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« on: May 26, 2013, 03:22:28 AM »
The Hollow Palace
A clap of thunder struck out from the skies over Agyr, and a freezing rain burst forth and beat down on the canopies; Queen Maya stood outside the Golden Palace, overseeing the loading of an endless pile of chests into the caravan. State effects, seals, documents, ancient artifacts, dresses, jewelry, weapons; chests of all shapes and sizes were heaved onto carts by retainers, teeth chattering in the unbearable weather. The rain ran off the canopy over Maya's head and splashed down at her boots. She was in her leather sparring gear, but the midwives had banned her from any terse exercise by now. It was by now obvious that the lithe girl was with child. A mother's instinct burned in her eyes; her left hand rested on the hilt of her blade, eyes scanning the horizon for surprises.
The city was quiet; the fires from Imperatrix Kalixta's scourging a grim reminder of the things to come. In the courtyard outside the Palace, Maya saw an old woman on her hands and knees, weeping and bemoaning the Melite exodus. Two young men, probably her sons, watched helplessly; after a bit they helped her to her feet and out of the rain. Vertigo overcame her and she walked back inside.
The Palace was empty. Banners of Melhed still hung for now, and servants flitted about with the final preparations for the move, but the whole place felt dead to her. Yeux was gone. The good feelings of the earlier age were gone. Now there was loss and discontentment.
Maya retreated to her parlor, where all that remained was a divan and a small table with a bowl of fruit. She collapsed on the divan and waved off the attendants. She prayed a simple nap would set the whole world back on track, and so she dozed off, in the silent, emptying palace.
A Rude Awakening
Maya woke from her nap abruptly, her steward shuffling in, flanked by a wall of wide-eyed guards.
"A rebellion, Your Majesty! Lord Claudius has roused the city calling, for the end of the Serpentis dynasty!" he cried out. The Queen stared at him in shock for a moment, then got to her feet and rushed off to the palace gates, accompanied by the steward, guards, and handmaidens begging her to slow down for the baby's sake. She said nothing.
She stepped out under the canopy and heard a symphony of disorder in the distance, harmonizing ominously with the beating freezing rain. Her nostrils flared and she licked her lips like a bloodthirsty wolf ready to feast. Maya pointed at the caravan of wagons with state effects; "Form a barricade. Have archers line the palace steps and shoot down any rebel that approaches the palace. Guards, slay anyone that breaks through. I don't want prisoners."
She turned around and walked back into the Palace, heading for the Throne Room, hand firmly on sword-hilt. Entering the chamber like a hurricane, flanked by the bustling guards and panicked handmaidens, she drew her sword and sat on the throne, resting the razor-sharp tip on the floor. "Steward, take a letter. We'll muster the loyalists here."
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) brings me back to the main prison page. Is this a known bug or something new? This started last turn and persisted through the night turn.