Playing the Game

Chapter 34: Steppe Prices

It wasn't easy convincing Decimus to let me bring in a handful of strangers to the palace, especially after he had already granted me Arlo. We remained in that room shouting and debating for hours on how important it was for me to feel safe in the Capitol, and how I needed more people around me that I could trust. He refused to accept that every guard in the palace was dangerous, saying that I should just pick a handful to keep close and have Arlo kill any of them who proved to be an assassin. He was obviously right; there was little chance that every guard wanted me dead. If I was lucky, the nine already in their graves were the end of it. If that was the case, any guard would do in a pinch if another servant or citizen off the streets tried anything.

But that wasn't the point; that wasn't why I wanted my friends in the palace. Masquerading them as guards would certainly make me feel safer, but truthfully, I just wanted to keep my promises to them. I swore that I would keep them safe. I was supposed to help them escape their trapped existence so they could taste freedom, even if I couldn't.

Days went by without any further attempts on my life. With Arlo permanently by my side, day and night in some capacity, I felt completely safe. Whoever was behind the assassination attempts seemed to be taking a step back to re-evaluate the situation. But Arlo was getting tired. He refused to sleep. I caught him a couple of times closing his eyes during a night watch, but he was only resting; he was still fully aware of his surroundings, ready to attack when I needed him to. The thought of having my friends around to relieve Arlo of some of the pressure became my primary focus. I knew he would still refuse to leave my side, but then at least he could feel more comfortable with sleeping for an hour on the lounge chair by my bed if two others were fully awake outside my door. I needed to get them here before Arlo collapsed from exhaustion. Perhaps that was what the assassins were waiting for...?

I spent most of my time trying to convince Decimus to let me gather my friends. It was a frustrating ordeal, but I knew I was wearing him down with every speech and argument. On the third day, he finally agreed.

Now the trouble was getting the Emperor to approve. I knew that this would be an impossible feat, especially considering who I wanted roaming the palace halls, freely by my side. Luckily I found a way of getting what I wanted without having to ask the Emperor for permission.

Later that evening, the Emperor was meant to address his people from the balcony overlooking the main square. He began his speech with the usual garble about the war efforts and Romallian royalty. Then he gave his condolences for Lady Augustina's family, asking his people to bow their heads in a moment of silence and reflection. After explaining how this tragedy occurred and how it ended, the people wanted to hear a word from me. This was my moment to get exactly what I wanted. Maximus would have no say in the matter.

After paying my respects to Lady Augustina's family, flattering them by exaggerating my love for the girl and wish that she would have been my companion, I began to explain how important it was to have proper protection in the palace to avoid such tragedies. The people rallied, calling out for the safety of The Miracle of Romallia. Using this momentum, I assured them that the Emperor was doing everything in his power to keep me breathing. Maximus almost chuckled at the lie.

But he wasn't smiling for much longer.

I announced that I was heading out across Romallia to retrieve some of the best warriors that this Empire had to offer. They would swear their allegiance to me and vanquish all future threats.

The crowd erupted in cheers and applause. Maximus didn't take the news as well. In fact, he was practically seething. But he had to hide his rage, knowing that there was no way around it.

~*~*~*~

Two days later, I was sitting in a bouncing carriage with Arlo at my side. Decimus insisted that he would join me on our excursion. There was no way to deny him, so the Prince sat opposite me in the carriage with Kilgorian at his side. A dozen or so more guards surrounded the carriage as we drove onward to Steppe. An empty wagon was also amongst our parade, driving along slowly behind our carriage.