over to me and sits down.
“Open it,” she urges.
The seam is sealed with a magnetic closure which is the way most garments are sealed. I was told things known as zippers and buttons were used at one time.
I pull the seam apart and stare at the contents of the bag.
There is a broadsword and a small black box. I pick up the box and open it. Lying within its interior is a translucent neural memo. I grab it and immediately place it behind my right ear. A hologram of my father materializes in front of me and a fount of tears immediately clouds my vision.
“Anna,” my papa says, “if you are watching this message it means something has happened to me, and Vala has told you to seek out the items in my desk. There is so much I need to tell you, my little cherub, but what you need to know should be told to you in person not through a simple holographic message. Plus, I have no way of knowing if this message will be found by you or someone else and the information you need is far too important to be discovered by a third party. I have no doubt that once my best friend learns of what has happened to me he will come here and take care of you. He is not someone you have met before, and I must warn you that he is a stubborn man. No matter what he says or how he acts towards you, know that he will protect you with his life. We have been the guardians of your family for a very long time. He will not forsake you just because of his personal feelings. I love you, my dearest Anna. No matter what has befallen me, I want you to always remember that I treasure the time I've been able to spend with you. I knew from the moment I held you in my arms after you were born that you were meant for greatness. You are going to change the world, my little cherub. I have complete faith that you will live up to your birthright. I am so proud to be known as your father and so thankful to have been given the opportunity to watch you grow and mature into the beautiful, self-confident woman you are today. Keep safe, my love. And always remember that your papa is proud of you and loves you more than anything or anyone else in this world.”
I sit motionless on the floor as tears trail down my face. I play the message again and again because it's the only link I have left to my father.
Finally, I look back inside the bag and pull out the sword.
It's not a hologram. It's real. I'm not sure how my papa was able to smuggle a weapon into Cirrus but somehow he did. And, he thought it important enough to leave for me to find.
As I heft the hilt in my hand, the silver blade suddenly ignites with red-orange flames, mesmerizing me with their flickering brightness.
“Whoa,” Vala says, her dark, little hazel colored eyes shining from the flames as she stares at the sword in my hand. “What kind of sword is that, Anna?”
I shake my head. “I have no idea, Vala. No idea at all.”
CHAPTER five
A day passes. Then two. Still no word comes about Millie and Eliza's whereabouts. I have no way to find out where they are or why they’re still being held. In truth, I welcome the silence in the house. It lets me focus on what I need to do next. I decide that if I'm ever going to find a way to bring my father back I will have to wait until after my marriage to the emperor. On the day of our wedding, I will also be crowned empress and have far more power than I do now.
I can't call the person masquerading as the emperor Auggie because he isn't my best friend. He is an imposter. Of that, I have no doubt whatsoever. I'm not sure how long it will take or what I will have to do to prove that fact to everyone else, but I feel certain the truth will reveal itself in time. I simply have to be patient and choose my actions carefully because I am also certain the dowager empress will be watching my every move. I will have to hide my real
“Open it,” she urges.
The seam is sealed with a magnetic closure which is the way most garments are sealed. I was told things known as zippers and buttons were used at one time.
I pull the seam apart and stare at the contents of the bag.
There is a broadsword and a small black box. I pick up the box and open it. Lying within its interior is a translucent neural memo. I grab it and immediately place it behind my right ear. A hologram of my father materializes in front of me and a fount of tears immediately clouds my vision.
“Anna,” my papa says, “if you are watching this message it means something has happened to me, and Vala has told you to seek out the items in my desk. There is so much I need to tell you, my little cherub, but what you need to know should be told to you in person not through a simple holographic message. Plus, I have no way of knowing if this message will be found by you or someone else and the information you need is far too important to be discovered by a third party. I have no doubt that once my best friend learns of what has happened to me he will come here and take care of you. He is not someone you have met before, and I must warn you that he is a stubborn man. No matter what he says or how he acts towards you, know that he will protect you with his life. We have been the guardians of your family for a very long time. He will not forsake you just because of his personal feelings. I love you, my dearest Anna. No matter what has befallen me, I want you to always remember that I treasure the time I've been able to spend with you. I knew from the moment I held you in my arms after you were born that you were meant for greatness. You are going to change the world, my little cherub. I have complete faith that you will live up to your birthright. I am so proud to be known as your father and so thankful to have been given the opportunity to watch you grow and mature into the beautiful, self-confident woman you are today. Keep safe, my love. And always remember that your papa is proud of you and loves you more than anything or anyone else in this world.”
I sit motionless on the floor as tears trail down my face. I play the message again and again because it's the only link I have left to my father.
Finally, I look back inside the bag and pull out the sword.
It's not a hologram. It's real. I'm not sure how my papa was able to smuggle a weapon into Cirrus but somehow he did. And, he thought it important enough to leave for me to find.
As I heft the hilt in my hand, the silver blade suddenly ignites with red-orange flames, mesmerizing me with their flickering brightness.
“Whoa,” Vala says, her dark, little hazel colored eyes shining from the flames as she stares at the sword in my hand. “What kind of sword is that, Anna?”
I shake my head. “I have no idea, Vala. No idea at all.”
CHAPTER five
A day passes. Then two. Still no word comes about Millie and Eliza's whereabouts. I have no way to find out where they are or why they’re still being held. In truth, I welcome the silence in the house. It lets me focus on what I need to do next. I decide that if I'm ever going to find a way to bring my father back I will have to wait until after my marriage to the emperor. On the day of our wedding, I will also be crowned empress and have far more power than I do now.
I can't call the person masquerading as the emperor Auggie because he isn't my best friend. He is an imposter. Of that, I have no doubt whatsoever. I'm not sure how long it will take or what I will have to do to prove that fact to everyone else, but I feel certain the truth will reveal itself in time. I simply have to be patient and choose my actions carefully because I am also certain the dowager empress will be watching my every move. I will have to hide my real
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