* * *

Lady Che’u-gi Neji’if-i'ir was entering the Imperial City for the first time. The last time a member of the Royal Houses had entered the city had been more than ten years ago before the current Empress had expelled them all. The city itself had been carved into a mountain in much the same way termites tear into a stump. Very impressive and utterly unique, she thought. The graceful and elegant mounds reminded her of human made parapets. 

There were almost no humans here in what had once been the Empire’s largest city. The Imperial Guards were, in force, supplied by neighboring cities – though the shops, bazaars, and restaurants were all empty. But while the city was largely devoid of humans, it was still occupied by the Rej-Gu’ura. These beings were very unsettling to Che’u. They were to the Drak-mar what dogs were to horses, vaguely at best. Very reminiscent of insects, they scurried about with their six limbs and their patchy vestigial exoskeletons. 

She tried not to think about them, but her mind supplied another equally unwelcome thought: the main reason she was here was because she was the most expendable. Yes, she had volunteered – but only in having no other option. In addition, if she could succeed in this it would change everything. Massive doors were flung open effortlessly, leading to a courtyard that once could have held a standing army of thousands. Now only a small contingent of soldiers welcomed them to take their horses to the stables. Their young escort led them through golden hallways wide enough for a dozen people to walk abreast now echoed with the sound of far fewer footsteps. The young soldier seemed nervous, it was doubtful that she had ever been around any royalty other than the Empress. Some of that uneasiness seemed to infect her loyal guards. 

“I don’t like this.”

“The Empress agreed to this. We should be thanking her for her generosity not looking for a conspiracy.”

Che’u kept her tone firm but not callous – the importance of first impressions was a universal constant. Said Empress would be less likely to share with a perceived threat, and that would be less information to bring back. The throne room was yet another massive space now only filled by very few and their tiny echoes. A large table with maps strewn across it and a dozen wizened generals poring over, troop movements, and potential battlefields, stood by the throne room; the Empress among them, at the center of the chaos and listening carefully. She blended in, having forgone her usual elaborate dress for a soldier’s uniform sans armor. Her hair hung in thin simple dreads, pulled back from her face with a simple leather tie. Che’u felt immediately overdressed- even though her travelling finery was still optimized for movement – but she gave her brightest smile. 

Their escort cleared her throat and gave a surprisingly impressive parade shout:

“Introducing Lady Che’u of the joined House Nef-Ji’in who has been declared ambassador and speaker of the Royal Council.”

The words echoed off the walls in an unpleasant cacophony. “You are met by Empress S-”

“Enough! “The Empress shouted. Before the echoes faded our own escort bowed and left the room. “You know who I am, and as you can see I have removed nearly all the pomp and circumstance from this city. I hope to endure as little of it as possible in our conversations Lady Che’u. I hope you understand. “She made a small notation on a map.

“Now you may bow if you must.”

Che’u gave a respectful bow, but didn’t dwell on it. “I understand sire, I will do my best not to waste your time. “Her smile never wavered.

The Empress looked at her again reassessing her and gave a small smile. “They chose well with you I think. They have granted the power to speak on their behalf, as well as intimate knowledge about each of the Council Members and the details of their estates.”

Che’u had been drilled on this information for weeks so as to be able to negotiate the Council’s every whim, but something about how that had been asked was so calculating and cold she felt it was best to give a measured response. 

“My purpose is to begin negotiation. I know many of the Lords and Ladies needs and concern, but once policy has started, my purpose changes to move it into the hands of those who know the subject intimately. “She gave a small shrug. “I sadly can only alleviate the bureaucracy, but not remove it. I do know that everyone is truly excited to see policy you enact, and will try to move it along as smoothly as possible.”

The Empress shook her head and smiled ruefully. “I truly doubt that. As the First Law I seek is the dissolution of the Council.”

This was what the Council feared the most. She could ride back now with this piece of information and receive her full reward, but she’d just be delaying the inevitable. No, Che’u needed more information. “That seems to be a dramatic course of action. Did the Council do something to upset you or is there some other reason you are doing this?”

“No, I’m not angry with the Council. They have actually been very supportive since I came to power. No, the reason is hard to explain and I doubt you would believe me.”

“Put some faith in us sire, we may not have your legendary abilities, but this bitter herb would be far easier to swallow if we knew why it was necessary.”

The Empress stared for a moment, she had not been expecting such a calm response. She shrugged and continued. “There is a war on the horizon. The threat comes from beyond our borders, beyond this world itself. The only way we can possibly survive is for the Empire to march in lockstep, following commands from only one voice. Mine.”

Che’u was unsure if she was power hungry, delusional, or mad. Who did she believe was going to attack them? 

The Drak-mar were uninterested in the outside world, the Northern Nomads were powerful but had no concept of property or wealth. If there was some other threat no one else knew of it. 

“While that is the most vital reason, I am sure there will be some who will be reluctant to agree as well as those who will flat out refuse. Perhaps I can help you with this. With the right kind of persuasion we can get more than half of the Council to agree. I can then use the information for those who would resist building plans to remove them as efficiently as possible.”

The Empress thought it over. “If I try the treaty there is a far better chance they could build a significant insurgency, costing me time, infrastructure, and the lines of many of my soldiers.”

“You may have more initial victories that way but as word spreads they all will stand against you, and will cost you even more.”

“We will attempt peace, but prepare for war. Can you begin work right away?”

This wouldn’t be easy, but if she could get the right information the Council might have a chance. “As you wish sire.”

* * *

On the second day of following the road, I came across a farm with fields of corn, wheat, and other plants. There were pens that contained horses, cows, pigs, those fox frog things, and a hen house full of those fire birds. I also saw a house that appeared to be from the 19^th Century and a large barn. I hadn't been eating well for quite a while so I lost all my caution, ran into the field grabbing ears of corn and other fruits and vegetables and just stuffing my face with everything. 

Two big beefy hands grasped my shoulders and spun me – it was the farmer. A figure human and male enough in appearance with a wide beet red face and a long black beard. He stuck his face close to mine and bellowed at me so hard his rotten breath and spit sprayed my face. I had no idea what he was saying so that's exactly what I told him. Hearing my apparently strange, he stopped yelling and looked at me. He spoke again, but this time much slower and firmly. When he realized I still didn’t understand one word he said, he slapped his head with his palm and started pacing around, talking to himself. I could understand his frustration, at least. I mean, I finally meet another more or less human being – and he’s a raving redneck with violence issues. Ever so slowly I start backing away – until he spots me, grabbing me and sitting me down. Guess I've underestimated this guy because, now, with hand signals and a lot of pointing he makes clear to me that I work for him because of the damage I caused his crops. Under new careful watch, I worked the rest of the day and spent the night in the barn.