Lastirk strode confidently into the conference room, mildly surprised to see every seat filled. Even back when she was first trying to build this colony, the congress members could never be bothered to all attend at the same time. But now, here they all were lined up at the conference table like good little boys and girls. As she stood silently at the end of the table, Lastirk realized there was something wrong. As she tried to make eye contact, each one would turn away from her gaze. When her eyes made it to the end of the table, she saw the high-backed chair she usually took was turned away from the table and rocking back and forth. She glared at the back of the chair. "What is this?" She hissed with a grim threatening tone in her voice. She watched as the chair swiveled around revealing a slim, muscular Rednasi man with red hair.
"This, dear mother," Grayson began, "is what they call a hostile takeover. Given the current state of affairs and your apparent lack of ability to manage them effectively, the members of congress have decided a change in leadership was in order." Lastirk flinched with a disgusted look on her face. "Do they now?" Again, they all found something more interesting to look at, as she glanced at their faces. "Yes, mother, they do." He said the word mother as if it were a dirty word. He steepled his fingers in front of him with a smug, self-satisfied smirk on his face. "As of about twenty minutes ago, due to a unanimous vote of no confidence, you have been removed as Regent of this colony and replaced by me." Greyson leaned back in his chair and spread his arms wide in a grand gesture with a smile on his face just as wide. He was inwardly reveling in his victory. All the study, work, time, and effort he had put into this coup had paid off. He would be Regent, he would be King, and he wouldn't have to wait for his mother to die to do it. He couldn't be happier.
Lastirk could barely contain her rage. The ungrateful little shit had actually pulled it off. Deep down she was impressed that he had, and right under her nose without her noticing. But the betrayal, her own son, in her own house. It was unforgivable. She smiled a dark smile. Her fist clenched, her nails biting into her palms. Her tail shook, nearly vibrating behind her. She knew she could kill everyone in this room before they could twitch, but she'd then have to explain that to the empire. Having to quell a coup would trigger an investigation, and she didn't have time for that. Her son had used political law to oust her, the empire would not bat an eye, but she knew what the Rednasi Empire valued much more than politics.
"I demand an official Challenge by Combat, as is my right by Rednasi First Law" her voice cold and menacing. The congress gasped and began to whisper among themselves. A Challenge by Combat was to the death and it was rare that one happened between parent and offspring. At the same time, they knew this could put all the deals and arrangements they had in place in jeopardy. Greyson just smiled coolly as if he had been expecting this very thing. "So be it"
With all the work sites shut down Raeni and Omnira were finally able to get things done. Having all the workers home allowed all the repairs to Trench Town to finish in no time, they were even able to make some improvements in some cases. Combat training was in full swing and Raeni could feel the strength of the Old Power in the air. She and Omnira walked through the village and could see the joy slowly returning to the faces of their people. She allowed herself a soft smile, proud of their progress. Her smile faded when she looked at her daughter and saw the hard look on her face. "What troubles you, love?" she asked gently. Omnira glanced up as if startled by her mother's words. She shook her head, "What doesn't." more of a statement than a question. "All of this is great, but I know in my heart it is only the calm before the storm. More than that, the storm that is coming is going to be the worst one since the invasion. All reports indicate that the accidents were no accidents. That can only mean the Rednasi are fighting among themselves, a power struggle. I fear that whatever the outcome, it won't be good for us."
Raeni nodded, her eyes glancing at the sky. "I feel it too; the winds are changing. But we must have faith. Azaacar is with us, she has blessed us and will protect us, come what may. Remember, she told us we will soon be free."
"Yes, but how soon is 'soon'? Will it be today? This year? Will it be before or after our oppressors turn their attention back on us?" Omnira was on the verge of tears. "And what of Marley? All this time, is he even still alive? We have heard from neither him nor the goddess since the day he left. How long must we endure?"
Raeni stopped walking and took her daughter's face in her hands. "We endure as we have, as long as we have to. We may not be able to see the whole board, but we have to have faith that our goddess is moving the pieces in our favor. When we can see the next move, we will move. When we can't, we believe. In the meantime, we prepare. That's what faith is, believing when you can't see. Marley will return. And when he does, we will rise up and retake what is ours. Those are the words of Azaacar. That is what we hold on to. The when does not matter. Hold on to the promise and it will come to pass."
Omnira nodded, tears running down her face. She was still uncertain, but she was comforted by her mother's conviction. But still she worried for the man she loved.