
Chapter 1: Adoption
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"Ezra, come in." Dar Amwrite said beckoning his ward
into his richly appointed study. This was where the
real business of the Camerill empire was conducted.
Dar detested the stuffiness of his throne room, though
he knew it was necessary.

Ezra grinned and gave the old Emperor a fierce hug.
He normally avoided hugs, not liking the way they highlighted
his small stature, but it had been too long since he had
seen the old man. "You look like shit." He said gruffly
after stepping back.

Dar grinned, "Negotiating terms with Nestra is proving 
to be nearly as trying as fighting her. Half the time
she behaves as if she *won* the war."

"Oh? Do you want me to raise some internals to clarify
the situation for her?" Ezra asked bearing his teeth.

"No need. She came to her senses last night and agreed
to all of our terms. As of a day ago she is the Duchess
of Xira rather than its Empress. Xiran nobility won't
be allowed to maintain more than 20 soldiers, and
I will appoint a military Governor to each Xiran duchy
for the next fifteen years to assist and advise our
new peers as to their duties and responsibilities. I'll
also be granting Camerill nobles many of the outer
Xiran provinces." The Emperor smiled tightly as he mentioned
the governors.

"You'll be providing a psychic to six to each of these
governors I hope." Ezra said.

Dar gave him an exasperated look.

"Had to ask." Ezra said.

Dar chuckled, "I guess I shouldn't expect anything less from
you." He turned serious, "You've always been one of my pillars
Ezra. Making you my ward was one of the best decisions I've
ever made. I should have made you my son a long time ago.
I'm sorry that it took me so long to do this Ezra Amwrite,
Prince of Camerill."

Ezra found that his vision was going blurry. "Dar, we've
talked about this. There's no reason to provoke the conservatives
right when the empire has just absorbed a huge and potentially
hostile population. You'll always be my father, but I can't
be a Prince." He wanted this so much. To turn it down now
was painful beyond compare.

Dar put one thin hand on Ezra's shoulder, "This decision was
not entirely without expediency my son."

A flower of hope bloomed in Ezra's chest. Of course Dar wouldn't
have done this if there were not some reason for it. The wily
old Emperor knew the political situation as well as Ezra, better
in fact. Ezra rubbed away a few embarrassing tears. He was
32 years old. He would not blubber like a child.

"You agreed to a joining of the royal families." He said after
a pregnant pause. "I am to wed a Princess of Xira."

Dar smiled apologetically at him. "The rest of your life will
be a battlefield. She will surely try to dominate and destroy
you. If she manages to kill you she will demand a new husband,
and it won't take her long to dominate Lucas and become the
Empress."

"That would be why they gave in to all your demands so easily."
Ezra said, nodding in understanding.

"Yes." Dar replied.

"Well, it seems my duty to Camerill didn't end with the conjuring
of monsters." Ezra said. This felt right. Dar would never make
a sentimental move when it came to the good of the Empire. Ezra
wouldn't stand for the old man jeopardizing his life's work
for the sake of one dwarfish sorcerer, but this way he could
earn his place as Dar's son in law as well as in fact.

"Thank you, father." Ezra said with feeling.

"I'm sorry, son." Dar replied quietly.

Lucas was waiting for Ezra when he left the Emperor's study.
"I love you brother." He said, sweeping Ezra off the floor
in a hug so undignified that Ezra almost bore himself to
the ground with eldrich wind.

"You too." Ezra wheezed, "Watch the ribs."

Setting his new brother down, Lucas said, "You know I would
never be strong enough for this. There is no-one better to
protect the empire than you."

"I hope I can be worthy of the faith you place in me." Ezra
replied to his brother.
