Do not worry, Lord Skarde. We will leave someone here with you, someone trusted by the Farian elite, who can teach you how to put up mental blocks. It will be needed, trust me. There may be those who will wish to do you harm… I cannot promise that all my Farians will be willing to fall in line easily with a new ruler. But, I can promise you that they will be met with swift consequences if I hear word otherwise. You have the absolute power of my monarchy behind you.
The words of King Kajo echoed in my skull, bounced like he had spoken them right before me, reverberated under my skin, and left me dizzy, made me cling to my arms even harder and I grit my teeth. I had never experienced such a feeling before. I had never been seasick, not even in the roughest of storms on the Astrida seas. This was some other type of vertigo… I did not like it.
King Kajo had walked closer to me as he spoke to me telepathically, so that it was not as evident that he was speaking to me, but it was certainly clear, and perhaps even heard by all others present. Prince Axis and his wife Queen Ceritha of the Bristola Empire were present, as were Commander Cartari and my friend Zaya, another Vailstoran, who I was happy to have in my new courts. She seemed just as dizzy as me in the company of telepaths. I had heard she had the gift now, too, but I was unclear as to how she had acquired it… How had she trained it? Why did she bother with this charzbos magic? The five Farians who had fetched me from Astrida and then the three Vailstorans that I had brought with me were the only others in the throne room. I had chosen three of my most trusted advisors from Astrida. That was all. I knew it would be a tough task ahead of me, forging new authority on another planet, but… General Truloy was trusting me. I had had her trust before, in the war just years before. I would be up to the challenge.
“We are giving you this castle and there is a fleet of ships, all outfit, rigged, and staffed also gifted to your immediate allegiance and loyalty. The trade routes that now exist between Vailstor and Farian are important. Your calasis, important for powering our laser cannons, for our frajili, necessary for powering your mining equipment. Not only will you get hard resources for your mining equipment, we will also give you access to our scientists to teach you how to utilize the frajili in a different manner to make your mining more efficient. We are relying on you to help this flow seamlessly. Whatever else you demand, we shall give you--
I grabbed the back of the chair nearest me, lifted it up and slammed it down, the four legs hitting the floor so hard they splintered. The sound echoed. “This word, I hate this word give. You Farians have said it to exhaustion. I will earn what’s mine.”
“We mean no offense, Lord Skarde. You have already earned your place here, that is the only reason you were commanded here by General Truloy, the only reason you were admitted here by King Kajo. If you had not earned your spot with your reputation, action, and former deeds, you would not have been accepted to rule over the lands of Harthen as you have been. You are welcome here and I hope that you make it your home. Whatever help or comforts we can provide you, we will.” Prince Axis stepped forward to say the diplomatic words and I nodded toward him as he finished speaking. I had been briefed on what to expect from all the Farian leadership and so far they had not let me down. I had been warned that Axis would be the one with the biggest heart, though not to be underestimated in battle. That was shown to be true thus far.
I took a deep breath and waved my hand around at the rather empty throne room. I missed the tapestries of Astrida. I assumed there had been decor, that had represented Duke Fenvitz’s reign. They had done well to remove them before my arrival, though I did wonder what kind of conquests the former tenant might have claimed. The one thing that remained was a blazon of the Duke’s military brand above the throne. It would need repainted with my own brand. I was going to carry through the one I had had in Astrida. No reason not to… I had worked hard for that seal on Vailstor.
“This is adequate.”
Kajo nodded his beastly head, the scar across his eye glinting in the sunlight cast in through the stained glass windows high above. Daphne stepped forward and squeezed his hand.
“We would like to have a feast in your honor tonight, Lord Skarde. Are there any dishes you would like us to prepare?”
“I am most interested in knowing who shall stay here to help me fortify my defenses.” I tapped my finger on the side of my head, looking pointedly at Kajo. The King nodded. He gestured to the five Farians who had escorted me.
“Any of the Special Operations unit who escorted you will be well versed in these matters and can help you--”
“Her.” I pointed to Bravo Ilisa immediately. She had been fingering the hilt of the dagger at her hip and looking at our conversation without too much interest when my gesture jerked her straight to attention.
“Your highness?” She stepped forward as King Kajo beckoned her near.
“Bravo Ilisa is certainly one of our most highly trained special forces.”
“Thank you, sir.” Her response was automatic,
