It was almost dawn when Arsha finally got to see Kartambo. A human man, roughly Arsha’s skin tone, was dragged in by Irmalii. He arched an eyebrow at seeing Arsha on the throne with Domesta and Dumarith’s bottle on the armrest. “Ah, Mr. Kartambo!” greeted Arsha. “I see Irmalii found you! Good! You’re looking healthier than I remember, got yourself cured of your bone disease?”
“My bones have never been stronger, Your Highness,” replied Kartambo. “What’s going on here? Last I checked, that was your father’s seat.”
“Where, exactly, was that statement when Skain polluted the throne? Did your own ambitions and Dr. Borg’s goals get in the way?”
“…Well, that answers my private question about you being an illusion. Only the real Arsha Royana would pry into someone’s private business. So, you really ARE alive and back. I take it your parents are here too?”
“They’re in Daddy’s office, going over the situation reports so they can fix this mess. I’m simply helping them take care of the wall.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? What in the Depths is going on, Your Highness?” Arsha got up and walked to him.
“Skain initially built the wall to keep the citizens of Largandra as his prisoners. He allowed Dr. Borg’s robots to live there so the people would live in fear of the outside world. …Skain’s assets are being seized and liquidated before his execution so the funds would be used to rebuild the homes the wall destroyed in its construction, but it’s not enough. We still need to tear that ugly thing down, so I’m giving you a choice. You can fund the remainder willingly as the wall falls, or we take every single asset of yours and liquidate it while you languish in the dungeons for the rest of your life. Let me assure you, there won’t be any execution for you, nor will you kill yourself if you refuse to help.” Kartambo smirked.
“Largandra has a population of fifty million. Only two percent of it are fighters. Dr. Borg’s personal edict is that the Empire does not attack a population of ten percent fighters unless provoked. The wall stays, one way or another.” Arsha looked long and hard at him.
“…You’re afraid, aren’t you?” she guessed. “You’re afraid of failing Dr. Borg as much as she fears losing to us.” She then snapped her fingers as if she remembered something. “Speaking of the Empire, we need to ensure that we can talk privately. …Don’t move. Mr. Markulak, if you please.” Markulak then sprang from behind the throne and swung his sword near Kartambo’s neck on each side. He actually took the heads of two humanoid robots that were invisible until their deaths. He then sheathed his sword as the bottle flashed. Arsha rubbed it and released Domesta and Dumarith. “Fine work, Mr. Markulak,” praised Arsha.
“Part of my job description, Your Highness,” replied Markulak. “I’ll clean it up.”
“There’s no need,” assured Domesta.
“WE’LL take care of the mess,” supplied Dumarith. “Your Highness, if you please?” Arsha then took up the bottle.
“I wish for the robot corpses and their spilled fluids,” she declared, “to be removed from this castle.” The two Genies snapped their fingers and the mess disappeared.
“You’ll have to tell the Telmath Forge in the north end of town about their sudden increase in materials,” advised Domesta.
“Will do,” replied Arsha.
“You’re insane!” growled Kartambo. Arsha glowered at him.
“On any other day, Mr. Kartambo, you’d be wrong. Today, though, after what the reports said about your activities? Today is a VERY different day! One last time; assist in the destruction of the wall or be reduced to utter destitution!”
“No on both counts. Despite what you think of what or who I fear, you DON’T frighten me. No Royana does. If you attack the wall, you’ll lose.”
“Yes, the weapons dotting the wall are very impressive against targets in the air and on the ground, but at this moment, they’re pointed outside the wall.”
“The external perimeter, yes. But that wall has weapons concealed within the inner wall, ready to quell any uprisings. So, what are you gonna do? Blow up the wall?”
“That’s the idea, yes.” Kartambo chuckled softly to himself.
“Did you conduct a material analysis of the wall’s bricks?”
“I was told that the same clay that makes up Dr. Borg’s Golems was used to make the bricks, yes.”
“Meaning that, even if you DID set up explosives, you couldn’t send a signal to the det-packs. So, what can you do, hope that there’s a robot stupid enough to press the button?” Arsha sighed to herself.
“…Mr. Markulak, tell Trosalga that he can press the button.”
“…Yes, Your Highness.” Markulak’s eyes flashed as Kartambo realized that there was another rebellious robot!
“NO!” he wailed. The guards grabbed him before he could get any closer. Explosions reached everyone’s ears and the castle rocked from the tremors. The shaking lasted for a minute before everything settled down. A call then came through.
“The wall is gone,” came Temnasia’s voice. “…As is Trosalga.”
“He died to save us,” sighed Arsha. “Let us continue to win in his name.” She turned to Kartambo. “Mr. Markulak’s defection inspired other robots to rebel against Dr. Borg. They evacuated the area near the wall during the night. I wanted to meet every member of the Robot Liberation Front. I had hoped you would be reasonable so I could see Trosalga, but…here we are.” She turned to the guards. “Take him to the dungeon. Make sure he stays alive. Seize his lands and assets and liquidate them. Put it towards the reconstruction of the homes on Largandra’s borders.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” replied a guard. He and his partner then hauled Kartambo to the dungeon. He resisted long enough to shout at Arsha as she sat on the throne.
“YOU JUST MADE A BIG MISTAKE, ARSHA ROYANA! EVEN IF WE LOST LARGANDRA, THE REALM TRINITY EMPIRE HAS ALLIES! WE’LL MAKE SURE THAT EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN ALL THE REALMS PAY THE PRICE FOR WHAT YOU’VE DONE TODAY!” The group rounded a corner and his protests vanished. The sun finally peeked over the horizon.
“What I’ve done?” Arsha asked herself. “When it comes to Dr. Borg, I haven’t even started.” Elgrad then entered the throne room. Arsha stood back up. “That’s enough of that throne for me right now! You can have it back!”
“Still, a very fine command of the situation,” praised Elgrad. “You rose to the challenge and knew when to step back so others can act. That’s what a good ruler does.” He sat on the throne. “…Tell me, how comfy is it for you?”
“A little TOO comfy for me.”
“That’s the correct answer. You’ll be a fine Queen when your mother and I step down.”
“Thank you, Daddy. Now, I better go help out Rokanth. Those ships need to be relocated.”
“Good luck, Sweetie!” replied Elgrad. Arsha pecked Elgrad on the cheek and headed out of the throne room. Elgrad then turned to Markulak. “Mr. Markulak, how would you like to be an advisor?”
“I’m afraid I’ll have to leave the position once we have the Mid to Under Realmgate working,” replied Markulak.
“Very well. Until then, log yourself into the appointments database. Use 7-1-4-6 for the password.” Markulak connected to the database and logged in.
“I’m in, Your Majesty.”
“What’s first on the docket?”
“The woman that met with Skain last night is requesting an audience with you on the subject of obtaining food for her family.”
“Is she still on castle grounds?”
“She’s just gotten up from her bed.”
“Tell her to come to the throne room at her earliest convenience. She may obtain the necessary food for her family from our storehouses.”