The Habit of the Emperor Read online

  THE HABIT OF

  THE EMPEROR

  BOOK THREE OF THE HABIT TRILOGY

  JJ MORIARTY

  Copyright © 2018 JJ Moriarty

  All rights reserved.

  The Habit Trilogy

  The Habit of the Sorcerer

  The Habit of the Kingmaker

  The Habit of the Emperor

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  CHAPTER ONE

  Those large eyes, so like Safia’s, stared right up at Hyzou. Hyzou smiled, trying to get some reaction. The baby just kept staring.

  “He won’t sleep if you don’t leave him”, Safia whispered.

  “Does he need to sleep?” Hyzou asked.

  “Cressa said he hasn’t slept all day. He’s getting tired”, Safia said.

  Hyzou looked away from his son.

  “I’ll leave him alone then”, Hyzou said.

  Hyzou went over and sat on the wooden bench beside Safia. She rested her head on his shoulder, took his hand in her own.

  “Look, a parrot”, Hyzou said.

  The yellow bird had landed on the edge of the balcony of their bedroom. He stayed there for a minute in the Autumn evening air, scanning around, before he flew off again.

  “They nest somewhere in the Palace”, Safia said.

  “They’re beautiful”, Hyzou said.

  “I like watching them, whenever I can”, Safia said.

  Hyzou looked at Safia. The light fell upon the outline of her face, on a small scar by her brow, on her eyes, dazed and unfocused while she thought.

  Hyzou raised his right finger and gently brushed Safia’s cheek. Her skin was warm.

  She snapped out of her thoughts. Looked straight at Hyzou.

  “What happened?” Safia asked.

  Hyzou took her head and placed it against his chest.

  “How were the horses?” Hyzou asked.

  “They’ll be ready”, Safia said. “We’ve hardly lost any foals from the summer.”

  Safia took her nails and began scratching the skin lightly along Hyzou’s thigh.

  “That’s soothing”, Hyzou said.

  “I add more and more foals every day. I just wish I knew when they had to be ready”, Safia said.

  Hyzou kissed her shaved scalp.

  “I wish I knew too. The silence is killing me”, Hyzou said.

  “You seem tense”, Safia said.

  “I’m always tense. It helps being with you, and Hetep”, Hyzou said.

  “And these two”, Safia said.

  With that, Safia took Hyzou’s left hand and placed it on Safia’s stomach.

  “They’re happy to meet you”, Safia said.

  “Can you feel them move?” Hyzou asked.

  Safia shook her head.

  “But I know they will”, Safia said.

  “I’ll have tomorrow evening free too”, Hyzou said. “Maybe we could go to the theatre.”

  “They’re playing the Fall of Lorikuy again”, Safia said.

  “A few months ago, Piqueans were starving, I think I’ll forgive them repeating their shows a few times while they get used to things like theatres again”, Hyzou said.

  “That’d be nice then, let’s go”, Safia said. “If you can make it, that is.”

  “You know I don’t want to be busy all day”, Hyzou said.

  “I know, I know, doing your duty as always”, Safia said.

  Hyzou squeezed her hand.

  “Are you mocking me?” Hyzou said.

  “No, you’re Hyzou of Nuyin. The chosen one. The fate of Sira Su rests on your shoulders and yours alone. We only live because you sacrifice so much for us”, Safia said.

  “You’re mocking me”, Hyzou said.

  “Just a little bit”, Safia said.

  Hyzou kissed her. He placed his lips against hers and put his tongue in her mouth.

  Safia returned the kiss. She placed both her arms around his neck, rested her left leg over Hyzou’s right.

  He had missed this, the warmth of her breath against his cheek, the taste of her small lips against his, the press of her chest against his own. Her hand was light, resting against Hyzou’s neck.

  “You’re everything I’ve ever wanted”, Hyzou said.

  Safia didn’t bother to reply. She just kissed him again, began to undo his grey cloak, and let it fall to the floor beside the bench. She removed the brooch from the linen top he was wearing. Pulled it down to expose his scarred chest.

  Knock, knock, knock.

  “Your Majesty, my apologies”, Gemenfkon said.

  Hyzou pulled away from the kiss and sighed.

  “What is it?” Hyzou said.

  Safia was looking at the ground, waiting for him to be done.

  “Apologies again, but it is urgent, Your Majesty”, Gemenfkon said.

  “Urgent how?” Hyzou said.

  “A messenger just arrived to Piquea. A messenger from the north, from Pharaoh Ganymedes”, Gemenfkon said.

  Hyzou scowled, annoyed.

  “It’s ok, go”, Safia said.

  Hyzou sighed.

  “Gemenfkon, come in”, Hyzou said.

  Gemenfkon opened the door, then did a double take when he saw Hyzou without his top on.

  “Forgive me, Your Majesty”, Gemenfkon said.

  “That’s quite alright. Go, prepare my ceremonial armour”, Hyzou said.

  “I will, Your Majesty”, Gemenfkon said.

  Hyzou turned back to Safia.

  “You should come with me”, Hyzou said.

  “I can’t I…” Safia began.

  “Don’t tell me it’s not your place. It’s your place. You’re a Servant of Qi and a Queen”, Hyzou said.

  Safia looked down at her clothes.

  “I’ll need to get changed”, Safia said. “Formal dress?”

  “Just go as a Servant of Qi”, Hyzou said. “The grey robes and the grey cloak.”

  “Really? Do you think that’ll be sufficient?” Safia said.

  “Anyone can wear beautiful gowns, only one who has earned the grey may wear it. It’s more than sufficient”, Hyzou said.

  “I’m going to go and get dressed”, Safia said.

  Hyzou watched her leave, then got up to go to his own room. On the way out, he passed Hetep’s cradle and looked over. Hetep was fast asleep, chest rising and falling, his hands balled into tiny fists.

  Gemenfkon was waiting in Hyzou’s chambers.

  “It’s been months since our victory, and only now we hear something from Lamybla”, Hyzou said.

  “I know the wait has been most stressful for you, Your Majesty”, Gemenfkon said. “You must be relieved.”

  Hyzou was stripping.

  “Relieved? No. Because it means war’s coming, and I think someday soon I’ll wish for days like today”, Hyzou said.

  Gemenfkon began to help Hyzou put on his armour.
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  “Wise, Your Majesty, and I agree. It’s good to cherish peace”, Gemenfkon said.

  Hyzou put his iron breastplate on, and Gemenfkon secured it.

  “Are you certain you wouldn’t prefer something more ceremonial?” Gemenfkon asked.

  “I told you before. I’m a general, and I’ll dress as one. This nation is at war and so I’ll dress like a soldier”, Hyzou said.

  “Whatever you wish, Your Majesty”, Gemenfkon said.

  “Who is this messenger, in any case?” Hyzou said.

  “I don’t know, sir, I only heard that he is talking with Archaier Vorska on the entrance’s balcony”, Gemenfkon said.

  “Very well”, Hyzou said.

  Dressed, Hyzou left his room. Safia was standing outside waiting for him, dressed in grey robes and a grey cloak.

  “Are you ready?” Safia asked.

  “Yes. The messenger is on the entrance’s balcony”, Hyzou said.

  “Did you meet him before? When you were in Lamybla?” Safia asked.

  “Gemenfkon didn’t mention who it was”, Hyzou said.

  “I wonder why the Pharaoh’s broken the silence”, Safia said.

  “He’s invading soon”, Hyzou said.

  “I’m scared”, Safia said.

  “I won’t let them harm him. Or you”, Hyzou said.

  “I don’t need your protection. The last time we went into combat together I seem to remember you being mortally wounded and me saving your life”, Safia said.

  “Maybe you’ll just surprise the Pharaoh to death”, Hyzou said.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Safia said.

  “Because it’s the only way you’ve won any fights in the past”, Hyzou said.

  Safia smacked his shoulder. They had reached the door that led to the entrance’s balcony.

  Piquean soldiers stood on either side of the door as guards, but beside them were sixteen men that weren’t Piquean soldiers. These men were very heavily armoured, almost every part of their body covered with bronze. They carried khopesh only, no spears.

  Lamyblans. Hyzou thought.

  “The envoy awaits you outside, Your Majesty”, one of the Piquean guards said.

  He opened the heavy door outwards then stepped aside to let Hyzou exit. Hyzou did so.

  The balcony, which stood over the entrance to the Palace’s main hall, was simply furnished. There was nothing but ten riverreed stools up here.

  Only two of the stools were occupied. Archaier Vorska was busy speaking to a serving girl sitting beside her.

  “Where’s the messenger?” Hyzou said.

  Archaier Vorska stood and bowed to Hyzou.

  “Your Majesty, meet Kyria Iset, who serves at the side of Pharaoh Ganymedes as his Vizier”, Vorska said.

  The woman Hyzou had imagined was a serving girl stood, and then Hyzou saw. She removed her hood and smiled.

  “Hyzou of Nuyin”, Iset said.

  “Iset”, Hyzou said.

  “I’m glad you recognise me”, Iset said.

  “I’ve seen women with your face before”, Hyzou said.

  “You don’t know how long I’ve wanted to make this happen”, Iset said.

  “What?” Safia said.

  “Safia, meet Iset”, Hyzou said.

  They embraced forearms.

  “Pharaoh Ganymedes sent me south because I’m one of the very few people he trusts to represent his will”, Iset said. “And because I’m Hyzou’s cousin.”

  Safia’s mouth was agape.

  “Did you know about her?” Safia asked.

  “That she was my cousin? Yes”, Hyzou said.

  “Yet you didn’t tell me?” Safia said. “That at the right hand of our enemy is your cousin.”

  “I sense that you two are closer than mere advisor and King”, Iset said.

  “Hyzou here is the Emperor of Piquea and Uqing, and Safia is his Queen”, Vorska said.

  “Sorry, I called you a King, not an Emperor”, Iset said. “I mean you the fullest of respect.”

  Iset bowed a little. She was beautiful, and the more Hyzou looked at her, the more his stomach squirmed.

  “You look like you’ve seen a ghost, Your Majesty”, Iset said.

  “My sister”, Hyzou said.

  “I understand”, Iset said. “Had you many?”

  “Two died as babies, one survived just slightly younger than me”, Hyzou said.

  Keep it together Hyzou. Hyzou thought.

  “And it must be uncomfortable to look at me then”, Iset said.

  She was every inch a Kheme woman. Her skin was the colour of sand, her eyes the green of the rainforest. She wore paint upon her face and coal dust beneath her eyes.

  “I’m confused, how are you two related?” Safia asked.

  “Iset’s father and mine were brothers. They were both in the Servants of Qi together”, Hyzou said.

  “And now you’re the Vizier to Pharaoh Ganymedes?” Safia asked.

  “It’s a very long story”, Iset said.

  “How did you leave Uqing?” Safia said.

  “Much as Hyzou’s father impregnated a fishwife in Vymnym, my father impregnated the Vizier to the Divine Master of Yobo. So many years ago”, Iset said.

  “There’s a third brother. We share an uncle”, Hyzou said.

  “The only one still alive”, Iset said.

  “Where is he?” Hyzou asked.

  “Back in Lamybla. He’s helping prepare for… Well…” Iset said.

  “Invasion”, Hyzou said.

  “Exactly”, Iset said.

  “Why are you here then?” Hyzou said. “If Ganymedes wanted just to tell me we’re still at war, he could have sent anyone. Not his right hand.”

  “I come, offering peace”, Iset said.

  “He thought I might be more amenable to surrender if he sent my cousin to do the talking?” Hyzou said.

  “To peace, not surrender. And I assure you, it’s quite the proposal. They’re the best terms you could get. This is a war you can’t win”, Iset said.

  Hyzou raised his hand.

  “Later, we can discuss this later. I’ll call my council together and we’ll hear everything you have to say. Tonight, if that suits, we’ll share a meal”, Hyzou said.

  “That works for me”, Iset said.

  “Did you know?” Hyzou asked.

  “Did I know what?” Iset said.

  “About the Supreme Commander”, Hyzou said. “That he was killing Piqueans in the way he was.”

  Iset shook her head.

  “No, I didn’t”, Iset said. “We didn’t. Lamybla is far from here and the Supreme Commander told us nothing.”

  Hyzou set his jaw.

  “I suppose I’ll take that to be the truth”, Hyzou said.

  “It’s nice to meet you Hyzou”, Iset said.

  Hyzou took a seat. Iset and Safia sat down too. Hyzou had an idea. He owned his envy and reached out.

  “Your Qi is powerful Iset”, Hyzou said.

  “Luan has told me”, Iset said. “But I’ve no interest in magic.”

  “The power isn’t appealing?” Safia asked.

  Iset smiled.

  “I prefer real power”, Iset said.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Gemenfkon had seen to it that the dark room was lit up by more than a hundred candles. The room was small, but it was silent and perfect for things like this.

  “Your Majesty”, Kyria Iset said.

  She did half a curtsy, then took a seat at the head of the table.

  Hyzou sat across from her, his advisors sitting on either side of him.

  There was Gardem, a native Piquean who ran the city while it was under occupation by the Lamyblans. There was Tsy, the Commander of Uqing’s half of Hyzou’s forces. There was Phatmose, who commanded the Piquean half. There was Vorska, who Hyzou had named his Vizier, and there was Yan, his new Quartermaster. Finally, Safia, as Queen, sat on Hyzou’s war council too.

  One member was missing.

  Sparrow
, Hyzou’s fellow Protakyrios, remained in Uqing with a small force to protect the city.

  Hyzou chewed on the rice more from politeness than anything. Kyria Iset, however, seemed hungry. She wolfed down her simple meal. Her fourteen guards stood behind her, keeping a watchful eye over their liege.

  “I’m sorry about the plain food. I know the Pharaoh normally provides extensive feasts to his guests”, Hyzou said. “But we’re at war.”

  Kyria Iset drank some beer.

  “I understand”, Kyria Iset said. “It’s well cooked.”

  “I’ll pass compliments to the Palace cooks”, Yan said.

  Finished, Kyria Iset sat back in her chair.

  “The Pharaoh will break you. You must understand that, victory for the Kheme Empire is inevitable”, Kyria Iset said.

  “Around here we don’t call them the Kheme Empire. Piquea is a Kheme city and the Pharaoh has no control over it, so please call it the Lamyblan Empire”, Hyzou said.

  “I don’t mind what you call it. The truth is the same. You’re hopelessly outnumbered. Victory is a certainty”, Kyria Iset said.

  “If that’s the case, why has the Pharaoh waited? He hasn’t invaded all summer. The rains have been gone for months, and yet he stayed behind his lines, avoiding conflict. He must be afraid of something”, Hyzou said.

  “Do you think fear stayed his hand?” Kyria Iset said.

  “If he wasn’t afraid of us, why would he sign a peace treaty with Drascia? Why have Drascia and Lamybla join forces against us? He’s very afraid of us, more than any force he’s faced before”, Hyzou said.

  “He isn’t. We aren’t. We know we’ll win”, Kyria Iset said.

  “You’ve spent a lot of time with Luan, haven’t you?” Hyzou said.

  Kyria Iset nodded.

  “Have you ever seen him fight anyone?” Hyzou asked.

  “A few times”, Kyria Iset said.

  “How many ordinary men do you think it takes to defeat a Servant of Qi then? You have more men, yes. But have you got enough?” Hyzou said.

  “Luan is unique, no one can fight as well as he can. Just like Archaier Sudgata and the rest of those Servants who fled your Archai. They came and joined us. Two hundred of them”, Kyria Iset said.

  A silence descended on the room. They had hoped that Sudgata and his fourteen Archaiers had fled to somewhere far away where they could be at peace, perhaps into the mountains. It was not good news to learn that they had joined with the Pharaoh.