Imperium


 * Written by FoxofJudyFoster |

Author's Note
This is my own story. This is not a remake or a spin-off. Thank you for reading this first part of the Imperium series!

Chapter I: The Lore-Master
Reg Halvor-- ''No one was so instrumental in the foundation of the Guild as was Reg Halvor...the guiding spirit of its formation, Halvor instructed its master, Jorge Maskov, as well as...The Guild was indebted to Halvor for much of its knowledge and structure. The Grand Emperor of Arcadia, Tulihani IV, however... -- ''The Book of Luthan

"Welcome to the Guild," said Jorge Maskov proudly, shaking the hand of it's newest recruit, Han Dreker, with vigor.

"Thank you, sir," said Dreker, a bit nervously, "then, I-I'm in?"

"Yes, yes," nodded Maskov impatiently, "you were 'in' the Guild from day One. All that formality was just that - formality."

The "formality" had been the writing of Han's name in the Book of Luthan, the secret book of the Guild, which at this time only served as a record book for new and old members alike; as well as presenting Han Dreker with a Guild-made iron sword. The one was purely ceremonial, the other was a sign of what would be expected of the members of the Guild in future time.

"As you know, we are founded on the ideas of the great Reg Halvor," Jorge Maskov said importantly, "and to this day we remain his servants, in essence. He lives," continued the Guild-master, "in Uraki, in Arcadia. His teachings and ideas are controversial; and so, of course, on unprintable. There is a likelihood," concluded Maskov, "that he will be arrested for treason. And so, tried by the Emperor himself. But even then, we will continue to do his will."

"What could he say, or write," asked Han Dreker, "that is worthy of imprisonment?"

"He maintains that the Empire - the Grand Empire, mind you, - of Arcadia will fall, and with it all the other great kingdoms of the world, within two or three generations; and that afterwards, the world will be in chaos for many years, maybe centuries. The entire human race, in fact," Maskov said gravely, "may be destroyed in the wars to come."

Han Dreker was silent. He hadn't realized what joining the Guild would mean, which he had done at his cousin's recommendation. An association, mostly of students and scholars, sure - but a revolutionary group whose leader may at that moment be receiving a prison sentence (or worse) for his ideas - Dreker wondered for half a moment whether he oughtn't