DILEmma

Carolene awoke at the first break of daylight.The forest was unusually silent as if there wasn't any demons in the vicinity at least none she could perceive.she stretched and looked up at the clear sky,she hadn't slept too long yet ached all over.

Her wings protruded from her back then she ascended.

From the distance she caught sight of a smoke arising from a building.Carolene drew closer and as it came into view,a loud gasp escaped her lips.

The birthhouse building was now reduced to ashes.The Emperor's flames had made it burn down so fast and Fiona had been right about him destroying the place.He was probably looking for her now.

She gulped and flew towards the palace.She would go to him,her curiosity piqued by the contents of Fiona's letter and what her fate would be.

Carolene descended as she reached the gate of the imperial palace.Flying by servants was prohibited in the imperial palace as was one's spirit guard prohibited from accompanying his master within the gates.Only lord's,kings or noble men could use their wings within the gates.And the knights if situation called for it.The only knight she ever saw worked with his spirit guard within the gates was the Emperor's knight, Gerald,the ladies favourite and the only man she was attracted to.He wasnt a royal but was much respected like a Prince and got the attention most princes wouldn't get from the ladies in Urah.They had been fond of each other for a long time and the way he looked at her sometimes made her think he felt the same way,but he had never expressed such feelings to her before.

Speaking of which,she looked up ahead to see him walking towards her with a wide grin on his face, seeing him smile this way always made her heart flutter in a way she didn't understand.He was on full amour and held a helmet on his hand exposing his blond nicely cut hair.

She stopped walking and just stared,even the sun above him aided in enhancing his appearance brightening his blond hair even more,his looks resonating with the glistening armor he wore.Gerald's first words jolted her back from her world of day dreaming.

"Carolene, I've been looking all over for you, almost sent the king's men out for a search where have you been?"

"Been out"

"You weren't permitted to leave the palace"Gerald reminded.

"I was out with the Empress yesterday"she said defensively,trying her best to avoid eye contact with him so she won't be caught staring forever.She hoped he didn't notice.

"Right,anyway you've been summoned by his imperial majesty,come with me".

Gerald turned and walked away as Carolene trailed after him,she still admired his features from behind careful not to get caught and ready to avert her gaze any instant he turned to look at her.

As they walked past different quaters of the imperial palace,the palace wasn't what it used to be.

Carolene noted the grim faces on the lord's who passed by.The atmosphere held a complete air of mourning.Some females gathered in a part of the courtyard,mumuring something Carolene couldn't hear.

Palace Gossips,a usual routine for servant of the imperial palace.Carolene had partaken in such gossips as a younger girl but not anymore.She now found that to be a waste of time.

Carolene spotted some kings of other kingdoms with their knights around the courtyard.News about the Empress demise must have spread and they had probably gathered here for a funeral.

They ascended a flight of spiral stirs which seemed unending and finally arrived at a long hallway with no windows.The floor was grey carpeted designed with costly stones and gold embroidery blending with the gold designs on the wall which was lightened by diverse colours of expensive lights giving the hallway an outlook of some magical fairyland.

Carolene recognized the place,they were in the Empress's quaters and were now headed towards her garden.

Throughout the walk Gerald never looked back at her,he walked straight ahead and only turned to respond to some greetings he received most especially from lady workers of the palace,knights and servants alike.

She couldn't wait for the walk to end so she would take one last look at him for she earned for it.

They took a circular turn and approached a large brown door.

Four knights were stationed outside.They all bowed when they saw Gerald approach them.

Queen Tyledaw,wife of king Zemah came out from the door and wordlessly walked past them.Her eyes were moist and she continuously dabbed at them with a handkerchief.Her maid servants and two knights followed hurriedly after her.

That was the only time Gerald turned backwards as he watched them go.He nodded to the knights at the door who nodded in return, opened it and they went in.

Carolene searched with her eyes for a while till she spotted the Emperor sitting in a gazebo by a fountain middle of the garden.

The garden was huge and covered with flowers except for the long pathways that connected with the fountain at the middle of the garden

The scent of flowers that hung in the air like a welcome embrace in the garden made anyone that came in never want to leave.

Once In the garden one could see the sky but not the other end of the garden.

The flowers stretched forth like an endless carpet towards what Carolene heard was a waterfall.She had never been to the end of the garden but could only imagine how the other end looked like.

Carolene had always marveled at the architectury of the place and how a waterfall was built in here If it was really built or maybe constructed with some mystical spell. From the outside one couldnt spot the garden but it was almost as large as the servants quaters and open to the sky.

This had been the Empress favorite place and Carolene had been with her here on several occasions but she only stayed by the door while the Empress walked further away.Sometimes she stayed by the fountain and other times she went out of eyeshot.

Gerald motioned her to the Emperor.She took one quick glance at him before he turned to leave through the door then she walked towards the Emperor.

She bowed when she reached him and be offered her a seat on the chair opposite him

"We have a lot to talk about" The emperor said, eying her closely and wondering how she had escaped from the fire.She must have known he would burn the place down.

"Yes your majesty"Carolene responded nervously,fiddling with her apron with one hand while in the other she gripped Fiona's letter tight as if someone was intent on snatching it away from her.

Tyran clasped his hand on the table in front of him and began,

"The birthhouse,why did the Empress deliver there what was she doing there and why?"

"I had accompanied her majesty to visit Queen Olivia,she had put to bed at the same place,they were close from childhood infact her majesty looked forward to meeting her.That morning I have never seen her so happy".Tyran considered this?why would a queen deliver at such place as well,he couldn't shake off the feeling Fiona was set up.He would interrogate Queen Olivia_wait,he had burnt down the birthhouse,could she still be alive?if she was he would send for her but first he had to find the letter and confirm the handwriting was hers.

"Were you with her the entire time?"Tyran asked

"Not quite,her majesty did send me to disperse her orders and also to prepare her a decoction for inducing labor"

"What were her orders?"

"To dismiss her knights and maid servants except the ones guarding the door to her ward"Carolene replied.

"Did she tell you her reason for that?"

Obviously to prevent you from killing them as well Carolene wanted to say but instead replied,

"No your majesty,she wouldn't tell me anything.When I returned she was already in labor screaming as blood flowed from beneath her".

"Did she take any drink or anything?"Tyran said looking at her expectantly.

"Except the decoction,none that I know of.But before she entered the birthhouse,her majesty did seem a bit lost in thought and confused.I inquired of her what the problem was but she said nothing."

Emperor Tyran looked thoughtful.

"Did she meet with Olivia before then?"he asked,now pulling on his beards

"No"Carolene responded.They didn't meet anymore,her magesty refused non staffs seeing her.I let people in on her orders ".

Emperor Tyran leaned back in his seat analysing all Carolene's response.

Fiona had not met Queen Olivia but she was still a suspect,she was poisoned according to the physician and judging by what Carolene had said she started acting strange before she entered the birthhouse which meant she was probably shot with a poisoned needle and her attacker had somehow managed to breech his antimagic barrier.He could only think of a few generals who were strong enough to do so,he would investigate them all.Investigating crimes such a s this was a Knight's duty but since it involved his son he would take up the investigation himself.

He thought of consulting a sorceror's wisdom but shoved off the thought.They would probably bring him more bad news and Tyran had heard enough.

Carolene held out the note and the Emperor looked down at it, puzzled.

"Her majesty asked to give this to you"she said.

The Emperor took the note and opened it.He looked at Carolene,then back at the note.It was Fiona's handwriting and she had requested Carolene nursed their son and at the same time warned against his trusting anyone.Tyran didn't buy the idea but had no choice besides it was a big relief to him.The baby had woken him up with his crying and had given the child only water this morning unsure of what to do to him,but his crying persisted so Tyran had hurriedly left his chambers to relax his eardrums.

He eyed Carolene's breast and a smile broke through his face.That could help.

Carolene followed his gaze and her face flushed.

If the Empress trusted Carolene with her son then he should too,at least for now.She was included in his death list but he would suspend that for now to honour Fiona's wishes.

"The Empress wants you to nurse her son".Tyran said.

Carolene looked interested and at the same time entrilled.She looked like the excitement would make her leap to her feet any moment.The Emperor watched her closely,she maybe thinking she would be like a second mother to him.

Not as a mother you idiot!You are still on my death list.The Empress only increased your lifespan to a few years.He wanted to say out loud but instead said,

"Certainly you know my son is different from us". Carolene nodded while smiling.

"And you know no one is to know about that.Exposing this secret means you wedding death and I'll be happy to fund the ceremony".

Emperor Tyran drew his seat closer and leaned forward.

"I want my son to live and I assure you,I'll do anything to ensure that happens.If anyone else finds out about this,you will make me thirsty and trust me,just your blood won't satisfy my thirst and am not sure both yours and your dead family's can."

Carolene gulped and nodded.She had never seen the Emperor this close to her,his words and even this closeness made her feel uncomfortable.She felt her whole body tremble but she didn't know why.

"Your imperial majesty,I swear on my blood this will only be between us". Carolene said placing a hand on her chest.

The Emperor only nodded and dismissed her.As she walked towards the only exit in the garden,Tyran notice her hand tremors but for some reason that didn't satisfy him.

"Prepare a bounty notice on Dark,any one who finds him recives Five thousand gold pieces".Tyran said through a telepathic link to Gerald.

"Have my knights distribute it to all six kingdoms and have them search for him"

"Right away your majesty"came Gerald's voice from the other end.

The Emperor leaned back into his seat and sighed as he pondered on the last words Fiona had written on her letter.

"And trust no one".

********************

"You went to the birthhouse now didn't you"Prince Marcus queried as he walked towards the Sorceror a room in the king's quaters.

Dark looked up at Marcus from the book he was reading.

"How did you find me?"

Prince Marcus sighed and slammed the notice on the table before him.

Dark took a quick glance at the paper Infront of him and looked back at the prince.

"So?"

"The king requested you do not go and yet you did you were banished from Delvin,you know that"

"I went to do a job I know you wouldn't finish".

Marcus smiled.

"Hmmphh....And did you finish it?"he asked raising a brow.

Dark only growled at him,his brows furrowed Marcus placed both hands on the table and leaned closer.

"And look what you got"Marcus said, pointing a finger very close at the notice "You're now wanted, you're going to get us all in trouble and I won't stand back and watch you do that"

Dark let out a loud laugh which resonated in the room.

"What can a weak prince such as yourself do?"

Marcus stood upright still looking down at him.

"Oh you'll see,you best find a way to correct this,I won't be caught along side you,have that in mind."

Marcus walked towards the door and opened it.Before he stepped out he looked Dark's way and said

"The wanted on the notice even looks better than you do in real life,Serves you right!"

Marcus said and slammed the door behind him.

Dark ignored him and eyed the notice for a while and quickly read through its contents then his eyes paused at the reward.Five thousand gold pieces for catching him,was a lot of money but there barely are any general or sorceror who could face off with him in a battle.He picked up his book to continue reading.The Emperor would never be able to find him,even if he did,he would ensure it was after he had his Son's head.