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The new Supreme Governor of Islehaven, Hailan Beryldart, held lives in his hands but did not feel rushed. He entered his throne room unannounced with one flowing yet dignified movement.
The guard commander who served the old governor had been standing at one edge of the room's balcony, watching the sunset. He was surprised by the new governor's entrance. He fell to his knees and put his head to the floor, while removing the scabbard from his sash and sliding it far across the floor.
Governor Beryldart looked at the other man. Neither was in a rush. After several minutes Governor Beryldart walked to the other side of the long balcony. Still ignoring custom and protocol, he said, "It is a grand sunset. What thoughts did it give you?"
The prostrate man replied, "My lord, I was thinking that it has been too long since I watched a sunset with my wife."
Governor Beryldart grunted. "When a new family takes this throne as Supreme Governor of the colony, those loyal to the old dynasty are usually replaced."
Both dweorgs knew this to be true. But Governor Silvermine had died of illness with no family able to rule. Emperor Grandhammer appointed one of his dukes as the new ruler of the dweorg empire's island at the coat of Spyragia.
Of course Governor Beryldart had traveled with the personal guardsmen who had served him before the appointment. He did not need more security for his rooms. Yet a guard commander that already knew about the palace and the issues of Islehaven could be of much value.
Both dweorgs also knew that Governor Silvermine had often spent hours in private conversation with his guard commander.
Governor Beryldart added, "Molsoz Stillhearth is said to be loyal to the throne, not a dynasty."
The prostrate man replied, "My lord, the throne is what draws assassins and intrigue against the ruler. The throne amplifies worries, promotes paranoia, and causes pettiness. There must be a ruler on the throne. But I am sorry to say that your advisors have misinformed you. The job of the palace guard commander is to protect the royal family from the throne."
Governor Beryldart grunted again. He watched the end of the sunset in silence. He knew Molsoz had acted strangely after Governor Silvermine's death. At first the guard commander had stayed with the guards protecting the royal room, and focused on preparing Governor Silvermine's toddler twins for a journey to the imperial capital in case that was requested. Then he given new orders to the guards whom he had told to stand watch outside the throne room, and sequestered himself within. He had told his captains to maintain order in the palace while disturbing him as little as possible. The servants who brought him food or lit the lamps said Molsoz was meditating all day.
Governor Beryldart said, "Yet you guard this throne that is the root of such evils."
The prostrate man replied, "Indeed, sire. What if someone treated it badly? With no royal family to protect, I chose to teach by example. The throne must be respected. Pondering it can grant wisdom."
Governor Beryldart grunted a third time. "And what wisdom has it granted you? We grant you permission to sit."
Molsoz (not Guard Commander Molsoz now—still uncertain if the new governor would let him live, let alone give him his old job) lifted his head from the foor to sit seiza-style. "My lord, the colors of the sunset had inspired a story. Do you wish to hear it?"
The governor nodded.
Molsoz said, "Once upon a time there was an emperor whose current favorite concubine was the empire's most famous painter. They made each other happy. The emperor knew she cherished him as the person he was, not because he was emperor. So one day when she was sad he asked her what troubled her.
"At first she avoided his question. But he persisted, and she shared that she had been thinking about the day in the future when he would tire of her. 'Sire, all emperors tire of all concubines,' she said. 'I am a painter who lacks the personality and skills to be useful as a queen. So some day you will tire of me. That will break my heart. And it will wreck my career. Who would comission a painting from someone out of favor with the emperor? So I am sad that some day I will lose both of my reasons for living.'
"The emperor held her hands in his. 'We have not thought of such a day. But you are wise and right. It will come. But do not judge our heart as petty. Just because some day we will not care to have you does not mean we will not care for you.'
"The two were silent a while. Then the emperor said, 'Great art such as yours is vital for an emperor. We must always care for the empire, even on days when its issues annoy or anger us. Every day we must love the empire. When we admire its art we feel that love more strongly. Life is unfair and about change. But your art will always be lifted by our favor.'"
Governor Beryldart did not reply, but gestured for Molsoz to move to before the throne. The governor walked to his throne and sat. Molsoz stayed on his knees as he crossed to the place on the floor where he had so often knelt before Governor Silvermine.
The governor asked, "Of what did you speak privately with Governor Silvermine?"
Molsoz replied, "My lord, we spoke of the dangers from which I protected him. Assassins, thieves, intrigue, guilt, and shame."
Governor Beryldart asked, "So you were an advisor, as well as guard commander?"
Molsoz replied, "Sire, I strictly avoid advice about decisions. But with how Governor Silvermine felt after his decisions I could listen and offer support."
Governor Beryldart said, "You are a thoughtful dweorg. Clearly you have thoughts about decisions of state."
Molsoz replied, "My lord, if I tried to offer advice I would have become invested in the results. What you called the throne's evil would have reached out to me too. I would have become partly blind to how those evils reached out to Governor Silvermine."
Governor Beryldart said, "You cared for the Silvermine twins. The emperor declined to assign them to a noble for adoption. Now they are our problem. If we let them live nicely, our rivals will use them against us as claimants to the throne. If we kill them, our rivals will use the heartless act against us. If we use magic to muddle their minds so they will never be fit to rule, both will happen."
Molsoz knelt silently.
Governor Beryldart said, "You have thought much about this. Perhaps you even have found an elegant solution. But you will not advise a decision?"
Molsoz bowed his head to the floor again. "Forgive me, my lord. You have many worthy advisors, both those you brought with you and dweorgs who advised Governor Silvermine. Whether I can replace one of them is unimportant."
Governor Beryldart grunted, "Because you know none of them can replace you. Very well. You are dismissed, Guard Commander. A servant will bring you your sword."
Guard Commander Molsoz Stillhearth backed out of the throne room on his knees.