533 A Tiger's Call Part 3

"If that is what must be done." The Emperor replied curtly. He had the same hardness of his father and for that, a crisp cool hand landed across his cheek leaving fire in its wake. The Empress closed a quivering, reddening palm.

"Your own sister was murdered by those thoughts. Your father drug an innocent young woman he forced to his bed to the palace. He MADE her his queen. Then while she was pregnant with your sibling he abandoned her and took her life because she had a second form, a monkey form. The bloodshed must stop. I will stand for no more of it. My last act as Empress before I name an heir will be to free these people of their Mark's so they may go as they please." Empress Vivian's sudden outburst was enough to silence anyone who wished to question her. She never raised a hand, she was always controlled but this was the second time she mentioned Ravia today. They had no intention of pushing her further. The silence grew thick enough to choke on and Kyera felt her people's uncertainty. She stepped forward to speak on their behalf.

"Thank you, Empress Vivan. Ravia's family will be pleased to know she was not forgotten. Though this land is no longer our home, we appreciate the welcome." Kyera smiled as she spoke, wistful and sad. There were some murmurings from the table but no one seemed to want to speak up. Then Third Princess Melania cleared her throat.

"Oh? Why is that?" Melania spoke up honestly concerned now. Kyera turned and smiled at her a touch nervously. This was a delicate topic, after all they did not know the secret of the Gypsies.

"I mean that the only shifters left in this country are Marked, The Dark Ones, and a few of my personal guards. Shifter kind have always stayed to the shadows and lived in the forest while some worked in the village most stayed to the wood. When things became unsafe for us, the shifters were forced to abandon the Bazaar and take refuge elsewhere. " Kyera explained and the men and women at the door were slowly melting back into the shadows and going back to their duties.

"I see, but why is the forest suddenly unsafe? Hasn't it always been their home?" Empress Vivian asked settling back in her chair. Kyera struggled for a moment trying to find a tactful way to speak.

"Kyera, didn't you say those bodies you burned were killed by the Dark Ones? Because they wouldn't join the cause?" Lalia asked curiously and Kyera smiled gratefully. She was starting to feel weakened by the stress.

"I never knew such a battle was happening while I was at war. Did any of you, brothers?" Damar asked, his expression rather unnerved.

"No, and you wouldn't have. Up until recently the Forest guard has been enough to contain it. However once he turned there was nothing we could do." Kyera replied with a tired smile. It was clear she was nearing her limit.

"That is a pity." The Emperor seemed genuinely saddened at the thought.

"They need no pity." Queen Kira tried to sooth her husband while also throwing a subtle cut at Kyera.