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"I don't like it," Zayd complained as the two armed guards ushered him through the streets to the palace.
"It is necessary, Lord Zayd," the guards told him.
"I was visiting the people," Zayd protested. "In times like these, I need to sow good favor for Lord Zaros."
The guard on his left shook his head. "These are orders from Torin. We must take you back to your home."
The setting sun was turning the frozen mountain in the center of Lassar into an orange colossus that radiated across the countryside. It was a spectacle, one that Zayd had grown to appreciate when Lassar had been freed from Lord Rama six years before. A lot changed in the minds of all the people, when they left the mines as free men.
The two guards deposited Zayd in the entrance chamber of his palace. There, Torin, his head of security, met him.
"What's going on, Torin?" Zayd barked. "Can't I be with my people without being dragged away?"
"My apologies, Lord Zayd. However, it was a direct order from Emperor Zaros himself."
Zayd's eyes widened. "From Zaros? What happened?"
"Cormac of Carralangar was assassinated," Torin replied through a dark face. "We assume that the Sons of Raldeir are beginning to target the governors of the cities of the Empire."
Zayd turned away. "Get me Zaros on a commorb, now."
"Yes, Lord." Torin scurried away. "Just for the record," he said before he left the room, "Zaros ordered some more security, so he should be arriving at any time."
Zayd entered his meeting room and reclined into one of the chairs. After a few minutes, Torin returned with a crystal-clear orb. A picture of Zaros's face was floating in the center of it. "Zayd!" he exclaimed as Torin set the ball on the table. "How are you?"
"Fine, as good as you can be in these days," Zayd replied. "Zaros, why did you send me extra security?"
"You needed it, with Cormac's death and all."
"Did you send it to the other leaders as well?"
"Of course! Why?"
22-Jul-2008 17:56:49