Empire's Son: An Epic Science Fiction Novel Series

Kaller pretended not to notice the clutching in his gut as he boarded the shuttle to leave the White Place most likely to never see it again. He had spent thirty one years making the palace his home and getting to know the enormous place that most people in the Empire only dreamed of visiting. He had once been one of those dreamers, until he had the great fortune to be assigned the most sought after charge in all of Ethia. It was considered one of the highest honors to be Protector to the Emperor, and Hame had allowed himself to indulge in that prestige. Why not? He had worked hard for it after all.

Now he could barely stand the silent scorn everyone in the palace had given him as he healed from his injuries. Not that he had many guests in his quarters. But he could feel it from everyone who had stepped into his room. All expect Lieutenant Cameron, the one who would be temporarily taking over Hame’s duties until a new Protector could bond the Emperor. Instead of scorn, the Lieutenant was full of pity and embarrassment every time he had to confer with Kaller about anything having to do with the Protector’s old duties, and that was much worse.

By the time the Caretaker had finally declared Kaller in full health, he was relieved to be leaving the palace. And he couldn’t deny that Kaller found himself stepping quickly into the shuttle so that he could finally be somewhere else––anywhere else besides the White Palace. It had become a place too full of what he had lost. The constant reminder like a sharp knife twisting in his gut every second he stayed.

Kaller made his way to the bank of seats. He had his choice of them. He would be the only one on this particular shuttle. Kaller supposed he should be grateful to the Emperor for at least providing him a private transport back to the College. It wasn’t the first one he’d had over the years, but he was sure it would be the last. Private transports weren’t something even a Renowned Protector could afford, not when he had given the majority of his earnings over the last thirty years to the College.

He supposed that had been a mistake on his part. But how was he to know he would need the money? He had never expected to be dishonorably discharged from his service. If anything, he thought his service would end in death. Kaller had been prepared for that. He certainly wasn’t prepared for this.

Kaller knew the College would take care of him. They took care of all those who went through the Protectorate Program regardless of how their services ended. But gone were the days where he could live a life of luxury. He would have to settle for the way things had been before his meteoritic rise as one of the most Renowned Protectors of this generation. It would take some time to get used to that, and that idea certainly left a sour taste in his mouth. Kaller had gotten used to the finer things in life, and he resented that all that and more had been taken from him.

He closed his eyes and settled his head back against the seat as he felt the vehicle lift off from its berth. Anger and resentment had become constant companions to him over the last week. Sometimes it was so intense that it took his breath away. But one thing it had done was to make things very clear to Kaller about his next steps.

He would go back to Sora X. He would go through the bond severing, and if he survived, he would even take the pitiful teaching job that the College would most assuredly present him with afterwards. He would do whatever he had to do to make everyone think he was doing as he should. He would even make people think he wasn’t so upset about the dishonorable discharge. That he was looking forward to retirement.

Kaller deserved it after all, didn’t he? He had spend thirty-one years protecting the Emperor, not an easy task and there had been several close calls for Kaller, but that was to be expected in his line of work. What was truly difficult were the long hours and the excruciating boredom. The recruiters never talked about that, or that what really made a Protector good at his job was being ready for the unexpected. That’s what had gotten Kaller to the thirty-one year mark. He had been in constant alert mode, so when the brief periods of extreme violence and death came, Kaller had been ready to act.

That was all over. He didn’t have to be turned on all the time now, and that felt weird and more than a little unsettling. He would get the comfortable retirement most Protectors never got to see. Somehow that felt wrong. Like he was cheating somehow. But then, he had been cheated out of his position, hadn’t he? So why should he feel bad about getting to relax and not have to put himself in the line of fire any more?

Who knows, maybe Kaller would be the new standard for future Protectors to strive for? Maybe dying in the line of duty wasn’t the only way for a Protector to achieve greatness? Kaller had to chuckle at that. Wouldn’t be something if he really did manage to do such a thing?

In the meantime, Kaller had also made a promise to himself. He had a score to settle with the returned Prince, and he intended to see it done, even if he didn’t make it through the severing ceremony. In fact, plans had already been put into motion.

It hadn’t taken much. Kaller might have lost the trust and confidence of the Emperor, but he had others he could rely on, as well as a powerful new ally to back him and to see his plans through even if Kaller died in the ceremony. The whole matter might even be settled before Kaller arrived on Sora X, which would be best to throw off any suspicion that Kaller had been involved in any way.

The Protector let out a long sigh. Of course, he’d much rather do it himself, but he knew he’d be closely watched. He’d already received a long message from Chef Commander Jordem stating emphatically that while Kaller was allowed to return to the College after being healed, he was not to go anywhere near Prince Adar. That was fine by Kaller. He didn’t have to. Even if he couldn’t do the deed himself, Kaller Hame would still get his revenge, and all he had to do was just be himself and let the rest take care of itself.