Morning sunlight fell across the Imperial palace of Askye in long bands of gold, touching marble pillars and bright banners embroidered with the crest of the Empire.
The palace was already alive.
Servants hurried through the corridors carrying trays and scrolls. The sentinels stood at every entrance, armed and watchful.
Today was the Lords' meeting. A meeting that seemed to hold a lot of tension.
The gathering held every few weeks whenever the Empire needed to discuss military matters, taxation, territory disputes, and security within the expanding lands of Askye.
And because the Empire had grown far larger than it once was, the attendance today was heavy.
The grand council chamber gleamed beneath the crystal chandeliers.
Rows of carved wooden seats curved around a raised platform where the Emperor would sit.
One after another, the Lords entered.
