Chapter Text
The empire was bustling and crowded, as it was every passing day. Through the morning all the way to midnight, the streets were filled with merchants, clerks, townsmen, and noblemen alike. It was loud and full of color, full of life, full of joy. The empire was beautiful. Her empire was beautiful.
It was nothing compared to the pristine palace carefully built at the peak of the mountain range surrounding her empire. The palace was quiet, and you could hear a pin drop. The floors were polished, the stained glass creating a beautiful dance of color where the sunlight shined through. At the top of the highest tower, the prince herself was awake and alive.
Zam gazed out the open window, looking down at her empire below. It was full of life. It was everything she had dreamed of. She could gaze at her home all day, but unfortunately as a ruler, she had things to attend to.
Zam glanced in the mirror to ensure that everything was in place - her carefully braided hair, her pristine silk gloves, her golden jewelry and pearl necklace. She was wearing a stunning blue gown, the exact color of the sky on a beautiful day. It was beautiful. She was beautiful. Zam smirked softly, truly thinking for a moment that nothing could go wrong.
She departed from her quarters, carefully walking down the long spiral stairs. Correct your posture. Look professional. Look like you know what you’re doing. Zam reminded herself.
She had been informed yesterday that Wemmbu had tried to come and see her personally - he was a trusted friend. Despite her slight anxiety due to the repeated attempted break-ins of the recently constructed prisons, Zam had faith in Wemmbu.. surely he had no bad intention. But at the time he attempted to enter the palace, Zam was away - she had been at a gathering with another empire to discuss peace treaties. Those morons that she called guards forced him to schedule an actual audience rather than just letting him wait for her return. How foolish they must be to not recognize him as a companion! But oh well.
She entered the throne room, giving a respectful nod to the two guards stationed at the doors. She held herself carefully as she sat down, putting on her crown with slightly shaky hands. Why are you shaking? This is just a regular meeting. With a companion, as well. The crown weighed heavy on her head, the jewels embedded in it reflecting in the sun.
She fidgeted with the hem of her gown as time passed silently, quickly catching herself. Powerful people aren’t nervous. Powerful people don’t fidget absentmindedly whilst sitting on their throne.
Seven minutes had passed when Zam finally heard footsteps approaching from the corridor outside of the throne room. Seven minutes late - of course he was. Wemmbu was always a few minutes late to things.
He strode into the throne room, completely disregarding the two guards stationed at the doors. Zam winced slightly as he left footprints of ash on the red velvet carpet. Looks like he had been in the nether.
Wemmbu was clad in netherite armor, the slight purple shimmer of enchanted armor barely visible through the layer of ash that coated him. Zam could never stand the grimy texture that clung to your skin the second you entered the nether - she had not an inkling of how Wemmbu completely ignored that awful feeling all the way to her palace in the overworld. He looked mildly irritated, as Wemmbu usually did after losing a battle. Zam had a feeling the news she was about to get was nothing but good - especially considering the scratches on Wemmbu’s ivory colored skin, the bags under his eyes, and the fact that his usually pristine purple hair was tangled - and even had a leaf in it-?
“Wemmbu. You’re late.” Zam said disdainfully. As much as a trusted friend Wemmbu was, she had to hold him up to some standard. Wemmbu rolled his eyes, scoffing softly.
“Uh-huh. I don’t think that’s our biggest concern right now. Someone just broke into the prison holding derapchu. They destroyed the chunkban and let him out.” Wemmbu briefed, crossing his arms. Zam paused at this information, her eyes widening slightly. Someone.. actually broke into one of the prisons? And they broke someone out?
“Who. Who did this.” She asked carefully, furrowing her brow slightly. Derapchu. One of Spoke’s followers. She didn’t know if he had any companions - who would’ve cared enough to risk their life to break him out?
Wemmbu sighed. “Some of your guards at that prison said that they saw Parrot at the scene. And considering everything that happened with Spoke and Wifies, I’d say that it was probably him.” Zam sighed. Of course. That pesky bird. While in the empires attempts to get rid of Spoke for good by chunkbanning him, the scoundrel has dragged one person with him so that he could have the last laugh - Wifies. Wifies himself was no issue. He hadn’t done anything wrong. However, his friend on the other hand… Parrot. Parrot and Zam weren’t on the best terms. Not after he broke into her vault.
Wifies was in the same chunkban as Spoke… Zam remembered that day, about a month ago. The avian let himself into the palace like it was no big deal, and just casually asked Zam to open Spokes prison to let Wifies out. Did he think she was stupid? Both the avian and herself knew the kind of person Spoke was. He didn’t just drag Wifies with him to have the last laugh. Spoke was petty enough for it, but he was also cunning. He wanted her to open the prison. Even just for a minute to set Wifies free. But he would know. One of his henchmen would find out somehow. And if they opened the prison, even for a minute, he would be free too.
And yet, Parrot still had the audacity to ask this of Zam. She sometimes wondered what went through the avian’s head before he did things like this.. what a birdbrain.
“..I see.” Zam said slowly. “Did he have anyone with him? Or did he somehow break in on his own?”
Wemmbu nodded, uncrossing his arms to wipe ash off of his mace. “Yeah- there was another person working with him. Rekrap, if I remember correctly…” Zam nodded. She immediately knew she needed tighter security. If Parrot breaks into Spoke’s prison to break his friend out, then he’ll also let out the greatest threat to her Empire and everything beyond. Spoke had to stay contained, no matter what.
“Send out an order to tighten security on the prisons. I don’t care what resources it takes. While your at it, get someone to work on a new security plan for the empire. We have to be ready if Spoke is freed. You’re dismissed.” As for herself… she already knew that there was no peacefully settling this with Parrot. She needed him dead. She’d be sending someone to contact Clown by dawn. Wemmbu rolled his eyes slightly, already starting to retreat.
“yeah, yeah. See you around.” Wemmbu said sarcastically. Zam watched him retreat, trying to keep her sudden paranoia from becoming visible in her expression. She glanced down at the ash-stained carpet with disdain, calling one last thing to Wemmbu.
“And before you leave, go clean up! You’re covered in ash, I can tell you’ve been in the nether.”