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The emperors bet.

  The emperor walked leisurely through the golden and green wheat fields. He wore a purple robe and a feathered crown that made him appear taller than he actually was.

  By his side, his niece Jontana walked at his pace, lightly tapping her celestial scepter on the dirt path that ran between the crops, which stretched as far as the eye could see.

  —This place brings me so much peace, Uncle —she said, her melodious voice deliberately pitched higher to soften the heart of the most powerful man on the continent—. I must admit, it grows more beautiful every day. I wish my astral garden were even half as grand.

  The old man continued walking, leaning symbolically on his own scepter. Though he was older than most of his subjects, he possessed an enviable vitality.

  —You’ll see how it grows with time, my child. No empire is built in a day. It is the result of countless small victories over time.

  The woman followed in silence, observing the cultivated fields around her. They were almost ready to be harvested, though Jontana knew they never would be, for this was a place within an astral dimension—an intangible realm where only she and the emperor could enter, while their mortal bodies remained in one of the deepest and most heavily guarded chambers of the imperial pyramid in Dalux, surrounded by guards.

  The old man plucked a green apple from a tree they passed and took a methodical bite.

  —Still, it’s admirable how much you’ve transformed a blank landscape into such a beautiful garden. Just as you’ve done with Anen and its vassal states.

  —That’s why I asked you to come, Jontana. Though my garden grows, things out there are beginning to stagnate.

  She continued walking in silence through the vast wheat fields.

  ?Every cultivated field you see here is an idea I’ve spent hours studying, especially in books, but also in the real world —Valtorius had explained to her the first time he brought her here, when she was still a child. Back then, the Aneitan emperor was much younger, though wrinkles already marked his face like the rivers that ran through the country—. The more ideas and words you absorb, the more your garden will grow, and so will your ability to navigate the world.?

  Since then, Jontana had become obsessed with creating her own garden, dedicating countless hours to studying in the pyramid’s main library and paying close attention during senate sessions. But hers remained a small estate compared to the vast expanse of her uncle’s mind.

  —I don’t understand, my lord. The spies’ reports only show that our armies are crushing the enemy. Our troops keep capturing cities in Ixtul, and at sea, the corsairs you hired dominate the fishing zones.

  The sun shone brightly above, its reflection glinting clearly on the crystal tip of her scepter, which marked her as the senate’s regent. But from the emperor’s expression, Jontana knew her thoughts were not as clear as that diamond.

  —You must look beyond the reports, my child. Many of them know that the powerful dislike bad news, so they embellish their words to save their own skins —he looked at her with his deep black eyes—. We must focus on the obvious signs: our coffers drain with each day of campaigning, and though it seems we’re advancing, we’re losing troops without tangible results —the old man sighed, a rare display of helplessness that Jontana had seldom seen—. The war in the south has cost more than planned.

  At that moment, the two relatives reached the edge of the cultivated fields, where the tall, proud stalks of wheat gave way to lower fields, with small mushrooms beginning to sprout.

  The old man continued chewing his apple and then tossed the seeds into one of the gardens.

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  —But sir, money flows like water; our fields are as full of life and wealth as those we see now, and the other countries under imperial rule pay their taxes dutifully. Is the situation in Ixtul truly so dire that it keeps you awake at night?

  —It is. Gold means nothing if it’s spent on war —he seemed burdened, regretful—. I knew I shouldn’t have rushed into war, but I let myself be swayed by my advisors’ promises, and now I see the price of my actions. Though it’s a small country, at least six times smaller than Anen, it’s infested with jungle, which makes ambushes and guerrilla warfare easy for the Ixtalites. I should have let their factions fight each other before launching any campaign.

  It was true, Jontana thought. In the senate, they spoke of how the ferocity with which the Eyen squads had penetrated the southern country had only strengthened the natives’ resolve to resist.

  As they walked through the barren, uncultivated land, Jontana felt a chill. It was true that she was the most powerful woman in the senate, and since the emperor had no children, she would become the implicit heir to the empire’s reins once her uncle Valtorius was dragged into the shadows of death. But she didn’t feel ready to rule without his wisdom. Seeing him falter like this made her shudder.

  —Isn’t there a solution, Uncle? Perhaps a strategic retreat wouldn’t be so bad. At least while time passes. You yourself told me with one of the ideas that expanded your fields: “Action through inaction.” Sometimes, a defeat is more rewarding than an empty victory.

  —Not in this case, my child. We’ve come too far to annex Ixtul into the empire. Though it seems insignificant, securing its jungles is vital. They provide an endless source of resources, not to mention the portals. We must act before they realize the power they sit upon.

  —But the campaign is draining us —she said, her gaze returning to the golden fields behind them.

  —It is, but we cannot show weakness to the other nations, or rebellions will spread across the empire like a plague —the old man looked toward the desolate fields beyond—. I believe conspiracies against me are already brewing within the heart of Anen itself. We must stand more united than ever, Jontana. We must hold fast to our allies and punish harshly anyone who dares challenge our authority.

  The emperor turned and began walking back the way they had come. Jontana followed; soon they would reach the estate where the portal entrance lay, and once they crossed it, they would return to their bodies. But there was still a long way to go. The emperor’s astral garden had to be the largest in the world, without a doubt.

  —There are too many problems, my lord. Isn’t there something we can do to conquer Ixtul once and for all? If our armies fall for any reason, we won’t be in a good position —she looked at him with concern—. Not now, when the vipers are starting to emerge from their nests.

  —There is. Do you remember that time mage you told me about? Xhano, was it? I believe we’ll need his services.

  Jontana felt a chill. Xhano struck her as a charlatan. He was a courtier by birth, one who dressed well and knew how to sweet-talk those around him. The kind of man who always got his way. But if there was any truth to his claims…

  —My lord, there must be another way. Meddling with time is never a good idea. The consequences of manipulating it are always unpredictable. I’m sure a more gradual strategy can subdue the southerners.

  —I don’t plan to alter time. At least not on a grand scale. Do you remember the dragon eggs I showed you last week?

  Then Jontana understood where this was going. Dragons. They had gone extinct centuries ago, by the will of the Eye of the World. But now her uncle wanted to bring them back. Perhaps it was the Eye’s will, and they were merely its instruments. It was never wise to oppose it. Still, the archmage knew she had to dissuade the emperor from such a risky strategy, though it wouldn’t be easy.

  —Of course I remember them, Uncle. They’re the most beautiful jewels I’ve ever seen… it’s not worth wasting them. Dragons are not creatures of good fortune.

  The old man walked in silence, pondering his niece’s words. But Jontana knew from his expression that she wouldn’t sway him.

  —They are weapons, and as such, they must be used —he said at last.

  —My lord, the idea isn’t bad. But do you know how much mana it would cost to cast a spell that turns dragon eggs into flying beasts capable of melting entire cities with their breath? If the empire is nearing bankruptcy, this would only hasten the catastrophe.

  The emperor looked at her as if she were still a little girl.

  —Do you think I haven’t considered that, my child? With a dragon, not even the jungle will save the Ixtalites from their inevitable fate. The decision is made. Prepare the royal accountants and tell them to meet us in the council chamber at first light. Bring Xhano as well. The time has come to play our final card.

  From the determination in the emperor’s voice, Jontana knew there was no point in arguing.

  —As you wish, Uncle.

  I only hope you don’t bring down my empire in one fell swoop, old man, or I’ll join your circle of conspirators.

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