Chapter9.5:The Eclipse of the Crown
The heavy oak doors of the Emperor's study groaned as Lady Seraphina pushed them open. Her breath was hitched, her face pale.
"Your Majesty," she whispered, rushing to his desk. "The High Priest's mask has finally fallen. Saintess Eveline was in the cloisters—she overheard the council. They are declaring a 'Holy Empire.' They plan to dissolve the throne and brand your bloodline as 'divinely discarded' at dawn."
The Emperor stood, his eyes blazing with a cold, imperial fury. "A Holy Empire? He would burn our history to feed his own god-complex." He looked at her urgently. "And Alaric?"
"He is already inside the Temple, Sire. He has secretly gathered his most loyal subordinates in the lower levels, searching for the ledgers of the Priest's treachery. He is waiting for your signal to strike."
The Emperor reached for his imperial seal, but his hand suddenly spasmed. He looked down at the silver chalice on his desk—the "blessed" wine sent by the High Priest. A sickening realization crossed his face as he slumped back into his chair, clutching his chest.
"Sire!" Seraphina lunged forward to catch him as he tumbled toward the floor. "Help! Guards!"
"No..." the Emperor wheezed, his hand clamping over her mouth with the last of his strength. Dark, poisoned veins were already snaking up his neck. With his other hand, he fumbled for a small golden bell on the underside of his desk and rang it—a secret cadence.
From the shadows of the heavy velvet curtains, Killian appeared instantly, his blade already drawn. He froze at the sight of the Emperor on the floor.
"Killian..." the Emperor gasped, his voice a broken rattle. "The High Priest... he is coming. If Seraphina is found here, he will frame her for my murder. He will make her the villain of his 'Holy Empire'."
"Your Majesty, we can still get a physician—" Killian began, but the Emperor grabbed the soldier's cloak.
"There is no time! That is an imperial order!" The Emperor coughed, blood staining his lips. "Killian... take her. Get her out through the tunnels. Find Alaric in the temple vaults. Tell him the signal is 'Eclipse.' Protect her... she is the only witness to the truth."
"No! I won't leave you!" Seraphina sobbed, struggling against Killian's grip as the warrior stepped forward to pull her away.
"Go!" the Emperor commanded, his voice a final, haunting whisper.
As Killian forced Seraphina toward the hidden passage behind the tapestry, the rhythmic thud-clack of the High Priest's iron-tipped cane reached the study doors. The Emperor slumped against the mahogany desk, his eyes drifting shut just as the heavy doors began to turn.
Killian didn't look back. He hauled Seraphina into the darkness of the stone tunnels, the sound of the High Priest's "discovery" scream echoing behind them as the trap was finally sprung.