[center][h2]Sapiliezen Hill - Northwestern Threll - Poor District[/h2][/center]

[center][h3]Sometime in the morning[/h3][/center]

Black clouds bellowed off in the southwest side of the city, and the Emperor stared through red and yellow stained glass at the early factory forges, hammering away at metals to make anything from door hinges to wheel axles. He just stared at the deepening clouds of soot that flowed freely from cement and stone towers that held themselves high upon the southern half of the river. It was disgusting to look at, but sadly, in the ancient days, the south was a beautiful view that some ancient ancestors loved to stare at. He hated it, the north was now beauty, but the far side of the valley was not his anymore, yet it was beautiful nonetheless. 

Emperor Theltavious VII slipped into a purple robe as he looked down at the fallen roof of what used to be a council room, the largest part of the building. It was now full of workers removing anything reusable, and every once in a while a rotten corpse. It was a slow and horrid process and he hated the ugliness of it. He already had a plan to make it beautiful once again. Glass roofing with dark stone and timber supports with ancient stones covered beautiful flora, not the previous flowery vines that he found out were poisonous, but something simple, maybe grape vines. Regardless, he had something to do today didn't he? Well someone would tell him eventually. 

The robe fit him well, and he sighed, remembering most of his staff was killed in some unfortunate accident, so that meant he had to go down to the kitchen and retrieve something for himself, specially since he had awaken early, or at least by himself. He knew there were maybe three servants left, and he remembered a guests were meant to come as well as others meant to council him. He had dodged a coup, only to be left with no one who knew how to do anything. Oh, there was meant to be an arms trader; no, there were other things that had to be dealt with first his breakfast, second, his artist's supplies, and third, maybe second breakfast. 

Opening his own door, he looked at where the head of the servants was supposed to be, there was not one. Argamei assumed that he would have to appoint a new one, or hopefully be given another. He looked down the hallway both ways, it was empty but for a large armored man walking down it. He knew who it was, and that man scared him senseless. 

He slunk down the hallway and down another and another. He saw many things, well the lack of them, primarily people, artwork, armors, and the eventual broken or splintered door. It was almost two years since that happened, yet few things had been fixed. He looked inside one of the broken doors and saw a once-occupied room, likely some old nobles' room; stacks of leather chests and wood crates littered the floor. He didn't see any heraldry or semblance, but it was something besides almost desolate walls in what was meant to be a palace. It turned out more like a crumbling ruin of a fortress than anything. 

HEading down a semi-spiral of stairs to the next floor down, he came upon a large hall, yet again empty there were at least a few modest banners that hung from different points in the room, but a single one hung over the two cases of stairs at the head of the room where he was. At the foot was a large door, one of the few things that had been refurbished, but that is because the people had to look upon the far side of it. Few people made it past anymore, mostly just himself and the servants. 

He opened the door, and peered inside to the next hall, there were a few people there, a servant, and an Elvan woman, she was not from these lands, and he expected her to be from some faraway land to assist or advise those beneath him how to do their jobs. It was a bit of a fault in his own mind, letting another people do what he should find someone to do, but the lacking of people in the room proved he needed the assistance, after all most of the ones who had any idea of what they were doing were dead, and thankfully not at his hands. 

It was fate, and although he could use something to eat to satiate his morning routine, it would have to go. The door that was opened creaked loudly, it was made that way, and whomever had constructed it should be hanged the Emperor thought. He was in a glorified bedrobe of silk, with only a modest bolstering of fur and down. The servant moved to his side, and bowed before approaching.

"I will fetch you a cloak your Magesty." the younger man said before scurrying off, and a few others did similar gestures of respect to the Emperor, there should be someone announcing him, but the door did that well, he would have to make up for that later. But at that time, he had a few guests that likely wanted to speak with him, or at least someone to resonate their problems, or suggestions with. 

There was no right hand, no advisor; he needed another one of those in due order, but at this moment, the other one he had was found to be incompetent, even more than himself; at least he tries to make things beautiful and bearable for his people, or so he thinks. 

"I am Emperor Theltavious the VII, if you have requests for me, feel free to line yourselves up, and present your needs and findings in an ordered manner. Please do not cut in each others way, and be civil about it." There is no way this could go wrong; there were maybe twelve people in total in the room, three guards, four if you count the hulk in the corner, two servants, and one fleeing to retrieve something. The rest were just nobles, for the most part; the one oddity was the elf that he saw. It wasn't uncommon, but at the moment, it was kinda uncommon, especially in his court. He did get some from the city far in the south but that was besides the point.

While in thought, he saw that several had started a squabble, well most of them started a squabble for the first spot. It would be best to wait this out he thought

[hr]

"Madam, I suggest you wait... Seeing as you're here, enjoy yourself." a man in a long gray and brown robe said quietly; it was the uniform of those who were in servitude, "I've not had to deal with the upfront business until now. But, most come from the north and have lived here since... Two were once Dukes, and one was a count. The rest are barons or land-lords of some kind, oh... the one fighting the Dukes was once a general." 

The man smiled at Myrrhis, "Is there anything I can get you while you wait?"  his head bowed some as he awaited a response.