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Dawn brought the day and Prince Yin Og, his firstborn child Ioni. She wasn’t the expected son and heir of Yi Ti. However, Ioni had been such a beautiful baby that fears of there being no other children soon vanished. Two years later, Princess Chai Yin gave birth to a son, Yin Dar. The empire of Yi Ti rejoiced again and duded the children, the Amethyst Siblings. They were dearly needed for the great kingdom.

                Yi Ti had been envied by all other kingdoms. Some sought to woo them, while others sought to plunder them. The Topaz Emperor had to contend with several fierce marauders and tribes during his reign. He was strong and fearless, so he never cracked under the pressure. After the birth of his son, Prince Yin Og joined his father on the battlefield.

                The princess consort would go on to bear two more children, another daughter and son. Sadly, both her and her infant son fell ill and died. Prince Og was allowed to mourn the death of his wife and son for eight months before he was forced to remarry.

                Ioni was seven years old when Prince Og wedded Lady Ara. Grand Advisor, Har Rai’s family was placed in charge of the young princesses’ care. Princess Ioni stood by the Grand Advisor and his wife’s side at the ceremony and bowed to her new stepmother. Lady Ara had been polite to all her wedding guests except for the foreign ones which she snubbed. Ioni promptly invited the Lengii princesses for tea and the Ifequevron visitors for a stroll in the royal gardens.

                It became clear to the Grand Advisor that Lady Ara would be a terrible Great Royal Wife when the time came despite her noble lineage. The Great Royal Wife’s role was a hostess and diplomat for the kingdom. He started to groom Ioni to play this part instead. Lady Ara did fulfill her role as a wife to the prince by bearing him two daughters.

                Lady Ara grew livid at the news that Prince Og will be acquiring a second wife. “I swore to the prince, my husband and love that I will bear him many children, and he promised to give me his heart. How could he betray me like this?!”

               “What do you expect? You bore him daughters.”

               “Dar!” Ioni scolded her little brother. “Princess Ara, father must serve Yi Ti first. Daughters are necessary to keep the empire together. No one should force you to be responsible for giving birth to a flock of children. Father knows this as he knows you will give him many wonderful sons. Dar and I adore our half-sisters greatly.” She elbowed her brother, who ignored her.

               Prince Og arrived, and Dar rushed towards him. “Father, father, General Gui says I’m improving rapidly in my swordplay. I shall soon be wielding a real sword.”

              “Excellent.” Prince Og praised. “I wish to hear all about it over lunch.”

              “Princess Ara’s handmaidens have already made a meal for us. This way, please father.” Ioni pointed to the opposite direction.

              A lovely feast was made for the entire royal family with karydi nut cake for dessert. Dar enthusiastically devoured the slice of cake and his father’s news. “How goes the war against those fiends of K’Dath?”

             “We’ll soon drive them back beyond the Five Forts.” The prince beckoned a servant over to refill his cup.

             “May I join you for the next war, father?”

              “No, I don’t wish you to be harm, little brother.” Ioni fretted.

             “He has lion’s blood in his veins. Don’t fear for him. His enemies should fear.” Prince Og gulped his beer.

             “Yes, warriors must prove themselves in battle.” Princess Ara chimed in support and for her own agenda.

             “Hopefully, there will be no more bloodshed. Our people have suffered enough.” Ioni amended.

             The princess consort didn’t make the pretense of being happy with Prince Og marrying Lady Yoki. Princess Consort Ara dumped pearl wine on Lady Yoki after Prince Og departed for the frontlines. The two wives were at each other’s throats. The High Steward placed them at opposite ends of the palace. This did little to lessen the quarreling.

             With the Topaz Emperor’s death, Prince Og became emperor, and Ara became the Great Royal Wife. She paraded her new position around the court as well as her pregnancy. When an urgent matter concerning the kingdom arose, she was nowhere to be seen. Since the emperor was away, the royal staff summoned Prince Dar to return from his hunting trip. He refused, and Princess Ioni took his place.

             The First General updated everyone on the situation. “The merfolk are attacking our shores as the tribes of the Hyrkoon threaten our villages to the west. We’re being attacked from all sides. We need more soldiers.”

            “We don’t have enough to cover both sides. We’ll have to choose which enemy to attack.” The Grand Advisor stated.

            This didn’t sit well with the High Steward. “Are you suggesting that we sacrifice some of our people? That’s a terrible option even if we could choose it. The one enemy isn’t going to sit back and wait for us to defeat the other. What are we going to do?”

           Ioni stared at the map. “Send all our remaining forces west against the tribes.”

          “What about the merfolk?” The Grand Advisor reminded her.

          “We’ll ask the turtle people to help us with them.”

          “They won’t aid us unless we give them control of our rivers.” The First General objected. “We can’t allow them to rule our rivers.”

          “Rhoyne wants a river home for her people. This doesn’t exactly mean our rivers. Yi Ti will grant her ships and supplies in exchange for her people’s aid against the merflock.”

          “The Topaz Emperor had already ruled against bowing to their wishes.” The High Steward informed her. “We must not counteract his will.”

           “True, but the situation has changed. Naturally, no emperor would desire the capital to be ravage. This is the best option to defend Yi Ti. Make the needed arrangements please. I will place the royal seal on them and take full responsibility.” Her words and plan pleased the imperial staff. Ioni believed her part was over.

           They summoned Prince Dar again to return from his hunting trip, and again he didn’t respond. The First General believed the presences of a crowned prince would spur the men to fight harder. They had to settle for a princess instead. Princess Ioni rode out with the Third General who led the assault against the Hyrkoon invaders.

           Yi Tish successfully defended Tiqui from attack and celebrated their victory there. The Third General was in good spirits, but he observed the princess wasn’t. “What’s wrong?”

          “We need to sue for peace.”

         “But we won?”

         “We had surprise on our side and superior numbers, yet they made it pass two lines of our defenses here. They’re too large and well trained. If war is declared, we might win it, though our heavy losses won’t be worth it. Please, send an envoy to the Hyrkoon right away.”

         He hated to admit it, but the princess was right. He obeyed and sent word to the Hyrkoon to negotiate for peace. The chieftains of the Hyrkoon were upset by their defeat. They were still willing to sit for negotiations as long as they were done promptly.

         The princess was stuck negotiating. “We agree to extend our boarders over there in your favor if you honor Tiqui’s current boarders. We’ll cement this peace with one of your daughters marrying Prince Dar.”

         Chief Pataman stroked his beard. “It’s not equal. We’ll only accept if a Yi Tish princess is given to one of our sons as well. You’ll hold our daughter as hostage, and I’ll hold your daughter as hostage.”

        “That’s not what – fine.”

        “We must have a man’s word, your emperor’s word first, and we want to know which girl is being offered.”

         Princess Ioni took a deep breath. “If it pleases you, I’ll be offered in marriage. And you’ll receive the emperor’s word of approval in a month.”

          Emperor Og wasn’t pleased by the deal. He marched about so hard that his opal necklace clicked. “No barbarian girl is wedding my son and heir.”

         “Your majesty.” The Grand Advisor bowed his head. “The kingdom needs this truce now.”

          “Then, give them two daughters.”

         To everyone’s surprise, the chieftains agreed. Joobal, a son of a chieftain had been chosen to marry Princess Ioni. He vented his frustration. “They’re punishing me for our defeat, when it wasn’t even my fault.”

        “This isn’t a punishment.” The older warrior Onaona rode beside him.

        “For you, no. You get to bring your woman home. I’ve been exile to this foreign land as a hostage for ten years. They shame me.”

        “You understand so little. The emperor of Yi Ti was a fourth son. Three other heirs perished for him to become heir. Now, he is off fighting with just one male heir. That’s very dangerous and fortunate for you.”

        “What are you saying?”

         “If the emperor and his son die, who is next in line to rule this entire empire? His eldest daughter’s son.” Onaona pointed to him. “You’ll be the father to him. Chief Pataman is clever. Allow the people of Yi Ti to be comfortable with your face. You might be ruling them through your son.”

         They weren’t the only ones to realize the dangers of having one male heir to the throne. Emperor Og brokered an alliance with the kingdoms of Stygai and Asshai. He took Lady Dessa of Stygai and Lady Nissa Ahai of Asshai as his concubines. Publicly, this was done to fight the vile clans of Morn. The mountain men had ravished some of the eastern towns of Yi Ti and taken captives as slaves. Privately, the emperor needed more sons.

        At the concubine ceremonies, the Great Royal Wife scowled as the second wife Consort Yoki drank. Princess Ioni quietly arranged for the consort to be snuck away to her chamber before she could embarrass herself. There was nothing to be done to ease the Great Royal Wife, who was too stubborn and proud to budge. The princess sat back down at the table with her brother and sister during the celebratory feast.

       “I’m sorry, sister.” Prince Dar leaned over to her. “If only I hadn’t gone on that hunt, or if the messenger had been clearer, I’d have defeat the Hyrkoon. Now, you and Aponi are stuck marrying those brutes.”

       “It’s for the best to make peace. I’m honored to serve Yi Ti.” She patted her little brother’s hand, though she glanced over at her little sister worried.

        The Yi Tish custom had been for the groom to give the bride gifts. However, the Hyrkoon didn’t follow this. Princess Ioni arranged a gift of an iron spear with a steel point be given to both Hyrkoon grooms. As for Onaona, he was gifted additional items of a shield and two fine horses. Joobal seemed annoyed by this, so Princess Ioni promptly explained the reason for the additional gifts.

       Since Onaona had to wait to consummate the marriage because Little Princess Aponi was only eight years old, he deserved more gifts for his patience. Princess Ioni didn’t trust his patience, and she lied about her sister age (Aponi was eleven years old at the time) and assigned four sworn guards to defend her sister. After their dual wedding was performed, only Princess Ioni was stuck consummating the marriage. There were no guards for her. She had to do her duty no matter the cost.

       She welcomed her new husband, Joobal to her bedchambers with a smile and hoped for a peaceful union. He eagerly came towards her bed until the lace curtains around it caught him like a spider web. She tried to help him out, but he pushed her aside in frustration. He tore the bed apart in a fury as the princess departed from the room. Joobal refused to return to her bedchambers the following night. Part of her wished that he kept refusing her bed, so the marriage would be voided. Prudence overtook desire. She set up a Hyrkoon tent in a royal garden and entreated her husband to join her in his language.

       Her work paid off, and the princess was soon pregnant. The Great Royal Wife had been heavy with child then. She insisted that she was going to bear the emperor another prince and demanded royal bedchambers for the prospective prince. The only problem was where she planned for these chambers to be at.

        “You’re not removing me from my room!” Lady Dessa fumed.

        “Fine, my son will take her chambers,” the Great Royal Wife pointed to Nissa. “The farmer’s daughter can sleep in the stables.”

        “We’re of nobility.” Dessa stomped her foot. “You will not treat us in such a manner!”

       “You’re only one step above a merchant, and I am –“

        “Enough.” Princess Ioni interrupted the women. “Great Royal Wife, a nice room in the southwest corner has already been chosen for your child.”

        “It won’t do at all. A prince of the Dawn should have a room on the east side of the palace.”

        “It has been decided.”

        “No, it hasn’t. I get the final say.”

        “No Ara.” Princess Ioni glared at the Great Royal Wife. “The emperor does, and he has spoken.”

       The Great Royal Wife stormed away, and Lady Dessa grinned as she departed. Princess Ioni walked over to Lady Nissa. “How are you doing?”

        “Fine, princess.”

        “I respectfully disagree.” She wrapped her arm around Lady Nissa’s arm. “Please tell me the truth.”

        “I don’t wish to cause any problems over a slight discomfort from my new surroundings.”

        “Ah.” Princess Ioni understood. “The custom of removing all foreign possessions and servants from a consort has always been too strict. I’ll see to returning some of your old things and a servant or two back if I can. If not, some new things from Asshai may be sent to you.”

         “Thank you, Princess Ioni.”

         “Ioni. You may call me Ioni.”

        The Great Royal Wife’s dream was finally fulfilled when after three daughters, she bore a son. The baby was named Yin Wapi and received many gifts. The Great Royal Wife threw a feast to celebrating the birth of the second royal heir even before the emperor got to see and claim him.

        Emperor Og visited the palace briefly to see his new son. As he looked down upon the baby, he found the child very unpleasing. Wapi was very pale sickly looking with a slight malformed back and leg. His mismatch eyes lacked luster to them. The emperor left the palace without a word. The Great Royal Wife made up excuses for why the emperor didn’t present his son to the royal court. Many nobles saw pass this and wished they could rescind their gifts.

        It wasn’t just a great insult. This called into question whether Prince Wapi was actually the emperor’s son especially since the emperor acknowledged his sons, Mar from Lady Dessa and Azor from Lady Nissa the next year. The Great Royal Wife launched a campaign to harasses both women and their infant sons. The High Steward and Princess Ioni were stuck in the middle of the quarreling trying to keep the peace. As illness spread through the palace, the Great Royal Wife’s tactics turned from mean to ruthless.

       All four Royal Male Healers had been charged with the sole care of Prince Wapi. The High Steward had to pry one away to help little Prince Mar. Lady Dessa retorted. “Prince Wapi needs all the aid that he can get. He’s lucky to have been born.”

       Princess Ioni diverted around the Great Royal Wife’s medical blockage and got a Royal Female Healer to tend to Prince Azor.

      His mother worried. “Aren’t Female Healer forbidden to treat boys?”

      “Men.” Princess Ioni clarified. “In times of crisis, both have been allowed to treat babies of both genders and children up to age four, though some healers claim it should raise to eight-year-olds. No one contests helping babies.” She brushed Lady Nissa’s unkempt hair. “As for the Great Royal Wife’s other cruel mischief, the High Steward will inform the emperor to put a stop to her harassing and assaulting your maidservants. I’ll rotate all the maidservants around daily for now, so she won’t know who will be serving you or Lady Dessa for now.”

      “If you feel this is for the best.”

       “But?”

       The princess’ soft voice encouraged Lady Nissa to admit. “I don’t wish to lose my handmaiden Hedassa. She’s very dear to me.”

       “You won’t, I promise. It’s just temporary measure. I don’t want any more of your maidservants tripped and shoved.”

      “Dessa says Ara is cruel because her son is cursed by the gods. Is that true? Did she do something bad, and her son is being punished for it?”

       “So, this is the lie being spread around. No god torments an innocent baby regardless of how evil his parents are.”

        “Then, why is the baby so frail and ugly?”

        “The Great Royal Wife did some questionable things during her pregnancy, and her family does have a history of ailments. In time, Prince Wapi might develop into a fine-looking young man regardless of this. Still, whether she drank or ate something that she shouldn’t, Wapi inherited some ailment or just a simple random bad occurrence doesn’t mean at all that he is cursed. I hope the young prince will grow stronger in time.”

        “I’m looking forward to my son playing with your daughter.” Lady Nissa truly appreciated the princess’ kindness.

       Joobal wasn’t pleased with having a daughter nor the customary waiting two years to conceive another child. Princess Ioni tried to be respectful and understanding of her husband’s complaints, but they seemed to so petty when compared to poor Consort Wife Yoki.

         She would have been content to have any child since she had been barren for six years without even a miscarriage. Princess Ioni saw her condition worsen and begged the royal consort to leave the palace. Consort Wife Yoki could go serve a temple for the Maiden-Made-of-Light to aid the sick and poor, or she could join the Children of the Stars to care for orphans. The princess knew she would be happier there than the harsh palace.

        Joobal had been happier off fighting in the plains the horse tribes and the nomads of N’ghai. He only briefly returned to impregnate his wife again. Consort Wife Yoki briefly visited her disappointed family and committed suicide on the way back to the palace. Her death would mark the start of calamities for the royal family.

         A prospective new second wife died mysteriously died in route to the palace. Rumors sprung up that the Great Royal Wife was behind this death. Life grew tension in the palace as the Great Royal Wife demanded her relatives have official positions. She became irate when the emperor refused. He added fuel to the tension by granting opal tokens to all his sons except Wapi. This caused more enmity within the royal household. When Prince Mar was tripped and hurt his knee, Lady Dessa successfully petitioned additional guards from her homeland of Stygai. Some people claimed the unrest in the palace caused a large black stone to fall from the heavens.

        Whatever its source, the stone proved pure evil. Those who stumbled upon it were forever changed. Princess Ioni’s children Bai and Hymy were playing with Prince Azor, when a warning was sounded throughout the palace. A handmaiden took the children a side, as Princess Ioni went to investigate. It was too unthinkable and ghastly to imagine the scene presented to her.

        “The black stone is part of the face of the gods. It ordered me to sacrifice the boy.” Lady Nissa held the drowned Prince Mar in her arms. “The stone glows so radiantly. My whole body feels its warm glorious touch.”

Nissa was immediately placed under heavy guard and restraints. Prince Azor hugged his mother and wept as she continued her endless ranting.

      Princess Ioni watched over him as she spoke with Lady Dessa. “You have my greatest sympathies. It’s within your rights to have Nissa killed, but she has truly gone mad. I beg you for the sake of her son, please spare her.”

      “I know she’s not to blame for my son’s death. The only way that she was able to kill my son because half of my guards fell under the black stone’s spell.” Lady Dessa’s blood boiled. “I want the vile thing DESTROYED!”

       The large black stone was broken apart, and pieces were placed in a powerful furnace. The emperor rode past the smoke on his way to the palace. He sat on his throne and stared angrily at Lady Nissa presented before him. “I should have her head for killing a royal prince.”

       “Father please.” Princess Ioni fell on bended knees. “Examine this poor woman. Her hair has thinned, and patches have fallen out. Her skin is pale. She has barely eaten and hardly sleeps. The cursed stone has made her body and mind sick. She needs a healer and not an executioner. Please wise emperor and dear father spare this ill woman.” She glanced at Azor who stood faithfully by his mother’s side hugging her.

       “Emperor.” The Second Advisor bowed his head. “The council of advisors are unsure if this stone is to blame. Several men have gone by it and still kept their wits.”

      “They weren’t present when the evil stone was glowing.” The Grand Advisor glared at the Second Advisor.

       Lady Dessa stood by the emperor’s side. “Is every ounce of the black stone gone?”

       “A large portion of the core, we believe, was stolen by the Crafters of Flesh.” The Grand Advisor informed the royal court.

        “Those wretched monsters,” Princess Ioni sneered.

        “I can’t believe that you would refer to them as such.” The Second Advisor rose his brow. “They’re peaceful men of science unlike your animal Ifeuevron and their magical powers.”

        “They carved up live babies.” Her tone revealed her disgust.

        “In the name of science, princess, and they have made many advances in healing from it.” The Second Advisor maintained.

         “I don’t care if they can gain a man ten more years of life from it. Slaughtering thousands of men, women, and children is a price that should have never been paid. It’s heinous. Men are judged not by their appearance but by their actions. I humbly suggest that we forcefully acquire the black stone from them and destroyed it.” This was uncharacteristic of Princess Ioni to request violence. It shocked the royal court.

       “If the black stone is dangerous, it is better to leave the stone there.” The emperor decided.

       Princess Ioni peeked up at her father. “What of Lady Nissa?”

      “She and all the others affected will be placed under the care of healers.”

         Regardless, they all perished from the black stone sickness. Princess Ioni took in Azor and treated him like her son. Azor had been unofficially punished by the emperor for his mother’s action. Palace servants were no longer required to call him “Prince Azor,” and the High Steward took away the emperor’s opal token from him.

       Prince Wapi taunted him with a bracelet charm. “Look, I found your house stone, coal. Little Azor of Ash and Dung Shovelers.”

        Princess Ioni slapped Wapi across his face.

        “How dare you strike the heir!!!” The Great Royal Wife screamed. “Guards! Seize her!”

         Princess Ioni held her grounds as the guards hesitated to move. “You think your title gives you power. The people give you power. No one respects a fool or a weakling.” She held little Azor’s hand and bravely walked through the guards.

         She led him to her chambers and grabbed her ornate jewelry box. She besotted to Azor a silver necklace with an amethyst shaped heart. She had gifted this kind of necklace to all her children. “I can never replace your dear mother nor should I. This is just a symbol of how much I love you and want you, little brother.”

      “It’s beautiful like your eyes.” Azor held it in the palm of his hand. “I’ll cherish it always.”

       Her children were the dearest things in her life. It devastated Princess Ioni when her husband Joobal divorced her. He tired of the marriage and no longer had the hope of his son ruling of the kingdom. Yi Ti had no divorce yet. Still, the arrangement was honored to the princess great distress. Joobal took their son with him back to the Hyrkoon. She attempted to pry Hymy away from Joobal, but he was too strong for her. She persisted and followed him to the stables. Joobal tossed his son on a horse and kicked the princess to the ground.

      The emperor had supported Joobal’s claim of Hymy and refused to allow anyone to interfere. Despite him being on horseback, she continued to chase after him on foot through the capital. Once he made it to the outskirts all hope was lost, she returned to the palace with bloody feet as the sores of her shoes had worn out. She wept for days. The emperor soon ordered her to remarry.

      She had hoped this time that it could be for love, instead she was betrothal to Asa Feo, who was the son of the governor of Asabhad. Surprisingly, the wedding ceremony was less dignified than her previous one. The bridegroom was extremely giddy, while the emperor was flirting with his two new wives and two concubines. The Great Royal Wife sulked at a table with her supporters. She shot daggers at the emperor and quietly mocked him behind his back.

      She gave all this attention to the emperor and none to her children. Princess Ioni kept advising her to pay more heed to them. Her daughter Zuri was a great beauty on the prowl constantly for handsome men, while her other daughter Zui ran around like a wild horse. Wapi quarreled loudly during the wedding feast to the embarrassment of the royal court. Princess Ioni had the High Steward take him to his chambers before the heated discussion came to blows.

        The wedding might have been a disappointment. Though, the wedding night proved much better. Her husband came to her bed late, yet his passion and tenderness more than made up for it. Princess Ioni awoke refreshed the next morning. Sadly, he woke and departed before her probably because he had to leave early in the morning.

        The emperor awoke in a fury and continued to be in a foul mood for days. Despite strict secrecy, rumors escaped that his two concubines had been assassinated. He didn’t feel safe in the palace, so he commissioned a small palace retreat in Tiqui to find solace from the chaos of the capital. His new wives journeyed there with him.

       His eldest daughter remained and governed the city. Princess Ioni also labored to oversee the royal family. She smiled at Azor as he cradled her newborn daughter Poni.

       “She’s beautiful. I love her.” He carefully handed her back to the princess. “She’ll be my little sister, and I’ll spar with her one day like I do with Bai.”

        Hyrkoon tradition ordered that as soon as a boy could walk, he was to learn to fight. The problem was only another Hyrkoon could train him. His father wasn’t there. However, there was a loophole. He can be taught to fight by his own blood, hence Bai was trained to fight, so she could teach her little brother. Princess Ioni missed Hymy greatly and prayed every day for his wellbeing and wrote often to him. She clung lovingly to the family that she still had.

        No one could seem to get a single grip on Princess Zui, who routinely ran circles around the imperial guards. None of the royal family were allowed to go unaccompanied outside of royal palace. Zui frequently escaped. Thankfully, she always returned with a sweet sop as her trophy from the market. The High Steward was delighted one day to find a palace guard had finally caught the princess before she could escape.

        As he praised the guard, Princess Ioni became uncomfortable with how much the young guard was blushing and keeping quiet. She took Zui aside privately. “What happen when he caught you?”

       “I rewarded him.”

       “With what?”

        “A kiss.”

        Do you find him handsome?”

        “Very much so. He’s very charming too.”

        Princess Ioni sighed.

       “He isn’t in trouble for liking me. Is he?”

        “Don’t fret. I’ll handle the situation.”

        The Great Royal Wife didn’t fancy how Princess Ioni arranged the situation and stormed in. “You’ve overreached yourself. I’ll have you punished for betrothing my daughters to unsuitable men against my wishes.”

        “Your wishes?” Princess Ioni glanced up from the city’s tax reports.

        “Yes, the emperor and I already decided to betroth my daughters to Lord Qui’s sons.”

        “A princess is already married into that household. You can’t have another one marry into it.”

        “Of course, we can.”

        “There is no ‘we’.” The princess saw through her lie. “The emperor never approved. Did he? Do you know why he didn’t do? Marrying into a powerful family is a good way to make alliance especially heavily marrying into it will strengthen the bond. It’s good for a noble family, and a stupid way for running an empire. It breeds discord by favoring one house more than others. An empire can’t stand if it’s feuding within itself. This is the reason for the emperor refusal of your plans. As for mine, he will agree to the matches, which befit the empire and your daughters.”

       “Really?! Zuri is marrying a mere third son of Lord Ji, and Zui is being given to a lowly guard.”

       “He has gained the position of second captain of the Eastern Forces. It isn’t unheard of a princess marrying a man of such rank. In any regards, he’s a good young man and loves your daughter dearly. We should all be that fortunate. As for Princess Zuri, she ought to have been married earlier. Her actions have brought shame to the imperial family. Thankfully, House Ji resides far away, so they won’t have heard the gossip about her, so she can be welcome with opened arms.”

      “You expect me to believe this is all being done for the benefit of my daughters?!”

      “I don’t expect anything from you, since I’m only accountable for myself.”

      “The emperor will hear about this.” This was an idle threat by the Great Royal Wife.

       The emperor was fixated on other matter. The discovery of his new second wife’s infertility had him worry. He wanted an heir who wasn’t deformed or a traitor’s son. Thankfully, his third wife gave birth to a healthy son, Xan, and two years later Lady Dessa had another son named Styg. He declared these two sons as his heirs to the court. The most of nobles were shocked by this break of protocol, and some openly consoled the Great Royal Wife and Wapi for the insult.

      There were those who knew better and suspected the Great Royal Wife for the dead concubines and the recent royal wife’s infertility. She won’t be deterred from placing her son on the throne one day. Princess Ioni didn’t feel bad about Prince Wapi not becoming emperor. As a boy, Wapi liked to crush decoration birds with a rock, and as a young man, he enjoyed making servant girls cry. This isn’t a man that should ever be emperor. Azor was different, and she would try to make her father see this.

      Her brother-in-law Lord Asa Foi visited her family for the wedding of her daughter Bai marriage to Har Uni, the nephew of the Grand Advisor. Foi brought his niece Poni a gift of griffon feathers.

      “Thank you, uncle.” Poni picked out the biggest feather and handed it to Azor.

      He inspected it confused. “What should I do with a single feather? I can’t make a hawk headdress out of it.”

      “Ifequevron warriors weave feathers into their hair.” She had met some with her mother.

      “Do you think the feather suit me, little sister?” He held the feather against his hair.

      She giggled.

     “Actually, I think this suits you better.” Foi gave Azor a sword.

     Azor unsheathed it. “A steel sword, wow, only generals and captains possess them.”

      “Your skill warrants it. Since you’re joining the battle beyond the Five Forts, it’s only reasonable for you to have it.”

      Poni tugged on Azor’s arm. “May I swing it next?”

      “Not until you’re older.” Princess Ioni entered the room. She saw the children’s desire. “You may go visit the practice yard for an hour. Then, I expect you both to get ready for the wedding.” They bolted away excited. She turned to Foi. “Please watch over Azor in the battlefield.”

      “Always, my princess.” Foi bowed. “Where is my brother?”

      “In his study.”

       Her husband’s study was a brothel. His fine manners quickly dissolved away. Princess Ioni had to tolerate him as his wife. His brother was under no such restriction. “You shouldn’t be here. You should be honored to have a princess as your wife and behave with more decorum.”

        Feo stretched his arms over two naked women. “I might if I was actually given a title and some authority. You know what position that was besotted upon me for marrying her, Advisor of the Roads – not even Lord of the Roads. It’s utter humiliation.”

       “You ever stopped to think that you might have to work to earn a high rank.” Foi rolled his eyes. “Come on and get dress. Father will be furious if you’re absent.”

       “It’s only minor Princess Bai’s wedding.”

        “Yes, but the emperor is here. Father doesn’t what any idle talk about your marriage.”

       “Fine, fine.”

       There was enough gossip about the emperor estrangement with his Great Royal Wife. His sons Xan and Styg were only allowed to play with his grandson Von by Princess Ioni. The Great Royal Wife and her son weren’t allowed near them. Princes Ioni watched through a window her son play with her young half-brothers in a royal garden under heavy guard.

       Azor approached her and pointed to the hilt of his new sword. “What’s this empty spot for?”

        “To place your signature stone on. The emperor has an opal on his sword, hence why some people refer to him as the Opal Emperor. Mine is Amethyst.” She pointed at her headdress. “You may have it as your own if you like or you can choose something else.”

       “I don’t know what to pick.”

       Wapi hobbled over. “I think I’ll choose gold or a bloodstone for mine.”

      “Those are both good choices, brother.” Princess Ioni smiled politely.

       “Did you hear the latest new from Stygai? A cult has formed worshiping the black stone.”

       Princess Ioni held Azor’s hand to keep him calm. “Are you coming to my daughter’s wedding?”

       “No, I have more important things to do. Those Stygains will believe in any – “

       “Then, you should go attend to them.” Princess Ioni cut Wapi off. As she walked away with Azor and muttered under her breath. “A worthless irritating boy.”

       Azor grinned at her. He was positioned with Princess Ioni’s family despite the emperor’s disapproval. Though, the emperor didn’t attend the wedding either. The princess was still overjoyed to see how happy her daughter was with her groom.

       Things kept getting worse in the palace no matter how hard it was hidden. Lady Dessa screamed the morning after the wedding at finding her son Styg apparently died from a fall. At least, it was staged as this. The red marks on his neck pointed to a different kind of death.

       “I want her HEAD!” Lady Dessa told the princess. “The emperor refuses to issue charges against Ara, but you can. You have the ear of the Court of Laws.”

       “I would like to help.” Princess Ioni felt for her and agreed with her thoughts. However, “Without evidence, we can’t punish her.”

       “The whole royal court knows she did it.”

       “She is a suspect.”

       “The only one.”

       “Sadly no. Also, all her maids, servants and friends have been accounted for. This means she probably hired someone. If it’s by money or favors, we can trace it back to her. If she merely persuaded and advised the person, it will be nearly impossible to find out.”

       “Persuade how?”

       “With sensual passion, common hatred or promises. I have still ordered this matter to be thoroughly investigated.”

       The murderer was founded but not before he killed himself. They were at a dead end. Evidence hinted at a Master of the Household for one of princes being responsible. It also could support a young prince or princess being involved. Princess Ioni glared at Wapi who suddenly decided to join the royal army.

       Lady Dessa insisted it was the Great Royal Wife’s fault and made an attempt on her life. The Great Royal Wife called for Lady Dessa’s immediate execution. Princess Ioni delayed it on the excuse of needing the emperor’s permission. It could take many months to get a response from the busy emperor. She had hoped the whole affair could be swept away before then. The emperor responded back promptly with his approval.

      “Lady Ara has constantly gained his disfavor.” Princess Ioni was shocked. “He abandoned her bed. Why would he rule in her favor now?”

       “It’s not her favor that he cares for. Because the Stygai’s alliance had outlived its usefulness with the Clans of Morn no more, he no longer cares for Lady Dessa.” The Grand Advisor casted his head down.

       “He still won’t wish for Stygai’s disapproval. Exiling Lady Dessa would have made more sense.”

      “We probably have the cult of the Black Stone to thank for it. They have been causing problems in some of our boarder villages and have gained support in Asshai. He might have had her executed as a way of sending a message to them.”

      The war beyond the Five Forts ran for two years, in which time Bai gave birth to the princess’ grandson Loi. It ended with a peace treaty between Yi Ti and the tiger-men. Princess Ioni proudly hugged Azor for establishing the treaty.

       Emperor Og hadn’t been pleased with the outcome of the war. “The tiger-men are brutal creatures. We shouldn’t have made peace with them. I know, daughter, that you rather make peace with everyone.”

       “Not everyone, father.”

       A servant poured pearl wine into the emperor’s cup. “I received reports that you rudely sent Ghiscari ambassadors and their gifts back. You refused to give ear to the young kingdom’s marriage proposal. That’s unlike you.”

       “I would rather my son and daughter marry from the tiger-men than one of those dog eating slavers.”

       “You should reconsider your words.”

      She regarded her father’s forlorn expression. “Why?”

      “Because it has occurred.”

      Prince Wapi had been so irked by his father’s refusal to give him a noble bride that he took a captive tiger-woman as his concubine. He had the gall to present her to the royal court during a lunar festival. The tiger-woman Ekun wore a thin slitted skirt and nothing above her waist. She provokingly kissed Prince Wapi. The noble regarded her with great disdain. After Wapi had his fun, he abandoned her to the seething nobles.

      Ekun would have been teased and tormented, if Princess Ioni hadn’t swooped in and took her to her chambers. There Ekun was dressed in proper modest Yi Tish attire. They entered shoulder to shoulder back into the Great Hall. The High Steward couldn’t understand why the princess was lending her support to this arrangement.

       Princess Ioni placed down her cup of paw-paw juice. “When a child is ignorant, do you blame the child or the foul parent?” Her strong glare at Wapi implied who she faulted. Ekun couldn’t even speak Yi Tish, yet the poor tiger-woman was thrown headfirst into the royal palace. The princess did her best to protect Ekun.

       The Great Royal Wife did her upmost to get a grandchild from her son. Prince Wapi received two noble wives. Neither woman conceived a child. If this was retribution for her causing the emperor’s wives to be infertile, no one knew for sure. One fired Female Royal Healer had claimed that the problem lied with the prince. If this was true, he had better chances of conceiving a child with his tiger-woman concubine. The Great Royal Wife refused to let this happen and made sure the tiger-woman had potions to not conceive.

       When the youngest prince Xan turned ten, he was founded murdered by a handmaiden of the Great Royal Wife. Under torture, the woman confessed and claimed that the Great Royal Wife ordered her to do the deed. The emperor departed from his retreat and returned to the palace.

       Poni and Azor had been sparring in the practice yard when the horns announced a grand meeting. They met up with Princess Ioni in the Great Hall. The emperor sat on his throne as the charges were made against The Great Royal Wife.

       She fell to her knees before him. “Wonderful emperor, dear husband, I swear by all the gods that I didn’t do this. I’ve never even wished harm to sweet little Prince Xan. I am innocent and will gladly stand before the four judges.”

      “You may do so, Lady Ara, but not as the Great Royal Wife.” The emperor announced.

       “How can you do this to me?! I’m your first wife and mother of your heir.”

       “He’s no son of mine! I decree neither Wapi nor Azor is a prince of Yi Ti empire.”

       “Then, who is your heir?” The High Steward publicly inquired.

       There lied the dilemma. Emperor Og wanted to name his grandson Von as heir. If he did since Von is still a boy, Lady Ara could fight for control of throne and gain it especially if the emperor died soon. He seriously doubted his poor grandson would survive any longer than him. Lady Ara would make sure an accident befell the prince. Though if the emperor named no one to the throne, and he died, Lady Ara could petition the court and win the right for Wapi to be made emperor. Either choice won’t work. So, he created a third option.

       “Unless a son is born to me, my daughter Princess Ioni Yin will become Empress of Yi and her son Asa Von after her. Even if a son is born, Princess Ioni will reign until the boy comes of age. Give me parchment and the royal seal.”

        He enjoyed watching Lady Ara squirm. She might be able to arrange the death of a mere boy, but a formidable intelligent woman was a different matter. Though the emperor disinherited and illegitimize the two princes, most of the Yi Tish people were against it. Even with an official seal, there would be problems.

        Among those against the edict was Princess Ioni herself. She confessed this to Azor as she brushed his hair. “The emperor only has authority to chose me as a successor. After I die, you will rule over Yi Ti and your sons after as it should be. I swear it.”

       “You will be a marvelous empress. The Amethyst Empress who will be known far and wide for being a fair and wise ruler.” Azor held her hand.

        “And you, dear brother, when you’re emperor, you’ll be known as a kind protector of the world.” She kissed his forehead.

       Lady Ara kept her eyes on throne despite the ongoing trial and endeavored to make more alliances. Several nobles didn’t favor an empress of Yi Ti. She arranged for her son to have a third wife. The wedding ceremony was small and private. A blood-churning scream shattered the event. In the bridal chambers, palace guard discovered Prince Wapi cradling his strangled dead mother. He was grief-stricken and refused to let her go. “The black stone can perform miracles. It’ll bring her back to life.”

       Wapi went mad and slashed the emperor with a poison dagger. It took the emperor five agonizing days to perish. Wapi was imprisoned, and Empress Ioni assumed the throne. She appointed Azor as Second General and had him lead Yi Tish forces against the K’Dath. The High Steward awaited her order to execute Wapi for the emperor’s murder, yet three weeks had passed, and nothing occurred.

       “Everyone saw him kill the Opal Emperor. He had motive for the crime believing the emperor had his mother murdered. You don’t honestly believe his utterance of being possessed.”

       “Of course, I’ve always favored science over magic. Still, the proverb says, ‘believe nothing seen for your eyes can be tricked.’”

        “How could that be so?” The Grand Advisor sat across from the High Steward.

       “Lady Ara wouldn’t commit suicide that we all know about her. The evidence hints at murder. However, the emperor wouldn’t have had her assassinated. He desired her to be exposed. Also, Wapi isn’t a warrior. If he truly wished to kill the emperor, he would have poisoned his food or his karydi nut soap. He wouldn’t ever use a dagger or any weapon.”

        “He was in a blood rage and wasn’t thinking,” the High Steward replied.

        “Blood …?” The empress’ eyes lit up. “During my peace talks with Moraq and Leng, there was mention of a potion, which causes a person to go wildly brutal. He or she will attack everything fearlessly.”

        “Let’s say this is true. We’ll be further in the dark about the mastermind.” The Grand Advisor feared.

        “Then, let’s shed some light on it. Perhaps, we can scare the fiend out of hiding with an investigation. Please thoroughly have all Wapi’s and Lady Ara’s former servants questioned and search all the merchant who deal with potions from foreign lands.”

        Two months later, Empress Ioni was delighted to have Azor safely back to the palace. She watched him play sungka with Poni.

        Her daughter frowned. “I lost again.”

        “I have high hopes that you’ll win the next time.” He gathered up the tiny pebbles.

         “Time for bed.” Empress Ioni called out.

        “Ok. Good night, mother. Good night, Azor.” Poni bowed and hurried off to bed.

        “One more game, please.” Empress Ioni joined him at the table.

          Azor reset the board. “I heard Wapi is still alive. I’m surprise the court is so slow for a verdict for such an evil man.”

         “He is. I have no doubt that he did evil deeds except I don’t think he willingly attacked the emperor.”

         “What changed your mind?”

         “We found basilisk blood in a vial. The merchant who owned it was murdered. I think someone used the blood on Wapi to kill the emperor.”

         “Who do you suspect?”

         The empress moved one pebble onto each spot. “No one yet. What was Wapi like doing the war?”

         “An excellent drunkard.”

          “I wonder if he made many enemies.”

          “Like the tiger-woman?”

          “He was cruel to that poor girl, which is why I had her sent away. Hmm, a tiger-man would have the strength to snap Lady Ara’s neck since the rope couldn’t have. That would explain Lady Ara’s death but not killing the emperor. Did the tiger-men hate the emperor and Wapi?”

          “They were both cruel to their enemies and never held back a punishment. Though, I heard a rumor that old Prince Dar was worse.”

          “Worse?”

          Azor moved a few pebbles around. “He wasn’t killed on the battlefield. The woman that he was raping killed him. She got her head chopped off for it.”

          “The handmaiden that killed Prince Xan said ‘a child’s life for a child’s life’ before she killed herself. Do you think she might be the mother of the raped woman?”

          “Possibly.”

          “This shocks me greatly. I knew my brother to be rough and a bit too bold. If this is true, I had no idea. I should have known, regardless of if he is my brother or a prince, this is wrong. I should have stopped it.”

         “You shouldn’t berate yourself. We were always led to believe Wapi’s cruelty came from his mother. The Opal Emperor passed down his evil to some of his children.”

         “Did he hurt you during the war?” She rubbed his hand consolingly. “Foi told me that the emperor was harsh on you, and he tried to shield you from most of it. You refused to tell me what he did to you. Please tell me now.”

         “He was mean to me a little, but nothing compared to before.”

         “Before?”

         “Mother’s illness didn’t take her life. He made me lie and say it did, or he would kill me too.”

         “Did he execute her?”

           “Yes.”

          She went to hug him, but Azor stopped her. “He forced me to watch the executioner chop her slowly into pieces.”

          “I’m so sorry. I never knew. Why didn’t you tell me?”

          “I swore a vow that day as he swore one to me. He vowed that I would never become emperor, and I vowed to destroy all which he held dear.” Azor stood up. “We’re so much alike. Neither of us wanted you to see the monster inside.”

         “Oh my, you had Prince Xan killed. It’s the only way that you could have known about Dar. There was no rumor. And you killed Lady Ara because you’re friends with the tiger-men.”

         “You’re so clever, sweet sister. I’m the monster who did these things.”

         “You’re not a monster. I don’t believe this. You’re a good man.”

         “You’re right about the blood for stupid Wapi, but you’re wrong about me. I’m a bad man who swore to kill everyone who that vermin emperor had including you.”

         “You can’t do this.” The empress glanced around. There were no guards around. They were alone.

          “Again, you’re right. I can’t without an army of K’Dath, stone giants, tiger-men, and Deep Ones to aid me. I remembered your wise teaching about a leader’s power coming from the people.”

         “Please don’t do this. Don’t continue down this dark path.”

         “But sweet sister, I adore killing. I enjoyed killing Xan and especially relish in watching father die. I love to kill anyone except you.” He caressed her face. “You loved me like your own son.” He slid his blade into her chest. “Only you do I feel both anguish and ecstasy.”

Chapter Text

“Guilt is like wine. It becomes more potent with age.”

        Poni Asa had went to retrieve her hairpin, which she accidentally dropped that evening. As she grabbed her hairpin, she heard the fearful tone of her mother’s voice. She peeked through the doorway. Her mother, the Amethyst Empress was plunged to death by her uncle Yin Azor. He bore a sinister grin with tears streaming down his face. When he caught sight of his niece, he hysterically laughed. She bolted away.

        She sounded the warning horn, but it was too late. Marauders of K’Dath had stormed the palace. Poni sought out her eldest sister Bai Har for safety and weaved through the chaos of the palace. The palace guards and royal guards were being overwhelmed by marauders and traitors from within. Poni took up a sword from a fallen guard and kept running.

        Lady Bai and her loyal party headed for the stables to escape. She wielded her sword and cut through several enemies. Her little sister called out to her from inside the palace. Lady Bai wanted to mount her horse and rush over to save her sister. Her sons, servants and guards’ lives hang in the balance. There wasn’t enough time to rescue her little sister and escape. With great sadness, Lady Bai signaled them to leave the palace grounds.

        Warlord Gjest of the K’Dath and his marauders promptly took full control of the palace. He presented the royal captives to Azor. Prince Von, Prince Wapi, the Grand Advisor, the High Steward and Princess Poni kneeled down tied up in the Great Hall.

        Prince Wapi begged, “please mercy, brother. I’ll serve you well and faithful.”

        Azor slit his throat and walked over to trembling Prince Von.

       “Fiend! Coward!” The Grand Advisor hissed.

        “Aren’t all leaders fiends?” Azor stabbed the old man.

        Prince Von whimpered as the blade pointed to him.

        “You have nothing but your mother’s eyes.” Azor killed him. He turned his sword to Princess Poni, who glared at him. “I saw blood on your sword. Congratulations on your first kill.”

        “You’ll be my next.” Her mother’s strength burned brightly in her eyes, unlike her younger brother.

        He chuckled. “Good. Take her to the dungeon.” He walked toward the High Steward. “You can either serve me, or your flesh will be served to the boars.”

        “I’ll gladly serve you, Yin Azor.” The High Steward shivered as he observed Warlord Gjest slice into Prince Von’s corpse.

        “Not Yin, I’m Azor Ahai,” he corrected. “You’re my new herald. You will summon all lords for the coronation tomorrow.”

        “Yes, right away.” The former High Steward was freed and quickly fled.

        Warlord Gjest tore out the liver. “Young flesh is tender.” He tossed it to one of his men. “I’ll have it for breakfast.”

        The next day, Azor gave the proclamation to the royal court. “I am the Bloodstone Emperor of Yi Ti, the new light for a stronger empire that will never end.”

        The royal court cheered for despite the bloodstained floor. Some did so out of fear, and other actually supported an emperor over an empress such as old Lord Asa. His son, Feo supported the Bloodstone Emperor for the reward.

       “You promised me riches and a great title for sneaking K’Dath marauders inside the palace.” Feo complained. “You made the stone giant Beanstalk as your High Steward, Head Crafter as your Grand Advisor and Warlord Gjest as your First General. Where is my reward for aiding your cause?”

       “My cause? As if you are really loyal to me,” Azor derided.

        “I sacrificed everything for you.”

        “No, you sacrificed everything for your ego. You couldn’t stand the fact that Ioni wasn’t going to step down and make your emperor instead of royal male consort. You loathed her so much that you had sacrificed your own children to get rid of her.”

         “You owe me.” Feo persisted.

        “Who says I’m not going to reward you? You’ll be the royal jester.”

        “What?!” Feo grew pale.

        Warlord Gjest suggested. “You should break his leg, so all evil and misfortunate befall him instead of you.”

        “I might, if he doesn’t dance or sing well enough to entertain me and my court. Go dress Asa Feo in his new garbs.” Azor ordered. Feo was dragged away. “Pathetic weakling.”

        “Your majesty.” Warlord Gjest privately approached him. “Why did you give the Amethyst Empress a proper burial, and why is her daughter still breathing?”

       “I have plans for Poni.”

       “And the burial? It makes you look weak.”

       “Do you wish to challenge me?” Azor grabbed the hilt of his sword.

       “No.”

       “Talking about weakness. Have you killed Bai Har yet?”

       “No, she and her forces escaped to the mountains.”

       “She won’t find any help there.”

        Har Uni presented his case for protection to the chieftains of the Hyrkoon, though it was his wife Bai who did most of the talking to their irk.

        “A woman has no place as a leader of warriors. This Azor was in the right to get rid of the shameful Amethyst Empress and take the throne,” a chieftain stated.

        Chieftain Onaona mentioned the counter argument. “No true man fights in the cloak of night, nor does he kill mere children. Would the gods look favorably on this? We may not wish to be involved in this matter, but the offer of protection can be extended to innocent Clan Har due to the Bloodstone’s dishonorable tactics. Which chieftain here will offer his protection?”

       Chieftain Hymy rose. “I will.” He headed outside of the large hut. His sister walked beside him.

      His father Chieftain Joobal angerly approached him. “You shouldn’t have done this. It makes you look weak and more of an outsider.”

      “I’m protecting my family and avenging my mother’s death.” Chieftain Hymy grimaced at him.

      “She was weak and will only make you – “

      Hymy punched his father and broke his nose. “You, stupid fool! You actually believed my strength came from you? Why do you think none of your other sons survived to manhood? You’re no longer my chief. Come between me and my family again, and I’ll have your head.”

      Joobal wisely yielded.

      Bai Har and her party journeyed to Hymy’s village and met with her three warrior nieces. Before the sunset, she spoke privately to her brother. “At first, we suspected Asa Feo was behind it all. That hope was shattered when I saw the marauders.”

      “Hope?” He dreaded his sister’s explanation.

      “Yes strangely, it was a fleeting hope that our half brother and sister would be spared even if our mother wasn’t. It will haunt me the rest of my days that I left Poni behind and couldn’t save her.”

       “Our mother’s death is a dagger of guilt in my heart too.” Hymy pulled out a letter hidden under some blankets. “I had planned to visit her next month, so she would know I missed and loved her.”

       “She knew. She adored and missed you too little brother.” Bai held his hand.

      “Mother endured five hours of being spit upon and ridiculed just to see me once. Father attempted to deceive me by saying that she abandoned me for Azor. My heart always knew the truth, and my ears finally heard it a year later. He had threatened to beat me to death if she ever dared try to visit me again. He burnt most of her letters, but I managed to save a few. My Yi Tish isn’t good.” Hymy handed her a letter. “Would you please read them to me?”

      “Gladly. First, you must know Bloodstone will be coming here to slaughter all of us. He has never been one to let a possible foe stand.”

      “We’ll fight him.”

      “And we’ll help you by fortifying your village, if you let us.”

      “Of course, sister. We’re stronger together.”

      The Bloodstone Emperor’s reign wasn’t initial called the Long Night, instead most people referred to it as the Golden Dawn. When the Crafters of Flesh from Carcosa arrived, Yi Tish scholars and advisors welcomed them. Their sinister plans with the Bloodstone Emperor were discussed in secret with the Head Crafter.

       “I have granted you two hundred specimens to do with as you wish. However.” Azor pointed to his chained-up niece. “I want her to be part of your Chimera experiments and only elites are to work on her. In addition, they aren’t allowed to touch her eyes. Understand?”

      “You have my word, emperor that this will all be done as you ask.” The Head Crafter tilted his head slightly in respect.

      “How goes your struggle with death?”

      “A few more years, and we’ll unlock the answer to cause the dead to live again.”

     “Good.” It’s the power which Azor has always longed for.

       The people of Yi Ti had their own desire or should be said demand of their new emperor. The Second Advisor related. “The nobles would like you to attain a Yi Tish wife.”

      “Why?” Azor crossed his arms. “I already have three strong sons.”

      “It’s not a matter of heirs as it is …”

      “Foreign blood,” the Third Advisor exclaimed. “You have too many foreigners in high positions.”

      “Because I trust them, and they’re doing a good job at their tasks.” Azor glared at the eight advisors sitting before him.

       The Second Advisor counseled. “This could all be forgiven in the eyes of the people if you remove half of the foreigners from your royal staff and make Lady Nkwe your concubine instead of your Great Royal Wife. No Yi Tish is going to accept a half beast as their next emperor.”

       “Well then.” Azor scowled. “Any Tish, who rejects my sons as royal heirs, will be sold into slavery.”

       “You can’t mean –“

       “Round up every protestor and send them to the slave auction!” They didn’t move. Azor added. “We can start putting slave collars on here if you prefer.”

       They promptly rose and departed.

       The emperor sought relief from the pressures of ruling by observing his sons sparring in the field and his tiger-wife nursing their infant son. He had to tolerate his subject’s stupidity for now because he needs to consolidate and strengthen his kingdom’s foundation before he could expand his empire and deal with his foes.

       His first annual offering to the gods took place four months after his reign begun. Traditionally, the emperor made a sacrifice to the Lion of Night, the Maiden-Made-of-Light or some random god. The Bloodstone Emperor chose the black stone. The cult had been his strongest and most loyal supporters. This caused issues because the black stone wasn’t recognized as acceptable. The followers of the Children of the Stars, the Lion of Night, and the Harvest God were bitterly opposed to the cult and openly voiced their disdain of the emperor’s actions.

      “I should have them all executed for speaking against me.” Azor thought out loud.

       Lady Nkwe advised, “a strong leader isn’t afraid of mere words or disagreements. They’re only words, which will be swept away in the wind.”

       His spymaster Shadowchaser unexpectedly agreed. “Leave them for now. If you strike harshly too often, even cowards will become numb to fear.”

      “Fine. Nothing will be done for now.” Azor decided and dismissed his officials.

       His wife walked alongside him. She frowned at the slaves attending to the royal garden. “I would like them gone.” Tiger-men didn’t practice slavery.

      “Here I thought you tolerable of K’Dath and Crafter ways.”

      “Tolerable doesn’t mean partaking. It means allow the person to do as they wish. Several of my people find even this concession unbearable.”

      “Do you think some of the tiger-men might go against the Alpha’s orders and attack the K’Dath slavers?” Azor fretted about infighting.

      “My people are stubborn, but we won’t strike first. Don’t fear, my love.”

      Conflict seemed unavoidable. He had aligned himself with the Deep Ones. With them and the great Yi Tish navy, he could easy conquer all the islands of the Jade Sea. As he presented the Deep Ones to the rest of his forces, many Yi Tish promptly were against it especially the worshipers of the Goddess of the River. They viewed the Deep Ones as pure evil. Warlord Gjest had been setting up a major attack against the Hyrkoons. The enmity caused him to delay sea conquest. Hopefully, the defeat of the Hyrkoon would stir his people to unified and fight.

      When Warlord Gjest started his campaign against the Hyrkoon, Chieftain Joobal responded by announcing his desire to rule Yi Ti through his son’s claim. The Bloodstone Emperor wished to engage in only raids for a few years, but this announcement forced him to issue full out war with Hyrkoon. His men marched out to Hyrkoon territory with the focus of killing Hymy’s tribe.

       Despite the K’Dath marauders and the stone giants, Hymy’s village withstood the assault. Publicly, the campaign in the Bone Mountains was laud as a victory with the death of Chieftain Joobal and Princess Bai Har. Azor knew it was a defeat as six major villages of the Hyrkoon remained and his forces were left with heavy losses. The Bloodstone Emperor wanted his first campaign to be total annihilation. He can gain momentum for his conquests and his great empire.

       Har Loi stood by his three female cousins Kayana, Balharad and Sharara as his uncle Hymy lit his mother funeral pyre. He had stood by them during his little brother’s funeral too. It was a great honor to die in battle. For a ten-year-old boy, it didn’t matter. He just missed his mother.

        Some Hyrkoon warriors were against giving a foreign woman a warrior’s funeral.

       Hymy couldn’t have stated that his sister was half Hyrkoon thus had the right to it, but he didn’t. He had enough of their biases. “All my life, I’ve been told women are weak. They have the babies because they’re weak. It takes strength to carry someone without letup, and they do it for months. They endure the agony of a baby ripping out of their bodies. Yet, you, men dare call them weak. You, who screamed from a prick and hid from battle. As my eldest daughter slayed a stone giant, you men ran into a cave. Perhaps, those words were said out of fear because women might be more suited to warfare than verbose men. I don’t fear my women warriors.”

       He took pride in his daughters’ accomplishment and encouraged all the girls of his villages to become warriors. They would be needed in the upcoming battles. Loi trained beside them and spent much time with them. Sadly, he got to spend little time with his father.

        Har Uni didn’t come to his wife’s funeral. Loi found him laboring for hours in the forge. They had been gathering all the steel in the region for weapons. The Hyrkoon and the Yi Ti exiles had built spiked towers, road blockage and ground traps to prevent the stone giants from attacking them and from joining the Bloodstone Emperor. When Uni collapsed from exhaustion at dusk, Loi carried him to his room to rest.

        His father wept. “I’m sorry, my son. My heart is dead. I have nothing to give you. Please forgive me.”

       “Always.”

         As more refugees from Yi Ti and the plains came, Hymy moved his warriors to fortified other villages in the south. His eldest daughter Kayana was left in charged of his old village, which would later become the city of Kayakayanaya after her.

         The Bloodstone’s empire was beginning to crack at its seams. The K’Dath were becoming too distracted by raiding the nomads of the north. The few remaining stone giants proved to be cowards and would only attack with a large army backing them. The majority of the Yi Tish had been sluggish and complaining. This left him with few options. Though the tiger-men were fierce in battle, their style of governing was too tame. With revolts over famines and corruption, an upraising would be forthcoming. Azor needed a way to gain complete control over the freckled masses.

        Endorsing the cult of the black stone seemed to be the answer. They were loyal to all his brutal commands. Yet, as he stared at their pale partial bald leader, his skin crawled.

         The stress gave him nightmares. On night, he woke covered in sweat screaming. Lady Nkwe was there to comfort him. “What’s wrong?”

         “I had a nightmare about my mother’s torturous death.”

        She wrapped her arms around consolingly. Once his heart stops racing, she asked, “who’s Ioni?”

        “What?”

        “You called for this person in your sleep.”

         Of course, he called for her. Ioni had constantly soothed all his nightmares as a boy. “It’s no one.” He didn’t need his half-sister or her protection anymore. Soon, he would be reunited with his dead mother.

          After ten years of waiting and funding, the Crafters of the Flesh revealed their completed experiments for his great weapon. The Chimera experiments were exhibited in the palace. Azor and Warlord Gjest inspected them.

          Warlord Gjest rolled his eyes at the freaks. “These are the great weapons that are to bring kingdoms to their knees? These deformed things might only be able to topple flower beds.” He pointed to a man with a bull shaped head. “They’re worthless.”

          “He’s right. Dispose of all of them except this one.” Azor pointed to the winged woman with purple eyes. “And start over again. I want my unstoppable army.”

         The freaks were dragged away to be killed except for the woman. She didn’t resemble a woman much with her black scales with red accents, leathery useless wings and a tail. Warlord Gjest found her fascinating. “What are you going to do with it?”

        “Take her to the dungeon and place her in a noble cell. She isn’t to be touched,” Azor emphasized to the warlord. In truth, he had no idea what to do with her. The decision was put on hold as he personally dealt with a revolt from the followers of the Lion of Night.

        While the Bloodstone Emperor was gone, Warlord Gjest had a feast with all the captains. He placed the Chimera woman in the corner of the Great Hall as decoration and amusement for his men. The warriors drank heavily and partied hard.

        A cloak figure snuck over to the woman and unchained her. “There is a horse waiting for you at the west gate. Make you escape to the Stone Road.” He vanished.

        Poni considered fleeing. When she saw a captain mockingly wearing her mother’s jewelry, her mind snapped. She grabbed two jugs of wine and walked around the Great Hall twice before joining the dancing girls.

        “Care to entertain me, monster?” The words were ironic since Warlord Gjest had been eating an infant.

        As Poni stole his sword, he laughed. She lit the sword on fire from an oil lamp and gained the attention of all the men there. The flaming sword touched the trail of spilt wine. The place quickly became engulfed in flames.

       “I am death.” She slashed the warlord.

       Everyone screamed and panicked, while Poni slayed and set people on fire. After half of the palace was set on fire, she rode away.

       “The fire didn’t kill it. The monster used the flaming sword and slaughtered everyone!!!” A survivor informed the Bloodstone Emperor.

       The emperor turned to the Head Crafter, who bent his head down and divert his gaze away. He hadn’t told the emperor about her ability to withstand fire. There was nothing that Azor could do about it now but determine who might have betrayed him.

       Three of the four captains of the city had kept the city successfully locked up. The captain of the West Gate kneeled before the emperor. “It wasn’t my fault. General Asa Foi told me to take my forces south.”

       “Why did you order this?” The emperor narrowed his brow to Foi. “How are you still alive? Weren’t you supposed to be at the feast?”

       Foi made no defense or excuse. “I couldn’t just stand there and watch her suffer.”

      “Your beloved niece -wait no.” The emperor realized, “your daughter. She is always so much different than her brother. Poni is your daughter.”

       “You remember your sister’s wedding, and how drunk my brother was. My father worried that if the marriage wasn’t consummated that very night the emperor would revoke it, and our family would be ruined. He ordered me to take my lazy brother’s place, and I did. I loved her and our daughter. Every day of my life, I wished the Amethyst Empress had been my wife instead.” Foi plunged his dagger into his own chest and expired.

       “Dispose of his body and find the missing experiment now!” Azor had lost valuable time to retrieve Poni back. He was consumed with his thoughts and plans that he hadn’t notice his wife had observed the whole conversation.

       “That poor creature was your niece?!” He had never told her the truth.

       “She is my enemy.”

       “She’s your blood. How could you do that to her? How could you kill your own sister?”

       “As easily as I could skin you alive if you betray me.”

       “You’ll find me a deadlier foe than the kotiya.” Lady Nkwe gestured to the fur draping his shoulders.

       “Take her to the dungeon this instant!” As she was taken away, Azor ordered, “send word to Stygai and Asshai to provide me with reinforcement.”

       “Your majesty.” The Head Crafter trembled. “Our work of raising the dead was being done in Stygai, since they have an enormous lightning rod. A team of Elite Crafters used it, along with the black stone to boil the blood and various potions. They successful raised your mother.”

      “Why wasn’t I told of this?
      “Because as a Crafter called out, ‘Nissa, Nissa,’ she rose and killed him. A few moments later, he came to life too. A small army of the former dead have emerged, and both Stygai and Asshai are under siege by them.”

       “Can they be reasoned with?”

      “No, they’re lower than animals and ten times more brutal. They attack all living things.”

       “You finally created my unstoppable army.” Azor chuckled darkly. “A pity, they’re uncontrollable too.”

       The partial destruction of the palace was a devasting blow for the Bloodstone Emperor. It showed people that he wasn’t invincible.

        As the sun rose, scouts of the Hyrkoon on the Stone Road apprehended a hooded monster with scales, a tail, and purple eyes and brought it to the city. No one couldn’t figure it until Loi went for a closer look. He jumped back slightly as he recognized her. “Little aunt?”

       “Yes, little aunt Poni. Loi, you’ve grown. Where is Bai?”

        “You’re alive!” He hugged her as onlookers regarded it in confusion.

        Hymy approached them slowly. “What is it?”

        “Your half-sister, uncle Hymy.” Loi introduced. “Poni Yin.”

        “Oh my.” Chieftain Hymy was torn between joy and agony. “Please come inside.” He welcomed her and had food given to her.

        The men listened to her horrific tale in private.

        “The Bloodstone Emperor gave me over to the Crafters of Flesh. They were allowed to change every part of me except my eyes. They pricked me, stole my blood and poured it back into my body. My veins burned for months. The tail ached as it grew. My useless wings were pure agony as they burst out.”

         “Wings?” Loi didn’t see any on her body.

        “They were burnt away, when my body was engulfed in flames.” Poni’s eyes lit up. “I set the palace on fire. I set so many enemies on fire. When do we get burn this Bloodstone?”

        “Soon.” Chieftain Hymy caressed her face sadly. “He will pay for all his crimes. For now, please rest little sister. You’re safe.”

       No one was safe until the Bloodstone Emperor was defeated. They requested aid from their Ifequevron allies. They would need more allies if they were to win. As Chieftain Hymy and his forces headed out to do battle, he left his daughter Sharara behind to protect the Stone Road. They marched out near Trader Town, which had a lax presence of Bloodstone’s men. In the town, secret Yi Tish rebels such as Captain Priest of the Lion of Night and Lady Tovi of House Leu met with them.

      “Our agents have sent word to us. The Lengii have agreed to join us in killing the Bloodstone Emperor.” The Captain Priest informed them. “There is one obstacle that must be confronted first, the corpse army. The monsters are attacking the countryside. The numbers have grown after each assault.”

       Loi inquired. “What do we know of the fiends?”

       “They’re hard to kill.” The Captain Priest hoisted up a small cage containing a severed hand. Everyone jumped back as the hand moved on its own. “They prefer the cold and seem to be moving along the chilly Mountains of Morn. We have to chop them up finely to defeat them because the warmth doesn’t degrade their flesh quick enough.”

      “What about fire? Can we use that?” Poni stared at the map.

       “Yes, but it’s deadly for us too.”

       “Not for me. I’ll take care of them.” The cloaked woman’s confidence gave the priest some hope.

       Their combined forces rode out to fight the monstrous foes. During the ride, Lady Tovi attempted to converse with Chieftain Hymy. He seemed annoyed by it and brushed her off.

        Loi rode up beside her. “Please pardon my uncle. He doesn’t speak Yi Tish well.”

       “Oh.” Lady Tovi blushed. She had heard him talk, but she shouldn’t have just assumed. “Would you please give him my apologies instead.”

       “No need. It will just make him more uncomfortable.”

       “Why?”

      “He wishes he could speak Yi Tish better. The inability to do it is a painful reminder of his forced separation from his mother.”

      “Now, I feel dreadful sorry. I never meant to hurt him.”

        “What did you mean for?”

      She stared at Chieftain Hymy riding up way in the front of the army. “I just wanted to get to know him. He will be ruler of Yi Ti once we defeat the Bloodstone Emperor.”

      “Are you planning to become his wife?”

       “The others wish me to be. They want a stable government with an emperor and a male heir.”

       “What do you want?”

       “My parents to arrange my marriage.” Lady Tovi was an orphan. Her parents had been executed by the Bloodstone’s regime. She didn’t want to think about this. “What’s Chieftain Hymy like?”

       “He’s strong and courageous.” Loi realized what she really wished to know. “He won’t hurt you. They’re called barbarians, but they’re not. Well, he isn’t. He’ll be a good husband to you and a good father to your children.”

        She had noticed how protective that he was of cloaked woman. Everyone else was leery of her. They caught glimpses of the woman’s scales. Lady Tovi still thought it was very noble to be affectionate to a freak.

        They made camp near the small Yi Tish village of Kirati. From the map, they could tell it would be the next place hit by the dead army and set up a trap for the monsters. Poni volunteered to lure the monstrous in. Chieftain Hymy was against the idea but was outvoted. He desired to keep his younger half-sister safe. Despite the language barrier, he often hugged Poni and kept her close to him and his daughter. The warning horn blew one night. The villagers scrambled away as Poni moved forward with a heavy cloak, a sword and her plan.

        They would surround the corpse army in a ring of fire and keep the foes barricade in, while Poni made certain each foe burned inside the trap. She lit her sword on fire and went to work. A villager’s son had gotten separated from his family and stuck inside the trap. When he saw the fiends’ icy blue eyes, he knew he was done for. Luckly Poni spotted him and swooped in to rescue him. She carried him outside of the fire barrier.

        Though the fire didn’t harm her, her clothes were devoured by the flames. She stood in front of people to her great embarrassment stark naked. The villagers cheered, “our savior, the monkey tailed woman!”

         The fire had dissolved her scales. As for the monkey tail, Loi figured the villagers had never seen a monkey before due to living so close to the Mountains of Morn. Poni felt a little more human without the scales.

         Once the fire died out, they investigated the trap and the surroundings to see if any of the monstrous army survived. None did. However, Ifequevrons called Wooddancer and Forest found a small trail. “A few abominations must have separated from the rest and seem to be heading northeast. We’ll see this through.”

         “I’ll join you in your quest.” Loi’s father Uni accompanied them along with some Hyrkoon. He bid his son goodbye and prayed for his wellbeing as Loi prayed for his on the quest. They would later be joined by some Mossovy warriors and cross over an ice bridge to an unknown land in pursuit for the corpse soldiers.  They would never be heard from again.

         Everyone else marched towards the capitol. It would take about a week to get there. Lady Tovi had a terrible nightmare along the way, which wasn’t uncommon after beholding those dead blue-eyed monsters. Still, she was surprised and grateful for Loi to come to her tent and play sungka with her. Her tent was left wide opened to protect both their honors. Loi poured tea into her cup.

        “I don’t think that I’m suited to be a captain.” She sipped her tea.

        “You maintained a horse farm and managed workers. It’s similar to a captain managing soldiers.”

        “I managed the accounts more than the people.”

        “Doubtlessly, they were grateful for the fair wages.”

        She blushed slightly at his comment and that he took an interest in her.  

       Loi changed topics. “If you could do something else, what would you do?”

        “If I were that free – If we were that free, I guess I would write poetry. What about you?”

        “I don’t know.”

        “It’s alright. I won’t tell anyone. I swear it.”

        “I would like to cook. Back home and even with the Hyrkoon, I liked cooking meals for my family. I miss the Yi Tish ingredients. I miss my mother carving sour-sops into birds and sprinkling saffron on them. It seems like a dream now.”

        Lady Tovi rubbed his hand. “You’ll receive new dreams soon.” She sincerely hoped that for him.

        Everyone else was hoping for a great victory. Their forces were split up into three groups. Chieftain Hymy led one group, the priest ran the other, and Loi was in charged of the last one. Poni fought beside Loi and slayed the stone giant Beanstalk. They attacked the capitol from three sides in order to find a weak point to the palace. Leng and the Old One fought and defeated his navy. Things were looking good for them.

        The Bloodstone Emperor adorned his armor and went to gather his men. They had been praying to the black stone for a victory. There was a pitiful amount of them. The remaining stone giants fled or promptly surrendered. The K’Dath stole everything of value and abandoned him. The Crafter of Flesh snuck away nights ago. Only the cultists stayed. The stupid cultist who sacrificed his tiger-wife for a victory thus causing him to lose the aid of the tiger-men. Azor had to make do with what he had.

        Despite the rebels breaking through the palace’s defenses, Azor regained his optimism since the enemy fighters were ill equipped. He gleefully slaughtered them until Chieftain Hymy emerged. The dark skinned gray eyed warrior was a truly worthy challenge. Azor was still quicker and slashed him a dozen times. Yet, Hymy proved to have unstoppable resolve and strength. He charged for the kill and drove his spear so hard into Azor that it pierces through the other side of his body.

       “You never deserved her!”

      Azor rose his sword up to strike but abruptly dropped it. He chuckled. “I didn’t.” His eyes stayed opened as he expired.

      Chieftain Hymy eventually perished from his injuries as well. Har Loi was left picking up the pieces. He pronounced his uncle, “the Hero Hyrkoon.” Balharad took her father’s body home to be buried with full honor.

       Loi went to his aunt privately. “You’re the empress now.”

       “It finally came off too.” Poni held her tail on her lap. “I’m –“ She discarded it and looked up at her nephew. “I can’t be empress of Yi Ti. I request instead a ship to sail far far away to some place with no nightmares for me. Please grant me this.”

       “It’ll be done right away.” He kneeled down and touched her hands. “I wish you a new life full of joy.”

       He soon realized that left him as emperor. He didn’t want to be emperor, nor did he wish to give Azor Ahai’s body to Asshai. There wasn’t much of a choice in the matter. The corpse of Azor was fully burnt to ash out of fear and disrespect. Loi was appointed as emperor in the great hall of the palace.

       His Grand Advisor inquired formally, “what gemstone or precious stone shall you be known as?”

      “None.” Loi glanced upon the throne in despair. “If you must call me something, call me the grey – the Grey Emperor.”

      “But grey is such a dreary dull color, your majesty.”

      “Then, it fits.” Loi headed away from the throne.

      “Where are you going?”

      “To fix this shattered kingdom.” Loi went to the stables. Lady Tovi, his wife followed him. He turned to face her. “You must think me weak for leaving.”

      “Never. I used to walk an additional mile to avoid the block, where my father and mother were executed at.”

      “Thank you.” He mounted his horse.

      She reached up to him. “Remember please, you’re not alone. I’m here for you, always.”

      He kissed her and rode off.

Epilogue

A large ship came to the shores of Valyria, and strangely only one woman disembarked. The mysterious woman built her home near the outskirts of a small village of shepherds. Most were leery of her with her odd short silver hair. Only golden haired Balerion was brave enough to befriend her. It took a while for her to learn Valyrian and communicate with him. Her name was Poni, though she asked him to give her a different name to match her new hair. He called her Vhagar.

She seemed so sad. His kindness eventually brought a smile to her face, and they fell in love. Their happiness was hindered by several problems though.

Valyria was besotted by raiders from the Painted Mountain and were haunted by monsters dwelling in their volcanos. She and Balerion had the only steel swords. This wasn't enough to fend off the raiders. He carried their daughter Meraxes in his arm. “You two should hide.”

“We can’t keep hiding for the rest of our lives. We should have enemy fight enemy instead.”

Balerion looked at his wife confused. “What do you mean?”

“We’ll have the volcano monsters fight the raiders.”

“No one can go near those fire breathing monsters.”

“Neither monsters nor fire frightens me.” Poni grabbed her sword. “Wait for me and have faith in me.”

“Always.”

She journeyed to a peak of a volcano, where three dozen dragons greeted her with hungry fangs. She should have been scared especially when a large dragon which was the size of a city landed in front of her. In its eyes, she saw her own reflection, and she felt its hot blood matching the blood in her own veins.

At dawn, raiders charged into the village. Balerion gathered all the people away. Their leader rode out to them. “We’ll have our pick of the prettiest golden hair girls.”

“No, you won’t any longer.” Balerion pointed his sword towards him.

The raiders laughed. “How do you plan to stop us?”

A loud shriek interrupted them as a huge dragon swooped down and burned all the raiders. The villagers were spared. They trembled in fear as the beast landed in front of them. Poni slipped off the dragon. “Have no fear. I control the beast.”

“You’ve saved us! Our Queen!” The villagers bowed.

She refuted this. “There will be no ruler or tyrant. Only fire will rule over Valyria.”