One of the emperor's personal guards stood rigid, features deep set and heavily shadowed in the high noon sun. He had joined the decoy search party Yuen had assembled to retrieve the vypnyr. A few minutes prior an assistant of the emperors had brought over the guard with orders. The guard was to aid and observe.
He was an ant, an exact copy of every member of his fathers guard. Created by the emperor himself. It was the very attribute that gave the emperor his title. The Power of the Emperor, the ability to create a standing army. A rare gift inherited from ancient fungi fae who freely duplicated and cloned themselves.
His fathers creations were all pale sand in skin and hair. Monotone colored with little variation in features from one to the next. This one stood at attention, head fixed straight ahead.
"Identification?" Yuen asked.
"Unit one. Personal i.d. three-three-four, b-two, your highness."
"Unit one? You've managed to advance quite far in his majesty's guard." His fathers clones were not given names. Only unit numbers and personal identification codes. The unit number was the squadron a clone would be assigned to. Their personal code was the sequence number of their creation, followed by the batch number. This particular guard had been the three hundred thirty fourth created in the second batch of branch B. Despite his low rank in seniority he had managed to land himself in the first unit. One reserved for the most loyal and talented of his majesty's guards. Drones who had survived the hardest jobs of the empire and proved themselves capable.
His father had prepared an informant. A poor excuse for an overseer. Too bad his little search party was a fluke and he was going to send them on a goose chase across the twilight realm.
Three-three-four mechanically bowed his head. "Only through hard work and persistence." He snapped up in a jerky stiff motion and resumed his still posture, eyes not really focused on anything in particular.
Sometimes his father's clones reminded him of the fae he used his tears on. Their choppy words, blind obedience, and stuttering movements closely resembling one another. It had been concluded that Yuens abilities to brainwash and hypnotize (by means other than song) had not come from his mothers side. So it must have been passed down from the line of emperors.
Pouring over records had not given any information or accounts of the power in previous generations. Even so, despite father and sons general contempt for one another, Lailan had been quick to take credit for Yuens unique ability. The novelty of his son added to his own notoriety and the ominous rarity of Yuens ability propped up his might.
Yuen did not enjoy how the similarities between his own abilities and the clones put him closer in proximity to his father. He already acutely resembled the man and that was irritating enough. But it did save his life, he was sure of. A little too special to kill off but not so great as to give him an empire.
He stepped back from the clone and went to address the group. A gathering of his own guard and a few hired men from political and business allies. "I'll be dividing everyone into three groups. Our target is most likely trying to get to the Inbetween so we are going to be cutting him off at the ports. The Kissian ports have already been swept and guards have been placed." The only way out of the twilight realm was through the ports hosting access to the greater portal rivers. There were only three such access points with the rest of the courts being connected through private channels and streams. It was easier to keep track of all those who entered and exited their realm that way. "Group one will head towards Serona in the north. Group two will cover Fellian. Investigate and send back reports. Using the Kisiian gate the third will enter Kystra incognito and keep a lookout for the vypnyr."
Yuen held out a hand and a nearby attendant swiftly placed a picture in his grasp. He lifted the picture, slowly turning it so all of the guards could get a good look. On its front was a portrait of Angus. Taken in the dungeon, blackened eyes, gaunt cheeks, and sharp features mixed with harsh lighting made him appear feral and dangerous. Magic written along the borders of the portrait moved his head from one side to the other. Motion captured in the paper to provide a better study of his features.
"I'll leave this with you." He returned the picture to the attendant just as Delta came around the corner. Today his lithe form was draped in a deep green tunic and skirt accented by pale pink flowers on a black silk robe.
"My advisor, late as usual."
Delta shrugged. "I couldn't make up my mind on what to wear." He spread his arms and spun in a circle, layers of robes fanning out around him, bangles on his wrists chimed, and rings on his fingers sparkled.
Yuen rolled his eyes. "I have yet to meet a single lady that takes more time getting ready than you." He looked his friend up and down dramatically. "And certainly not to look so mediocre in the end."
Delta's mouth fell open with a gasp at Yuens jab, a hand flying to his throat.
Ofcourse it was a joke. Delta had been often envied by men and women alike over his sense of style. Yuen didn't allude to his jest, instead he ignored him and continued on, dividing a total of fifteen men into three groups of five. He carefully selected the members of the third group first, picking the stealthiest of them, before dividing the rest in half.
When he attempted to pair Three-three-four with group two, the clone spoke up, boldly interrupting the prince. "I think it is best if I go with group three to Kystra, your highness."
Yuen tilted his head back and stroked his chin as if he were considering it. He wasn't. He didn't need one of his fathers spies accidentally seeing Wyn or Esali in Kystra. After a moment he repeated his command. "No, I would like you to accompany group two."
The clone went to open his mouth when Delta stepped towards him clapping a hand on his shoulder. "Three-three-four," He started, a crescent smile holding the hands of a smooth tongue, "you stand out too much for a stealth mission. Everyone knows about the elite soldiers of our esteemed emperor. Besides, Fellian is in a dangerous area so it's best to send the extra hands with group two."
Three-three-four looked down at Delta's hand on his shoulder and a very subtle frown pulled at the corner of his lips before he collected himself. Whether or not he stood out was debatable but it was certain that the Fellian gate was dangerous. It was located near the Night Court.
Though there were various subjects of conflict between the two courts, control of the gate reigned supreme. The Imperial Court had maintained its charge for the last thirty years, yet small rebel groups- that the Night Court insisted it had no affiliation with- attacked relentlessly. After years of trials, the Night Court had carefully eradicated any evidence of direct involvement, flawlessly securing its innocence. The Imperial Court council only agreed to the verdict in exchange for a ward of the court as a symbol of continued good faith.
"The emperor has sent you here to aid me. Your talents and abilities will be best utilized in group two. That is my command. " Yuen turned tense eyes on the clone, a deceptively pleasant smile on his lips. An odd lick of energy reached out like a damp cool tongue.
Three-three-four dropped his head. "I understand, you're highness. I will do my best."
Yuen nodded, satisfied and gestured to the attendant holding the picture of Angus. "My attendant, Cera, will finish your debrief and answer any questions you may have."
He turned on heal, exiting the barracks and heading towards the palace. Delta followed just behind, fussing over his clothing.