Page 84 of Poisoned Empire

“And what reason did your father have to do this to you, Domina Amethyst?”

“I was to give him my magic in lieu of an advantageous marriage, so that he could become a king.”

Whispers raced through the small crowd. Hostility, disgust, horror and predatory glee manifested themselves in those eyeing up the accused magistri. No doubt a few cared less about the accusations than the opportunities for expansion that their imminent sentencing might bring. Belisarius supposed that was better than using the opportunity to rebel.

“Of course, I wouldn’t ask my esteemed guests to believe such serious accusations without some modicum of proof. Praetor Nicephorus, if you would bring forward the proclamation orb?”

“Your Royal Highness, I have it here.” Nicephorus produced the orb from a velvet sack and gently unwrapped the cloth around it. It sat like a crystal-clear melon, cushioned by the fabric in his hands. Only the palace possessed such a rare object. Its sole purpose was to determine the gift of the mage whose bare skin came into contact with it—a reflection of their very soul.

“Allow Magistri Emerald, Topaz and Opal to touch it so that we might ascertain for all those present that it functions properly.”

“Yes, Your Royal Highness. Magister Emerald, if you would be the first to honour the prince’s request?” Nicephorus asked.

The magister placed his hand on the orb which instantly flashed green, indicating the magister’s command of earth. Emerald nodded, pleased with the result. The praetor repeated the process with Opal, the orb flashing silver, indicating his command of wind. Finally, when Topaz placed his hand on it, the orb turned pitch black, indicating his command of darkness itself. Thus satisfied, the prince spoke his next order.

“Praetor, have the daughters of Magistri Amethyst, Sapphire and Diamond currently present touch the proclamation orb.”

“Domina Daria Amethyst, if you would begin the process?” Nicephorus asked while holding the orb in front of her for the magistri to see.

When she placed her hand on it, the orb remained crystal clear. The unharmed dominae gasped with horror, while their fathers’ eyes went wide with shock. As Nicephorus repeated the process with each ensorcelled domina, the shock turned to outrage. The implication of the orb’s clarity was impossible to deny. The women had been rendered soulless. It was the very foulest of magics, a crime worse than murder. A man may do as he wished with his daughters, but these acts were as perverse as they were taboo, and there would be nothing to stop them from doing the same to their peers. Or so Belisarius hoped they would believe.

“Given the evidence before you, do any present wish to plead for clemency on behalf of the criminals?” Belisarius asked.

Resounding silence was the answer he’d expected, and it was what he received.

“I, Crown Prince Belisarius Bloodstone, Magister Ruby and future Emperor of Lethe, hereby sentence the Magistri Sapphire, Amethyst and Diamond, and their heirs, to death, for crimes against the empire and the use of foul magics. Take them to the dungeons to await their executions.”

Chapter 29

Mardukheldtheslipper-shapedoil lantern high, illuminating the stone steps in the inky darkness where the sconces failed to reach. Having just left his relieved and thoroughly sated fiancée in their apartments, he had set his mind to the task ahead. Behind him, Belisarius and the emperor followed. Though their steps were light, both having been trained as warriors, their descent into the dungeons was anything but quiet.

“You had best pick new magistri before the night is out. Topaz was all but salivating at the chance to expand his borders. Emerald too, for that matter, though the cold bastard managed at least not to be too obvious about it,” Darius grumbled to his son.

“One problem is solved, and another three rear up their heads. I should have planned for this. I’ve been so focused on the traitors I failed to properly plan for the instability resulting from their arrests,” the prince griped.

The long staircase down to the dungeons was probably the most private part of the castle. Sound didn’t travel, and the passage was too narrow, the walls too thick for anyone to be inconspicuously spying. Marduk supposed it was the best place for the prince to air his doubts. Though he didn’t think Belisarius need worry on that account. No doubt Nicephorus already had lists of worthy candidates in mind.

“They had best watch their cups over the next few days. Given the distaste they showed your fiancée, I would be shocked if they left Nadioch in good health,” Darius mused.

“She is not my fiancée in truth. I have only just received her promise to remain in the capital after this situation is concluded.” Belisarius sighed.

Marduk noticed then that the emperor had stopped in his descent. He stopped as well, turning to look. Fury twisted the old man’s face.

“Have I raised a fool, then? What are you waiting for?”

Belisarius’ face changed from irritation and exhaustion to wrath. It was not unlike the expression on the emperor’s face. Marduk stifled a sigh as the two prepared to butt heads. Belisarius turned to face his father and shouted.

“Perhaps if you’d been more of an emperor these past few years, instead of drowning yourself in distractions, I might have more time on my hands to pursue her! Instead, I spend nearly every waking moment desperately keeping Lethe from collapsing into violence! You have no right to judge how I conduct my affairs!”

Marduk almost wished he could leave father and son to fight it out. It was a long time coming, this quarrel of theirs. Belisarius had gone from respecting his father before Nadia’s death, to festering resentment of the man who raised him. The Emperor had done himself no favours in that regard by acting the part of a wastrel and abandoning his responsibilities to his grieving son. No son had loved his mother more than Belisarius had loved Nadia, and he might always hate his father for finding even fleeting comfort with other women mere weeks after she’d died. Still, as painful as it was to watch, he had to make sure neither did lasting physical damage to the other. Unfortunately, the psychic damage had already left permanent scars.

“I know I’ve behaved poorly, Belli, but I have every right to comment! I am your father and still the emperor! If you don’t give her an official status now, then she will never command the loyalty of anyone inside or outside of the palace. They will always treat her as though she is beneath them. If you wish to keep her, then do not fail her!”

“Do not speak to me of responsibilities. You haven’t lifted a finger since mother died.”

The emperor’s shoulders stiffened, his anger melting into despairing resignation.

“I have failed at a great many things in my life. I only wish you would see that I want you to do better.”

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