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« on: June 12, 2015, 04:06:37 PM »
Selenia stood outside of her Pavillion facing the freshly scarred battlements of Iato. Capital of the 'Ebony Vale.' A chuckle escaped against her will at the thought, mostly because she actually liked the bloody name, if not the circumstance under which it came about...
A cough from behind, her majordomo, warned her that Lady Sandlakes was had arrived. It gave Selenia much needed time to smoother her mirth and don her serious face, her imperial face. The Empress listened as the Lady's footsteps approached, old senses reaching out and wrapping about the on-comer as she stopped and curtsied.
Without turning, or even taken her eyes from Iato, the Empress held out her hand to the side where her majordomo produced the green-velvet cushion upon which laid the heavy gold Tribune's Chain and Seal of Office. He placed it in the Empress's hands and bowed away as to remain unobtrusive.
"This-" the Empress began, "-is heavy for a reason, you know. I had it crafted that way for a reason, to remind its wearer of the burden of the wealth and power that come with the position." If Lady Sandlakes was surprised by her Empress dropping the Imperial 'We' in favor of something more intimate, she did not show it. The Empress carried on.
"I am trying to build a true empire here, Lady Dragul. One built on tradition, laws, with its bricks mortared by ambition and painted with grandeur. And who ever heard of a single-city 'Empire'?" She finished half-mockingly, staring almost accusingly at Iato. "As Tribune, you will not only serve as the banker for my Empire, which is important enough in and of itself. You will also be the key representative and Speaker for the Imperial Senate. You will poll the morale and opinions of the realm and advise me of them, you will represent the concerns of the lessor lords and nobles, whispering into my ear, and you will advise me on how to deal with issues both at home and abroad. With this Seal-" She held out the heavy chain and dropped the Seal from her palm, letting catch the first rays of the morning sun as it dangled, swaying in the breeze. "-With this Seal, you will be the third most powerful person in my government after myself and my Praetor, whom I will name my heir. It is a great deal of responsibility, and future generations will rely on the precedent you set..."
Selenia finally broke eye-contact with Iato to look over her shoulder at KatalynFae, a sly smile creeping onto her weathered, but youthful face as her body turned also to extend the Seal of the Tribune to the young ambassador.
"Last chance to turn and run?"
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