Jale stood at the mouth of the cave that was cut into the side of the cliff. It was about twenty feet higher than the remainder of the camp, providing a clear view of the entire prisoner living area.

Strategically placed lookout towers stood empty. The Emperor's flags that should have been flying, were missing from view. Only a small handful of tents remained, their material flapping in the wind. Inside, they were empty or with their contents discarded in the dust outside. Bedding, chairs, cups and clothing were scattered across the ground.

The path that led to the mine was deserted and silent. Nonetheless, soldiers had been sent down the path to ensure that no one was hiding in the mine in case they planned to spring a surprise attack on Jale and his men.

Jale shook his head. Six weeks on the road since leaving Dalenia and all for this. Nothing.

Jale had come expecting a fight and now, Prince Tolder wasn't even here.

Cowards.

A large group like that could not travel without being seen however. It would be easy to track them, even if it did take another week or two. Prince Tolder was not going to get away unscathed. He was sick of this man hanging over their heads.

Jale turned and examined the inside of the cave. It wasn't a large or deep cave from a quick assessment, so he would explore how far it went in a moment. There was a table, chair and a chest, and along one wall, a sleeping pallet that required his attention first. It looked like a commanding officer's quarters. It would make sense for someone in charge to have a more comfortable living arrangement.

What nonsense had Prince Tolder filled this commanding officer's head to have him betray the Emperor? He stepped further into the cave and to the table, spying parchments lying on its surface. Curious, he picked up several pieces and studied the pictures that appeared to be roughly drawn maps.

He heard footsteps approach and he turned to see Satner walking through the entrance of the cave.

"There's no one here," Satner stated. "The mine is empty. It looks like the prisoners including the Emperor's soldiers have all deserted the camp knowing that we were on our way."

Jale swore under his breath. He didn't need confirmation of what he already knew. He continued to flick through the parchments and let Ladet wait in silence. Jale stopped on one parchment in particular and passed it over to Satner, finally making eye contact.

"It could be a ruse to send us in the wrong direction, but what do you think?" Jale asked.

Satner took the parchment and studied the map. "Why would they go to the Keglar Kingdom?" he asked in amazement.

Jale shrugged. "Maybe they've made a deal. I don't like it. Is someone trying to build their armies against the Empire or are they just giving them safe haven?"

Satner shook his head. "I don't know. What are the other parchments?" he asked, nodding towards the pile in Jale's hand.

"I think they outline the best path to reach the Keglar Kingdom. It's a two-month journey, but if you were a prisoner and you were told you would be a free man, you would do it, wouldn't you?"

"Absolutely," Satner told him. He turned and gazed at the rest of the cave's contents just like Jale had done before."

"Any news on whether Prince Salren has arrived yet?" Jale asked.

"No," Satner responded. "The soldiers that we sent have not returned. Prince Salren and his men must have been held up by something on their way.”

Jale pursed his lips, deciding to keep his suspicions to himself. He could not let his own prejudices for the man affect his decision-making at this time, and Prince Salren had only been amicable since the Emperor's departure.

Satner gazed back over the camp. "So, where to now?" he asked. "I'm hoping you're going to say we're going to follow them."

Jale opened his mouth to answer when a sudden thump beside him caused Jale to spin on his heels. Satner lay unconscious on the floor, blood trickling out from the back of his head.

Jale’s hand went straight to the hilt of his sword, but Jale froze. Ice-cold steel now rested across Jale’s neck from someone standing behind him. They must have been hiding in the shadows towards the back of the cave and had seen it as their opportunity to attack. In Jale's frustrations, he allowed Satner's arrival to distract him, and he had failed to examine the rest of the cave to ensure it was empty. It was stupid mistake.

"You disappoint me, Jale," the person behind him said. "I thought this was going to be a lot harder."

Jale clenched his jaw. "Prince Salren," he seethed.

"That's right," Prince Salren responded.

*

Jale's head was pounding. There was a mesh sack over his head, his mouth was gagged and his hands were tied behind his back. Another rope was also tied around his waist where someone was pulling him along a rocky trail.

He sensed a small party of men, guessing from the minimal talk and chatter around him, although he couldn't determine how many. The air had cooled significantly and Jale guessed that evening had fallen.

How had Prince Salren managed to get him away from the camp without being seen by Galton or the other soldiers? They must have distracted them also. How did Prince Salren get to the camp before them? More importantly, Jale stewed, why in all the hells had Prince Salren kidnapped him in the first place?

After several hours of stumbling over rocks and then, what Jale guessed were tree roots on the path, two forceful hands shoved him to the ground. He landed on cool dirt, small rocks digging into his skin, a mild discomfort for the time being. They were still outside and a small camp was being set up from what he could hear and smell.

All of a sudden, a pair of strong solid hands grabbed his ankles and when he resisted, a second pair of hands joined the original pair in holding him down. Jale cursed inside his head as a thick rope was wrapped around his ankles and secured tightly.

The hands disappeared, and Jale tried to calm his breathing so he could listen to what was happening around him. He could hear a fire burning to his right and the sound of at least four or five sets of footsteps walking around him. There was maybe one person preparing food, another tending to a horse and a third sitting not so far away, their breath heavy but steady. This one was on watch, watching him.

Several minutes later, another pair of feet walked towards him, and the mesh sack was pulled off of the top of his head. Prince Salren's stern grim face greeted him, and Jale blinked against the sudden influx of colours greeting his eyes. He looked around trying to gain his bearings. They had travelled some distance and had left the arid landscape of Camp Rein and were now deep in a forest. Jale suspected they were near the trail that Prince Salren had used to reach the camp after they had separated.

Satner was lying on the ground several meters away, bound in a similar away. He was happy the man was still alive and for brief moment, Jale wondered why that was. Satner was conscious but still gagged. They shared a quick glance before Prince Salren leaned forward and worked on the knot that held the gag around Jale's mouth.

Jale glared but allowed the gag on his mouth to be removed. "What's the meaning of this?" he hissed, when it was gone. "I've been right about you all along."

"I just saved your life," Prince Salren responded simply, now squatting in front of Jale. "Well, for the time being anyway."

"What in all the hells are you talking about?" Jale asked in disbelief.

Prince Salren settled down on the dirt a short distance away and leaned against a rock. He took a cup from a passing man, completely at ease with the situation before him. "A lot has happened in the past two weeks that you do not know about. I received a scroll from Prince Vox after we separated."

"And?" Jale asked.

"It would appear that Emperor Rathner has been murdered on his way back to the palace."

The world fell out from underneath Jale, his whole body jerking in response to those words.

"What?!" he gasped. From the corner of his eye, he also saw Satner struggle into a sitting position upon hearing what Prince Salren had said. "How? Who?" Jale asked, unable to keep his breathing steady as fear pounded through him. This was a whole new fear he had never felt before. This was so different to fear that flooded a person when their life was at risk or when a person was sick. The fear of losing a loved one. This kind of fear had the ability to destroy any sense of reasoning or comprehension, and it was a fear he couldn't reign in to use as strength.

His whole life was the Emperor.

It couldn't be true. He couldn't be dead.

"Emperor Rathner and his men were apparently set upon by bandits,” Prince Salren continued. “Prince Vox is now preparing the Emperor's ceremony to ensure he walks with his ancestors. He is also organising for his rise to the throne." Prince Salren leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "Seems a little convenient, don't you think? Bandits? Since when could a small group of bandits be a threat to the Emperor? You and I both know how well he could fight."

"So, let me go and I'll confirm the Emperor's death. I need to see his body," Jale said, fighting against the ropes that bound him.

"You're not going anywhere," Prince Salren told him flatly. "In the message Prince Vox sent me, he stated that I would either have to kill you or hand you over to Prince Vox so he can do it. Seems like he thinks you are a threat." Prince Salren leaned back against the rock.

“How has Prince Vox even managed this?” Jale queried. “He’s never shown any indication that he has wanted to rule.”

"Prince Vox, it would seem, has been busy building up his own armies and has formed an alliance with our good old friend, Prince Yernal."

"Typical," Jale spat.

"Rumour has it that Prince Yernal is going to use Teal the Lombock to get himself on the throne."

"Impossible!" Jale cried, but inside he had a moment of rejoice. Did this mean that Teal was indeed still alive? "Teal would never support such an action. He is devoted to the Emperor."

"The Emperor is dead," Prince Salren said quietly. "I do not wish to believe it, but it appears to be true. Prince Vox told me he received the Emperor's personal signet. His body is being transported to Dalenia as we speak."

Panic set in once again. Jale was not willing to believe such news. "I won't believe it until I see his body."

"Unfortunately, that's not going to be possible," Prince Salren stated cruelly. "Prince Vox has acquired ten thousand soldiers and has sent several hundred to take down the Emperor's men that travelled with you to Camp Rein. Instead of being a surprise to Prince Tolder and the camp's prisoners, my men are going to bring down The Emperor’s army from behind." Prince Salren took another swig of drink from his cup.

"You need to let me go so I can warn Galton and Ralen," Jale fumed, twisting against the rope again. "They are outnumbered. You will be sending them to their deaths. I still don't understand the meaning of this, of why you've taken me," Jale spat. "I thought you would have just let us go to war and hope for my death."

"I did contemplate it," Prince Salren confirmed.

"Why do you despise me so much?" Jale asked.

"Because I know who you really are, Jale of the Keglar Kingdom, and I've always despised Keglans. But I'm going to keep you alive. You're my bargaining chip."

"What?" Jale spluttered, newfound fear, a different kind of fear flooding his veins.

"I'm sure Prince Vox would like to have you to give to Prince Yernal. I'm sure he would like to get his hands on you when he learns who you are." Prince Salren smiled. "You're my ticket into the palace because who knows what is going to happen in the next two weeks. I don't want to meet a similar fate as the Emperor on my journey back to Dalenia."

"You don't even trust your own brother?" Jale scoffed.

"I know that Prince Vox has fooled us all in letting us believe he was not interested in power, but he won't be in power for long. I'm going to take Prince Vox down from the inside after I get back to Dalenia," Prince Salren explained.

"Sounds like you're just after the throne yourself," Jale stated, rolling his eyes.

Prince Salren snorted. "No, I was more than happy with what I had. Emperor Rathner and I may not have agreed on all of his decisions but overall, he was good for the Empire." Prince Salren fell quiet, suddenly somber. "The Emperor and I were close when we were young, I will never forget that."

Jale was silent, absorbing Prince Salren’s words. Emperor Rathner rarely discussed Prince Salren with him. He was more than aware of the distaste between them. Jale had never been aware of Prince Salren's feelings to the Emperor. It was a possible weakness.

A soldier brought over a bowl of food to Prince Salren.

"Once we complete this battle with the Emperor's men to satisfy Prince Vox, I will offer the survivors a place in my army.” He scooped some food onto the spoon inside and leaned forward, holding it out towards Jale. “It is a long journey back to the Dalenia. Eat something. I need you alive."

>>

Jale lay on his side but twisted his head so he could stare at the stars. The camp was still, the fire was out, and the low chatter of Prince Salren and his men had ended hours ago. Their snores and the crickets of the forest filled the evening. There was one soldier on watch, several feet away. In the darkness, Jale could hear the steady click of beads that the soldier was playing with, obviously to help keep him awake and to pass the time.

Jale's heart had not stopped racing all evening. He couldn't believe Emperor Rathner was dead. There was no way that was possible. He was healthy, fit and strong, a warrior with a sword in his hand, and he was dead? Impossible!

But what if he was? What if he was really gone?

Jale closed his eyes and tried to steady his breathing as a new wave of fear washed over him. What would happen to the Empire, to the people living in the Empire who had been living in peace and prosperity since Emperor Leath had taken control? Would Prince Vox continue with how things had been conducted? Surely the Empress Dowager would step back up and rein down with her iron clad authority. That was one thing that could appease Jale right now. That would stop Prince Vox from teaming up with Prince Yernal.

Jale sighed. What would happen to those he loved in the Purple Jade Palace? What would become of them and where would they live? Would they stay with the Empress in another residence?

But most importantly, what of the Emperor? A life cut short when he had so many years in front of him. He had so much to give and so much to do for the Empire. All the memories of the past ten years. What would the Empire do without his patience, kind heart and goodwill?

And what would he do without his Emperor, without his lover, and without his soulmate? As selfish as those questions were, Jale would be lost. How could he continue without him? How could he continue without seeing his face every day, without laying in his bed, or without drinking their ale in the evening and discussing the issues of the day and the goals for the next. Such simple little mundane elements of their lives now lost and gone forever.

Jale breathed deeply and tried to relax his clenched jaw. It was impossible. He would not be able to calm his thoughts or his soul this night, or any night in the foreseeable future.

Jale continued to brood, his thoughts whirring and looping around on themselves. Maybe there was something he could do.

Of course, there was!

Jale's thoughts went to the twins, the newly born twins that he had never met. They were the true future of the Empire now, and Jale would do anything to protect them and ensure they took the throne. It was the least he could do for an Emperor who had given him everything.

First though, he had to escape. There was nothing Satner or himself could do while in the hands of Prince Salren.

Jale twisted his body on the cold dirt, stiff muscles aching from the position they had been tied in for so long.

"Go to sleep," the soldier on duty ordered.

Jale sighed.

Tomorrow they would meet back up with the rest of Prince Salren's men, those who had survived the fight against Galton and the rest of Emperor Rathner's army. He prayed to the Gods that Galton and Ralen survived.

Escaping along the road back to Delania was going to be hard, but it was the only thing Jale could think to do. Somehow, Satner and he were going to have to devise a plan, they were going to have to work together. They could do it. He was sure.

The twins.

That was his plight.

If he no longer had the Emperor, he would do everything in his power to look after the twins.