Another eunuch handed him a pamphlet containing the names of the envoys.
His face occasionally furrowed as he saw the names. People dare not look the emperor directly on the face.
They all bowed.
With a gesture of his hands he called eunuch Kangho.
He gave him the note with instructions.
Eunuch Kangho stepped down and loosed the thread that was used to tie the edict and he started reading out aloud.
The imperial scribes were seated by the side writing down the decree with haste and accuracy.
"In the tenth year of emperor Xhalmes, twelve envoys are selected to go on expedition to the boundary towards the Vaigt pass.
This is to know the situation in the far north and to protect Lhney from Aobolw. This his Majesty's decree!"
Everybody present bowed down and said,
" Your Majesty is wise, may his Majesty live forever."
Later, the minister of war Aemir Hwi came forward and called out the names of the envoys.
" From the royal clan is Xarl,
from Eyme clan: Jaroy,
from Gwamho clan: Barlo,
from the Nayuel clan: Fraris,
from the Mouah clan: Igule,
from the Mahg: Cvaty,
from Lyu: Jestov,
from Hwi family: Crery,
from Ligu: Valix,
from Eayl: Karnez,
from Lroxd: Vynax and finally
from Lobaen clan: Dertry."
The whole palace hall was quiet as these youths stood in front of the that revered man seated high on the eagle throne.
They knelt down before the emperor. He gave them blessings and prayed for their protection.
These twelve youths are among the most dazzling heaven chosen of their generation. It is imperative to know that they are already minor sages at such a young age and each of them have the ability to skip realm during battle.
The whole palace was filled with a formless energy. This is faith, it drilled into the body of the envoys making them refreshed, even the providence on them increased because of that.
Some cultivators looked on with jealousy. That providence was enough for them to breakthrough their bottlenecks in cultivation.
Fall is coming soon, the journey will only take them one month and few weeks from the capital Exkaby.
Today the whole hall seemed to have lost it's normal lively nature. Even the cicadas outside seemed to know what was going on, they were rather quiet today.
The provisions for the journey will last them before winter. The emperor was troubled. The officials all saw it and bowed down and said,
"your majesty is benevolent. May he live forever."
After that the imperial censor announced the end of the session.
The emperor stood up and left the hall. The envoys now in a rows of two marched out of the hall in high spirits.
Outside the palace gate the mothers could be heard encouraging their children to be strong when they grow up so that they will have a better life.
Some wretched cultivators do not share the same sentiment
"Who have ever returned from Vaigt pass in the past?" some people asked trying to dampen the envoys spirit.
The officials were moved by the scene. Even they felt at loss but then they were confident that it is a necessary adventure and that the envoys will make it through.
Aolig was among the crowd gathered outside the palace. She was trying to know the latest gossip in the capital.
Finally, she made her way to the front of the crowd and saw Jaroy.
He was fully dressed with a long spear with a shaft made from heavy iron.
Jaroy is her first cousin, being the nephew of general Jlav. He saw her and smiled bitterly.
"Cousin brother, where are you going?" she asked
Her eyes flicked through the whole envoys. She could tell they were seasoned warriors. She sighed.
"To protect humanity," came the proud answer.
Aolig cocked her head sideways as though to memorize the answer.
She smiled, "to protect humanity?"
She nodded. The whole crowd were now focused on Aolig.
The other envoys were a little bit jealous of Jaroy. Everyone were captivated by the delicate beauty of this noble lady discussing with the an envoy.
Murmurs could be heard from the crowd.
"Who is she?"
"You don't know her?" one asked.
Some people now turned to hear his explanation about this fairy standing before them.
"She is the only daughter of general Jlav Eyme and the princess royal Mevlak," another explained.
The whole crowd murmured in appreciation. The men lusted after her, while the women envied her.
The truth is that Aolig sneaked out of the manor to see what was going on. She has to return back before they discover that she was not around.
She turned back and saw Mavlak standing like a statue behind her.
She knows that he will just reprimand her. Mavlak has come to see Jaroy off.
The envoy were now close to the gate of the capital. The soldiers all stood in two rows and saluted them in honour.
As they stepped out of the gate, the cries of the cicadas could be heard as the intensity of the sun increased.