Imperial Shadow: Politics Stir the Soul

[NDak 0]

As the Agincourt Continues on her mission, politics burn in the heart of Romulus.

 

The great towers of the Imperial Senate complex finally came into view as Destorie N’Dak’s transport dipped below the cloud cover. The brilliant purple seas reflecting off the magnificent white towers, a smiled crossed his face…finally he was home.

 

The shuttle landed in the center of the compound, and no sooner than he exited he was greeted by a crowd of Senators and Admirals smiling widely. From the crowd one man took the lead—Praetor tr’Klaeneth—“Jolan tru, Ma’Lyn,” he said bowing his head slightly.

 

Like wise Destorie nodded respectfully. “Jolan tru, Praetor.”

 

“I trust all was well with your trip home?”

 

“Of course,” Destorie smiled as they began walking towards the Grand Hall. “It is good to be back on ch’Rihan.”

 

“And ch’Rihan is glad to have you back….Ma’Lyn…”

 

“I trust all is as we hoped?”

 

tr’Klaeneth smiled. “Ie…though we will have time to discuss our plans later…perhaps at dinner.”

 

Destorie nodded. “I had forgotten how magnificent this city was…”

 

“The might of ch’Rihan…”

 

“Yes,” Destorie couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride as the entourage walked past a statue of his father and another of his grandfather, and his great-grandfather. Soon, he thought, his visage would join them forever engraved in stone, and his destiny would be fulfilled.

 

~ ~ ~

 

“I am to old to lead the Empire back to it’s rightful place,” tr’Klaeneth said as the two of them sat in a low lit room in the Praetorian Manor dinning.

 

“With age comes great wisdom,” Destorie said unfolding the napkin at his side and placing it on his lap. “Besides who would challenge you?”

 

“Governor tr’Akaetis has had his eyes on the Praetorian for months now,” tr’Klaeneth reflected, taking a drink of ale. “He had the support of the Praetor…”

 

Destorie nodded. He’d been relatively out of view in the politics of ch’Rihan since the war, but he had ears everywhere. “The word I heard was that he was going to back Akaetis in the election.”

“You’ve heard most correctly. Infact he was going to make the announcement once he returned from Earth…”

 

 

“And with his backing, the Unity party would be unable to produce an opponent capable of defeating Akaetis,” Destorie finished the thought. “How convenient for you that he won’t be able to make that announcement.”

 

“Indeed,” Klaeneth smiled, but it quickly faded. “Though I would have preferred it had not come at such a price.”

 

Destorie’s eyes flickered slightly, remembering how close he’d came to death at that fatal event. “So with that out of the way…will Akaetis still run?”

 

“Of course,” Klaeneth responded quickly. “The Praetoriat is open for the taking. I can not run. I am too old and have too many skeletons in my closet.”

 

“Then what are we to do?”

 

“That’s why you’re here…”

 

Destorie’s eyes flickered again. “Me?”

 

“Yes…you…”

 

“I am soldier…not a politician…”

 

“I know…”

 

“The plan was for me to become Supreme Commander of the Galae…not the bloody Praetor…”

 

“Things have changed Ma’Lyn,” Klaeneth said slicing a vegetable and putting it in his mouth. “The party agrees with me…you are our choice Ma’Lyn….”

 

Destorie’s eyes danced over the food. The thought of being Praetor swirled in his head. “Surely there is someone else…”

 

“No, there is not.”

 

“But…”

 

“Listen. You have all the qualifications needed. You’re pedigree is unquestionable…”

 

Destorie sighed.

 

“Ma’Lyn, you come from a Great House, your wealthy…and the people love you…and you’ll have the support of the Praetor…”

 

Again Destorie sighed.

 

“With you as Praetor, we can assure the future of ch’Rihan and the D’Era is the one we choose, not one chosen by the Lloann’na and the Klivam favdt…”

 

Destorie considered this, “My great-grandfather was correct…they are dangerous…”

 

“Of course they are Ma’Lyn…”

 

“But his hatred for them lead to his downfall…”

 

“You forget I knew your Grandfather Ma’Lyn…I know of his father’s failings…and I also know where he went wrong.”

 

For a long moment neither of them spoke, “Your entire life Ma’Lyn you have questioned your birth right. You have lived in the shadows of those who came before you…”

 

Destorie’s eyes flashed.

 

“The lesser of son of greater men…” Klaeneth continued. “But in your heart you know this is your destiny. To lead the D’Era. To become greater than those before you…”

 

Everything Klaeneth said, it was true. His entire life Destorie compared himself to those before him, and somehow he never quite measured up to their legacies. But now he had the opportunity none of them had ever hada…to lead the Rihannsu as Praetor…and not just as Praetor…but as the first Praetor chosen by the people. His name would be remembered forever, echoed down the halls of time.

 

“What must I do?"