[b]Lentia[/b]

A week before the meeting was scheduled with the new emperor, Canalis has already made his way to the embassy in Lentia, along with his sizeable entourage of dancers and musicians, two Merchant Princes looking to profit from his arrival and a small squad of Scaleguards to assure his protection. This was his 4th time in the capital, and it never ceased to amaze Canalis just how different northern cultures were to his own. From the foundation upon which the buildings were built upon to the way people of all social classes dressed, it was all an invigorating feeling to learn about the culture that finally ended the Age of Strife. Thought his last visit was nearly 10 years ago, he still vividly remembered the main square.

He spent most of the time in Lentia exploring the town's historical sites, but he the last two days he moved to the market, where he accompanied the two young Merchant Princes from Markath. Appereantly, they would be staying in the city for several weeks, bringing with them a huge surplus of supplies that they have failed to seel on a previous occasion, and were looknig to finally turn them into profit. They were quite the lively company to be around, but Canalis would have to cut short their meeting on the last day, as a messenger arrived to summon him to the royal palace. He bid fareweel to the merchants, and then departed to meet the new emperor with his own eyes, full of hope that the friendly relations between the throne and the sultanate will continue to last.

[hr]

Canalis entered the throne room with only two of his Scaleguards on his side. Ever since the golden age of Saqquar, these fiersome woman have been the guardians of the royal families, their fanatical devotion and their training in counter-espionage and archery making them excellent bodyguards. This time they didn't carry their bows, only their shortswords were hanging from their side. They followed Canalis deeper into the throne room, their piercing gazes scanning around the room from within their ceremonial hijabs.

Finally, Canalis reached the other delegates and took his place beside them to greet the new Emperor. Clearly, the two others have already greeted the king before him, and he wasted no more time waiting idly by.

He kneeled before the throne down to one leg, and he held his right hand over his heart. His eyes were fixated on the new boy emperor, and he kept his eye contact as he bowed ever so slightly before the emperor. 

[color=fff200]"Your Majesty, I am here on behalf of the Grand Province of Saqquar to pay our respects and help you follow in the footsteps of your father. Gasto Canalis, at your service."[/color]

Canalis stood up from his position, and turned away from the emperor to take a quick glance at the other delegates. He could immideatly distinguish the Galmhese delegation from their silver breastplates and their oddly blue chainmail. He briefly remembered something about the extraordinary skill of these guardsmen, and he noted down that he needs to put his own Scaleguards in a friendly dual against theirs.

The other party however, he had trouble identifying. Thought their luxurious clothes were a big giveaway, he could not remember the name of their province for the love of the 12 Halconics. Finally, after some thought, he established that they must be from Sinverland: the only other province, the name of which he heared regularly from the 2 Merchant Princes that accompanied him.

Canalis wasn't too concerned as he examined the deleagtes. Both of the provinces lay far to the north, their impact on Saqquar was minimal both economically and politically. However, they could prove to be useful allies in the future if they can establish the friendly relations during their stay in the imperial palace. In the event that they need to be pursued about the benefical nature of this friendship, he decided that closely inspecting the way they behave is a great way to gain the upper hand in future conversations. After all, this is nothing more than a battle fought with words, and he has never lost a battle before. Canalis motioned with his hand beside his waist for his guards to come closer, and he spoke up in a formal Saqquar tounge to adress them quietly.

[color=fff200]"Stay close and watch the advisors closely. No action should go unnoticed by your eyes, or be kept from my ears."[/color] The didn't say a thing, but Canalis knew that they got the message.