Event Horizon, page 12
"The question is about your father, Lord Myrddin Graiko." Lydya's heart sank. "Do you know where he is, and what would he say if he were here?"
You don't have to answer, thought Lydya, wishing Kanan could read her mind. You don't have to answer!
"Yes, my father." Kanan bit down on his lip. The last year had been painful for him and Talia. A lot of nobles joked about them overthrowing Rowland and taking the throne in Myrddin's name. More than a few were serious. Talia had stopped attending royal functions, hating the negative attention. Kanan did his best to grin and bear it. "He was a complicated man. I assume he still is, if he's alive. In all honesty, I haven't been in contact with him since the disappearance.
"To answer the second question, my father would have said the opposite of what Empress Lydya just told you. His goal was to usurp Emperor Rowland's throne, taking away his power piece by piece. Making himself emperor before anyone realized what he was planning. So, my father, Lord Myrddin Graiko," Kanan copied the report's inflections, "would have agreed with the Dissenters because Rowland opposes them, and the people want to dissent. Not to give the people what they want, just to get what he wanted. Why asked about him?"
The reporter shuffled and played with a button on his coat. "It's just that Lord Myrddin was always outspoken about political matters, and most people are used to hearing his opinions."
Kanan used the reporter's voice to pinpoint his location. He faced the man, milky eyes glaring. "Well, I'm used to him yelling at my mother until she cried. And trust me, I don't miss it one bit."
The reporter opened his mouth to reply, but he thought better of it and stepped back into the crowd. The murmurs started up again. Many who had their hands raised lowered them.
"Are there any more questions for myself, my aunt, or my cousin?" Kanan asked. No one responded. "Then, on behalf of my aunt and uncle, the Empress and Emperor of Dionysus, thank you for your time."
The cameras switched off, and the reporters began filing out of the Hall and into the courtyard. They spoke among themselves, exchanging notes. A handful glanced back at Kanan. Maybe answering that question was a good idea. All rumors of him and his sister following in Myrddin's footsteps would melt away.
A gust of cold air rushing into the room. The sweat on Lydya's forehead instantly cooled. She had not realized she was sweating. At least the ordeal was over. For the time being.
Catala Meyris, her face flushed, walked up to the Imperial family and asked, "I want to apologize for that last question. Everyone was specifically told not to mention Lord Myrddin." So, it was a Q&A. Would have been nice to know that beforehand. "I'm sorry for any distress that caused."
"No harm done," replied Kanan, using his cane to step down from the podium. "He's not the only one who wants to know what happened to my father."
"Will there be more conferences?" Lydya asked. As far as she could tell, this conference went fairly well. But what if anarchist activity really was increasing? What if the people turned violent, demanding that Dionysus dissent? Rowland's visit to Novatera would all be for nothing.
"I can't say for certain," replied Meyris. "Pay attention to the news, and prepare for another, to be on the safe side."
Lydya thanked her, and Meyris followed the last of the reporters and camera operators out the door. The sun was starting to set below the tree line. Where had the day gone?
Alone at last, Lydya asked Chlo, "Any word from Sam yet?"
Chlo checked her phone. "No. Nothing."
"He's probably taking another walk and left his phone here again,” Kanan reassured Lydya. "He knows how important this stuff is. He just..." Kanan searched for the right word. "Communication has never been his strong suit."
"I can go find Zoe," said Chlo. "See if she knows."
Lydya shook her head. Zoe had been avoidant as well, worried about Jude and having to deal with a new onslaught of night terrors. Buildings on fire. Broken glass littering the ground. Jude injured and alone. The conference was over and done with. Let them have the rest of the day to themselves.
19
Ghosts
Rowland gazed at a darkened wall, his legs curled up next to his chest so his too tall body could fit on the cot. A knock came at the door. He rubbed his heavy eyelids with his palms and sat up, the thin material of the cot creaking.
Sleeping space was limited on the craft, so they converted a storage closet into a bedroom. This way the emperor could have some semblance of privacy. But Rowland was lucky if he got one or two hours of sleep each night. His mind continually raced all day, never slowing down enough for sleep to come.
Rowland walked two steps from the cot and was at the door. Opening it, he was greeted by Lathan Del Sol's bloodshot eyes.
"What's going on?" asked Rowland. Lathan wore his three-piece black suit. The one he wore to senate meetings.
"The high lord called for an emergency meeting. All world leaders. It starts in ten minutes."
"Why?" Did he hear Lathan correctly? He could not recall the high lord ever calling for an emergency meeting. "It's the middle of the night. And the next meeting is only a week away."
"The statement said that he's making a special announcement that can't be missed. Get dressed." Lathan turned to leave.
Rowland called after him. "Do you know who else from Dionysus will appear?" Lydya had told him about the news conference and its aftermath. Half approved of the Imperial family's decision, and half disapproved. Shocker. Sam had been absent, which did not surprise Rowland in the least. Even Zoe did not know where he had been. Sam usually attended senate meetings. There was a chance he would be at this one. That way, when Rowland asked how he was holding up, he would see if Sam was truthful as he said, "I'm fine".
"Just the on-location senators," Lathan said tersely. He turned the corner.
Rowland quickly exchanged his sleeping clothes for clean slacks, button-down shirt, and a black jacket. Most of his formal wear was packed away in the cargo hold. There wouldn't be time to search for it, and he doubted the high lord cared about the dress code in this case. An emergency meeting. Had there been one during his father's reign? Rowland would have to check the record.
On the way to the observation room, Rowland was joined by Lathan and two members of the Dionysian parliament, Ellia Ness and Jonas Llyr. Ness had represented the House of Commons for over a decade. Llyr was new to the job.
The room had the same setup as the transmission room in the Imperial palace, three rows with three seats each. Rowland took his usual seat in the middle row with Lathan on his right. The other two sat in the back row.
The transmission light glowed blue and seconds later, the blank wall dissolved into the Senate House. Dozens of representatives had already arrived. The two Dionysian senators and the one from Acheron were present, taking up the front row. They glanced back at Rowland and Lathan and breathed relieved sighs. Did they really expect them not to attend? Rowland observed that many of the boxes were empty. About twenty more than the previous meeting.
A bell chimed twelve times. High Lord Quintillius, along with Viceroy Locklyn Hart, appeared. The high lord's hair had grown whiter, his face more haggard. He seemed to have aged ten years in three weeks.
"Greetings, everyone," Quintillius announced, his voice less charismatic. "May this meeting of the Senate on the 21st of Decimbri commence."
Rowland glanced to his left and behind. No one else from Dionysus had joined them. It was the middle of the night in Colmekell. They might be delayed.
"Now then," Quintillius continued, breaking the eerie silence. "It has been brought to my attention that this war has lasted longer than anyone anticipated. Twenty-six worlds have dissented from the Republic so far." Quintillius's white eyebrows knit together. "So far because this war appears to be far from over. I urge each of you world leaders to contact your dissenting neighbors, if that be the case, and ask them to cease this madness. War is not the answer, but perhaps diplomacy is—"
"So, he's resorted to begging," murmured Lathan. The Acheron senator, Rory Stanton, looked over at him. Stanton's eyes became downcast, and he bit his lip to keep from talking back. With compelling arguments from both the Republic and the Dissenters, many people did not know which side to take, fearing they would make the wrong choice. "It's just an observation. Forget I said anything," Lathan said to him. Stanton turned his attention back to the high lord.
"—in these complicated times. And I fully believe that it is in everyone's best interest that the war ends as soon as possible. Don't believe me? Then listen to these figures."
As the high lord droned on about the cost of war, both in lost and displaced lives and in monetary value, Rowland caught a blur in his peripheral vision. Myrddin had occupied the seat on his left.
Myrddin? Here? Rowland glanced up at the parliament representatives. They glared at Myrddin, eyes like ice. So, it wasn't Rowland's overworked mind playing tricks on him. Myrddin was actually there.
Every muscle in Rowland's body tensed, ready to react to Myrddin's actions. But Rowland was a hologram. His body was millions of kilometers away. Myrddin, most likely, was a hologram, too. He forced the muscles in his arms and back to relax. He studied his younger brother.
"He loves the sound of his own voice, doesn't he?" Myrddin smirked. "But at least you don't have to share quarters with him."
"Where are you, Myrddin?"
"Are you deaf? I'm staying with the high lord, right here on Novatera."
Rowland opened his mouth to reply, but Myrddin cut him off.
"Quintillius and I made a deal last year when Allerson was news. He gives me sanctuary, and I give him information about Dionysus and seers."
Rowland felt anger rising in him. Quintillius hid the fact that Myrddin was on Novatera, even after Rowland sent word to every planet he could think of, asking if anyone knew his brother’s whereabouts. And Quintillius expected Rowland to remain loyal? After lying to his face?
Taking deep breaths, Rowland asked, "What information? Allerson is long gone. Dionysus doesn't have any strategic value or state secrets."
"He didn't know that." Myrddin looked towards the high lord and grinned, exposing his white teeth. "The fool thinks he knows everything that happens in his Republic. And then Helios hits the fan. How are things back home, brother?"
"We almost planted a tree for you, but a part of me thought you might be alive."
"How perceptive of you. And my wife and children?"
Better than they've been in years. "Coming here proves you're alive. Everyone on Dionysus will see this."
Myrddin let out a disappointed sigh. "That's the point. They will know that I'm alive and that they have options again. Me or you."
"Will you fulfill their wish, then? Have Dionysus join the Dissenters," Rowland sneered.
"Depends." Myrddin leaned closer, disrupting part of Rowland's hologram. So, he truly was there in the flesh. "How loyal are they to you? Because if they are, then I will side with you even if you decide to stay on this sinking ship." Myrddin glanced at Quintillius. "I have to go now. It was nice seeing you again, brother. Tell the rest of our family I said hello."
Myrddin stood and exited the box, heading down a flight of stairs. Rowland stood and only reached the edge of the box. The hologram would go no farther. Rowland desperately wanted to go after Myrddin, demand answers for his past actions. Why and how he had disappeared so easily, even after major surgery.
Rowland returned to his seat and saw Lathan's pallid face.
"Was that really him?" Lathan asked, his voice little more than a quiver. All the senators looked at Rowland. Confusion masked their faces.
Rowland nodded.
"But how? I thought he was..." Lathan placed his hand over the old scar on his chest. The one dangerously close to his heart. Doctors were amazed by his rapid recovery, but there was little they could do about the scarring. Lathan had suffered nightmares for months, and he had to leave the room when someone mentioned Myrddin's name. After the war started, Lathan had rediscovered his confidence, had become his own self again. Rowland looked into Lathan's eyes. That confidence was gone.
"I doubt he'll try anything like..." Rowland was at a loss for words. He hated Myrddin for what he had done to Lathan, and consequently to Dakota Allerson. While there was proof that Dakota was far away from Acheron during the attack, the only eyewitness was Rowland's own daughter. If brought to trial, people would claim it was hearsay, that Rowland had pressured Cantara to cover for Allerson in order to frame Myrddin. And Lathan refused to name his attacker. Rowland could not help but wonder if it was his own fault. If he had paid better attention to his brother, his words and actions, could the assassination attempt have been prevented? Rowland, after all, approved of Myrddin going to Acheron.
"But he's on Novatera," said Lathan, gripping his shirt. "Will he try to... When we land, will he try to... Oh God! Rowland, what if—" Lathan gasped, unable to inhale enough air. His eyes darted in every direction. Sweat beaded his pale face.
"Your Majesty," said Representative Ness.
"Not now."
"But..."
Rowland ignored her and grabbed Lathan's arm. "Come, follow me." He escorted the mayor away from the projection screen.
The senate house dissolved back into the craft, their home for the last three weeks. Once in the corridor, Lathan sat with his back against the wall, unbuttoning his shirt. He placed his hand over the white scar. Rowland crouched down by his side.
"Is everything all right?" asked a passing guard.
"The mayor needed some air," Rowland replied.
The guard nodded, a concerned look on his face, and continued his rounds.
"I'm so sorry, Rowland. I just... When I saw him, it was like the attack was happening right there. The knife..." Lathan drew his knees closer to his chest, one hand still covering his heart.
"Don't speak," said Rowland, placing a comforting hand on Lathan's shoulder. "Just calm down. No one can hurt you here."
"You say that like it's a sure thing. How do you know they're all loyal to you?" Lathan's blue eyes glared at Rowland.
"They're loyal enough not to kill me and hide the body. I'll request a protection detail when we land and put out a search for Myrddin."
Lathan winced at the name. "Okay. I need to lie down."
Rowland helped Lathan to his feet and escorted him back to his room, an actual bedroom with two small beds. Lathan's roommate, Lord Gaheris, was fast asleep. Lathan thanked Rowland and closed the door.
He waited out in the hall for a moment, just in case Lathan needed anything else. Rowland then went to the small dining area to clear his head. The nagging suspicious had been right. Myrddin was alive and well, and worst of all, he had closely allied himself with High Lord Quintillius. There was no telling what Myrddin knew about the war, about Dionysus. Maybe even seers.
Another member of the Dionysian parliament, Raewyn Geiger, walked into the dining area. All the color had drained from her face.
"What is it?" Rowland asked. What else could possibly go wrong?
She sat down at the table and stared at Rowland. "My emperor, what did you do?" she whispered, even though they were alone.
"What are you talking about?"
Raewyn took a deep breath, steadying herself. "The high lord is furious with you and Del Sol."
"What? Why?" Furious? But Dionysus and Acheron were loyal.
"You left in the middle of the senate meeting, right as the high lord addressed you."
Rowland ran the meeting again in his mind. He did not recall the high lord speaking to him. But all his attention was focused on Lathan. And Lathan had been in the middle of a panic attack, too freaked out to focus on anything.
"What did the high lord say?" Rowland asked her. Ness. Representative Ness had been trying to speak to him.
"He wanted to know where all the worlds stood, and he addressed you specifically. You and Mayor Del Sol left when he started speaking."
"Damn it!" Rowland buried his face in his hands. Why wasn't he paying attention? Yes, Lathan needed help. And yes, Myrddin had appeared out of the blue, throwing him off. But was he really going to hide behind excuses? The high lord sure as hell would not accept that. "What now?"
"I haven't heard anything else from Novatera. We might still be welcomed when we land, but there's no guarantee. I'm sorry, my emperor." She sounded so sincere. Well, there was one person on his side.
"I could contact him," Rowland thought quickly, thankful he was able to think at all. "Will that help?"
Raewyn thought it over. "It might be best if you and Del Sol, along with a representative, Ness or Llyr would be best, sent him a message. Again, there's no way to know how he will respond." She paused, leaning closer. "Is it true that Lord Myrddin was there?"
"Yes." Myrddin could have waited a week to reveal himself. Waited until Rowland had settled into the Peace Summit, surrounded by dozens, possibly hundreds, of world leaders. But he had chosen the emergency meeting. Myrddin was in close contact with High Lord Quintillius. He likely knew every beat of that meeting, knowing exactly when to make his appearance. Did Myrddin only show up just to screw Rowland over?
"Damn. I wish that bastard was dead." Raewyn jumped in her seat, remembering who she was speaking to. "Apologizes, my emperor." She bowed, hiding her face with her black hair.
"You're not the only one. Representative Geiger, how many people watched that senate meeting?"
She checked her phone. "Half of the Republic is awake, so it's likely that half watched, or at least know. Most of the Republic will know in less than six hours."
Rowland sighed and said, "Sorry about the mess." He stood and walked towards the doorway. "If anyone needs me, tell them I'm in my room contacting my family."
20
Secrets
Dakota sat on a crate in the storage area, examining his sprained wrist. The bones were not broken, but the skin had taken on a purple hue. He glanced up at the staircase, thinking he heard footsteps. The railing was empty. Good. He did not feel like talking.
