The Hall of Ascepus was built after Denryn the Regnivore violently absorbed six of the ten other kingdoms on the northernmost continent of Vermachor.
Ascepus was the last fort that stood between Denryn and his ambition. Brathen, Lothaine, and Avelin mounted a joint defence aiming to stop Denryn's advance to the west of Damattis.
But it was too late.
Denryn's forces, red-hot from their triumph over Celmora, won a hard-fought victory that culminated in Denryn setting the fort ablaze.
As a sign of his triumph, Denryn would build a grand hall where the council of Kings would meet.
The Hall of Ascepus, he named it. A reminder of their loss one hundred and fifty odd-years ago.
The hall served the purpose of collecting taxes. It also acted as the center for all diplomatic relations among the six kingdoms. Nothing was spared to make the hall as grand as it was.
And today, it would be the host of a vital meeting.
Seated in a gold and crimson painted room were seven figures of varying age. Six of them sat at the long end of the rectangular table, while one man sat alone on the opposite side.
On the beautiful blue-coloured marble table were glasses of wine and figurines of seals. The marble chairs offered no extra comfort, as though to put everyone on their toes.
"Good morrow my dear friends, shall we begin?" Daemon Clovis broke the silence as he greeted them.
"First we'll discuss what transpired at the Damattis Noble Academy, then move on to other issues." Daemon continued, most of the vassal kings' fists tightening at his words.
"It was but a regretful event. Maybe avoidable too." King Eldric Falkryn of Brathen was the first to speak. His words were laced with bitterness.
"Surely you're not implying Damattis is involved, are you?" Lord Henrius Merovant replied.
The King of Lothaine, who only recently celebrated his eighty-second birthday, was stubborn and refused to abdicate to his sixty-five-year-old son.
"Surely not. I'll have anyone who speaks ill against the heart of our empire gelded." King Eldric replied, his youthful presence belied his centuries-old life.
"What say the rest of you?" Daemon questioned, his wandering crimson eyes scanning the silent kings.
"Dornwick would be sending more grains to Damattis as a sign of our eternal loyalty. We find ourselves in a precarious position since we're the closest Kingdom to that devilish alliance" Oswald Blaran said, his countenance mirroring the poor state of his kingdom.
He was famously known as the 'Fierce Coward'. Blaran's reputation suggested that he was unpredictable.
"I assure you Most High, Celmora would have notified you of any threats from our island, if there were any of course" The fifty-three-year-old father-in-law to the Emperor proclaimed. His presence was rivalled only by his strength.
"Thank you, Father." Daemon replied as he gave a bright smile to Aurellan Borewyn.
King Aurellan was the richest of the six kings. He gained wealth through his control of the most profitable channels on the sea.
"My Emperor, it would seem most of us would like to dodge the question and prove innocence. I would like to propose a task force to carefully investigate all of us." Prince Matteau Bellamere of Avelin said, his voice carried more pain than the others.
"A fine proposal, but alas you're not even a king. Where is your father? Has he finally lost his wit?" King Eldric remarked, quickly dismissing Matteau's suggestion.
"And what say you young Alaric? You have an equal right to speak regardless of your age." Daemon said as he beckoned on the young King to speak.
"Each of us lost our countrymen in that explosion. Children of nobles they all were, some of them children of our friends and close allies. The assault was undoubtedly spearheaded by the southern alliance. Even though it is possible for one of us to have given a helping hand" King Alaric's words rang in the silent room, leaving all heads bowed in thought.
They were words of what were already known, but the delivery was what made the difference.
"Young Alaric speaks true words, no wonder Varholt has continued to flourish" Emperor Daemon said, as he praised the young king and additionally offering his smile.
"If only the High Prince Emon could emulate him" King Eldric said as he gave Alaric a look of approval.
"I hear young Caster has no ambition either" Henrius Merovant remarked as he removed a strand of hair impeding his sight.
The atmosphere of the meeting was rather bright as compared to what outsiders might have perceived.
Daemon on the other hand had behaved in a way that could be seen as a sign of weakness. The kings would not miss this detail.
"My liege, what about the issue with the Principal of the Academy?" King Eldric asked.
"He'll be executed by noon" Daemon replied, his face saddened at the mention of Lord Paschal.
"To think you would execute a close person yourself. How saddening" The King of Dornwick, Oswald Blaran remarked as he gave a probing look at the Emperor.
"Who knows? Maybe Candor would even do it in my place." Daemon responded, his hands visibly shaking.
"But tis Damattis' culture for the Emperor to carry out the decapitation himself. No?" King Eldric spoke out loudly then scanned the kings with a surprised look.
This was the first council Daemon had attended since his father, Zenor Clovis died five years ago. Daemon had no real reason to call the council until this time.
As the heir he was always confident. But perhaps, in a locked room with men of very high stature, his back may start to slouch.
"A surprise. But entirely within your right to not follow traditions" King Eldric said, his young face slightly showing happiness.
"Very well then, since the matter of the academy seems settled, I'd like to announce that my heir's tourney won't hold."
"At such a time, feasting and jousting would only show us as lacking sympathy. You made the right choice my liege" King Aurellan said, then picked his seal from the table.
"Let us go then my kings. As always you can stay at Damattis for as long as you like." Daemon said then stood up to leave.
A few meters beside the door was Candor waiting. His black hair contrasted the white wall he rested the back of his head on.
"So how was it?" Candor asked telepathically.
"Tell them to be on high alert, just as we discussed," without giving Candor a straight answer, Daemon replied.
"They would definitely love to pass bread for meat. A fine choice." Candor replied, as if already knowing Daemon's intentions.
"Send for Emon and Caster, I'll have words with them." Daemon said as he used a handkerchief to clean a bead of sweat on his face.
"That sweat of yours does have benefits from time to time" Candor said, as he followed behind the now walking Daemon.
"I don't mind. Most people have worse conditions" Daemon said, as he threw the handkerchief into a waste bin.
"You definitely could have had it worse" Candor replied.
"Could you go ahead of me, I'll be travelling home" Daemon said as he prepared to use his divine trait.
"Alright then, run along to Sabella's side." Candor said as he smiled at Daemon.
"Fool" Daemon said in a joking manner.
Daemon always had to visualise the flame he was going to travel through. It was as though his body burned and was rearranged later after successfully traveling.
Candor looked on as his friend deserted him for the comfort of his wife's embrace.
"Maybe it's time for me to marry too. But that would leave me with less time to clean Daemon's shit" he said as he walked down the stairs of the hall of Ascepus in loneliness.
The flame crackled and like something burning in reverse, Daemon appeared.
The Emperor's chamber was mostly painted in gold and red, the furniture had a tinge of brilliance that was mostly brought to life by the addition of rare earth metals. It was a very large room with artworks and paintings of the past emperors.
Just like Emon's room, the temperature was cold, but was quickly evened upon Daemon's arrival.
"I am sending Emon and Caster on a mission" Daemon said as he took off his crown and placed it on a figurine on a table.
"Why? And where, my love?" she asked as she approached the Emperor while holding two cups in her hands.
"My spies informed me of someone similar to Pexitor" Daemon replied, his eyes seemingly down.
"Daemon no!" Sabella protested agitatedly.
"I have no choice, I can only trust my heir and wife. Not even Caster would be given full details" Daemon said, as he held her hands in hopes of comforting her.
"What if our enemies find them first?" Sabella asked Daemon with a curious look.
"I'm sorry, I don't know" Daemon said in a pained voice.
"It can't be helped then. But what about you, you're burning up Daemon" Sabella said, her hand placed on her husband's forehead to check his temperature.
"I think I'm too excited for what is about to happen" Daemon said, his eyes wet with anticipation.
"Then let me calm you, let's make that anticipation not turn to anxiety" Sabella said as she kissed her husband on the lips.
The two of them continued to engage in intimate activities which further escalated as clothes were swiftly thrown wherever.
By merely just being together, Daemon and Sabella brought warmth to each other through their divine trait. But when their bodies met, that warmth escalated to the highest level of calm.
------
The Emperor's door thudded as Emon knocked. Now lying side by side with his wife, the Emperor sat up and looked at the door without zeal.
"It's Emon and Caster, Father" Emon said as he increased the intensity.
"I'm coming." Daemon replied, then left his bed and proceeded to open the door.
Both of them wore curious looks as expected. After all, their summons was quite unexpected.
"Good afternoon, Father. A-a-and Mother" Emon greeted his father but was surprised to also see his mother in the room.
"You should wait outside Caster" Daemon said, his half naked body drenched in sweat.
"Yes Father." Caster answered as he immediately took his leave.
"I am going to send you on a mission, you will have no objections and make no remarks. Got it?" Daemon said as he directed Emon to a sitting area.
Daemon talked for quite a lot of time. As ordered, Emon spoke no words. Perhaps, the gravity of the words spoken was enough to keep him silent.
He had a face of confusion and disgust at what he heard. What his ancestors did and what he must do.
All of it culminated in the young Prince's body vibrating. Now he knew why Caster was excluded and why only both of them could possibly know.
"You have until tomorrow morning." Daemon said to Emon.
He held Emon's hand to stop Emon's vibrating body. Then placed him in a sleeping position on a couch.
"You can sleep here tonight, Emon" Daemon said calmly as he stroked Emon's golden hair.
In just the last week, Emon had faced adversity that revealed more about himself to him. He always thought some things had to be done out of necessity.
But now, faced with practical circumstances, he saw his unreadiness staring him in the face.
Sabella's teary eyes, Daemon's gloomy voice and Emon's minor seizure painted a picture unbefitting of the imperial house.