FIFTY TWO: Saving Grace

Loyalty.

Kel's blind loyalty to the Mevani crown. 

Barclay's compulsory loyalty to his subordinates.

Dash's resolute loyalty to his duty.

The idea that a person would sacrifice everything for something they believed to be greater than themselves.

"What a useless concept," Kel scoffed, pressing firmly against the stone.

With a rumble, a portion of the wall slid back, revealing a small opening.

Kel took a deep breath, curling her fingers into her sweating palms. She kept her back to the emperor, refusing to let him see the torment she was sure was written all over her face, and stepped through.

The room was furnished with a single cot and small wooden table, on top of which a glowing lantern cast a dim orange light onto the walls and floor.

The only visible entrance to the room, not including the moving wall Kel had just entered from, was a large iron gate, sealed with a chain and padlock.