[h1][center]Men who will volunteer to die[/center][/h1] [h3][center]January 1, 1500[/center][/h3] Getting off a horse somewhat obviously sore is a man dressed in some finery, many fine furs and some rich imported cloths, but also the several holy feathers in his fur cap denoting his Imperial rank. Proceeding away from the gates of the Palatial district and up the steps towards the Autokrator’s Southern Palace, he turns to have a look around. Beyond the walls and the gates is the hustle of the many plazas and their market activities, not to mention the grand forest of masts in the harbor. The man turns back and proceeds up the grand staircase into the Palace, decorated and imposing on the outside, formidable towers stick out of the main domed building showing it's presence for more than just Imperial inhabitantance. The exterior painted in broad blues on the central dome, but nothing compared to the interior so gaudy with wealth from bygone times it was almost humorous. [color=skyblue]"Right this way your Highness.”[/color] The Eunuch bowing to the proper degree of respect before turning his body to indicate the path forward to his scheduled meeting. Following from the entrance to go onto his audience. [color=skyblue]“Thank you, Petyra.”[/color] Grand Prince Akysveril Lindokar replied, very pleased he was able to remember the name of the Southern Palace’s Seneschal. As he begins walking he asks, [color=skyblue]“Is Uncle still meeting with the generals?”[/color] Continuing to lead through the labyrinth that was the Southern Palace’s layout, and attempting to avoid servants so as to prevent interruption of their duties, the Seneschal replies, [color=skyblue]“The Autokrator is indeed still meeting with several important officials your Highness. Among them are the Lord High General Jandur of Venfaren, the Colonel-Captain Azhishmar, War Leaders Jhaeros of the Umrannaes and Imizael of the Syltrisar, and Archcount Grigion of Venkhor Keep.”[/color] [color=skyblue]“Thank you Petyra.”[/color] Akysveril took a moment to prepare his next question, the conversation falling lax. [color=skyblue]“What is the Lord Venkhor doing this far West?”[/color] [color=skyblue]“Something to do with the Andraxi, I am led to believe your Highness.”[/color] Akysveril continued to test the Seneschal’s knowledge, even seeing if gossip just coming in as he left had already been heard, which it was, as they approached the meeting place. Voices could be heard, noticeably that of the Autokrator. [color=skyblue]“...that will be all Lord Venkhor, if anything happens inform me.”[/color] [color=skyblue]“I will your Imperial Majesty, however I do regrettably need to return to my holdings and cannot stay for a dinner.”[/color] said a voice presumably belonging to the Archcount Grigion, and confirmed as such as he stepped out of the door with an Elven War Leader in tow. He took a moment to recognize the Autokrator’s nephew in the hallway and after a few brief steps in which conversation reengaged back in the room spoke as he too bowed deeply, speaking as he rose. [color=skyblue]“Your Highness, I believe your Uncle wants you to meet someone. If you would excuse me your Highness?”[/color] [color=skyblue]“Thank you, you may go Lord Venkhor.”[/color] As the Archcount and his Elven ally escaped down the hall Akysveril prepared to enter the room and Petyra went in to whisper his arrival to the Autokrator, the conversation going on within. A hard voice belonging to the Lord High General Venfaren roared out in a rough bass, [color=skyblue]“We cannot rely of the natives for supply, it seems that we’ll use the troops in minor options until better supply can be established.”[/color] Petyra entered and began to whisper to the Autokrator. A younger voice belonging to the Colonel-Captain Azhishmar responded in a modulated tenor, [color=skyblue]“Indeed sir, I have discussed the matter with War Leader Jhaeros and we have come up with opportunities if you would approve them.”[/color] A raucous voice rang out from the Autokrator. [color=skyblue]“I’ll see him now Petyra”[/color] Akysveril laughed internally as he composed his face and waited for Petyra, you could never quite forget Uncle’s insistence of bombards usage in ceremonies. Petyra stepped out and bowing, gestured inward. Akysveril entered the room, and was immediately stuck by the difference. A large amount of the ornaments had, in some cases quite literally, been ripped from their holdings and been replaced by maps, an odd case considering that there was a war room in the palace. The Autokrator sat on a sturdy wooden chair, plain except for a few fur coverings, at a table in which two other chairs were positioned side by him, one was empty the other occupied by the Lord High General, facing the Colonel-Captain. Despite his wonderings Akysveril walked in the prescribed distance in front the Autokrator easily falling into, and out of at the gesture of his Uncle, the necessary prostration to the Autokrator. Akysveril spoke, [color=skyblue]“I serve as you command Uncle.”[/color] A snort then, [color=skyblue]“You never would do that when you were younger.”[/color] The Autokrator paused as if remembering something then spoke, [color=skyblue]“Akysveril I would like you to meet Colonel-Captain Azhishmar, future governor of our colonies in Ardire.”[/color] As the two clasped arms in greeting he continued. [color=skyblue]“He has read some of your Father’s treatises on governance and it would be best if you could give him some advice.” [/color] [color=skyblue]“Of course Uncle.”[/color] Akysveril grinning, dropping his earlier composure. [color=skyblue]“Go wherever Petyra says is open and speak about it, I have had enough of that talk for now.”[/color] As the Colonel-Captain and the Imperial Prince left, the Autokrator spoke, [color=skyblue]“Jandur, I left a note with your aide on who you need to yell at back in the capitol.”[/color] [color=skyblue]“I wondered why you had left the dance early.”[/color] [color=skyblue]“Jandur, I may be a fine example of many things, a paragon of dancing I am not.”[/color] A shared chuckle paused this temporarily before the end. [color=skyblue]“I know I mustn't keep you or Shialova will bring the palace down around me.”[/color] [color=skyblue]“Till I can return.”[/color] Nods and quiet echoing down the hall. Petyra steps in. [color=skyblue]“Petyra, I need a scribe to send a message for a summons for the Patriarch, I’ll need him for someone important.”[/color] [color=skyblue]“Of course your Imperial Majesty.”[/color] [hider=Highlights] ~New Governor of Ardire in the New World, Colonel-Captain Azhishmar ~Activity in the City of Venagorod as well as Imperial Presence there ~Easterners worry about the Andraxi ~Relations in the Imperial family [/hider]