Jale pulled off his shirt and enjoyed the immediate coolness that greeted his bare skin. It was cooler now that they were traveling inland and were making their way over the mountain ranges dividing the Empire from east to west.

Exhausted, he moved across the tent and reached for a canister of cold water on the table and poured himself a drink. It was afternoons like this where he longed for quiet peaceful days swimming in the Blue Garden, or swimming at the beaches along the coast of Dalenia, or even visiting the waterfall at the Summer Palace. He shuddered, reconsidering. He didn't think he could ever look at that waterfall again without thinking about what had happened to Lana.

The Emperor entered the tent, and Jale turned to watch as he freed himself from his outer clothes as well. He approached Jale and accepted the cup Jale held out.

"We made good ground today," the Emperor said, sitting down at the table in the middle of the tent, relaxed but weary. "I think we can make it to Camp Rein in the next week."

"Possibly." Jale sat at the table as well, sitting on his chair so he was facing the Emperor. "But we need to be careful and pace ourselves," he warned. "We don't know what is going to be waiting for us when we arrive." Jale started to tap his foot on the ground, unable to hide his agitation, and the Emperor leaned forward and reached for both of his hands.

"What's wrong?" the Emperor asked.

Jale let out a breath, trying to allow relaxation to seep in. How long had it been since he had felt at ease? They were two days out of Prince Salren's city since Prince Salren's soldiers had failed to get their hands on Prince Tolder. Prince Salren’s men had been met with a surprising and powerful line of defence at the labor camp. Now, with the soldiers from the palace and the extra men that Emperor Rathner had sent for, they were on their way to the camp themselves.

"Nothing is wrong apart from everything being wrong," Jale responded. "Nothing has felt right since we left. I feel like we're leaving the palace open to something."

"You worry too much," Emperor Rathner told him. "I have complete confidence in Teal. Just look at what he did for Lana."

"You're right," Jale sighed. "But still I worry."

The Emperor leaned forward and kissed Jale gently, unable to stop himself. "How much time do we have until we meet with Prince Salren for our evening meal?" The Emperor murmured against Jale's lips.

A light chuckle escaped Jale. "We have enough time," he said.

"Good," the Emperor stated. He closed the distance again, sweeping his hand up to cup Jale's cheek so he could control the direction he wanted. It was a slow languid kiss until Jale began to rise to his feet, pulling the Emperor to him, urging for more.

Their hands stroked over each other's bodies as they kissed, Jale's hands dropping down the Emperor's back to his buttocks and pulling him closer. They had not taken the time to enjoy each other since being on the road, a long time when they were so used to tasting each other every other day in Dalenia.

The Emperor guided Jale towards the separate compartment that held their sleeping pallet and hastily they disposed of their trousers, hands dropping, stroking and sliding over skin and flesh.

Jale landed on the sleeping pallet first, his back falling against the blankets and simple pillows their servant had already prepared. With both hands on either side of Jale's head, the Emperor leaned over Jale. He smiled and then bent down, bringing their bodies together.

With their want for each other unwavering, it didn't take long for either to climax. Not when they both knew each other so well, when they each knew just how the other liked to be held and how much energy to put into the grinding and thrusting against each other's bodies. They lay, melded together, breath hot in each other faces.

"That's much better," Jale said with a sigh.

A sudden cough from outside the compartment of their tent startled both Jale and the Emperor apart. Jale rolled over to find his trousers. He pulled them up and over his legs, ready to berate the person who had disturbed their private space. He stalked into the main compartment of the tent and stopped short.

"What in all the empty hells are you doing here?" he asked in surprise.

A Talekin Assassin, was standing in front of Jale. The Emperor, Jale noted, was now standing behind him as well.

"Why is there a Talekan Assassin in our tent?" Jale asked. He hadn't asked the Emperor, he was asking the assassin herself.

"Jale, it's fine," the Emperor said, walking past Jale to stand in front of the assassin.

"You know this woman?" Jale asked, aghast.

"Valina, it has been a long time," the Emperor said, ignoring Jale's question. "The years have been kind to you."

Jale swore again and turned to get the remainder of his clothes. "Just how long was she standing there?" he seethed.

"Long enough," Valina answered, completely unperturbed that she had encroached on their privacy. She turned to the Emperor, serious and stern. "Have you forgotten what you swore to us?" she asked sternly.

Jale crossed his arms but he noted the Emperor remained calm despite the viciousness in her question. He watched curiously having not been privy to their conversations before.

"Of course," the Emperor said. "I have taken Teal in. I realised who he was as soon as he crossed our paths. He is safe in the palace. In fact, he is protecting the palace and everyone who is there for us. As you said he would be, he is a good person."

"Is he really safe in the palace?" Valina asked with a hint of derision in her voice.

Jale and the Emperor shared a questioning glance.

"Why wouldn't he?" Jale asked, forgetting his anger at her intrusion.

Valina ignored Jale and walked up to the Emperor.

"You have left him vulnerable," she hissed. "I told you that people who seek power are going to try to use him. You have potentially opened up a very dangerous path by both of you leaving."

"Who would try to hurt Teal?" Jale asked, but he knew the answer as soon as he asked the question. "Prince Yernal or the other breakaway assassins," he said, shaking his head.

"The breakaway faction would only kill Teal, if they got their hands on him," Valina stated.

"Only kill him?" Jale said in disbelief.

Valina nodded, finally including Jale in the conversation. "There are far worse outcomes if Prince Yernal gets his hands on him."

The Emperor swore loudly and in a rare display of aggression, he suddenly swiped at the cups that they had been previously drinking. They went flying across the room, water droplets landing on the tent's wall a few metres away. "Prince Tolder needs to be held accountable!" he raged. "I will not let him get away with an attack on one of my concubines just to try and get back at me."

Valina maintained her calm composure.

Jale turned to the Emperor, worry filling his usual cool disposition. "I will go back to the palace so I can ensure Teal's safety," he stated, panic filling his voice. "You know what Prince Yernal is capable of."

The worry in Jale's voice caused the Emperor to pause, and his anger dissipated.

"Prince Yernal is due to leave any day now," the Emperor tried to assure him, although he cast an uncertain glance in Valina's direction. "Pigeon arrived yesterday with the news, remember?"

"And in the meantime, who knows what Prince Yernal will do," Jale argued. "This Talekan Assassin before us is certain indication that danger looms for Teal. I have to do something."

The Emperor gazed at Jale with piercing eyes. Jale waited impatiently while the Emperor stood staring at him.

“I know you want revenge and you want justice, but I look at you and I see the chaos in your eyes. I think you facing Prince Yernal by yourself is not a good idea.”

Jale went to argue, but the Emperor lifted his hand and silenced him.

"Do you really think you are the best option right now? I don't know if you could control yourself, to be honest."

Flabbergasted, Jale threw his hands into the air. "He is responsible for Drean's death and now, he could be putting Teal's life in danger as well!"

"Jale," the Emperor said, fully composed and in control again. "You are one of the most level-headed, firm and confident people I know. Your reaction to this news shows me just how attached you have become to Teal. He is your biggest weakness."

The Emperor stepped forward and placed his hands gently on Jale's shoulders. "What would happen if Prince Yernal found out who you are?" the Emperor asked and before he spoke again, he took a deep breath. "We have to do as the Talekan Assassins say. I can take care of Prince Yernal if he hasn't already gone. He will listen to me. You are more than capable of getting Prince Tolder. I'm not going to let him slip through out fingers again." He turned his head to Valina, keeping his calm hold on Jale. "Would you be satisfied if I went back to the palace."

Valina nodded. "It was you who promised the Talekan Assassins."

Jale frowned, but he was not going to argue with the assassins. He more than remembered the mysterious ways they had worked when they protected them at the Arina Pass. They also owed them for their lives. Everything that had happened over the past ten years would not have happened if it hadn't been for them.

"We need to send word back to the palace as well," Jale said quickly. "They can increase their security and be alert for anything untoward."

The Emperor nodded. "Of course, it's the smartest thing to do."

Jale swallowed deeply and fought hard for his self-control. The Emperor was right. Prince Yernal and his emotions towards Teal were his biggest weakness. He had to control himself. He wanted revenge, and he had been told to wait. If he did seek revenge, he could jeopardize the relationship between the Keglar Kingdom and the Talbecan Empire for the Emperor.

Jale also knew that no matter what, the Emperor had the last say. He could argue with the man (unlike many other people in the Empire), but at the end of the day, it was the Emperor who made the decisions.

"Fine," Jale breathed.

"You know I don't want to separate from you," the Emperor stated softly. "But I do feel like this is the best option under the circumstances."

An urgent shout for attention came from outside their tent, and the Emperor and Jale recognized Galton's voice.

"Come in," the Emperor called back.

Galton came storming through the tent, a scroll in his hand, open and held out towards the Emperor. Despite his hurried entrance, a smile played on his lips.

"It's the Empress!" Galton said. "It holds good news."

The Emperor snatched the scroll from Galton and quickly read its contents. He laughed out loud "Twins!" he shouted with merriment. "Go get Ralen and pass this news onto him. He needs to know as well."

The Emperor's shout was heard from passing soldiers outside and congratulating cheers met Jale's ears, the news spreading faster and faster throughout the camp. The exhaustion and tension the soldiers had been feeling lifted and a new vibrant energy began to fill the air.

"That settles it then," Jale stated as he pulled out of the Emperor's celebratory embrace, trying to feel some of his elation as well. "You need to go back to the palace and see your twins. I will sort out Prince Tolder and bring him back to the palace."

The Emperor pulled back and stared Jale in the eyes. "Everything will be fine. You’ll see.” The Emperor leaned in and kissed Jale on the lips. “I love you. You know that,” he said when they pulled apart.

Jale nodded. "As do I," he responded.

"I will inform Prince Salren, and I think Galton should stay with you as well. I'm sure Ralen will wish to see the Empress," the Emperor told Jale.

"Of course," Jale responded.

The Emperor stepped forward so Jale could still hear him over the din in the tent. "I will have pigeons sent off immediately to warn the palace of possible danger. By tomorrow, they will be on alert, I assure you."

Jale nodded and sighed inwardly. He was not looking forward to spending the next month or so with Prince Salren, but Galton was decent company and a strong fighter. He watched the Emperor hug Galton, the pair patting each other on the back as they celebrated the good news.

"Tonight, a celebration!" the Emperor stated as Ralen joined them in the tent. "Tonight, we pause and we celebrate. Tomorrow, I will set off back to the palace." Emperor Rathner turned to Valina. "I'm sure these plans will be of your liking?"

Valina gave one slow nod with her head and then, she turned to Jale. "I hope you are successful in obtaining Prince Tolder. He deserves to be caught." To the Emperor she said, "I will pass on this news to the rest of the sect. Never forget we are always watching."

"Of course," the Emperor said.

"Go celebrate," she said with a smile. Valina turned to the entrance of the tent and walked to its entrance and disappeared from view.

>>

The small group that convened in the Empress' quarters were all exhausted but were withstanding the day by the sheer excitement and joy of the arrival of the twins. The Empress sat propped up on pillows in the middle of her bed and beside her sleeping in one cot, wrapped in cool linen, was one of her twins. The other sat snuggled in Delba's arms as she perched on the side of the Empress' bed.

"Unbelievable!" she whispered, gently rocking the baby girl in her arms.

"Also, unbelievable how much it hurt," the Empress said with a laugh.

"She's a real mixture of the two of you," Teal said from where he stood, admiring the baby's soft gentle auburn coloured hair. He was standing over Delba, their previous tense words forgotten in the middle of their wonder of the new life before them.

"The Emperor is going to be beside himself," Lana laughed.

"He sure is," the Empress agreed. "Hopefully he will be back at the palace soon."

They were silent at her words, not knowing what to say.

"So, the midwives are sure you are all healthy," Teal asked, trying to move the conversation in another direction.

"Yes, thank you for your concern, Teal," the Empress responded. She stifled a yawn, and Delba immediately took that as their cue.

"We should let you rest especially since these two are so quiet. They'll be asking for milk soon enough." Delba rose from the bed and gently placed the baby beside her sleeping brother in the cot.

Lana followed suit, rising to her feet as well.

"Teal, please," she asked, holding out her arm. "Can you help me on the stairs."

"Rest, Empress Crael," Teal said. "I will do my midday rounds and then rest before coming to check on you later this evening."

"Thank you, Teal," the Empress said as the three turned to leave. "I will see you all soon."