Present Day

Until the early hours, that's how long Jale spoke for. The early hours where a hint of gold could be seen along the horizon, and the stars began to lose their glimmer. The candles and torches around Jale's balcony had burned low, and the wine had been replaced many times although for the past couple of hours, it had remained untouched. His voice was now weary and no longer affected by alcohol. Jale rubbed his eyes to try to ward of his exhaustion. They had remained on the outside bamboo bedding, hidden under the mosquito netting on the balcony, their bodies never straying far apart while Jale had told his story.

"So, that is how I came to be in Talbec," Jale declared.

"Wow! Jale!" Teal breathed. His anger and disappointment towards Jale and the Emperor for withholding information from him had completely dissipated. So much had occurred that had shaped their lives. "I have so many questions especially after what you have said about the Talekan Assassins, but first, I had no idea. Your story! It's a terrible story of deception and loss." He glanced down to Jale's arm. "Do you still have the tattoo?"

"Yes, I certainly do," Jale responded, holding his arm out. "It was one of the reasons why we started the soldier tattoos. It was symbolic of the battle we had fought, so we continued to add more whenever we fought other battles." He traced the outline of the inked swirls on the inside of his wrist for Teal to see. "If you look closely on the Emperor's arm, you can see his as well. Delba had her tattoo inked over to conceal it."

Teal's fingers traced over the lines as well and then, his eyes locked with Jale's. "You're amazing," he said.

"It took me a long time to get to here, to not feel like I had lost everything when really I had gained the world." He indicated to his surroundings with a light wave. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I have the love of my life in the Emperor, and I have people who I care for deeply." He reached out and squeezed Teal's hand, and Teal smiled in response. "I still seethe with rage when I think about Drean and his untimely death, and Hoele and Trent," Jale's voice broke off as he became emotional. "That still hurts. It will always hurt."

Teal edged closer. There wasn't anything he could ever say that could ease that loss or anger.

"For a long time, we questioned whether we did the right thing," Jale continued. "Were we just as horrible as Prince Tolder for murdering those children? Could Prince Tolder have cured them? Could the Talekan Assassins have cured them or the Mountain Clansmen? Our thoughts plagued us as much as the plague itself." Jale paused, shaking his head. "The guilt of whether we should have done more or whether we could respectfully look a Brandeen Royal Family member in the eyes and tell them what we had done, stayed with us for a long time."

"Does the Empress know about this?" Teal asked quietly.

"No," Jale answered, staring Teal in the eyes. "It is a secret we will take to our graves, and I trust you to not reveal any of this to her. It's why it's so important to the Emperor and myself that the Empress does have a healthy child. We feel guilty for murdering the children of her Royal Family."

"I think the Empress would understand why you acted in such a way."

"Would you want to risk her knowing?" Jale asked. "It could devastate her."

Teal didn't respond but instead, placed a protective arm across Jale's chest. They lay for a few moments in silence.

"I want to talk about the Talekan Assassins," Teal began after a while. "I want to talk about how you know what they said to Emperor Rathner even after they made him promise not to say anything to you. The Talekan Assassins were talking about me, weren't they?"

"Yes, they were," Jale informed him. "The Emperor and I were not intimate again for at least a year after what happened at Arina Pass, although we were close. I focussed on my training and my studies to become a Talbecan soldier, to effectively leave my Keglan past behind. One evening when I thought I was finally ready, I invited myself to his quarters. Before we were intimate, the Emperor told me that he potentially knew things about my future. He informed me that he couldn't share what they were as he had sworn to the Talekan Assassins. At first, I was shocked, but I was in too deep by then, I trusted the Emperor."

"When did he tell you?" Teal asked.

"Only a few days ago, if you can believe. He thought it was safe to do so," Jale said with a smile. "The Emperor said that he believed that the Talekan Assassins were right. He said there was more but that again, he couldn't tell me." Jale shrugged. "I have not dwelled on it. I am happy, and I have made my own decisions. They can't control my fate when I make my own decisions."

"You mean to tell me, all this time," Teal began, "the Emperor knew that I would come into your lives and that when he met me, he would invite me to stay in the harem and become involved with you?"

"Not exactly," Jale informed him. "He knew that a young man from a powerful race would come across his path, and he would be required to protect you and keep you safe. How and when that was going to happen, he did not know. And as for you and me, no one interfered with our chemistry. It was me who approached the Emperor to ask for permission. He just let it all play out."

"I also don't understand something.” Teal sat up and frowned. "If the Talekan Assassins wanted to keep me safe, why were the Talekan Assassins trying to stop me from reaching you and the Emperor at Cleaven Estate."

"A breakaway faction, apparently," Jale said softly. "There are some in their sect who believe that another path, an unpleasant path, will be created by having you at the palace."

Teal scratched his head, clearly uncomfortable. "Jale, people are far too concerned. I don't want to take over the world and destroy everything," he said firmly. "I'm just me."

"And I adore you for that," Jale responded.

Teal leaned down and kissed Jale deeply.

"Whatever happened to Prince Tolder then?" Teal asked when they broke away.

"The Emperor and I learnt that Prince Tolder did indeed escape," Jale continued. "We didn't know where he was or what he was doing until about five years ago. We discovered him hiding right under our noses in one of the Emperor's labor camps. Camp Rein to be exact."

"What?" Teal asked. "How could he be so bold?"

"Bold and cunning," Jale agreed. "What better way to get people to support you than those who have been sentenced to life imprisonment in the most arid and desolate places in the land? Apparently, the Emperor's haters have flocked to Prince Tolder."

Teal sat up quickly. "Prince Tolder is the Hummingbird, isn't he?"

"Yes," Jale responded. "And he needs to pay for what he did."

Teal's heart raced. The Empress knew about the Hummingbird. The chances of her knowing even more about what happened ten years ago only increased. He would have to talk to her. It wasn't his place. The Empress should tell them what she knew.

"But what about Prince Yernal?" Teal questioned. "He's here in this very palace even after what he did to you and the Emperor."

"Have you ever heard of the expression 'keep your friends close, and your enemies closer?'" Jale questioned. "He's under so much security while he's here, he can't breathe." Jale pursed his lips. "The Keglar Kingdom and the Talbecan Empire have not publicly acknowledged that the attempted assassination took place."

"How did you know he wouldn't try and murder the Emperor again?" Teal asked.

"Prince Yernal was given a very stern warning from his father as I already mentioned. He has been well-behaved for the most part. It is actually more worrying for him to come here than it is for us to have him here. In the past, he's been too scared to put a foot out of line. His greatest fear is being banished from the Keglan Royal Family by his father.”

Jale continued, "You will not have to worry about Prince Yernal when we're gone. He will be leaving the palace soon as well. The river he needs to pass to return to the Keglar Kingdom will be safe and low enough to pass." Jale's expression suddenly turned cold. "One day I'll seek my revenge. He's responsible for Drean and my friends' deaths."

"What about Delba?" Teal also asked. "You said earlier that Delba tried to assassinate the Emperor?"

Jale laughed out loud. "Yes, she did, but that was a whole big misunderstanding and mistaken identify. It's actually how she also reunited with the Emperor," Jale explained. "As you know, she went her separate way after we recovered. Her story of how she reunited with the Emperor is a story for another time though."

Teal went quiet, thinking, considering all of the information he had been given. "What of the Talekan Assassins? What are they doing now?"

Jale reached out and stroked Teal's neck. "They are still here, meddling." Teal looked confused and Jale elaborated, "They are their own men and women who conduct their business as they wish within the Empire. For saving our lives, they have the right to do so." Jale yawned. "Do not concern yourself with any more information. Instead, concern yourself with the responsibility entrusted upon you. From tomorrow you will be responsible for the Empress, Delba and Lana's safety as the Emperor and I are going to track down Prince Tolder the Hummingbird, and once and for all, kill him. How dare he try to murder Lana as pay back to what we did to his family?"

Surprised, Teal asked, "I will do everything I can to ensure their safety."

Jale stared at Teal, pleased with the new, confident Teal. He leaned closer and although so many other private things had already been discussed between them, he whispered the next part. "There is a traitor amongst us, Teal. Prince Tolder is collaborating with someone high up in the palace, someone who has access to information. We've tried to pinpoint who this person is but we have failed. They are very clever. Keep your eyes open. They work right under our noses, and we have not been able to determine who they are. Our plan to kill Prince Tolder should stop this. With him out of the picture, who else is there that would want our information?"

"I will," Teal assured him. "I will see if I can find anything out."

It was then that Jale was unable to stop the longest of yawns.

"I need to stop asking you questions," Teal stated. "I only have one other issue."

"What is that?" Jale asked.

"From now on, I would appreciate it if you and the Emperor inform me immediately if you learn of anything new about my heritage. I know that I am of royal lineage but neither of you told me."

They locked eyes and Jale nodded. "Okay, Teal."

"Thank you." He paused and took stock of Jale's exhausted state. "You should sleep," he suggested and then, with a soft smile, he added, "I also insist that at some point, you tell me the story of how you and the Emperor became lovers after your arrival at Dalenia."

Jale chuckled. "Of course, it occurred around the time that Delba returned." Jale looked at the sky. "Dawn is upon us. I have spoken far too late. I will sleep and maybe I can gain two hours."

Teal lay awake for a little longer, his mind spinning with all the information he had learnt in such a short period of time. His own concerns about his origins and the information held against him, seemed insignificant compared to what the Emperor and Jale had been through and were still trying to solve.

Yes, they had withheld information, but the Emperor and Jale had only been kind to him. They had given him a purpose and a direction in his life. They were also going to trust him with the second most important person in the Empire, the Empress. Who was he to question their motives when all they wanted was peace for the Empire and to ensure that Prince Tolder received punishment for what he had done?

And there were more questions and issues for the Emperor and Jale. Who was collaborating in the palace with Prince Tolder, the Hummingbird? What had Delba done to make her so upset and fear the Emperor's wrath? What had Prince Yernal said to the Empress? And who was running around the palace selling secrets to Prince Tolder? Teal's problems seemed minor. All he wanted was the truth. As he stared at Jale sleeping beside him, Teal promised himself he would do everything in his power to ensure that everyone who remained behind at the palace, remained safe.

>>

Unable to sleep, Teal left Jale shortly afterwards. There was one last person he had to see before they left and that was Satner. Fighting off exhaustion, Teal went searching for his friend.

In the early hours of the morning, men were already moving towards the training grounds. Teal surveyed the grounds that Satner usually used for training. He didn't spy the young man. The next possible location would be the soldier barracks. He shouldn't go there especially after the trouble his friend had been in, but Teal wanted to ensure he had fared well after returning from the Summer Palace.

At the army barracks Teal came up empty, but a nervous soldier informed him that Satner was on duty in the passageways under The Blue Garden. Teal headed off straightaway and was happy to find that The Blue Garden was currently unoccupied. He wound through the garden's path across the bridge and to the island, and then to the stairs that led to below. Teal spied Satner a short distance away.

"Satner," Teal called as he approached.

Satner didn't look comfortable with Teal's arrival at all. He scanned up and down the hallway to ensure they were indeed alone.

"I promised I would stay away from you," Satner said, his voice soft.

"I know, but I still wanted to say goodbye," Teal stated firmly.

Satner looked around trying to decide what he should say. "I was careless and too obvious." Teal frowned and Satner continued, "In truth, it shows just what a good Emperor we have. He could have easily reacted differently. If he was anyone else, he could have sentenced me to death."

Satner took a step closer, and Teal could see the shame on his face.

"It was my fault that Lana was attacked at the palace," Satner said flatly. "I should have been doing my job but I became distracted." Their eyes met briefly before Satner looked away. He took a deep breath. "It was just fortunate that I didn't act on my feelings and that you were completely oblivious."

Surprised, Teal blinked and took a step back. "I thought Jale was overreacting."

Satner sighed. "And I can see in your reaction that you never had an idea and that you do not return those feelings. That is for the best, Teal, because if you had, I do not know what would have happened to both of us." Satner stared into Teal's face. "You're a beautiful man but I must go. You belong to the Emperor and Jale."

Still in shock at Satner's admission, Teal floundered. But when he saw Satner turn away, his face set in misery, Teal stepped forward and grabbed his arm. "You're right, I didn't realize. I had no idea. My attention has always been on the Emperor and Jale."

"As it should be," Satner returned. Their eyes locked, and Teal stared at him through new eyes. He had never considered Satner as anything other than a friend. He had a good-natured personality, and he had been friendly and patient with him from the start. There was no doubt that he was also pleasant to look at.

"Stop! I know that look! Don't even look at me differently," Satner hissed. "I know that's what you're doing right now. Before, you had never even considered it and now for the first time, you're seeing me in a different way."

"And what way is that?" Teal asked.

"In the way that you're considering whether you could think of me as more than a friend."

"Satner," Teal said. "I had no idea."

Satner smiled. He lifted his hand and cupped Teal’s face with his palm. Teal froze yet he didn't shy away.

"I know," Satner spoke with a gentle smile. "If the Emperor doesn't know how precious you are, he is a fool." A terrified expression overcame Satner's face and he dropped his hand. To speak ill of the Emperor and to say it to one of his concubines. His sudden statement shocked Teal as well.

"I just, you're just..." Satner turned his head away, knowing he had made a mistake and anything else he might say would only make it worse.

There was a long pause while Satner gazed out across the hall, the soft warm blue glow of the water on his skin. It was up to Teal as to whether he would let it slide or whether he would inform the Emperor of Satner's words.

"But you're just saying that as a friend would say to another friend, aren't you?" Teal whispered finally.

Relief flooded Satner's face, and Teal flashed him his usual boyish, friendly smile. "Because you're my best friend, Satner, and I would never want to lose that."

"I've been ordered not to speak with you. I can't be your friend anymore, Teal," Satner told him dejectedly.

Teal reached out and placed his hand on Satner's arm. "Don't worry, I will talk to the Emperor and Jale. Maybe by the time they return from their journey, they might have calmed down a little. Don't worry, Satner, we will still be friends."

"I hope so, Teal."

Teal stepped up and embraced his friend, Satner stiff and ridged under his arms. "Take care on your journey," Teal said, patting his back. "I fear that you will all face great dangers."

Satner stepped away, nervously glancing over his shoulder to ensure that they had not been seen. "Thank you, Teal. I hope everything goes well for you in the palace, too."