>>5198470The throne room is full when you return, a horde of lords and advisors fighting to divide Alkaign's attentions. You spy the Honored Xia Chen with a long scroll near the throne, almost certainly amidst the thankless task of balancing Imperial finances. The flurry of activity in the hall dies down as the Emperor raises his hand for silence. "Lord Campbell, I trust you have news?"
You sink to a knee. "Aye, My Emperor, I do." He motions you to approach, and you begin telling him what Vera has given up. It takes time, and you leave no detail out, even throwing in a few of your own theories for good measure.
"Another world? You believe this girl?" Alkaign seems less incredulous than you might think. "I believe she believed it, my Emperor. And I gathered items from the boy's body that support her story." You look up upon the throne and note a spot where some of Albrecht's blood had yet to be cleaned from the gilt metalwork of the ornate chair. The Emperor notes the movement of your eyes, and his eyes fix on the spot, a small show of sadness crosses the Imperial mask that has replaced your liege's face. It is gone in a moment. "Their powers? You arrived late to see it with the Lady Alys, but they had some sort of glamour about them when they entered. Fath-" He stops himself. "-the former Emperor never expected one of his own guardsmen to take his head. By the time they were revealed they already had us on the back foot. You say the strength of their leader, and the brutish endurance of their Northerner. Did the prisoner say from whence it came?"
"No my Emperor, but she will. I have little doubt the girl will tell us all she knows. I suspect their abilities faded when Lady Alys and I slew the one from their so called better world. The girl's life was fading but she made no attempt to heal herself. The northerner is so exhausted its like he just marched across a mountain range carrying a full pack. I believe he was the keystone and once it was struck the fortress of their superior powers fell quickly, and I believe the girl will confirm this when she is strong enough for more questioning."
He rubs his brow just under the Imperial circlet. "So it's true then, you brought healers to her? Seems a waste, Lord Campbell, I'll have her head upon the battlements as soon as you have wrung her dry." You close your eyes for a moment. This is the hard part.
"My Emperor, I would never place myself between my Liege and due justice, but please heed my words. The girl is clergy, and with child-" His first slams down on the throne, to his right Sir Graven gives you a worried look as Xia Chen jumps back, startled. "Damn the priestesses and damn that bastard's vile spawn! I thought better of you, Lord Campbell! Such softheartedness. Did they show father mercy? Would that boy have thought for a second had he taken your head and not shattered your arm? I think no, my Lord, no I do not think so."
