Magdemari proc Medronis, fourth daughter of the stars, and First Knight of the Imperial Crown, stood at attention outside the Shining Halls, watching the body of her former commanding officer as it was carried away. The Empress had kept them both waiting hours until calling Captain y’Jal in, and it had been countless hours since. Mari’s joints were burning.
Archmage Nemtis stepped to her side, “Lieutenant, where is your shadow today?”
Mari’s mouth twitched, trying not to smile, “The sergeant is overseeing the re-opening of my rooms in the royal residence. Besides, why would I need a body guard within the Shining Halls?
“Ahhh,” the Archmage smiled, “You needn’t have worried about the sergeant taking anger meant for you. Our next guests will no doubt be taking the full focus of her wrath. You will just need to endure a some humbling words.”
Mari scoffed, “Humbling words? Is that what she is calling it now?” Although she was quite that before he was executed Captain y’Jal had been very humble.
Nemtis did not get a chance to respond as the doors to the throne room opened the Captain of her mother’s guard stepped out and waved them in, “Princess Elmagdemari, Prince Consort, her majesty will see you now.”
Mari’s father bowed to her, “After you, Lieutenant.”
“Any idea what the big fuss is about?” Mari asked Nemtis as they walked into the Shining Halls. It was very unusual for her mother to hold conferences in the Empire’s throne room- it was usually reserved for sessions of court, as it was big enough to hold thousands. Their footsteps echoed off of the metal and stone arches and they walked the 200 meters to where her mother sat atop the Medronis throne surrounded by her advisors.
“Your Runeling, of course.”
“She's not MY Runeling” Mari felt another stab of anxiety- as expected some of the blame for this disaster HAD been placed at her feet. She knew she should spare some thoughts for the death of her Captain, but it was hard when she was taking the long walk to her mother’s disappointment. No matter how many times she had done so in the past.
Denalani Sal Medronis’s flint black eyes swept her daughter up and down as they approached and her mouth turned down into a frown, “Your’s or not, daughter, you still failed to apprehend her. To your credit you took up pursuit, but that credit does not go far considering you let her AND the prisoner escape once you caught them.”
Mari said nothing. She knew from long experience that all the reasons and defenses that were running through her head would mean little. Empress Denalani was known for her brutal standards and unyielding judgement, and both of those things were more severe when it came to her children. Speaking of which, Mari noticed now that the heir’s seat was empty. Where had her brother gotten to?
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“So far the only good thing to come out of this catastrophe is that the Imperial Navy could no longer resist my efforts, considering your failure.“ She gestured, and Mari’s implant chimed in her head. Her heart sank as she scanned through her orders. Immediate, honorable discharge. She looked pleadingly at her father, but Nemtis only shrugged.
“Mother, I beg you to reconsider, especially in light of the discovery of the Runeling. The Empire needs to hunt her down and I am uniquely positioned to-”
“Stars, Magdemari,” her mother waved a bored hand, “I indulged your childish dream of joining the navy because both your father and I were sure you would return to your rather esteemed position on the Mage Council. Ten years is long enough for you to play soldier.”
Mari’s hands clenched at the mention of “playing soldier”. Hasn't it been the Empress herself who reduced Mari’s career to just that? Tedious assignments and less desirable posts. All in the name of protection but really just to pressure her to give up.
Her father gently put a hand on her shoulder, “I know this is abrupt Mari, but the size of this catastrophe is such that many must answer for it. This was not just any prisoner that was taken.”
“BAH,” her mother barked, “I would have have preferred the whole ship have adhered to its original route and be swallowed by that star.”
Mari smiled sweetly, “as concerned by my safety as always, mother.”
“Oh don’t play the wounded princess with me, girl. That prisoner was the last of the Fae, one of their best scientists. The secrets in her head… and then there is the situation of her rescue, and the threat to the Empire it represents”
“I beg your pardon your highness but… A threat to the Empire?” the minister of commerce, Murial y’Corwin asked, “Two mercenaries took advantage of a gravity distortion and an undermanned prison ship.” Murial was a shrewd accountant and excellent economist, but did not always have the keenest military mind.
Admiral k'Oreal frowned, “The Kalston star was dying but not supposed to collapse for another two thousand years. The process was accelerated. Y’jal was looking forward to retirement and had let her command deteriorate, but she used to be a good officer. When the route had to be changed under strange circumstances she submitted four alternate routes with level 5 security checks, and yet our mercenaries just guessed the one she took?”
Colonel Folston, the director of military intelligence, coughed, “My people are working on that,” the dwarf scratched at his salt and pepper beard, as he did when working out a problem, “Fifteen thousand souls in the empire have that level of access. We are cross referencing those name with the names of individuals who had access to the route of the Justice.”
Once again Mari was left forgotten, as her parents and their strategists discussed to implications and impacts of the attack. She tried to pay attention but it was hard. Her mind kept returning to the Runeling. She had not acted like a criminal mastermind, or a part of some grand conspiracy. She hadn't even acted like she knew what she was.
A chime sounded through her implant and she looked back towards the doors to the throne room. Her brother had returned, and he was not alone.
