I realized I never released this chapter. I was supposed to release this early, but it's been in my drafts for ages. After I get this out, it's back to the final arc.Chapter I When the end came for me, I died how I lived: in the hospital. I've always been sick, even as a child. When I was born, I suffered from complications. I don't know the scientific word for it, but, my immune system was compromised in laymen's terms. Some kind of autoimmune system disease. I couldn't tell you what it was called if you asked me, the word was long and probably had a Latin root. I spent most of my free time in the hospital. As a child, I was in and out of the hospital all the time. The only place I spent more time than the hospital was school and what a miracle that was. It was the only part of my life that felt somewhat normal and even then, I had missed so much school because of this cursed hospital. More than once, my mother cried for me, blaming herself. She had given me this weak body and sh
Emperor Francois was a busy man. Plotting domination of Europe and then the world would do that.But when information like the one his son gathered came to light, even Francois Arc could stay away from the throngs of pop for just a moment. Not that his son was aware that he knew. Calixte was always a smart boy, but not even he was aware of how far the reach Francois's OSI extended.One of his Imperial Knights appeared and he prostrated himself."Well?" Francois demanded."Your Imperial Majesty!" the knight spoke. Announcing his title first. "The formula is incomplete. It will not bare fruit yet."He balled his fist.***If you would like to support me, you can do so on pa tre on. It would mean a lot, but no pressure.https://www. pa tre on .com/RWForsythIf you'd like to keep up with my random or writings, it would be twitter. I'll try to be more active and post.twitter.com/R_W_Forsyth
Euphemia"I think they're working against me. Not Daliah or Godfrey, but my ministers. Viceroys are supposed to be an extension of the emperor's rules in a given area. They were agents of his will, upholding the imperial laws of the empire. They acted in his stead, ruling in his name. So why do I have so many ceremonies? It seemed like every other day some new building was being opened. A ship was commemorating its maiden voyage. An anniversary of a great war won hundreds of years ago. There was always something."I'm not the one managing the city or the colony. I don't have time to see the overseeing the drafting of new law, nor am I being given a voice in it. The chambers of my government are being run without me, headed by the Vice Minister. The only part of the process I play any part in is giving imperial ascension so it could be put into law."Rachel nodded. "You think this is a deliberate move against you? Have you considered that it is all just coincidence?""At first, I thoug
Euphemia Arc"What plan?" I asked, leaning across the desk in front of us. "Forgive me, but I can't be left in the dark about this. I came to you because my government was doing just that. If I am to rule one day, I cannot allow myself to take a step back and let someone serve me."Rachel nodded. "Very well. The plan is quite simple. It will involve the appearance of sidelining you. You are away that the Minister of Economy remains a support of yours?"I did. "One of the few it feels like I have left.""These people approached him with the same offer.""How do you know that?""I'm in contact with the minister. He's not one of mine, but he is your supporter and since I am too, he speaks with me. Rather candidly. I've been speaking with him about this same matter and we've concluded that the best way to move forward is for him to accept their offer.""To betray me?""We need someone on the inside and unlike me, he can go far into their ranks. Further, than I ever could. We will only pro
EuphemiaThe morning started well enough, but I sniffed the pink potion that my brother had sent me. He said it would help me to remember, and he wrote more about what it was, but stupidly, I didn't read the rest. If I read it the first time, I had forgotten it in my haze of what my father wrote.Before I new it, the potion had casted me away.It was a grueling twelve-hour flight to the Tyché colony. My new staff and the plane crew were the only ones joining me. It wasn't an uncomfortable flight. I was in the seat of luxury, the best the empire had to offer, but it was long. As I looked out the window, I was reminded that my plane wasn't alone. A fleet of aircraft carrying the first waves of new colonists trailed behind us. Those planes were crammed full, so I was lucky to have a spacious plane almost all to myself. I remembered that flight well. I was so nervous, but I was determined. Now I was back on the plane. It wasn't just an identical plane, it was the exact same one that firs
I was going to have to face Emer Gallagher in the air again. Our intelligence had stated that she was with the last of the New Siberian Air force.And she would be coming for me. In the end, of course, it would be her. My first great enemy, the woman who nearly shot me out of the sky. In the end, I would need to face her in battle.It wasn't going to be easy. If anything, I was looking at a fight for my life, a fight I wasn't sure I could win. I needed to prepare for battle, and there was only one way I could do it.One effective way I could do it. I needed to see her up close. I needed to watch her, but in this world, it was too early for things like cameras. There was no recording equipment. You could record by magic, but that was harder.None of our fights had been recorded. So the best way to deal with this was to watch her through my memories.By now, I was familiar with the sensation of being dragged into my memories. I concentrated on that first battle with Emer, back in Morocc
Calixte ArcAs my memory came to an end, I wondered if I would have to wake up and smell the potion again. As the memory froze like a movie being paused, I decided to try another memory. When I thought about it, the scene before me dissolved into smoke, before reforming at another time. In another place.Mireille was there to see us off and she waved happily at Tanya. My other wife didn't even look at her. Mireille was wishing us good luck and safe passage, which would have been a nice gesture considering we were going into battle, but she was an intelligence officer. One of the best the Office of Secret Intelligence had to offer, as far as I was concerned. The OSI had known about the ambush we were talking into for three days, so she should be better than anyone we won't be in any danger.It had worked. If I had allowed the dream to end, I'm sure it would have. If I thought about other memories, it would call them to this scene.That was what was supposed to happen. The New Siberian
She made the final checks on her warplane. She wouldn't be able to use her own, but the Roslachnians had provided a high quality one.This might be Emers last chance to fulfill the contract given to her, by both the Roslachnian and the Aquitese Lord.The Roslachnians wanted the advance haulted, but the lord wanted Prince Calixte to be captured. What the dirty old man wanted the prince for she didn't want to think about, especially since he desired Princess Euphemia as well, but he was willing to pay an arm and a leg.With that kind of money on the line, who was she to ask questions?Emer Gallagher turned the key and the plane came to life. It wouldn't be long now.