minds of the Myende of this land."

"But you walked the land as Vasdaon {grandfather}," began the man.

"Ah," said the Emperor, "so you have realized. Aye, I was Vasdaon. Amongst ehlmoni'n {the old ones} it is believed that the might of our magic rests on the health of the land and the Munde. So I walked my lands and attempted to strengthen both until the time that had been advised of me to attempt to reclaim them in full. Do you understand?"

"Nae, Maestir," said the mundo, "But I have not magic and mayhap that is why."

"Mayhap," agreed Eirathem. He said nothing else. It was a good sign that the man had been brave enough to ask the question. Hopefully soon, Banim and all the other Munde on Eirathem's land would learn he could be trusted.

Meanwhile, in the forest of Fremfuer, Leandrow was chasing after his wayward youngest brother. Eldrith had recently turned twenty-six turns old, and was in fact the same age as the Emperor who was headed towards them. However it took Fremde children four turns to grow in mind and body as much as a Myende or Munde would grow one turn. So, although Eldrith was twenty-six turns old, he acted about the age of a six turn old Myende. Eldrith had decided recently that it was not fair that he was forced to bring his guard with him wherever he went and was escaping at every opportunity.

Leandrow climbed higher into the tree and raced to get ahead of his brother. He then dropped to where he would be lower and unseen as Eldrith passed. When his brother came near Leandrow merely reached up and grabbed his ankle, pulling his screaming brother into his arms. As soon as Eldrith realized who had him, he began screaming even louder, "Nae!" he cried.

The eldest son of Elessar ignored his brother's cries, settling himself upon a branch as he proceeded to throw his wayward brother over his lap. "You run not from me," he said sternly as he proceeded to let Eldrith know exactly how he felt about the matter. The boy's cries brought two more of his other brothers near.

Rhisshil, second eldest son of Elessar, and his younger brother Weryl, sat down to wait. Weryl winced in sympathy as he watched. "Memories?" asked Rhisshil mildly.

"Aye," laughed Weryl. "Leandrow spanks not often, but when he does...." he trailed off.

Rhisshil snorted. "He is giving him a great deal more sound than sting, I assure you."

"It feels not that way when you are over his knee," objected his younger brother.

Their conversation was interrupted by a bellow much louder that their brother's. Leandrow stopped spanking immediately, pulling Eldrith to sit in his lap. The boy clung to him and sobbed. "Cear-rahnne! {I am sorry}" he wailed.

Leandrow didn't respond, swinging his long blond hair to cascade down one shoulder. "Get you on my back," he said in a tone that brooked no argument. "And if you attempt to escape again, I shall take down those leggings and give you the full spanking you so richly deserve."

Eldrith was not about to argue and crawled around his brother until he was behind him with his arms around Leandrow's neck as he clung to his waist with his legs. The eldest son of Elessar stood then. "Let us see what is making that racket."

"You are allowing him to join the adventure?" asked Rhisshil.

"I am going on the adventure. He just happens to be on my back, where he shall remain so long as he obeys."

Rhisshil chuckled and the brothers ran through the trees towards the sound, which sounded like a large animal in pain. They neared the edge of the forest near Nuethus Geradahnge, the great school of magic in the north of Dumaira. Eldrith's sobs had died as soon as he had heard he was to accompany them. and he was looking around avidly. As soon as they walked out of the trees they spotted it: a drab, yellow dragon that was wailing pitifully.

Eldrith began to struggle to get down. Leandrow quickly grabbed his brother's arms to prevent the move. "If you try to leave my back," he said mildly, I shall call for a weardahnd {guard} to return you to Vasda {Father}."

"She is hurting!" said the boy.

"Then if you will still, we shall move closer and you may tell me what you sense," responded his brother.

However, before they reached the dragon, there was a great shadow from above and the Fremde looked up to see another great dragon descending. Eldrith tensed for a moment, then relaxed.

"Tell vastar {brother} what you see," said Leandrow softly.

"She is black, but on the outside she is not," said the boy simply.

“Let us move back in the trees and observe,” said Leandrow mildly.

The three men ran back into the trees and continued to watch the dragon descend. The dragon had two men on it, one the stocky build of a mundo, The other, dressed in all black, was taller, obviously Myende. They both slid off the dragon, the mundo standing by it, while the other stalked over to stand in front of the drab yellow dragon.

It was obvious the man was talking to the dragon, though they couldn't hear over the creature's piteous bellows. But all of a sudden the dragon stopped. The man turned and they watched as he extended his wrist and his wand flew into his hand. Then before their eyes the wand grew into a great staff. The man ground the staff into the ground, and then his voice reverberated through the forest. “I know there are Fremde within. I am Eirathem, Casari of Myencihn. I have no wish to intrude upon the lands of the Fremde, but swadraca {this dragon} tells dracaneu {my dragon} that there are those within preventing her lihto {boy} from coming and bonding with her. I promise the lihto will be harmed not. He will go to Puethion'n, where he will learn to care for his dragon and behave. I have freed dracai'n {the dragons}, and such will happen from time to time.”

Leandrow said, “Weryl.”

“Aye,” Weryl agreed readily as he turned and left at a run. A few moments later, he returned, with a boy trying to drag him towards the edge of the forest He was accompanied by a mage from the nearby magic school. “You are sure of this,” the man said worriedly.

Leandrow said, “Eldrith look at Casari'n {the Emperor}, Tell us what colors you see.”

“Brown and gray,” replied the boy.

“Nae black?” asked Leandrow.

“Nae,” said Eldrith.

Leandrow knew this very well, as Eldrith screamed if he saw someone with a black aura. “This is Casari'n {the emperor} foretold by Thanion. He is oi'vulonmi {without great evil}.”

The situation was taken out of their hands however when the boy slipped from Weryl's hand and ran straight out of the forest to the dragon. The dragon's head was as nearly as tall as the boy, but the child leaned against his nose, gazing deep within the dragon's eyes. Then before their eyes, the dragon began to change, Starting at it's nose, it became blue, the blue shimmering through it to the tip of it's tail. Then the child sailed through the air, to land right side up on his dragon's back. The dragon began to flap it's great wings and soon rose into the air.

The emperor said nothing, turning and striding back to his dragon, and ordering the mundo to mount it. Soon they were rising into the sky as well. “So that is Casari'n {the Emperor} foretold,” said the mage.

“Aye,” said Leandrow. “From now on, you shall allow lihtoi {boys},to go to the dragons. I believe they will be harmed not.”

“He seems very young,” remarked Weryl.

“Aye,” agreed Leandrow. “It is not time yet. We must wait for Lihte'n Teinusiu {the child of thirteen}. Then we shall act.”

He said nothing else, turning and striding within the forest, the others following.

The Rise of the Emperor--The New Emperor Arrives

The thirteenth hour of the thirteenth day of the thirteenth moon of Siurbu 2171

The mundo {Munde male} named Banim watched with all the others in the relative safety of the trees as the only Emperor he had ever known fell to the earth, landing with a crash. Soon after, a great black dragon descended. It was not the Emperor's dragon, but another. The man atop it slid to the ground. He was dressed completely in black, in a leather tunic and breeches. Finger-less black gloves adorned his hands. He had long black hair that was tied in a loose ponytail behind his head.

The man seemed to exude darkness. He stalked over to the dead emperor, breaking the man's wand and letting it fall atop the broken body. Banim watched in awe as the man's own wand grew in his hand until it became a long staff. He stalked over near the trees then, and slammed the staff down on the ground. "I claim this land, the land of my birthright as mine. For I am Eirathem, the True Casari {Emperor} of Myencihn!"

A wall of mud that turned to stone as soon as it was a bit taller than him began to form and spread along the line the first Emperor of Myencihn had marked as his. The new Emperor stepped back and ground his staff into the earth. His voice resounded in the area like thunder. "I suggest if you see a wall coming your way, you move. All those on this side of the wall are now in the land known as Casariuhof'n {The Emperor's Garden}. Myende who wish to leave need only ask and I will give you passage from my land. If you are Munde, I am Maestir."

A Myendo {Myende male} Banim knew to be one of the councilors to the old emperor cautiously approached then. The older man looked calm, considering his former emperor lay in a puddle on the ground and his new Emperor had just erected a giant wall that was growing.

"I suppose," Eirathem said coldly, "You wish to see proof of my claim?"

"You should not have been able to erect the wall if you are not the true Casari," said the man calmly. "However, there will be those who demand proof."

The Emperor reached up and slid something from atop his arm. Once he slid it free, he shook his arm until a bracelet fell all the way to his wrist. He held out his left arm inviting the old mage to inspect it. The man carefully approached, twisting the leather bracelet around Eirathem's wrist to fully examine it, though he was careful never to actually touch the new Emperor himself. He stepped back, looking at Eirathem curiously. "It would be good to hear how the heir we believed to have died in an accident, lived."

"There was nae accident," said Eirathem in a voice dripping with venom. "My father sacrificed my mother, and then attempted to sacrifice me when I was but two turns old. I still remember her screams. Then I remember the pain of the knife he attempted to use to cut the heart from my body. Then I remember darkness."

He continued, "I have been told that since I was so young my magic aided me and I entombed myself, and then fell into a pit where a rhacon {great snake} lived. She held me in her coils, stopping the bleeding with the healing secretions these snakes produce. According to the one who told me thus, I traveled through caves underground to the deep south of this land, to a land even now none of you dare to tread. They say it was there my dragon came to me. However I remember none of this. I remember pain, then I remember darkness, and then...I remember my dragon."

"She took me to Puethion'n {the Land of the Sands}, where I learned to care for her and lived amongst a people called the Fremdafyr. I have reclaimed my birthright for one reason, and one reason only: to free the dragons."

He turned and strode to the pen they called the valley of dragons. In truth, it was a great pit to trap unfledged dragons in hopes they would bond with the elite of Myencihn. There was a great staircase so that those bonded to the dragons could get in and out of the pit. He stood on the top stair and banged his staff upon the ground. "In the name of Eirathem, Casari Myencihnu {Emperor of Myencihn}, I free the unfledged dragons. Fly! Find your children, call them to your backs and take them to Puethion'n so they may learn to care for you as I learned to care for mine."

For a time it seemed as a great tornado had broken, as one dragon after another beat its great wings and took to the sky. After those had risen to the air and flown away, he looked upon the remaining dragons, and the boys trapped in the pit with them. "These boys may believe you are only beasts to serve them," said Eirathem gravely to the dragons below. "However I know better. Call your children to your backs!"

For a few moments all that could be heard was the screams of boys as they flew through the air only to end right side up on their dragons. "Take them to Puethion'n so that they can learn to mind, care for you and fly. Return not until they are ready to learn the Casariu'n {the Emperor's} ways! Fly!!"

Watching from the trees, Banim's heart sank. For he knew now exactly who this man was. And he had no doubt that quite soon the man would exact his revenge against him.

"Make nae mistake," said Eirathem to the councilor. "I AM the Casari. Your Council of Elite is disbanded. You are my only councilor. I have walked this land for several turns. I am well aware of the behavior of all those who called themselves councilors, and that is the reason you will be my only councilor. For now you shall find all those who call themselves overseers upon this and send them straight to me."

He said nothing else before stalking into what was the old emperor's stronghold.

* * *

Later that evening, Eirathem surveyed his lands from the window of the previous emperor's stronghold. There was not much to be said for them. The fields were bare, having been picked clean to feed the elite in the Emperor's City. The Munde, slaves to the former emperor, hid in the forest, starving.

When the new Emperor had taken over the compound earlier in the day, he had ousted the gaggle of Munde women who had served in the former emperor's bed. Now only one remained, a child that looked to be barely seven. She eyed him from the corner with fear, clutching the doll he had given her closely to her. The few sharp stings he had given the girl's legs when she disobeyed had been enough to convince her to mind him.

There was a sharp rap at the door and Eirathem turned, bellowing "Enter!"

Two men walked in cautiously. One was the newly appointed councilor, the other the only remaining overseer, as Eirathem had already ousted all the others. Eirathem strode to the desk. "Come," he said tersely.

The men approached on the other side of the desk. Eirathem pushed the scroll towards the overseer, tapping at two figures on the scroll with the butt of his wand. "These are the number of Munde who died upon these lands in the last turn. It is almost as many as those who lived. I would like to know how you would change this. I have yet to have an overseer give me an appropriate answer."

"I think you will like not what I have to say," admitted the man quietly.

"Continue," said Eirathem coldly.

"If you want them to live," he said quietly, "they must be fed adequately and their health cared for."

"And how would you accomplish this?" asked Eirathem.

The man looked at the councilor apprehensively, and then finally said, "In the south, amongst the villages on this side of Denu'n Rhaciu {the Valley of Snakes}, you will find what remains of Teinusiuhus'n {the thirteenth house}. Should you really wish to aid the Munde of this land, there are those who would serve as healers and overseers. However, they will allow not the treatment the Munde here have had thus far."

Eirathem nodded. He said quietly. "I walked this land for many moons unseen before challenging the former Casari. I watched all. It escaped not my notice that you alone, of all the overseers, rarely used that whip that is at your side."

"I have never found that cutting open a mundo's back makes him work harder or be more obedient, " said the man softly.

"And that is why," said Eirathem, "I chose to save you for the last to question. Should you prove yourself worthy, you shall be my Forsahndon, my head overseer."

"But know this," he said as he pointed the butt of his wand at the man, "I have two rules regarding my Munde: dead Munde are impractical, and hurt Munde are impractical. I understand from time to time discipline may be needed, but the Munde of this land need not suffer needlessly."

The man nodded, "Aye, Casari."

Eirathem flicked his wand and a scroll came flying out of his bag and landed on the table. He opened so the two men could see. "These are the plans for my lands. Nae more will the food produced here go to fill the bellies of the elite. Casariu'n Ceasteron {the Emperor's great city} will be dismantled. If they want a city they can build on the land of another. Soon, those dragon riders who escaped the former Casari will arrive from Puethion'n. They will be in charge of its dismantlement. They will also aid you," he said pointing to the overseer, "in getting the aid you need. We will move towards there gathering the Munde and dismantling the buildings as we go."

"Know this," he said pointing to the councilor, "this will happen. Any who defy or stand against me will be crushed. So when my riders arrive, I suggest you have one take you to this city, and I further suggest you inform them it is in their best interest to leave peaceably. For I will do what I must to reclaim my lands."

The councilor nodded gravely. "But for now," said the Emperor, "Get out there and get those Munde out of the trees and get them healed and whole as best you may until help arrives. Dismissed."

The two men left slowly. Afterwards, Eirathem motioned to the child, "Come here," he said shortly.

She rose and cautiously approached him. He led her to the balcony where he had sat a chair and a short stool earlier. He pointed to the stool, and she sat quietly. He sat in the chair next to it. As he sat, his wand grew into a great staff. He ground it into the earth, releasing a spell so all in the vicinity could hear his words. "What is Casari's first rule?" he asked the child softly.

"Dead Munde are im-....."

"Impractical" he finished for her.

"And Casari's second rule?"

"Hurt Munde are impractical," she said getting the word correct this time.

"And what does Maestir want of his Munde?" asked Eirathem.

"Do as we are told," she answered.

"And what will happen to those who obey Maestir?" he asked.

"Full bellies," she replied, showing what was most important to her.

"And what else?" he asked pulling gently at the new dress he had acquired for her to wear.

"Clothes that fit," she replied eagerly.

"Anything else?" he asked.

"Toys," she said clutching the doll towards her.

"And you shall help the Munde learn Casari's Rules so you can keep that doll, shall you not?"

"Aye, Maestir," she said softly, clutching her precious toy even more tightly.

Eirathem said nothing else, banging his staff upon the ground to end the spell. He knew that this night, in the forest, there were Munde men looking fearfully towards the compound, in fear for the child he had taken. And that was precisely why he had kept the girl. In keeping her, it would ensure their obedience until they learned to trust him.

After a time he rose, motioning for the child to follow him. She looked at him fearfully, clutching her doll close. "You have behaved well today," he said softly, "You may bring it along."

Hearing that, the child came to him and grabbed his belt. He led her to the next room, where he had her lie on a mat he had prepared for the night. Securing the room, he took to his own bed. Tomorrow would be a long day as well.