He rose from the throne.
The movement was unhurried, the Emperor descending from the dais with the measured pace of a man who had said what needed saying and saw no reason to linger over the saying of it further.
He looked at Jolthar from the corner of his eye. His emotions were well hidden, but it was obvious that he held little fondness for him.
He walked from the hall through a side passage reserved for imperial use, and his departure seemed to release something in the room, a held tension finally permitted to dissolve.
Empress Mandaqini grit her teeth, glaring at Jolthar and she turned on her heel, following the Emperor shortly after.
The prime minister smirked at Jolthar, showing his hostility directly. Fatler departed more slowly, his thin frame moving with the unhurried care of a man recalculating an entire strategy on the walk back to his chambers.
Other ministers left next.
