A glass of wine was poured for the emperor and his chief for them to enjoy over a casual talk that evening. Hathor had called it a meeting but, it was just a chance for both friends to fill each other in on what either one had missed. Exhausted from the festivities of the day, he swung his feet up onto a stool and sunk deeper into his armchair.

     “I work too hard, Dedric. Mind if I name you Emperor for a week or two? I need a break.” he said lazily. His hand was draped across his face, shielding his eyes from the bright light of a nearby candelabrum.

     The chief of staff laughed and brought his cup up to his lips. He took a sip, then one or two more, before placing it down on a side table of his own. “If you need to rest, Imperial Highness,”

     Hathor dropped his arm down to his side and lifted his head up far enough to meet Dedric’s gaze. “So formal, Lord Vale.” he drawled.

     The chief smoothed some white-blonde hair back from his eyes and shook his head. “I’m being serious, Harry. You do work too hard – when was the last time you had a lie in? Or ate breakfast in bed? I don’t want to become Emperor but, I can take over some of your work if you need some time for yourself. Or what about your sons? You also have a level-headed daughter, too, to help you out. You’re not alone, don’t forget that.”

     Hathor didn’t want to admit that such concern nearly brought tears to his eyes, to know that people around him did care for his welfare and that even as emperor, he was still entitled to some rest when he needed it. He wasn’t alone, and he was so grateful to know he still had friends, not just allies.

     “Dedric,” he began after some time. “I need you to do something for me.”

     The chief went to drop to one knee but Hathor stopped him.

     “No, there’s no time for that. I need you to just sit and listen carefully.” he said. He gave Dedric a moment to find his seat again and then continued. “The recent reports of the murders in Bordennia, the ones you had brought to me a few days back?”

     Dedric nodded. He remembered them well.

     “I have a need for you to go to Bordennia and speak to the king, Dominicus Mouridieus. My guess is either he doesn’t know of these murders, and they must therefore be carried out in secret, or he is a damn fool, sitting on his arse and doing nothing about all the slaughter on his own land.”

     The chief rubbed his chin with a rough hand. “Forgive me, Harry, but if Dominicus is such a fool, why are you so determined to see your daughter married off to his son?” he asked.

     Hathor sat back in his seat and ran a hand down his tired face. “Because his son isn’t an idiot. Nicademius Mouridieus, as young as he is, is aware of the consequences of this war if he and his family don’t step up and contribute as they should have been doing already. Fandrell is not a fool either. I don’t doubt the old man has tried whispering words of encouragement to join the war efforts. But Dominicus is a stubborn man. I know he will only join the war as soon as his son has wedded and bedded the Princess of Iradas. Asking to wait until he puts a child in her, now that would just be pushing his luck.” the emperor replied.

     Dedric rose from his seat and began to pace the room. He held the back of his neck with both hands and stretched his back out; now that he had the chance to. “And where do I come into this? If Dominicus won’t listen to his own father,” he began.

     “You’ll send word from the emperor, a letter written and signed by myself, and you will present him with an ultimatum – join the Redbanes in the war first, and only then I will give Nicademius my daughter as his wife. The only way he can keep this war from reaching his doorstep is to fight now, with us, with his allies and family.” Hathor explained. Even as he spoke, he seemed unsure of the outcome himself.

     Dedric bit his bottom lip in hesitation. There was one final question he wanted to ask his emperor, his friend. It was the one he was most afraid to ask. “And if Dominicus refuses? If he asks for Adelaide first and even then, doesn’t keep up his end of the bargain?”

     Hathor leaned forward, propping his elbows against his knees as he shot Dedric a steady, frightening gaze. “Then we’ll have another enemy to deal with. And mind them, a Redbane never loses.”