New Rome

39. Caged Little Birds

Graesen, the Imperator of New Rome, sat in his office in the Castle of Red. Behind him were the coat of arms of his house – depicting an eagle. The eagle was a bird not seen since the big freeze back on the origin planet. No human currently alive had ever seen one. They were, like many animals from Earth, becoming little more than a myth.

Graesen's ancestors had left Earth, before the freeze, to captain a spaceship name 'The Eagle' with only a hundred crew. Centuries later, it had been another of Graesen's ancestors who had landed the Eagle and founded New Rome. Which Graesen now ruled. This city was his family's legacy and Graesen was determined in his lifetime to see it become an empire.

The intercom buzzed on Graesen's desk.

"Strabo is here to see you, sir."

"Send him in."

Strabo entered, his broad shoulders filling the doorway. He bowed to his Imperator and Graesen caught a glimpse of the giant's thinning hair.

Strabo was the Head of the Praetorian Guard, an elite order of bodyguards that protected the Imperial family.

"Imperator," he greeted – his deep rumbling voice resonating in his large chest. Graesen indicated for Strabo to take a seat. It had been a difficult year for the two men. About four months ago, Graesen's granddaughter had accused Strabo's son of raping her. It had turned out to be a lie and Graesen had exiled Julia to recompense the damage done. But it had tested the bond the two old men shared.

"I appreciate the loyalty you've shown me in these difficult times." Graesen spoke, touching on this sensitive issue.

"You will have my loyalty until my last breath, Imperator."

"I know." Graesen clasped his hands together, his expression thoughtful. His gaze rested on a photograph on his desk. The photo was of Guy, taken on the day Guy was sworn in as Consul.

"There has been no progress in finding my grandson's killer?"

"None," Strabo bowed his head. "I regret that I have failed you in this."

"I want to pursue a theory."

"Sir?"

"We've been working on the assumption that the Silent Prince is a gang-lord, attempting to take over the Lantern. But what if his motives are grander than that?"

"Grander, sir?"

"In the election, the Lantern's votes were peculiar. Somebody manipulated them and - I suspect it was our mysterious Silent Prince." Graesen chewed the inside of his cheek. "Killing my heir, perhaps it was more politically influenced than I first realised. I want you to investigate this man." He pushed a file across the desk - the header of which was titled 'Senator Magnus'. "The Lantern voted for him. I want to know if he is connected to our Silent Prince."

Strabo picked up the file, quickly scanning the senator's ID picture.

"And if he is?"

Graesen's eyes darkened.

"My grandson was raped and murdered – anyone connected will die."

Strabo straightened up.

"Understood, sir."

**

Miles away from the capital, Julia's security guard gazed sympathetically at her. She was picking the skin around her nails, causing them to bleed. On the screen, the ceremonies for Guy's memorial were being played out but Julia seemed incapable of sitting still and watching them. She kept pacing about the room – too riled up.