Neil stepped forward once the emperor was finished with his speech, and while he stood in front of him, he did not stand directly in front of him. The more observant persons would see that he positioned himself so his shadow was cast away from the ruler. He once again bowed, and offered the prayer, "May the tower's shadow be lifted from your house."

Shadows are very prominent in the lore of the moon, and hold many different meanings depending on array of different factors which most people outside of the Lunan church would be clueless of, however most people would recognize the tower's shadow from old wives tales or ghost stories as an ill-omen, though most would belief it to either be metaphorical or superstitious. 

He stood before the king, and paused carefully picking out the words he wished to use, however it is was likely the king already knew what he was going to say. The Church of Luna made it no secret that they believed the moon shield Serenity was by all rights the property of the church, and that it was a most sacred relic. "I have no need for wealth for this task. The signs have shown me I am unlikely to survive this ordeal, and even if I did, I have given up the gold of the nobility and it is not something I miss. I ask that when my task is complete, the holy relic Serenity will be returned to the Church of the Moon."