Eduard and Cromwell

["Ben Stansberry" <britishben@hotmail.com>]

Greetings,
     Here is a little scene between Eduard, father of Emperor Erich, and 
Cromwell. Nice little scene with a well hidden subtext. Enjoy

~Cromwell



Hall of Emperors -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)

      This expansive hall is a literal museum of nine millennium and two 
centuries of Corrino Rule of the Known Universe. Some of the pieces date 
back to the reign of Saudir The Great (12 B.G. - 70 A.G.). An almost life 
size portrait of SAUDIR, perhaps even an original oil, hangs on the North 
wall of the great hall, facing the Marble Archway as if carefully surveying 
the petitioners to the Lion Throne as they await recognition. The High 
Imperial SASH, worn by Corrin XIV throughout his reign is displayed 
prominently along the West wall. Among the badges affixed to the SASH are 
the Grand Order of Corrin, the High Order of the Imperium and the Order of 
the Seas along with colorful trappings and ribbons. The SWORD of Elrood V is 
perfectly preserved and on display along the East wall of the chamber.

Players:
Eduard

Exits:
Vaulted Archway <E> leads to Imperial Selamlik -- Imperial Palace 	(Kaitain)
Carved Doors <NE> leads to The Imperial Embassies and High Imperial 	Offices 
-- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)
Low Archway <N> leads to Cloisters -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)
Carved Doors <NW> leads to The Saudir I Memorial Grand Library of the 
	Imperium -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)
Marble Archway <W> leads to Eastern Wing -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)

Eduard stands before the Sword of Elrood V, studying the weapon in its 
display case. His hands are held behind his back, and his gaze is intent.

Cromwell enters from the Embassy rooms, quietly going over a file. Seeing 
the Prince he makes his way over and offers a bow, "Your highness, I was 
unaware that you had returned to Kaitain. What a pleasant surprise."

Eduard stands quietly a long moment, then he turns to the Chancellor and 
opines, "Chancellor, do you know what Elrood V said, just before he died?"

Cromwell blinks, then offers a slight smile. Given the Chancellor's 
education it is likely that he does, but let's see where the Prince is going 
with this..."I am sorry your highness, I do not"

Eduard says, "He had conquered seventy planets in three spiral arms. He used 
the sword in that case to personally behead the leader of the resistance to 
his Sardaukar. And he said 'the one world he never conquered was the one 
inside him."

Cromwell nods, taking on an introspective look, "Ones own passions are 
always the most difficult to master. As a fellow mentat I am sure you 
remember the training along those lines. Amongst those not so trained I 
would imagince the task near impossible."

Eduard nods. He says quietly, "Elrood was a Sardaukar. Such men are capable 
of anything."

Cromwell squints a bit, as he nods slowly, "Indeed highness, if it is one 
thing that my service here over the past five years has taught me above all 
else, it is that one should never underestimate that of which a Sardaukar is 
capable. Especially when he has the necessary motivation."

Eduard gives a gentle, but sad smile. "Perhaps we can attribute that to 
their upbringing."

Cromwell says, "If I may your highness, it has been my observation that 
despite a parent's best intentions, after a certain point a child forges his 
own path. Indeed, in the case of a Sardaukar I would venture that the 
training itself destroys whatever nobility the parent wished to instill in 
favor of ruthless cunning."

Eduard studies Cromwell a moment. "Has it been five years already, 
Chancellor? I had forgotten." As if a mentat could ever forget anything. 
"How far you've come! I'm sure you're as invaluable to my son as you were to 
my brother."

Cromwell offers a slight shrug, "I am a tool, and I perform my duties. As 
for my value, a tool is only valuable in relation to how well it performs 
its work. I flatter myself to think that I have been found useful and 
therefore have value, and I trust that when I am judged no longer useful 
that a new tool shall be found."

Eduard nods. "Ah yes. The Imperial civil servant's handbook, page 2. But 
surely your legacy will be greater, my lord Chancellor."

Cromwell cracks a wane smile, "May you live in interesting times', as the 
ancient curse says. I have certainly had the fortune to do just that, though 
I shudder to think what historians might make of my tenure so far. A 
unsupervised conflict, rampaging Sardaukar, crazed Mentats assaulting the 
Emperor's betrothed, and my piece de resistance...the assassination of an 
Emperor under my charge. Quite a record I have amassed so far, though I 
thank your highness for his kind words."

Eduard says flatly, "I find my business on Kaitain may keep me here some 
time, my lord. I trust I am not imposing on the Emperor's hospitality by 
simply dropping in, of course. There is a wealth of information here that 
only Kaitain can supply for my researches into historical matters. My son 
has already told me, with his Sardaukar confidence, that my 'lust' for 
information will prove my undoing. I must agree, I have always found lust 
the most dangerous of all emotions."

Cromwell furrows his brow, "Indeed, highness. I wonder though, if one lusts 
after righteousness is it still a sin?"

Eduard says, "Righteousness? Sin? My lord, this is the Palace, not the 
Cathedral. Such words have no place here, surely."

Cromwell replies in the same flat tone just exhibited by Eduard, "What is 
the government if not the cathedral of the people, your highness? Perhaps 
the introduction of the words 'sin' and 'righteousness' into these halls 
would do us /all/ some good?"

Eduard indicates the sword in the display case. "Sir. I believe it was 
Elrood who said that God is on the side of the biggest lasguns. My house is 
built on such a foundation, and your service to that house is demonstrably 
on similar grounds."

Cromwell says, "Is your highness familiar with the historical figure, Thomas 
More? When More was presented with the offer of entering the service of King 
Henry VIII he debated on whether it was possible for a good man to serve the 
government. He came to the conclusion that good men not only can serve their 
liege, but in fact are obligated to do so if for no other reason but to 
temper the injustices that an evil ruler might perpetrate. Your highness, 
invokes God upon the side of the biggest lasguns..well your highness, if I 
may, I take it as my duty to do my best to help aim them so as to cause the 
least damage."

Eduard inclines his head slightly, lips tightly pursed. He seems to be 
actually smiling, to the Chancellor's Mentat-trained senses, although you 
have to look close. "More was an ancient mentat of House Tudor, I believe. 
If I had not abdicated the throne, my lord, I could ask for no better 
conscience than that."

Cromwell bows his head, "Your highness does me great honor."

Eduard doesn't respond to that. "With such detailed knowledge of matters 
historical, you may be able to assist me in my researches, my lord. Might we 
exchange views on such matters? I would consider it a great favor. I feel 
certain your contributions would be invaluable." He gestures at the 
surroundings as if in apology. "This is hardly a proper venue, but I might 
visit your chambers with my notes some evening?"

Cromwell offers an actual smile, "I would enjoy that very much, your 
highness. Truth be told, there are few here at the palace with which I can 
hold an enjoyable conversation. I look forward to offering your highness 
what ever assistance I can."

Eduard gives a lazy nod. "I believe I shall look in on the na-Empress, my 
lord."

Cromwell bows formally, "It was a pleasure, your highness."

_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Dune III Readers Mailing List (dune3-readers@fremen.org)
This list is unmoderated. To unsubscribe, email majordomo@fremen.org
with 'unsubscribe <listname>'. For help, mail majordomo@fremen.org
with 'help <listname>' in the message.