《Tales of a Blueblood Prince》


 Beginnings

    The Balduins are an old Family. Not a family in the way we simple people view family. That is, the mother, the father, their children and the elderly grandparents who might or might not live with them. No, the Balduins were one of the Elites, (though they refer to themselves as Bloodlines) the true Masters, those who hold the power behind the power. To them Family is an altogether different thing. It is not people, rather it is an ideal, an entity in itself that transcends history and time. You see, to them, the mother, the father, the children, the grandparents, none of that matters. All that matters is the name and continuation of their line. Not a continuation of living through individuals but a continuation of power and wealth through the collective. Where the goals and ambitions of one are set aside for the stability and maintenance of the whole. Not a family, but a bloodline.


    This is why Felix was such a complication. He forego all of that to pursue what he desired, to pursue what he felt was right. But we shall get to that later.


    I am no Balduin, I do not hail from such a family of history, power and strict ancestry. I merely served them. That is all.


    Think of me then as a chronicler of sorts, unofficially of course. Felix, it would follow, should be considered as the hero of the piece ¡­..though hero is a strong word to use for the boy. He was many things, heroic was generally not one of them.


    You will learn the story of Felix¡¯s ambition, but to understand it, you must understand them, the Balduins. Those of you with an interest in European medieval history might see that name and wonder why it seems familiar. As well it should to any who have studied it.


    The Family line began with Balduin Iron Arm, the progenitor for all subsequent Balduins beginning in 830 AD. Over the course of the next four hundred years Iron Arm and his descendants played roles both small and major in the history and formation of Europe.


    Most notable of them were the three sons of Eustace II. Each one of them amongst the finest warriors and greatest leaders during the First Crusade. Godfrey and Baldwin had even gone on to hold the throne as Kings of Jerusalem.


    Two more of Iron Arm¡¯s line went so far as to claim the title of Emperors, Baldwin I and Henry reigning over the ill-fated Latin Empire of Constantinople from 1204 to 1216 between them.


    The female line too had made its mark.


    Matilda of Flanders was once Queen of England and Duchess of Normandy by marriage to William the Conqueror, and regent of Normandy during his absences from the duchy. She was the mother of ten children who survived to adulthood, including two kings, Eustace II and Henry I.


    Her namesake Matilda I likewise ruled as Queen consort of England for over 20 years in the period 1135 to 1152.


    England alone was not enough for the Family, Isabella of Hainault once held the title of Queen consort of France through her marriage to King Philip II, (the first to style himself King of France) in the decade spanning 1180 to 1190.


    The line became extinct in 1280 with the death of Margaret II, Countess of Flanders.  Or at least it did, in theory. Thereafter no further Balduin would be heard or read of in any book, historic or contemporary.


    Such was and remains the way of those self anointed Bloodlines. The Balduins disappeared into history, but not without reason. Even in those far off times there were members of the House who recognised the need for secrecy, the need to move and influence affairs unfettered by the titles of power.


    Make a man King and you make him a target, a focal point for all and any enemies to probe and pick away at. However, control that King from within and you move and play while he lays at risk. Even I have learned as much.


    Such reasoning had been the primary motivator for the Balduin family retreating from the public sphere.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Families of a similar ilk had done just as they had, some like the Ptolemys much earlier, some like the Rothschilds much later. They all did it eventually, those who didn¡¯t would inevitably burn bright and fast for a time, but their fame and public openness would always lead to destruction in the end. So had been for House Romanov, as it had for House Medici and many more with them. Though they might have survived in the Cadet Branches, such survival was purely symbolic. The Bloodlines have no love for them, to them a Cadet Branch was as good as another tree, worse even because it clung to the first for life, taking all of its history and acclaim for their own lifeforce.


    All of this the young Head of the Balduin Bloodline of my day understood. Felix was a smart young man. He understood then why his Family had retired from the public eye, but understanding was not the same as accepting. It had proven its worth, House Balduin now ruled in proxy each of the four largest alcohol companies in the world, effectively monopolising one of the most profitable industries to their own ends. Felix had grown up surrounded by luxuries befitting a King, he may have been disillusioned true, but there was nothing he ever lacked for. Their Family home on Bermuda, more castle than house, was one of a myriad of homes and apartments owned by the family. There was nothing the Family could not provide or attain for their members. Certainly not in the material sense.


    His feelings of discontent then were all the more worrying to the others of his family.


    Felix returned to the family home in Bermuda in the summer of 2023. He had just completed his four years at Hellenic Military Academy, a tradition long held for the family¡¯s male line. His first few months at home were largely uneventful despite the endless celebrations and relentless partying on his return. It was only after he settled when things began to change. As I have said, tradition stands above most all else amongst the Bloodlines. One which features more prominently than most is the title of Head of the Family being conferred on the next in line at the age of Twenty two. Why twenty two became the decided upon age I am not sure. But I know from Felix himself that the tradition is one present in all of the Bloodlines. Twenty two seems to be an age of great significance for them. The beginning of a man¡¯s true prime, in both mind and body.


    I am not wholly sure I would agree, but it must be remembered that on most occasions the new Head would have inevitably conferred and passed a great deal of the Family decisions onto the old Principale. Not Felix.


    At the age of twenty two  it was finally time for him to be formally made Head of the Family. A mantle his uncle had held since the death of Felix¡¯s Father Joaquin eighteen years previous.


    It was at that passing of the mantle where he first made all of his plans clear. And such plans they were.


    Before the meeting is explained I feel I must divulge some details on those who featured most prominently in it. Felix, as always, was centre stage.


    He had always been an eccentric boy. The loss of his Father at the age of four certainly added to that eccentricity, though it had always been there. His streak of independence and recklessness never left him, his time abroad studying might have tempered it, but could never expel it.


    On his arrival home all marvelled at how well and how much he¡¯d grown. A handsome boy he had grown into a powerful man during his time away. Tall and athletic he had the build of one well used to the outdoors. His youthful face was clean-shaven which served to enhance his well chiselled jawline and high cheekbones. His hair fell in something I later heard described as a messy man bun.


    Felix never lacked attention from the opposite sex, even without the money there were few ladies that did not seek his companionship, his large green eyes had a draw to them, a draw which most women did not resist. Most People for that matter.


    You will think I exaggerate, that I am describing a character rather than a man. I¡¯ll admit a fondness for the boy, but I do not admit exaggerating. The Balduins did not marry easily, nor grant anyone into their family line which did not conform to their ideas on beauty. Not discriminatory, the Bloodlines in fact, care little about culture, creed or race. Think of them as more Brave New World than 1984. Such matters were beneath them, methods of controlling the People seen as altogether irrelevant to their overarching aims.


    They paid little attention to, but they were quite insistent on any new blood being worthy of passing on the Balduin gene. Power is Beauty, Beauty is power, was an expression oft heard in the Balduin home, one favoured most particularly by Felix¡¯s Grandfather Eustace.


    Those first few weeks home Felix had appeared to spend in a drunken daze, an endless mass of parties, girls, drugs and whatever other vice he could fit in. He flew one week to the Family home in Milan, another to London, another to Seoul.


    All that, however, did not last long.


    Such a life was not one he longed for. He had no interest in being locked into a constant state of frivolity. Nor did he have any much interest in the corporate world, a world that his uncle had long dominated. The only thing that interested him was power, and how to acquire it. But he did not only want covert power, that which the Family already held. He wanted visible power, open power. It was no surprise then when he called on all members of the Family to attend his official inauguration, they were all to witness the new dawn of the Balduins.

 The Meeting

    Felix''s uncle and aunt watched on with growing trepidation as the summer passed and the boy''s time to takeover drew near.  On the last day of Summer change would take hold of the Family. Though both loved him they knew also his tempestuous character. They knew he sought new avenues different to those which had served the family for so well and so long.


    Alexander was Felix¡¯s uncle. He had been the Head of the Family since the death of his own brother eighteen years previous. Wholeheartedly he had thrust himself into the family¡¯s business affairs, stabilising the Balduin influence over the alcohol industry and even branching out into other fields less associated with the Family name. That experience of his own early ambition and overreaching likely heightened any fears for Felix¡¯s.


    In the world of the Bloodlines, such branching out as Alexander had attempted was not looked upon favourably. Each Family had their own sphere and there they were to stay. The Concilium Azure, a governing body of sorts for the Bloodlines, was quite adamant on that point and Alexander had been forced to pull back. As powerful as each Family was, a balance needed to be maintained to ensure global control. Should any infighting occur then it threatened to topple the entire fortune and wealth of all of the Bloodline Houses. Such infighting was rare, but always disastrous. The Fall of Constantinople, the Thirty Years War, the Seven Years War, the Franco-Prussian Wars, World War I. All had all been the result of Bloodline Families seeking to break away from the norm. On every occasion the world suffered and on every occasion the Concilium Azure was left standing, the unruly Family consigned to history, both publicly and more importantly privately.


    Such actions then were often fatal. Alexander had experienced just a little of that severe pushback with his overreaching, no doubt why he feared so much for Felix and his intentions.


    He was a large man, he was forty seven years old when his nephew graduated and returned home to us. His years spent silently controlling the Balduin empire from his desk had played on his looks by this stage. His athletic physique had long since been replaced by a stomach overly fond of drink and fine food but he carried it well, his large frame hiding the weight somewhat. He had the same jet black hair as Felix though without the green streak running up through the middle of it. That was Felix¡¯s own signature. Alexander¡¯s hair was short and carefully combed, his beard well trimmed and tidy. His appearance perfectly correlating to the man¡¯s persona, that of an organised and prudent businessman.


    His wife, Avelina, was the Matron of the Family, where Alexander was all stoic, she was all glamorous. Immaculately dressed at all times nowhere was a sense of Royalty more keenly felt than in her presence. A Habsburg by ancestry, she was the one who carefully cultivated and preserved the Family¡¯s outward appearance. That is, an extremely wealthy one that had procured its riches from years of shrewd investments and a long banking tradition. She gave off a distant air, it was not hard to feel inferior in her presence, a remnant of her own Family¡¯s once lofty positions. She was forty five herself when Felix returned but the years had not yet managed to take the gleam off of her looks. Changed perhaps, she was no longer the young Princess of Beauty who had first arrived to the Balduin home sixteen years previously, now she was more a Queen of elegance. I was not alone in being quite enraptured with her. Most were.


    Together Alexander and Avelina had led and managed the Family well for almost two decades before Felix¡¯s return. The stability and prosperity they had cultivated would be sorely tested by his arrival, a fact that both knew. Knew and reluctantly accepted. Protocol and etiquette came above everything within the Bloodlines. Whether they agreed with it or not they would respect it. Felix was destined to become Head after the death of his Father, on the last day of Summer he would finally have that destiny fulfilled.


    Three more attended that same meeting, they will be described in good time, for now Felix and the two he would replace shall suffice.


    Felix was quite clearly delighted with how the night was proceeding thus far. The moment was one he had long awaited. Now it had finally arrived. He could not wait to divulge his plans, nor to see the reactions of the Family to those plans. That most of all.


    He had enjoyed his few months of freedom. Released from the bonds of military school, it was nice to relax, to drink, smoke and sleep his way around the world. But the few months was enough. Now it was time to shape his legacy, forge a new path and new identity.


    The handover ceremony had taken over an hour, for him no doubt an annoying custom, but one necessary to formally acknowledge his Uncle¡¯s relinquishing of the Family Principality. It was important that all of the Balduins, both close and distantly related, were there to witness his ascension.


    He called all five of his closest Family into his chambers once the congratulations had concluded. Alexander and Avelina were there naturally, officially or not they both remained essential to the Family¡¯s fortunes, Karina was there, his sister would have reproached him terribly if she¡¯d been left out, and the two elders of the Balduin dynasty, Grandfather Eustace and his wife Elizabeth.


    ¡°The time is here. A new day for the Balduin line.¡± Felix began the meeting with a raised glass. The drink, a redbreast forty seven year old was a favourite of the Balduins, rare was a meeting it did not make an appearance.


    ¡°I only hope I can live up to and go beyond the example and legacy of all those who have gone before me.¡± Felix raised his glass and bade the others do the same. ¡°Great men, just like my dear uncle and Grandfather. Men who have always loved and put our family first, above all else.¡±


    Alexander nodded formally but Eustace beamed down at his grandchild, unlike Alexander he had no suspicion or forewarning  regarding Felix¡¯s new ideas. He was already on his second glass of whiskey and was well prepared to celebrate the evening with several more.


    ¡°This day is one that I have long prepared for. One which has consumed me in its significance.¡± Felix stopped, he closed his eyes slowly and pressed two fingers to his forehead, a curious occurrence that often happened when he spoke.  No one rushed him, they were all familiar with his tendencies. They just waited for the moment to pass.


    ¡°I have known that I would be made Head of our great Family for a long time now. Since I was a boy in truth. For many years I thought nothing of that fact. I would continue to lead our Family as it has always been led. With precision and ruthless efficiency. But things change, the world changes and so too must we.¡±


    Felix stopped again but this time with a clear purpose. He stared around the room and smiled at each one of them in turn. First to Karina, who was frowning back at him, in many ways she knew her brother better than anyone. Though he had not disclosed any of the details of his plan to her she knew that they would be contentious, and more than likely dangerous. Felix paid no mind to the frown, Karina often frowned at her Brother¡¯s proposals. Though younger than Felix by three years she rarely acted like it. She saw herself as a counter to her older Brother¡¯s impulsive nature, unaware that most considered her to be his equal in that regard, if not worse.


    Eustace had heard something in the boy¡¯s tone that had removed his smile, he looked at Felix with a wrinkled brow, change was not something the old Balduin appreciated. Not when it came to Family and tradition.


    Beside him Elizabeth kept the same neutral expression, showing no reaction or even care for what was being said. She never did react, Elizabeth was the constant for all of them, while Eustace might rage and quarrel she was always the peacemaker. More than any of them she maintained the Family balance and sense of belonging.


    Alexander followed his mother¡¯s lead, though he lacked the conviction in his neutrality. The interest in his eyes was clear, so too his growing anticipation for the reveal. He smiled still but only in the professional sense.


    Avelina smiled also, but hers was genuine. She appeared amused by Felix¡¯s dramatics, intrigued more than anything else. She, like her husband, suspected enough to know that their nephew had something consequential planned. She however did not seem to have any apprehension of the fact. There was precious little she could not influence and she was always confident in her ability to sway Felix to whatever decision it was her and Alexander thought best for him, and for the Family. She looked as if she had that same confidence now.


    Felix¡¯s eyes lingered a little on Avelina as he glanced around the room. He had always been close to his aunt, since returning that closeness had transformed itself into something different however, though Avelina did her best to try ignore it.


    ¡°The Internet has changed things irrevocably, what was once safely hidden now quickly becomes common knowledge. Those who work unseen are being revealed. Blackrock and Vanguard facing increasing exposure, the Rockefellers and Rothschilds have already dealt with half a hundred different conspiracy theories.  People are slowly awaking to what goes on around them. How long then before our Family and our ownership of the world¡¯s alcohol trade is revealed?¡±


    ¡°People are slowly awaking to what exactly Felix?¡± Eustace stared hard at him, he¡¯d put down his whiskey glass which was a sure sign of the seriousness of the situation.


    ¡°As you rightly said, the Rockefellers and Rothschilds, though at one time exposed, have managed to contain whatever information people do have on them, what then have we to fear when none know of our role? Balduin is far more rooted than most the other Families, our trail nonexistent and are ties indistinguishable.¡±


    ¡°Nothing is entirely hidden. It is true that none know of our Family yet. But they will, and when they do we and all of the other Bluebloods will fall. One by one. For should one of us be uncovered then the others will surely follow. The last few years have convinced me of that. Covid was a disaster, a rushed and disorganised attempt to test the people. It more than anything has hastened our way of life¡¯s demise. Try as they might to dampen the common man¡¯s curiosity, too many now question where the true power lies, too many probe into affairs long left forgotten. Rebellion is coming, I see that clearly.


    I have spent my time with them, in the real world and the online. Once ridiculed, groups made up of reclusive failures eager to shift the blame of their miserable lives onto others, now they are rampant communities of prying people. There are still the fools of old with them of course, but now there are plenty more besides. Smart people, all with the same goal, to uncover what truly goes on behind their government and company doors. I have spoken with them, interacted with them, they are no fools, and they will not relent. There are entire groups of these people now, thousands strong, and they will continue to grow. Believe me when I say the time is coming when society will change completely. I intend for us to be ready to embrace whatever that change will bring. For is that not our core principle? We, who are always ahead of those beneath? Who forestall any and all impediments which might stand in our way, in the way of House Balduin?¡±


    ¡°How can you be so sure of this change Felix?¡± Alexander asked, ¡°The internet only allows so much. Perhaps we should be more cautious, yes, but I do not believe our position is so precariously balanced as you think. Change will come, as it always does, but never so dramatically as rebellion.¡±


    ¡°Precisely,¡± Eustace nodded eagerly at his son¡¯s words, ¡°Your uncle has the right of it Felix, you give the people too much credit, they do not care enough to rebel or delve so deep into our affairs. On the surface perhaps, but no more. Give them some new entertainment and they will relent, believe me. Mistakes have been made recently, that much is clear. But to alter what has worked for so long would be madness. The Families hold too much to allow any changing of power now. You worry without reason.¡±


    Felix nodded slowly, neither of the responses brought any hint of a reaction from him. The meeting was one he¡¯d long prepared for, such questions would have been expected and anticipated then. From his uncle and grandfather most of all.


    ¡°I am not trying to argue with you, I know what I say might appear strange, sensational even. But I swear it is coming. As Head of the Family I intend to do something about it. I will do something about it.¡±


    As Felix stated the fact of his new found position and power there was a notable change in the room. Alexander was not totally blindsided by his nephew¡¯s forcefulness, he knew it would go hand in hand with his new found power. However he had not expected him to be so assertive so soon. It unnerved him slightly.


    Eustace had certainly not seen this coming, or anything of the sort. He still looked on Felix as the small boy they had helped raise, not the young and ambitious man he had become. The old man shook his head. He most of all would suffer with Felix¡¯s style of leadership. Though Alexander had been Head of the Family for the past eighteen years there was hardly a decision made or plan enacted that Eustace had not first been consulted on. While Alexander may have exaggerated his Father¡¯s influence over him as a way of appeasement, Eustace had certainly not been removed from any of Balduin¡¯s power plays. He had assumed a similar understanding with his grandson, yet the meeting was already serving to show him why that would not be the case.


    ¡°We work together Felix, Head or not what we decide we decide as one.¡±


    Felix turned his head slowly, ¡°Head or not? There is no or not, I am the Head. That is all. You held the position, so too did my Father and so did Alexander. A position of complete power. Every one of you made decisions which were your own. I only wish to replicate that which I learned from you.¡±


    ¡°Learned from us? What exactly did you learn? How did you learn it? When you left us you were a boy, an idle bystander in what few meetings you did attend. Now your return and on your first night as Head think to lecture us on what is best? I won¡¯t have it.¡±


    ¡°I was not idle. I know what is required.¡±


    ¡°Enough of this, Alexander, enlighten the boy. I have not the will to lecture such brashness.¡±


    Elizabeth placed a hand on her husband¡¯s knee, the action instantly calming the man.


    ¡°All of this and we have not even heard what it is the boy plans.¡± Elizabeth played the role of mediator in the Family so well that her interjections were always well placed and timely.


    ¡°Felix is a smart boy, let us hear what he must say. We will listen to him. Just as he will then listen to us.¡±


    ¡°Thank you Grandmother.¡± Felix almost looked a child again, she was the only person the boy ever felt truly open with, the only one he trusted enough to completely lower his guard and bravado.


    ¡°I do not mean to be brash, perhaps my passion gives way to insolence. For that I apologise. What I do, I do because I believe it will be to our Families great benefit, survival even.¡± Felix nodded his head and smiled his political smile again. He tapped at his breast pocket.


    ¡°I intend to make our Family Royalty once more.¡±


    ¡°You¡­..¡± Alexander choked on hearing the words, the exact words he had once heard before, eighteen years ago in fact. Said in the same order and the same way. They were words he¡¯d never thought to hear again.


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    ¡°Surprised Uncle?


    ¡°Where did you hear that?¡±


    ¡°Do not worry about the where. Nor on pointless defences. Worry only on this. I know. I know what you did. You my dear uncle, and my loving grandfather along with you. I imagine Grandfather arranged it all, but you gained from it. You gained a lot in fact. Tell me please good uncle, was it worth it?  Did it satisfy you? Did you keep the Family strong and proud by killing your own brother?¡±


    ¡°What? Felix, what are you doing? What are you talking about? Killing?¡± Karina rushed to her feet, eyes wide she looked imploringly to first her uncle and then her grandfather, ¡°What does he mean? Grandfather? Grandad?¡±


    None made any sign of answering.


    ¡°Wait Karina. Just¡­.wait.¡± Felix never took his eyes off Eustace.


    Karina sat back down, something in her brother¡¯s tone brokered no room for argument now. She opened her mouth but said nothing.


    There was a long silence.


    Eustace must have been surprised by the revelation, there was no way in which he could have suspected Felix knowing. The look in his grandson¡¯s eyes left little room for doubt however. He nodded almost to himself.


    Eustace¡¯s face took on a stony expression, whatever was going through his mind at that moment he repressed it, he held everything in.


    ¡°I see by the petulant look on your face that you are convinced. What then? What do you know? Come Felix, do not be childish. You are the new Head of the Family. Be rational, logical. Your father¡¯s idea was a mad one. One he refused to be swayed from. What we did we did out of love. For the family yes, but for him also. I don¡¯t know who or what has led you to this, but believe me boy. Had we not done it then the others would have. They would not have allowed us carry out such a drastic action. They would have made your Father suffer. Though not before having you and your Mother suffer in front of him first. I have been on the other side for such occurrences Felix. If you knew what they did then you would understand that we acted out of love.¡±


    Felix pursed his lips, tears began to fall from his face.


    ¡°How? Your own son. Your Brother.¡±


    ¡°Do not ask.¡± Alexander laid down his glass, ¡°Felix, you might know what we did. But you cannot understand why unless you allow us to explain.¡±


    ¡°What is there to explain Alexander?¡± Eustace slammed his fist down the table in front of him, yet his face remained the same.


    ¡°Don¡¯t think you are smart ambushing us like this Felix. Your Father left us no choice. It was the Family or him, he made that clear when he tried to push forward with his plans. The Balduin bloodline is above such foolhardy ideas as your Father had. He killed himself. We had no wish to carry it out, no wish or choice. Blame him if you must, I and your uncle cannot be reprimanded for being responsible.¡±


    ¡°Responsible? You killed your own son.¡±


    ¡°Listen Felix. Please listen.¡± Alexander came to stand before him, ¡°I¡­we loved your Father. But he was not well towards the end. He had become distracted, his mind always far off. He was unhinged, a danger to himself and to all of us. You have to listen.¡±


    Silence fell over them again, complete and heavy. They stood almost motionless until the silence was broken by a sudden outbreak of coughing from Eustace.


    Felix wiped the tears from his face, as he removed his arm they saw that he was smiling.


    ¡°I have to listen? No I think not, there is nothing left for me to listen to.¡± He glanced down at his watch. ¡°Nor in fact, is there time.¡±


    Eustace¡¯s coughing began to grow louder and more violent, Elizabeth screamed out as she watched on helpless in horror. Alexander¡¯s glass crashed to the floor as he made to rush over but was forced to stop halfway, he felt his own throat constricting. He coughed, ¡°What have you done? FELIX. YOU¡­.. WHAT HA-


    Alexander grabbed at his chest, Eustace had collapsed onto the ground and his son was not long joining him, he fought to stay upright but the same coughing began to take a hold of him just as it had the old man. Elizabeth was openly weeping and crying out now.


    No matter what they heard, no one outside would be coming to their aid. Felix had made sure of that. I nor anyone of the Balduin household were to disturb him. On that point the boy had been abundantly clear.


    Karina had curled up on her chair, she stared unblinking as the life drained out of her Grandfather and uncle¡¯s eyes before her.


    Avelina had not moved, she stood motionless watching everything unfold. Her usual composed expression replaced instead by a look of complete terror.


    ¡°What have you done?¡± Elizabeth asked long after both bodies had stopped moving. She didn¡¯t raise her head off of Eustace¡¯s chest.


    ¡°What was necessary. Tell me Grandmother did you know? Did you know they would kill him? Your own son?¡±


    Felix crouched down beside her. Elizabeth gave no response nor indication that she heard her Grandson¡¯s pleas.


    Avelina did not dare breathe. She had known Felix was ambitious, ruthless even. But this¡­.she could not have imagined this. Alexander ... .dead. She still had her own glass in her hand. The thought of smashing it off Felix¡¯s head came to her, but she immediately abandoned it. She could hardly breathe, such an action would have shattered what strength remained in her. Her mind whirred, she tried desperately to think of when she¡¯d been given the glass just as they¡¯d entered the room. Had it been from the one bottle? Was that same death now coursing through her veins as had taken Alexander? She watched with horrible curiosity as Felix crouched down beside Elizabeth.


    ¡°Grandmother¡­.please. Tell me¡­.you didn¡¯t know. You couldn¡¯t have. Your eldest son. My Father. I need you to say it¡­¡±


    There was only the sound of crying in response.


    ¡°Please Grandma, you didn¡¯t know. Say it. Say you didn¡¯t know.¡± Felix had tears in his eyes once more, Avelina realised how little she truly understood her nephew, she could not say if his tears were real or not. She thought them genuine, but¡­.what he¡¯d done. She did not know anymore.


    The sound of bitter laughing broke into the soft sobbing, Elizabeth finally lifted up her face, she turned to glare at Felix.


    ¡°Yes I knew. I knew and I weeped for him. You think we wanted to do it? You are still a boy, you have no idea how this world works. Your Grandfather, your uncle. What they did saved us all. It was your selfish Father who brought pain on us. You have his blood.¡±


    ¡°I do. Just as I have yours, and Grandfather¡¯s and Alexander¡¯s along with it. No doubt why I feel so little now. I know that I am leading the Family onto a greater path, one full of success and triumph. In much the same way you all did. I learned of their involvement, but you¡­. I refused to believe you would do such a thing. Not you. Not my Grandma.¡±


    Elizabeth coughed. The sound seemed to awake Felix, shaking his head he stood up abruptly


    He sniffled and wiped his nose, ¡°You know maybe I am just a young fool.¡± Felix pulled out a vial from his pocket. ¡°I kept this vial for you Grandmother. I did not want to believe it, refused to in fact. I refused to believe you knew about my Father.¡±


    He seemed to suddenly remember Karina and Avelina were in the room with them. Karina wouldn¡¯t look at him, she had her head hidden in her arms but Avelina appeared unable to look anywhere else but him in her terror.


    ¡°I gave her a less powerful dose. I wanted to give her more time, you see. Deep down I already knew she was just as much a part of it as them. Yet, if she had convinced me of her innocence I would have given her this. I would have you know. Even if I didn¡¯t truly believe it, all she had to do was try and convince me. Just trying would have been enough.¡±


    He turned when Elizabeth, on her knees, clutched at his side. He looked down at the vial for a moment, he glanced down at his Grandmother and back to the vial again. Elizabeth began to cough more and more violently. Tears streamed down her face.


    ¡°You should have cried more for Father.¡±


    He flung the vial across the room to smash against the wall.


    He turned away, releasing himself from Elizabeth¡¯s grip as she fell silently now to the floor.


    Combing back his hair he made his way around before sitting back at his desk. He picked up his glass of whiskey and drank deeply, he didn¡¯t mind that some trickled from his mouth down to his chest.


    Karina finally looked up at him. She glanced at her own glass still lying half drunk beside her. For a horrible moment she thought she too had been getting that same treatment. A terrible thought ran through her mind. The boy she called Brother was a complete stranger to her. If he could kill his Uncle, grandmother, grandfather in such cold blood then why not his sister?


    ¡°Relax,¡± Felix raised his hands seeing his sister¡¯s face and breathed in deeply, ¡°you two are both safe, don¡¯t worry.¡± Felix frowned and looked down at his own glass and back at Karina¡¯s and Avelina¡¯s. ¡°Unless¡­¡± He rushed to his feet. Karina screamed and Avelina finally awakened, she flung her own glass down and grabbed at her chest.


    They were both stopped in their panicking by the sound of Felix¡¯s laughter.


    ¡°Forgive me, I was trying to lighten the mood. Truly you two have nothing to fear. The glasses given to the others were given quite specifically I assure you. You are safe.¡±


    ¡°Lighten the mood?¡± Karina spoke the words through gritted teeth, her tears momentarily halted by the force of her anger.


    ¡°FELIX. You killed them. And now you make jest of that? Even¡­.even if they deserved it ....it is not right. It is not right Felix. None of this is okay. What you said¡­.did they really kill¡­him. Uncle Alex, Grandad Eustace¡­.our Grandmother. They¡­.they raised us, looked after us.¡±


    ¡°They did. They looked after us well, sister. Cry, scream, rage. I did when I found out. This will take time, just as it did for me. Four years now I have battled with the knowledge of our Father¡¯s demise. Four years of rejecting and battling with the idea. But when I accepted the fact it made sense. It all makes sense. And it will to you too sister. We will talk, we will grieve. For now though, you must go and rest. You have seen too much already. Perhaps I should not have allowed you here today. But¡­..I feel somehow you needed to be. Forgive me if I was wrong.¡±


    Karina didn¡¯t respond, she only looked down at the three bodies in front of her. Felix went and opened up the door. Moments later Arisan and Renal entered. Twins, they were distant cousins of him and Karina and younger than Felix by two years. They idolised him and all he did.


    Like all Balduin Bloodline membersArisan and Renal had grown up within the family home but had not been close to Felix in his youth. It was only after his eighteenth birthday when he appeared to take an interest in them. Eustace had commented often on that fact, believing it showed the boy¡¯s growing leadership. It was important he said, ¡®for the future Head of the Balduins to have family around him he could trust.¡¯ Felix had taken that to heart.


    The twins entered the room and hardly paid any attention to the scene in front of them.


    ¡°Come sister, go with your cousins, they will see you to your room. I will call upon you later. We will talk then. Just you and me.¡±


    Gently but firmly Felix guided his sister towards the door and the twins. She just stared blankly ahead, giving no indication that she heard her Brother¡¯s directions.


    Closing the door behind her Felix slammed his head back against the door.


    He shook himself down and sighed deeply. He smiled at his aunt.


    ¡°Did I surprise you?¡±


    Avelina had still not moved, she stood directly opposite him.


    ¡°We should move them.¡±


    Felix shrugged, ¡°They will be moved. And you? Will you need to be moved?¡±


    ¡°We should move them.¡± She repeated.


    ¡°You aren¡¯t crying. Is it because of the shock? Will you cry later then? Is that it?¡±


    ¡°What have you done? Felix you¡­ you should have said, we could have dealt with this together and-¡±


    ¡°And what? And went on as before?¡± Felix laughed, ¡°This day is four years in the making auntie. Four years spent planning, and hoping. That too. Hoping that something would appear, something that would convince me I was wrong. But nothing came, quite the opposite in fact, the more I sought the more I found. Did you know that Alexander ¡­..well no matter. They killed my Father because he dared to strive for something different. Was it not then my destiny to avenge him? I only did what I had to.¡±


    ¡°And now?¡±


    ¡°Now? Now I will do as I said, I meant everything Avelin.


    This is no idle fancy of mine. Long now have I sought this perfect region, a land we could make uniquely our own. You will be pleased to know that I have found that region, an island in fact. Well, I say I found it. In truth my Father did. Syrnat, you won¡¯t have heard of it, most haven¡¯t. It is a god forsaken land crying out for our help. A land in need of saviours. Which is why I have been in contact with and aiding the rebels there. For the past 50 years since independence they have been ruled by a fat malevolent dictator. Through the rebels we can help to make the final push, disposing the corrupt government in place of ourselves.


    My Father acted not out of selfishness, he knew as I now know that this life of ours, this world we have created. Is it not a simulation just like the own we created for the people below us? Are we not restricted and limited just as they are restricted? Oh we have money, land, property whatever. We have all that which does make our simulation a far greater one than theirs. But a simulation nonetheless. I want to live in a world without those boundaries. And I believe I can create such a world for us. I will be king. And you, dear Auntie. You shall be my Queen.¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about Felix? Simulations? Queens?¡±


    ¡°Not Queens. Queen. My Queen. You understand that I desire you, your eyes are expressive Avelina. I understand that you desire me too.¡±


    ¡°Felix, this is not the time or place for such things, your Grandmother and Grandfather lie dead on the ground in front of you. And my husband along with them for God¡¯s sake.¡±


    ¡°Oh yes, yes, yes but¡­¡­can we please forget about them for the moment. I mean, they are not even breathing Avelin. Please, let us just focus on us for one moment.¡±


    He took a step towards her. ¡°This is no passing feeling, this is no feigned love. I have wanted you. For some time now. Perhaps you thought it amusing at first, yes? An innocent child like crush. But now? What do you see before you?¡±


    Avelina could not have imagined being anymore shocked than she already felt. Yet she was. She said nothing as he took another step to her.


    ¡°I see my nephew.¡±


    Felix took another step forward, ¡°I see how you look at me. It is not so different to how I look at you in truth.¡± He took one hand in his and brushed his other across her cheek. His eyes flowed down and over her body.


    Avelina had to will herself not to pull away. Whatever control she thought she had over him had been proved inconsequential tonight. In none of their many discussions over the past few months had she ever suspected him of planning anything so outrageous and horrifying as this. She wished now she had not been so frivolous with him.


    ¡°Felix¡­. Stop. This is not right.¡±


    Felix pursed his lips. He reluctantly followed Avelina¡¯s gaze back down to the three bodies.


    ¡°Perhaps you are right. Such conversation is a little inappropriate.¡± He smiled and pulled away, ¡°We will discuss it later.¡±


    ¡°For now I think we all deserve some rest. And yes that includes me auntie, do not worry.¡±


    Turning around to glance down at the bodies Felix shook his head and scratched at the back of his neck. He took a deep breath, his lust had almost got the better of him, he needed to steady himself once more. It is not the time, he thought, a little surprised at his own desires.


    ¡°Right, well you might as well head to your rooms Avelina, I shall clean up here. Do not worry on anything, we will discuss all soon enough.¡±


    Avelina managed to keep herself from rushing out of the room. With as much propriety as she could muster she made her exit. Only once outside and with the door shut behind her did she finally breathe somewhat easily.


    In a muddled daze she headed towards her wing of the Family Home. Stunned by everything she had seen and heard, she did not know what else to do. Neither did it seem like there was anything she could do.

 Aftermath

    Back inside the room Felix was busy examining the bodies of his Uncle and Grandfather. They had both suffered, but only briefly. Getting back to his feet again he thought about calling down Renal and Arisan. Something held him back however. He wanted a moment to himself. A moment to take in what had just happened with everything as it was. His uncle, grandfather and grandmother all dead. All dead by his hand. He had imagined this same moment many times in the four years since he had received his Father¡¯s last will and testament. He had usually pictured it with him being more elated, or at the least fulfilled. Instead he just felt rather empty.


    The will was something only he now knew about, one kept secret even from the rest of the family. Though his mother had been its keeper until Felix¡¯s eighteenth birthday she never knew of its contents. It was to be seen by Felix and Felix alone.


    It had only been handed over to him on his Mother¡¯s deathbed. (Felix had kept it in his breast pocket ever since.)


    Mariana, or Lady Mariana as she was always referred to, had herself only received it seven days before Felix¡¯s father¡¯s own death. Despite misgivings about such cruel timing she never imagined the horrifying truth behind that same cruel timing. She had a kind soul, Mariana, one not built to deal with the often brutal reality of life as a Balduin.


    Felix only ever spoke of the will once, and that was long after that infamous family meeting. Years after the fact, he nevertheless recounted the story with immense detail.


    In the last hours of her life, his mother had called both him and Karina into the room. First her daughter and then Felix. Both entered alone. There, on her deathbed she revealed to Felix the details surrounding the will.


    Heartbroken at the prospect of losing his last remaining parent, his mother had been the one to speak first.


    ¡°No crying Felix. Now you must listen, and listen well. Your Father told me to give this to you when you reached eighteen. I do not know its contents. He forbade me to read them, curious as I was I did not break that promise. You do not know how many times I considered breaking it, but something always stopped me. This, is for you and you alone Felix. Not Grandad or even Uncle are to look on it. Your Father made that clear. In it are his final thoughts and notes Felix. I do not know why or how he knew. He¡­.he acted strangely towards the end. But somehow he knew his time on this Earth would soon come to a close. And so, he wrote you this. I hope it will give you some comfort and joy in your life. For you deserve it, my precious son.¡±


    Felix had not opened the will that day, or the next. It had not seemed to matter all that much with his Mother so close to death. Indeed a day later, the day after his birthday in fact, she passed away. For the next week he did not think about the will. He kept it on his person at all times. But he did not open it.


    Only after a week did he finally find himself alone and thoughtful. Alone, away from everyone and everything he had opened and read the will. Something had compelled him to read it well away from the family home. He hiked for several hours before he finally felt ready.


    He never said the exact contents of the will, only giving a summary.


    Felix¡¯s Father, Joaquin, was it is true, a man not always in line with traditional values. Just like Felix, or perhaps more correctly, just as Felix later adopted for himself, Joaquin saw a new vision for the Balduin Family. One not confined to secrets and shadows. One where the ancient line made itself known once more. According to Felix his Father too had been plagued with visions, images of the destruction and demise of their Bloodline.  Though it must be said that even those closest to and admirers of Joaquin considered him to an excessively ambitious sort. Another facet his son seemed to have inherited from him. How much then this ambition played into the visions of both remains a rather intriguing question.


    However one thing was certain, Joaquin had the intelligence and charm to back up his ambition. His goal, as he¡¯d instructed in the will, was to do just as Felix had proclaimed at that meeting. To make the Balduins Royalty once more.


    This goal, Felix later explained, was one in direct opposition to that of his Grandfather. Eustace, even then, despised the idea of change. Joaquin had always had the idea in his mind, and many times sought to explain and declare it to his Father. Yet it was not possible, for such ideas were unthinkable to the Balduin elder. So, as the dutiful son Joaquin stifled his ambition and did as his mother asked, he relented and without any issue took over as Head. Hiding his frustrations and annoyance behind a mask of conformity. He never did want to go against the wishes of his Father, and for many years didn¡¯t.


    In time he met Mariana, she brought him true happiness and for a while Joaquin seemed to be enjoying life, his dreams for once forgotten. Soon Felix and then Karina would arrive, creating for the Balduin Head a family of his own to concentrate his efforts.


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    Despite it all his ideas remained, he still desired change. Visions, and images he had tried to ignore remained a constant at his side. He held out as long as he could but on his thirty second birthday he decided it was time. He could not wait any longer. He had to act.


    He was done waiting. Come what may he would act.


    Eustace of course was enraged, though Joaquin was Head he made no effort to hide his displeasure and disgust. A war of sorts broke out between them. Eustace unwilling to accept such risks over what he called his son¡¯s madness.


    For a long time they argued and several times almost came to blows over the matter. Once the darling of his Father¡¯s eye, their relationship quickly became strained, to a point that they refused to speak or interact with each other. Elizabeth the only obstacle stopping them from all out destruction.


    Something, or rather someone had to give in. Surprisingly, that someone was Eustace. He had quite suddenly and rather abruptly resigned himself to going along with whatever it was his son intended. He placed it on tradition. As Joaquin was Head, though he hated everything about it, Eustace was duty bound to follow his wishes. He would not go against tradition.


    So it was, with Eustace finally conceding, it seemed that Joaquin¡¯s idea would begrudgingly be accepted. The Family would finally transform itself in Joaquin¡¯s image, whatever the other Bluebloods thought or attempted they would deal with and manage the fallout from such machinations.


    Joaquin may have outwardly expressed happiness at this supposed acceptance, but inwardly he believed nothing and suspected more. His will made that clear. He never believed his Father¡¯s assurances that he was done fighting.


    It, Felix confessed, was the most difficult part of the will for him to read. A perfect if morbid description of how and when his death would take place. Even at that moment, rife with suspicion and fresh off of months of continuous heated debate and argument with his Father he did not want to think it possible. And yet somehow he knew. He knew his death had already been preordained. Alexander, his younger brother and constant companion had picked neither side in the Family divide. Steadfastly he¡¯d remained neutral. Yet neutrals are there to be swayed, and it is no easy task to go against the wishes and orders of one¡¯s Father. Especially a Father such as Eustace Balduin.


    Felix¡¯s father passed before he could ever truly put any of his plans into practice. He died when the Family jet he was in crashed on his return to their Bermuda home after visiting the island of his chosen new Kingdom. He and all eighteen of the other people onboard had been killed in the accident. Only fragments of the plane remained intact, the bodies destroyed completely and left piled into a great ball of ash. The crash was hastily covered up so as to avoid public attention. Such a tragedy after seemingly resolving all of their internal conflict appeared disastrous for the family.


    Joaquin had predicted it all. From the flight, to the date, to how Alexander would be made the new Head and all plans for expansion abandoned. In his will he repeated time and time again how he didn¡¯t want to believe it. That he would be soon able to burn and destroy the will and its suspicions forever. He never did get that chance.


    Felix was unsure himself at first, once the rage and anger subsided and logic kicked in it really didn¡¯t make any sense. The two men who had practically raised him, they could not have gone so far. Both Alexander and Eustace had never said it outright, but both had often insinuated that his Father had not been well towards the end. Was the will merely a confirmation of that sickness?


    Despite his uncertainty he followed his Father¡¯s orders. Given the extremity of those orders it took him some time. He had outlined what questions to ask, and how to read both Eustace and Alexander¡¯s answers. Felix had found enough in them to go through with the task.


    Joaquin again correctly if tragically predicted what lay in store for him. Surmising they would use poison as a means of dispatching the unruly son cleanly. Apparently it was the standard for the Balduin family. Even in one as illustrious and prestigious as theirs there were still the black sheep, now and again a rebel or troublemaker that needed to be eradicated. Joaquin did his research, if they were going to kill him then he had more than an idea just how they were going to do it. Even in killing there was the rule of tradition.


    Which is how Felix was able to know and confirm what his Father had so outrageously claimed. All he had to do was follow the trail.


    He left orders for Felix to exhume his body so as to prove his own theory correct. Reluctantly, and only after great deliberation did Felix go through with it.


    Unbeknownst to the Family he flew back to Bermuda on a public flight before secretly entering down into the Family Mausoleum. There, after much deliberation he opened the coffin of his Father.


    The body was there. Joaquin had suspected the worst from his Brother and Father. But he believed that come what may they would place his body down with the others. He was right.


    Removing the bones of his Father¡¯s hand he carefully set the lid back and headed back out into the city. He waited until he was back in Europe before visiting one of the world¡¯s finest pathologists. There he had it confirmed what Joaquin had speculated. From the bones alone it was evident the traces of arsenic. Enough to kill a man.


    The plane crash was only a story created to allow Mariana and her two young children closure. There never had been a crash. Joaquin was killed, poisoned while up in the air, in a flight that landed safely. A crash was far too unpredictable for Eustace. That and he needed to make absolutely certain no one else survived, particularly not those men closest to his son.


    Felix only had two goals from that point on. One, to exact revenge on his Father¡¯s killers, and any who proved conspirators in his death.  And two, to fulfil his Father¡¯s wishes and make the Balduins a House of Royalty on the world stage once more.


    He had just completed the first. It was time then to move onto the second.

 Boundaries

    Things moved quickly after that. No one had suspected or known what Felix had planned. He had done it all himself. Only the servant who had been laden with the drinks was given any instructions. And that only who was to receive what glass, their understanding that it was because of each person¡¯s unique taste rather than any deadly poison influencing the orders.


    The meeting concluded with Felix alone satisfied with its ending, for him becoming Head of the Family was no mere revenge mission. It was for him the opportunity to finally realise plans he had long been engaged in. The meeting was another step in bringing his long held hopes to life. Just as he¡¯d touched upon during the meeting, this was no sudden realisation of Felix¡¯s. It would only come to life after that he had been in close contact with the rebels on the Island of Syrnat for over three years by the time he announced his plans to the others. He had been regularly providing financial aid and even sent members of Balduin¡¯s private militia as advisors to their war effort. All of this he had done in measured and ultimately cautious manoeuvres, unwilling to create too much talk about the island, nor give the rebels too much aid lest they move too fast. Now Head, he had free rein over virtually unlimited funds, none were better placed to provide the guns and ammunition needed to wage war. A role Felix would thrive in. He could never stand still, something always needed to be happening around him. His plan to take over and make himself King of an island was an all consuming one, one which suited him perfectly.


    Before we get to the island and all it entailed I am sure many of you are wondering what kind of repercussions came about due to Felix¡¯s spree of murders. After all, both of the families former Heads had just been killed, it would be logical then to assume some financial and business issues arising. Not so.


    For it was here the Family principals came to Felix¡¯s aid. For in every and all of their many business, corporate, and political interests none ever interacted with a legitimate member of the Balduins. None ever knew of their involvement. They were shadows, what difference then if one shadow killed another, so it was that nothing changed from Alexander to Felix. Those of the household, myself included, had nothing to do with such power struggles. We lived to serve, be it the uncle, the grandfather or the young heir. He was a Balduin. And let us not forget, Felix had waited until his twenty-second birthday and coronation for good reason, he was no pretender, he was the official Head of the Balduin Family by all criteria now. There was no cause for outside interference, even from the Concilium.


    The only two who might have created difficulties for Felix were his sister and aunt.


    Of them two the one who might have caused the most strife for Felix was his Aunt. Avelina had been effectively managing the house during Alexander¡¯s time in charge, few knew and understood the day to day running of the Family better than she. Had she wished she would have certainly been in a position to create difficulties. Fortunately for Felix she did not wish to.


    They did not speak properly for three days after the meeting. Though he¡¯d asked for her several times she had excused herself on each occasion, carefully avoiding him around the House and gardens.


    She needed time to think. Three days she spent virtually alone with just her many thoughts for company. There was no funeral, whatever Felix had done with the bodies he had not revealed it to anyone outside of his two cousins. All that was left for her was to think. To think, to plan and to decide.


    It took her three days to come to her decision. With it made she finally determined not to wait for any longer but to go to Felix herself. The sooner she could clear things up between them the better she would feel. The third day after the meeting, as the day changed to night she went to him.


    The woman had hardly slept with so much uncertainty over her future. She mourned too, but Avelina was a practical woman, she would not let any mourning stand in the way of practicality. No one doubted her love for Alexander, nor his for her. Their love however was no passionate romance, mayhaps in the early years but by the time of his death it had taken on a more symbolic role. Less passion, more pleasant familiarity. And while she grew old delicately, the same could not be said for her husband. His youthful sculpted physique had long faded by the time he had reached forty seven. He slept little and drank a lot, not destructively so, but he was certainly not healthy either. Little wonder then that Felix, grown and handsome as ever, had not failed to capture the attention of his aunt. Unsurprising especially given how much he sought it. Perhaps it was also a final way of attacking his uncle and his legacy, for together Alexander and Avelina had borne no children. A sign Felix later once drunkenly claimed as indication his uncle was not meant to be Head. Had he children then they would have taken Felix¡¯s place in line. That they did not made Felix¡¯s takeover that little less bloody and clean.


    That evening when she chose to meet him Felix was busy discussing the current movements of the rebels on Syrnat when she appeared. Abruptly dismissing Renal and Arisan he guided her to sit at the desk in front of him.


    ¡°Well?¡± Felix asked, he stared at her from the other side of the table. ¡°Have you thought about what I said?¡±


    ¡°You mean besides the death of my husband, and my mother and father in law?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I do indeed mean besides that.¡± Felix kept his face motionless, whatever tears or laments he¡¯d had for the dead were long vanished, if they¡¯d ever been there at all.


    ¡°Well then yes, I will not lie. I have. And you know as well as I do that it is not possible. I am your Aunt Felix. You are my nephew. That does not change with Alexander¡¯s ¡­¡­ It doesn¡¯t change.¡±


    ¡°What has that got to do with anything? Aunt or nephew makes little difference to me. Does it bother you so?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it does bother me so. Along with the fact that you murdered my husband Felix. Now you ask me to simply put that aside to what? Become your paramour? Am I to forget that fact on a whim. I am not judging you for what you did, were I in your shoes it may be I would have done the same. But that doesn¡¯t change the fact that you murdered my husband.¡±


    ¡°I see. And there is no part of you happy with that fact? Happy to be free to do as you wish. For you are you know. If you desire to be with me then all you must do is say it. Not as my paramour no, but as my Queen. I have told you this is no passing fancy Avelina.¡±


    ¡°Should I be grateful then?¡± Avelina could not help laughing. ¡°Felix, you should check your ego.¡±


    ¡°Should I? Why? If that ego is only referencing facts then what harm. Am I wrong then? You do not now desire me. Have never desired me?¡±


    ¡°Desired you? Why do you speak so strangely?¡±


    Felix shook his head, ¡°You are adept at avoiding questions Avelin.¡±


    ¡°Do not call me that.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t like it now?¡± Felix got to his feet. ¡°I want you by my side. Not as my Aunt. But as my Queen, my lover.¡±


    ¡°That cannot happen Felix.¡±


    ¡°No?¡± Felix smiled as he walked slowly over to her. ¡°It can. Why do you deny what is so clear? If you want something you need to take it. I know you want me. Take it then. Have it.¡±


    He ran one hand down her body. She took a step back and shook her head.


    ¡°Don¡¯t. Don¡¯t Felix.¡±


    He followed her back and took one hand to brush back a loose strand of hair behind her ear. His hand lingered before settling on the back of her neck.


    He moved in close to her. Avelina closed her eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t Felix.¡±


    His kiss was gentle, Avelina pressed her lips tightly together. She didn¡¯t want to give in. Pulling back from the kiss she placed both hands on Felix¡¯s chest.


    Opening her eyes she struggled to avoid his gaze. Felix stared intently and deeply into hers. The green of his were startlingly clear. Annoyingly difficult to turn away from.


    ¡°We can¡¯t.¡± She whispered. Shaking her head she did turn away from him. She would have kept walking then, but Felix did not give in.


    He moved quickly to place both of his hands around her waist and pulled her back in close to him. ¡°We can.¡±


    Again he kissed her. She resisted, pressing her lips together once more. But he did not stop, instead moving down to kiss and roam across her neck. She could not hold back the moan that escaped her lips. Swiftly she closed her mouth and closed her eyes, her body already revealing outwardly her inner. Felix did not stop, running a hand through her hair he grabbed behind her neck again, harder this time, and drew her into another kiss. This time his lips broke through hers and she faltered. She could not deny imagining such a kiss before, but she had not meant it to happen. It was not supposed to. She¡¯d always stopped herself whenever her mind wandered to such base emotions. Yet, she did not want to stop it anymore. As Felix pulled back from the kiss he lifted her up easily to wrap her around his waist. He turned and placed her gently down on his desk. When he tried to kiss her again she did not resist.


    Not now. It was already too late. As his hands searched down her body she felt as if every moment she would explode. An entire summer of tension streamed out of her, longer perhaps. She eagerly reached up to kiss him once more and slipped out of her dress as Felix¡¯s hands undid the straps holding it up. He ripped off his shirt and her hands soon edged up and down his chest and waist. Desire took over and she ceased to resist, ceased to think. This time it was her who pulled him down onto her. She did not want to hold back anymore. It was wrong. She knew that. But she was tired of reservations, they would have to wait. Against desire what hope did reservation have in any case? At that moment she had her answer. None.


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    The other who could have created difficulties was Karina, though far less involved in the Family than Avelina she nonetheless knew enough to complicate matters if she so wished.


    She went further than her Aunt, locking herself in her room for five days after the meeting. She scarcely ate or slept in those five days, she would not speak and repeatedly refused Felix entry. Her food was left by her door and mostly there it remained uneaten and untouched. She more than any suffered and changed most due to that infamous meeting.


    Karina had only just turned nineteen, and unlike Felix had never been of the independent kind, she was always the little darling of the Family. Three years apart, there was little the Balduin siblings shared in common besides their blood.


    She had spent her childhood as a constant at her Mother¡¯s side, on her death that changed to be at her Grandmother and Aunt¡¯s side. In many ways she more than Felix was closer to all three of those he had so savagely killed in front of her very eyes.


    She had been present to see her family¡¯s reactions to Felix¡¯s claims. Karina had always prided herself on her ability to read a person¡¯s eyes. That day, whether she wished it or not she saw how they had looked at her Brother when he spoke the words. ¡®I intend to make our Family Royalty once more.¡¯ Nine words which had changed her life forever. Nine words which rang out repeatedly in her head.


    Alexander, he had seemed more shocked than angry, sad even. He had looked almost guilty as he pleaded with Felix to remain calm. Grandfather had his shock too, but his was heavily veiled behind the anger. He had been more outraged than anything. He must have still harboured some bitterness towards Father judging by his words and actions. Even after all those years¡­.. She had never seen Eustace the elder Principale. She only know him as the amicable old man of the Family, an always willing companion to any of her adventures. Grandmother would have been responsible for that, she always sought to protect, to hide away Karina from any of the unseemliness of the Balduin operations.


    Her death hurt most of all. Her death was the one which she spent most of those five days in contemplation of.


    She had known evidently, her final words revealed as much. Yet Karina knew innately that she had not played any part in the planning or carrying out of the act. Still¡­.she was his Mother. Was it enough that she did not actively take part? She knew of her husband¡¯s plan. Surely then it was not wrong but only just for Felix to kill her just as she had killed Father by her inaction.


    Why then was she angry, why then did she mourn the deaths of those who had killed Father?


    She was not confused, she did not blame her Brother. They had killed Father, he was duty bound to kill those responsible.


    She was only a baby when Father died, hardly a year old. Any love or affection she felt for him was not through any experience or feeling. But she knew that the deaths of the three were well warranted.


    It took her five days to decide. Finally she came to the conclusion that Felix had been right to do what he did. Though she wished he had told her of his plans she also understood why he didn¡¯t, she was not sure she could have looked on her grandmother¡¯s face knowing what was to happen. She did perhaps disagree with the how of the killing, or at least Felix¡¯s rather light reaction to the affair, but it did not seem right to condemn him for that. No doubt he had been through pain enough knowing what he did.


    He¡¯d visited and knocked on her door each morning of those five days. Each time she gave no answer to his knocks and requests. On that fifth day only did she allow him in.


    Without a word he silently entered and they both hugged. They said nothing as they embraced, the action was enough. Karina finally pulled away first.


    ¡°How?¡±


    ¡°Father. He left it to me. In his will, his last words. I had no choice Karina, I had to-¡±


    ¡°I know Felix. I know you did. I do not doubt that. And I am glad I was there.¡± She laughed, not her usual childish and carefree laugh, but a bitter, adult laugh. ¡°Were I not then I know I would have not believed you. Even with the Will I might not have. But some things can not be hid. I looked upon their faces in those last moments and saw the proof of your words on them. You did what was right Felix. I know that now. It is just¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, it is.¡± Felix smiled sadly, ¡°Do not think it was easy for my sister. It is only that I have imagined Father falling in much the same way so many times that I could not help but take pleasure in theirs. Truly, I wish none of this had or needed to happen. But it did.¡±


    ¡°And now? You intend to go through with your plans? We are going to reveal ourselves?¡±


    ¡°I do. And we are, yes. It is time.¡±


    Karina nodded. ¡°And is this Father acting through you? Do you really want all this Felix?¡±


    ¡°Both,¡± Felix admitted, ¡°I don¡¯t deny that I never had such grand ideas as he did. But ever since I read and thought about Father¡¯s ambitions I have not been able to shake them. They come to me when I close my eyes, whenever I close my mind to the outside world. They were his, but I have taken them for my own wholeheartedly sister. I am doing this for him, yes, but so much more besides.¡±


    ¡°And you are convinced? Have you forgotten why our Family hid ourselves in the first place? You must see why Grandfather and Alexander had reservations, even forgetting everything else you must see their reasoning.¡±


    ¡°I see it, and I am not blind to the risks Karina. But I meant what I said in the meeting, regardless of what happened after. The World is changing, what was once easily hidden will soon be revealed. This is not some idle ambition for increased power, it is a necessity for the future of our Family. I have seen it sister.¡±


    Karina nodded but said nothing, now did not seem like the time to voice all of her concerns. Whatever pretence Felix tried to conjure she knew it was ambition more than anything driving such claims and plans. Unlike his uncle before him, Felix had always hated the lack of public attention, the need for utmost secrecy in all their dealings. Despite all of that she sensed only sincerity in her brother¡¯s words. It appeared Felix had even fooled himself into believing there was such a threat to their existence in the current state. In reality, Karina knew that his ploy had no bearing on that existence. In fact she imagined it would make their continued existence all the more difficult.


    Felix noticed her silence.


    ¡°We will not lose anything sister, we¡¯ll keep our private enterprises as they are but will add everything. An entire island that has been left disregarded and underused for over 50 years, more in truth. A land rich in resources and potential. With such land and resources we could create an entire nation of our own design. Formally recognised as Heads of State we would become untouchable. In all areas of life.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps.¡±


    Felix shook his head, ¡°You doubt it. Sister, look at the Saxe-Coburg-Gothas. The people yet adore them and they still wield and hold power beyond belief over what remains of the British Empire. Their only problem is that they can do nothing with that power, for Britain is too big and too deeply set in their ways for them to take have any real control. Yet they have mastered the public and hidden themselves behind walls of pomp and ceremony, we can do as they have, except without the limitations. Look too at the Kims in North Korea. See what they have created, without any foundation, without any of the resources we would bring. Look at the power and grip they hold on the Nation. Imagine if they were not so volatile in their isolation, so damning and cruel towards their own people. Imagine if instead of destroying and ruining the land and people they created a prosperous one. One that fed the land and them. A realm people desired to live in. They would be lauded as visionaries in a world of greed and corruption. We can have that. They did things half right, we will do things completely right.¡±


    ¡°So you wish to help the people?¡±


    Felix stopped his pacing, he rolled his eyes, ¡°The People. I wish to keep them happy and docile, that''s all. It is what they can offer and give us I wish for.¡±


    ¡°Your ambition veers close to destruction Felix.¡± Karina finally put in, ¡°I hope you see that.¡±


    ¡°Any ambition worth aiming for is so.¡± He responded firmly.


    They stared unspeaking for several moments.


    ¡°Besides, think about it.¡± Felix finally broke in. ¡°Who is more suited to be a princess than you, Karina Balduin. I daresay royalty will fit you better than any of us.¡±


    Karina rolled her eyes, ¡°Oh please, knowing you I imagine you have already picked out a crown.¡±


    ¡°I have not picked, though I might have looked.¡±


    Karina laughed, a real laugh this time. ¡°Then I shall trust in you Brother. And I will aid you in what ways I can, perhaps I will choose your crown for you.¡±


    ¡°That is all I ask Sister. For it is together that we will rule. I will not succeed without you to support me.¡±


    ¡°I will be there. Though I must ask you one thing.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    Karina stared up at her brother, ¡°What will become of Aunt Avelina.¡±


    ¡°Avelina? Well she will continue as she always has of course. She was not yet part of the Family when Uncle became Head. She can not then be held responsible for anything that was done to Father.¡±


    ¡°That is not what I mean Felix. You know what I ask.¡±


    Felix stopped smiling. ¡°That is not for you to ask about Karina. I do not pry into your personal affairs, neither should you in mine.¡±


    ¡°She is our Aunt Felix. Your Aunt. It is not right. I see how you look at her. Worse, I see how she looks at you. But you cannot pursue it, it is abnormal.¡±


    ¡°Abnormal?¡± Her Brother laughed at her, ¡°Our whole tree is a mess of cousins and indeed uncles and nieces, aunts and nephews marrying. Don¡¯t throw out words for nothing sister. Avelina is not even related to us by anything other than our dead uncle. Abnormal? You are creating drama where there is none.¡±


    ¡°Me? I am creating drama when you two were seen together last night gett-¡±


    Felix shook his head, ¡°Enough Karina. This is not something we will argue and debate on. Not now, not ever.¡± He turned to depart but Karina held him back.


    ¡°You have to listen Felix, I mean it, this is not ri-¡±


    ¡°ENOUGH.¡± Felix pulled his arm away. ¡°I am not speaking out of politeness sister. I mean what I say. Do not question me on such things.¡± He looked back at her. ¡°Do not.¡±


    Karina took a few steps back as Felix departed her, shutting the door firmly behind him. For a brief moment she had seen the same look in her brother¡¯s eyes as he had had in the meeting room. Only for a brief moment, it had vanished almost as quickly as it had appeared. But it had appeared. As she sat down on the bed that image remained. She sighed, Felix had promised to make her a Princess. A thought that would have once filled her with happiness and the utmost joy. Now however, all she could wonder was just how much that title would cost. For in truth, to her it already seemed too much.

 Timing

    Things moved quickly after that, the next three months had been spent in ever closer contact with the rebels. Even the world media were starting to pick up on the growing conflict on the island of Syrnat. Of the three major cities on the island two were now in rebel hands. Only the Capital Linar, remained. Once it fell so too would the Communist regime present on the island. The old dictator, a robust fellow known as Terio, had holed up in the city with the last of the army still loyal to him. There was still blood to be shed but the end was in sight. Felix intended to be there for that end. In fact it was rather crucial he was. Timing was now more key than ever, too soon and he would lose the initiative, too late and he would lose the glory.


    Thankfully his allies had managed to finally occupy one of the few airports on the island and transform it into a somewhat safe  position. It was here that he flew into. Along with twelve of the best trained of the Balduin militia. Avelina and Karina remained at home until such a time as their new Kingdom was secure.


    Things had been progressing nicely for Felix. Avelina had been tentative at first, still unsure of their new arrangement. Though they spent their nights together, nights full of passion and lustful desires she was always distant during the day. Whether due to her own sense of shame or her maintenance of outward appearance she gave him little, more so around Karina.


    His sister might have vocally resigned herself to Felix and Avelina¡¯s new relationship, but her face did not always reflect that. It did not bother him so much in the beginning, not when the nights were so full of pleasure. But his annoyance at the fact steadily grew. On a night maybe a month after the meeting he finally confronted her. The day had been a stressful one as the Rebels of Syrnat had made their move against an army stronghold. The results of the Battle were inconclusive, and Felix was in an impatient mood.


    I won¡¯t dwell on the matter or the smaller details, not as we move onto the extremities of war. I will only say that their conversation was a long one. The lights in their room stayed on well into the night and the sounds which came from it suggested their conversation had been, shall we say, a beneficial one.


    That next morning they had gathered all of the House before them to announce the circumstances of their arrangement. It was a shock to no one, and most were rather pleased for the couple in truth, for they made a rather elegant one.


    Do not judge us for that, for it must be remembered that what was considered taboo for most, for Bloodliness was second nature. The Balduins had often married cousin to cousin, uncle to niece, aunt to nephew before. Though admittedly, those marriages were usually arranged long before they ever actually happened, the sudden and indeed violent nature to Felix and Avelina¡¯s relationship was what truly made theirs stand out. Still, only Karina showed any signs of dissent, yet even she had not spoke out against them.


    Since the official announcement Avelina seemed more at ease. She was now often found by Felix¡¯s side, and he by hers. Only around Karina did they show any great degree of reserve. At all other times they seemed to be only affectionate and expressive.


    Though his sister was evidently still coming to terms with it Felix was not worried about her. Given time she would come around, he was sure of it. Avelina and her had already begun talking again, and not just in the company of others. Briefly perhaps, not at all like they had been before, but still. It was a start. All in all then Felix was more than content as the Balduin jet made its descent onto Syrnat¡¯s runways.


    As they touched down Felix shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He understood the need for body armour, but he did not enjoy wearing it. It felt constrictive, he hated constrictive.


    The command of the army was already waiting for their benefactor. What Felix supposed was a Royal welcome was waiting for him as he disembarked.


    All three of the Rebel leaders were there to meet him. After embracing each one in turn he urged them to guide him inside. It was not all that safe to be out in the open, even surrounded by so many of the guns and infrastructure his money had bought.


    Here seems a good moment to enlighten a little on the history of the rebels and just how Felix came to hold such sway over them.


    His decision to pick Syrnat had been an easy one. It alone seemed to satisfy all his needs. His father had clearly laid out the priorities for any potential Kingdom. One, it had to be an island. Preferably away from any powerful overbearing neighbours. Two it had to have land and population enough to become profitable with the right investment and infrastructure. Thirdly it needed to be unstable, either politically, militarily or financially. Unstable enough that Balduin power could easily be used to shape its future. Syrnat fulfilled all of these for Felix.


    It was an island, cut off from most of the world¡¯s superpowers, located as it was off the East coast of Indonesia. Though not small it was not difficult to manage or traverse logistically. The island was about the same size as Hokkaido and had a population of just over 5 million. It was poorly developed but had once been a rich source of wealth for the Spanish colonisers previously stationed there.


    By Felix and his team''s calculations with the correct management and influx of wealth the island could easily become a leading supplier of rubber, coffee, cocoa and sugar amongst a great deal of other commodities. The situation could not have been anymore perfect for Balduin intervention when Felix began his machinations. Unlike in his Father¡¯s time, when the rebels were little more than a few underground agitators, by the time Felix had read the will they were becoming a serious threat to the and those who named themselves the Restorators were already engaged in guerilla warfare Communist regime.


    Their goal was to restore the Island to its roots and to transform it once more into a land of prosperity, pride, tradition and free trade. To supplement this they meant to elect a new President from amongst their own upon their victory.


    All worthy goals. All goals which Felix had no interest in.


    Many different leaders of the rebels had been to visit Felix at many different times and at many different places. All arranged and organised by him. In those meetings Felix eagerly proclaimed his desire to aid them, highlighting his own descendancy from a past Spanish family of the island. He claimed to have a deep spiritual connection to Syrnat, his birthplace and where he had spent his childhood (it had not been difficult at all for him to forge such a paper), he even had locals who eagerly supported his story (again it was not hard to find people willing to collaborate at the sight of American dollars).


    Few questions were asked to ratify these claims, with the sheer volume of weapons, goods, and everything else they needed being provided for it seemed to the leaders a reasonable enough claim. What reason had they to doubt their wealthy benefactor who had so easily and willingly offered up support. Question too hard and they might risk losing that support. Had they known what was to happen they would surely have conducted their questioning far more stringently.


    Of the three Rebel leaders currently in power, Budi was the oldest. He had been a leader of the movement for over thirteen years by the time Felix arrived on the island. Now almost sixty he had been forced to take a less direct role in the warfare, whereas before he had gladly placed himself on the front line he now directed it from afar. A traditionalist he had taken the most convincing before accepting foreign aid in their struggle. Of the three he was the most suspicious of Felix, and the only one who ever thought to question him about what he wished for the future once they did achieve independence. Questions which Felix never failed to skilfully avoid, carefully reiterating his desire to accomplish the matter at hand before worrying about such things.


    Arif was the youngest of the three leaders by far. Still only twenty one, he himself had grown up in rebel mountain camps all his life owing to his Father. Arif¡¯s father had been an ex-government official and close friend of the Dictator who had famously surrendered his position of power to fight for a brighter future. Named Nurul, he had been the first rebel. A figurehead for the entire movement he had been assassinated two years previously, allegedly by an assassin personally hired by Terio to remove his greatest foe. This was all true, though it was actually Felix himself who had orchestrated the assassination, Nurul being too powerful and wary to control he had needed the man killed and used the Dictator to do it. Providing the assassin himself as an anonymous gift from one strong man to another. His death had divided up the power and allowed the third of the rebel leaders to come to the fore. A pity, as Nurul had been one of the only people who had ever spoken to Joaquin about the island.


    The third leader, a man named Ashley, had in fact been placed in the position by Felix himself. Ex American military he was one of those first military advisors that reached the island on Felix¡¯s behalf. For almost three years now he had been closely working with and gathering power within the rebel movement. Nurul¡¯s death had allowed him to rise further up their ranks without too much scrutiny and he was now considered key to all rebel activities.


    They sat in what remained of the airport¡¯s lounge. Felix smiled warmly and spread his hands out wide.


    ¡°We are almost there Brothers. One last push and we will finally achieve a free Syrnat. Truly these are great days we are living in.¡±


    ¡°We have not achieved it yet,¡± Budi remarked, ¡°The Capital is well defended. They will not easily give in. This final push of ours will be a bloody one.¡±


    ¡°Then we must ensure it is the blood of the government army that is most plentiful,¡± Arif stated, ¡°And with the consignment we received last week we could not be anymore prepared. We have the manpower and firepower to succeed, let them defend. They will not hold us back. The city will fall, and Terios¡¯s regime along with it.¡±


    Felix nodded at Arif¡¯s words, the boy looked on him as something of an idol he knew. A fact he found ironic considering his role in Nurul¡¯s death. Felix was actually quite fond of the young Rebel, in other circumstances he imagined they might have been friends. They had bonded quite quickly on matters of the outside world. Felix¡¯s ambitions went beyond friendship however, as most grand ambitions tend to do.


    ¡°Then everything is in place? All is prepared?¡±


    ¡°All is prepared.¡± Ashley confirmed. ¡°We march on the city at dawn. With the artillery and tanks in place we will be at the palace gates before nightfall.¡±


    ¡°Good, oh and do try and preserve the palace from the worst of the attacks, we should seek to keep as much of the old buildings  as we can. Remember we are not only dealing with the present but also the future. Buildings like the palace will serve as the new seats of the freely elected President and his Ministry.¡±


    ¡°We can make no guarantees on that account,¡± Budi interjected, ¡°All that matters is victory, we shall deal with the future when it has been made clear to us.¡±


    ¡°Indeed.¡± Felix clapped his hands, ¡°Then let us drink to tomorrow¡¯s success, you¡¯ll be glad to know Budi that I have brought one of those whiskies you so admired at our last meeting.¡±


    ¡°It is a pleasant drink, I can¡¯t deny it. Very well then, let us share a glass and retire for the night. We must be ready for everything that will happen. It may be that the government forces have something in the way of surprise in store for us.¡±


    Felix poured out the four glasses himself and raised his own.


    ¡°Whatever happens I am sure that by tomorrow¡¯s end we will all be heroes. But enough on that for the moment. For now, let us drink.¡±


    And so they did.


    They woke early the next morning, by the time the sun had risen almost all of the rebel forces had already begun their final assault.  Felix followed on behind with the command group. In his mind there was little he could do to help now. He had given the rebels the means of success, it was up to them now to use those means to finally take the city and end the war.


    He watched on as the minutes and hours passed painstakingly by. The city had become a warzone, great clouds of smoke and ash engulfing the skyline as the defenders desperately tried to hold back the rebels. Felix had to admit, though a fat old man Terio certainly inspired loyalty in those who served him. He had not expected them to hold out so long. Yet he was glad they had, the extra time had been well spent reaffirming and perfecting his plans. Everything was almost in place.


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    Overheard a few soviet era planes flew past but they were quickly shot down by the Skyshield air-defence system Felix had sent ahead of him.  The short </a>range air defence system was more than capable of shooting down enemy planes far more advanced than those of the People¡¯s Army. Still, it was no pleasant wait for the fighting to cease and their conquest to be finalised. The sounds of gunfire continued well into nightfall. Only then was word passed back through the lines that the last holdout of the loyalists had been taken and what soldiers they had remaining were finally throwing down their weapons.


    Felix¡¯s moment had arrived. He felt a sensation almost similar to that which he¡¯d felt before the Meeting. Nervous, on edge, but excited. Excited and ready for what was to come.


    Gathering himself he pulled Ashley aside in the chaos of the celebrations and passed on his final orders.


    Ashley was a soldier through and through, there was no need for final orders, he knew what he was to do, still Felix felt better having given them.


    They made their way inside the city, though it was not easy to make out much from the inside of their armoured vehicle it was clear that the city was in ruins. Its rebuilding would have to be amongst the most pressing issues for Syrnat going forward. Felix was not worried about such issues for the moment however. It was more a help than a hindrance, he would have had to destroy most of the poorer parts of the city in any case.


    They were led in a convoy of tanks and armoured vehicles straight to the palace. Felix was both surprised and pleased to see that it had indeed escaped the worst of the damage.


    Roars of triumph and cheers of joy and success rang out as they exited their vehicles and headed inside the palace gates. It seemed all around them the Rebels were busy marking their victory. Blood, bodies and a broken barricade met them at the Gates to the palace but there were already a host of their men waiting for them. Those at the palace were mainly composed of Balduin soldiers, men brought in from their private militia to carry out the more dangerous and specific tasks of the rebels. Professionals, Felix was glad to see them making up the majority of those present, it would make what was to come that bit easier.


    One of Ashley¡¯s officers came up to guide them through the cavernous halls of the old colonial era palace. They made their way deep inside to the old throne room. There they were greeted by several more of the militia troops who had encircled a lone figure, the man known as Syrnat¡¯s Uncle.


    Terio was sitting on his palace chair as if he still ruled. Surrounded by six men all with guns trained on him he only looked on almost absentmindedly. He wore his full army uniform, complete with his vast assemblage of medals and badges. The man had received so many honours that his medals almost overlapped such was their number.


    A proud man, but a smart man Terio must have known his time was up. He must have known it long before his city had fallen. The rebels had been a constant thorn in his side but only in the past three years, and particularly the last half a year or so had they truly threatened him. Now they had unseated him. Execution was a guarantee. Yet despite all of this he smiled as the four leaders of the rebellion strode down to him.


    His nonchalance in the face of such ruin¡­ Felix had to remind himself not to like the man.


    ¡°So you have come, with your foreign Master. Arif, your Father would be proud. He was always eager to return dear Syrnat to its roots. Though I¡¯ll admit, I would have chosen a different period of time then the colonial one. How many of our people died by Foreign hand again? It was in the millions was it not? And as for you my old friend,  Budi, time has not been kind to you. Are you eating? You look so thin? So tired.¡± Terio looked down at his own ample stomach, ¡°Though as I glance upon you now I believe I could do with a few months rebelling. My wives would certainly thank you for it, although probably not, there is very little they like to say thanks for. Yet you must be glad, perhaps if you are lucky you will be allowed to be a Minister of Agriculture in your Master¡¯s new government.¡±


    ¡°Your words mean nothing to me Terio. You talk about foreign aid so dismissively, even while your men die and fall with Soviet guns and armour on their bodies. Since its Fall you have lost all semblance of civility, all semblance of dignity. You are a fraud, a cheat and will long be remembered for the Tyrant you are.¡±


    ¡°At least I will be remembered. That is a comfort to me.¡±


    ¡°Do you have no shame?¡± Arif spat down at the Dictator. ¡°You who have devastated our once beautiful Country. How many people have died for your supposed Utopia? You have led our people into poverty and despair. We will lead it out of it.¡±


    ¡°We will lead it out of it.¡± Terio snorted, ¡°Ah yes, the enthusiasm of youth, I recall being similarly afflicted. Not to worry, life will soon sort that out for you. Oh, hello Ashley, I¡¯ve heard a great deal about you. But I¡¯ll admit it¡¯s mostly boring, dull things. How skilled of a soldier you are, how well you understand the intricacies of war. All skills which will no doubt make you a fine politician in this new order of yours. However you¡¯ll forgive me if I skip over you a little. I wish to look on that wealthy hero of yours. The one who is Syrnat in both heart and soul.¡± Terio wagged a finger at him, ¡°You are an interesting one. I do wonder what you¡¯ve planned. Something great I imagine, you¡¯d not have gone through all this trouble for nought I¡¯m sure. Hoho only let me see the faces of the others when you do act. I beg you.¡±


    ¡°We should gag him,¡± Arif shook his head, ¡°The man speaks and breathes only poison.¡±


    Ashley took off his own bandana, Felix was pleased to see him taking the initiative, he did not need Terio causing any last minute problems for him. They were almost ready.


    Felix finally focused on Terio, he had been busy directing the cameramen to properly engage in the conversation before. It was critical that they were live and broadcasting to the entire nation. The very basis of all his future plans depended on it in fact. Terio seemed no more bothered by his gagging than he was by the guns locked on him. He tilted his head sideways and a little surprisingly regarded Felix with curious eyes rather than hateful ones.


    Felix took out the revolver from around his waist, the gun, a first generation colt SAA had been an eighteenth birthday present from his Grandfather. One he had been loathe to give up despite all that had happened. He liked it too much.


    ¡°Are we live?¡±


    The cameramen nodded to him.


    ¡°Is this truly necessary? I still believe we are lowering ourselves to his level with such actions. The man must die, but why like this?¡±


    ¡°We have been through this already, Budi.¡± Arif nodded at Felix. ¡°It is necessary, Terio has earned such a death. And more than that, the people of Syrnat deserve to witness it. This man has caused them more pain than any other. Let his death now bring them some happiness.¡±


    Budi glared at Arif, though he said nothing. Once again Felix was glad of his support.


    Arif stepped aside and bade Felix come forward, ¡°It is through your gold and welcome aid that we stand here today. It feels only right then that you Felix Balduin are the man to end this dark age of our land and help lead it into the new.¡¯


    Nodding solemnly Felix stepped forward, it felt strange to him to hear his full name spoken by an outsider of the Family, especially on a live broadcast. The feeling was strangely thrilling, though he could not say exactly why.


    Taking a step forward he dramatically turned off the safety and stood before the old Dictator.


    Pausing he closed his eyes and pressed two fingers to his forehead. It was the signal he had decided upon long ago, and it was answered immediately.


    From the balcony on the right overlooking the dais came the sound of gunfire. Felix saw Budi go down instantly, his body and head both riddled with bullets. He had been the primary target, the man that needed to be taken out most of all.


    Arif was next, he¡¯d hardly taken a step before he too collapsed under a hail of bullets. Felix ducked and hid himself behind the body of Terio on his throne. The dictator¡¯s eyes were wide as they darted left and right, he seemed more surprised than anyone by the appearance of his men. The last desperate attack was evidently not one he had counted on.


    Things moved quickly then, several People¡¯s Army soldiers came flying down from the balcony.


    A gunfight promptly ensued. Felix glanced back to make sure the cameras were still rolling. The camera crew had retreated and were animatedly shaking and screaming into the lens, though there was a conspicuous lack of bullets veering in their direction. He waved one of the cameras in his direction before pausing a moment to gather himself with gun pressed against his forehead. He almost smiled in the moment thinking of how good it would look.


    Then charging off to the side he replicated a scene he had been practising for quite some time. He didn¡¯t spin outright in the air, that would have been way over the top. Instead he slid artfully to the side. Two army men went down under his attack. The practice had not been for nothing.


    So far everything looked great. Felix had always been a lover of film. The research then into just how to make a realistic shootout was one he had wholeheartedly committed to. That and it gave him a chance to act, one which he gratefully took up.


    He¡¯d even brought in a Hollywood expert in to oversee and organise proceedings. Alessandro, as he was named, was disguised as one of Felix¡¯s own guards. It was a pity that he would have to be killed, he had done his job well. However, allowing him to live after knowing so much would be taking an unnecessary risk of the truth being revealed.


    The movie squibs were truly effective. It really did appear as if both the bullets and the damage they inflicted were actually happening.


    Of course not all of it was fake, that would not have been of much use to Felix and his goals. The bullets that passed through Arif and Budi were no fakes, just as the bullets which had taken out the local rebels who¡¯d accompanied them into the building were not fake. Some of his own men too had needed to be killed, they would need at least a few bodies from their own forces to really sell their story. They had been told that they might be hit by some of the fakes, it would have been quite a shock then to see their real blood spilling out before their eyes.


    The scene didn¡¯t last long. Those who needed to be killed were killed and those who were to feign death lay motionless on the ground in pools of fake blood. Felix nodded back to his camera crew as he hurried over to first Budi and then Arif. When he went to the young rebel¡¯s body his tears were almost genuine.  He lay over them for a minute before he waved the camera off. There was surely enough film now to cover everything.


    The sound of blood spluttering up made Felix turn around. On the ground Ashley lay with his hands pressed against the throat. He was in obvious pain but was desperately trying to speak.


    Felix sighed and went over to crouch down beside him.


    Shaking his head he used his revolver to scratch the back of his head.


    ¡°Yesss I suppose you are not best pleased by all this Ashley. Three years of your life spent sleeping in mosquito infested swamp and jungle, freezing your arse off up in the mountains, and whatever other struggles you had to go through. It will be hard for you to understand I¡¯m sure, but you really did have to die. Honestly, you did. I did not make that decision easily.¡±


    Ashley managed to turn his body enough to look upon Felix. Blood gurgled up from his neck.


    ¡°I know, I know. You see if anything you did your job too well. That ironically is your downfall. The rebels, well they love you. Were you to stay alive then it might put my own leadership under question. With Budi and Arif gone you would be the obvious candidate for many people to step up. I couldn¡¯t have that now could I? Could I? Oh, you¡¯re dead.¡±


    Felix gritted his teeth and patted Ashley on the chest. The man had served him well. It really is a pity, he thought to himself, but still, there absolutely was no choice in the matter.


    All around him his militia were busy securing the room. They were almost ready for the final scenes.


    While he waited Felix went up to Terio and removed his gag. He sat down heavily on the steps and observed a moment as bodies were moved and the doors secured to prevent any outsiders getting in.


    ¡°You mean to make yourself President then, is that it?¡±


    Felix shook his head, ¡°King actually.¡±


    ¡°Bastard, you¡¯ve played us off against each other. Wicked clever, I¡¯ll give you that. I thought it was the Americans sticking their nose in, they¡¯ve never liked me. Always ranting about Human rights and what not. Nevermind the embargoes that caused half those same human rights to happen. So I killed a few political opponents, who doesn¡¯t? Ahh anyhow, it makes little difference to me now. Am I to die?¡±


    ¡°You are.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ve had a better life than most, I assure you. So be it. Do you want a word of advice? One Ruler to another.¡±


    ¡°Not really. I am not much for advice myself.¡±


    Terio laughed abruptly, ¡°Spoken like a right bastard. You¡¯ll make a fine King. Only, do one thing for me.¡±


    Felix raised a brow, ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°My second wife. Her and my boy. Let them go at least, yes? As a last wish to a dying man.¡±


    ¡°A last wish?¡± Felix got up from the steps and nodded towards the camera crew. It was time for the execution.


    ¡°A last wish,¡± Terio smiled even as the gag was put back on him.


    Felix held the gun up to the dictator¡¯s face. He squinted down at him. ¡°Nah.¡±


    Felix wasted no time on theatrics this time. The bullet ripped into the old man¡¯s face, shattering into his skull. Even on the purposely old cameras they were using the image would be a lasting one. The definitive moment when the evil Dictator fell to the new Rebel Hope. It was almost like Star Wars.

 Sacrifice

    The war was over. A civil war that had gripped the Country for four years finally at an end. With the capital city now in their hands and the Leader of the old regime dead the Rebels had complete control. It would have been a time of joy and celebration for all the people had not Budi, Arif and even Ashley met their demise. For now there was little to do but mourn the dead and fortify the city. Felix had waited three years to take over Syrnat, he was not going to rush it now with the end so close in sight.


    He had to make sure that it was not he that put himself forward as the Country¡¯s new President. It was not that he did not have enough militia to take it by force, for he certainly had, especially now. But that would have drawn too much outside attention, and created too many human right arguments. However let the people place him as their Leader then any objection against him would be an objection against the people. That and perhaps even more importantly to Felix¡¯s mind, ¡®what fun was it taking the island by force when through careful planning and guile he could have it by right.¡¯


    He knew it needed to be a natural ascension, one he was not seen as having forced. At least until he had established his reign, after that they were free to think what they liked. For now he needed their love and approval.


    Or at least that is what he claimed, internally I am not sure it was that he needed their love and approval, I believe it was on some level because he sought it.


    Before they had even launched the assault it had been proposed that there would be a grand meeting to decide what next to do with the Country. Budi had intended to put himself forward as the new President, a title he would have likely claimed. Arif viewed as too young and Ashley as being more of a Commander than Political Leader. Felix had hinted at supporting Budi, loudly and regularly. Steadfastly refusing to consider himself as anything other than a minor role in the new rule.


    Yet with all of them now removed Felix was the last of the Rebel Four who still remained. He would need to convince those still wary of foreign aid before he could be sure of enough support. His wealth and supplies had been the driving force behind the Rebel¡¯s success, but some still looked on him as having ulterior motives than what he claimed. Naturally Felix had a way of convincing them just as he had so many others. But we shall get to that in a moment. First let us go back to Bermuda, where Karina and Avelina were preparing themselves for departure. Felix had insisted both be ready to travel at a moment¡¯s notice as he¡¯d left them.


    Karina maintained a disinterested look as cousins Arisan and Renal made their way back out, apparently there was word from the island. She hoped it was time to finally leave. Felix had been gone four days already, at first she was glad of the extra time to spend idle at home. Now however she couldn¡¯t wait to be off. There was little point attempting anything serious when they might be called away at any moment, which left her with precious little to focus on. She imagined her Aunt felt much the same way. She was sitting down at her desk busy with some document or other, just as she was always busy with some document or other. Once she would have gladly offered to assist her. However since Felix and Avelina had begun their relationship she could not help but feel awkward in their presence, especially Avelina¡¯s. Both of them seemed happy, and her Aunt certainly had an energy about her previously missing. But it still felt wrong, even given what she¡¯d learned about her uncle and grandparents. An inexplicable sense of guilt followed her around, she wondered why Felix carried no such sense.


    ¡°Have you seen the photos from the Island Karina? It does look pretty at the least.¡±


    Avelina¡¯s sudden question took Karina rather sharply from her thoughts.


    ¡°Yes, I suppose it does. Though those pictures were taken before all of this military operation. I doubt there is all that much prettiness remaining.¡±


    ¡°Then we will have to recover it. Together.¡±


    ¡°Do you love him?¡±


    It was Avelina¡¯s turn to be startled. Karina surprised herself with the suddenness of the question, she had not planned to ask it.


    ¡°I¡­.¡± Avelina dropped her pen and took off her glasses, ¡°well yes, I do love him. As I love you also.¡±


    ¡°It is hardly the same kind of love. I have heard the noises from your room Auntie.¡±


    ¡°That is hardly appropriate Karina.¡±


    ¡°But sleeping with your nephew is?¡±


    Avelina stared hard at her, Karina stared back just as hard.


    Her aunt sighed, ¡°I am sorry Karina, I know it is not easy for you. But we are together now. That will not change.¡±


    ¡°No?¡± Karina shrugged, ¡°You are how old now Auntie? Forty four? Forty five? Felix will want children. You should know he¡¯ll want kids. No doubt he will need another girl for that. A younger one.¡±


    ¡°I do,¡± Avelina replied after a pause. ¡°So be it. If we cannot have them then perhaps a younger girl will be needed.¡±


    Karina might have felt pity for Avelina had she not looked so


    collected. She did not deny that her Aunt was a clever woman, doubtless she would have realised all of this long ago. Karina admired her acceptance in a way.


    ¡°I had hoped that time would help to soothe any of your qualms. Clearly I was mistaken. Perhaps I was overly hopeful Karina, let me apologise for that. Tell me truly, will our continued relationship be a problem for you? ¡±


    ¡°Would it matter if it did? You would go so far as to quit it?¡±


    ¡°I would.¡±


    Karina raised her brow, yet when she looked at her Aunt she saw only sincerity.


    Perhaps I only need more time. She considered, For this and everything else.


    She smiled drily, ¡°Give me another month. And see if you can stop Felix trying to give me so many orders, perhaps that will help suade me.¡±


    ¡°If you could do the same for me then I think we could create a dream world.¡±


    They laughed almost in unison. It almost felt similar to how they had laughed before the Meeting. Karina was both saddened and pleased by the fact. She supposed most things would never be as they had been before the Meeting.


    ¡°And what is it you really think of this new world Felix plans to create for us? You believe it is in our best interests? I am not yet convinced. What use is it being Royalty? What benefit does it give that we do not already have?¡±


    Avelina sighed, ¡°I have asked those same questions.¡±


    ¡°And? Felix does not like to discuss such matters with me, for all his assurances that my input is valued. What answer does he give to you then?¡±


    ¡°He Values you Karina, more than you know. Your feelings influence him. Though he might not show it.¡±


    ¡°Well, we shall have to disagree on that point. As to his answer? What reply does he give? Why is he so adamant on this path to Royalty?¡±


    ¡°His answer? Why it is about power, true power. A Power that does not need to be hidden for it to operate safely.¡± She raised a hand, ¡°Yes, I know, the Balduins were Kings in the past, just as my ancestors were also. Willingly they abandoned such public offices entirely so as to ensure control without interruption. I understand your doubts, I have them too. But Felix is aware of them. Should we choose our region ourselves, mould and shape it as we so please, we can remove such doubts. I do believe we can create the perfect balance. Together. We shall be ahead of the curve and all the others. By taking a region and becoming its Royalty we¡¯ll secure a place for us in any world. A real tangible to go along with our covert. With both we¡¯ll be the undisputed world power, the Balduins. We shall have an entire nation to support us and our aims. We can shape the world not only on the inside but without too. Without cowering away behind closed doors.¡±


    ¡°That sounds awfully like Felix talking Auntie.¡±


    Avelina smiled, ¡°Not Felix, it is your Father talking. Your Brother is shaped by him in many ways. He has embraced your Father¡¯s ideas completely.¡±


    This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.¡°To our advantage?¡±


    ¡°I believe so, yes. To our advantage.¡±


    Avelina had dropped her documents and was coming around the table to her when a knock on the door reached them.


    Renal entered and bowed stiffly. Though family he was always oddly formal and straight around both her and Avelina.


    ¡°The island has been secured, the Dictator removed. Felix has sent for you. Both of you.¡±


    ¡°Finally,¡± Karina sighed, ¡°Then let us be off. If this Syrnat is to be our new Home then the sooner we land and begin transforming it the better.¡± She would have liked to have continued her conversation with Avelina further, but it could wait. The fact that they had had such a conversation almost seemed more important in any case.


    Everything was already in order and ready for them to leave. Their own private airfield meant takeoff and landing was of no difficulty for the Balduins. Two flights departed with Avelina and Karina. One with them aboard it and the other with their own armed guard of 30 elite militia. Renal and Arisan travelled with them.


    The twins had become ever present members of the household since Felix had become Head of the Family.


    Renal was the older of the two by twenty eight minutes and he rather obviously acted like it. Arisan then was generally the one most ordered about.


    Though only second cousins to Felix and Karina (their father had been a first of Joaquin and Alexander) they had the same Balduin genes in their appearances.


    Though slightly older Renal was slightly shorter, yet he was still over six feet in height. Both had grown up in the South African home of the family and only moved to the Bermuda residence upon reaching eighteen. They had been avid rugby players, but had to give up that pursuit as Grandfather had considered it too public in nature. Clearly neither had stopped living the lifestyle of sportsmen. The two were big and strong, Karina had been watching them with growing interest as they were given more and more responsibility by Felix. Arisan seemed the warmer of the two, though awkward he always tried to smile whenever they crossed paths. Renal though seemed somehow deeper, he constantly appeared to have something troublesome on his mind. More than once Karina had stopped herself laughing at the seriousness of his expression. Renal did read a lot, once she¡¯d found him reading the Brothers Karamazov. It was the only time they¡¯d truly spoken, his love of the book making him forget his formality. It had been an enjoyable conversation, she found herself rather surprised in hoping there would be more. Though not with Avelina present. After her condemnation of her and Felix she could hardly be seen to get close with a cousin, even if it was a second one and such relationships were the norm for Balduin. For now she decided to follow Avelina¡¯s lead and try to get some sleep. Once they landed she was rather convinced she¡¯d not get much of it.


    Felix set down his phone, he had just finished passing on to Renal the message giving the all clear for them to fly. He wanted them here and ready for when his time came. Today was the day he sealed his undisputed rule over Syrnat for there was only one final thing left to do before he could truly take over. The ultimate sign that Felix was a worthy and true hero of the movement.


    It had already been a week since they¡¯d taken the city. A week of subdued celebration as the rebels came to terms with the deaths of their three leaders. Only Felix remained but he had to be careful not to push his influence just yet. There was no obvious candidate but him, yet for the moment all of the focus remained on the three martyrs. The people needed reminding who had been the true cause of their victory. The clips had helped. Felix was satisfied with how they¡¯d turned out. Though grainy all that was meant to be seen was seen. The last desperate attempt by the People¡¯s Army to save their leader, the shootout that had so tragically taken the lives of the three Rebel chiefs and so many others. Felix¡¯s heroic rally and tears for his fallen friends. He had the population in his hands, once he closed his fist they would be his, completely.


    Whatever whisperings there were, mostly speculating about just how Felix alone of the four had managed to survive, were just that, whisperings. They would not derail him, nothing could stop his rise now, he simply would not allow it.


    The palace was in the process of being refurbished, though not nearly so badly damaged as the rest of the city it was still not ready to be considered a home of any sort.


    When Avelina and Karina arrived they would be sent to a nearby villa outside the city limits, there they would be able to safely wait for the palace refurbishing to be completed. Felix however had made it his home for the past week, content to sleep on the bare floor if it meant he was seen as the new owner of the residence. Its symbolic power was significant. Which was why then he chose it as the place of his first official press release.


    There was a large crowd gathered outside of the palace gates. Everyone was eager to hear and see the mysterious Foreigner who had so readily offered up his wealth to aid in the struggle for freedom. A man who had worked behind the scenes to undermine Terio before ultimately being the one to finally end the Dictator¡¯s life. His face was known to all on Syrnat by this point.


    I had been amongst those sent to the island as a member of Felix¡¯s household. I saw and heard first hand the furore surrounding Felix, the young man thrived in the midst of such clamour.


    There was a small raised area with a single stand erected at the palace gates, here Felix stood alone to address the crowds.


    ¡°People of Syrnat. I stand before you a humble servant of each and every one of you. Long have I watched this once great land left to rot and burn by the very people who vowed to save and revive it. The People¡¯s Republic of Syrnat was an evil regime, full of broken promises and shattered dreams. Its leader a man so corrupt as to make the country his own private resort. We must


    strive now to restore what was lost and taken from us. It has been put forward by some that we must now hold elections to decide who shall rule and lead our great nation in these troubled times. For though we have succeeded in uprooting the poisonous weeds that have strangled Syrnat, the roots of their evil run deep. Even now there remains some who would continue to wage war, unable to see the reality of their failure before them. (There still remained pockets of Terio¡¯s former allies throughout Syrnat. Felix was keen to keep them from splitting completely as he planned to use them as convenient scapegoats for his more contentious schemes.) I therefore propose an immediate vote. Not for a government, for that would both time and resource consuming, both of which are needed to focus on rebuilding. Instead I believe that we must firstly elect a Leader among us, and follow him on this new path to glory. Once then all has become settled and Syrnat restored to its rightful place we can correctly and properly conduct nationwide elections for all our people. This is what I believe we must now aim for.¡±


    ¡°Is that not a dangerously close parallel to Terio himself?¡± One of the reporters present asked, he just like all of the others had been placed there by Felix himself. No international reporters had been permitted inside the country since the capture of the airfields.


    ¡°If we elect one leader then how can we be certain he too will not turn against the People?¡± The same reporter continued.


    ¡°Terio was not elected by the People, but rather placed there by the old Soviet Union and its once influential power. His government seized control with the People¡¯s Army and refused to relinquish it. In all of the fifty years of his rule there has never once been occasion where he was fairly elected. Which is why we must vote amongst ourselves a worthy leader. One with the best interests of the Country at heart.¡±


    ¡°Do you propose to put yourself forward then?¡± Another reporter asked.


    ¡°I will not make that decision. I trust in my fellow comrades to do what is right, let the vote be taken by all who joined in our glorious struggle, only they can truly elect the one most deserving of Syrnat¡¯s Leadership. But let me add one final thing, that is my vow to continue to support both the people and land of Syrnat through whatever means I have available to me. Now and forever.¡±


    With that Felix gave a curt bow and would have made his exit to rapturous applause had he not been called out.


    ¡°And what of your murder of Terio?¡± A new reporter called Felix back. By his appearance he stood out from the others. A large figure dressed for combat. ¡°Dictator or not, Syrnat''s last ruler was killed in cold blood by your hand. Will you answer for it? Or do the Restorators intend to start their own regime with no sense of justice.¡±


    The reporter was met with a shower of insults and was being shoved and pushed when Felix raised his hands for calm. It must have been pleasing to see so many obey almost immediately.


    ¡°Answer for what? You believe then that Terio deserved a trial? Deserved to live another what? A week? A month? A year? That man was the cause of all the reckless destruction and chaos that now consumes Syrnat. Him. His execution was the truest form of justice, one we intend to maintain.¡±


    The reporter freed himself from the crowd and took a step forward.


    ¡°Then if you will not avow your crime I will make you pay for it. FOR TERIO.¡±


    Even as the man roared he threw open his jacket to reveal a revolver hidden inside. With a practised step back he fired. Felix


    knew what to expect. They had been through this exact same scenario a thousand times before. It was an altogether risky one, and could have proved disastrous had something gone amiss, but Felix insisted it needed to be. It would be the final piece in his masterplan to convince all of his sincerity to the cause.


    The bullet slammed into Felix¡¯s chest, a little below where he¡¯d expected but still well within the agreed upon area. He had on a customised bulletproof vest, a Spartan ceramic plate which was built to deal with weapons far more deadly than the soviet revolver that the rogue reporter had been given.


    Still, the force of the impact almost knocked him off his feet. Winded he dropped lifelessly to the floor as screams and another gunshot rang out around him. His ears were ringing and his stomach felt as if he¡¯d been slammed in the chest with a sledgehammer. Thank the Lord it did not jam, the thought came to him even as he struggled for breath.

 Demons

    Intan was the name of the reporter who had fired at Felix. A pleasant sort of fellow, so long as the conversation kept away from politics. The man had been captured a year before Felix¡¯s first press release. Out of the People¡¯s Army prisoners Intan had been the one who¡¯d tested with the best aim. Ashley had therefore sent the man out to Bermuda for training. For the past year once every week they had been practising. Each week Felix had a different angle, a different speech, a different scenario but the fundamentals never changed. With the Russian revolver, Intan was to shoot Felix in the chest, but only after making his stance clear with his line of questioning. In his time preparing for the scene he had been treated to a world of luxury far removed from that he had back home. Everyday he was treated like royalty, no doubt he could never have predicted anything other than what he¡¯d been promised.


    He was assured that once he did as instructed he would quickly be removed from harm. Oh he might get a little rough treatment but nothing extreme. He was given the exact outline of what was going to happen. He would be apprehended, questioned and sentenced to a life of labour on a neighbouring island. As soon as the public outcry had died down, unquestionably no more than three months, he would be secretly transported away to live out his years in a life of grandeur free from the binds of rebellion and war.


    It seemed only logical to the man. After all they wouldn¡¯t have flown him out, trained him for over a year only to let him die. They would not have incurred such costs on his behalf for nothing. You see to him, as it would most people, such costs seemed extravagant.


    He didn¡¯t understand the kind of wealth the Balduins possessed.


    Had no concept of it.


    As soon as Intan had fired his round he himself was shot, not to the body but straight in the head. He died immediately, his role forever cemented as being the first attempted assassin of Felix Balduin.


    Felix remained resting back in the palace for three days as the people waited anxiously for news of the last of the Rebel Leaders.


    The bullet wound was not fatal, but all the reports indicated that although he was wearing body armour it had not been able to fully protect him from the bullet. The impact had wreaked havoc on his internal organs and caused complications for his health. According to the doctors, (all Felix¡¯s of course, by this stage I am sure you are seeing the pattern) it was uncertain if he would survive. And even if he did whether his life would be of any quality. They loudly proclaimed how lucky it was that it had been to the chest, somberly shaking their heads saying if it had been but an inch higher he would have died in that very moment. In reality an inch or two would have still been fine.


    It was with a huge sigh of relief and great cheer then that the people first saw Felix again after the now notorious press release. This time he appeared before them with a crutch in one arm and a bandage wrapped around his torso. A tight group of his own militia surrounded him. He smiled at the cheers and raised his free arm in response. There was not one man, woman or child in that throng of people who met him that did not see him as one of their own.


    A large group of Rebel officers made their way through the crowds. One of them carried a ballot box, when the others stopped short he continued forward. That man was named Umtar. He was the oldest veteran of the rebellion and as the eldest he was also therefore the current ruling officer of the remaining Restorators. He led the rest in bowing down before Felix.


    Umtar had been amongst the most prominent of the officers Felix had brought out to meet him and had become a firm ally of his in the three years of Balduin involvement in the rebel¡¯s struggle.


    Slowly but gracefully the old rebel got down onto his knees before raising a hand for silence.


    ¡°A vote has been taken, and its results are clear and overwhelming. We have decided that you, Felix Balduin. You shall be our new Leader. It was through your finances and arms that we finally tore down what had so long polluted our nation. And it will be through those same finances and arms that we rebuild it. Who better than to lead us in this time of peril but you. Syrnat is in your debt.¡±


    Felix as ever, played his role to perfection. He looked around stunned at the man¡¯s words. He shook his head and waved his arm in refusal but the people persisted. When people looked back on that moment it was always that which stuck out. The People had pushed Felix into the leadership as it were. It all seemed very spontaneous and wonderful, Felix was always adept at creating such scenes.


    Urged forward Felix stepped out to embrace the old officer and the others behind him. After much back clapping and shaking of hands Felix came back up so as to address the people.


    He smiled down on them from his position on the makeshift stage.


    ¡°Today is a day we have long fought for. As you can see I am still a little predisposed at the moment, and no for once that is not down to too much Tuak.¡±


    The people laughed, all seemed in good spirits. Tuak was the local alcohol of the island, a pleasant if strong drink, one that varied a great deal in its percentage region to region as I later learned myself.


    ¡°Once I am up and able there shall be a grand meeting, one where all of Syrnat¡¯s woes are discussed and dealt with. This is the dawn of a new age for our people.¡± Felix jokingly raised his hand for calm, ¡°And yes, yes we shall have a celebration too, I know that is of course the most important thing. Syrnat is long due a party, we must make it a good one.¡±


    Felix seemed to smile at everyone as he looked around laughing in delight.


    ¡°But for the moment I must retire once more, I will rest and recover. Just as Syrnat must rest and recover. The palace is in need of a good clean out in any case. I know Umtar is eager to get at it.¡±


    ¡°You have one arm, enough to sweep and dust. I shall organise the Party, you the cleaning.¡±


    Felix scowled at Umtar before pointing a finger at him, ¡°I¡¯ll remember that in my first toast.¡±


    Grinning, Felix gave a quick bow and wave to the people and cameras before he headed back to the palace.


    The force of the palace was made up entirely of Balduin militia. So it was that inside Felix was able to get rid of the crutch and stride forward into that which he¡¯d made his chambers.


    Now officially elected he had finally realised all that his Father had dreamed of. The island was his. He effectively its King. Of course he¡¯d have to get the title changed from President to King. There was no question of that, President Felix sounded just like any other powerful politician. King Felix however had weight.


    He would allow things rest for a few days, let Karina and Avelina get settled before he introduced them to the public. They were waiting at Bali for the moment but they could easily be on the island within half an hour when needed.


    He was confident that the nationwide celebrations he had planned would take up most of the people¡¯s attention in any case. And while they partied and congratulated themselves he would create the Kingdom he had envisioned for the past four years. And a Kingdom his Father had envisioned long before him.


    Tapping his breast pocket he sighed as he sat himself down on the old throne.


    Syrnat was his. He was King. He could relax for the moment. The next step could wait a few days. For the first time he felt an undeniable sense of relief. There had been a part of him that insisted the island would need to be taken by force. Yet he had succeeded in gaining the love of the People without it. This seemed to him the last great obstacle standing in his way. He had dealt with the finer details, now it was time to enact his rule and properly fulfil his and indeed his Father¡¯s wishes.


    He sat back content on his throne. King Felix, if they didn¡¯t already soon the whole world would know the name. Sat in his own palace of a nation that had openly handed him leadership, the Head of House Balduin was quite certain of it.


    And so began Felix¡¯s reign. Unofficially of course, at that moment he was still regarded as the new President of Syrnat, not as its new King. That came later.


    So far it seems all has only gone well for Felix, he had already accomplished that which his Father had set out to achieve, he had an island in his thrall and was well on the path to making the Balduins public and Royalty once more. Still only twenty three he was young, rich and handsome with the world seemingly at his feet.


    To you dear reader he must seem almost infallible, impervious to failure and entirely composed in his every dealings.


    Felix intended himself to appear just so. In fact he was more aware than any I have ever encountered to portray such an image. For in reality it was not so. Allow me a repose in our story to illustrate why it was just not the case.


    After the death of his Father Felix often suffered with what the doctors termed night terrors. Frequently was the House awakened to the young boy screaming out in horror as he was seemingly assailed on all sides by all manners of nightmarish demons. The terrors continued for years despite his Mother¡¯s endless attempts to cure it. Hypnotists, psychologists, clinicians, there were no avenues not followed in the pursuit of a cure. They all failed. Every night his Mother would sit with him, and every night it was she and she alone who would provide him with respite from that which haunted him. The two years following the death of Joaquin were the worst of it, scarcely a night passed without Felix¡¯s screams. He screeched and called off those who attacked him without mercy. I''ll admit it was quite a frightening sight to see a child so consumed by terror. For his Mother then it must have shook her deeply. Try as they might, no cure could be found for his affliction. By the time Felix reached the age of thirteen the terrors were merely a part of the boy¡¯s routine. They were an almost nightly occurrence and often more than once in a single night. By this time Felix was well aware of both the nature of his attacks and the uniqueness of them. The constant and essential need of his Mother every night was a great source of shame to the young Felix.


    When they occurred now the usually brashful Felix would hide himself away in his room, unable and unwilling to face those who had seen him in his most vulnerable and pitiful state.


    All of it eventually culminated in him making the decision to cease relying on his Mother for comfort and instead work on creating confines whereby he could not be aided or relieved from his torment. To do this he tried simply ordering his Mother not to intervene when he had an episode, to ¡®leave him to his suffering¡¯ as he put it. It was only a minor thing to him, he did not need her.


    Of course she did not agree. It was the only matter they ever truly argued on. No matter what he said as soon as Felix screamed out she would come running to him, invariably bursting into his room to rescue him from his misery.


    Realising his Mother would not give in, Felix turned to more extreme measures. No one would aid him, despite his orders, commands, protests and tantrums. He was still only a boy at that stage. And if sometimes slightly detached, his Mother could be fierce when pushed to it. She made it abundantly clear that any who aided in her son¡¯s self-inflicted trials would be made to pay severely. This was more than enough to dissuade any of us aiding Felix. Any member of the House who chanced to earn Mariana¡¯s displeasure were soon dealt with. Brutally and to the fullest. One did not displease Lady Balduin. For now Felix was still his Mother¡¯s charge, his requests meant little then when put against her own.


    So it was that the boy contrived to create his own holding cell of sorts, secretly acquiring all he needed to restrain himself. Though Mariana never knew about any of it I am certain that at least Eustace had some idea. Perhaps even more than an idea, the young boy¡¯s desire to curb his own weakness would have greatly appealed to the Elder Balduin¡¯s sense of self-discipline and self-control. Any sign of frailty needed to be stamped out immediately. Preferably without outside intervention or knowledge.


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    In any case Felix procured both chains and a means of covering his mouth when sleeping. I confess that I had seen the means and guessed the intention of the boy. Though he carefully hid all of it from Mariana I could have informed on him. She would have been greatly pleased by me I am certain. But I didn¡¯t. Something stopped me. She had commanded no member of the Household to aid him, but not informing was not the same as aiding him. So I said nothing.


    From that point on there were no more episodes, Felix it seemed had found a cure. There were no more abrupt waking moments of tormented screaming, no more banging on his bedroom door. No more tears from his mother as she struggled to wake him from his nightmare. It was over with.


    Felix must have had some manner of aid. He needed someone or more likely some technology to allow him to bind the chains at night, and release them in the morning before Mariana had performed her daily morning and nightly check in with her son. I assume it was Eustace, he would have been the only one who would have kept it from Mariana. He would have had no difficulty creating or finding such a mechanism.


    Alexander might have done it. But I doubt it. He was always close to her, moreso after the death of his Brother. Whether through guilt or remorse I do not know but Alexander rarely if ever went against her wishes, and certainly not when it came to Felix and Karina.


    Nor I feel, would Alexander have allowed Felix to suffer so much from his personal chains. And he did suffer. In spite of his many declarations that he was cured, the boy grew increasingly weak during that time, his previous overflowing energy replaced instead with lethargy. His skin, fresh and fair, grew withered and not at all child-like. Doctors came and went, each one convinced it was the boy¡¯s sleep pattern causing the issue.


    Mariana therefore insisted on sitting by her son¡¯s bedside for observation but Felix steadfastly refused. It was not right for her to look after him so intimately while he was now 13. He would only permit his grandfather to watch over him. You can see now why my suspicions, if not my full judgement landed on the old man.


    He just as resolutely supported Felix¡¯s claims that it was not his sleep that was the issue. Though clearly, very clearly it was.


    Only Eustace would have seen it through, only he could have watched as his young grandson struggled and endured the pain of his terrors. I did not track the days so exactly but I am sure it took all of two months for Felix to return to his normal youthful boyish self. Only then did it truly seem he had cured and healed himself from his night terrors. So I, Mariana and everyone else in the Balduin House believed and understood. So I, Mariana and everyone else in the House celebrated. The boy and his grandfather together had solved that which had so mystified some of the world¡¯s greatest medical minds.


    That was Felix at the age of thirteen. What I witnessed then a week after his nineteenth birthday both shocked and chilled me.


    Felix had not stopped partying for the entire week since the celebration. He had travelled back and forth from the Bermuda home without stopping, full of drugs, alcohol and surrounded by a bevy of women and hanger ons he partied relentlessly.


    I have little doubt he had hardly slept. Which is why it was no surprise then that he did not wake that morning eight days after his nineteenth birthday, sleeping far longer than he ever would normally. I would have let him sleep but he had instructed me repeatedly to wake him, his orders were not ones I could go against. As fearful as I was to be the one to call on him, I was more fearful of not carrying out his order.


    There must have been some urgent Rebel movement for him to be so adamant about waking, though that was something only he would have known about. In a drunken and drugged up stupor he¡¯d given me a key to his bedroom as a last resort should he not be up in time. Looking back at that moment I should have considered the state he was in. He was not fit to be giving any orders or commands for the future. Him offering up a bedroom key was a clear demonstration of that. I should have ignored him and went straight to Alexander with it, forgetting the order completely. I am certain Felix had, probably moments after giving it. I should have, but something stopped me, Felix was already acting as if he was Head and any who went against his wishes would often be left to feel his wrath. I feared and contemplated over and over again what would happen if he did remember. Perhaps he had not been quite so badly off as I thought and was simply testing me. Deciding that the risk was too great I condemned myself to the command.


    I think in his week of wild partying Felix had pushed himself too far. His exertions had left him exhausted, disorientated and likely vulnerable to an episode. More than he had been for some time I suspect. That morning I went up to his room.


    I knocked gently on the door, hoping without conviction he would already be awake. He was not of course. I knocked again, harder this time. I waited, still no response.


    Sighing I took a deep breath to steady myself before placing the key in the door and turning.


    It was almost like something from one of those old black and white Hollywood movies. The room was dark though it was late morning, the thick velvet curtains allowed little light entry into the room. While my eyes adjusted I stood still at the doorway. Remembering what Felix had ordered I closed the door behind me.


    There was no sound or movement from the bed. He wasn¡¯t there. Someone else was. One of his lady friends.


    She was not breathing. My eyes were adjusted to the low light by now. It was quite clear to me. She was dead. I took a step back. This was far beyond my station or dealings. Something I was not supposed to see. In a kind of morbid fascination I kept my gaze on the young lady as I backed away. I did not see anything then before Felix crashed into me. The force of the impact sent me sprawling down against the bed and onto the floor. Looking up I saw him standing above me. I saw immediately that it was an episode. His ears darted left and right unseeing, he¡¯d been crying judging by his red and puffy face. He looked completely dishevelled. All along his neck, face and arms, chest were scratches and cuts. All done from his own hands.


    He stood over me, practically snarling in fury. I lay there unmoving but he made no move to strike me further.


    ¡°I killed her. I did not mean to. I killed her.¡±


    His voice was soft, childlike. He sounded like a scolded boy attempting to repent.


    ¡°She was one of them, oh not now. Now she looks human again. I mean before. Before I strangled her. She was one of them then. I strangled her. That is good, for the sheets at least. There is no blood. No blood.¡±


    ¡°One of them? Who are they, Felix?¡±


    His ears pricked up at the mention of his name. He stared down at me but his eyes were bloodshot, he looked half a nightmare himself at that moment. I was afraid, but I had also seen his episodes plenty of time enough in his youth to know that he would not attack me for the moment. If he spoke to you then it meant he trusted you.


    ¡°They? They are my enemies. My Father¡¯s enemies. My Family''s enemies. Your enemies. Mine. Demons.¡±


    ¡°There are no demons Felix.¡±


    He laughed wildly and spun away, ¡°No demons? What a life you live. There are demons. Many of them. Too many.¡±


    ¡°Why did you kill her Felix?¡±


    ¡°Strangle.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but why did you strangle her?¡±


    ¡°What else would I do with a demon?¡±


    That question rather stumped me for a moment. I got up slowly and with measured movements stumbled back to my feet. He was almost at the end of his episode. Fortunately the only part where he was somewhat open to suggestions.


    ¡°You must sleep Felix. You need to sleep.¡±


    ¡°The demons?¡±


    ¡°Are gone. They are not here now.¡±


    ¡°Then I can sleep?¡± Felix asked, turning around slowly to stare at me once more.


    ¡°You can sleep.¡±


    ¡°They are there. By my bedside.¡±


    I followed his gaze. On the locker by his bed there was a small wooden box. Keeping my eyes on Felix I reached over to it to peer inside. There were about ten syringes inside, all full.


    ¡°I did not take them. That¡¯s why the demons came. I forgot what Grandfather said.¡± Felix placed his two hands on his head and began looking frantically around the room.


    ¡°The demons came because of me. I forgot to take them. It is my fault. Mine.¡±


    ¡°Then you can take it now. You will sleep.¡±


    ¡°Yes. But the girl. I strangled her.¡±


    ¡°I will deal with it.¡±


    ¡°Yes? You are sure.¡±


    ¡°I am. All you must do is sleep Felix. That is what is important now. To sleep.¡±


    Felix stared hard as I handed a syringe to him. I offered only one of them, I was unsure of just how many he actually required. Tentatively he approached before snatching the medication from me. Retreating back into the corner he quickly slammed the needle into his arm before promptly curling up right there on the floor. Within minutes he was asleep.


    Once I was fully sure he was now asleep I turned back to the bed and the poor girl lying dead on it. I recognised her, she had been to the house at least two or three times over the past month. She was one of those he had spent more time than most with. I saw the handprints on her neck, felt the coldness of her cheek. She must have been dead for hours by that point.


    Unsure of just what to do I made the decision to go directly to Eustace. He had spent many nights with Felix in his younger years and would know more than anyone what he was like and capable of. I could have gone to Alexander but I felt he would have been more horrified by his nephew¡¯s actions. Eustace would not waste time on horror. And more importantly would not even think to consider telling Mariana. He would act without emotion, that was one thing that could not be denied of Eustace.


    Luckily the old Balduin was always an early riser. Upon entering his study I found him awake and perched over an old manuscript from the Family library.


    He listened without a word to my explanation. Upon its conclusion he only asked me two things.


    He asked if anyone else had seen the girl and if I had locked the door behind me. To the first I responded with no and the second with yes. That was it.


    He took the keys from me. Told me to wait in the servants quarter and send up Gregor and Artov to him. They were both the oldest and long serving members of the Balduin House. To me he only said that I was not to repeat what I¡¯d seen to anyone.


    He had only looked me in the eye for that last part. In that moment I confess feeling a fear that I had never known. For I had heard what happened to those that had displeased Eustace, more than that, I had seen it for myself. Death was begged for before the end. I never did speak of the incident with Felix again.


    Nor did I see or know what happened to that poor girl. There was certainly no way I could ask. That would have been the end of me. I could only imagine, though then, as now I prefer not to.


    To say nothing for her Family.


    As for Felix, when next I saw him I waited for him with bated breath. I had not seen him for three days since I¡¯d discovered him that morning. Nor had anyone really, he¡¯d been in his room for most of it. Recovering officially. When he walked towards me then I felt as if the world was caving in on me. And yet he reacted as he always did, smiling and joking he seemed as carefree and charming as ever. There was no twitch, no semblance of a frown or surprise at seeing me. Nothing. He had evidently forgotten the entire conversation he¡¯d had with me. Though I am still not even sure it was actually him I was talking to at that time. Not him in the proper sense at least.


    He never changed anything in how he acted towards me. Nothing did. Though I felt as if Gregor and Artov watched me closer than usual after that.


    I never spoke of it, but I often thought of that scene with me, Felix and the girl he¡¯d killed.


    I had seen the name on the syringes as I¡¯d handed one to him. Valium Byzantium. Discreetly, very discreetly, I studied and researched the name. It was, as it turned out, an opium-based elixir ascribed to alchemists of Byzantine times, but the specific formula was lost during the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople. Or at least it was for most people. There were a great deal of books, art, medicines and technology lost to time which seemed readily available to the Bloodlines. Laudanum Byzantium was one of them. After that fateful morning I took a greater notice of what happened around me. Felix was always fond of drugs, always liked indulging in them. Laudanum was different. A new pouch of it was brought to his room by Gregor on the first of every month. I would have paid it no mind had I not seen it that morning. Once I did pay attention I realised I had seen the same exact pouch being sent up to him for years.


    I believed it must have been Laudanum which cured him. Allowed him peace to sleep through whatever terrors might have attacked him. Whatever formula had been recovered from the ancients clearly Felix was able to maintain his health whilst under its effects.


    However what can cure can also kill. It seemed that Felix would have been using the Laudanum since he was thirteen. By nineteen he was surely addicted. Addicted and utterly dependent on it. Such a dependency was more than just destructive. It was deadly to himself and anyone around him. One night of forgetting to take it and he had killed a lover because of it. Worse, he did not seem to remember any of the horrific event. Should his supply run out, or he forget to take it or worse refuse to take it the consequences would be devastating. For him and any unfortunate enough to be around him. There was little I could do, my humble station left me with little option save one. To hope and pray.


    I could never fully rid myself of the image of Felix that morning. Every time I saw him from that point on I could not help but think just who close he was to complete insanity and madness. It seemed impossible he could keep up with such a lifestyle. And yet he did.

 Recover

    Whilst Felix recovered from the attempted assassination, the celebration for Syrnat began in earnest. A week of celebrations were announced and with Balduin money ensuring an endless supply of drink, food and whatever else the people needed the entire city was awash with festivities. The entire country in fact, with the victorious restorationists naturally leading the celebrations.  Felix meanwhile began overseeing the rejuvenation of the capital city and country. Avelina and Karina had joined him at this point. The palace was already beginning to take on an unmistakably Balduin feel to it with both women heavily involved in the renovation. Leaving them to it Felix gathered his closest military and political personal about him to make his plans. While the people and restorationists celebrated he eagerly went about establishing his own regime. In that week alone when the partying was at its height Felix had already drawn up a new constitution and system of government. He changed the title of President to King, First lady to Queen and included many caveats which granted said King total power in specified situations. All of this went largely unheeded by the locals. They had little time or need to worry about such things at that moment. People signed and happily agreed to whatever was put before them. They had defeated Terio. There was no dictator now, only a Leader who was willing to die for them. Of course they trusted him.


    So it was with some surprise then that Felix appeared before the camera for an nationwide announcement. During it he informed the people there would be no further elections and he would be taking it upon himself to fill up the necessary positions of power as he saw fit. Felix had by now placed his men strategically across the three cities of power. All barracks and armouries of the old Communist army were already under strict Balduin militia protection. (All in all there were about 6,000 private soldiers on Syrnat by this point.)


    The equipment Felix had so readily handed out suddenly grew scarce. Only Balduin soldiers patrolled the streets. Ten days after his last appearance Felix appeared once more before the cameras to outline his new vision for Syrnat. He spoke at length, all words well crafted and political. I need not tell you all of it, nor the entire list of new laws and directives given by Felix, but I shall leave you with those most notable.


    That is;


    -Extreme rules were introduced on crime, including the return of the death penalty. (Something even Terio had not openly legalised. When questioned about the potential for fatal misjudgement Felix declared that the odds of a misjudgement were strong enough for the death penalty to be warranted. Believing that it was better for a hundred evil people to be properly punished than it was for one person to be unfairly.)


    Punishment for Rape, murder, child abuse had been moved up to a death penalty.


    Speeding, stealing, fraud and assault were to be given minimum one year prison sentences in work labour camps. Secondary offenders were given the death penalty.


    -Many strict laws were introduced on drugs, here was an area Felix took particular interest in. Secretly he planned to make Syrnat a hub for the illicit trade. A safe stopping point between Asia and Europe whilst also facilitating the growth of drugs within Syrnat itself. This would be done through government funding under the guise of Organised crime high up in the mountainous regions. Cannabis, opium and ecstasy were to be three of the most important exports for the island.


    The Public meanwhile, apart from Felix¡¯s inner circle and more trusted governors were absolutely forbidden to engage with drugs. They faced a minimum one year labour camp sentence and ten year sentence for secondary offenders. Death for third. Anyone found dealing was sentenced to death immediately.


    -There was to be a complete pause on migrants unless proof of qualification could be ratified. Only doctors, engineers, technicians and a limited number of further high level professions would henceforth be permitted into the Country.


    -All new residents could only marry if it was with a native, they would also be compelled to complete a full exam on Syrnat¡¯s language, culture and history after a year of residency.


    -Unlike the restorationists had originally conceived, the return of private property was not made entirely available. Each business or landowner was required to submit a report of their possession to one of the city offices where a decision would be made whether it could continue or would need to be taken into the new Order¡¯s hands. Overnight all of the government land and factories had been granted to Felix. He now had free reign over who owned what and where.


    -Any unemployed or without land to farm must report to the local government office. There to be directed towards one of several conglomerates newly formed on the island for work in factories, construction or on farms. (Felix was adamant that no able body would be left without work. He was quite particular about it and had rather specific ideas about how and why crime/unrest occurred in a state. His belief centred around the idea that it was the idle man who caused problems. Through work one had purpose, identity and an income. Without it one searched for those same commodities through other means. Mayhaps it was not the passion or dream for that man, but so long as things were good it was far more difficult for him to strive for better. Why risk a decent life against an ideal one if the odds are so high. Failure at achieving an ideal life could mean losing that same decent life. Could be the difference between a comfortable family life and a non-existent one. Few men would be willing to take such a risk. It is only when a man has nothing that he is ready to risk everything. For he risks nothing to achieve everything.


    Felix believed that if he gave the people enough to live a steady life that it would be enough to keep them worrying too much about his own actions. Counted on it in fact. Fortunately Terio¡¯s mismanagement of the island had made his task that much easier. Now, a job, income and home were valued above almost all else. Through his investment and finances Felix could easily offer such things.


    -Any tourists who wished to visit the Country must agree to stay at pre-approved locations specially created for them. They must show proof of having $10,000 in their account before visiting and any trips/sightseeing activities were to be announced to officials beforehand. Felix followed the mantra, ¡®the wealthier the better¡¯ when it came to tourists. He believed, and I found myself agreeing, that generally speaking it was those of lesser income who really sought out the real land to which they were exploring. Seeing not just the pretty, well formed districts designed for foreigners but the reality in which the natives actually lived in. Such measures as the required proof of funds was a means to discourage such adventurers. And to similarly encourage those affluent holidaymakers who were content to lap in luxury so long as they could claim adventure when choosing to visit the island.


    But even for those who were permitted, all were also required to hand over their phone/camera laptop before exiting the Country for a mandatory check.


    This was all done in the name of safety, with the Communist insurgents still present Felix claimed all of this was to ensure any tourist visiting was both safe and well treated.


    -The people of Syrnat could travel but only under certain stipulations. They were permitted to freely travel outside the Country for up to a year. After that however should they fail to return then all of their former possessions and titles were relinquished and given back to the State.


    All drastic measures, all with significant and long term implications.


    Undoubtedly, there would have been some that would have certainly questioned or even spoke out against Felix¡¯s new laws but there were many number of reasons why they didn¡¯t. Firstly, and perhaps most importantly of those native islanders that Felix had taken on for his Governors they were all carefully chosen because of their susceptibility to bribes. In other words those easiest to control. Men who were content to follow orders from above so long as they were giving their own orders to those below. Rarely is there a shortage of such men.


    Secondly though his measures and new order seemed in some ways extreme it was also considered reasonable by many, particularly given the already significant influx of jobs being made available. No one could accuse Felix of not spending heavily on his new dominion. To his credit he was already heavily investing in the island, though this was of course motivated by the reality that he knew what he put in now would return to him and the Family ten fold in the future. A whole island of resources was now his to use and sell as he saw fit.


    Thirdly, there were actually some restorationist leaders who did display unease. Two in fact even voiced their complaints to Felix. Unfortunately for them they did it privately, still seeing him as a comrade in arms of sorts. That was foolish. When they were both then allegedly killed by the exiled government forces no one considered any possible connection between their deaths and the new King. While the country rebuilt itself with Balduin money the exiled government forces had gone into hiding. Or so it was claimed. In reality they¡¯d been given a few old mountain hideouts and money from Felix to remain something of a threat, one he could call upon when needed should any voices of dissent grow too loud.


    So it was that his new Kingdom began rather smoothly, everything seemed in order. Syrnat was already taking on a distinctly Balduin feel to it, especially in the cities where the militia presence was greatest. It was left to those former restorationists to keep watch over the countryside and so long as the funding continued there seemed little chance of them allowing any dissenters to cause problems for their paymaster.


    It was outside Syrnat that was the concern for now. Not from Felix, he was fully devoted to setting Syrnat in his image. Instead the worrying came from Avelina and Karina. The two had


    rekindled their bond somewhat during their time in Bali. Left in a relatively small sized villa they were in many ways forced into conversing and engaging in conversation with each other. Whether Felix designed it that way or not is unsure, though it would have been well in his nature.


    It was about two weeks into his new reign that Karina, with Avelina¡¯s approval formally requested Felix¡¯s presence for a meeting. He¡¯d been so deep in the running of his new Kingdom that it was the only way she could properly address her concerns with him. Thankfully Avelina shared those same concerns and happily agreed to the idea. Felix was far more likely to pay attention if they both spoke together.


    If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°You think he will listen?¡± Karina handed Avelina a glass of wine. They waited on Felix together in the Royal Council Chambers.


    Her aunt took it and rolled her eyes, ¡°Felix listening? Not two words that go well together.¡±


    Karina scoffed as she sat down on one of the five Venetian chairs she¡¯d brought in for the Royal Council room. She was a little surprised herself at how much she enjoyed her new role as the lead decorator of the palace. Felix seemed to trust her with everything and if she did ever ask for his opinion he gladly handed over the decision to her. She was certainly glad of that fact for she had clear plans in mind. She had taken a great deal of inspiration from the Palacio Real de Madrid but was intent on making her own stamp on the building. Her palace would be greater than any before.


    As for Avelina, she was more interested in the laws and public opinion of their new subjects to bother with the palace. Felix was equally content for Avelina to take control of a great deal of the day to day running of their Kingdom.


    ¡°We will have to make him listen Karina.¡±


    ¡°That will be fun. Have you mentioned it to him at all?¡±


    ¡°In passing, mostly he is worried only about the coronation next week. He can¡¯t decide what to wear.¡±


    Karina frowned and grinned slightly, ¡°He admitted that to you.¡±


    Avelina laughed, ¡°No he would never. It is only conjecture, though I know him well enough.¡±


    ¡°To be honest I will be glad to have it over with. Even now it still feels strange to have people address me as Princess.¡±


    ¡°Queen feels no less strange. Though¡­. I¡¯ll confess, it is rather growing on me.¡±


    Karina raised a brow as she regarded her aunt over her glass, ¡°Me too,¡± she whispered conspiratorially.


    ¡°Hello Dearest sister. Lovely Avelina.¡± Felix burst into the room with his customary flourish, ¡°How are we on this fine Syrnaty evening. All is well I hope.¡±


    Avelina was getting up to pour another glass of wine when Felix entered. She smiled seeing him as he strode in confidently. Things must have been going well with his new parliament from the look of him.


    Felix went over and quickly embraced Karina despite her protests. She hastily brushed him off to reach for her glass as Felix came across and kissed Avelina lightly before taking a glass of his own.


    Avelina was pleasantly surprised and happy not to see Karina scowling or frowning at her and Felix¡¯s kiss. She really was getting used to them.


    Felix poured himself a glass before sitting himself down at the head of the round table where a contingent of maps and documents lay strewn out across.


    ¡°You know you don''t have to go to such formal procedures if you wish to speak with me sister? Requesting a meeting seems a bit peculiar no? Even if I am King you don¡¯t have to see me as anything other than your Brother you know.¡±


    ¡°Right yes, King Felix. Believe me, that is no problem for me. Yet you run around the city so much I have no other way to do so.¡±


    ¡°A King is busy, hardly surprising.¡± Felix took Avelina¡¯s hand and guided her down to the seat beside him.


    ¡°Now then, don¡¯t keep me waiting. You said there was something you wished to discuss. The word used was urgently if I recall.¡±


    ¡°It is urgent. And I am not alone in thinking so. Avelina agrees.¡±


    ¡°Does she?¡± Felix turned to regard his Queen with raised brows.


    ¡°She does,¡± Avelina stared back at him, ¡°We have to talk about the future.¡±


    ¡°What of it? I am a little focused on the present for the moment.¡±


    ¡°Well focus too much on it and there won¡¯t be a future,¡± Karina placed a finger to her lips.


    ¡°You have planned so much, and even I can admit so well until this point Felix-¡±


    ¡°Is that a compliment? From you Karina?¡± Felix placed a hand on Avelina¡¯s knee and sat up straight. He lifted up his cup squinting, ¡°Just how strong is this?¡±


    ¡°Ah haha, yes funny Brother. But you have only planned well until this point. There are things to consider going forward. Important things.¡±


    ¡°Such as what exactly?¡±


    ¡°Such as the Concilium Felix.¡± Avelina interjected. ¡°We¡¯ll face some threats on the island. But nothing that will compare to them. They have the power to ruin us if they so wish it. Just as they have ruined so many before.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I am well aware of the history. I have read it, studied it. Trust me, they won¡¯t care. Why would they? We are not encroaching onto them?¡±


    ¡°Not yet. But there has been rumours abound that you intend to show the coronation internationally as well as nationally. What message does that send? Have you thought of what the others will say Felix? How they might react to your new intentions for Balduins.¡±


    Felix pulled his hand away from Avelina¡¯s, ¡°What message does that send? It sends a message that House Balduin has done well for itself, away from any of the other Bloodlines and their own interests.¡±


    ¡°You think that is how they will see it?¡± Avelina asked. ¡°Your sister is right Felix, such moves as you suggest would leave us exposed not only to the public, but to those who would really hurt us. They would see our act as a rebellion of its own.¡±


    ¡°Let them.¡±


    ¡°Felix, do not be brash.¡± Karina seemed to be almost distraught by her Brother¡¯s words. ¡°There is a gathering at the end of next month Brother. Perhaps it would be best to announce our intentions there first before revealing ourselves so openly on a global stage?¡±


    Felix brows knitted close together. ¡°Mayhaps it would. But they already know of all and everything I have done and plan to do. If they were against it they would have said it. They would have made it clear that my plans were against their own.¡±


    ¡°You are sure of that?¡±


    ¡°Yes Karina, I am sure of that. Do not doubt me so. It pains me.¡±


    Avelina took a hold of Felix¡¯s hand once more. ¡°We don¡¯t doubt you. We just worry. If there is no word from them yet then it seems likely you are right. Syrnat is not a land they would likely have ever heard of before you put your name to it. But it is always best to be cautious dealing with the Concilium Felix. You know that, why not offer them some brief word on what it is you will do. An acknowledgement to them.¡±


    Felix ran his fingers through his hair and threw his head back.


    ¡°That would be an admission of weakness and guilt. Two things we must never show when dealing with them.¡±


    ¡°It is hardly a weakness,¡± Karina frowned over at her Brother.


    ¡°It is to them. Look, What is important is that we realise our Family¡¯s potential. We maintained this secrecy of ours for so long because had we not then we would have been torn down long ago. The people too well educated and too many for us to reveal ourselves. They did not have the power to see us for what we were perhaps, but they had enough to make us wary and hidden from view. They had enough to realise that they might be better off without us, free to rule themselves. At least in theory.  But what if they weren¡¯t powerful? What if we kept the people under us content enough to keep their peace, but limited enough so that they never consider an alternative. This is what we have, a new start, a chance to establish a whole nation in our image. We are merely showing the way for the others to follow. This is the future.¡±


    They sat in silence for some time before Felix finally got back to his feet. He downed his cup before spinning around dramatically to face both of them.


    ¡°I apologise for my lack of awareness. Ever since you have arrived I¡¯ll admit I have been rather preoccupied. You won¡¯t have to arrange such formal meetings like this. Either of you.¡±


    Felix spoke to both but his words seemed mostly for karina, whatever happened during the day Avelina was always with Felix at night. Though they didn¡¯t seem to do much talking during those moments.


    ¡°We will speak often, and freely. But as for the coronation, it will go ahead as planned. Once it¡¯s done the name Balduin will be one heard in every State Capital around the world.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but for better or worse?¡± His sister asked.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s half the fun.¡± Felix smiled almost manically at her, ¡°We will just have to wait and find out. But¡­we spend all day worrying and fretting about this and that. Our time together should not be so burdensome. We have an entire Kingdom to explore. Which is why¡­¡± Felix clapped and pointed his fingers at both. ¡°I have arranged a safari.¡±


    ¡°A safari?¡± Karina paused with her cup to her mouth. ¡°You really want us to go on a safari?¡±


    ¡°Yes I do. I¡¯ve already begun plans for an all island tour. Syrnat will soon have the widest and greatest variety of animals in the wild in any one place. Come on sister. Don¡¯t worry, Renal is coming too.¡±


    ¡°So?¡±


    ¡°So. It will be fun. Avelin? You approve, don''t you?¡±


    ¡°How long is it?¡±


    ¡°An hour or so, maybe two. We¡¯ll just do the beginning.¡±


    ¡°Closer to an hour would be better. But why not, it will be good to get out of the palace for a while. What do you think Karina, you won¡¯t leave me to go on this alone.¡±


    ¡°An hour or so?¡±


    ¡°At most.¡± Felix placed a hand on his heart.


    Karina had never shared her Brother¡¯s admittedly fervent love for animals. The look on her face suggested she would have preferred to be doing a great many things instead of a safari. Shaking her head she managed a thin smile.


    ¡°Very well, safari it is then.¡±


    The safari they attended on that day was a hastily arranged tour of the island¡¯s wildlife closest to Linar, a far cry from what Felix would eventually create. In time he would develop the island into a network of sanctuaries and habitats fit for all manners of ecosystems. As I said the young man was then and always passionate about animals. His choice of pet was a rather fine illustration of that.


    Within a week of taking over as King he had found himself a young jaguar cub. One he named Ares. I must stress, as Felix repeatedly did, that this cub was not taken from its family and home by him. He would never do such a thing. It had instead been rescued from one of the many now outlawed circuses on the island. This animal loving side of Felix was one of his better points, where he showed his most compassion and care. Often I feel like he valued animals a great deal more than humans.


    I suppose he might sound almost heroic at this point for enacting such a worthy transformation of animal rights on Syrnat.


    However I must include that upon saving the cub and hearing of its origins Felix had everyone in said circus killed, including those who had very little idea of cruelty to the animals and were more concerned with the wages they offered. A tad extreme perhaps, though as King I suppose he could be.

 Governance

    Felix¡¯s coronation was a grand affair. Just as he¡¯d told both ladies the event was not limited to national TV only. The restrictions on international reporters were eased greatly to allow significant reporting of Felix¡¯s crowning moment. The palace was already beginning to take shape and looked more than respectable for the placing of the crown, at least in the interior. Hundreds crowded into the old throne room to witness the ceremony, all carefully and meticulously chosen for their loyalty to Felix. We need not mention all that was said, for that would be quite a long page of speeches, declarations and promises.


    I will include only that which is most important to our story of Felix. In his own personal address to the people he spoke intensely about his desire for a new Syrnat. One that did not shy away from international relations (Under Communist rule Syrnat had been removed from the UN and only held diplomatic relations with six States. That is the Russian Federation, the Democratic Republic of North Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Cuba and the People¡¯s Republic of China.) New Synrat was a land that welcomed foreign diplomats and hoped for foreign representation of their own. Plans were also declared to hold professional transfers where teachers, scientists, and engineers from international States would come to Syrnat and local Syrnats of the same profession would travel abroad.


    The threat of the Communist insurgents was mentioned, regularly and with all sincerity, Felix stressed the need for caution and a willingness to follow commands to ensure those ¡®enemies of State¡¯, now hiding in the mountains, would be brought to justice.


    He also announced his plans for a Royal Wedding, where he and Avelina would become official in the eyes of the world. Unsurprisingly he never mentioned that Avelina was also his Aunt, and the widow of his own uncle who he had murdered. Now did not appear an appropriate time for such revelations. Naturally it never was an appropriate time.


    It was here that he formally announced his new Cabinet along with the new departments of his Kingdom. I shall list all of them below.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Ministry of Public Affairs and Social Harmony. It operated equivalently to a Ministry of the Interior, led by Umtar it dealt with the internal functions of the Kingdom and the maintenance of civility between Balduin soldiers and the local populace.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Ministry of Animal Relations.  A new creation which worked to preserve the natural environment and its wildlife. Felix took control of it himself.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Ministry of Homeland Protection. The Syrnat Ministry of Defense. Aside from directing the Balduin militia and trusted Restorators Armed Forces, it spent most of its time negotiating ceasefires with the Communist Insurgents and warning people against the guerilla movement. Renal was given its charge.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Ministry of Communication. Also a new body, it was designed mostly to improve foreign relations, Felix himself oversaw its running.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Ministry of Revenue and Social Development. Controlled the Syrnat economy and trade. Avelina was given its command.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Ministry of Tourism. Here too Avelina took control, there had been a similar department in Terio¡¯s reign but it had become almost non-existent in his time such was the danger and general trouble international visitors suffered visiting the nation under Communist rule.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Ministry of Arts and Entertainment. Karina wholeheartedly accepted the role from her Brother. An area where she displayed a fine ability to spend money, both on financing art events and projects. Despite that overspending none could doubt her innovation. Always seeking out new Festivals and Artists to be enticed to Syrnat¡¯s borders.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Ministry of Animal Control. Responsible for monitoring animal activity that may be dangerous to Syrnaty citizens. Arisan was made Head of the department.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Ministry of Labour. Responsible for maintaining Syrnat''s workforce. Renal was given its charge.</li>


    </ul>


    He never addressed the Concilium directly. Only in his final words did he make any allusion to them at all. And that only discreetly, declaring that the Balduin Family had defeated its enemies, and now wished to assure those watching that they had only one desire. That is to guarantee that his own interests and that of the people of Syrnat were now only to rebuild the nation and secure its future prosperity. All of their focus was now on Syrnat and Syrnat alone.


    Now finally confirmed as King Felix decided that a tour was in order. First within his own nation, and secondly abroad. A way of securing popularity within Syrnat, and gaining it without. It began in the third month into his official reign and would encompass a Royal visit to each of the island¡¯s cities and major settlements.


    It was the first true chance to see just what the people thought of their new Ruler after all had begun to settle.


    Overwhelming the reaction was positive. Though Syrnat was once more under the rule of a Dictator in all but name Felix was not like Terio. For the people there may have been some concerns, but nothing compared to what life had been like before. Unemployment had plummeted drastically, the economy was finally growing for the first time in decades and the level of new infrastructure nationwide was unprecedented in any living memory.  So there were some rather strict rules on crime, crime is bad, those who commit it should be punished. The lack of free media was nothing new to them, but at least under Felix international media was permitted once more in the State, if only in a limited capacity.


    Already some trade embargoes had disappeared, mostly from Countries readily willing to abandon any restrictions at the sight of Balduin coin. Thus there was already an influx of foreign goods completely unfamiliar to almost all of the island inhabitants. There was a strong and noticeable military presence all over the island¡¯s major cities, particularly Limar, but once again it was here that Terios¡¯ past regime aided Felix. He could afford to be extreme so long as his men were not as heavy handed as the Communist party had been, which was not at all that challenging.


    So long as the people were well fed and the right people financed everything seemed perfectly aligned for Balduin rule.


    And on top of all that was the people¡¯s curious fascination with their new Royal Rulers. A strange fascination that people everywhere often seem to hold for those who are placed above them through nothing more than a Family name and money. A fascination not exclusive to Syrnat¡¯s populace but one they themselve were fast developing. Felix had naturally boosted such interest with a plethora of articles, media, photos and videos of carefully selected publicity. There were signs even at that early point of a cult of personality forming around both Felix and the others of his family. One he was carefully nurturing.


    Of course this was far easier for them than most. Terio for example had attempted his own cult of personality, however his rather wide frame and exaggerated sense of self worth had made him more a hated figure of mockery than anything else. Though no one would ever have said such things openly.


    People are attracted to beauty and nobility, and the Balduins displayed both with apparent ease. Young boys had begun replicating Felix, Renal and Arisan in both style and speech, in schools all over the island physical training was made compulsory for all males. Sports, combat training and callisthenics becoming priorities for all young boys.


    Whilst the ladies of Syrnat were bombarded with pictures of their new Queen and Princess, both embraced as style icons and lauded as fashionistas. They encouraged girls into the more traditional positions of nursing, homekeeping, fashion and culinary education.


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    Here was one of the few points Felix maintained the Restorator''s goals, seeking to promote the traditional household in favour of more modern compositions. Though no bans were placed on the LGBT community (another point in Felix¡¯s favour internationally) it was certainly not promoted. Felix saw the traditional family as being far more beneficial to his desired society and landscape.


    Any problems people did have were inevitably attributed to the dormant but still alive Communist insurgents which had gone into hiding.


    The Royal Procession over Syrnat was rightly then considered an overwhelming success, cementing Balduin control and garnering a large amount of public esteem. With that done Felix now had to look to improving matters abroad, and convincing the outside World that he was indeed creating a land of peace and prosperity for Syrant and its People. That would be tested by his appearance at the next UN congress where he had been approved to speak, the world growing increasingly interested in the man who had supposedly saved the island from tyranny and willingly offered up his own private fortune in the name of Syrnat¡¯s revival.


    A week after returning to the Palace, and a week before he jetted off to Geneva Felix brought the family together to discuss their future plans in more detail. Present were Avelina, Karina along with the twins.


    ¡°So, firstly let us establish who will be heading to this opportunity of ours.¡± Felix began once all were seated. As usual he had a bottle of redbreast forty seven year old in front of him. He, Renal and Arisan were all drinking it, Avelina and Karina instead had wine. Neither of the two ladies had touched the whiskey since that notorious meeting.


    ¡°Avelina will remain behind to oversee affairs here on Syrnat. The people are well enough in awe of you now, and none better understand the running of our Kingdom. Karina and Renal, you will accompany me. Arisan you shall stay and aid Avelina in what areas she needs.¡±


    ¡°Will not Avelina¡¯s absence only bring more eyes to your relationship? What if they question you?¡±


    ¡°They don¡¯t know anything about me and Avelina, nor our shared history. I wouldn¡¯t worry about that dear sister.¡±


    Despite what he claimed at that moment, in truth I daresay Felix was worried. The UN was already concerned by the new strict laws, reintroduction of the death penalty and labour camps acknowledged and rumoured to be in place on Syrnat. Him marrying his aunt, after having killed his own uncle would have surely been a step too far for even him to handle had it gotten out at that time.


    ¡°And why me and Renal? Why us two?¡±


    ¡°Why not you two?¡±


    Karina frowned but said nothing, it seemed to vex her to no end that Felix openly encouraged and welcomed her and Renal growing closer.


    Renal and Arisan both nodded assuredly at their cousin¡¯s requests. Both had grown in prominence day by day and were now almost as crucial to Felix as any of his political and economic advisors, certainly they were the only two he seemed to fully trust. Most any of the major issues and problems he faced he strived to deal with himself, but if not him then it was left to the twins to solve.


    But it was not merely in the professional sense that Felix and the twins had grown close. What time he had free from ruling and with Avelina Felix spent with both of his cousins.


    Many times even within those first three months had the three of them headed into the mountains with a small contingent of their best men whereby they conducted some of the most outrageous parties I have ever witnessed. Infrequent as they were when they had time for such leisure there was massive binges of alcohol, drugs and indeed women.


    Despite his evident love for Avelina the boy was not entirely against having fun with the local ladies, nor as it happened were the twins. Felix had a sort of amused admiration for the late Italian Politician Berlusconi, his infamous mountain parties might then be considered as a sort of nod to the other¡¯s bunga bunga parties.


    In any case, the twins, whilst still dignified and solemn in the presence of the Queen and Princess, had become quite commanding in all else. Months of giving and orders and issuing commands giving them a source of confidence they now took into their personal life.


    Renal had also started to become a rather constant figure by Karina¡¯s side, wherever she went he was not likely to be far behind. An almost unofficial bodyguard of sorts, they had certainly grown close. Though they behaved formally around others there were rumours of them being quite less so in private.


    ¡°Anyways,¡± Felix continued, ¡°as I am sure you are all aware, our priority is to convince the Western powers of the US, France, Germany and England to recognise Syrnat as a legitimate State. One with full independence and soon to be a member of their organisation. We can deal with China and Russia later. Let us get on good terms with the West first.¡±


    ¡°And by the West you mean those countries most under the Concilium¡¯s control. I am sure they have targeted this meeting just as we are. They may work to prevent our entry.¡±


    Felix grimaced, ¡°Yes, that is admittedly a possibility my Queen. Which is why we must do all we can to make a strong case for our involvement, public opinion will rule the day here, I am sure of it. We get that then we will get into the UN.¡±


    ¡°Besides, the people need a distraction, what better than a new Royal Family emerging seemingly from nowhere on an unknown Island. And one that does not look as if it was born wrinkled and upturned.¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± Felix pointed a finger at Renal, ¡°Cousin Renal is correct. We are a worthy distraction to everything that is happening in Gaza and Ukraine. The People are crying out for something like us, that will be enough to override any dissenters, no matter how powerful. It¡¯s too public for them to push too hard against us.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure? We have certainly been in violation with the UN¡¯s rules, there will be questions Felix.¡±  Avelina, organised as ever, had the UN¡¯s rule of law in front of her, ¡°You must be prepared to answer for them.¡±


    ¡°I will. And do not worry. I have friends already on the Council. Some will in fact be visiting us next month. Besides, it is not as if the UN had a definitive line on these things, what law or crime has Israel, the US not committed in its time? All without any true criticism, we will be fine. I know it.¡±


    ¡°Well just make sure to be on your best behaviour Felix, no drugs, no partying. We need to show our most professional face to the world if any of this is to work.¡±


    ¡°I beg your pardon sister? You are warning me to be on my best behaviour? What happened the last time you were in Europe hmm? You remember in Berlin that you-¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Karina interjected, a slight flush coming to her cheeks as Renal glanced sideways at her, ¡°I remember.¡±


    For reference, Karina had placed herself in the midst of a love triangle, one involving footballers from opposing teams. In a rather messy incident in a nightclub both men had come to blows. A scandal, it had taken all of Eustace and Alexander¡¯s considerable resources to ensure Karina was not implicated in the story. The young Balduin heiress taken far away from any possible limelight.


    ¡°But that is not the same as this at all Brother, so I don¡¯t see why you are comparing. Just behave is all I am saying. A word of warning because I won¡¯t babysit you.¡±


    ¡°Babysit me? And how would that be? Listen sister just because you ordered a few new wallpapers doesn¡¯t mean you get to-¡±


    ¡°SHE¡­is just making the point that we must be wary of how we act, all of us.¡± Avelina forced a smile as she looked from one to the other. Karina continued to glower at her Brother but Felix managed a smile of his own.


    ¡°Right, yes, forgive me. Perhaps I misunderstood. And it is a fair point. We will all be on our best behaviour.¡±


    The rest of that meeting was spent analysing the most important members that would be present at the UN and going over once more what Felix would say once he was given the floor at Geneva. Naturally it took some time for the meeting to conclude, mostly spent working on that all important speech. However I won¡¯t waste time further discussing the preparation, not when I intend to give you the finished piece that Felix proclaimed out loud to the world during his first appearance at the UN. For it is a speech worth hearing. One which changed things completely.

 A Speech

    ¡°Madam President. Mister Secretary General. World leaders, ambassadors and distinguished delegates. I stand before you today in this Grand Hall, both moved and greatly honoured by the opportunity to speak before you. I have travelled a long way, as many of you have also, and I have spent every last second of my journey here today revising, changing, modifying and finalising my speech. Only to repeat the entire process a hundred more times. Many of you will have heard of me by now, and to you I say¡­. Well only do not give me away just yet¡­.¡±


    Cue some gentle sounds of laughter.


    ¡°But for those of you who haven¡¯t, well allow me to introduce myself. I am Felix Balduin. My family was once amongst the most prominent in Europe, and was once among its greatest leaders. Of course that all changed many, many years ago now but still, what once was shall be again. And here I am, the new and freely elected King of the Island of Syrnat. That in itself is quite a story, one full of Communist Dictators and an island badly scarred by economic and civil woe. But one with a happy ending. That happy ending being¡­.¡± Felix shrugged nonchalantly, ¡°Well, being me.¡±


    Far from the dais, I was not exactly given a place of great importance, so I could only look upon Felix from a distance. However I knew him well enough by then to see that his flight over to Geneva may have been a higher one than I would have even imagined.


    ¡°Now free the island must, and will be transformed into one that the World can recognise and respect. Syrnat had been an outcast, a State in limbo for too long. I wish to change that here today. As most have predicted and many more expected, it is thought that this is here my time to beseech you, the U.N. In all your great glory to allow me and my new land membership into your Great organisation. To formally request membership, and to join the world¡¯s largest international organisation. The peacekeepers, the first line of defence for all innocents.¡±


    Felix paused. I saw the look on Karina¡¯s face as she stared at her Brother. To her credit, she seemed to sense what was and was about to happen almost immediately.


    ¡°But I won¡¯t. Let me explain why. Oh yes and before I begin just know that we on Syrnat, we don¡¯t have any oil. I am sure that will be enough for many of you to zone out. Feel free to do so.¡± Felix had to raise his voice quite considerably at this point to speak over the growing furore. ¡°You will have many questions for me no doubt. I¡¯ll tell you now I won¡¯t answer them, nor will I answer to you. Not when you twist and shape all narratives to suit the ends of a privileged few. No.¡± Felix slammed his fist down on the podium as behind him grew an increasingly large group of security. ¡°I will not be requesting access to the U.N primarily because I have no interest in making myself or my Kingdom subject to the whims of the old colonial powers. Those who have coerced, convinced and forced those beneath them into following their path, their objectives. All under the guise of some lofty designs on peace and harmony. I won¡¯t have it. And after all, how could it be any other way when the P5+1 rule and control all. Not Syrnat. I will not have that happen to Syrnat. Which is why I will be joining the Non Aligned Movement, free from the clutches of the Empirical and immoral rulers you call the UN.¡±


    Felix had to fight to stay talking as it was finally decided that it was time for security to intervene.


    ¡°The People of the world are waking up. They are seeing you for what you truly¡­..are¡­..soon¡­soon you will be¡­¡­finished.¡±


    It was a struggle but the security finally took him away.


    A sort of subdued silence met his dismissal.


    Karina looked more shocked than anyone. Hurriedly, and with as much dignity as she could muster she made her exit. Recovering herself she strode out proudly and without a trace of shame, to onlookers it might have even looked as if she had been in on the entire speech the whole time.


    Renal followed on behind her, though as inscrutable as ever if anyone knew what Felix had planned it was him. He was likely part of the reason the King had so indulged on the plane if my suspicions were right. Put Felix with either of the twins for any length of time and trouble was sure to follow. Both had flown separately to Karina and the rest of their entourage, no one had been there to monitor or watch over them. Who knew what they had managed to conjure up in the air for the long distance flight.


    The following hour after Felix¡¯s impromptu outburst were made up of several speakers, all of which condemned and attempted to ridicule the content of it.


    They failed. The next morning there was not a single media outlet that did not have as its dominant story the young King Felix calling out the UN states.


    Most it¡¯s true, were focusing on the entertainment side of things. After his rather extreme speech Felix was forcibly removed from the building. He¡¯d remained in the city however and caused an impressive scene, practically taking over entire bars and nightclubs to fulfil his own partying needs. Karina, Renal and a whole troupe of models and more had chased around after him. Felix at his charismatic best granting interviews to any who asked, and there were many. His seemingly outlandish, passionate outpourings soon going viral, the handsome young King entirely taking over social media.


    Karina and Renal were not far behind, they had been spotted getting close and were already being reported as the royal couple. Whatever Karina had done or taken after the UN assembly seemed to have made her forget her worries entirely. She had partied just as hard as anyone. Felix though, he might have acted as if he was rather inebriated, on alcohol and more besides, but I know him. That night he was well aware of all he did. Moreso even than he had been in the UN assembly. I felt then, as I still do now, that he was already busy trying to make sure that his earlier actions bore the most fruit. That is, an unbelievable level of exposure and fame, and almost instant relevance to the public at large. On social media girls had a new idol to declare love to, and boys had a new man to aspire to. Felix was the quintessential King. Powerful, young, rich and surrounded by a wealth of women and luxury.


    But it was not only there he became a sensation, his speech had created a dialogue in every new column, TV show and radio in the Western World and beyond. For the West, he was just another greedy dictator, unwilling to accept the UN because it went against his designs on an island of poor and vulnerable inhabitants. He was an opportunistic Tyrant, one that would bring great suffering to the native population.


    For China and Russia the young man was an anomaly, but one who did bring up some interesting points, and perhaps even highlighted growing bias and hypocrisy with the UN itself. They were able to use his speech as a way of reinforcing their own ideas.


    For the developing World however Felix was on the whole, a revelation. His decision to publicly declare preference for the Non-Aligned Movement had brought them coverage not seen since the Cold War. Already several had eagerly cried out for official Syrnat membership, and had lauded the young King for his ability to stand aside from the intrinsic corruption and manipulation present in the cavernous bureaucracy of the UN.


    Felix cared about none of this. They only remained in Geneva for that one night. They had departed on the Balduin jet by noon the following morning, with a whole host of people desiring to hear him speak once more he was gone.


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    Whatever plans that the Family had made before the UN assembly were now all but ruined, that approach dead and buried forever. Felix had made his public declaration, the only way forward now was to stand by and deliver on it. It would then be expected to have been one of his most stressful periods since attaining power. It wasn¡¯t. He slept the entire flight home.


    Back at the palace and fresh off the plane Felix had seemed as rejuvenated as ever as he sat down to preside over another Family Meeting. A meeting supposed to be dedicated to discussing the success of his UN speech and the odds of Syrnat being permitted membership. All of which were completely irrelevant now.


    ¡°Madam President. Mister Secretary General. World leaders, ambassadors and distinguished delegates.¡± Felix slapped himself on the side of the Head, ¡°Ah no wait that was for the other one.¡±


    Both Renal and Arisan stifled grins but neither Avelina or Karina showed any signs of amusement. Karina had recovered from her merriment the following night in Geneva and seemed as angry if not more angry than ever.


    Felix raised his hands in mediation. ¡°Look I am sorry okay. I should have given you some warning of what was to come.¡±


    ¡°WHY? Why do you always do this? Can you not be normal for a moment? I thought we were going to assimilate. Now what?¡± Avelina struggled to hide the despair in her voice, she made no effort to hide her disappointment, refusing even to speak to Felix before the meeting.


    ¡°Now? Now we do our own thing. The UN is finished, an entity without power. It means little these days, has not done for quite some time.¡±


    ¡°Then why¡­.¡± Karina had not stopped glaring at her brother the entire time. ¡°Didn¡¯t you mention any of this before Felix? Do you not trust us enough by now? Must you keep secrets even from us?¡±


    ¡°She is right, Felix. We could have discussed this, made plans. Organised and prepared ourselves for what was to come. You have left us exposed through your actions.¡±


    ¡°Because I didn¡¯t know before. I made the decision¡­.¡± Felix casually placed two fingers to his forehead, ¡°as I have explained, when I was in the air. ¡°


    ¡°YOU decided? An avalanche of cocaine decided Felix. You just threw away all of our plans for what? A childish outburst.¡±


    He stared hard at Avelina at that, ¡°Our plans. Since when? When did you conceive any of this? These are all my plans. All of this is the result of my plans. Do not ever call me childish again. Never.¡±


    Felix seemed to realise his growing anger and stopped to close his eyes and take a deep breath.


    ¡°How many times must I tell you, sometimes I can¡¯t control what I see. But know this, I had a vision, bright and clear. Just as I have had many times before. I cannot go against them.¡± The King bowed his head, almost solemnly. ¡°This is the way.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare quote the Mandalorian at us Brother. This is not a joke Felix. None of this a joke. Whatever the Concilium might or might not have thought about us before now they will be out for blood. We have to meet with them in two weeks for God¡¯s sake.¡±


    ¡°I told you, let me worry about the Concilium.¡± Felix raised a hand before either Avelina or Karina could speak further.


    ¡°Look, we would have drawn the attention of the world to us regardless of what happened. Now at least we have managed to speed things up a little. Arisan, what was it you said? How much has it gone up?¡±


    ¡°Two hundred percent. Since Geneva there has been a 200% increase in airline tickets to the island.¡±


    ¡°There, and think of all those reporters, journalists and TV shows desperate to meet with us. The Balduin Family are at this moment the most talked about Family in the world.¡±


    ¡°You say that as if it is a good thing. We have the eyes of the world on us Felix. How long before they question our methods?¡±


    Felix smiled at Avelina this time. ¡°Let them question. The island¡¯s economy is booming, the people have work, food and peace under Balduin rule. Investment is everywhere, our capital city is fast becoming a haven for tourism. We have turned the island around, whatever they ask we will answer.¡±


    ¡°And what if they do more than ask cousin?¡±


    Felix raised a brow at Renal¡¯s input. Evidently however it was not one aimed at questioning him, but one of genuine curiosity.


    ¡°They can¡¯t. World opinion may not count for a lot, but unless our own people start to complain to the World then it will be on our side. We keep the people content, content I repeat, they don¡¯t have to be happy. We do that then they won¡¯t do anything more than condemn us, perhaps an embargo or two. Invading or attacking us for what I said would only serve to weaken their own position. As it is, many think the UN is right about me. They¡¯ll try to keep it that way.¡±


    ¡°I hope you are correct Felix.¡± Avelina shook her head, ¡°For I do not know anymore.¡±


    ¡°Well then I will just have to know for you my dear. Besides, it is time, as always, that will tell what is right or wrong.¡± Felix rose to his feet. ¡°Well, that is enough worrying for the moment. Come cousins, I believe there has been another layer added to the safari Arisan yes? I would very much like to see it right about now.¡±


    ¡°A safari? Must you end every meeting the same? For what else is needed right now but to go watch animals doing nothing. Fine, leave then Felix. Me and Karina will run your Kingdom for you.¡±


    Felix took a moment but finally broke into a smile. ¡°If you wouldn¡¯t mind. That would indeed be wonderful.¡±


    He had one final look as he came to the door. ¡°Both of you will have to adapt more, it is easy to get lost in plans and arrangements. As Queen and Princess you must lear-¡±


    Felix ducked back behind the door as Karina¡¯s glass crashed against it. He opened it back up slowly. Lips pressed tight together he pointed a finger at Karina and stared at her with a mouth opened wide. She merely stared back defiantly, dismissively even.


    Felix didn¡¯t say anything, clutching his hand into a fist he pointed at her one last time before making his exit. Only Karina could have gotten away with doing something like that to him. I am not sure even Avelina would have escaped punishment for such an act. Whatever they said, and however many times they fought and quarrelled, both placed each other above almost all else.


    To this day I don¡¯t know if Felix actually had planned to make such an outrageous statement of not. It was hard to know with him. Once again his grasp on decision making and reality showed signs of blurring in the moment. His own impulses it seemed trumping all else. Again his talk of visions and images reinforced the idea that his dependencies were playing a far more significant role in his decision making than he liked to admit or acknowledge.


    Had he gone down the route of UN membership as planned, and paid even a little more adherence to the already established system I think he would have lasted a great deal longer than he did. If he could have bent just a little it might have changed everything. Alas that was not Felix, it was never his way. He¡¯d made his decision, and now his focus was only on getting the most out of it. That was his way. Always looking forward, never looking back. A healthy philosophical viewpoint perhaps, though a perilous one in a field such as his.


    With the Concilium meeting growing in importance there was an anxious wait ahead. A little over two weeks after the UN incident Felix was to join the other Heads of the Blueblood Families. It would be his first time meeting them and the first time in nineteen years that the Balduin Family had a new Head leading them. Even without Syrnat, the UN drama, the deaths of Eustace, Alexander and Elizabeth it would have been a major occasion for him. By now it had become colossal. And a defining moment for his entire life and indeed the Family¡¯s. Had it not been so close to his UN outburst I believe he would have been called in to explain himself regardless. Though then again, what was another week to the Concilium. The cabal itself was almost two thousand years old and the last member to be granted access had occurred over 164 years ago. The thirteen Bloodlines which made up its members were not keen on change. Still Felix had already created enough chaos in his rule as Head to warrant intervention. The question now was just how much.

 Problems Within

    Before the Concilium could be dealt with, more trouble fell on at the feet of the Balduins. This time within their new Kingdom.


    An old rebel Restorator known as Reza had begun to speak out against Felix¡¯s rule. Referring to himself as the General (though he had never been near becoming one) he was a man who had given over fourteen years to the cause. Though despite the time he¡¯d invested and sacrificed he had only ever been a minor captain in the struggle. In those early months of Felix¡¯s reign however he had grown in prominence and was now a central figure among those not entirely satisfied with the new way of rule. A man of his late sixties there was little room for him in Felix¡¯s labourforce. Given a pension he was expected to live off of it and be content. Most were, for Terio had set fixed pension rates back in 1986, a triumphant move at the time that had steadily turned ineffective and disastrous as it failed to rise with higher living costs. Felix had doubled the pension instantly on rising to power, keen to garner the favour of the older, more traditional Syrnaty. A move that had worked well on the whole. Not so for the General. He was one of those men of purpose. Who need, either real or imagined, a sense of responsibility in their life for it to be of any value. He had been a Restorator, a man of substance, living in mountain hideaways with some men of his own to command and a concentrated objective in his life. No more. And so he naturally looked to create one. He¡¯d found it in the shape of a Leadership once more rebelling against the Island¡¯s new King.


    His increasingly vocal attacks on Felix focused on several points. The King being himself a foreigner, a throwback to the old colonial rulers.


    The extreme laws which had already seen hundreds given the death penalty.


    And on the drug scandal which had surprisingly become the rallying cry of the movement. It was maybe the most worrying element of the General¡¯s campaign for he knew more than enough to build on rumours already forming about the new Kingdom. For one, Linar was already growing a reputation for being a free and liberal city for any travellers wishing to indulge in all and any manner of drug use. In stark contrast to the punitive laws against the Island¡¯s own people, tourists, (almost exclusively from wealthy first World Countries) were permitted to engage in whatever their heart desired. Desires which often led them into difficult situations. Situations of their own doing it was true, they were not forced to take anything. But a great many ended up in one of Syrnat¡¯s many prison cells. The bail a moderate sum but enough so that it was already proving a lucrative trade for the economy.


    Secondly the use of Syrnat as a gateway island for smugglers between Asia and European markets. So long as the adequate sums were produced Felix was happy to let a small number of major drug barons make use of his Island¡¯s ports. Freely and without any fear of seizure or discovery it was proving to be the most lucrative source of wealth for the new regime. One Felix was keen to see continued indefinitely. He¡¯d tried to allay the international rumours by organising several mock raids, raids which produced big publicity but little actual results. The raids themselves pre arranged on both sides to give the illusion of surveillance. It was one of the main points that might have actually significantly damaged Felix were it fully revealed.


    It still surprises me that things were allowed go so far.


    Perhaps the General happened exactly because of the considerable distraction of the UN and Concilium, for Felix and the others may have relaxed a little in their ruling. Any hint of dissent had been quickly dealt with in the very earliest days of his Kingship. Not so with the General. It might have been that he was merely underestimated and overlooked. Or there may have been more to his sudden intake of popularity, for there were even suspicions that the General may have been encouraged to act by outside forces eager to validate their claims about Felix¡¯s rule.


    In any case the timing was not ideal. It was the King¡¯s first real test since coming to power.


    The protest started off peaceful, there was a march through Linar, one that started at noon on the city outskirts before meandering its way through the streets to come to a halt outside the Palace gates. There a dais was hastily erected and a sequence of speeches read out to the waiting crowds. The population of had not come out in full support of the protest, but there were still at least several thousand present. Most did not share all the same views as the General. Afterwards it was quite clear most people were merely onlookers, unused to any kind of protest however mild under Terio I suppose they wanted to see one for themselves. They may have valued some of the General¡¯s points but I don¡¯t believe his cry for a complete upheaval was ever seriously considered achievable or indeed desirable to a great majority of the population.


    One thing the General had done well that day was ensure that there was a sizable amount of what little foreign press had been allowed on Syrnat present for the march. With them seeing all Felix had to be far more cautious. It was because of that he didn¡¯t send in his own men to clear out the crowds immediately. There was always the fear of escalation and he would not have it come from his side. Not when the World eagerly watched and waited for him to prove himself just another dictator. No, a different approach was needed. They found it when the General announced that the protest was to head to the City Centre. In the disorganised mass of people it was not difficult for a few Balduin plain clothes to assimilate into the crowds. Once again Felix¡¯s dramatic and acting knowledge came to the fore.


    The moment was perfectly timed. When the General finally addressed the crowd he did so with clarity and composure, clearly stating his aims and desires. Soon voices began to sound out from the mass of people, eagerly cheering and rallying behind the General¡¯s every word. It was not long before there was a chorus of voices roaring on the old Captain. That was where he showed his inexperience for the first time. As the cries from the swarm of people grew, so too did he. His words became louder, his tone changed from one of assertiveness to aggressiveness.


    He seemed to get sucked in and in a moment of fervour cried out that Felix was an outsider and should not now nor ever be allowed to hold court over the Island of Syrnat. That was the moment.


    Bandana up, hood down the first to start the riot was decked out in a traditional Syrnat dress, reminiscent of the one worn by the General himself. He was clearly shown on camera throwing a molotov cocktail into a neighbouring store. He was also a senior Palace Guard, and one of the local Syrnaty people absolutely loyal to Felix.


    That was the start of it. Within a minute several more followed the first. Smoke, fire and screams took over. On stage the General frowned down at what was happening in front of him. Before he could properly formulate a response however the army moved in. Waiting in the wings they were completely ready to storm the plaza. Decked out in full riot gear they scattered the rioters almost immediately, a single charge breaking them as water cannons and tear gas were deployed to disperse the people further. The methods were undeniably harsh, man, woman or even the few children present were all caught in the assault.


    As for the General, well he was no true Leader, had never been. There was good reason he had never been promoted from his position as a relatively low officer within the Restorators movement. Surrounded by chaos and a situation slipping increasingly out of hand he fled.


    Later caught by Balduin men he was taken and given over to fake communist exiles where through civilian footage he was seen embracing and conversing with the enemy. It was then surmised that he had in fact been one of Terio¡¯s agents. Working from within all those years to undermine the movement. A family came forward, a mother with two young children. Claiming to be the secret wife of the General she explained how she and the kids had been discovered by Terio¡¯s men and used as a weapon against her husband to make him betray those he loved. She desperately appealed for leniency and appealed to Felix directly not to kill her husband. The General of course had never met the woman. Felix always loved setting scenes such as that, and thrived in the drama.


    His ploy worked, the actress convincing and he appeared before the cameras himself to absolve the General and grant him leniency, for he did all he did for the love of his wife. A traitor he might be but he was also a tragic character.


    He knew what he was doing, the Syrnaty people are an honourable one, his betrayal of everything he stood and fought for, for his comrades and soldiers in arms was unforgivable. Whatever the reasons. Even those few who might have supported him all the way quickly disappeared after that.


    The death penalty was graciously revoked by Felix, instead he was sentenced to just a single year in one of Syrnat¡¯s island prisons. He never saw freedom after that. Four months into his sentence he was attacked by a fellow inmate and died of his wounds not long after. Caught on grainy video the attacker was later revealed to have been a son of one of the men the General had reportedly betrayed and the attack was portrayed then as a sort of revenge. That was the end of Reza.


    All in all Felix had dealt with his test rather smoothly. Though there were images of violence and perceived government brutality against the people his own propaganda machine worked just as tirelessly to expose the truth. For every image of police brutality there was a counter image of the protestors looting and attacking innocent civilians. Some of the images were even real, though most were created later under strict supervision and guidelines for what to produce.


    Felix held his own press conference, addressing the world, highlighting the timing of the protest and steadfastly declaring it as an attack on him by the Higher Powers, those bitter at his dismissal and eager for revenge.


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    He was able to easily defend himself. For no one could argue that he had allowed the peaceful protest to pass freely through his city, and had made no move to intervene or stop those demonstrating. Only when the situation had grown violent, (and by the protestors'' hands) did the army move in. How they dealt with those protesting was out of his control. He could not allow the city to burn, would not allow it. He had acted swiftly and would not apologise for those caught in the crossfire. Public safety was put above all else, those who associated with the hooligans of the General¡¯s ilk were asking for trouble. They, and only they were to blame. Though criticisms continued most saw the sense in the King¡¯s words, most agreed that his actions were in the main justified. He did not gain anything in public opinion from his dealing with the matter, but nor did he lose anything. After his rash, and rather destructive actions at Geneva, Felix¡¯s handling of the potentially tricky situation was a welcome return to his more calculating, imposing side.


    The build up to the Concilium meeting was a tense one. Though handled quite effectively the incident with Reza did serve to highlight that the Kingdom was not completely bowed just yet. The average islander had seen an exponential rise in the quality and value of their lives but Terio and the Communist regime had not survived for so long for nothing. There were those, (and would be for many years), a significant portion of the population that had lost a great deal of both wealth and prestige with the collapse of the Party. No matter what investment, infrastructure or quality of life Felix introduced, they would always see him as the man who had taken those precious commodities from them. They had abused their power for their own gain and had been hated for it, each one of them villains in the public eye. Felix was doing just the same, in fact his abuse and exploitation of the Island for himself was perhaps worse than their own. And he was not even a true Syrnaty besides. Yet the people, on the whole, seemed to idolise their new Leader. Instead of being reprimanded by them for his UN appearance he was praised. It was an utter novelty to them for their small island to be placed so centrally on the international stage. Had a man from Syrnat spoke of his homeland to a foreigner previously, there was no possibility of him being aware of the island. Now, most knew at least something of Syrnat, usually the fact that it was the island of Felix and the Balduin Royal Family. That was a novelty and a surprising source of pride for the people. One the former Party members struggled to comprehend. Generally, in silence.


    Throughout this period Felix had begun to show the weight of the pressure mounting on him.


    Avelina was one of the first to truly notice Felix¡¯s increasingly erratic behaviour. She was as, if not perhaps even a little more popular than Felix, though he¡¯d never have admitted it, and in fact struggled to hide his annoyance with Karina when she sought to frustrate him by pushing that fact.


    Avelina was a master of the media and public image. Rarely did a day go by where she was not caught mingling amongst the locals within the city, helping the poor, or opening some new enterprise or other. In the role of Queen, she thrived. Her and Felix¡¯s age difference seemed to matter little to the people, for at 46 she was still as beautiful as ever. It was she who essentially ran the government. Felix might have had great plans and ideas for Syrant but they would not have happened without her influence. He lacked the patience for dealing with the island¡¯s day to day affairs, focused on the bigger picture he paid little attention to the general functioning of the State. That was left to the Queen. In this she performed impeccably.


    She was with Felix more of the time than anyone, and hardly any night went by without them locked in their bedrooms together. She then was naturally best placed to see and notice all manners of his behaviour. How Felix managed to hide the extent of his addictions I am unsure, perhaps he didn¡¯t completely. Avelina may have turned a blind eye to it as she did many things with Felix.


    Still, his latest acts must have increased her suspicions for she began to question us servants more. Not in a direct way, she was too clever for that, but having seen Felix in his most vulnerable position I knew by her enquiries what she suspected. She was trying to find out precisely what and how often took his extensive medications.


    Her questioning and lines of enquiry were nothing compared to what the boy¡¯s Mother had attempted several years previous however.


    Mariana had never truly believed either Felix or Eustace¡¯s explanation for his night terrors cure and had been unrelenting in her search for answers. She must have interrogated each and every one of the Household a hundred times over. No one of course said anything. Least of all me. This was before I had walked in on Felix on that dreadful morning, so just like all of the others I had no idea about Felix¡¯s miraculous recovery and restoration to full health. We only knew that the boy and Grandfather were close, and that whatever method they had found had worked. That was all. Still Mariana never gave up her investigation, she was careful never to allow Felix see her worrying or stressing over the matter but she had no such qualms with Eustace. His unwillingness to share certain details had a major effect on their previously close relationship over the years. Whilst before they had been close, indeed Eustace had been one of the most delighted with Joaquin¡¯s choice of bride, the secrecy surrounding Felix created a schism between them that never truly healed despite the many attempts of Elizabeth to do so.


    As it was, though Avelina questioned there was little for her to gather. Felix had years of experience hiding his addictions by this point, there was precious little she could achieve by her questioning.


    She did try to bring it up after the events at the UN.


    Two days before the Concilium meeting she¡¯d broken away from his embrace while they lay alone in bed together.


    ¡°Is something amiss? I confess I have not been using the gym so often as I might but surely I am not gone that bad?¡±


    His eyes flowed over her body, he knew every curve well by now, but it did not make any of them any less alluring to him.


    Avelina smiled gently, ¡°No, it is not that, though you should return to it. And not drink so much, you have a Kingdom to run.¡±


    Felix sighed and laid back with his hands behind his head.


    ¡°Yes, it is true that there has been a lot of late. Perhaps you are right Avelin. He turned and pulled her in close to him, ¡°Though for tonight we won¡¯t think about that.¡±


    She laughed under his kisses. Alone Felix was very different to the uncaring and pretentious character he displayed to the world. He was almost cute.


    ¡°Felix.¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°You are okay aren¡¯t you? The UN, the images and visions you keep talking about. Sometimes it worries me. Worries many people.¡±


    ¡°The images and visions? They are nothing to be worried about. They are blessings. Given to me by a higher Power. I am sure of it, they have led me Avelin. They led me to you even. For that alone you should understand their value.¡±


    ¡°Yes, you have said as much. But are they always to your benefit? To ours? Perhaps it would be better if once you had such dreams and visions you discussed them with me, or if not me then your sister or the twins, with someone at least before you act on them.¡±


    Felix turned to face her. ¡°They are my own visions, my own dreams. If they were meant to be shared I would know. And I would share them, were I told to do so. But I haven¡¯t. So they will remain mine to implement until such a time as they aren¡¯t.¡±


    Avelina nodded her head and said nothing.


    ¡°Then, who or what is this higher power? Is it your Father speaking to you? God?¡±


    ¡°It cannot be my Father, for he had similar manifestations to mine own.¡±


    ¡°Then it is God who speaks to you?¡±


    ¡°Is that so hard to believe? Why not God?¡±


    ¡°You think he would desire such a path for you?¡±


    ¡°You think he wouldn¡¯t?¡±


    Avelina frowned, ¡°A great many people have died already through your ambitions. I am not sure God would have wished for such death and destruction.¡±


    ¡°No? Do you not recall the Flood? God sees always the greater picture. What if it was all to the greater good? What if I was his instrument? A way of enacting his will on Earth. There have been others who performed similar roles. What if everything I did has been part of his plan.¡±


    Avelina laughed but stopped abruptly when she lifted her head up to look at him. Felix was gazing up at the ceiling but there was no trace of mockery on his face. ¡®He cannot truly think that?¡¯ came across Avelina¡¯s mind.


    ¡°Who else after all,¡± Felix continued, ¡°could have granted me such clear visions if not him? Every one of them has led me to glory. I know you might not think of my UN incident as being such, but wait. You will see. I am convinced that it too will over time prove its worth to us.¡±


    (It may be a surprise to learn that the Balduins maintained a strong Faith in God. Just as all of the thirteen Bloodlines did. Though not as in any way recognizable to most known religions. But we shall get to that later.)


    ¡°And you do not believe there is anything else to these visions? There are no other factors?¡±


    ¡°Other factors? What other factors could there be?¡±


    ¡°You would make me say it?¡±


    ¡°I would.¡±


    Avelina shook her head, ¡°Fine then. You don¡¯t think your reliance on the drugs you take plays any part in it?¡±


    ¡°Reliance?¡± Felix pressed his fingers to his eyelid. ¡°I do not rely on drugs. I partake in them. At times. And the visions do not happen only when I do partake in them. They come to me in moments I can never predict. Do not equate what I speak of to mere drugs. A vision has oft came to me here in this very bed, even when I am with you, and do I ever seem intoxicated to you? No. Whatever you think, I assure you, you are wrong Avelin. These are more than simple illusions I speak of. Believe me.¡±


    Avelina frowned but said nothing. Felix was generally open to new ideas and suggestions. On some things however he would not move, not through reason nor logic would he change. This, evidently, was one such occasion. Whatever it was, and she still believed it was indeed to do with drugs, was something he had had for many years now. So far, he seemed to be able to manage them, his sudden UN outburst aside. As she wrapped herself around Felix she was adamant she would continue to try and find the true source of his visions. But it could wait, for now she had other desires to act on.

 The Concilium

    The Azure Concilium held their meeting on the 13th day of January every year. They met, as they always did in a fortified underground bunker located deep in the Sahara desert, as far from society and civilization as one could get. Typically they had little to discuss, after several thousand years of manipulation and covert control there were few if any situations that the Council had not dealt with in its time. (Since the end of the cold world war there had been no major threats to the Concilium and the Bloodlines way of life.)


    Felix and his new direction for the Balduin Family, one of the older bloodlines of the Concilium, was something that had not been seen since the time of the Romanovs however.


    He travelled there alone naturally. Only the Heads of the Families were ever privy to such guarded information.


    Before we begin the meeting I believe it prudent to explain however just who and what the Azure Concilium are. For they are far more than just a simple group of Bloodlines. Far deeper and far stranger than one could ever imagine.


    They and their history are in themselves almost certainly worthy of an entire book, several in fact.  But not this one. Here I will simply try to give you those pieces of information most necessary to understanding the main of their religion and beliefs.


    To give them some point of relation, one could call them a combination of Essene, Nazarene and Mandaean sect beliefs, though only in the far ancient sense.


    Their religion was Gnostic, the original Gnostic religion and it held that they were the direct descendants of Adam.


    It was therefore they the Bloodlines who were the inheritors of the secrets passed down from one generation to another since the time of Adam. Adam being the first of their Kind. They alone therefore were responsible for the balance of the world they inhabited.


    Though there were some minor differences between the Bloodlines on the main points they kept the same core principles. That is;


    -There was a cosmic Battle between the two halves of one one force, those Christianity named God and Devil, though the Concilium referred to them in the Ancient Greek forms, as ¦°¦Á¦Í¦Ó¦Ï¦Ä?¦Í¦Á¦Ì¦Ï? and ¦Õ¦Ô¦Ã?. (Roughly translated to the Almighty and the Exile)


    -Those two were Brothers and sons of the ¦¥¦Î¦Ï¦Ô¦Ò?¦Á (Power). They were locked in a war for dominion over Earth.


    -Adam was created by the Almighty as a perfect specimen, the Exile had not the power to create people through such means, he instead manipulated already present animals (apes) and moulded them into beings which could be used to further his own aims.


    -At first, those of Adam¡¯s blood, true humans, had been dominant. (It may be interesting to note that the term Blueblood was a reference lost in time to those of true human creation. A subtle indication of one Family''s ancient origins.) They created an oasis in a world of barely literate people with the island of Atlantis. A place possessed of technology millenia ahead of those evolvii humans of the Exile.


    -For thousands of years the Earth was theirs to do as they saw fit. Where the lesser humans bowed to them and served as docile servants and slaves. Just as the Exile bowed to the Almighty.


    -The Almighty however had grown ambitious, in his desire for more he had sought out new Worlds. Worlds beyond his own, those owned by his Father, ¦¥¦Î¦Ï¦Ô¦Ò?¦Á. When his father discovered it he punished his oldest son and cast down the home of his creations. Atlantis was at once covered in a hail of ice, fire, earth and water. Soon destroyed and ruined forever.


    -The Almighty, greatly cowered and weakened by his Father was forced into hiding to restore and rebuild himself. With his last act however he had managed to save a select few of his designs and granted them the means to survive. Those who survived later became the Bluebloods, or the Concilium. Scattered it would take years before they could regroup and reform into any semblance of a society. But once they did they set about creating a circle of power around themselves.


    -By then the apes, creations of the Devil, had greatly engulfed the world, and grown far more populous than true sons of Adam. They were, however, on the whole easily led. Pushed, probed and coerced they could be controlled and manipulated to serve the needs of the Concilium. The Exile though, protected them and under his power his creations soon came to dominate and rule the world.


    -The Bluebloods were forced again into hiding even deeper, wary of being exposed to the brother of their Master and his wrath. So it remained for a thousand years until seeing what was being done to his dominion and eager for revenge the Almighty gathered what strength he had remaining to attack his Brother and bring down the Great Flood on the evolvii. So started the world anew.


    -With both the Almighty and the Exile weakened time was given to the Bluebloods to enact their own schemes and they soon gained places of prominence within the society.


    -The Power, tired of his sons destruction of the realm he had freely given them, bound both to a strict set of edicts. Most significant and relevant of which was that neither Brother could henceforth intervene. Both had left creations on the Earth, they would decide who was worthy of ruling it.


    -Thus the Bluebloods were tasked with controlling and maintaining authority over these lesser men.


    -With the remnants had to try and rebuild themselves. They choose to do so by creating a united body known as the Concilium. Because they were so greatly outnumbered had to resort to other methods to control their more populous imitations.


    -Their aim therefore was not to kill all people, indeed there were others of Adam¡¯s blood, though very few remained outside the 12. But more than that, they could not achieve full victory because they had such little numbers. Had to instead manipulate and control what they could until a time when the Almighty called down to them again and helped to create an Atlantis anew.


    His last command to them had been to wait, keep a balance and control what needed to be controlled. When he came again it would be to do Battle once and for all with Exile. In the end the world would be his and by extension theirs. Once completed they could then look to other Worlds. For the God of the bloodlines still sought out new realms for himself. Unhappy to continue as a mere subject of ¦¥¦Î¦Ï¦Ô¦Ò?¦Á, though he feigned renewed fervour and loyalty to his Father he had not abandoned his plans for taking over the entire system of realms.


    -Thus they considered themselves neither good nor evil, merely Keepers of the balance. If that balance meant the killing of one group than so be it, feelings such as guilt or trauma were not considered applicable within the Religion. Only what was necessary, and what wasn¡¯t.  They were to control and manipulate the masses and that was it.


    -On the afterlife, they believed that when they died they went to the land of the Almighty, where they would wait with their Leader until the earth and beyond was ready for conquest once more.


    The beliefs of their faith were a major reason why any new Bloodlines were so carefully and seldomly chosen. It was not just a case of power and prestige, there were religious and spiritual consequences to be considered. Any new Bloodline faced strict screening and examination before they could even begin the process of initiation. Within their sect they believed it was they and they alone who understood truly the world and its secrets.


    Any new initiates therefore had to be confirmed as People of Adam before ever being permitted to meet or interact with anything remotely associated to the Concilium. It was also why relationships within the Bloodlines were both approved and required. Mixing with an evolvii was not possible for one of Adam¡¯s blood, not if they wished to keep their own pure.


    The meeting took place inside the ancient Vault. Originally an outpost of the Atlantis Empire it now served as the ultimate stronghold for the Concilium. Buried 100ft down into the ground and comprising of several levels the entire vault was a technologically advanced marvel that provided the means for the Bloodliness to observe and analyse the world around them.


    At its deepest level were the council chambers. A lavishly constructed meeting room dominated by a round table of thirteen seats. Each seat unique, each one specially created for the Bloodline head who sat there. For your reference I shall give the names of the Thirteen. Some more prominent in the meeting than others though they were all technically considered to be equals within the Concilium.


    <ul>


    <li>1.  Astor Bloodline             2. Bundy Bloodline</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li>3.  Collins Bloodline          4. DuPont Bloodline</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li>5.  Freeman Bloodline       6. Kennedy Bloodline</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li>7.  Li Bloodline                   8. Onassis Bloodline</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li>9.  Rockefeller Bloodline  10. Russell Bloodline</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li>11. Van Duyn Bloodline    12. Merovingian Bloodline</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li>13. Rothschild Bloodline</li>


    </ul>


    The Heads of the Bloodlines arrived one by one and took their seats silently. First names were not used within the meeting, only ever addressing each other by one¡¯s bloodline name instead.


    Astor was to begin the meeting. Each year a new Head was given the lead of the meeting and he was the designated Chair for this year. It was continuous sharing of the responsibility. Though truly that responsibility simply consisted of formally introducing and closing the gathering.


    Within the meeting they spoke exclusively in Ancient Greek, though I will translate it into the English as best I can.


    ¡°Welcome Brothers in Blood. Men of Adam and of the Almighty, we who are destined to inherit the earth. We are gathered here this evening to plan and bring forth discussion that which will lead to our Greater Glory. And to that which will aid in the Almighty until the time when he is ready once more to walk amongst us again. As always we have much and more to discuss. One issue of course rises above all else.¡±


    Felix glanced up at Astor at that. He knew what that one issue was.


    For him all of this was new, a journey into the unknown. He knew in theory what was to happen, Alexander had made sure of that before meeting his end. But still, here now in that moment even for a man of Felix¡¯s ilk it was difficult to maintain his usual self-assuredness and composure.


    ¡°But let us get to that, and a great deal more presently, first allow us to share and discuss world affairs in relation to our own desires and aims. Head Merovingian, if you¡¯d please.¡±


    Head Merovingian nodded, ¡°With pleasure. First let me begin by saying all is in order. Covid has run its course, a necessary attempt if perhaps not as well run as we should have liked. Though such is the way of the evolvii. Little runs well when they are involved. However we have gained much by the experience, the findings are even now still being compiled. With this new army of date we shall easily be able to bring into being the next chapter of our Blueprint. Forced isolation seems to have had rather unexpected effects on their populace. 27% of the world¡¯s population now lives and works from their home. Most now strive to achieve it in fact. Once we had dealt with the automobiles of the people they will be more homebound than in any other period of history. Meanwhile the move to the virtual world continues to push them further away from the real. So much so that most will no doubt welcome the chance to escape their reality to live anew in a world of our own design. It will take time naturally, but once achieved we will cease being troubled by variables, or at least not near so many as there are at present.¡±


    ¡°Then everything is truly in order. And what of the automobile industry Collins.¡±


    ¡°Yes, just as Merovingian has said, all is in order. The time of diesel and petroleum is coming to an end. The People are ready to give in to the electric revolution. And once it is in place, it will be possible to both monitor and control who, where and when one drives. No one will be able to move without our say so.¡±


    ¡°And we are sure this is not too obvious.¡± Onassis cut in, ¡°As Merovigian has rightfully said, there were those few who did not stand for the Covid measures. Those same people will likely not stand for the electric vehicle overhaul either.¡±


    ¡°Those people are branded as conspiracy theorists by most, they won¡¯t be a problem. Not a big one certainly. We will deal with them. Just as we always do.¡±


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.Onassis shrugged, ¡°Yes, yes, I suppose you are right. Though I grew tired of riots and protests. They stir up too much stress in my old age. I can not have anything ruin the work we have done so far.¡± He waved a bony finger around the table. ¡°Anything.¡±


    Felix smiled, he knew exactly what the old Head meant by anything. The elder¡¯s stress was not something he was overly concerned about however.


    ¡°And the next stage, Head Bundy, the environmental isolations? They are progressing well, yes?¡± Astor gestured for Bundy to speak.


    ¡°Well yes, though it will be some years before we might use them on a world scale. Which, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll agree is not something to worry about. After covid it seems wise to allow some time before we initiate shutdowns once more.¡±


    ¡°Well, I believe that is something we can all agree on. Good, then with everything in order it seems time to address that which I, as many of you will perhaps agree with, find the most pressing and urgent of those issues facing us tonight.The other matters will wait. But before we do so let us vote. Is there any here who believes the recent involvements of the Balduins are no Concilium matter but one solely for the Bloodline itself to deal with?¡±


    No one made any move to intervene.


    ¡°Very well then, it is agreed that it is indeed a matter for the Concilium. Head Balduin, perhaps you would take it upon yourself to begin this chapter.¡±


    ¡°Just as he has taken it upon himself to do a great deal else.¡±


    Felix thought about it, but held back responding to Russell¡¯s provocation, he needed to be perfect for things to go his way.


    ¡°Firstly allow me to say how honoured I am to be here. This is a day I have long waited for, one that I am glad to see finally arrive.¡±


    Felix looked at each of the 12 members in turn. Some gave a nod of their head in acknowledgement, most just continued staring without showing any sign of emotion. Though Felix felt their judgement all the same.


    ¡°I am sure you all have many questions, about this new Island of mine, about my desire to be public, the UN, even about my Family. I would do my best to answer all of them, whatever they may be. But first let me assure you that what I do I do for the benefit of the Almighty and our Mission here on Earth.¡±


    ¡°And for the Concilium?¡± Head Russell added.


    ¡°Yes, and for the Concilium. Naturally, our Mission and the Concilium are one and the same are they not?¡±


    ¡°You are quite brash for one attending his first gathering.¡± Russell shook his head.


    ¡°You don¡¯t approve?¡± Felix asked.


    ¡°Of that and more.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps¡­¡± Head Astor interrupted before any more could be said.


    ¡°Perhaps you should start at the beginning. To explain yourself as it were. We knew you would be attending as the new Head of your Family, though I nor anyone else expected both Alexander and old Eustace to be so violently removed from Azure affairs.¡±


    ¡°That was a family dispute, one that went back to my Father. It is dealt with now. And has no bearing on any other affairs.¡±


    ¡°No bearing?¡± Head Li scoffed, ¡°It set off the most radical changes in any of the 12 Families in over a hundred years and you say it has no bearing?¡±


    ¡°All that has happened would have happened regardless of my deceased Uncle and Grandfather. As Head I had my own designs.¡±


    ¡°Ah yes, your designs. Designs which are very much your own.¡± Head Russell glared over at Felix. ¡°There are ways of doing things, matters that must be discussed beforehand. All of which you did not do. Did not follow.¡±


    ¡°Ways of doing things are not rules. I chose Syrnat as my island because it is far away from any of your own spheres of influence, it has no impact on the Concilium or any one of you.¡±


    ¡°You state that quite emphatically Balduin. Can you be so sure?¡± Head Li asked, ¡°Perhaps if you were working behind the scenes it might be so. What care would we have for an island somewhere away from anything important in the world? But you are not working behind the scenes are you? And that is where the true issue lies. You have chosen to reveal yourself? Why? I beg you do not say for pride? We are better than that.¡±


    ¡°I believe the island was a necessary acquisition, and one which benefits because of me and my Family''s exposure.¡±


    ¡°How so?¡± Head Astor frowned at Felix, ¡°how would you justify such an action that goes against everything we stand for?¡±


    ¡°Well firstly I am not the only public member of our Council. Saxe-Coburg and Bourbon both remain more than prominent on the world stage. I sought to join them. For I believe they have the right of it. Our power should not be solely resigned to the shadows. The people should see it, witness it.¡±


    Head Saxe-Coburg laughed lightly, ¡°Both of us have been Royalty since the 16th century young Balduin, it is hardly the same. Your face, and that of your wife, sister and two cousins now adorns every media outlet both online and traditional all over the world. And has done for the past month. It¡¯s too obvious, too intrusive. That is not the kind of attention we need. Not now, not ever.¡±


    ¡°And how long will that last? Another month? Two. The evolvii will find another distraction, I¡¯ll admit there is a rather intense glare on me and my Family as of now. But it will fade, you know it will. After all, do not the Rockefellers and Rothschilds both live on the perennial edge of the public¡¯s imagination. It has not done them any undue harm has it? They have managed it. Why then can¡¯t I? When everything is settled we will be left with an island of our own. A place where we can do as we see fit. Even the Royal Families among us would not wield the kind of power I will.¡±


    ¡°I would hardly compare this island away from all semblance of society and civilisation to my own island. Or that of Head Bourbon¡¯s.¡±


    ¡°Not yet. Though neither would I compare your role as Royalty to my own. You wield power, but I am an absolute, with complete and utter reign over my nation''s affairs. Neither you nor Bourbon could say the same.¡±


    ¡°He has a point,¡± Bourbon shrugged, ¡°perhaps another physical representation would be no bad thing. An island of our own would make a fine thing. A preparation plane for the return of the Almighty.¡±


    ¡°Precisely,¡± Felix was pleasantly surprised to find Bourbon an ally. Though perhaps it was not so surprising. He too had earned the chagrin of the Concilium in his early years. His increasingly public profile drawing the wrong kind of attention.


    ¡°Seems like a lot of talk to excuse vanity to me,¡± Russell said pointedly.  ¡°We could all go out and acquire an island. Would that also be to the benefit of the Concilium? We work in the shadows for good reason. The evolvii may not be the most sentient, but they would begin to put such obvious pieces together. Who knows where that could lead to.¡±


    Felix snorted at that, Russell was increasingly annoying him.  ¡°How many islands do you think there are? Syrnat has become what it is for me because I followed my Father¡¯s advice. There may be one, possibly two more locations as suitable as Syrnat was for me, though I doubt even that. This was no rash indulgence. Everything has been done with minute precision and the utmost care. I did not simply acquire an island. I won it, by public opinion and in the eyes of the world, against an evil and immoral regime. I am a hero.¡±


    Now it was Russell¡¯s turn to laugh, ¡°A hero is it? Nonsense, you are an arrogant young fool. You should reeducate yourself on our purpose, boy.¡±


    ¡°I know our purpose better than anyone. Which is why I am not content to merely sit idly by, gathering wealth and corrupting while nothing changes.¡±


    ¡°The Almighty ordered us to do as much, to gather our strength and keep the evolii under our control.¡±


    ¡°Yes, just as we have done for thousands of years now. And are we any closer to achieving our goals?¡±


    ¡°The Almighty left us his orders fool. We are doing just what he commanded us to do. Nothing more nothing less. We must have everything perfect for his return.¡±


    ¡°But why wait? We know the prophecy, which is more than can be said for the Evolvii. We might achieve victory without having the Almighty do it for us. Surely that would be desirable, to both him and us.¡±


    Felix¡¯s words seemed to shock the room somewhat. For a long time no one spoke, the silence gave Felix time to reflect. Perhaps he should not have been quite so abrupt in his speech.


    ¡°Are you suggesting you have knowledge above the Almighty? Is that it?¡± Astor finally broke in. He didn¡¯t appear angry, he seemed genuinely interested to see if Felix did in fact believe he did have such knowledge.


    ¡°I was mistaken. It is not arrogance that makes him speak as such. The Balduin Head is mad.¡±


    Felix frowned and looked at first Astor and then Russell. ¡°Perhaps it is time to stop working in the shadows? Why continue to work so covertly. We have worked so hard and for so long to control the people. Why not now work to make them love us, support us. Done correctly we would not need to work behind the scenes. We look on the evolvii as our enemy. But can they be? When 99.9% of them do not know who or what we are. We don¡¯t have to control them, nor ever fight them. We can make them ours. They will be of use to us when the Almighty makes his return. Willing servants to enact our will. We will need their labour to create Atlantis anew. On this world and others they will be needed. We¡¯ve controlled them enough, enough so that we don¡¯t have to be focused on ultimately wiping them out. There is no need. Not anymore. There won¡¯t be a war between us. I say then we prepare properly for the return of the Almighty. We start to create lands in our own image. In his image.¡±


    ¡°It is perhaps just as well you killed Alexander, he and most certainly Eustace would have never allowed you to utter such nonsense.¡±


    Felix laughed suddenly, ¡°On that point Head Russell I will fully agree. I am rather certain they would not have.¡±


    ¡°And neither shall we.¡±


    Astor raised a hand, ¡°Wait, Russell. There is due procedure, he just like any of us will have his words brought to a vote. Then are there any in favour of Balduin keeping the island as it is?¡±


    First Bourbon, then Li and finally the Merovingian raised their hands. Though he gave no sign of it, Felix was pleased that at least some of his peers regarded his acquisition as a valuable one.


    Deep down he could not have expected anything other than what was taking place.


    ¡°So it is three to nine, and with that we are decided. Head Balduin, you will retreat and retire from the Island and resign as King. Place who you wish as its Head. You are to return to the previous status and locale given to Balduin. Once you have done all of that we shall consider you free of any problems. When next we meet we expect all of this we have mentioned to have been implemented and finalised. Should it not¡­then we, the Concilium must intervene. No one Bloodline and no one man amongst us can go against the majority. Do as we have said and we shall consider you a true Head and member of our Concilium.¡±


    ¡°Then I am to throw away everything I have worked for?¡±


    ¡°Yes. And be glad we are giving you the opportunity to do so. Were your Family not so long lived we would not perhaps be so lenient.¡±


    (Despite their ruthlessness, it was generally a last resort of the Concilium to get rid of a Bloodline completely. With their numbers already so few they could ill afford to lose that few which they had. It was therefore far more preferred to remove any rebellious Heads in lieu of another of the same Family who was more in line with the thinking of the Concilium. Unfortunately for them with Alexander and Eustace dead, only Renal and Arisan remained as potential Heads. Neither of which would ever entertain the idea of going against their cousin.)


    Felix had to bite back his retorts, he had held out a strong hope that he might be able to convince enough of the others to his way of thinking. And at least that he would be able to keep Syrnat, under conditions given to him by the Concilium. The prospect of losing it and everything he¡¯d worked so hard to gain was a grave one.


    ¡°Then let us consider the matter decided. Head Balduin we shall have men sent over with you to ensure all runs smoothly. Should our assistance be needed in any way then know that we will not hesitate to answer.¡±


    Felix forced a smile and nodded at Astor¡¯s words, he knew exactly what kind of assistance Astor was referring to.


    ¡°Now then, let us move onto the Middle East. There remains much to be divided and secured before we can move further with our plans. Head Van Duyn, if you¡¯d please.¡±


    Felix maintained an interested appearance for the rest of the meeting. Though in truth he heard little and spoke nothing for the remainder. He raised his hands when others did and kept it down when others didn¡¯t. All of the discussion meant little to him.


    Syrnat was lost, the Concilium had made their decision. His dream, his Father¡¯s dream was at an end. Or so it seemed. And would have for most any man. Not Felix. Already he knew he would not be giving up Syrnat. It was his. So long as he breathed he would not relinquish it. Whatever the Concilium thought or believed none of them had been chosen, it was he and he alone who received the visions. It was he and he alone who would decide Syrnat¡¯s future.


    Felix did not wait around after the meeting. Though most of the other Heads remained to continue their own discussions in private, there was no obligation to do so. In fact, Felix was almost encouraged to make an early departure, receiving more than one indication that he should hurry home to begin the process of untangling himself and his Family from the Island. He had no problem doing so, from the moment they¡¯d confirmed that he must vacate what had been so hard won he was eager to return home. He would not give in of course, that was never an option.


    Strangely he felt somewhat relieved, since taking the island he had not been clear on what defined his next objective. He knew Syrnat was key, the island would be his fortress, his means of changing the world. But the Concilium had always loomed large, a constant shadow over all he did. He¡¯d spent his time pondering on how and what he could do to make them a part of his vision. Boarding his jet back for Syrnat it was now plain to see that the Concilium would play no part in his Syrnat. It made his goals all the more difficult, but that did not bother him, in the moment he¡¯d felt deflated, disappointed. Now he only felt a surge of energy. He would find a way, it would come to him, from his own mind or his visions, he had no doubt of it. If the Concilium did not want him, then he would do without. Felix Balduin. King. He was the true son of Adam. He had achieved two of his greatest goals in life. Gaining revenge for his father¡¯s murder, and the taking of Syrnat. Now he had his third and by far the most difficult. He closed his eyes and lay back in his seat as the jet took off.


    He would end the Concilium.