Empire's Son: An Epic Science Fiction Novel Series

"I feel fine," I told the Caretaker for the third time as he scanned me yet again.

The man squinted at the transparent projection hovering in the air in front of the Caretaker. It was a scan of my internal body, and he kept scrutinizing it like he'd missed something important. "There are no signs of the knife injury that you told me about, not even internal damage."

"That's a good thing, isn't it?" I asked the man, wondering how much I should say.

Markus had warned me before we made our way up to the administration building that I should stay silent about our bond. That what we had done would cause trouble, and that not everyone at the College was in the know about how the bonding actually happened. But how was I supposed to hide the gaping hole in my clothes where Zorren had stabbed me, or the large amount of blood all over my person? The wound might be gone, but the evidence of what had happened was still there.

It was what had caused such a stir when Markus, Tetki, the unconscious Zorren, and I had returned to the administration building amongst a collection of Disciples, Pledges, and ex-Protectors all in gear ready to descend to the bonding chambers for a full assault. Only after we had beaten them up the ancient stairs that I had spied earlier, after Zorren had released me. Now free of the trap that had been there before. Markus hadn't wanted our small group to split up, and so opted for the stairs instead of us individually using the transporter. It had also been easier to bring Zorren out, slung on the shoulder of Tetki.

The Protector didn't even seem winded by his burden or the climb when we'd reached the top. I was sure that had to be the effect of his bond with my father. I too was pleasantly surprised that the long climb had only seemed to invigorate me, and had to hide a grin when I reached the top at my eagerness to go another long set of stairs.

The surprise on the assault team's faces was evident when we appeared. The leader, whose name I didn't catch, had taken one look at all the blood on me and ordered two of his men to have me escorted to be examined immediately by a Caretaker. Markus had protested our being split up, but he was ordered to Commander Dexter's office to give a debriefing of recent events. I reassured him through the bond that I would be alright and then allowed myself to be whisked away.

Since then, I had been deposited into the care of Caretaker Releo as he asked me how I'd gotten all that blood on me, and then pondered how I had no sign of any injury. Maybe I should have come up with a lie about why I was covered in blood, but it was too late to do that now as I watched the Caretaker continue to puzzle over the mystery.

"It seems all the damage to the lung you received early in the week is gone, too. Did you have the last two treatments to mend it?" Kessler asked with a perplexed expression. "It shows on your record that you would receive those treatments on the way to Dyniss?"

I silently cursed Markus and his telling me to keep the bond secret. What the heck was I supposed to do now?

"I'm also getting a strange reading here. It can't be possible, of course, because only those recently bonded have these readings." The Caretaker shook his head as if it was a completely unacceptable possibility, and then he looked up at me sharply. "You weren't bonded in the last day, or so were you? I was told you were going to be holding off on that?"

I stared at him like a deer in the headlights, trying to come up with something to say. "I… well… ummmm…"

The door to the room swished open to reveal Rainus, and I silently sent up a thank you for the interruption.

"How is he, Caretaker?" The King asked briskly as he swept into the room and stopped near me. The King eyed my bloody coat for a long moment and then turned his attention back to the Caretaker.

"Well, my scans say he's in perfect health, though I'm not sure how," Kessler replied as he squinted at the scan one more time.

"Excellent, then if you don't mind, I'd like to speak to the Heir in private." Rainus said as if he weren't really interested in what the Caretaker had to say at all.

The Caretaker bowed his head to the King. "Of course, Majesty." Kessler then bowed to me, touched something on the scanner in his hand that made the transparent image of the inner workings of my body disappear, and made an exit.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Once we were alone, I turned to the King. But before I could say a word, the King beat me to it.

"I know about the double bond, and Zorren, and Hame. It seems you've had a much more eventful day than I have."

I nodded. "Yes, it all seems a little surreal."

Rainus looked down at the bloody coat once more. I saw something pass across his face, but it was gone before I could catch it. I was getting nothing but cool calculation from the King through my Dome-ni.

"I am glad that you no longer have any physical adverse effects from the today's events. Though, I'm not sure that your father will like the results––you with this double bond and Zorren acting out in yet another attempt on your life. I suppose we have one thing going in our favor this time. There's definite evidence of his wrongdoing. He won't be able to get out of this easily . Even the Kings Council will convict Zorren in a fair trial.

Relief flushed through me at hearing that. After my first meeting with my eldest brother, I had decided I did not need a second. It would have been nice if we could have worked out our differences, but it was clear that wasn't going to happen. I was glad something would be done about him, and I wouldn't have to deal with him anymore. My introduction back to Ethia was difficult enough without his continuous threat looming over me.

"Well, I suppose one good thing came out of all this mess. Maybe two. I know it was unexpected, but I think maybe this double bond will be a good thing. At least I have a Protector now."

A thought came to me, and I felt a queasiness in my stomach. "Oh no, Gayle." I felt all the air deflating from my lungs. What was I going to tell her?

Rainus gave me a sympathetic look. "I'm sure she will understand. Markus did what he had to do; of that I am sure, and there are other clients who need Protectors."

I nodded, but wasn't so sure she would understand. I remembered how upset she'd been at Markus at our dinner last night and how excited she'd been after I told her I wanted her to be my Protector. And I had at that time. It wasn't just that I felt limited in my choices. Gayle and I had only worked together for a short time, but I found her to be capable, intelligent, and fiercely loyal. I also knew that she had gotten in trouble over helping me, and I wanted to make that right.

"I should be the one to tell her," I said, as my mind worked on how I could make things up to her.

Rainus nodded. "That would be best. But for now, we have more pressing matters to discuss. The Council will want a full report of what happened with Zorren. We are still waiting for the storm to pass, so I thought we could record it while it's still fresh. I need to call your father to let him know about the events, and it would be best if I had something tangible I could give him to settle him, at least a little.

"He's not going to be happy about any of this, but I know your father, and having this thing with Zorren coming to a head will be difficult for him. It also makes things easier. For your father, Zorren has been a personal problem that's been becoming a larger problem for a while now. Ghar has done what he could to curb your brother, but he's been hesitant to do what he knows needs to be done. I am sure after your recent meeting with your brother that you have surmised how much of a problem he truly is?" Rainus said, giving me a pointed look.

I knew what he was referring to. I felt it when I was with Zorren, but had had little time to think about it with everything being so crazy. There was something wrong with Zorren. I could not put into words exactly what that might be, but I distinctly recalled the twisted rage and jealousy I'd felt from my brother.

"There's something... not right about him. His emotions were so intense, so volatile. It was like he couldn't control them at all."

Rainus sighed heavily. "Yes, we've suspected for some time that Zorren is mentally unstable. Your father has tried various treatments and interventions over the years, but nothing seems to help. This latest incident has now made it something he can no longer contain. This will go before the Council, and it will finally take the burden off your father. No one should have to sentence their own child to permanent confinement, or worse."

I felt a pang of sympathy for my father, despite the complicated feelings I had towards him. Now that I had met Zorren I had a better understanding of what things must have been like for my father over the years, and why he had gone out of his way to not only bring me back, but secure my cooperation in becoming his Heir. It made me wonder about my other two brothers. What made them unsuitable to be our father's successor? After my terrifying meeting with Zorren, I wasn't sure I wanted to find out.

"I understand," I said softly. "What do you need from me for the report?"

Rainus activated his unity ring, and it blinked blue, letting me know it was ready to record. "Just tell me everything that happened from the moment you encountered Zorren. Don't leave out any details, no matter how small they may seem."

I took a deep breath and began recounting the events, starting with waking up to find myself in the ancient chamber. As I spoke, Rainus occasionally asked clarifying questions, but mostly just listened intently. The holographic device recorded everything.

When I got to the part about the bonding, I hesitated. "Um, about that..."

Ranius reached down and touched a button to stop the recording. "I think that's enough. They don't need to know about the rest."

I nodded with relief. "Good. What happened next?"

"Now we wait for the wheels of justice to get going."