Free Heirs of the Enemy by Richard S. Tuttle Page A

K’san answered distractedly. “There is something that I need to know.”
    “Find out who investigated me,” urged the Grand General.
    K’san merely nodded. A few moments later, loud voices came from outside the door. K’san halted his probe and started towards the door. Kyrga held his hand up to stop the priest.
    “It is Colonel Taerin,” Kyrga said softly. “You have no need to interfere. He will leave when the guards tell him that the emperor is not accepting visitors.”
    K’san nodded in understanding. “The emperor will waken soon. I want two of your men in here at all times until I say otherwise. The emperor is to believe that he will be killed if he defies us, but your men must be told differently. Jaar is not to be killed under any circumstances. They may wound him or bind him, but he must remain alive. The master will not tolerate any deviation from this. Do you understand?”
    “Perfectly,” Kyrga replied, “but we cannot keep him locked up forever. If he does not make an appearance during the celebration, questions will be asked.”
    “We will distract everyone,” smiled K’san. “You are to reveal the truth about Alcea this week.”
    “No,” Kyrga protested. “We must not divulge that yet.”
    “The Master has spoken,” retorted K’san. “Do not mention the portals except to the generals who need to know about them, but the coming war with Alcea is to become public knowledge. I suggest you inform the monarchs first and then the generals.”
    “They will all want a part in planning the war,” frowned Kyrga. “I already have it all worked out.”
    “Let them get involved in the planning if they want to. Your word will be final in the end, but they will be kept occupied in the meantime. Go instruct your men. When they understand the limits placed on them, bring two of them inside. In here you will tell them in front of the emperor to slay him if he strays from your desires.”
    Kyrga nodded and left the office. K’san watched as the emperor woke. Jaar glanced around the room. When his eyes landed on K’san, he trembled in fear. Kyrga and two soldiers entered. The emperor quickly focused on them to avoid looking at the priest.
    “You two are to guard the emperor night and day,” Kyrga instructed his men. “If he makes any move to leave his quarters or summon guards, he is to be killed. No one will be permitted in to see him without my express permission.”
    Kyrga expected Jaar to threaten revenge or death, but the emperor did not even protest. He remained silent and cowed. K’san walked out of the office, and Kyrga hurried after him.
    “What now?” asked Kyrga when he caught up to the priest.
    “Now you go back to your party,” replied K’san. “I am going back to my temple.”
    “That’s it?” frowned the Grand General.
    “For now. There will be a more permanent solution before the week is out. Do not worry. The Master has planned for such a problem.”
    “What about the investigator? Who was it?”
    “General Forshire.”
    * * * *
    Clint mingled with the Federation generals. General Marashef introduced him to a few, and so did General Antero. Being introduced by a fellow general made it easier for him to gain acceptance from the other generals. Most of the generals had heard about A Corps, and Clint took quite a ribbing about his misfits, but the banter was mostly good natured, and Clint took it in stride. After several hours of talking and memorizing names and faces, Clint was ready for a break. He decided to check in with his men, but once he left the palace, he found himself heading towards the waterfront and ended up on the bench he usually sat upon to think. He learned that there were thirty-one full armies in the Federation. That added up to over three-hundred-thousand fighting men. It was the largest army ever assembled, and it was pointed at Alcea. It was a sobering thought.
    “I thought I might find you here,” Colonel Taerin said as he approached and sat