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Message: <blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 4731947" data-attributes="member: 3285">Serpentine Path: PrologueKham stood before in a reception room, created specifically to impress visitors.  It was in the typical Coryani style, with lounges and low tables, cushions and tapestries.  He hated it.Luca Gracchi reclined on a divan, watching Kham with partially lidded eyes.  She was still attractive despite her years.  Her arched eyebrows were carefully plucked, her eyelids exquisitely painted, her curly wig the brightest red.  Luca’s erotic skills were legendary, and her age was seen as little hindrance to a woman so schooled in such arts.  Her political influence was due largely in part to her bedroom prowess.  She was also Kham’s mother.“It’s nice of you to visit,” she sneered at him.Kham grabbed a bottle of Savonan wine from a slave who held it at the ready.  He took a swig.  It took a lot of alcohol to deal with his mother. “Yeah, well, I was in town and with dad dying and all, I thought it was time for a reunion.”Luca barked a laugh.  It was very unladylike. “You would do that.  You wouldn’t attend your own father’s funeral, just to embarrass me.”“Me?”  Kham stopped drinking to look at her incredulously. “Don’t you mean us?  I was out saving the world.  What was your excuse?”“That’s precisely the point.”  Lucca sniffed.  “I expected you to represent the family because I couldn’t be there myself.”“And why not?” “Don’t get fresh with me, boy. You know precisely why not.”Kham put one finger to his forehead.  “Ah yes, let’s see if my val gifts do me justice.” He closed his eyes.  “Right.” He opened them again.  “Because it wouldn’t do for a lady who consorts with Coryani senators to be seen in Altheria.”Lucca’s lip tugged slightly at one corner.  “Perceptive as ever.  You’re right, I couldn’t go.  With civil war looming no loyal Coryani in her right mind would travel.  Besides, the Altherians have recalled all the Shining Patrol and every able-bodied Altherian citizen.”Kham blinked.  “Since when?”“Since this week.  You’ve haven’t heard?  While the Emperor has to deal with that traitor Menisis, Altheria’s been fretting over the Ssethregorans.  They think war is afoot and they’re mustering arms to prepare.” She waved the whole issue away with a gesture. “It’s just a matter of time, really.” “So that’s what this is about.” Kham’s expression hardened.  “You want me to go back to Altheria as a citizen.”“Of course.  The least you can do is visit the site of your father’s grave.  Fortunately for you, there was no body, so you were excused from bathing your father’s corpse.”  Lucca’s lip sneered in contempt. “Since when are you so concerned about religion?” Kham peered at Lucca. “You’re not worried about father at all. You’re worried about Pallas.”Lucca’s lips became a thin red line.“You’re afraid I’m going to say something bad about Pallas.  And you don’t want word to get out about it.”“Our family has suffered enough embarrassment,” she said in low tones.  “We don’t need anyone branded a traitor.”Kham stood up.  “Well, mother, you don’t have to worry about that.  I was planning to go to Altheria all along, to pay my respects, to dad AND Pallas.” He grabbed the wine bottle from the startled slave.Kham was about to leave when Lucca’s voice stopped him. It was kind, soft, a rare display of weakness. “One more thing, child.” “Yes, mother?”“Did you get him?”“Dad’s killer?” Kham didn’t turn around.  “Yeah.  I blew his head right off.”Her eyes brimming with tears, Lucca’s face split into a grin.  “Good boy,” she whispered.He left. Lucca wiped her eyes with a silk handkerchief provided by a slave.  “Did you spike the wine?”The slave nodded. “Yes, domina, exactly as you asked. He will sleep for days.”“Good,” she smirked.  “Kham’s friends might make some poor choices, but I’ll not have my son committing treason against the Emperor.”</blockquote>

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