The Imperial System: Architect of an Empire

Kael discovered that Sir Darius Valen’s definition of Aura footwork involved being knocked into the dirt repeatedly.

His injured leg had healed enough for Julian Valcrest to permit controlled training.

Controlled.

Darius had apparently heard only the word training.

Kael slid across the practice yard on a thin sheet of Ice, twisted his right foot, and released a restrained pulse of Night Aura through his lower body.

For half a heartbeat, everything worked.

His weight shifted.

The Ice beneath him hardened.

His body accelerated.

Then Darius’s wooden sword appeared against Kael’s ribs.

Kael barely saw it.

The strike landed.

Not hard enough to injure him.

Hard enough to send him rolling.

He hit the dirt.

Again.

Darius stood ten feet away.

Kael remained on his back.

You enjoy this.

No.

You answered too quickly.

Get up.

Kael stared at the morning sky.

I preferred you when Hector was here.

No, you didn’t.

Unfortunately true.

Kael pushed himself upright.

Nearby, Marcus Wintermere had stopped his own training to watch.

Victor Ravenshade stood beside him eating an apple.

Leon Ashford was stretching.

Elias Thorn sat on the fence cleaning mud from one boot.

Damien Ravenmoor watched Kael’s feet rather than the sword.

Darius noticed.

Ravenmoor.

Damien straightened.

Sir.

What did he do wrong?

Kael looked over.

This is my humiliation.

Apparently it’s educational.

Damien stepped closer.

Lord Kael accelerated before his hips finished turning.

Kael frowned.

Darius nodded.

Continue.

Damien looked at Kael’s right leg.

He also put too much Night Aura through the movement before the Ice path was stable.

Kael stared at him.

Whose side are you on?

Damien almost smiled.

Training’s.

Victor laughed.

Darius looked at him.

Ravenshade.

Victor stopped.

Sir.

What else?

Victor swallowed his apple.

He looked at Kael.

Then carefully examined the ground.

Lord Kael looked where he wanted to go.

Darius nodded.

Meaning?

Victor looked more confident.

Someone watching his eyes could predict the direction change.

Kael’s expression changed.

That one annoyed him because it was true.

Darius turned back toward him.

Again.

Kael stood.

This time he formed less Ice.

Less Night Aura.

Shorter step.

No dramatic acceleration.

He moved left.

Darius shifted.

Kael’s eyes stayed forward.

Then his hips rotated right.

Ice snapped beneath his rear foot.

He changed direction.

Darius’s wooden blade moved.

Kael ducked.

For the first time that morning, Darius missed.

Kael smiled.

Then Darius swept his leg.

Kael hit the dirt again.

Victor covered his mouth.

Marcus looked away.

Damien lowered his head.

Kael stared up at Darius.

You could have let me enjoy that.

No.

Kael sighed.

Then footsteps approached the yard.

Registrar Elric Dane carried a thick parchment tube under one arm.

He looked angry.

Not normal irritation.

Actual anger.

Kael sat up.

That cannot be good.

Elric stopped beside the training fence.

Lord Kael.

Registrar.

Sir Darius.

Darius lowered the wooden sword.

What happened?

Elric held up the tube.

Aurelia happened.

Kael stood immediately.

That explained very little.

Elric removed the seal.

The Imperial Knight Registry had sent the formal examination schedule.

Sir Corren Valehart and Sir Maelin Ors entered the yard moments later.

Both had apparently received similar notices.

Sir Corren looked toward Elric.

You received the revised schedule?

Yes.

And?

Elric looked at Kael.

Your candidates leave Blackwood in five days.

Silence.

Victor blinked.

Leave?

Kael frowned.

For where?

Elric stared at him.

Aurelia.

Kael’s expression changed.

The formal Knight Examination.

Of course Aurelia.

Elric looked as though he had expected everyone else to know this.

Sir Corren cleared his throat.

There appears to have been a misunderstanding.

Kael looked at him.

A large one.

Sir Maelin crossed her arms.

Not entirely.

The work here was preliminary screening.

Candidate verification.

House review.

Registry preparation.

And making sure they do not humiliate themselves.

Victor looked offended.

We’ve been training for weeks because you thought we’d embarrass you?

Sir Maelin looked at him.

Among other reasons.

Kael turned toward Elric.

Where in Aurelia?

Elric stared.

The Imperial Coliseum.

Everything in the yard stopped.

Even Victor had nothing to say.

Kael knew the Coliseum.

Everyone in the Empire did.

He had seen it from the Imperial Palace district before.

A massive ring of stone and enchanted supports set into Aurelia’s eastern ceremonial quarter.

The place hosted military demonstrations, Imperial festivals, public duels, and some of the largest combat competitions in the Empire.

But the Knight Examination—

Darius looked toward Elric.

Full Coliseum examination this year?

Elric nodded.

Full.

Kael noticed Darius’s tone.

This year?

Sir Corren answered.

The Registry rotates smaller examinations through provincial centers when candidate numbers are low.

Every several years, however, the Imperial Examination is consolidated in Aurelia.

Sir Maelin added.

This is one of those years.

Victor slowly looked around.

How many candidates?

Elric opened the parchment.

Registered so far?

He adjusted his spectacles.

Three hundred and eighty-six.

Nobody spoke.

Marcus finally said.

Three hundred—

Eighty-six.

Elric repeated.

Registration remains open another two days.

Victor looked toward Darius.

I liked eight.

Darius gave him nothing.

Marcus looked much more interested.

Three hundred eighty-six people trying to become knights.

Sir Maelin corrected.

Three hundred eighty-six registered.

Perhaps half should have stayed home.

Mira Solenne had entered the yard during the conversation.

She whistled softly.

Now that’s worth traveling for.

Edric Vale followed.

His expression changed the moment he heard Aurelia.

House Varrow would be there.

Kael noticed.

Brennar Holt arrived last.

He looked more concerned about logistics.

Five days to depart.

How long is the road?

Kael looked toward Darius.

With the full party?

Darius calculated immediately.

Three days if weather holds.

Four if wagons slow us.

Kael looked at Elric.

When must candidates report?

Three days before the opening ceremony.

Kael counted.

Eleven days remained until the formal examination.

Depart in five.

Three days travel.

That left time.

Barely.

Elric continued.

Candidates report to the Knight Registry Annex beside the Coliseum for identity verification, sponsorship confirmation, medical inspection, weapon registration, combat classification, and bracket placement.

Victor’s head snapped up.

Bracket?

Darius’s eyes shifted.

There it was.

Something old.

Something Kael had not seen before.

Sir Corren smiled.

You didn’t tell them?

Darius looked at him.

There was no reason before now.

Kael stepped closer.

Tell us what?

Sir Maelin answered.

The Coliseum Tournament.

The candidates became completely still.

Elric spread the official schedule across a nearby table.

Kael, Darius, the eight current candidates, Sir Corren, Sir Maelin, Tomas Pell, and several curious Black Dragon soldiers gathered around.

At the top stood the Imperial Dragon.

Below it:

THE IMPERIAL KNIGHT EXAMINATION OF AURELIA

Then several stages.

Foundation Assessment.

Service and Judgment Trial.

Aura and Martial Classification.

Command and Conduct Review.

Imperial Knight Determination.

And finally—

THE IMPERIAL COLISEUM CHAMPIONSHIP

Marcus leaned closer.

Championship.

Elric nodded.

Passing the examination earns recognition as an Imperial Knight.

Winning the Coliseum Championship is separate.

Damien looked at the parchment.

How?

Sir Corren explained.

After the qualifying stages determine who has satisfied the requirements for knighthood—or remains eligible for final recognition—the combatants enter class divisions.

Single elimination.

Mira smiled.

Now she looked interested.

Win and advance?

Yes.

Lose and your tournament ends.

Does losing mean failing knighthood?

No.

Elric tapped the schedule.

A candidate can lose their first Coliseum match and still pass the Imperial Examination if their overall examination performance meets the required standard.

Leon understood.

So the tournament determines the strongest fighter in each division.

Among those entered that year.

Yes.

Marcus folded his arms.

What divisions?

Elric checked the list.

Final numbers depend on registration.

Currently approved:

Swordsman and Knight.

Spear and Lancer.

Guardian and Heavy Weapon.

Magic Swordsman.

Special Martial.

Possibly a sixth if the Registry receives enough compatible candidates.

Kael looked toward Darius.

You competed.

Everyone turned.

Darius remained silent.

Sir Corren smiled.

Kael saw it.

Oh, no.

Victor looked between them.

What?

Sir Maelin sighed.

Apparently none of you know anything about the man training you.

Marcus stepped closer.

Sir Darius competed in the Imperial Coliseum?

Sir Corren answered.

Yes.

What happened?

Sir Corren looked at Darius.

Would you like to tell them?

No.

Then I will.

Darius’s eyes narrowed.

Corren smiled wider.

Swordsman Division.

Thirty-two competitors.

Sir Darius Valen won.

Silence.

Victor slowly lowered the half-eaten apple.

Won the division?

Yes.

The entire bracket?

Yes.

Marcus stared at Darius.

You were Coliseum Champion?

Darius looked irritated.

It was a long time ago.

Sir Maelin laughed.

That is what old champions say when they don’t want younger fighters asking questions.

Kael folded his arms.

You never told me.

You never asked.

There it was again.

Kael looked toward Elric.

Is it recorded?

Of course.

Where?

The Hall of Champions inside the Coliseum.

Victor looked delighted.

Your name is on a wall?

Darius’s expression became more severe with every question.

Yes.

Victor grinned.

We’re visiting the wall.

No.

Absolutely.

Marcus nodded.

We should.

Leon smiled.

For historical education.

Elias said nothing.

His face agreed.

Darius stared at all five Black Dragon candidates.

Training begins thirty minutes earlier tomorrow.

Victor’s smile vanished.

Kael laughed.

Mira leaned over the tournament description.

What does a division champion receive now?

Elric adjusted his spectacles.

The reward has changed over the years.

Current champions receive formal recognition before the Imperial Throne, inscription in the Hall of Champions, the right to display the gold-edged Champion mark with their registered knight insignia, and an Imperial champion’s purse.

Marcus asked the important question.

How much?

Elric looked at him.

Enough.

That means you don’t know.

That means the Treasury has not published this year’s purse.

Kael looked toward the document.

Anything else?

Elric nodded.

Each division champion receives consideration for an Imperial Champion’s Boon.

Victor raised his eyebrow.

A boon?

Within limits.

Elric’s voice immediately became bureaucratic.

No claims to succession, no unlawful land seizure, no immunity from Imperial law, no demand against another noble title, no unrestricted Treasury request—

Victor looked at Kael.

Someone definitely tried something before.

Absolutely.

Sir Corren laughed.

The boon can involve a sanctioned weapon, military education, a reasonable land grant, access to specialized instruction, a suitable Imperial appointment, or another reward approved by the Throne.

Marcus’s expression had changed completely.

Kael saw ambition there.

Not ugly ambition.

Hunger.

Darius saw it too.

Wintermere.

Marcus straightened.

Sir.

Forget the prize.

Marcus frowned.

Sir—

If you enter a fight thinking about what waits after it, someone who is thinking about you will beat you.

Marcus became quiet.

Darius looked at all of them.

The bracket is not a festival game.

Every person who reaches it has survived enough screening to stand inside an Imperial arena with a weapon.

Some will be provincial veterans.

Some noble-trained fighters.

Some military retainers.

Some independents.

Some have fought monsters.

Some have fought wars.

A few will be stronger than you.

He paused.

All of them believe they deserve to move forward.

The excitement in the yard changed.

Became heavier.

More real.

Darius continued.

Do not enter Aurelia assuming Blackwood’s training makes you special.

Prove it.

Kael spent the rest of the morning reorganizing Blackwood.

Leaving was no longer simply a journey.

The Tenth Prince would enter Aurelia with candidates carrying the Black Dragon insignia.

Sir Darius Valen would accompany them.

The Imperial family would know.

The nobility would know.

Other heirs would know.

Kael hated how political walking through a gate could become.

The map room filled quickly.

Lily.

Edwin.

Osric Hale.

Captain Roland.

Grom Ironfang.

Galahad Charney.

Tavian Merrow.

Hugo Stone.

Iris Hollow.

Kael stood at the table.

Five days.

Grom looked annoyed immediately.

You’re leaving me again.

Yes.

For Aurelia.

Yes.

Grom’s expression became worse.

I hate Aurelia.

Kael looked at him.

You’ve been there?

Once.

What happened?

Humans.

Kael waited.

Grom shrugged.

That was the problem.

Lily hid a smile.

Darius stood beside the window.

Blackwood needs him here.

Grom grunted.

I know.

Kael looked toward Osric.

Command structure while we’re gone.

Osric pointed toward Captain Roland.

Settlement defense remains his.

Grom handles heavy response.

Iris—

Iris interrupted.

Going.

Kael looked at her.

No.

She stared.

Why?

Because I need eyes in Blackwood.

You have guards.

I need your eyes.

Iris frowned.

That worked better.

She leaned back.

Fine.

Kael looked toward Tavian.

Network.

Measurements continue every six hours at the southern field.

Western distributor twice daily unless readings change.

No activation.

No experimentation.

Tavian looked offended.

You say that as though I am reckless.

Everyone looked at him.

Tavian sighed.

Fine.

Hugo?

Kael looked toward him.

Are you going to Aurelia?

Hugo blinked.

Why would I?

Kael pointed toward the Coliseum schedule.

Weapon registration.

Equipment inspection.

Our candidates may need adjustments.

Garrick can handle forge work here.

Hugo thought.

Then looked toward Darius.

How many weapons?

Five Black Dragon candidates.

Plus Kael.

Kael frowned.

I’m not competing.

Your sword still travels.

Fair.

Hugo nodded.

I’ll go.

Tavian looked betrayed.

You’re leaving me alone with the channel.

You say that like it’s punishment.

You are marginally useful.

Hugo smiled.

I’ll treasure that.

Kael looked toward Galahad.

Guild opening.

Galahad’s expression tightened.

The headquarters will be ready while you’re gone.

Kael considered.

Do not open it.

Galahad frowned.

We agreed—

Five days after the Knight Examination.

I remember.

Kael pointed toward the schedule.

Which means preparation continues.

Applications can be accepted.

Records organized.

Staff trained.

But the formal opening waits until we return.

Galahad thought about it.

Then nodded.

Agreed.

Lily wrote everything.

Kael looked at her.

You’re coming.

Her quill stopped.

Me?

Yes.

Why?

Because if I’m entering Aurelia for an Empire-wide political event, I need someone who understands the administrative side of House Kael.

Edwin cleared his throat.

Kael looked toward him.

You too?

The old butler looked almost amused.

My lord, I served in Aurelia before you were born.

Kael remembered.

Edwin had served Augustus before he became Emperor.

That meant something.

Would you rather come or stay?

Edwin thought.

Come.

Lily looked at him.

You just want to see the palace kitchens again.

Edwin’s expression remained dignified.

They were excellent.

Kael smiled.

Done.

Word spread anyway.

By afternoon, half of Blackwood seemed to know.

Not because Kael announced it.

Because Victor did.

Kael found him in the market surrounded by children.

The Coliseum is enormous.

Victor was saying.

How enormous?

A boy asked.

Victor spread his arms.

Huge.

That’s not a measurement.

Another child said.

Victor frowned.

Bigger than the Guild.

Galahad, walking past, muttered.

Helpful.

One girl asked.

Are you going to fight?

Victor smiled.

If I reach the bracket.

Are you going to win?

Victor stopped.

Old Victor would have answered yes immediately.

Kael knew that.

Instead Victor looked toward the Black Dragon Banner above the central road.

I’m going to try to deserve being there first.

Kael remained at the edge of the crowd.

He said nothing.

Victor never saw him.

That made the answer better.

Marcus reacted differently.

He found Darius after sunset.

Kael happened to be nearby because his own footwork training had ended with fewer falls than usual.

Marcus approached.

Sir.

Darius looked at him.

Wintermere.

You won.

Yes.

What was your greatest strength then?

Kael stopped drinking water.

Darius understood what Marcus was really asking.

Raw Aura?

No.

Speed?

No.

Sword skill?

Better than most.

Not best.

Marcus frowned.

Then why did you win?

Darius looked toward the empty training yard.

I stopped fighting the opponent I wanted.

Marcus said nothing.

Darius continued.

My semifinal opponent was slower than me but stronger.

I spent the first half trying to overpower him because I disliked the idea that he could push me backward.

He did.

Again.

Again.

Until I realized I was fighting my pride more than him.

Marcus listened carefully.

What did you change?

Stopped meeting his blade directly.

Made him turn.

Forced him to reset his stance.

Attacked the leg that carried his weight after every heavy strike.

Marcus’s eyes sharpened.

You exploited recovery.

Yes.

The final?

Darius became quiet.

Younger fighter.

Faster.

Stronger raw Aura.

Kael smiled faintly.

That sounded familiar.

Marcus noticed too.

How did you beat him?

Darius looked at him.

Timing.

That’s it?

No.

But if I explain the whole fight, you will try to copy it instead of developing your own.

Marcus frowned.

Darius continued.

You want to know what won my bracket?

Yes.

I learned before the final that being better at one thing does not mean being the better fighter.

Marcus absorbed that.

Then Darius looked directly at him.

Your Aura will make people notice you.

Do not let that convince you they have already lost.

Marcus nodded.

Yes, Sir.

He started away.

Darius stopped him.

Wintermere.

Marcus turned.

The candle tomorrow.

Marcus’s face fell.

Kael laughed.

Some legends apparently included candles.

The next five days passed faster than Kael wanted.

Not because nothing happened.

Because everything did.

The candidates received formal equipment lists.

Registrar Elric checked sponsorship records.

Mira’s Rivergate Guild registration had to be copied.

Brennar’s provincial command letter arrived one day late.

Edric received three new letters from House Varrow and looked increasingly irritated every time one appeared.

Damien repaired his spear shaft.

Leon changed the binding on his sword grip.

Victor finally purchased a proper travel cloak after Lily informed him his old one looked like something stolen from a scarecrow.

Marcus continued the candle test.

Elias began practicing transitions between sword grip and unarmed defense after Sir Maelin pointed out that tournament disarmament did not automatically end a bout.

Hugo inspected every Black Dragon candidate weapon.

Garrick inspected Hugo’s inspection.

That argument lasted two hours.

Kael did not intervene.

The Guild headquarters received its final locks.

The new badge press arrived.

Galahad refused to use it until opening day.

The southern field remained stable.

Purple contamination at the old well continued declining.

No new Redpine voice incidents.

For once, Blackwood allowed Kael to leave without catching fire.

He remained suspicious.

Departure morning arrived beneath a clear sky.

Two carriages.

One equipment wagon.

Fourteen riding horses.

Black Dragon escort.

Candidates.

Registry witnesses.

Kael’s household staff.

The Black Dragon Banner flew from the lead wagon.

Not enormous.

Not ceremonial.

Large enough to identify them.

Kael stood outside Blackwood Manor.

Damien wore his armor.

Leon beside him.

Victor had finally stopped joking.

Marcus looked toward the road.

Elias adjusted one glove.

Mira rode independently.

Brennar checked his horse’s saddle twice.

Edric wore House Varrow blue again.

But now it looked less like arrogance and more like what it actually was.

Allegiance.

Real.

Complicated.

Kael mounted.

Darius rode beside him.

Behind them, Grom stood with his spear.

Iris beside him.

Captain Roland.

Osric.

Galahad.

Tavian.

Garrick.

Bram.

Residents gathered farther down the road.

Not thousands.

Blackwood was not Aurelia.

But enough.

The six-year-old girl from Meadowfen had somehow reached the central settlement.

She shouted.

Victor!

Victor looked over.

She cupped her hands around her mouth.

Don’t lose!

Everyone looked at him.

Victor shouted back.

Very encouraging!

She smiled.

Then added.

Bring back a shiny badge!

Victor stared.

Kael laughed.

Marcus shook his head.

Leon smiled.

Even Damien did.

Darius looked ahead.

Move.

The column started.

Wheels turned.

Hooves struck the road.

Blackwood slowly fell behind them.

Kael looked back once.

The settlement was still unfinished.

Guild roof new.

Roads imperfect.

Walls improving.

Homes rising.

Fields under study.

Fifty Black Dragon soldiers still stretched too thin across growing responsibilities.

Not an empire.

Not yet anything close.

But it was his.

Then he faced forward.

Aurelia waited three days east.

The greatest city on the continent.

The Imperial family.

The heirs.

The nobility.

Hundreds of candidates.

Four Imperial Shields.

And the Imperial Coliseum.

Darius rode beside him without looking over.

Nervous?

Kael smiled.

I’m not competing.

Darius looked at him.

No.

But part of your House is.

Kael remembered Sir Maelin saying the same thing.

Ahead of them, Damien carried the Black Dragon Banner.

Five Blackwood candidates rode beneath it.

And for the first time, that banner was leaving Blackwood not for war, rescue, or investigation.

It was going to Aurelia to be judged before the Empire.

Kael looked toward the road.

Let’s see if they’re ready.

Darius answered.

We already know they’re ready to go.

Kael looked at him.

That is not the same thing.

No.

Darius’s eyes moved toward the distant eastern horizon.

Aurelia decides the rest.

The Black Dragon Banner continued forward.

And somewhere inside the Imperial Coliseum, Sir Darius Valen’s name was already carved into stone.

Soon Blackwood would discover whether one of its own names could join it.