The empress sat upon a large carved wooden swing, it's iron chains extended up to the dimly lit ceiling, creaking as she swung back and forth. Shadows danced across the room as she passed back and forth through the light cast by two giant copper braziers. She seemed childlike in the momentary joy of such a simple thing as riding the old swing. Tobias saw the smile upon her face as she swept back and forth with eyes closed, a smile that made him think just for a moment that her soul was not black as pitch. Her long red hair draped the floor each time she lent back on the forward swing and her sleek black gown flipped up revealing her bronzed muscular legs. She was no delicate flower.
He watched for a few more moments before interrupting with a cough, "Ahem..." Asara opened her eyes and looked at Tobias, he had forgotten just how deep the green of her eyes was. "You sent for me Empress."
She pulled her feet down dragging them along the floor to stop the swing. With a simple gesture she brushed her hair away from her face and motioned him to her. She rest her back against one of the chains and put her feet upon the swing wrapping her arms around her knees. Tobias stepped forward and knelt before the young woman who controlled the known world.
She raised her left eyebrow, giving him a look a parent might cast upon a toddler, "Do you know why I have called you here?"
Tobias had no fear of this girl he had seen more summers than she had months, her stare did not cow him as it would anyone else in the empire. "I have heard of the mistakes made by less competent generals my empress." He looked directly into her eyes, something few would dare to do. "I am here to correct those mistakes," he said with conviction.
Smirking, Asara rest her chin upon her right palm. "Always confident Tobias." She was not mocking him, she had as much respect for him as she could a servant. "What do you propose?"
He was not hesitant in his response, "Empress we shall rebuild your army, hunt those that betrayed you, then crush the savages that dare to defy your rule. I will see all bow to your banner."
Asara stood, her hand held out to the kneeling warrior, Tobias took her hand and kissed the large black diamond that lie in the center of her imperial emblem. She smirked and patted him on the head. "Good boy Tobais ." She held out her hand and motioned to the shadows, a young girl clothed in black silk hurried forth with a silver goblet and held it before the empress. Asara accepted the goblet and took a light sip from it motioning the girl away with her other hand. "You can go now General."
Tobias rose and bowed again, "As you command empress," then turned and walked out of the room.
Asara returned to her swing, cast out her feet, closed her eyes, and for the moment was again lost in the joy of being a child.
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