Chamberlain's Struggles

Chapter 2

There were a few more of those loving nights between them over the next few weeks. They always made sure it was safe before doing anything that was so against Skeksis rules.

But during the day, Chamberlain was finding that his feud with the Collector was growing.

Chamberlain had to find out what the Collector was up to in his secret dealings. He could be good at blackmailing others when he wanted to.

He had some animals approach him and he wanted them to keep an eye on things from the others, especially on Lach's secrets.

After he sent his little animal spies off to watch his fellow Skeksis for new secrets to pop up, the Historian even caught him talking to himself. Saying to himself how the Emperor would praise him for finding out the best news.

"That just won't happen, Chamberlain." Ok spoke up.

"Agh!" Sil was surprised for a moment.

"You've been out of his favor for too long, Chamberlain. Some fear you. Some loathe you. Nobody likes you! Praise from the Emperor, for you? You'll calcify before that happens!" The Historian walked by him.

Chamberlain glared after him. It didn't matter. He wasn't going to give up.

Eventually, some few days later, one of his little animal spies came to him and told him that it had heard that the Collector was stealing and keeping Gelfling essence for himself.

That made Chamberlain so happy to hear. The Emperor would hear of it and the Collector's favor would fall. This had to work.

He started on his way to the throne room where the Emperor was bound to be, when he did run into the Collector on his way there.

"I know of your treachery, Lach!" Sil said.

"What are you talking about?" Lach demanded.

"I know of your taking essence. That's for the Emperor."

"No one would believe you, Chamberlain."

"I challenge you to the Trial by Fire!" Sil said.

Lach had a feeling he and Sil would eventually get into a dual as things had been heating up between them.

"Alright. And if I win, you keep your beak shut!"

"If I win, you admit your treachery."

"Fine, you got me. We notify others of the challenge." Lach said.

The two rivals went to the throne room and announced their competition.

The other Skeksis were shocked and surprised, and some were not so much. They had seen how those two had been in rivalry for some time now at the most.

The Emperor approved the challenge. They were all dying for some new action. And immediately after, they headed to the fire chamber.

La had just come out of her study and saw Sil and the others marching somewhere. She didn't know what was going on, but when she saw all the others following, she knew it was important. She followed too, at the end of the line, especially since it concerned her lover.

She was a little surprised it was the fire chamber. What would be going on in there? She knew it was one way to settle some disputes.

Chamberlain and Collector took their spots and there was the scattering of the others to watch. La stood near to Sil's side. Now she knew he was in this mess.

Two other Skeksis came forward and began putting big rocks into the two rival's hands.

Chamberlain knew he had to win this. He glanced briefly to his right and he saw La over there. She gave him a questioning look, but he didn't have time to explain right now. Another rock was added. He nearly let go of the rocks he held, but he turned back to the situation at hand.