Fractured

[Pillar of Creation]

Collin sat in a chair facing the window looking down on Liberty Square in his newly aquired palace. It wasn't as good as he deserved, but it would do until he was able to have better acomodations built. As he stared down at his men working around that hated statue "Spirit" he remembered the lowly messenger in the room with him.

"Go back to your king and tell him I will be there shortly to remove him from his throne."

The messenger stayed bowwed down with his head touching the floor.

"I said go and that meens now!"
Collin screamed at the pitifull man.

The messenger got up and ran out of the room at full speed nearly running into the door before he thought to open it.
It served the idiot right to be scared, he came to Altur'Rang to deliver a threat to Collin from King Luka.

"I am coming for you Emperor Collin.
My men will hang you up and remove
your gift one drop at a time. Surrender
and I may have a place for you to serve
under me in my kingdom, maybe as a privy
attendant."

Collin didn't usually respond to such threats from his lessers, but he was already planning on marching upon Lukas' lands.
Some commotion out at the base of the statue brought Collins attention back to the window. The barrels stacked around the base were starting to burn, it wouldn't be long now. He would have loved to destroy the statue himself, but some gifted had invested it with magic so other gifted couldn't damage it.
A loud explosion rang out over Freedom square, smoke billowed up from around the statue. As the smoke cleared away the ruins of Spirit laid around where it had once proudly stood.
His fist tightened around Odin as he gazed out, soaking up every detail. He would replace Spirit with something much better, he would replace it with his own master piece.

[Pillar of Creation]

"What do you think I should do to you?"
Collin asked the man shackled to the wall.
His head lolled to the side as he tried to recover his senses from the beating he had just recieved.

"I-I think you should give me a quick death."
The man had a hopeful look in his eyes.

"As I recall you intended to skin me alive. Now why should I do any less to you?"
A snake like smile grew on Collins face.
"You may not be gifted king Luka, but I think you will enjoy that death."

"No! You can't do this! I won-"
The look on Lukas' face grew more panicked as he rambled on.
Collin simply waved his hand throwing a gag of air into his mouth.

"I can do what ever I want Luka."
Collin explained calmly. He pulled a knife from the table and held it up before Lukas' eyes.
"You're probably thinking you will black out from the pain, but I asure that will not happen."
Collin slowly began to go about his grisly task.

[Pillar of Creation]

"We have found them sir"
Collins' fist tightened around Odin as he turned to regard High General Fergus.
"Where are they?"
"The last of the late King Lukas' army has penned itself up in the old fortress at Grafan Harbor."
A smile grew on Collins face.
"Why they have penned themselve up for us!"
High General Fergus looked uncomfortable as he waited.
"Is there anything else General?"
The General looked Collin right in the eye, he was one of the few men alive whom Collin respected.
"There is the very real possibility this is a trap sir."
Collins' ring finger tapped on Odin as he thought.
"I see what you meen, this could be a ruse to destroy our army in one swift blow. Do you have any sugestions General?"
High General Fegus stroked his corse beard in thought.
"If we were to have some gifted with us we could turn the tides against anything they throw at us."
"I will personally go with you."
"Emperor is that wise? You could be harmed, it's to much of a risk!"
High General Fergus was a gruff man, but he fretted over Collin like a mother over a new born child.
"General I assure you I will be quite safe during the battle, I will be bringing two loyal wizards along for support."
The General sighed in resignation.
"When do we leave Emperor Collin?"
"We leave at dawn, I need to make arrangements for my absence."
General Fergus turned to leave.
"Tell Liliana to come to me on your way out General."
"As you command."


****


Liliana Lanayru entered Collins office that over looked Liberty Square.
"You called Collin?"
Collin looked back from the window smiling.
"Liliana come here."
She crossed the room to his waiting embrace. He tenderly kissed he on the lips as he held her close. He ran a hand through he long golden blonde hair as he staired deeply into her ice blue eyes.
"I have a favor to ask you my Lily."
He whispered tenderly as he kissed near her ear. Her sweet smile grew on her face.
"Anything for you my husband."
"I must leave at dawn, rule in my absence."
She moaned as she used her power to push him away.
"You are off to do battle without me again aren't you?"
Collin put on his best guilty look.
"I could never bring you my Lily, I could not bare the thought of harm coming to you."
He used his power to pull her back to him.
"Stop it Collin, I want to be angry with you."
She made a mock attempt to fight him off. They both fell to the couch behind Collin.