Death and the Emperor

Book 3 Chapter XI: Preparing for War

Some other terror came upon him quite removed from this of being pursued, suddenly, like an electric shock, as he was creeping through the streets. Some visionary terror, unintelligible and inexplicable, associated with a trembling of the ground,—a rush and sweep of something through the air, like Death upon the wing. He shrunk, as if to let the thing go by. It was not gone, it never had been there, yet what a startling horror it had left behind. -- Charles Dickens, Dombey and Son

Nalginton's first act as Iqui was to pick up his father's crown from where it had rested beside the bed. He didn't put it on yet. Instead he turned to Jalakanavu.

"Quickly," he said. "We must change and order everyone to the throne room."

They fled the scene of the murder, leaving the headless corpse still lying on the bed. Jalakanavu locked the doors behind them.

~~~~

Miles away in Carann, Death felt a cold chill run down her spine. She knew what it meant. The Iqui was dead, and Nalginton had seized the throne.

~~~~

Each of Death's children had their own realms, inhabited by themselves and their servants. War's realm looked more like an enormous armoury than a land someone lived in. Everywhere one looked, there were weapons of every shape, size and description.

War herself was busily sharpening a sword. A new war was about to break out. She had better be prepared.

~~~~

A large crowd assembled in the Iqui's throne room. Princes, princesses, aristocrats and servants all stood around in separate groups, gossiping and wondering what this unexpected summons could mean. Had the Iqui chosen an heir?

The main doors opened. The guards bowed. Everyone else followed suit. It was only when they straightened up that they realised who had just walked in... and who hadn't. Everyone began to murmur amongst themselves as it dawned on them that the Iqui was nowhere to be seen, and that Nalginton-Gudea was wearing his crown.

The former prince walked to the throne and sat down. He surveyed the gathered crowd with no indication of embarrassment or alarm.

"My father Ridanwes-Iqui was murdered less than an hour ago," he proclaimed. His voice echoed through the throne room. A chorus of gasps greeted this announcement. "My wife and I found his body. There can be only one conclusion: there is a traitor in the palace. I have claimed my father's throne. If anyone wishes to challenge me for it, they may do so now. But first and foremost, I command every guard in the palace to find my father's murderer."

Confused muttering filled the room. Everyone was caught off-guard by this sudden pronouncement. The princes who had schemed to become Iqui were so disorientated that they could only gape at their brother in disbelief.

It was the free-servants who first called out, "Hail to Nalginton-Iqui! May he live forever!"

The free-servants, unlike the royals and nobles, cared very little who was on the throne as long as they were allowed to continue with their lives -- and as long as their wages were paid. They would have cheered any prince who proclaimed himself Iqui. If Nalginton was deposed and murdered tomorrow, they would cheer the next prince to claim the throne.

Everyone else followed their lead, more from not knowing what else to do than from any loyalty to Nalginton.

The new Iqui and his wife looked at each other and smiled.

~~~~

Carann's ambassador to Malish was the first person to let Kilan know about the change in ruler. Kilan woke up one morning to find a letter informing him of Ridanwes-Iqui's death and Nalginton-Iqui's ascension to the throne. Qihadal learnt the news only a few minutes after Kilan did, thanks to the newspapers having got hold of the story.