“My lord, a messenger has arrived bearing news.”
The wizened Emperor opened his eye, staring upwards at his fur-lined tent.
“Not now…”
His entire night was filled with prophetic dreams and bouts of screeching, as the Old Ones tried to relay him more messages. A surge of pain hit him and he began to close his eye.
“Are you sure, my Lord?” The Honor Guard persisted. “He comes bearing news of the elections you asked about.
“The Tanist.” A voice whispered into his ear, he felt a tendril touch his shoulder.
Lazarus jolted awake, thanking his Honor Guard for the news as he helped him from his bed.
He sat down at his throne, looking at the timid messenger, as he ordered for his servants to bring food for him.
The messenger gulped, the brand bearing the sigil of the Free-Masons moving with his Adam’s apple.
“I-i er, M-my Emperor" He stammered.
The boy looked like he’s only seen 15 Winters and yet here he is, facing one of the most powerful men on the Eastern Seaboard.
Lazarus simply chuckled reached out his hand.
“Come, hand me the letters and enjoy as much of this food as you can.” His hand waved to the makeshift buffet in front of him. “I know you have traveled far and to travel in enemy lands no less is no small feat.”
He approached Lazarus and handed him two small letters, one bearing his council’s official sigil and the other bearing the sigil of Alleghenia— his son’s kingdom.
The Council’s report said the usual things he’d come to expect. The Treasury, despite the massive investments in the Steel Company, Buckeyes, and Freemasons, is holding strong. The Realm appeared to be steady and despite some upheaval in Vermont, his Nephew still maintains control.
He winced as shooting pain ripped through his chest.
“My Lord?”
The Head of his Gallowglass Honor Guard approached him, a look of concern on his face.
“Are you alright?” He asked. “Are you injured from the battles?”
He shook his head.
“No, no… the illness is acting up, I am fine though.”
He noticed the Messenger had already left, having barely touched his food. He must’ve startled the poor child.
Lazarus’ shook his head and skimmed the report some more, finally getting to the part of succession. The vote held steady and his son Paul would take the Empire while his youngest brother would take his Kingdom of New England.
He shook his head, his vassals were adamant on making his brother King, despite his efforts to keep his son Paul in power. Once being a trusted servant of the crown it was understandable that they would vote for him and yet…
Lazarus’ sighed, the thought of it made anger rush through his veins, but the very idea of them giving his Father’s crown to someone he has come to distrust was disgusting.
He set down the two letters and closed his eye. Today was strange, normally a shadow would walk into the tent or he would hear more whispers of the Old Ones, but this morning he had a great sense of clarity. Soon his mind drifted towards the two battles he had fought, triumphant victories over the Southeron Knights and their “Confederacy”. The memory played in his mind, he rode on his horse, shouting commands to his men and lesser officers. Over 40,000 men clashing together, enemies dropping left and right. His men, dropping left and right, watching both his vassals and their generals charge and die in one single swoop.
A war to prove a point, but he couldn’t remember the point in the first place, or why he was an emperor or why he called together that religious council…
Lazarus’ tried to get up, but he felt tied to his chair. No matter, soon the Elder Gods will come and his work will be done, soon they will inherit the Earth and they will all be rewarded for their loyalty.
His head began throbbing and his body felt swollen. Beads of sweat dripped off of his head.
“My Emperor!” A distant voice cried out.
His body shook, but soon everything became numb. He was of the Mahonic Blood and his ancestor’s strength was in his veins, this was not the day he would die.
And yet, the pain continued to sap him of his strength.
The world around him felt cold and he shivered. No, his people still needed him, Boston needed him. Old Ones, protect him, Father watch over me and help me this day, please.
A burst of heat ripped through his chest and he felt himself collapse onto the hard ground.
He opened his eye for the last time, his vision blurry and panicked feet moved along side him, he saw a letter bearing the sigil of Alleghenia.
Elder Ones, watch over him, watch over Leo...
