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[h2][b]The port…[/b][/h2]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/aLKv13e.jpg[/img]
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“It is time.”

Ubagai Wakuno was smiling before he even heard the words spoken by one of his companions. For he knew it was time. The fireworks had stopped and it was a few short breaths after that the great gong of the Ruby Palace could be heard announcing the coming forth of the Emperor and thus came the observation of the man at Wakuno’s right side. 

Wakuno and three other men, all three Folk, stepped off from the small boat on which they had arrived at the riverside port of Bianwei. The three Folk wore tightly fit deep gray and white robes and their faces were cowled by white cloth veils. Wakuno was clad very differently in robes as black as night with a flowing cape and hood draped about him. On his face was a blood red mask bearing the visage of an Oni - a dreadful giant yaoguai. The four had not moored their boat at one of the empty piers but rather pulled alongside a small fishing vessel and now stood on its single deck. They did not tie their boat to the side of the fishing vessel but rather left it to drift free as they would not need it anymore. They watched as a night guard passed by, a burly Folk with a bald head and a greasy black beard. In his left hand a small lantern to light his patrol and in his right hand a polished spear. Once he was out of sight the four whisked across the deck of the fishing boat and then onto the pier with short hops over the waterline. They quickly ducked into an alley between two storehouses and, satisfied they were out of sight, slowed their pace as they plodded in towards the heart of the city.

The gong had stopped as by now most all of Bianwei had heard it. Word would soon spread to the outer reaches that the Emperor was about to make an appearance and this would draw the masses in towards the Ruby Palace. After darting across an empty pathway on the far side of the alley Ubagai Wakuno and his fellows shimmied up the side of a small house. They knew the streets would only be fuller the closer in they went. From here they would speed themselves across the rooftops all the way as they headed for their destination - the palace. 

The four relied on the closeness of the buildings as Bianwei was a massive city. That said some gaps would be wider than others, too wide to jump over. Of course for those so trained as these men there were always alternate routes - such as swinging on a tapestry, bounding over still carriages, and balancing across beams and ropes. Some buildings if too high could be climbed by using windows, eaves, and balconies as footholds and platforms for ascent. The four stayed close together as they closed the distance between them and the Ruby Palace, the endless sea of moving people beneath them oblivious to those above them, as well as those among them.

“Most of our brothers are among the masses, yes?” asked one of the men as he hoisted himself over the edge of a rooftop to stand with the others, the four stopping to take a short breath.

“Yes,” Wakuno said, voice oily, “but there are others who have taken to the heights as we have. Have you seen them?”

“No, Brother.” came the reply.

“Good,” Wakuno grinned behind his glaring red mask, “if you did then they would be unworthy of being here.”

Wakuno turned to face the towering Ruby Palace his unseen eyes filled with both hate and anticipation. They were nearly there, just four large buildings between them and the home of the Emperor. Tonight all of the plans laid by he and his masters would bear their fruit. His brothers, hundreds of them, even now all sifted among the people of this cesspool of a city and awaiting one signal. With that one signal Wakuno would steal away the plot of history itself, with that one signal Wakuno would change Karitu, Yongcun, and all the other lands of the known world forever. With that one signal he would announce the end of Emperor Xiao Shang’s life and the fall of his wretched dynasty.

“Come,” Wakuno said, voice laced with a murderous eagerness, “just ahead. They are waiting for us.”


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[center][h2][b]Imperial Square…[/b][/h2][/center]

As [url=https://i.imgur.com/UZFCY24.png]Emperor Xiao Shang[/url] reached the top of the grand podium in the Imperial Square the cheers grew even louder than they had been when the Emperor's litter first began it's slow descent down the stairs, flanked by a procession of Imperial Guard clad in red plumes and cowls. The fireworks had ceased as had most all of the fanfare of Wan Yue. When the gong had first rang and the calls went out the people had all came surging forth in a tidal wave of bodies, pushing and shoving as they rushed to lay their eyes upon the Emperor, descendant of the mighty Xiao Hui and all of his successors. 

As the litter was placed at the foot of the large platform the Imperial Guard had formed a shield wall around the square and pushed back the onlookers, keeping them at bay to protect His Majesty. The only ones who stood close to the platform was the Imperial Council in full as well as a number of royal title holders, including Sword Master Keola - the renowned Zauri warrior towering over the predominantly Folkish court and surrounding guards. 

Every window, doorway, and balcony in sight was crowded out by the subjects of the Eternal Empire as was every standing space encircling the square. The cheers, shouts, and excited jabber was dying down as the crowd collectively began to hush itself to hear the Emperor speak - His Majesty now raising his arms out in a gesture of embrace.


“My people,” the Emperor's words carrying filling every mind and heart with a rush, “I smile upon what I see here this night. It is warming to my heart to see you all gathered here in this magnificent city together. I smile as I fill my eyes and soul with the jubilance and joy of your revelry and celebration here. The spring and summer moons have passed and here tonight we welcome forth the harvest moons and the coming winter moons.”

The Emperor gave a pause, the crowd filled with murmurs and nods, many up close stood on their toes to see over the shields and helms of the tight ranks of the Imperial Guard. At the back of the crowds and in the streets there was still a constant pressing of people, both those from the outskirts and recent arrivals, here to at least see their Emperor if not hear his addressing of Wan Yue. Emperor Xiao Shang knew himself that many would not see or hear him, but he still saw no harm in prolonging his presence for those last ones who might.

He began again, “Drink deeply, feast well, and take pleasure in the boons and bounties of our great Empire that are present here this night. Let your heart grow tender and comforted in knowing that those who are not here in Bianwei are still blessed by the spirit and joys of Wan Yue, the blessings of home and hearth know no distance. But in your celebration this night do not forget what the true spirit of Wan Yue is…”

The crowd pushed as close as they could, some people pressed against the shields of the guard who in turn gave hard shoves back - to little mind. Nearby Regent Jia Chong stood beaming from ear to ear, eyes back and forth between the crowd and the Emperor. The regent had little fear of crowds but for some reason he suddenly felt some pang of unease. After a moment he pushed it aside as mere nervousness and retrained his focus on His Majesty’s address. Everything was looking to be splendid.

“Wan Yue is where brother and sister, parent and child, and neighbor and friend all come close. To share in their thanks for the fruits of the harvest and for the company of their kin. We the peoples of the Eternal Empire all have much to appreciate and we take this day - this night - and the coming ones to show our appreciation. But even then, there is more still to Wan Yue…”