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walk slowly around the courtyard while the sounds of battle died to a soft round of thuds.
    When Sy turned to face the tent, her eyes widened at the pile of Vexar imperial household uniforms and their battered contents. “Ouch.”
    “The healers are on their way.”
    “I had no idea that they had sent a dozen men as escort. I guess one flew out, and the others came running.” Sy was impressed. “They must be desperate to have me in the throne room. I wonder how many other people are up for the dubious honour of the thorn?”
    “There will be others?”
    “Usually. When I was born, I was over ninetieth in line for the throne. When I entered the Citadel, I was up to sixty-seventh. Vexar nobles like to kill each other.” Sy shrugged.
    “Aren’t you worried?” Wadara’s brow was furrowed in a frown.
    “No. If this is what I am meant to do, it is what I will do. The emperor I grew up with was a good man, and even though there have been four idiots on that throne since, it is his memory that I carry with me and my parents’ memory that I will honour.”
    The two healers came through the doors, and Wadara’s blank expression indicated that she was giving them direction.
    Wadara grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze. “We are still here if you need anything. Don’t think for one moment that you don’t have a home with people who love you. You are not alone, and you will never be alone as long as the Thoola Citadel survives.”
    Sy touched her friend’s hair then her cheek. “Thank you. It means a lot to know that I have friends to back me up.”
    “Always and forever, Sy. We are only a thought away. Well, as long as Dorium is with you. You might want to keep him close.” Wadara tried to put an innocent expression on her face and failed miserably.
    Sy looked at the tent where her Citadel-trained guards were emerging. Dorium was wiping his hands, and his expression and that of his companions showed that they took no pleasure in the pain they had inflicted. It was a matter of making sure that the imperial guards knew where they stood. It would not be next to Syrella.
    Dorium nodded to Syrella, and she gave Wadara a quick hug. “Remind me to thank you for Dorium. As a method of torture, he is the most effective means you have ever cooked up.”
    Wadara Povix, Headmistress of the Citadel School Thoola, grinned evilly, showing her sharp canines. “That was my plan. Enjoy him. He is willing to be a constant companion to you if you let him.”
    With that perplexing statement in the air, Wadara left her, and Dorium collected her to begin their journey to Vexa. It was time to face the thorn and take the throne.

Chapter Five
    Syrella spent the fourteen hours of travel meditating and trying to keep calm. Dorium, Agoth and Perinio occasionally spoke to her, trying to draw her into conversation, but her mood was either detected by one of their senses, or they were just ready to let her focus.
    Her first trip to Vexa as a child had been bittersweet. Her mother had not been allowed to meet the emperor. She had been forced to remain on Saluthic while Syrella and her father went to visit as kin of the ruler of nineteen worlds. Clinging to her father’s hand, she had walked in a stiff dress and stiffer shoes and made her curtsey to the man who ruled over billions.
    Her father made his bow and the emperor smiled and asked. “Arnos Loesh, Duke of Saluthic, welcome. Who is this charming little one? She glows like dawn.”
    Her father inclined his head in respect. “My daughter is named Syrella, after her mother.”
    “Syrella, please come up here and speak to me. You are the most welcome addition to my court that I have seen in years.”
    Sy looked up at her father, and he nodded encouragingly. With her stiff shoes slipping a little on the stone, she walked up the four steps and curtseyed again.
    The Emperor reached out and lifted her up, placing her on his knee in front of the assembled court. “So, Syrella, do you have