"Life in the Empire can sometimes be hard. Even the wisdom of the Undying Queen cannot solve all the problems of the world. However, working together Her subjects can overcome any difficulty. Whatever challenges the Empire might face in the future, I am confident that they will be overcome."

Two Thousand Years of Empire by Jahangir Amini

=====

It had all been a bit of a blur after Archmage Raeisi's arrival. He'd taken charge in an instant, dismissing Ester back to her room at the Watch headquarters with a few sympathetic words and ordering the summoning of the heads of the Great Houses. In the few minutes before Ester left, he'd firmly established himself behind what she assumed was Count Marcni's desk and was confidently delivering orders to all and sundry.

By the time she was walking out of the Marcni Palace, feeling more than dazed, servants, guards and Watchmen were running back and forth in a hive of activity.

Ester barely remembered the short walk back to the Watch Headquarters. The building itself was almost empty when she got there. They were probably all at the Marcni Palace. It hardly mattered anyway. She navigated her way through the corridors to her small room through unconscious instinct and staggered inside. The moment she'd closed the door behind her she fell onto the small bed, without even bothering to change out of her filthy dress.

She wasn't sure how long she lay there. Staring at the wooden beams of the ceiling, her mind racing uncontrollably. That had been the most horrifying, terrifying series of events of her life. She'd nearly died. Several times. The undead. The Mehrzad. The Duke. How could it have been allowed to happen? How could anyone do something like that? Why had she found herself in the middle of it?

Despite her exhaustion, sleep came slowly to Ester. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the Duke's hateful sneer, or a mutilated corpse coming towards her, reaching with grasping fingers. Or the Mehrzad, desperately trying to overcome whatever it was the Duke had done to her.

=====

"I believe that concludes matters, thank you for your time." The Inquisitor, Sinon Manis, shuffled his papers into a neat pile and leant back in his chair.

Ester felt like she'd been passed through a clothes wringer. She'd barely slept and when the morning had come she'd been peremptorily summoned by the Inquisition, with hardly enough time to clean herself and change her dress.

The Inquisitor hadn't been unpleasant, not at all. In fact he'd even done his best to be considerate, offering her tea and breaks as she needed. But he'd just kept on asking questions, pushing through her exhaustion and driving deeper and deeper into everything she said. Every thought she'd had, every action she'd taken down under the Marcni Palace drawn out and analysed with relentless attention to detail. If he hadn't been so faultlessly polite, event pleasant, throughout, she'd have been terrified that she was under suspicion.

"Uh…" It took her a moment to get her thoughts back into order. "Thank you My Lord Inquisitor. So what happens now?"

"Hmm?" Ester's question seemed to pull him away from wherever his thoughts had drifted. "Oh, yes. Quite right, you would want to know. Perhaps we should bring Sir Vitaly in too, he was involved after all."

Ester couldn't help wincing at that. Sir Vitaly had wanted her to keep his secret, but she wasn't going to lie to an Inquisitor. Anyway, he hadn't said anything about not telling the Inquisition and surely it was alright for them to know? If they didn't already.

The Inquisitor got up, opened the door and said something she couldn't hear before returning to his seat. A minute later Sir Vitaly came in, still armed and armoured of course, somehow filling the room the moment he stepped inside.

"You called for me My Lord Inquisitor? I thought I was finished with the tedium of questions and might finally be able to get a drink!"

The Inquisitor gave him a deeply unimpressed look. "Stop it and sit down. I thought you should join me to tell Lady Mazar what will happen next."

In an instant Sir Vitaly seemed to shrink slightly, his exuberant grin replaced with a far calmer smile. "A fair point. Yes, Ester deserves an explanation." With a wave of his hand a chair slid over to him and he settled into it.

He studied her for a second and then nodded. "So, Sinon and I, Lord Inquisitor Manis to you, have discussed this with Archmage Raeisi and there may need to be some care taken in how this is communicated to the public." Of course they'd say that. Ester wished she was more surprised by it. Were they going to try to protect House Marcni's reputation? Or tell her that she shouldn't have been involved because it was men's work?

"Stop looking so mulish, it doesn't suit you." She did not look mulish! And there was no need for Inquisitor Manis to smirk! "You'll get your credit for helping with this, we're all very impressed. Not many fresh Mages could have done what you did. However, let's be frank, you did wander your way into the middle of an Inquisitorial operation. The Duke would have been caught shortly regardless. So, people will hear that you heroically assisted the Inquisition and played a pivotal role in the capture of a necromancer that threatened the city."

"But that's…" Sir Vitaly cut her off.

"Completely true. Look, if we were unreasonable people, we could say that you interfered with my operation and caused all manner of trouble. It would be very much unfair of course, but it is true that you've made things rather more difficult for us with this situation." Ester did her best not to scowl at that. She was fairly sure what they weren't saying was that if they told the truth it would make them look bad.

"How have I made things more difficult for you, My Lord Inquisitor."

"Sir Vitaly will do, honestly." He sighed and glanced at the other Inquisitor who shrugged. "If things had proceeded as a normal operation, we would have had control over what information was revealed and how things happened. When you have a situation like the ruler of a Great City turning out to be a traitor, so much more than just stopping them needs to be considered. Panic among the populace, other nobles being involved, people escaping, hordes of undead being unleashed into the sewers, the list goes on. A bit of discretion would have been helpful, that's all."

Ester couldn't help her gasp. "You mean you would have hidden his crimes?"

"Great Spirits no!" Sir Vitaly narrowed his eyes his tone suddenly changing and sending icy tendrils of fear through Ester's veins. "You're becoming far too cynical for your own good young lady. That's not the kind of thought it's wise to share with two Inquisitors." In a flash his smile was back although it did little to reassure Ester. "We might simply have delayed revealing them for a little bit longer to see what other fish we could catch in our net."

"O o of course Sir Vitaly." Why did she stammer? She'd faced down a necromancer and now she was stammering at a few words from a madman who wore body armour to dinner.

"Very good. Anyway, as I said, we would be most grateful if you would work with our story when this is presented to the public."

"Yes, of course I will." What else could she say? She wasn't going to make an enemy of him or any other Inquisitor if she could possibly help it. "What exactly will it be?"

"I'm glad you asked. We can go into more detail of course, but my advice is simply to stick to the basics and say that the Inquisition asked you not to discuss things further if anyone presses. For the wider public, we will simply say that you heroically assisted in an operation to apprehend the necromancer. They do not need to know more. For those nobleborn that will expect more information, we will let them know that by coincidence you found yourself in the middle of our operation, but due to your quick wits, bravery and skill," he paused, "if you'd like any other positive attributes do say so. Anyway, due to your abilities you were able to cut off the Duke from his escape and deliver him to the Inquisition. Is that satisfactory?"

Ester slowly nodded. "Yes Sir Vitaly."

As Sir Vitaly launched into a more detailed explanation, Ester chewed the plan over. It wasn't as bad as she'd expected, even if it did make the Inquisition look like it played a bigger role than it had. Sir Vitaly had been there after all, it hadn't just been her. Anyway, it wasn't like she could say no, whatever Sir Vitaly might pretend. They might be bending the truth, but it didn't feel like they were trying to cover up the Duke's crimes or treat her unfairly.

=====

A couple of days later later, Ester was waiting in one of the ornate reception rooms of the Marcni Palace. She felt Archmage Raeisi coming before he actually entered the room. Waves of magic swirled around him without him even doing anything. Or at least she didn't think he was.

The moment he stepped through the door she went down on one knee, bowing her head. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Master Tabasi and everyone else in the room doing the same. The two Inquisitors behind the Archmage were the only people who remained standing.

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

"You may rise." His voice was deep and rich, washing over them like warm honey.

Ester got to her feet and allowed herself to look up again. Archmage Raeisi looked radiant as he surveyed the room, utterly calm and confident. His eyes landed on her and he smiled as he turned towards her, although it didn't quite reach his eyes.

A few steps brought him over to her, closer than was really proper. She could have reached out and touched him. She almost wanted to.

"Ester Mazar. You have done the Throne a great service." Ester had to suppress a shiver as he looked straight into her eyes. To be noticed by an Archmage, it was the sort of thing she'd fantasised about as an Apprentice. "Great achievements demand great rewards. You still live in the Watch headquarters do you not?"

"Y y yes my lord?" Why was she stammering?!

His lip curled down slightly. "Yes. The Throne recognises your service and that service should be rewarded. In the name of Her Eternal Majesty, I have decided that you shall be granted a residence of your own by the Throne. One more appropriate to your station. To be held and maintained for you, at Her Eternal Majesty's cost, until your death. For the great service you have done to the Empire and to Vass Karan, you shall have a home in this city for as long as you live." That was… Ester wasn't even sure what to think about it. She hadn't worried about living in the Watch Headquarters. It was hardly luxurious, but it was no worse than she'd had as an Apprentice. Her own home though… If only her parents could see her now!

She bowed low. "Thank you my lord. I only wish to serve the Empire."

"Indeed." He nodded and then, without another word, turned on his heel and strode away.

=====

The next few days were almost anti-climactic after the whirlwind that had preceded them, but it wasn't long before matters were finally resolved to the Archmage and the Inquisitors' satisfaction.

Ester sat on a balcony, surrounded by the highest ranking nobleborn men of Vass Karan, overlooking the city's largest square. Unseen drums beat out a steady, pulsating rhythm as the commonborn crowd thronged below her. Some, the wealthier ones, had occupied the rows of benches that rose up around the edges of the square, most stood. Lower ranking nobles crowded the windows of the buildings overlooking the scene.

At the far side of the square, Watchmen stood in a semi-circle with spears outstretched, holding the crowd back to keep a wide empty space behind them. The Duke was in the middle of that space, gagged and bound to a pole that thrust up from a huge pile of wood under his feet. It was stacked high enough that he was easily visible to everyone in the crowd. It also meant he could see the hastily erected scaffold in front of him.

Six figures were on the scaffold, balancing on stools, hooded with ropes around their necks and their hands tied behind their backs. A gaggle of children, none more then ten yeas old also stood next to it, under the watchful eyes of several guards armed with spears. Archmage Raeisi was off to one side, surveying the scene with cold eyes, Inquisitors Adib and Manis at his side.

The drums came to a crescendo and then suddenly stopped, bringing the murmuring crowd to silence. Inquisitor Adib stepped forward, Ester could just about see the magic on him, ready for his speech.

"Loyal subjects of the Undying Queen, you are gathered here today to witness justice being done." His voice boomed out across the square, unnaturally loud. A look of disgust came across his face. "Duke Sethre Marcni was entrusted with the governorship of Vass Karan, with the protection of you, Her loyal subjects. Yet he chose to pursue the forbidden art of necromancy. He committed foul murders, created disgusting monstrosities and put the lives you, your families and every other person in Vass Karan in danger. His crimes are myriad, but necromancy alone is enough to condemn him. Only through the efforts of the Inquisition and the hard work of Her loyal subjects were you saved from his perfidy."

He took a breath. "Her Eternal Majesty's justice is fair and it is swift. No matter your station, know that She will not tolerate such crimes against Her subjects or Her realm. Duke Sethre Marcni was highest nobleborn of Vass Karan, but Her justice falls on him as it would on the lowest of the city's commonborn." Ester pursed her lips at that. For necromancy there was no excuse, but she hadn't forgotten what Commander Savate had said when she'd wanted to investigate the Velias.

"Duke Sethre Marcni, you have been found guilty of necromancy. For this crime there can be no mercy. You and your family are hereby stripped of your titles and your names. Duke Sethre Marcni no longer exists, House Marcni is ended. For the remainder of your life you are Sethre of no name." Ester noticed several of the nobles around her wince at that. It made no sense, the man was going to die anyway, so why did they seem disturbed by his loss of titles?

"There can only be one sentence for necromancy and that is death, to be administered as soon as possible. However, the crime of necromancy has consequences far beyond its perpetrator. It cannot be tolerated anywhere in the Empire, lest we fall under the slavering hordes of the undead. Every loyal subject must know that it is their fundamental duty to take action, to bring it an end wherever and however they might hear of it. Sethre, you have brought your family's fate upon them through your actions. Before your death you shall see what your actions have wrought."

"Rasce, brother to Sethre. Teitu, brother to Sethre. Cerve, son of Sethre. Rantha, wife of Sethre. Alfia, wife of Rasce. Peci, wife of Teitu." He read out the names of the people on the scaffold. "You allowed your lord to conduct necromancy in your very own home. Ignorance is no excuse, some acts of negligence are so great that they cannot be tolerated by the Empire. While you did not commit acts of necromancy, you allowed it to thrive in your own home. You failed unforgivably in your duties to Her Eternal Majesty and to the Empire."

"As you were not necromancers yourselves, your deaths shall be easier. Sethre, observe what you have done to those closest to you." The Inquisitor nodded to the leatherclad man on the platform who stepped up to Rasce's hooded form. With a swift kick he sent the stool out from under Rasce's feet. The portly man fell with a jolt and hung there jerking spasmodically. The executioner didn't hesitate, immediately moving on to the next stool. In seconds all six were hanging.

"Her Eternal Majesty is not without mercy. Children are not held responsible for the actions of their progenitors. However, the line of a necromancer cannot be allowed to survive. Observe Sethre, your daughter Perca and her cousins." The other Inquisitor, Manis, stepped forward as he spoke. "They shall live. However, they shall never have children of their own and their minds shall be cleansed of all knowledge of you. A place will be found for them, performing good honest labour. They shall live as good, loyal commonborn subjects of Her Eternal Majesty and shall nevertheless be higher in Her eyes than you could ever be."

Inquisitor Manis laid his hand on the first of the children and spoke, too quietly for Ester to hear over the muttering of the crowd. She couldn't see the spell, not when the Inquisitor was using touch, but she did see the child slump to the ground. She couldn't help but shudder as the Inquisitor moved on to the next child and then the next. She knew it was necessary, that necromancy simply couldn't be tolerated if the Empire would survive, but doing that to children…

"You have witnessed the end of your line Sethre. Now, you will die. May Her Eternal Majesty's flames burn the sins from your soul. Saig." The word of power boomed out across the square. At first nothing seemed to happen and then a small trail of smoke started to rise from the wood underneath the Duke's feet. As flames started to rise, he squirmed more on the pole, the gag stopping him from crying out.

There would be a Schema on him somewhere, making sure that he wouldn't pass out, making him just a little more resistant to fire, able to last that bit longer in the flames. Ester couldn't see it, but she knew enough about the penalties for necromancy. They were made excruciatingly clear to every Apprentice at the Academy. She didn't want to watch, but she had to. He'd tried to kill her. She was the one that had caught him. If she couldn't watch justice being done then how could she support it?

=====

Count Arnos Velia carefully kept his expression neutral as the crowd started to disperse. He, along with the heads of Vass Karan's other Great Houses, well the remaining Great Houses anyway, had been given some of the best seats. A place of honour for the most powerful, loyal houses and a sign of unity for the city's populace. That was what the Inquisitors had said.

Of course he was no fool. He understood the true message. However powerful the nobleborn might think they were, if they crossed certain lines it would not matter.

The Marcnis had provided an object lesson, but hardly one that he needed. Like every other Great House, House Velia skirted on the wrong side of the law on a regular basis. However, like every sane nobleborn, Arnos knew that there were lines that were not to be crossed. If Lady Mazar had succeeded in her pursuit of his drug trade it would have been an expensive inconvenience, but ultimately not a disaster. Necromancy though… He shook his head. That was simply insanity.

Arnos stood at the same time as the others. No doubt the lesson would not have escaped them either. Spirits only knew how it had escaped Sethre, the fucking idiot. There were lines one simply did not cross.

He nodded to Kavie Rutane as they both started towards the exit. He could not stand the man of course, a soft headed fool who allowed his mother to dominate his actions. But that was neither here nor there, the Velias were always polite whether it was an enemy or a friend. Much better to stab someone in the back than in the front after all.

He paused and gestured to let Ester Mazar to go ahead of him. The only woman invited to their balcony, she did not look like she had appreciated the honour at all. More fool her, as in her case it almost certainly actually been intended as an honour. She gave him a weak smile as she passed. He returned it with a polite nod and a smile of his own.

Walking behind Vass Karan's youngest Mage, Arnos allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. She might be foolish, but she was young. Wisdom would most likely come in time. As it was, he had made all the right decisions.

There were three types of Mage. The political ones were easy, they played the game like any nobleborn. So were the academics. Give them a library and some esoteric materials and they would cause no trouble at all. The third type though, they refused to conform to the system and they caused ripples wherever they went, oblivious to the way the world truly worked. It seemed Ester Mazar was one of those. Troublesome, but still just another piece on the great board that was Vass Karan.

She had indeed initially caused problems with her suspicion over the drugs, but that had been dealt with easily enough. A stupider man might have tried to warn her off, or have her killed. Fortunately he was no fool. The young were easily distracted, Mages even more so. As it was, she had moved on, just as he had expected and hoped.

Never cross a Mage unless you absolutely have to, that was a maxim to live by, and if you must, make sure they die on the first try. Anything else was a recipe for disaster. He would not forget that.

Thank the Spirits he had squashed Metli's resentment when he had and ensured that she would not act against Lady Mazar. The girl had turned out to be far more capable than he had expected and making an enemy of her out of petty jealousy would be deeply stupid. As it was, Lady Mazar might not be as close to the Velias as she was becoming to the Rutanes, but she had no negative feelings for them either.

He would need to put a bit more thought into how Lady Mazar would fit into his plans after this. She was clearly a talented young woman and young Mages grew. The ideal would be if he could gently steer her towards some of his rivals. It might be that nothing would come of it, or maybe she would continue to bring chaos wherever she went.

In the meantime, perhaps he could encourage a friendship with Metli, that might help to pry her away from the Rutanes' grasp. He nodded to himself, that would be something to consider. Anyway, regardless, of how things went, Lady Mazar had clearly demonstrated that she was not someone to ignore.

THE END*

* Until I put the first chapter of book 2 up next week.

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