Fire flared behind the Emperor’s eyes. “Ordered to do my job? By what authority does the Court propose to order me to do anything?”

Kilthanis swallowed, but he was committed. “By their role as the head of the Church of Bokiyem, God of Law. They have decreed—“

“I don’t give a damn what they’ve decreed! They have already approved my actions in regards to the desert people.”

Kilthanis remained calm in the face of the Emperor’s anger. “And they’ve reconsidered. They have now determined that their initial decision was in error.”

“And why should I listen to them?”

“Because they are the voice of the Law God.”

“And I’m the voice of the Griffin God, His father.”

“Kilthane, you know that doesn’t matter…”

“Doesn’t it? Bokiyem only has his power at the sufferance of his Borean. He granted the power over the law to His son, therefore He can overrule the decree of Bokiyem. Which means I, as his voice on earth, can overrule the voice of his Court.”

“I beg your pardon, your majesty, but perhaps you need to remember the story of Botamil’s Rebellion.”

Kilthane turned his back on Kilthanis, staring out the window into the darkening afternoon. “Fah! A mere child’s tale. I am the Emperor! My word is law!”

“No, Kilthane! As you yourself noted at the Millennial Celebration, the will of the PEOPLE is the law of the Empire. Not the will of any one man. Even if that man be the Emperor.”

Kilthane spun around. “Watch your tongue, Kilthanis! That brooks on treason!”

Kilthanis gaped at his friend. “Treason?! How dare you accuse me of that! I have more love for the Empire—“

“Just like your ancestor before you. I knew I couldn’t trust you. All the D’Endray’s are treasonous scum. Why my ancestor didn’t order the extermination of your line I’ll never know!”

Kilthanis’s eyes widened even further. Fear crept onto his face. His voiced dropped to a whisper. “Kilthane…you sound like a mad man.”

“Mad?! Only to have let you roam free despite your obvious sedition! I should have known when you volunteered to represent the desert folk. Now, you’ll hang with the rest of them! Guards!”

Kilthanis didn’t know what to do. He knew there were no guards stationed outside, but they would be quickly summoned. He had no choice. He turned to the door and he bolted. The Emperor’s voice echoed down the halls after him as he ran. He just had to hope he could make it out of the Imperial wing ahead of the Emperor’s order.