Post

Imperial Palace Complex, Vasilinople
The sounds of Vespers could be heard echoing throughout the halls as the page made his way deeper and deeper into the complex, the dimly-lit hallways making the experience more chilling as he ventured further. He had been summoned by the Emperor himself for a small audience, something that was almost unheard of on such short notice, and his nervousness was plainly visible on his face as he neared the great hall outside the Throne Room. Two richly gilded Guards stood outside the towering doors which stretched high towards the ceiling, which itself was almost invisible since there was no light that high up. The guards watched the page approach with what could be described as disdain.

"Greetings, Brothers," the page tried to say as formally as he could, even as his voice cracked slightly at the pressure.

"His Majesty is awaiting you," one guard said, tapping his long pike on the floor twice and seemingly opening the gigantic doors without touching them. The guards remained motionless as the doors swung open slowly, revealing a much brighter-lit room on the other side complete with ornate furnishings and gilded surfaces. The page gathered himself and slowly entered, his eyes immediately drawn towards the pyramid-shaped throne at the other end of the room. The structure reached up nearly fifteen feet on its own, with an additional several feet for the throne itself, which itself was nearly a full story tall itself. Situated on the throne was the Emperor himself, his blood-red robes contrasting with the gold and silver decorations all around him. Next to him on each side were two assistants, a human male and a pony female, who were like him watching the page slowly approach.

"Come forward," the Emperor's voice boomed. The page took several steps towards the throne, bowing first before kneeling and finally genuflecting as he reached the base.

"Most Gracious Majesty," he said, trying hard to keep his voice from trembling, "I have come with a message." Despite the fact that there were at least twenty feet separating him from the monarch, he could hear the Emperor's slight devious chuckle.

"As We expected," he replied, slowly standing from the throne and making his way down the stairs. His robes flowed behind him as he moved, the train nearly as long as he was tall. "We trust that they are from foreign institutions?" he asked.

"Y-yes, Sire," the page responded, trying to hold his composure as the Emperor drew closer.

"It seems that our isolation is at an end, then," the Emperor replied, now just a few steps away from the page.

"Sire?" the page dared to look up at the Emperor, for which he was greeted by a vicious glare from both assistants. The Emperor however didn't seem to pay it any mind.

"For generations our Empire has remained isolated," he began. "Focusing on internal matters in the attempt to achieve stability. We believe now it is time to look outwards to not only find allies but also to find business," he continued, circling around the page as he moved over towards a small table. The assistants both glared at the page again as they passed by before quickly reaching the table before the Emperor, giving him the book and the documents resting on it. "We do believe that expansion of our holy faith is paramount," he went on, displaying a gilded Bible with embossed letters before returning it to the male assistant, who promptly replaced it on the table. "Come," the Emperor beckoned to the page, who carefully avoided eye contact with him as he approached.

"Yes, Sire?" he asked.

"This is a proclamation," the Emperor showed the page the document, which like the Bible was richly embossed and had both the Emperor's signature and seal on it. "We are entrusting you to see that it is promulgated to the corners of the Empire, announcing the opening of our borders and businesses."

"You want me to...?" The page began.

"You will see to it that the Kanikleios receives it within the day. He will ensure it is copied and published," the Emperor said, almost in a snapping tone. The unicorn mare's horn lit up as the Emperor offered it to her, and a moment later the document was nearly rolled up and tied with a red-gold ribbon. She then offered it to the page, who after a moment of inspection took it.

"I will deliver this without delay, My Lord," the page said, kneeling again before the Emperor.

"Good. Now then...away," he gave a dismissive wave of his hand, and as if on cue the two assistants advanced towards the page, ensuring he left as quickly as possible. The man needed no assistance as he immediately backed up as fast as he could, remembering at the last second to avoid turning his back to the Emperor, before he went back through the doors. The Emperor waited a few moments before turning to the assistants again. "We wish to return to Vespers," he told them. Both nodded and dutifully followed behind him as he made his way out of the throne room and into the darker halls of the palace to rejoin the evening prayers.

A PROCLAMATION GIVEN BY THE HAND OF ANDRONIKOS V, 28/11/7530AM

WHEREAS WE WISH TO ENSURE THE PROSELYTIZING OF THE HOLY FAITH TO THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD OUTSIDE THE BORDERS OF THE HOLY EMPIRE,

WHEREAS WE DESIRE TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF THE COMMON PEOPLE IN PARTAKING IN TRADE AND COMMERCIAL EXCHANGE FOR THE PURPOSES OF ENRICHMENT,

WHEREAS THE HOLY EMPIRE HAS SPENT CENTURIES IN ISOLATION,

WHEREAS WE DESIRE TO BECOME INVOLVED IN INTERNATIONAL POLITICS,

WE THEREBY ISSUE THE FOLLOWING PROCLAMATION:

ALL NATIONS THAT SO WISH MAY SUBMIT APPLICATIONS TO ESTABLISH DIPLOMATIC AND COMMERCIAL RELATIONS

ALL NATIONS THAT SO WISH MAY REQUEST THE HOLY FAITH'S CLERGY TO PROSELYTIZE WITHIN THEIR BORDERS

ALL NATIONS THAT SO WISH SHALL BE GRANTED PERMISSION TO ESTABLISH BUSINESSES WITHIN THE HOLY EMPIRE

ALL NATIONS MAY SUBMIT TREATIES OF ALLIANCE TO OUR HAND FOR CONSIDERATION;

GIVEN UNDER OUR HAND ON 28 NOVEMBER 7530 AM

Andronikos V, Autokrator