THE EMPRESS

  The weather was beginning to turn bad. My luck, she thought to herself. Right as her son was descending one of the most treacherous climbs in the continent, and it was during winter when the path was slippery enough already.

  She had pleaded with Cassius to wait until the weather became good but Aeryan raised him stubborn as a mule, and he insisted that he be allowed to leave today, weather less of a snow storm be damned.

  They stood outside under grey skies and cold winds. The entire capital knew of him leaving, and every man or woman with noble blood was at the Imperial Courtyard watching as the Court of Ina readied themselves to ride.

  The larger party had already left and all that was left was just the Knights, and Sworn Swords of the Prince, and the Prince himself. All five dressed in their white armour, and white cloaks. Their weapons strapped to their horses and so were their shields. Their helmets clasped to their belts, and a small column with their lances.

  Her son sat on his horse, thick padded riding leathers tightened around him, and a layer of plate over it. His cloak was marked with the sigil of the Phoenix. His squire rode beside him, the sigil of House Illeryn of Ina on his shield and cloak-a crowned golden phoenix with the Gratesword behind it.

  Aeryan nodded with a slight smile, and their son turned his stallion around and his guards followed. Their horses began making their way down the lowering path, their bodies disappearing slowly as they rode, and finally, their standards disappeared as they turned down the path and under the uncovered rock that was held up by supports that led to the inside of the mountain.

  Lyanna finally let go of the breath she was holding in, and she could hear Aeryan doing the same. This was the hardest part of the war…it truly was…sending their children away.

  Sending him away.

  And no matter how old he got, it never got easier on her, and it never did seem to get easier for her Aeryan. Every night until they got the message of him being safe behind high walls, she had nightmares nightly of him being captured, killed and then being sent his head.

  “Why do you have to send him away?” she asked in a hushed tone, still listening to the fading sound of horse hooves clopping down the limestone.

  Aeryan closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh before answering, “It is tradition…he has to learn to govern and that is the best way for him to learn.”

  “You can have him govern from the capital.”

  “Ina is the capital.” His voice was cold and laced with depression. “Emperors do not have their Fathers. I try to give him comfort but to be an effective ruler he has to learn.” He turned to face her, his eyes staring into hers. “I understand why you fear, so do I, but I have to do what is best for him.”

  “It isn’t what's best for him, there’s a madman running around our country and our son is riding through a tenth of it with only a few true loyal men by his side.”

  “Syr Garlan wouldn’t let anything happen to our son, I assure you,” Aeryan said, putting a hand on her shoulder. “I promise nothing will happen to him, I promise on the love I bear for you.”

  Lyanna looked into his eyes…and could not see any lies in him. She pulled her head down and sighed, and turned to look as the small pours of rain began.

  “Send them inside, I don’t want anyone to suffer from a fever.” Aeryan’s voice was cold and a word away from breaking. “Send the children to the private chambers.” His face was seemingly made of stone, and yet it seemed to hold back so much emotion within it.

  “Of course,” she answered in a whisper, and turned to face the great crowd of nobles and Palace workers, “His Grace orders you all to go inside of the Palace, and sit until the rain ends.” Her voice was muffled by the rain that was beginning to grow heavy, yet they still listened and began to turn and walk their way inside.

  “I will return in an hour, I need to meet with Sar Karold.”

  Lyanna smiled and nodded, and turned back to her children. “Come on,” she said, pulling Elisabeth’s hand as she began walking up the steps. Siren, and Thedora followed closely behind.

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  Inside their chambers, Lyanna looked out the window, along with little Elisabeth. Oh sweet Elisabeth, so innocent, she thought. A girl of three, and the only good thing in her life. Not stubborn like Cassius, not rebellious like Theodorus and not so set on getting himself killed like Siron. She just wanted to play with her toys and follow her mother, father and siblings around.

  She was quite fond of Cassius in particular, at least the few times they had even been in the same city, nonetheless seen each other.

  They saw each other five times altogether, and each time she was trailing him around the Palace. The last time she could remember was when Cassius was planning the defense of Ina from the capital half a winter ago.

  She could remember when she told little Elisabeth of her big brother’s return, and of how she was so happy to see him again. How she ran around her chamber, and readied her best clothes to meet the party that escorted him.

  And he arrived late. Eight hours late, pissed off, and annoyed. Wearing tunics, and cloaks, the same as the rest of his men-instead of the pale white armour that she had expected.

  She was deep in the thought as Aeryan entered the room, covered in rain, his clothes stuck to his body. Shivering cold, he was wrapped in a heavy Brown bear cloak. “Keep the children here, I'm calling Court.” His voice was hoarse and tired. “And I need the Empress there.”

  The rain suddenly felt heavier, and the wind was howling right in her ears. “I…can’t,” she said. “I want to be here with them, not at court with them.”

  “I’m sorry, but it's our responsibility and duty. We have to do it.”

  Her heart felt heavy. “I don't have to do anything, I am Empress and I want to stay with my children.”

  “You have to, it is your duty, and it is mine.”

  “My duty is to take care of my children. That is the duty of the Queen.”

  “You are the Empress, my dear.” he stepped closer to her. “You are not a queen nor are you Empress consort. Your duty is to serve the nation.”

  She couldn't speak…even Aeryan was overtaken with duty. “I will attend after speaking with them…” her voice was a whisper, and it made her want to break.

  The court was filled with more people than usual today. Every council present, from the High Council to the Low Council, all except Lady Elanor. Not a good look for me, she thought. Her own appointee did not want to appear at court.

  “Lord Varserys, I think we should begin.” Aeryan said, sitting on the Obsidian Throne, crosslegged.

  “I agree we should, Your Grace.”

  Syr William opened the giant double door, and Syr Tommen held it from the right side.

  A shepherd was the first to enter. His tunic dirtied, his hair wild and his beard unkempt. “Good-morrow my L-” he mispoke, and tried correcting himself, “Your Grace. I…I plead…for some gold to-”

  “It’s okay,” Aeryan interrupted him, “You do not have to be afraid of your Emperor.” He smiled courtlessly. “What is your name, good man?”

  “Jorah, Your Grace.”

  “Good-morrow, Ser Jorah, what would you like your gold for?”

  “I need gold to buy food for the winter, Your Grace.” The man put his hands together, pleading. “My livestock died from the plague and I do not have food to feed my family.”

  “How much gold do you require, Jorah?”

  “A thousand would help greatly, Your Grace.”

  “It is done,” Aeryan said, raising his hand in the air. “Lord Halroc, give good man Jorah his gold.”

  The shepherd dropped to his knees and bowed, saying his gratitudes to Aeryan. Lord Halroc walked over with a leather bag of gold in hand, and Syr Jaime escorted the man out.

  “That was not a good act, you know,” Lyanna whispered in Aeryan’s ear.

  “How so?” He seemed genuinely surprised. “He needed that gold to live, we are not starving for gold, we have enough. Let our people have some as well.”

  “A hundred gold alone could see him through the winter. A single golden phoenix could buy eight days worth of meals for one person alone. A hundred would feed his family for over a hundred more days.”

  “He asked for a thousand, I gave him a thousand, he might truly need it to feed his family.” Aeryan let out a breath. “I do not care what, he asked for the money, and it was under my power, so I gave it to him.”

  “You can’t do that. Give it to one, and every damn peasant with a sob story will come begging for a thousand gold.” She looked at him truthfully. “And you’re too noble to say no, and you will give it to them. And you’ll cripple our economy.”

  “Lyanna,” he said in another sigh. “This is not Vallaros, Velmyrian people are noble and honourable, they would not do that.”

  She looked at the ground, and saw no need to keep arguing, “do as you like, Your Grace.”