The next day...
Méiguī woke this morning around noon in the world with only three hours to spare before listening to the speech and guarding the high priestess. She felt a little off when she felt and saw the sun beaming through the window frame due to the fact she usually had to be up equivalently four hours ago at the shrine. Sleeping in the nice beds of the palace with quarters separated from the busier parts of the building was different. In addition, the travel here was never easy. Nights of the carriage rattling and her ears, toned to be sharp while only letting herself fall half asleep never helped. It had only just been then when the woman realized how exhausted she really was. The warrior priestess lifted herself up before lifting her right hand to rub her eyes while making a usual morning groan. Her left hand gripped the sheets as she then began to hear the birds chirping from the outside. A sigh came from her lips before her hands and fingers moved from her eyes and it was only when her hand went down that she realized her Priestess was no where in sight. She didn't feel worried, a bit at least but it did strike her interest in knowing where she was and why she was not woken in such an unfamiliar place.
Méiguī swung her legs over to the side of the bed and then rose herself up remembering her clothing and equipment was in the dress across the bed. Immediately did she took her time on dressing herself and equipping her sword directly in back of her. As a guard, for her priestess, she was granted approval to be armed among the palace. After that she immediately, opened the door. Suddenly it seemed like she could hear the rest of the palace or at least the section they were in and down the hall was a familiar voice followed by another female's voice. This new voice felt powerful yet at the same time pleasant, it was only then when the two revealed themselves. It had been high priestess Shizuka and surprisingly the new empress who stood a few inches above her. The two immediately noticed Méiguī, who had been standing passively looking towards them.
"Good morning sleepy-head, Its nice to see you're finally awake." Shizuka said.
"Morning, Warrior-Priestess..--" The empress stopped midway noticing she had not caught her name. Méiguī gave a wry smile as she as she noticed this before quickly replying as soon as she had the chance.
"Méiguī, my lady" She said with respect although, her mind was really wondering why the priestess was with her in the first place. Suddenly she was interrupted.
"I only met Shizuka moments ago, as she was in the palace gardens. I made sure the palace guards watched over her as you were not present." The empress spoke.
Méiguī bowed in respect and thanked her. Before long they were engaged about the speech only with minor detail though and simple questions and answers while sitting at a table in what seemed to be a meeting hall. Nothing like a council table but something smaller scaled as if it were for guest. Méiguī in respect for her betters kept quiet for some of it only giving her thoughts and opinions when she felt it was right which they did not mind at all. Shizuka appeared to be only asking questions which some were avoided by the Empress. However she did do most of the talking in this hour before suddenly a attendant appeared.
"My lady, we have only a couple of hours to spare before presenting the high speech to the people of Xhiana. Also a few of the highest nobles of Yu, have requested your immediate appearance for diplomatic matters. Which I advise,you do quickly since we only have little to spare. Also Heishi, has made it back and is ready to present themselves before the speech. As usual, they're in their hall... I suggest, we pick up on the matters with little time to spare."
The empress nodded and thanked Shizuka and Méiguī for their audience before leaving. Méiguī turned before engaging with Shizuka in conversation. It began with wondering why she was not woken before which ended in a friendly reply and then went about discussing what she thought of the empress. It was only scary pleasant feeling. The warrior priestess nearly felt with such a quiet atmosphere she was being watched or overheard although nothing bad was being said. Suddenly with only an hour or a little less to spare the women were called to go to the public halls of the palace to attend the speech.
When the two arrived, they noticed quite a few people there already. A bit of nobles, guards at every door leading to forbidden areas of the palace and then five warriors who appeared to be in different equipment standing near the throne. The empress was not there yet. Aside from the warrior class and nobles, there were common follks and although not considered noble here and unknown to some, there were a few clans leaders among them with personal guards, like Méiguī and Shizuka. Some had two. The women found a secluded spot that could see the empress near the western front decorated pillar of the hall. The two were silent yet could the grumbling chatter of the hall. A little bit of Introductions, discussions of the recent rebels, some of the speech, etc etc. It had only been thirty minutes before the empress stepped out from a side door from the east front followed by a few guards. The room silenced slowly over ten seconds. Méiguī could hear the sounds of the empress's sandles clack against the ground as she walked before standing in front of everyone looking around.
"I thank you for attending the speech. Some in which a lot of you traveled far when receiving my invitation. Some of you are commoners which I happily allow to listen. Some of you are veterans which I called from the clan wars and the beastman wars. To this day, I commend you and wish to inform you of a new problem in Xhiana which has to come to an end...." The woman spoke loud and clear before taking a short breather. A sigh came from her mouth before looking around the room once more.
"The rebellion, has peaked over the four years and I stand to correct this. It was only fortunate that .... This man!!" She said unsheathing her katana and pointing towards a man who looked a bit roughed up, and beat with arms tied behind him. Suddenly dragged by one of the guards before being dropped in front of her.
"Was captured by Heishi... You may ask... Who is he? Why is he here? .. Well this man is the rebel's leader! Name will go anonymous... but... let this be shown that this is the price of rebellion..." She spoke before quickly slice across the mans chest before decapitating his head. Méiguī's eyes went wide in horror as she saw the Empress barbaric side not only that but the speed of the blade was quick and fearful. She could hear a few gasp in the room yet more clapping. The warrior-priestess wasn't sure if they were supporting this out of fear or if it was truly a righteous act. The woman looked down at the head of the man and began to even wonder if this was really the man... Suddenly the Empress's hand moved up as if she were about to speak again and the room began to go silent once more.
RPG
