Chapter Thirty-Two

Aelfred opened the throne room door. Petra was trying out the throne for size. The empress stood off to the side emotionless and blank, almost as though she weren't even there.

"Ah captain. What did you need to talk to me about?"
"Your highness, could you step out to the garden with me. We need to have you review the palace detail. It's a tradition for new rulers."
"Of course, has the council made any progress concerning your succesor?"
"Succession is one of the things I hoped we could discuss in the garden."

Petra wasn't an idiot. Aelfred was good, most would have been fooled, but not her. As he turned towards the door she lashed out. He wasn't as off guard as she'd hoped.
He was old, in his late nineteenth decade. But the captain had not held his rank for lack of attempts to remove him. His stave spun around and he caught her bolt of dark magic on its tip.
"How could you child. Your own mother. Is nothing sacred to you?"
"Perhaps if she had been more flexible in her interpretation of the law this need not have happened, captain."

Aelfred flung the bolt aside and began backpeddaling. He deflected and absorbed her attacks. But while she could not see past the attempt on her life, he had but one goal in mind.
They fought across the room, and on down the hall. His defense was weakening, but with fervent strength he kept going even after several dire wounds. He reached the gate, and lured her into the gardens.
"You would usurp your mother. You would deem to rule the empire for eternity. For the glory of the Nieldic people, I banish you from this palace. Behind her the gates shut, and the glow of alchemy shone forth from the whole of the palace. The guard had locked her out.
"It will do you no good, captain." and she spat the word with contempt now, her condescension lost in anger. "Your life is forfit. But don't worry." She unleashed a wave of shadow, stripping him of his weapon and armor. "You can still serve the empress of the Nielda."
She swung her scythe, leaving her valiant foe bleeding before her. Then she called upon the shadows and watched their power seep into his lifeless form.
He rose and saluted her. He made no sound, but his very presence eminated fear and death.
"Death, empress of all, commands your obedience."