Page 41 of Realms of Swords and Storms
He set his glass down, his expression growing grave. "There has been... unrest. In the imperial city at first, but now spreading to other towns and cities throughout the empire."
"What kind of unrest?" I asked, leaning forward.
"Protests. Riots in some areas. Those with Talfen blood and their sympathizers demonstrating against what they call the empire's 'oppression.' Slaves have attacked their masters in some of the eastern provinces. Three noble houses have been burned to the ground." His voice hardened. "It's chaos, carefully orchestrated chaos."
I frowned, trying to process this information. The empire had always had its malcontents, particularly among the subjugated Talfen and their half-blood descendants, but organized resistance was something new. "What's changed? Why now?"
Santius's gaze sharpened. "An excellent question. The Council believes there's an organized resistance movement operating within the empire. Not just disgruntled barbarians lashing out, but a coordinated effort to undermine imperial authority."
"A resistance?" I couldn't keep the interest from my voice. "You mean the Talfen tribes have organized beyond their territorial boundaries?"
Santius's expression darkened. "I find your tone concerning, Lord Jalend. This isn't some academic curiosity. This resistance, whatever its composition, is inciting violence against imperial citizens. They're spreading sedition, encouraging slaves to murder their masters, distributing pamphlets calling for the overthrow of the emperor himself."
I schooled my features quickly. "Of course, Legate. I didn't mean to sound dismissive of the threat. I'm simply surprised that the tribal peoples have developed such sophistication."
"That's just it," Santius said, his voice lowering conspiratorially. "We don't believe they could have managedthis on their own. The Council suspects there are sympathizers within the nobility, perhaps even within the military."
That did shock me. "Imperial citizens? Betraying the empire?"
"Hard to believe, isn't it?" Santius shook his head in disgust. "But we've seen evidence. Funding for these activities has to come from somewhere. Information about imperial movements, about vulnerable targets—that requires inside knowledge."
I took a sip of my wine, using the moment to collect my thoughts. "What does my father say about this?"
"The Emperor is as concerned as the rest of the Council. He was the one who suggested I speak with you."
"With me? Why?"
Santius leaned forward, his expression earnest. "We need to identify these traitors, Lord Jalend. Root them out before their poison spreads further. Your father thought you might be able to help us."
"I'm not sure how I could be of assistance," I said carefully. "As I mentioned, we're quite isolated here."
"Perhaps not as isolated as you think," Santius replied. "The academy draws students from across the empire. Noble houses send their children here, as do wealthy merchants and even some of the more... progressive military families."
I was beginning to understand where this was heading. "You think there might be resistance sympathizers here? At the academy?"
"We think it's a possibility worth exploring." Santius's voice was measured, reasonable. "Young people are often idealistic, easily swayed by lofty rhetoric about freedom and equality. They don't understand the realities of governing an empire as vast and diverse as ours."
The idea seemed absurd to me. The academy was the most elite institution in the empire, its students drawn primarily from the nobility and wealthy imperial families. "With all due respect,Legate, I find it hard to believe that the children of imperial nobility would betray their own families, their own futures."
"Not all students here are of pure imperial blood, are they?" Santius countered. "And even among the nobility, there are those who fancy themselves philosophers, reformers. They've never seen what happens when the barbarians are given too much freedom. They haven't watched their brothers-in-arms gutted by Talfen spears." His hand unconsciously rose to his clouded eye.
I couldn't argue with his experience, but something about this conversation made me deeply uncomfortable. "What exactly are you asking me to do, Legate?"
"Simply keep your eyes and ears open," Santius said, his tone softening. "Report anything suspicious—students expressing sympathy for the protesters, criticizing imperial policies, meeting in secret. You're well-liked here, I understand. People trust you, confide in you."
The idea of spying on my fellow students turned my stomach, but I kept my expression neutral. "And if I were to hear something... concerning?"
"You would report it directly to me. I'll be staying in the city for the next month, at least until after the Emperor's Festival. If you hear anything that might be useful, I would appreciate it if you would get a message to me.”
“I'm not sure what I might discover, but I'll certainly remain vigilant."
Santius smiled, seemingly satisfied with my response. "That's all we ask." He finished his wine and set the glass aside. "Your father will be pleased with your cooperation. He speaks of you constantly, you know. The son who will lead the empire into a new era of prosperity and strength."
The weight of expectation in those words was familiar, but no less heavy for it. "I hope to live up to his faith in me."
"You will." Santius rose, and I stood as well. He placed a hand on my shoulder, his grip firm. "You're going to make an impressive emperor one day, Lord Jalend. I've always believed that."
I inclined my head, accepting the compliment with the gravity it deserved. "Thank you, Legate."
