Chapter 159: The Imperial Court

It had been years since Simon had last stood in this hall, yet even though he had seen the court before, its splendor managed to leave him breathless each and every time that he returned. 

How could one not be astounded by the sheer beauty of the place. Built right up against the south wall of the palace, the wall was covered in enormous glass panels, that stretched from roof to floor, allowing a clear view of the ocean beyond.

The other three walls were of stone, a deep dull red and color, that took in the heat of the shining  sun and warmed the room, shielding those within from the chill that was ever present this far south. 

While the stone of the walls was beautiful, it wasn't so beautiful that it would leave one lost for words, no, it was the carving that covered each of the stone walls. 

The artisans who had lain the stones had created an mural by carving the stones, and gold had been inlaid into all the grooves, so when the warm light of the sun flooded the rooms, the walls glimmered, as if on fire. All the carved beasts within the murals appearing to dance.

The floor was a fine ceramic tile, enchanted so that the tile patterns constantly shifted and swam about, dancing all around the feet of those who walked through the hall.

The roof rose up, impossibly high, and if one craned their neck to look upwards they would discover one of the most beautiful sights, even within the Imperial Palace, already so filled with wonder and beauty.

Upon the roof, the famed artist Rulaad had painted the figures of the founding mother and father of the empire, their names now lost to history, yet their images so clear on the roof above.

They had been painted facing each other, a complex look that seemed to communicate both great joy and despair within their eyes, as they faced off, a weapon in one hand.

The male figure held a sword, and brandished it high in the air, clad in nothing but a simple robe. His other hand, lowered, held a small bundle of wheat.

The woman, in a similar pose, brandished a spear, the tip pointed at the throat of the male, 

While her other hand held a bunch of grapes. Many made guesses to what the paintings represented, but none had come up with a definitive answer. 

The simple robes of the figures above were the complete opposite of the sheer opulence below.

The descendant of the two figures upon the throne was currently seated on an exquisite throne, his back to the southern wall, so that one could not directly look at him without the sun glaring against their eyes. The light creating a sort of halo around his silhouette.

Simon knew that this was intentional, even a ridiculously powerful man such as the Emperor wanted to throw his enemies off as much as possible, and keeping them uncomfortable when they visited his Court would do much for that purpose.

"It has been a long time Scholar Piatt, where have you been? My evenings at court have been so droll without you." A silky voice called out, and Simon immediately turned back to the throne and bent his head in deference. The glaring light meant that he could only make out the hints of a golden robe and a pair of fine leather boots that were worn by the Emperor.

"Your Imperial Majesty. I managed to stumble across a particularly intrigued set of ruins, I set myself to recording the information I found, and before I knew it, a few years had passed." Simon plastered an empty-headed smile on his face as he bowed deeply, if the Emperor had even the slightest glimmer of suspicion of his identity, Simon's life would be forfeit. 

"So, do you have any news of what I asked you to look into?" The Emperor asked, his voice slithering its way through the courtroom, its smoothness going beyond pleasing to the point where it was disturbing.

"Unfortunately not, but your Imperial Majesty shall be the first to know of any breakthroughs that I make." Simon dipped his head, he looked not much different from his usual self, but none would recognize him at first glance. 

His eyebrows appeared a little further apart, the small nose that he shared with Ophil now far more prominent, and his mouth now had a pair of thin, almost invisible lips.

"Alright. Please, continue with what you were saying." The Emperor sighed and reclined back onto his throne, a smirk on his face as Simon turned back to face the gathered generals and Officials.

"My noble lord and ladies, as I was saying earlier, such a string of attacks, occurring simultaneously amongst all the northern vassal states, must be the work of some powerful enemy. Hoping to draw our attention away from the Empire itself, and then strike at us when our attentions are elsewhere." Simon slowly paced the ring of gathered officials as he talked, looking each of them in the eye, pausing to add greater emphasis to his words.

He had scarcely believed Tam when he proposed this plan, being within the palace while the invasion was being laid in place was quite simple for him, he had lain the groundwork years ago. But actively encouraging the Imperials to stay in their capital, encouraging them to go completely contrary to their plan, that was an astonishing stroke of genius.

"My lords and ladies. This man is a fool, he claims to be a scholar, yet pokes his nose into the business of war that should not concern him, for he has no knowledge of these things. I implore you, come with me in suppressing these conflicts, for the Emperor!" A gray haired man, elderly in face but with the stride and build of a young man, called out, as he strode out into the empty floor, joining Simon there, giving him a deathly glare.