[AMALOT EMPIRE, CASTLE AMALOT]
[The Next Morning]
Emperor Malvar opened his eyes as dawn crept reluctantly into the emperor’s private chamber.
A pale light filtered through frost-rimmed window, casting a dim blue glow that made the chamber feel cold…as if snow had somehow managed to bypass the window’s guardian glass.
Despite being spring, in the high north of Amalot it was always cold, especially during the early morning hours.
The emperors great bed dominated the chamber.
It was a throne of its own, a throne made of carved ebony and silk.
The emperor had it made large enough to comfortably accommodate six people.
As the emperor sat up on his bed, he noticed four other figures…young and beautiful naked women draped in a tangled mess of bedsheets and silk linens.
He looked at their faces but couldn’t remember their names, whether they were his wives, concubines, or one-night visitors he could not remember.
It really didn’t matter, not anymore, not to him.
The emperor had known the intimate company of women since he was 14, his first experience was with a young servant girl.
He took her by force, during which he felt an indescribable rush of excitement and conquest.
After that, it became a habit of his to take servant girls for his personal needs whenever and wherever he desired.
By the time he reached 20, he had grown bored of them and sought to find a different kind of enjoyment.
There was a young promising officer in Malvar’s father’s army.
He was a rising star among the officers and had married a beautiful woman from a noble family.
The young wife had radiant golden hair with amber streaks, bright green eyes, soft and creamy complexion, and a voluptuous figured hidden modestly under her elegant garments.
The first time Malvar set eyes on her, he was immediately convinced he wanted her as his own.
For the next eight months, Malvar obsessively orchestrated an intricate plan to frame the young officer for treason, an offense punishable by death.
On the day the officer was executed, Malvar took his widowed wife by force.
That day, Malvar discovered the sweet and intoxicating taste of conquest…the incomparable rush of adrenaline that comes from taking something by force.
It was a concoction of power, triumph, and pleasure…a blissful ecstasy that dominated all other senses.
He wanted more.
In that moment a plan was formed in his mind.
The emperor rose from his bed and put on his royal robe.
A robe of decadent indulgence, silk and embroidered gold and precious gems.
The robe, like the emperor’s castle was one of indulgence filled with ornamental gold and silver statues and decorations.
The air was thick with incense and the scent of crushed lotus petals.
The melody of musicians playing could be heard in the distance.
There was once a time he enjoyed the sound of music and the sweet fragrance of incense…but that was long ago.
He no longer noticed such things.
He made his way to the great hall and sat slumped on his throne.
Emperor Malvar was not old, barely 200, his hair still gleamed like polished obsidian with occasional silver highlights that added wisdom to his countenance. You are reading on novelping(.)com, the official source.
His body, softened by years of indulgence, retained a shadow of the man who had once been formidable.
His eyes, however, held the look of someone in perpetual boredom…they were the eyes of someone who had lived too long and found life wanting.
A trained servant promptly arrived with a goblet of jeweled crystal filled with the finest mead.
The emperor lifted the goblet and swirled the content inside.
It was a fine vintage, one that he once held as his favorite, one prepared exclusively for him.
Now it tasted like nothing.
Malvar sat on his throne thinking of his youth.
He was not destined for the throne, the had many other brothers and sisters in-line for such a prestigious position.
In addition, his father was still a young man…barely 160 years old.
Over a span of twenty years, Malvar orchestrated the assassination and elimination of all his brothers and sisters.
Some by clever accidents, drowning, falls, poisons, beast attacks, failed monster hunts…others by direct assassinations.
On the day the last heir to the throne was buried, Malvar’s father summoned him to the throne room.
The room was dimly lit and empty except for the emperor sitting on the throne.
His sword rested comfortably on his lap.
“When I was your age, I challenged by father to a duel and took the crown from him.
I think it’s time we settle this.” The emperor said emotionless as he drew his sword.
In a quick lounge, the emperor struck with lethal force.
Malvar easily countered the strike and laughed joyfully.
He felt an indescribable ecstasy and euphoria as his sword clashed against his father’s sword in this deadly dance of steel and will.
The stakes were high.
The winner would take all, while the loser would forfeit his life.
Malvar was younger, at 40 years of age he was physically fit but lacked experience in battle.
His father, now 180 years old, was capable and skilled with a sword but had grown fat and soft from years of indulgence.
“You fight well…but tell me, why do you covet my throne?
What plans drive you?” The King asked.
“Does it matter?” The younger man replied coldly as the two fighters circled one another.
“You are wasting your time.
The true prize is Avalor.
The King of Avalor is in possession of a rare and powerful stone…one with the power to open door-ways to other worlds!
Imagine what we could do…what we could accomplish with such power!” The older man exclaimed.
The old man had spent his entire life preparing for the largest military campaign in history…aimed at conquering Avalor.
He could not afford to lose this duel for he had too much to lose…and too much to live for.
As the battle dragged on, the emperor grew slower and sluggish.
Malvar took his time enjoying the fight, inflicting shallow cuts and enjoying seeing his defenseless father reduced to a pitiful state.
After a prolonged torture, Malvar removed his father’s head, ending his life and reign as emperor.
To celebrate his ascension to the throne of Amalot, that night Malvar wore his father’s robe, drank mead from his goblet, slept on his bed, in his chamber, and took his father’s favorite wife as his mistress.
All that was ancient history now.
To avoid making the same mistake as his father, Malvar executed any wife, concubine, mistress, or woman who became impregnated by him.
Thus, ensuring that Malvar would never have children who would one day challenge him to the throne.
Emperor Malvar rose from his throne and walked past the rose scented water fountains, past tables filled with a variety of fine fruits, aged cheeses, and spiced meats.
He stepped onto the balcony overlooking the city.
Below him, the city pulsed like a heartbeat.
Shouts from vendors, traders, children playing, and soldiers drilling could be heard.
The world below moved with a frantic furry driven by purpose.
He envied them.
The fire in his blood that he once felt was long extinguished.
Once he had eliminated all his brothers and sisters becoming the sole heir to the throne.
Once he had defeated his father in a duel, rightfully taking the crown as his own.
Once he had led a collation of Kingdoms against Avalor crushing it in a thrilling and decisive victory.
Staring into the horizon, he thought, “is this all there is?
Feasts, flesh, and finery?
Is there nothing more?
Why then does my heart starve for more?”
Behind him, a voice spoke ending the silence.
“My Liege, our spies in Camarax were discovered and executed.
The King has signed a treaty with Avalor.
We have limited information, but it appears the two are in contact with Baleon.” Chief Counselor Dorne said with a fearful tone.
‘What a pity.
To be surrounded by idiots, incapable of handling a single assassination.
Then there is General Valyrio…the one man brazen enough to look me in the eye.
He never says it, but I know what he is thinking.
He thinks me unworthy of the throne.
He thinks me beneath him.
Maybe I should have him executed.
He has long served his purpose…but with war on the horizon, perhaps its best to keep him alive for a bit longer, then execute him.’ Malvar thought.
“My Liege, what are your orders?” The old counselor asked.
“Summon General Valyrio and prepare the army for war.” Emperor Malvar said flatly.