A Soldier's Life - 319 - Epilogue (final edit 8-9-25!!! Last chapter! now, it goes to the editor, and I approve/reject her suggestions. chapter 311-315 might get another edit from me as I was not 100% happy with how it reads)

Chapter 319: Epilogue Renna’s sweat was drying as she stood on the balcony of the Mage College, looking over the city of Telha. She had just

Chapter 319: Epilogue

Renna’s sweat was drying as she stood on the balcony of the Mage College, looking over the city of Telha. She had just finished practicing with the short blade Eryk had gifted her. The intense exercise was a welcome distraction from her situation.

She was in the suite for the Chancellor of the War Mage College. She had stood here with Eryk many times, watching the sunrise. Now, he was dead, and any thoughts of him coming to rescue her were shattered. Even the small bed they shared was losing his scent. Everything had fallen apart so fast in the last few months.

First, Eryk left for the Hounds. Then Zyna took her to serve on the war front at her side. She saw firsthand the destruction an avenging mage could bring to bear on his enemies. The Emperor was turning the fortunes of every battle with his incredible power. The aftermath of the battlefields turned her stomach but she could tell Zyna was trying to harden her.

Then Zyna turned against the Emperor just as she was about to defeat the Bartiradians. Renna had been paralyzed with shock as mages and legionaries began fighting each other. The brutal battle and ensuing chaos still haunt her nightmares. At first, she didn’t understand what was happening, thinking Zyna was being controlled and that the Bartiradians had set a trap. But no, it was a bloody coup.

Initially, in the battle, she just defended herself, but eventually, she sided with Zyna. When a void attack from the Emperor pierced Zyna’s head, she went into shock. Zyna was a pillar of strength for her, a mentor, and when she came to control her power, she imagined her as a colleague and friend. Dozens of the Empire’s best legionnaires and mages had fallen on that field that day. She was swept up by Duke Octavian’s men and held prisoner.

She had been questioned extensively by the Truthseekers and managed to satisfy them that she had not been privy to the treason or attacked anyone during the coup. She had been mostly forgotten for weeks in Duke Octavian’s camp as he treated with the Esenhem elves for peace and pressed the Bartiradians back to the border by force. She might have fled—if she had anywhere or anyone to flee to.

When Duke Octavian’s entourage returned to the capital, a Triumph parade was held for him. He professed to avenging the Emperor’s death at the hands of Bartiradian killers and reestablishing the treaty with the Esenhem elves, effectively ending the war on the eastern front. A great victory for the Telhian Empire was ringing through the streets.

No word of Zyna’s or the others' betrayal circulated or who actually killed the Emperor—Renna recalled it was some legionnaire with a bow. She assumed all those who could speak the truth were now long dead or allied with Octavian. The balance of her life was made known by subtle threats of those around her if she didn’t cooperate.

It was clear Renna’s value as a powerful mage was the only thing keeping her alive. Too many mages were lost in the war and the insurrection led by Zyna. Renna had been stashed here in these apartments, supplied food and spell books brought to her by legionnaires who guarded her door. The spell books on the table were for powerful spells, immolate and tornado.

Immolate was a spell that targeted a small area, rapidly increasing the temperature and igniting everything inside. It was a painful way to execute enemies of the Empire in public. The tornado spell created a swirling vortex of air that grew as long as it was fed aether. It could be directed at armies if the mage was given enough time. Being forced to learn these spells was a way to make sure she was helpful in the Empire.

They thought she would be comfortable in these suites, but instead, they painfully reminded her of wonderful memories and a more carefree time. Eryk’s presence had briefly rescued her from fate to serve as a brood mare for one of the Emperor’s sons. Eryk made the days bearable for her, and she looked forward to spending time with him. Now he was dead and any fantasy of Eryk rescuing her was dead.

After being sequestered in the tower, Renna had befriended the quartet of legionnaires that guarded her. She learned Eryk’s fate from them. One of the legionnaires even got the official report. Eryk had died fighting the Boutan orcs in the Western Empire. She read it nearly half a dozen times, not being able to believe it. Eryk always seemed invincible to her like Fortuna was actually protecting him.

She needed to harden herself to her reality if she wanted to survive. She watched the city below as it prepared to welcome their new Emperor, Octavius. The door to the common room banged open with authority, sending a chill through her. She rarely had any visitors, but guessed her presence would be required at the parade.

She straightened her spine to face the intruder. She froze in place; it was Mage Ona. Her sleek black hair was tightly pulled back, and her piercing blue eyes scrutinized Renna. “I’m surprised they haven’t already hanged you,” she said mockingly. Zyna had warned Renna that Ona had acquired a potent amulet that amplified her charm abilities. Since then, Renna had trained in both mental and magical defenses.

She was surprised Ona was alone and couldn’t help retorting a stinging comment. “Where is your brother? Doesn’t he hold your leash?”

Ona weaved a spell form with one hand, and a dagger of ice condensed into the hand. Anger was clear on her face as her veins bulged and the tendons in her neck strained. It was no secret that her twin brother, Cashius, abused her. Her treated his own sister like he treated all women. “I am no longer tied to him,” Ona said icily.

Renna didn’t back down, and they stared at each other for a long minute. Ona and Cashius had tormented Renna since she arrived at the College, but now she was more powerful than both. They couldn’t accept that someone outside of the First Citizens had more raw power. A realization washed over Renna: Ona was a First Citizen! She wore the ceremonial brooch that indicated she had been raised. Ona smirked in victory. The condensed ice blade clattered on the floor, but it didn’t shatter.

Renna wiped the shock off her face. “Why are you here?”

A malicious smirk formed on Ona’s face. “I am to ensure you cooperate during the coronation and walk diligently by Emperor Octavius’ side.”

“What? Why would I do that?” Renna’s mind raced. Why would she be given such a position at his side?

“Because you are to be my uncle’s next wife,” Ona said gleefully. Renna felt the threads starting to invade her mind and she began the fight for control.

Slightly distracted, “Duke Octavian is married,” forced out.

“Not any longer, Cavia is dead,” Ona said neutrally as she split her focus. “Calvia died by an assassin’s blade ten days past,” Ona added without remorse for her aunt.

“Why me? Why not you?” Renna said as she started to sweat and considered doing something drastic. Her sword was not far away, but two unfamiliar legionnaires stood by the door, probably Ona’s guards. She could just run and jump off the balcony and try to fly to freedom.

“Me?” Ona laughed a little too manically. Maybe the offer had already been made or suggested.  “No,” she fingered her First Citizen brooch. “I am tired of being told what to do. You, however, do not have a choice!”

Ona pressed her will upon Renna, and she was much stronger than she remembered. Still, Renna kept her wits and focused. Her hand slid down to her thigh as her entire body perspired, soaking the thin fabric of her exercise clothes. She had one of the blades Eryk had given her strapped inside her thigh. She wouldn’t become a mindless puppet. She would kill Ona—or herself.

“Enough!” An authoritative voice echoed, coming up the stairs. Duke Octavian strode into the room, his authority emanating from him. No not from him, but some artifact Renna couldn’t place. She had met him a few times and had never been impressed before. Something was enhancing his aura. Three Imperial Legionnaires in their shiny breast plates took guard duty and went silent as their future Emperor approached Renna. His heavy red and gold robes flowing around his regal stature. Maybe it was the robes…

Her heart raced as he approached and stood before her. Ona’s tendrils retreated from her mind, allowing her to breathe slightly easier. “Do you love your Empire?” He asked after studying her.

Renna stumbled over her words, “I…I love the people of the Empire, yes.”

A wide smile spread across Octavian’s lips. “Good. The Empire has need of your services.” Renna was wise enough to remain silent as Octavian paced in the common room in the apartment, pretending to inspect things. She was sure this encounter was orchestrated. Maybe after Ona failed to control her, this was the alternate plan.

“The Empire is besieged, Mage Renna. It will fall without a strong hand to guide it through these troubling times. I am that hand, Renna.” He made eye contact with her. His black hair and beard framed his angled face. To her, there was nothing attractive in his features but some influence made her respect his visage.

“Did you know the goblinkin have surged from the Endless Dark and established two cities at the base of the Dragon Spine Mountains?” He said softly.

Renna stumbled for the right words. “I did not. I have been locked in the tower since we returned to the capital.”

A sympathetic look was manufactured on his face. “Not locked away, my child. You were being guarded from assassins and the influence of the traitors. Now that I am sure they have been dealt with, you can leave the Mage College whenever you want. Your guards, of course, will accompany you.” He gestured in a circle, “The goblinkin are not the only threat. Varvao has fallen to the orcs. Agents from the Mitzra Brotherhood have been plaguing my attempts at peace and interfering with the excavation of Atlantium.”

Renna couldn’t help but show anger at the mention of the orcs as they had killed Eryk. Octavian smirked and nodded at her obvious anger. “Yes, the orcs hold most of the Western Empire but we will retake once we regain our strength. We need your help to become strong again.” His eyes drifted to the two spell books. “How is your progress?” He said cocking an eyebrow in her direction.

Renna had never felt so alone before, so isolated. She knew her life might be hanging by a poor decision. “I have almost learned the immolate spell. I can trace their patterns in the air, just not fast enough to sustain them.”

Duke Octavian smiled, “Very good! I was told you were a remarkable young woman!” He turned on Ona, “My niece may have been too hasty in announcing my intentions to you. I have suffered a great loss recently.” He held his head in sorrow. “I need time to grieve. You need time to decide if I will be a good husband.” His poorly honeyed words caused her to feel ill but she didn’t show it and just gave a slight placating nod.

He made eye contact with her again. “But in the interim, I need to show power tomorrow at the coronation in front of the First Citizens and Esenhem Ambassadors.” Renna's eyes shot open in surprise.

Octavian looked displeased. “Yes, the elves will be there. I had to make a lot of concessions to secure the border with Esenhem. All I ask is that you walk by my side.” He offered a manufactured smile.

Renna had no choice but to notice the malevolent smile on Ona’s face. She knew there was something else going on here. “I…I…I…can walk by your side.” Octavian smiled happily, and Ona smirked triumphantly.

“I knew you loved your Empire,” he said as he took his leave.

The following eight hours felt endless as attendants fitted and prepared her for the following day. Some used magic, while others relied on mundane means to get her ready as quickly as possible. It was unnerving because none of them spoke to her, no matter how much she tried to converse.

At noon the next day, she was escorted to the Imperial Palace. She had never been inside the walls and was shocked at the exorbitant luxury throughout. They were brought to a massive chamber, easily a hundred paces across. In its grandeur, it was barely a quarter-filled. She knew several challengers to the throne had been dealt with, but this gathering felt—sparse.

A delegation of nine elves stood off to the side and appeared to be here as observers only. They all wore blank expressions, but their body language told Renna they would rather be elsewhere. As the ceremony began, Renna did as she was instructed and stood on Octavian’s right. When he was crowned, he became Emperor Octavius, the Justice Bearer. A pompous title for a pretentious man.

Renna tuned out the ceremonies as they proceeded slowly and tortuously. There were dozens of mages in attendance, mixed in with the First Citizens. She assumed everyone here was an ally of the newly crowned Emperor Octavius.

When the crown finally rested on his head, moderate applause erupted from the gallery. Renna was just glad this was over. She was expecting an engagement announcement for her to the new Emperor from the acolyte of Juno standing before them. He had promised to give her time.

Instead, the acolyte of Juno who stood before them entered a wedding ceremony. Anger flared in her, but should she have expected anything less from Emperor Octavius? There was a brief ceremony raising Renna to First Citizen status, as an Emperor could not marry too far beneath himself.

Renna gritted her teeth to get through this. She could fold and become beholden to the whims of Octavius, or she could bid her time and gather as much power for herself as she could. Then she could break her own shackles and maybe seek her vengeance against those who wronged her. Certain First Citizens and the Boutan orcs who killed Eryk were at the top of her list.

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