Sky Forever

Chapter 7: Discussions

The emperor sat down on the other end of the table and looked at us all.

Then he finally spoke

“A revolution, you say?”

“Yes, Your Grace.” Amber answered.

“Against Jasper Homunculus? Or the City of Ashes and Gold?”

“Jasper Homunculus, Your Grace”

One of the guards handed him three pieces of paper. He looked over them.

“Amber Thorn, that is you in the middle I presume?” He asked.

She nodded.

“And which of you is Ryder?”

“That’s me, Your Grace” Ryder answered.

Then the emperor looked at me, “So, you must be Gregory Fiddle.”

I sighed, “Yes sir.”

“You will address the emperor as Your Grace.” One of the guards said to me, bluntly.

The emperor waved his hand towards the guard, “It’s ok, I don’t mind.”

He looked back at us, “So, tell me exactly why you want my help in a revolution?”

Then Amber started talking, as if she’d had this speech prepared (she probably had).

“Homunculus is a terrible man with too much power. Many people believe that he killed his own brother, just to be on the throne. He has ruined the City of Ashes and Gold and is keeping all its inhabitants prisoner. He must be stopped."

There was a moment of silence, in which the emperor looked deep in thought.

"How would I help with this?" he said, eventually.

"It would be a better revolution with an army behind us. We want to get the rest of the cities North of the Division on our side." Amber replied.

There was another pause, where he took in the information.

He whispered something to one of the guards. The guard left the room.

"Bear with me for one second." The emperor said to us.

We nodded.

A few moments later, the head guard walked in. The emperor got up and led him to the corner. They started discussing something out of earshot. Eventually, they came back to the table.

"You are right, Miss Thorn; Emperor Homunculus must be stopped. I have discussed a possible invasion to the City of Ashes and Gold with the head of the armies here" The emperor said, pointing at the head guard, "But I'm afraid we can not organise it, because of what three teenagers have said."

"I'm actually 20" Ryder butted in.

One of the guards shushed him.

"However, I can contact Emperor Brendon Bain of Archery City, as I know him relatively well, and see if he is willing to join a revolution." The emperor explained, "If he is, then I am also willing to join."

Amber grinned, "Thank you so much, Your Grace!"

"Now, I suggest you three get yourselves up to Sandstone City if you are wanting everyone's help in this. I do not have any means of communication with them."

Sandstone City is situated in Burningsky, a large desert region above the Ash Plains (where the City of Ashes and Gold resides). Getting there would mean a long journey in the ship, since Entrevale was on the other side of the North. Plus, it would mean crossing the Dunelands, a dangerous stretch of desert. It was one of the reasons that Sandstone City was so isolated from the rest of Azterak.

"We will get there at once!" Amber said, excitedly.

"Good," replied the emperor, "Once we have sorted out communication, you are free to go."

So, that was it. The revolution had begun. Almost.