Large doors swung open. A tall woman in black armor with gold vines and a large eye on her chest plate walked through. Her gold cape barely long enough to drag behind her. Her long blond hair was done in a tight braid, swaying as she walked.

Her pale green eyes scanned the walls, she never liked the murals of old Kings and Queens. She could feel their eyes on her, forever judging.

Her footsteps echoed across the marble floor, a silence spreading as she stopped. In front of her stood two large doors with a large golden eye built in the middle of them, a guard standing on either side. 

She turned her head to one of them, who instinctively stood at attention and began reciting his post. She raised her hand.

“At ease.”

Her voice was light but held authority.

“Have they started without me?”

The guard cleared his throat.

“No Ma’am, they’ve been waiting.”

“Good.”

She swung the doors open and walked inside. The room within was large, the wall opposite of her was made entirely of glass, showing the sunset over the valley. In the center of the room was a huge round table.  Nine chairs surrounded it, only two were empty. The King's chair was closest to the window, both chairs next to him were empty. To the right of him sat a small boy with a large round hat, next to the boy was the treasurer, the Left hand of the High Priest, the High Priest himself, and finally the Right hand. 

“You’re late.”

The High Priest wore white robes that were covered with golden paintings of  eyes. He always had a way of making whomever he spoke to feel judged. 

“I had important matters to attend to.”

Her response didn’t satisfy the Priest.

She gave him a smug look as she took her seat, left of the King.

“You’re always late.”

The Priest was in a mood today.

“I'm always busy. As you all are aware, we’re currently at war with Asgard. Their army grows by the hour, their fleet has already surpassed ours.”

She said this to everyone but didn’t take her gaze off the Priest. The old Priest muttered under his breath and in a raspy, and in her opinion, weak voice began his protest.

“I fail to see why we still bother ourselves with Asgard. We should leave them on their Island to starve. For we all know those Godless heathens are too stupid to launch an attack of any importance.”

The Right hand chuckled.

“Surely, the King's demands require your immediate attention Joan.”

Joans eyebrow twitched.

“With respect High Priest Artosh, you know nothing of war and war tactics. Do not treat me like a child running off to play soldier, I am the General of our King's armies.”

She looked to the King to see any objection, when there was none she continued.

“Asgard is not only capable, but has already launched disastrous attacks on us. Their war techniques are not only clever, but are extremely effective. Yore was our strongest garrison, and we all know the tragedies that took place there. It's still a mystery on how they were even able to get in.”

Before the Priest could respond the King raised his hand, silencing him.

“I did not call this meeting for you to bicker amongst yourselves like children.”

The king was young with brown hair and eyes. However Joan could tell he hadn't been sleeping. He squinted slightly before continuing. 

“I have a job for you all. General Joan, I need you to shift your eyes from Asgard briefly and put your attention on Elysium and Èguǐ dào. Some of the reports I’ve been hearing about are, concerning, to say the least. I’ll have Cole bring the documents to you.”

The small boy perked up.