Milage walked somberly through the great halls of the Imperial Seat. The building, nearly 1,230 years old, had been the site of numerous meetings and treaties. The wide, ornate halls stretched a length of close to 15 thousand pulses, or 21 thousand feet as their visitors would say. No matter how many times she, or anyone else, walked this hallway, it never failed to make her feel small. It felt as if the vast openness was widening Infront of her, as if it was growing every step she took. Various rooms and councils broke off from the hall into their own large, fancy buildings. At the end of the hall sat the Imperial Throne, where she could already make out the massive and imposing figure of her Uncle, Emperor Teresome.
"Lady Sania! I am glad you have arrived. I can already hear the escort." He yelled, his voice nearly straining the glass of the building.
"Uncle," she nodded, " You seem rather unbothered."
"Wars are meant to be lost, Milage. It was merely a matter of time, and our enemies have been more than diplomatic."
She lowered her head, hiding under her gold striped hood. Her Uncle's guards shuffled about nervously, possible scared they would need to do their job soon. The idea was hilarious to her, the idea he would need guards. She was interrupted in thought by her Uncle gently grabbing her arm and leading her to the courtyard.
"Come now, they are near. " He said.
Sure enough, barely visible on the horizon, two black machines whirled their way through the air. They made their distinctive sound of slicing the air, and it got louder as they got closer. These models were different than the ones she fought in Caz. The ones she encountered were slim, with one main "rotor" and had long protrusions on the side upon which various weaponry was mounted. These, however, had two rotors, and had a more bulky look to them. Almost as a horse to a mule. The different species of dragon skittered about nervously, being somewhat intelligent, they share stories among one another of these machines.
Within casting distance now the craft began to descend towards the courtyard. Leaves and dirt were thrown up, and Milage casted a weak shield to keep it out of her eyes. They landed softer than she would think, and dozens of men cautiously walked out the back. Their uniforms were unusual, and were solid black compared to the traditional dark green she encountered. On the sides of their armbands was an emblem, sewed on, of a dragon's skull. She could tell from their manner they were not regular soldiers.
At the sight of them, Emperor Teresome smiled slightly, beckoning with his arms open.
"Welcome to the Empire of Kilon!" He yelled.
She winced, as this time he was right next to her. Towards the end of the line of men, a few men came out wearing what she knew now as suits. One of the soldiers in black, who had a special red emblem, began to walk towards the Emperor. His guards immediately fell to the ground, but got back up and shakily drew their swords. The Red Emblem Man ignored them, and kept walking.
"Your Soarin isn't bad Emperor Teresome." The man said, taking his glove off and extending his hand, it was a custom in their land to shake hands. Teresome shook it gently, but firm.
"It shares some similarities with our own, I appreciate the compliment. Now, gentlemen, if you will, the senate is this way....." He said.
Hearing this, Milage began to withdraw to her room.
"and you will be pleased to know my niece, and our most talented weaver, will be accompanying you to your land for our side of the negotiations."
She turned around, speechless. Which was good, otherwise her Uncle would have vaporized her right there if she had said the things she wanted to. The man with the red emblem walked towards her, while addressing Teresome.
"Sounds good to me. We can get her there now if it suits you. We brung two choppers." He said.
"Of Course, and might I have your name?" Teresome replied.
"I'm John Wheeler." He said, "I'll take her and 6 men back to FoundCity. She'll be gone for atleast a week. I know the ceasefires been up for months, but the Senate is backed up to the thousands on wartime documents, and the President is tied down negotiating with those seafolk up north."
As he said this, he slipped two small metal rings on her wrists, and then slid them tight. In other words, he restrained her.
"Now what on-" She began but was interrupted by her Uncle evidently taking a liking to this John Wheeler man.
"A tricky bunch, those sea men. Took my father decades to get them to stop eating sailors." He said.
"Wait, I thought you said they had been found alive?" Milage said.
He rubbed his chin. "Hmm. Maybe I did lie about that."
"Whatever the case, they should quit now. Also, before I leave, just know everyone is happy to work together. It's a shame it took this long." Wheeler said.
"Indeed."
"Come along now magic woman, we got a schedule to keep. " Wheeler said, dragging her along into the machine, and as the door closes she saw her uncle peacefully mingling with the soldiers.