"The emperor's men?" I asked for the third time over the dining table. Dax and Qixu ate silently with the nine Orcs next to me.
"Yes, they're on their way," Dax confirmed, "The village chief has asked us to wait for them here."
At least that solved the issue of getting an audience with the Emperor.
"Are they still calling me the Empress?" I asked, setting down my cup.
"Not anymore," Dax replied softly, then pushed a plate of pastries towards me, "eat more."
For the first time, I felt reluctant to eat sweets. But under his intense gaze, I picked one up and chewed it solemnly.
An hour later, a hasty Orc entered the small abode we were 'resting' in. "The Chief is summoning you all."
Dax nodded, and the rest geared up to follow the Orc.
The town hall was brimming with activity when we arrived. Sitting in the main hall with the Chief was a small group of Orcs dressed in the Emperor's uniform.
