Chapter 148: Secure the Future

Gregor waited out front of the mayoral building, waiting for Saladin’s representative. He stood for ten minutes before a soldier came out. "The Empress will see you know."

"But.." Gregor tried to speak but the soldier’s raised hand stopped him

"She will see you now." He said it again, slower and Gregor could only take a deep breath a nod. Walking through the halls he saw soldiers lining the hall, watching him with hawk-like eyes. He felt his back go cold as he tried to keep calm in front of them all. He walked up the stairs and with each step he felt more conflicted about what he was doing.

Was he right? Did he have to betray his friend? Was this the only choice? Questions and self-doubt plagued him until he stood outside a door guarded by a man in black amour with scars on his face. He eyed Gregor before opening the door and letting him in. Inside he saw Isra, smiling warmly at him with a cold-looking old man behind her.

No. I must be right.’Looking at Isra’s smile he saw for the first time in a long time, true warmth that his friend had now lost. Her eyes despite being black seemed to radiate light. Behind he saw Esmond who watched him with no emotion. He was someone who he could never read, only acknowledging his unwavering belief in his cause, something he had seen justify numerous things.

"Please seat Priest." Isra offered a seat for him before Esmond placed tea for the two and retook his place.

"There should be more coming. I don’t know where they are, however." Gregor said confused, not knowing of the massacre under Mother’s orders.

"They are dead." Esmond chillingly said, shocking Gregor. He looked down at the bald man. "Their tavern was attacked by an unknown force and their bodies left for us to find. You may ask around when you leave to prove this."

"I see." Gregor’s head dropped. He instantly understood who had ordered it and could only feel disappointed at how far Mother had fallen. He remembered his and Esmond’s last conversation.’But does she only believe it because she is the one leading it?’The words struck harder and he could only begin to believe them.

"Is it fine if I call you Gregor?" Isra asked politely seeing his mood falling. He gave a small nod and she smiled. "Then Gregor. It is my understanding that part of the rebellion wishes for peace. I hope you can help me bring this about."

"I want the bloodshed to end," Gregor said. "But I don’t think it will if..." He paused and looked defeated. "I don’t think it will if Mother lives." It took everything for him to say that. He couldn’t believe the words came out of his mouth but he knew that it was true. She had just proven it to him with the news Esmond told him.

"I see," Isra said taking a sip of her tea. "But do you think it is possible?" She asked back and he looked up at her warm eyes.

"I hope. But I don’t know anymore." Gregor was defeated and everyone in the room could see it. The constant truths he had been exposed to in the short amount of time had destroyed him.

"It is. But I need your help." Isra said with confidence. "I know she is your friend Gregor, but ask yourself, is this the right? Is she truly trying to save the Followers?"

"In her own way, she thinks she is." His words hung in the air as they gave him time to speak. But she’s wrong. Peace can be achieved." The more he thought about it, the more he realized that what he wanted couldn’t be achieved. He wanted an end to the bloodshed but realized that if either side lived with their ideals, then the other would have to die. Mother would never give up, and the Empire would never let her danger exist.

Isra saw the depressing reality he had just come to and sympathized with him. "You are a good man." She said reassuring him. "But you understand the world can’t exist only run by good men." Gregor nodded. He hated the evil that ran through humanity. He wasn’t blind to the Empire’s evils but he couldn’t allow himself to be blind to Mothers anymore.

"What is your deal?" Gregor asked.

"A plan for the Followers to continue to exist has already been drafted and approved by The Record Keep, Arch-Bishop and His Majesty. But I am willing to offer a creation of a system that will allow the people to have a larger voice in the affairs of the Empire." Isra said shocking both Gregor and Esmond. She could feel their reactions but brushed it off. Alfred had told her of similar things that had happened in his old world.

"Will His Majesty agree?" Gregor asked; a question Esmond also wanted to know the answer to.

"He will. I will convince him." Her voice became powerful saying that as she said with absolute confidence. "My Husband’s will is more understanding than is led to be believed." Isra smiled to herself. She knew how to play Alfred to get the things she wanted. But she also knew that people like Alfred, Raven, and William feared the call for more representation as the boost in education went on. If they could solve it before it became an issue then it solve future problems.

"Why? Why go through all this?" It was a valid question and Isra knew that Gregor wouldn’t just accept what she said.

"Because much like you, I believe the people deserve to be treated right. My husband has already begun steps to this." She thought about his idea to create a national identity where everyone felt they had a role to play. "But we need more." She didn’t entirely believe that part but the long-term stability of the Empire rested on solving issues before they arose. Mother’s democratic rebellion proved this.

"Thats why Gregor. I need to ask you to do something important for me if you agree." She looked deep into his eyes full of internal conflict. "Ralley those who want peace and oppose Mother. I will say this now but we can’t avoid bloodshed. So help men avoid more than necessary."

He paused and thought about it. "Can I please have time to think about this?"

"Of course. I know it’s a tough ask." She said understanding. Gregor gave a thankful nod and got up, leaving Esmond and Isra alone.

Esmond looked at Isra with confused eyes. Deep within them however was a cold detachment, ready to remove her for being a threat to the regime and Alfred. He didn’t want to believe that Isra would betray Alfred and had come to like her, but if what she offered was true and betrayed the current order, he wouldn’t hesitate, even if it cost him his life.

"Was what you offered true?" Esmond questioned and Isra knew it was his test. She knew he was a deeply a parnoid man, one who even questions his own blood cosntantly. She didn’t think that her title would save her. Esmond worked only for Alfred and the Empire. She had known since he had openly told Alfred that he didn’t make a move when Micheal tried to kill him because he thought it was better for the then Kingdom. Esmond was a man who only saw one thing; the safety of the empire and Royal family. It was contradictory that he would let Alfred die before, but most would assume Alfred would be a poor king as a child.

Isra however didn’t back down. She and Alfred had many conversations about topics along these lines before. He had told her many stories from his world and had become able to think like him when discussing things that aligned with it.

"You worry too much." Isra brushed it off with her calm smile, but behind her voice was an unyielding conviction and a deep coldness. "What I offer will truly become bogged down by bureaucracy. Every sector of the Empire will be given an equal voice no matter how important. No matter how minor or big the issue they bring forward, they will have an equal voice. Those Alfred can’t avoid he will have to address but at the end of the day, they will end up squabbling with each other before they can even think to blame the crown."

Isra said as a matter of fact and Esmond felt the chill behind his eyes disappear. He smiled, although it was fake. "That is fine as long as His Majesty agrees."

Isra looked at him and stood up. "Also Esmond." Her smile fell and was replaced by a deep frost. "Never dare bare your fangs at me. I don’t care if it’s for the Empire. You dare do this again, and I will destroy your family." The complete detachment in her voice and face reminded Esmond of how he looked when staring at his reflection and he gave a deep bow.

"Of course. I am a loyal hound of the Imperial family." No one believed his words, not even Esmond himself, but it was enough for Isra. Lifting his head he looked at her in the eyes. "But no matter the sacrifice, The empire will exist." Isra smiled at his words and the two remained locked in eye contact for a while. Esmond was a hound of Alfred, not her. He was the shield and sword that protected them, but he would truly only ever move for Alfred.

"Thats fine. As long as that extends to Edward." Isra brought up her son and Esmond gave a deep nod. Isra couldn’t tell what he was thinking and could only hope that he was true in protecting the Empire and by extension its future; even with his disability.