Imperial Arcadia #2: The Circling Of Vultures

The Circling Of Vultures

"You and I have a date with destiny, it would seem. But so it is with assassins and emperors, hmm? Yes, I must die. And you must deliver the blow. It is simply the way it is. But I wonder... would you suffer an old man a few more words before the deed is done?"  Emperor Titus Flāvius Caesar Vespasiānus Augustus to this killer.

15 June 1500

Elias sat in his favorite chair in front of the fireplace. The flames dance illuminated a once jovial and youthful emperor now a haggard and weary old man. Beside him rested his faithful hound and a sword. The last ten years had been trying to say the least.

He shook the drowsiness from his body as he waited his visitor. His mind began reliving the events that shaped him and his empire. The catalyst of this darkening had been Leland's death. His miracle child born to him and his mistress. Leland had been playing with the other noble's children as he always did during long court sessions. This particular court was about replacing the late Lionel Payne as Superior Commander of the Army. Many names had been put forth and the nobles wanted each on interviewed. Knowing this would take all day long, he promised Leland that they would share dinner and he would read to him.

Elias' eye began welling up as he continued thinking about the past. The dog licked her master's hand. He patted her head lovingly in return. She took this as reassurance and continued relaxing.

He remembered how during the middle of one of the interviews the guards rushed in with word that he collapsed. Despite, the urgency of his choice, rhe raced to Leland's side. The guards had a hard time following their frantic leader. The decision was put off for two weeks. That was how long it took Leland to die. The best doctors were summoned from the corners of the empire to treat the prince. No expanse was spared. But the best the doctors could do was theorize that what ever affliction or malady the late empress suffered from now afflicts the prince. Despite the advancements in the field they were unable to help him. In the days before his death, Leland slipped in and out of consciousness. And each time he awoke to Elias beside him. Elias recounted the tale of Duncan Buchanan, the king of the Highlands, their first royal ancestor. It was Leland's favorite story. As he reached the part of the tale where Duncan slew the immortal witch Margaret, the maiden of the plains and how he used her bones to make our family unbrakable, Leland regained conciousness one final time.

"Father?" he asked between taking sips from the latest concoction of the doctors, "if I die. Can my ones be used to make the castle of Duncan stronger."

Elias knew it was a request made of insanity. But even if it was, it was also his dying request. Sobbing Elias declared, "I promise." His death came shortly afterward.

Elias picked up a cup and took a drink. Placing it down he scratched behind the hound's ear. She wagged her tail in appreciation.

The first to pressure the emperor about naming an heir was the clergy. The clergy had thrived in Arcadia has many of the Arcadia's rulers were devout Catholics. Many of them feared the fiercely secular Lancaster would claim the throne. Or France would take advance of the lack of ruler to attack. So employing Bishop Nathaniel Buchanan, the third cousin to the emperor and court chaplain, to other counsel on the matter. Using the guise of a humble game of chess he gained an audience. The game was going for well Nathaniel. Elias had been good at chess but Nathaniel was a prodigy. With a smile, Nathaniel dove in feet first.

"You need to name an heir, Elias," Nathaniel declared moving his rook to take Elias' bishop. Elias countered with a pawn. "I do not wish to discuss this matter further, cousin."

Nathaniel returned his attention back to the game. After making his move he began again, "House Buchanan needs you to. Your niece Mary recently had a son. Upton. A sweet child."

"How many times must I say? I do not wish to talk about this." Elias screamed smacking the chess pieces into the fire. Angrily Nathaniel rose, "Then when?" He asked pointing at Elias, "Then when?"

"Thread this path carefully."

"You miss him I understand that. But you are an emperor with a successor. Our family's legacy; all the hard work, suffering, and planning. Your grief threatens to undo it all." Nathaniel walked closer to Elias. Elias was a clear foot taller than Nathaniel.

"If feuding nobles or politicking clergy doesn't undo our legacy then a foreign power will." Elias stood silent. For a moment Nathaniel thought he finally got through to his cousin. At least until Elias punched him.

"Guards," Elias screamed at the top of his lungs. Two guards entered and surveyed the scene. Elias violently gestured to heap of Nathaniel.

"Get him out of my sight," he barked. They collected Nathaniel and stood him up.

"What do you us to do with him?"

"I don't care. Toss him into a cell and forget the key."

He regretted his actions after he calmed down and to this day he wished he would have handled the situation better. If he was not stubborn then that cousin would be alive. He was unsure how death claimed him but when Elias ordered him released they found him dead. As contrition he commissioned a church to be constructed in the Highlands in both Leland's and Nathaniel's honor. The trouble with Brittney began shortly after that.

The hound shot up and her attention focused on the window. She started snarling in that direction. Elias smirked, "Easy. Easy." He placed his hands on his sword.

The young Duke had began overstepping his station. Believing that age had made the Emperor weak, Duke Dreux refused commands and edicts directly to him. After naming Upton his successor did the Duke's actions turn treasonous. France had conspired with Brittney against Burgundy. For aid and troops, France would help them secure their independence. War loomed until Austria entered the picture.

The emperor of the Holy Roman Empire himself requested the alliance. To be honest Elias was shocked when he received the alliance proposal. He considered the Holy Roman Emperor and the empire a rival that one day would have to be destroyed or pacified. Not allied with. While Arcadia had be friends with Flanders since freeing them from Burgundy and with Gelre since defending them from Denmark, that was the extent of his interaction with the Holy Roman Empire. But he had no idea they put forward a formal alliance with the emperor.

With France paralyzed by the Arcadian-Austrian alliance, Elias focused his attention on punishing the fool. While Duke Dreux may keep his life and his title, Brittney would not survive. They will become another part of the empire and fade from the map all together. It was these event that lead Elias to this point.

Elias stood up. "Assassin come out now." A figured emerged from the shadows. Elias took a deep breath and the hound began growl. "I am feeling generous tell me the name of your employer and leave."

The assassin took weapon from behind his back and raced at him. Elias sighed and prepared to defend himself.

The nobles were assembled in Great Hall. There were a few noble that were prepared for the announcement of the emperor's death and their impending appointment to the regent council. TheIr joy and elation reached new heights when the guard entered. He marched with a sense of urgency and up the elevated step. He turned to the assembled nobles as if to deliver news. However, when Elias strolled into the Great Hall as he has done everyday since his coronation, the noble casted worried looks to each other. Some glared angry at one while a few moved away hastily. Nothing was said by anyone. Elias ascended the steps to the throne and sat quietly.

"Bring that filth in," the guard called out. The assassin was dragged in with chains. His clothes were cut in places and dried blood in others. "Last night, his majesty was visited by this assassin. He sought to murder him. He failed." The guard walked down the steps slowly.

"The emperor has promise leniency. If you name your employer or employers. He will not have you executed. You will be exiled to the colonies," he finished as he reached the bottom step.

"If any of you confess, you will receive exile instead of death. Your family will be allowed to remain nobles and keep their dignity. However, if the assassin names you. You will be put to death. Your family titles, fortunes, and lands will be seized and they will be exiled to the colonies."

The nobles exchanged confused glances but remained silent. The guard and the emperor smiled. "Very well. Assassin do you accept the emperor's terms?"

"Yes," was the reply.