The Revenant

Disappointment

EMPEROR ROMAN

Preposterous. That Nova,my sworn Commander and most loyal subject,the boy who is like a son to be,sits idly by while my heir rots. He does not seek vengeance...he does not crave blood...he trains all day,doing nothing but train. He disappoints me.

How long has passed since my daughters death? My eldest. My heir. A month? More?

"Father."

She was so...weak. Nothing like her elder sister. Elena was strong. Powerful, able to fight and stand on her own two feet. A worthy Empress of the North.

I watched her as she stood beside me,her eye's hanging low with sadness. What a weakling...how my seed could have born such a weak daughter was a mystery my mind could never unravel.

Such a shame that Sonja admired her elder sister so much, and yet she could never begin to even dream of being as worthy of the throne as her sister once was.

I refused to hand my throne over to someone so weak and pathetic.

I forced myself to smile.

"Yes my dearest daughter? What is it?"

"I...I miss Elena."

So pathetic. How could the North,an empire of might and power have an heir so weak?

"I do as well my child."

Trust that if God would allow me, by his holy light I would replace you for your sister and think nothing of it.

"Why did she have to die...why couldn't it have been me instead?"

Perhaps it should have. Perhaps I should have your throat slit in your sleep. Your mother could bear me more children, and I could easily replace you with someone far better suited to lead an empire.

"You were not born for battle Sonja. Your duty lies here,within the walls of the palace."

Like a coward. Polar opposite of your sister. You disgust me.

"What if I train? Maybe I can find the people who killed Elena? Avenge her-"

"Silence!"

Seeing her sob. So weak and pathetic...I couldn't watch it any longer. She was like a leech, eating all of the energy out of the room with her mourning. Exhausting...an empress cannot cry. I will not have a weak heir sit upon a throne built for the mighty.

"You can never be like your sister Sonja. Do not think for a second that you can acquire half the skill she had, not even a quarter of the skill she had. Even with Nova's tutoring, Elena took years honing her craft,perfecting herself to be the perfect Empress. You can spend a lifetime and never make it close to your sisters achievements. Even in death your sister out does you as she always has. She was more beautiful,more talented,more loved by all. You could not even capture Nova's heart, she did, she took his virginity, something you wanted to do first. Don't think I have not seen you fantasise in your room, I know what you do when you believe no ones looking. Now he's out of your grasp. Elena is out of your grasp. She was more of a daughter than you would ever be."

The words I'd held in for so long came running like a flood. I felt no regret, instead,I felt a wave of relief pass over my body. I'd been wanting to tell this ungrateful bitch this for the entirety of her eighteen years of life. I knew from the day she was born that Elena would be my heir, and she would just be  there. A princess dwelling in the shadow of her elder.

Sonja's eye's swelled up with tears and she rushed right out of the palace. Where to, I cared little.

Nova...you will not sit idly by while my heir rots in her crypt.

"CLOVIUS!" I yelled.

Clovius made his way into my throne room not long after,rushing in as fast as he could. He appeared to be the only one within the palace whom I could truly trust. Loyal, honest. Trustworthy merits.

"Yes Emperor."

"Seek the Commander. Tell him he will set sail for Elysium at once. Him alone. He is to find my daughters murderer and bring me their head. I do not care how many fucking elves he slaughters,how many villages he burns, livestock he kills,whores he rapes, whatever he does,I care not. He is the Empire's Grim Reaper. His job is to bring death to my enemies,yet he sits and does nothing while my daughters murderer is alive and well and not dead. My wall requires a new head mount and I think Elena's murderer will fit nicely. The Commander is to leave for Elysium at dawn tomorrow. Make it so."

"Yes My lord." Clovius said with a bow of his head.

He walked out of the palace, his movements quick and agile. He knew he was timed. Someone who knew respect.

My daughters killer will be brought to me Nova....My will shall be carried out...if you refuse...I have other means of persuasion.

"SYLVAS!" I summoned.

No Sylvas came. I looked to one of the maids,snapping my fingers. "You! Maiden! Find Sylvas and tell him I've summoned him at once! Move woman I don't have all day!"

"Yes Emperor!"

Sylvas appeared alongside the handmaid a few minutes after I had called for him.

A strong political ally...but a threat to my rule...this is the last time you will be of use to me Sylvas...after today,once I have what I need,you and your noble household will be disposed of.

I refused to die until my wife could bore me a new heir and my daughter was avenged.

"Yes my emp-"

"Silence! You are already late by two minutes Sylvas. You are to arrive the instant I call."

"My apologies Emperor."

"No matter. You despise the Commander do you not Sylvas? I have a task that requires your households...special skills."

"What do you need my lord?"

"Deploy one of your men to the noble district of the city."

"On what orders my lord?"

"Tell them that they are in search of a hospital,a specific one, one used mostly to hold military and nobleman of the highest regards and status."

"Ah I see...is there a patient in particular you want my men to visit milord?"

"There is...tell your men to search for Jocelyn. Jocelyn Vi Britannia."