The Black Necromancer



Roughly at the same time Andrew and his crew arrived at the capital, Vera also arrived within the palace. With a flash of light, she appeared within a special room underneath the palace. A bracelet around her wrist glowed with warm golden light.

"My daughter, welcome back." Alvar came forward. He had a warm and loving smile as he engulfed Vera in a tight hug. "How was your trip? Did it meet your expectations?"

"My trip was fine, father. I traveled a lot and met a lot of people. Half the time, I was more worried about you, though." Vera sighed as she stepped back from the embrace.

"Me? Haha! What do you have to worry about? I will always be fine. There is almost no one in this world that can harm me." Alvar laughed.

"No one but yourself." Vera gave the man a knowing look. In her eyes, he was not en emperor, but a man that was broken. He had been broken ever since her mother was killed. Killed by none other than a half breed Elf.

"I have told you many times, Vera. Do not worry about me. I am doing fine. Instead, worry about yourself, you are the one in danger when I am not there. I have given you enough leeway because you have strong guards around you. Where are Justin and Jaiz? I told them never to leave your side!" Alvar looked behind Vera, his forehead creasing into a frown.

"I dismissed them, father. Don't worry, they are resting now." Vera grabbed hold of her father's hands. She chuckled in her heart, as Alvar had no idea that the two A rank guards were her supporters.

"Ah, I see. I would have handed down some serious punishment. Tell me, have they done well?" Alvar looked at Vera with a critical look. He was truly concerned for her wellbeing. If it was not for Vera being over seventy years old, and also possessing considerable strength on her own, unlike his late wife, he would have locked her up in her room and never let her leave the palace.

"Father, there are more important matters at hand than my singular safety right now. We need to talk." Vera said seriously.

"Nonsense! There is nothing more important than your own safety. Do not speak such words ever again!" Alvar's voice grew in pitch and his aura flared out, hitting Vera right in the face. She staggered back and held up her hand to project a golden barrier that blocked the sheer might of Alvar's aura.

When Alvar saw that he had hurt Vera, he instantly held back, a look of regret and remorse overcoming him.

"My baby girl, please forgive me." He rushed forward, but was met by a firm hand from Vera that stopped him mid-step.

"Father, stop. We have more important things to talk about. Vera completely ignored his outburst and brought up her earlier words. It was as if she was already used to similar outburst from her father.

Alvar at least had the awareness to be ashamed of his outburst, but like Vera asked, he did not bring it up.

"You are right. There are more important things to discuss. I just finished a meeting with the High Council some time before you returned. We have decided to meet this act of violence shown off by the rebels with equivalent force!" Alvar told Vera the decision that had been agreed on during the council meeting.

"Overwhelming force? Is that any different from before? This is the reason why they have resorted to using force as well!" Vera argued.

"Daughter-"

"-Don't 'daughter' me! Father, what has been the punishment for rebels even before this? Before any of this ridiculous standoff?" Vera cut her father short and asked.

"...Public Execution." Alvar said.

"They never had a choice but to resort to violence!" Vera hit the iron while it was hot. If you won't give them a chance or lesser punishment, then why should they set down their arms? Of course they would rather go out, guns blazing and all!" She rolled her eyes.

"Please, Vera. Let us not talk about all this drama. You already know my stance on this matter." Alvar held up a hand to stop her tirade and pressed his other hand to his temple. They had gone over this same argument thousands of times after Vera had reached her teenage years.

"Oh, you would rather block your ears and look the other way, hoping things turn out alright? Well, let me tell you this. Your decisions have sent our empire into war!" Vera hissed with her hands on her hips.

"It was not my sold decision!" Alvar barked. "The entire Council decided on it!"

"And your voice was one of the supporters when you meted out punishment to the rebels." Vera sighed and folded her arms.

"THEY KILLED YOUR MOTHER!!!" Alvar roared, his aura bursting out once more, but this time, Vera was prepared.

"I know that! I do! I loved her too, but there is nothing we can do! You need to learn to get over your grudge! The actions of one Elf with impure blood does not speak for their entire people!"

"Vera, that's enough. None of this again! None of it! I want you in your room until I ask for your presence!" Alvar said, his tone firm and strong.

"Very well, then. Until you need me." Vera had expected this response and bowed her head slightly, holding onto the sides of her gown before walking past Alvar and away from the underground room, leaving the old man cold, angry and silent.

As she left, the corners of her lips twitched. She had already plotted most of the argument before hand. She knew her father too well.

'The old man doesn't want to change his ways. It seems there is no going back from this.' She sighed in her heart. 'Forgive me, mother. There is no other choice but to do this. He is far too gone. Perhaps when he comes to meet you, you can speak some sense into his mind.'

As Vera spoke within her mind, a silhouette of an elven woman appeared behind her and embraced her.