Read Online Heirs of the Enemy by Richard S. Tuttle - Free Book Online

disappear.”
    Colonel Taerin bowed and left the office. He moved directly to Kyrga’s office, but the Grand General was not there. He went downstairs where hundreds of guests were mingling throughout the palace. After a thorough search, he finally found the Grand General speaking to a group of nobles. He signaled Kyrga that he had important information and the Grand General detached himself from the group.
    “What is it?” Kyrga asked with annoyance.
    “Emperor Jaar wishes to see you immediately,” stated the colonel. Kyrga’s mouth opened to speak, but Colonel Taerin already knew what question was forthcoming. “And no, it cannot wait.”
    Grand General Kyrga shook his head with displeasure and left the room. By the time he reached the emperor’s office, he was in a foul mood. Downstairs were hundreds of people waiting to fawn all over him, and the hermit emperor thought he had something important to discuss. Kyrga was admitted to the emperor’s office, but his bow was less than respectful. The emperor narrowed his eyes as he stared at the Grand General.
    “What do you know about the foray into Elfwoods a while back?” asked the emperor.
    “Is that what was so urgent?” scowled the Grand General. “Do you realize that there are hundreds of important people waiting downstairs to hear from us? Can’t this wait?”
    “No, it cannot wait,” retorted the emperor. “I consider breaking an agreement with the Dielderal to be a serious matter.”
    “How can it be a serious matter when the Dielderal no longer exist?” countered Kyrga.
    “Answer the question,” the emperor commanded with a raised voice.
    Grand General Kyrga sighed and his face lost the scowl it had been carrying. “I know nothing more than you. We have been through this before.”
    “Indeed we have, but we are going through it again. As you have no idea how much I know, your answer is unacceptable. How much do you know about it?”
    “I know nothing about it,” lied the Grand General. “As I told you before, my investigation turned up nothing of interest.”
    “So you did not discover that Captain Kent let the raid into Elfwoods?”
    Kyrga’s eye twitched as he realized that whoever was investigating for the emperor had managed to stumble too close to the truth. “I do not believe I know Captain Kent, whoever he is. If what you have found out is true, then question the captain and discover the answer to this riddle.”
    “I have done so,” the emperor said softly.
    Kyrga knew the emperor was bluffing. His investigator might have discovered Kent somehow, but Kent was dead. The investigation was at an end. “Wonderful,” he replied sarcastically. “Now you can enlighten me as to your findings.”
    “Indeed I can. Captain Kent said that you authorized the mission into Elfwoods. How convenient that your own investigation failed to turn up this information.”
    “I dispute the captain’s lies,” declared the Grand General. “Have him restate his words to my face, and I will resign.”
    “Your resignation is accepted,” replied the emperor.
    Kyrga stared at the emperor in disbelief. He kept waiting for the punch line in the emperor’s little joke, but Jaar sat there defiantly. The emperor shoved a piece of paper across the desk.
    “Sign it,” commanded the emperor.
    Kyrga looked at the paper and saw a letter of resignation already made out before the meeting had been called. He grew furious as he read the letter.
    “Enough of your games,” snapped Kyrga. “I said that I would resign if that snot-nosed captain repeated his words to my face. He hasn’t done that, has he? He isn’t going to do that, is he? Of course he isn’t. Kent is dead and you know it. Stop playing games with me. I am not resigning.”
    “Then you are relieved of your command,” stated the emperor. “Kent is alive and well and here in Despair. He has repeatedly stated that you ordered him into Elfwoods during multiple interrogations. You are officially