Chapter 39

　　"Are you truly prescient?" Kal asked, his mind overcome by the deluge of surprises the Emperor unleashed on him so quickly. He had always thought the future wasn`t set, that fate was a make-believe concept, but the man before him turned that notion on its head.

　　Aurelius chuckled at the comment, his blue eyes filled with amusement.

　　"Hardly. The future is as immutable to you as it is to me. But with enough information, intelligence and experience, you can read its flow with quite a bit of accuracy. When you`re my age, with access to vast troves of knowledge, predicting events becomes simpler. It helps that I always had a talent for understanding human nature." The Emperor replied, folding his hands on his lap as he judged the young man before him.

　　"For example, I knew you would grow up into a fine young man from the moment I first laid eyes on you as a child, and I was proven correct. Do you remember when your Grandfather brought you to Terra?" Aurelius asked.

　　Kal recalled the trip. He had been five or six when they had travelled by Starship to this planet. The Emperor wasn`t the weak and wizened figure he was now while he sat on his throne. He hadn`t thought he had drawn any attention to himself, not enough to have his character judged.

　　"I do. Grandfather said it was a reward for doing well in my studies." Kal replied.

　　"A small fib on his part. In truth, I asked him to bring you here. Some people say you can`t evaluate a person`s potential and character as a child, but that is merely because they lack the ability to do so. I believe that the foundations of your character are determined much earlier than people realize."

　　"I don`t understand." Kal stated, frowning. Why would the Emperor have wanted to meet him when he was younger? To everyone`s knowledge, he didn`t stand to inherit the Ducal title for hundreds of years.

　　"I thought it was rather obvious. Your Grandfather had petitioned me to disallow your father the title, skipping him and granting it to you instead. We both knew that Emerick Caledon would be a disaster as Duke. Emeritus aimed to prevent that from happening. Of course, I refused." Aurelius explained, waving away the notion.

　　"Wait. You mean you could have done it? You could have prevented the Rebellion, the deaths, the war?" Kal whispered, too stunned to notice he had stopped breathing.

　　"Easily."

　　"Then why!? I lost everything! My family, my world! Five hundred years of torture for nothing!" Kal choked out, standing from his chair and pacing. He ran his hands through his hair, squeezing his eyes shut as the world rocked around him. He had never felt so betrayed in his life.

　　"Tell me, Kalen, if I told you that you could save the lives of every person on Caledon and the dozens of inhabited planets surrounding it simply by going home and renouncing your title. Would you?"

　　"In a heartbeat," Kal replied, calming momentarily and turning to look at the seated monarch.

　　"And what if, in doing so, trillions of others died so that you could live in peace and safety?" Aurelius continued. Kal was at a loss. He would never put others in danger to keep himself secure and happy.

　　"Everything we do has consequences. Our actions ripple across the galaxy. What would the outcome be if I had removed your father before he assumed his title?

　　"Would I be called Tyrant` and Despot` for my actions? Would a coalition form, using your father as a figurehead, to pull me down and take my place? Rebellion was brewing in the Galaxy, whether your father was the catalyst or another. Some events can only have their effects diminished, not prevented." Aurelius mused, observing Kal`s reaction.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

　　"My imprisonment&." Kal wondered aloud.

　　"A necessary evil. We do not punish the child for the sins of the father. But if I had not, you would never have survived for us to have this conversation. Some wounds never heal, no matter how much time passes. But they fade, and you learn to live with them. Sparing you would have done you no favours. Better five hundred years in stasis than the alternative."

　　"Milord, why are you telling me this? Why did you even care to spare me at all?" Kal asked, confused.

　　"Perhaps it is an old man`s whim. Or perhaps there will come a day when I will call on you, Kalen Caledon, to assist me. I see such potential in you, as I did your grandfather when he was a boy. All of us are unique and talented in our own way, some more than others. The masses think that it is your genetics and breeding that make you a Noble. But there is something more."

　　"Such as?" Kale asked, unsure as to what the Emperor was referring to.

　　"That is the question, isn`t it, Baron? And the answer will come another day. For now, to the matter at hand. You have come to settle the Tithe and petition me on behalf of Caledon and the surrounding planets. I have received your offer and declare it to be suitable. Your debt is clear." Aurelius said, patting the case gently with his right hand.

　　"Now, I believe you have something to ask?" The Emperor urged, a small smile on his face as he bowed to the necessity of protocol. He already knew the reason for Kal`s visit, but the words must be spoken.

　　Drawing himself upright, Kal took a deep breath before speaking.

　　"Milord, I ask your leave to secure the space around Caledon, to protect the people and eradicate the criminals and brigands preying on the citizenry. I will assemble a security force in your name with your permission." Kal stated, his tone formal.

　　"I have heard your request and shall grant it under two conditions." The Emperor replied. His smile faded, his tone and face becoming severe. For a moment, he appeared strong and resilient to Kal as he did five hundred years before.

　　"First, you will assemble this force on your own, through no assistance of the Imperial Guard. They will report directly to you. You will be responsible for their outfitting, administration and command." Aurelius ordered.

　　"Understood." Kal nodded.

　　He could finally enforce Imperial Law on the planets surrounding Caledon. Although some would see it as a burden, it freed him from the bureaucratic control the Empire was so fond of.

　　It would also mean that he would be in control of the ongoing security of the Sector after this threat was eliminated unless the Emperor ordered otherwise.

　　"Secondly, you will personally lead these security forces." Aurelius finished.

　　Kal was slightly taken aback by this demand. He would be required to lead forces into combat, not from Caledon. It was something he didn`t feel ready to do.

　　"Is that wise?" Kal asked tentatively, wary of offending the Emperor.

　　"You`ve had some training in these matters, yes? I have always found that the best way to learn is by doing, which your grandfather also agreed with. Think of it as a form of education, an alternative to the time you would have spent learning here on Terra." Aurelius said, his tone making it clear he would not be dissuaded.

　　"Yes, Milord." Kal agreed.

　　"Good. I have faith in you, Kalen. You need to have some in yourself. I believe your shuttle is waiting for you to return to your Starship. The hovercar is expecting you at the Palace entrance. I trust you can find your own way back?" Aurelius said, waving his hand gently in dismissal.

　　Kal stood, giving a deep bow, before leaving the Emperor. Once he was out of sight, Aurelius spoke.

　　"You can stop skulking, Samuel. I can hear you breathing. It makes the cloak useless if you can`t be quieter than that." The Emperor said, picking up an orange and peeling the rind with his nail.

　　"Apologies, Milord." The man said, appearing from a few feet away as the concealment cloaking field faded.

　　"What are your thoughts on the boy?" He finished peeling the orange before popping a section into his mouth, enjoying the sweet juice as he chewed. Holding out his hand, he waited until Samuel took a piece before placing the remainder on his plate and wiping his hand on a napkin.

　　"Intelligent and kind. Very young. What do you see?" Samuel replied, shrugging his shoulder as he sat at the table.

　　"The future. When the time comes, you will make sure to protect him?" Aurelius asked, staring intently at his Herald.

　　"Like he was my own," Samuel replied.

　　"Good. Good. It`s amusing, in a way. I have much to do and must place my faith in so few. Over two thousand years, and now there isn`t enough time. When his trial ends, have him come back to see me."

　　"Of course."