Rememberer Dio’sh trembled with gnawing anticipation as he waited for his personal audience alone with the Mage-Imperator.

The supreme Ildiran ruler was the closest thing to a living god the race could imagine. Though he rarely left the confines of his Prism Palace, the Mage-Imperator could sense every Ildiran, regardless of kith, though he could directly communicate only with his Designates. Even so, Dio’sh had discovered that some terrible knowledge remained hidden even from the great leader.

The rememberer knew he must reveal his appalling discovery to the Mage-Imperator. A historical cover-up, lies, conspiracies … horrific events hidden and rewritten from the dawn of the empire. The benevolent leader would know what to do with the unbelievable information.

Frightened by what he had learned, Dio’sh had at first considered telling his comrade Vao’sh, but after a nightmarish sleep period during which he tossed restlessly, the young rememberer at last determined that this matter was important enough to bring directly to the Mage-Imperator’s attention. A mere historian could not make such momentous decisions by himself.

He had gone through protocol officers and bureaucrats and was surprised to be granted access so quickly. Through the thism, the Mage-Imperator must feel the urgency of the rememberer’s secret.

Waiting outside the chambers, Dio’sh held a bundle of the fragments, journals, and eyewitness records he had retrieved from the hidden vault deep in the labyrinth below. It was all the proof he needed. History itself would change after today, and the responsibility felt enormous.

He felt the lobes of his face flush through a range of colors as stormy emotions crossed his mind. No historian could keep his feelings hidden, and now Dio’sh’s face was a bonfire of emotions.

The muscled bodyguard Bron’n blocked the entrance to the Mage-Imperator’s private contemplation chamber, unimpressed with the young rememberer’s anxiety. The ferocious-looking fighter had a purpose to serve, and he was not interested in whatever news Dio’sh might bring.

With a deep-throated grunt, Bron’n finally stepped aside and gestured toward the opening door. The guard spoke memorized words in a gruff voice, as if uncomfortable reciting the bureaucratic language. “The Mage-Imperator is pleased to grant access to one of his valued rememberer subjects and is eager to hear your matter of great importance.”

Dio’sh wondered why the Mage-Imperator had not chosen to have his advisers there to listen to what he had to say. This revelation was world-shaking! On the other hand, perhaps this was a matter best kept between the two of them for now. The Mage-Imperator might want to consider his response without a dozen assistants chattering their advice. Dio’sh drew a deep breath and entered the dazzling contemplation chamber, trying to calm the colors on his face.