The Imperial Palace Options

[sonof]

The Samurai approached, he crossed the small bridge over the pool and knelt. Before him the Throne Room.
The Emperor sat on the throne of jade, with the statues of the fates behind him. In front of him stood the Warlord Neko, and the Emperors Honour Woodrow.
The Emperors personal servant knelt before him, the tea set to one side with oat biscuits on the side. Next to, but slightly lower, sat a western women, Duchess Sarendal.
The Emperors honour guard lined the room, with the statues of the Kami behind them.

Set back stood two men, one cloaked in shadows. The other wore a simple black robe and purple tabard. On his shoulder was a simple silver skull. Oddly at his belt was a bone sword, the only westerner in the room with a weapon.

The Samurai knelt:
"My Lord, I bring word of discussions I have heard"
"Speak"
"There are those that seem to believe the Jade Empire should seek to form an alliance with several nations to stand against the Empire of Glass"
"Which Nations?"
"My lord Ishma, the tribes of the Brokenlands and the Far North of the Empire. They claim the Baronies would side with them, but none we have spoken to suggest the Baronies have any desire to involve themselves in this".
"And they think we would?"
"It appears a small number of influential people from the Empire have made suggestions that we would wish to. No one has said who yet, but it is sufficient to make them believe it"
"Really" The Emperor paused and looked to his advisors "Should we?"

As he did so the westerner with the sword adjust his position slightly, a shadow briefly moved behind the Emperor and the temperature in the room lowered. dust fell from the statues that stood behind the Imperial guard.

The servant moved slightly, and spoke: "It is time for your tea most honoured Emperor"
"Excellent"
Woodrow looked at the tea puzzled, and them at Neko, before speaking "My Lord, it appears there are none of the biscuits you like to have with your tea."
"A good point Woodrow, we shall adjourn to get some"

The Emperor stood, and everyone else in the room knelt. He left the room, followed by the duchess. The Woodrow and Neko followed, behind them the westerner and the man in black. Behind them the servant collected the tea from the tray and left the chocolate biscuits behind.