I walked carefully behind my lord carrying his ceremonial sword. I always felt odd in his presence, as if death was around the corner. It did not help that his hair was the color of death. Even his eyes were different from Waterfolk, a gray that spoke of stormy weather when he was angered and almost silver when he was happy.

He had been born a bastard of the lord of High Hold. His father had shown favor toward him to his wife’s fury. Because of this favor he had been allowed to roam free around the Hold and had even crossed the Forbidden Line. It was after such a journey across the line that he had been attacked by Landwalkers. It was then that a change came over him. His eyes turned gray and his hair gained its deathly color. He gave few details on how he defeated the Landwalkers, but a guard of High Hold had said he’d seen a gargantuan man that had crushed Landwalkers to death with his hands and turned others to stone.

The Prince soon visited High Hold and found my lord there. Pleased by his strength, so it seemed, he granted him the title of Eminence and Illustrious of Nadir before bringing him to the Nadir palace.

When he was first appointed as Illustrious by the Prince it was said that the previous Illustrious was furious that a bastard could usurp him. He had confronted the Prince, but had been stopped by the royal guards. He was to be executed by beheading by the current Illustrious. The ceremony was to be conducted in a private courtyard in front of the Nadiran nobility.

The blade felt heavy in my hands. It was a gift to the new Illustrious from the Prince. Its handle was wrapped in treated leather and had a simple cross-guard. On the pommel was a rough-cut purple sapphire. The blade was two feet in length and four inches wide. On the blade “CLEAVE” was inscribed.

My lord stopped short of the courtyard door and turned to face me. I trembled beneath his gaze and quickly lowered my eyes.

“Don’t be afraid, you won’t have to watch,” he said softly.

Tears of relief fell from my eyes. I unwrapped the blade and held it out to him. He took it with his left hand and held it aloft. A white glow seemed to cover the sword for a brief moment and then it became a simple sword once more.

“Eminence,” I said softly.

“This blade seems meant for me,” my lord said. “And I, born a bastard.” He laughed and lowered the sword to his side. “You’re dismissed.”

I bowed low then walked away swiftly. I heard the door open behind me and my lord greeted the Prince. I sped up my pace as the door closed and covered my ears.

The next day the Prince departed for Meridia. I watched his entourage leave from behind a stone statue. I wondered if it was true that he was going to meet a woman that had turned men to stone.

When I returned to the palace I was summoned to my lord’s side. I entered his study cautiously with two guards at my back. “Leave us,” he said addressing the guards. They bowed. When the door closed I kept my eyes trained to the floor. Once again a feeling of death emanated from him. Did others feel the same way in his presence?

“Do executions bother you?” my lord asked.

I nodded. “They do, Eminence.”

“Perhaps I should have chosen someone else to carry my sword… I’m sorry for forcing a task like than onto you.”

I gripped my robe tightly. Why should he thank me? I was just carrying out my duty as his servant. I had no loyalty toward the previous Illustrious. When the great illness had swept through the Hold our past Illustrious had closed off his palace and refused to aid his people in the city. Many died including my brother. My parents were still bitter over our loss.

I wondered if my lord would ever make the same decision. Looking at him now it was hard to tell.

“I’m sure that I’ve kept you from your duties. You are dismissed,” my lord said with a wave of his hand. I bowed deeply before leaving. As soon as I was back in the hall the oppressive feeling lifted from my body. I clutched my chest and took a deep breath. If I was to continue to work so close to my lord I would have to grow a stronger mind.

How would Nadir prosper under my lord’s influence? Would he lead it to ruin with his deathly aura or would he strengthen us? I took another breath for good measure before continuing my way down the hall.