Kilthanis had been sitting alone for almost an hour when a soft step nearby drew his attention. He raised his eyes and looked into the face of the royal seneschal.

“The Emperor will see you now.”

Kilthanis nodded and stood up, his hand tightening around the sealed scroll he had brought with him. He followed the older man deep into the labyrinthine palace. They entered the Imperial wing, where the royal family lived. The Imperial apartments were spacious and lush. They walked for several minutes through richly appointed hallways. They passed several functionaries, moving quietly among the rooms, tidying up, making sure that every possible need had been anticipated and prepared for.

They finally stopped outside a closed door. There were no guards, and only one servant who stood near the opposite wall, prepared to respond to the Emperor’s needs, should he call. The seneschal knocked softly, and after a moment, he indicated that it was okay for Kilthanis to enter.

He stepped into the cool darkness of the room. As his eyes adjusted to the sudden dimness, Kilthanis recognized the room as the Emperor’s study. He had been here several times before, but the room was not usually kept this dim when it was occupied. At first, Kilthanis wasn’t sure it was. He reached for the lamp to turn it up, when a dry voice came from the other end of the room.

“Leave it.”

Kilthanis turned and finally saw the dark shape of the Emperor, slouched down in a large chair behind the desk. He bowed low. “I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I didn’t see you there. I thought I’d been brought here to wait.”

“Please, Kilthanis. We’re alone here. We can dispense with the formalities.”

“As you wish.” He hesistated. “How are you?”

“How do you think I am?” the Emperor snapped. “My wife is dead! Someone tried to kill me. “ The fire left his voice as suddenly as it had appeared. “They may have succeeded.”

“I can’t imagine what you’re going through Kilthane. If something happened to Kelsey…,” he shook his head. “But the Empire needs you.”

“The Empire was around for centuries before me and it will endure long after. It doesn’t need me.”

“It needs an Emperor, Kilthane.”

“And it has one. My advisors can run things. They seem to be doing a fine job. I’m sure some of them have dreamed of this day.”

“And you’re content to leave the running of your Empire to others?”

“ I prefer to mourn my wife.”

Kilthanis stood quietly for a moment. “I understand that, Kilthane. But I need you.”

“Why?”

“ I have a Court decree here….” He started to pass it across the desk.

“I was told you were here to see me as my cousin, not a petitioner.”

“I’m here as both.”

“I’m not seeing petitioners.”

“Damn it, Kilthane. I need your help!”

A spark rose in the Emperor’s eyes as he glared across the space at Kilthanis. Kilthanis bit his tongue, realizing he may have gone too far.

“Well this is certainly a change, Kilthanis. I can’t remember the last time you needed my help.”

“And I can’t remember the last time the Court had to order the Emperor to do his job.”