Chapter 41: The Emperor’s Summons
Aurelia had been built to make distance feel insignificant.
From the outer road, the Imperial Capital appeared first as pale walls rising beyond miles of farms, villages, workshops, military estates, and merchant yards. Closer to the city, towers emerged above the walls, their rooftops crowded with signal stations and watch posts. Imperial Dragon banners moved along the battlements while streams of wagons entered through separate commercial gates under the inspection of customs clerks and soldiers.
The city was enormous, though centuries of rebuilding made it less perfect than travelers’ stories claimed. Some districts were older than others. Several sections of the outer wall had been rebuilt after wars, while inner fortifications dated to completely different reigns. Broad roads connected government districts to markets, academies, temples, military compounds, noble estates, and residential quarters that had grown outward as the population increased.
At the heart of it all stood the Imperial Palace.
Unlike the sprawling city around it, the palace had been designed around control.
Multiple walls separated the public administrative courts from the inner royal grounds. Imperial soldiers guarded every major passage, while scribes recorded arrivals, petitioners, noble delegations, and military officers entering on official business. Visitors rarely saw the entire complex. Most never passed beyond the outer halls.
The Imperial Court gathered within one of the oldest chambers.
The Hall of Dragons.
On the morning that reports from Blackwood reached Aurelia, nearly every seat in the chamber was occupied.
Crimson carpeting ran between two long sections of noble seating before climbing the steps toward the Dragon Throne. Carved pillars lined the hall, each bearing names and symbols connected to Houses that had fought beside the First Emperor or risen during the generations that followed.
The oldest nobles liked claiming every carving had remained untouched since Aurelius Kael Asterion founded the Empire.
The palace archivists knew better.
Several pillars had been replaced.
At least two Houses carved into the chamber no longer existed.
Tradition was often less ancient than the people defending it preferred to admit.
Still, appearances mattered.
Dukes sat ahead of counts. Ministers occupied their designated sections. Military officers were placed according to office rather than family rank, which had caused more than one argument over the centuries. Members of the Imperial family sat on elevated tiers facing the central floor.
One seat remained empty.
The Tenth Prince’s.
Kael Asterion had been absent from Aurelia since receiving Blackwood.
That alone had created enough rumors.
The new reports made them worse.
I heard he’s rebuilding the villages
A count leaned toward the man beside him.
I heard he’s spending money he doesn’t have
A third noble whispered from behind them.
He has Darius Valen now
That ended the conversation for several seconds.
Sir Darius Valen was not a rumor.
One of the Four Imperial Shields leaving Aurelia to enter the household of the Tenth Prince had forced even Kael’s critics to look toward Blackwood more carefully.
Another voice joined them.
The boy is seventeen
So?
So perhaps everyone should stop behaving as though Blackwood has become a second capital
The first count smiled.
Tell that to the people sending observers there
The chamber continued filling with quiet speculation until the herald struck his staff once against the stone.
Conversation faded.
At the far end of the hall sat Emperor Augustus Aurelius Asterion.
Age had added silver through his dark hair, though little about him suggested weakness. His black-and-gold court clothing was formal without excessive ornament, and the Imperial Dragon appeared only in restrained embroidery along his shoulders and cuffs.
His crimson eyes moved across the hall.
He had heard nearly every rumor already.
That was one advantage of being emperor.
By the time the Court began discussing a problem, Augustus had usually received three versions of it.
Sometimes all three were wrong.
Cassian Aurelius Asterion sat closest among the Imperial heirs.
The First Prince’s reputation required little explanation. If the Empire had formally named a crown prince, most nobles assumed Cassian would hold the title. He had the military record, political support, family position, and personal discipline expected of an heir who had spent his entire adult life being measured as a possible emperor.
He listened more than he spoke.
That made people careful around him.
Seraphine Aurelius Asterion sat nearby.
Third in the succession and one of the Empress’s children, she wore court clothing chosen with the precision of someone who understood that nobility judged presentation before arguments had even begun. She had learned years ago that anger was usually more useful when other people expressed it on her behalf.
Her younger brother’s decisions in Blackwood had provided plenty of opportunities.
Farther along sat Elena Aurelius Asterion.
She wore simpler blue court robes than most of the Imperial family and spent more time reading the documents placed before her than watching who whispered to whom.
Adrian Aurelius Asterion was present as well, recently returned from military business. Unlike the nobles surrounding him, he appeared more interested in whatever Blackwood’s new military structure actually consisted of than in how offensive the idea might sound at dinner.
Other Imperial heirs occupied their own places throughout the chamber.
Roland.
Lucien.
Leon.
Victor.
Alaric.
Each had their own House, allies, ambitions, and opinions.
Kael’s empty seat drew more attention than all of them wanted to admit.
The herald entered carrying a sealed report.
He stopped at the appointed mark in the center of the hall and bowed.
Your Majesty, an additional report has arrived concerning Blackwood
Augustus rested one hand against the throne.
Source?
Regional courier relay, Your Majesty. The report combines statements from travelers, registered observers, and an authenticated notice issued by House Kael following the conclusion of its selection trials
That answer mattered.
Augustus had little patience for courts making decisions based entirely on tavern gossip.
Read the authenticated portion first
The herald opened the report.
House Kael confirms the conclusion of the Black Dragon selection trials. Fifty applicants have been accepted into a new professional household military core under the command authority of Sir Darius Valen, First Commander of House Kael
The court reacted immediately, though not explosively.
Several military officials exchanged looks.
Fifty soldiers were not unusual.
A prince maintaining household troops was even less unusual.
Darius Valen commanding them was more interesting.
Cassian finally lifted his gaze.
Adrian leaned slightly forward.
Seraphine remained still.
The herald continued.
The founding unit is designated the Black Dragon. Selection criteria included endurance, discipline, judgment, combat aptitude, cooperative conduct, and leadership assessment
One elderly count muttered.
Elaborate for fifty soldiers
The military officer beside him answered quietly.
That depends on what he intends those fifty to become
The herald reached the final section.
One founding member is identified as Grom Ironfang, goblin, seventy-four years of age, formerly known among the Eastern Clans as the Spear King
That changed the room.
Conversation rose all at once.
A goblin?
Inside an Imperial House?
He appointed it as a soldier?
Darius allowed this?
Someone farther back said,
Ironfang?
The name moved through the military section differently than it moved through the nobles.
Several older officers recognized it.
That distinction caught Augustus’s attention.
Seraphine allowed the chamber to argue for several moments before rising.
Father
The noise diminished.
Augustus looked toward her.
Speak
Seraphine bowed.
If the report is accurate, Kael has created a problem that extends beyond Blackwood
Cassian looked toward his sister but said nothing.
Seraphine continued.
The issue is not simply one goblin
She turned slightly so the Court could hear her clearly.
Imperial border regulations concerning nonhuman settlement exist for reasons shaped by centuries of war, raiding, disputed land, and hostile clans. Some regions tolerate limited trade, envoys, contracted guides, or temporary entry under specific authority, but military service inside an Imperial House is another matter entirely
That was a stronger argument than claiming no nonhuman had ever crossed Imperial borders.
Even nobles who disliked Seraphine nodded.
She continued.
My brother has created a precedent without consulting the Court
Elena looked down at the report.
A minister rose from the administrative benches.
Your Majesty, there may also be questions concerning legal status. Is this Grom considered a resident? A military retainer? A foreign clansman under contract? The existing statutes may treat each differently
Augustus nodded once.
Find out before this session ends
The minister bowed.
At once
Seraphine looked toward the herald.
What does the report say about Ironfang’s conduct during the trials?
The herald checked.
It records that he participated as an applicant. During an unexpected confrontation with a young goblin raiding group, he assisted in ending the incident without confirmed fatalities. Several injured human applicants were treated afterward
Seraphine’s expression barely changed.
So armed goblins entered Blackwood during my brother’s military selection
Yes, Your Highness
And his answer was to recruit another goblin
Cassian spoke before the laughter could spread.
That’s not what the report says
Seraphine looked toward him.
Brother?
Cassian remained seated.
The raiders attacked
He gestured toward the document.
Ironfang helped stop them
Those are separate facts
Seraphine smiled faintly.
You consider the distinction important?
I consider distinctions the reason we read reports rather than execute everyone mentioned in the same paragraph
A few nobles shifted uncomfortably.
Seraphine did not lose her smile.
Would you accept a goblin in your household?
Cassian thought before answering.
Depends on the goblin
That caused a different reaction.
Seraphine tilted her head.
Convenient
Accurate
Cassian looked toward the herald.
Does the report accuse Ironfang of a crime inside Imperial territory?
No, Your Highness
Does it state he attacked Imperial citizens?
No
Did he enter Blackwood secretly?
The herald checked another page.
According to House Kael’s registration records, he entered openly as an applicant
Cassian leaned back.
Then I would prefer hearing Kael’s reasoning before deciding that the existence of a goblin constitutes treason
A duke rose sharply.
Your Highness, our ancestors fought the eastern clans for generations
Cassian turned toward him.
And some eastern clans fought beside Imperial commanders during later border wars
The duke stiffened.
That did not make them citizens
I didn’t say it did
Cassian’s voice remained calm.
History becomes useless when we remember only the half that supports what we already wanted to say
Augustus watched him.
Then Seraphine.
Then the nobles.
Exactly as expected, Grom had become a symbol before half the chamber understood what had actually happened.
Adrian finally spoke from his seat.
I have another question
The room turned toward him.
Why fifty?
Seraphine looked almost disappointed that he had moved away from the racial argument.
Adrian continued.
Blackwood has no standing territorial force according to the last records I saw
An official from the military administration nodded.
Correct, Your Highness
Fifty isn’t an army
No
It’s a core
Likely
Adrian looked toward Augustus.
And Darius Valen commands it
Yes, Augustus answered.
Adrian’s eyes narrowed.
Then Kael is either being unusually careful or Darius is
One noble scoffed.
Fifty armed men under a prince is careful?
Adrian looked toward him.
Have you ever commanded anything?
The noble hesitated.
An estate guard
How many?
Thirty-two
Adrian nodded.
Then you know fifty soldiers cannot conquer a province
A few officers laughed.
Adrian continued.
The more interesting question is whether Blackwood can pay them, equip them, feed them, and train them without destroying its finances
Augustus’s expression changed slightly.
That was the question he had expected someone serious to ask.
The Minister of Treasury stood.
House Kael’s current revenue base remains limited, Your Majesty
Adrian nodded.
Then that’s what I want to hear from Kael
Not whether fifty sounds frightening
Whether he understands what he just created
Cassian looked toward him.
On that we agree
Seraphine returned to her seat.
Then summon him
Everyone looked toward her.
She folded her hands.
If Kael’s decision is as reasonable as my brothers believe, he should have no difficulty defending it before the Court
Cassian’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Seraphine met his gaze.
No hostility.
Only a challenge.
Augustus noticed.
So did everyone else.
An elderly noble stood from the opposite benches.
Your Majesty, the matter of the goblin cannot be treated as a small administrative question
Augustus looked toward him.
I didn’t say it could
The duke continued.
People will hear that an Imperial Prince has armed one of them
One of whom?
The duke hesitated.
A goblin, Your Majesty
Augustus leaned slightly forward.
Then say goblin
The duke swallowed.
Yes, Your Majesty
Augustus continued.
If the argument is strong enough to influence Imperial policy, it should survive precise language
The chamber became quieter.
The duke bowed.
My concern is that Eastern Clan violence remains within living memory. Border villages have lost people. Merchants have been attacked. Soldiers have died
Valid concerns
Augustus nodded.
But none of those facts tell me what Grom Ironfang personally did in Blackwood
The duke did not answer.
Augustus looked toward the herald.
Continue
The herald found another section.
Several witnesses identify Ironfang as having spoken directly to the raiding group. The attackers withdrew after negotiations and a brief confrontation. House Kael subsequently retained Ironfang as one of fifty selected members
A military official raised his hand.
Your Majesty
Speak
The official remained standing.
Grom Ironfang’s name appears in older Eastern records
The Court quieted again.
Explain
Former Spear King. Several decades of combat history. Not always against the Empire
Seraphine looked toward him.
Meaning?
Meaning the eastern clans were never one army
The official chose his words carefully.
Some fought us
Some fought each other
Some served as contracted auxiliaries during border campaigns
Ironfang appears in several contradictory records because alliances changed repeatedly during that period
Augustus looked toward the military benches.
Was he ever formally declared an enemy of the Crown?
We would need the archives to confirm
Do that
The officer bowed.
Immediately, Your Majesty
Seraphine’s expression remained calm, but Augustus saw the calculation behind it.
The argument had become less simple.
That did not mean she would abandon it.
Seraphine rarely abandoned anything once she decided it could be useful.
The Empress had remained silent throughout the exchange.
She sat near the Emperor’s right side, composed and immaculate, listening while the children around her tested one another.
Her eyes moved occasionally toward Kael’s empty seat.
Augustus noticed that too.
She finally spoke.
Whatever the legal conclusion regarding Ironfang, the larger issue remains House Kael’s rapid expansion
Kael has fifty soldiers, Augustus said.
Today
The Empress met his gaze.
And one of the Four Imperial Shields
A few nobles shifted.
That mattered more than the fifty.
She continued.
Blackwood was nearly dormant when Kael received it
In a matter of weeks he has challenged tax administration, started infrastructure works, reopened a forge, attracted more than a thousand applicants, and created a military household
Several ministers nodded.
The Empress’s tone remained measured.
Perhaps all of that is admirable
Perhaps it is reckless
Either way, the Court should understand what direction he intends to take
Augustus almost smiled.
That was the first argument of the morning he fully agreed with.
Not because Kael needed permission to repair a mill.
Because an Imperial heir who moved quickly needed to understand why.
The Emperor looked toward the empty Tenth Prince’s seat.
Kael had been back in the capital only briefly before asking to be judged by results.
Now those results were arriving faster than anyone expected.
Some good.
Some dangerous.
Most incomplete.
Exactly the kind of situation that revealed whether ambition had substance beneath it.
Augustus turned toward the court officer responsible for Imperial summonses.
Prepare a Crown courier
The officer immediately rose.
Your Majesty
The Tenth Prince will appear before this Court
Augustus’s voice remained calm.
Three days from receipt of the summons
A minister frowned.
Three days is tight from Blackwood
Augustus looked toward him.
Then the courier should leave today
The officer bowed.
At once
Seraphine watched her father.
Cassian did too.
Neither could tell whether Augustus was angry.
That was intentional.
The Court did not end with the summons.
Augustus refused to let a morning of noise substitute for information.
He ordered the archives to verify Grom’s historical status.
The military administration would produce records concerning nonhuman auxiliaries and border-service precedents.
Treasury officials were ordered to estimate whether Blackwood’s current revenue could sustain fifty professional soldiers without special Imperial funding.
The Ministry responsible for regional administration was instructed to provide the legal authority under which Blackwood had been governed during Kael’s absence, including Baron Cedric Halwen’s appointment and renewal history.
That last order changed several expressions in the room.
Augustus saw it.
Interesting.
He gave no sign.
He continued.
I also want the latest reports concerning bandit activity south of Blackwood
A minister looked up.
Your Majesty?
My son did not create fifty soldiers in a peaceful territory because he became bored
Augustus’s crimson eyes moved across the chamber.
If you intend to judge his decision, you will first understand the conditions in which he made it
The argument ended there.
Not because everyone agreed.
Because the Emperor had decided what information would exist before the next debate.
That was different.
After the formal session ended, Cassian remained near the Imperial seating while most of the Court moved into smaller conversations.
Seraphine stopped beside him.
You defended him quickly
Cassian looked toward her.
I defended accuracy
He’s been back only a few weeks
Yes
And already Darius serves him
Cassian’s expression did not change.
Darius serves who Darius chooses
Seraphine smiled.
That’s exactly what concerns people
People are concerned by weather when they need something to discuss
Her smile sharpened.
You think Kael is harmless
Cassian looked toward the empty seat.
No
That answer surprised her.
Cassian continued.
I think he’s seventeen
Those are not the same thing
No
He looked toward his sister.
And treating every capable sibling as an enemy is a good way to create one
Seraphine studied him.
Then walked away without answering.
Cassian remained where he was.
He remembered Kael as a child.
Then not at all for ten years.
Now the youngest brother who had vanished had returned and almost immediately begun forcing the family to discuss questions that had been easier to ignore while he was gone.
Cassian had not decided what that meant.
He preferred evidence too.
Elsewhere in the palace, Augustus entered a smaller private chamber accompanied only by his Grand Chamberlain.
Several reports waited on the desk.
Kael’s Council arguments.
Blackwood’s revenue inconsistencies.
The mill reconstruction.
Baron Halwen’s pending inspection.
Darius’s departure.
Bandit activity.
The Black Dragon trials.
Not one report described Kael as a genius.
Augustus would have distrusted it if one had.
Instead, they described a seventeen-year-old prince making decisions quickly, occasionally too quickly, asking questions people around Blackwood were not accustomed to hearing, and increasingly surrounding himself with people who possessed skills his neglected territory needed.
Some decisions impressed Augustus.
Others worried him.
That was better.
Perfect sons existed only in flattering biographies written after everyone who knew the truth had died.
The Grand Chamberlain stood quietly.
Do you believe the Court will oppose him?
Augustus looked down at the Black Dragon report.
Some will
Should we warn the prince?
The summons is warning enough
The chamberlain almost smiled.
Augustus continued reading.
Then he stopped at one detail.
Grom Ironfang.
He remembered the name.
Not clearly.
A report from decades ago.
Eastern campaigns.
A spear fighter who had survived things most soldiers did not.
Augustus placed the paper down.
Find every archive reference to Ironfang before Kael arrives
Yes, Your Majesty
And Halwen
The chamberlain paused.
What about him?
I want his complete appointment history
Not the summary
Every renewal
Every minister who recommended continuation
Every revenue review connected to Blackwood
The chamberlain’s expression sharpened.
Immediately
He turned to leave.
Augustus spoke again.
And do not tell the Court why I’m asking
The chamberlain bowed.
Of course
When the door closed, Augustus remained alone.
His eyes moved toward the distant windows facing west.
Kael had returned asking to prove himself.
Augustus had given him Blackwood partly because neglected territory taught lessons no palace tutor could provide.
He had expected failure.
Not because he wanted it.
Because failure was useful when the cost remained survivable.
Instead, Kael had begun digging.
Into roads.
Into taxes.
Into people.
Into decisions made while nobody expected Blackwood’s lord to return.
That interested Augustus far more than fifty soldiers.
By sunset, a Crown courier rode west from Aurelia.
The sealed summons carried no accusation.
Only an order.
Prince Kael Asterion was to present himself before the Dragon Throne and answer questions concerning Blackwood’s administration, his newly established military household, and the decisions that had begun attracting attention across the Empire.
The courier would reach Blackwood before anyone in the Imperial Court had finished arguing over what Kael’s actions meant.
By the time Kael received the summons, the debate in Aurelia had already begun.
By the time he started his journey east, Seraphine had prepared her arguments, the ministries had begun searching old laws, Cassian had requested the complete Black Dragon report, and Augustus had quietly ordered an investigation into two names.
Grom Ironfang.
Cedric Halwen.
Kael believed he was traveling to Aurelia to defend fifty soldiers and one goblin.
He did not yet know that his father intended to ask about something larger.
Blackwood itself.