"Senator Burspharosa." a messenger greets as they hand me over a tightened, wax-sealed scroll. I nod ever so slightly at them as I keep my eyes on the discussion happening currently on the floor. Glancing down at the seal, my eyes narrow slightly as the symbol means it is of the utmost importance. I am restrained by my current appointment, however.
"-and at a tax rate of twelve percent, we'd be able to cover the losses to the named services because of the drain caused by the renovations." someone explains before a bit of bickering erupts.
"Looking as stern as ever, Senator." a fellow one greets as he moves over to me as I turn my eyes to the ostracised member of this meeting. He argues for something right, his words are fair and just, but, he is lacking in confidence. Without someone to be there with a shield on his back, he is faltering.
"I would like this all to end as soon as possible, to be entirely honest with you." I say as I treat the scroll like a baton. Bouncing it up and down in the opposing palm, making an undisruptive noise that no one is paying mind to.
"Ah, right, word of the one known as Stormlight." they remark as the well-heard roars of a sea-dragon wash ashore even this far in.
"Yes, Einervaene Bosphama." I say as I catch the scroll, gently tightening a deathly noose around it with my fingers.
"If word is true, your efforts will be undone."
"Yes, if. However, I am too far into this whole affair to simply give up with it." I nearly groan as the expenses and my stubborn adherence to this expansion of my land come to mind.
"You may yet break the Senate's patience, Senator Burspharosa." he tells me and I can't help but smile condescendingly at his words.
"That there one, right there..." I start to say, pointing my scroll at the isolated man as he leans into his chair. He might have a firmly set face, but his mind is far from as certain in its aspects.
"So?"
"Senator Caetusi, Lord of Seratilius. Advocate for the expansion of infrastructure to the periphery of our great, thunder-born land. To save more than just the ports I and others have deemed worth our time. So that the small folk are not left plummeting or fleeing." I ramble coherently, spreading out what information quickly comes to mind.
"A long, expensive effort." the senator sat next to me lets out, disgusted and worried by the ruin it may bring to his finances. To the finances of us all should his theoretical math not pan out as Caetusi so optimistically believes.
"He has done everything he can, he clings on, learning new skill after new skill. All so he can help out those who raised him up to his status of Senator Caetusi." I say, admiring the determination to some extent. Not that his requests are particularly in my interest at the moment. Unless he, say, offered me up very cheap land, maybe even whole islands.
"If he cannot break our patience, then neither can you."
"Exactly, I am gambling a lot in these meetings. Not with gold, but with the minds of easily swayed men. Power and profit come first and foremost. Convincing people to help my ascension to the dominance of the sky is difficult."
"Speaking as a member of it, Senator Burspharosa, you control one of the largest factions within the Senate. It will only be a bit longer before you control a majority."
"A little bit longer that I do not have at this rate..." I say as I glance down at the scroll.
"She only exists in rumours, there are always... Other methods."
"Careful with what you say in such a public space." I remind this senator as I glance towards someone else. Meeting their eyes and holding my own until they look away to fiddle with their senatorial sash.
"It would be no controversy to engage in such behaviour." he dismisses as he leans back into his chair to observe the current transaction of speaking rights on the floor.
"I wish to be of a higher standard." I mutter distastefully at the thought of contacting mercenaries or assassins. He laughs gently under his breath.
"You have failed, then, Lord Burspharosa." he tells me as his features come a slight bit closer.
"Only my victory shall be recorded." I tell him as I get up to head towards a quiet corner of the senatorial chamber. Popping off the seal, I unwrap the scroll and inspect its contents with an unfaltering eye.
Uenfarmao...
"Somewhat aimless, but, your destination is clear, Einervaene Bosphama." I mutter under my breath as I look to the floor, though, I block out the noise of it. If I want to earn more time for my plans, I can always try to invoke the necessary laws to force The Lady Bosphama out of her keep. The wilting, tired thing will be taken from a place of comfort without explanation.
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The Lady-Heir will miss her reunion with her mother.
Wrapping the scroll back up, I tuck it away into my robes and secure it well. Satisfied with that, I walk out into the open, onto the floor with my head held high and shoulders squared. The senator on the floor currently pauses abruptly and he stares at me. Turning my head slightly to an empty chair, we forgo traditional means of senatorial discussion.
Nodding as the nervous man goes back to his chair, I open my mouth, "Members of the Senate, I am here to advocate for the post-haste transition of The Lady Bosphama to the confines of the imperial court."
"And why is that?" one of the biggest thorns in my side asks as I watch his little group make themselves stern.
"Having visited her recently, with the testimony of my staff and hers. I call upon the Bill of Noble Health, she is in no position to be handling the governance of her land. I humbly ask for the Senate to approve her withdrawal from the local stately matters of her land, so that she may rest. Under the careful eyes of the greatest household staff in the land. I would have her placed within Imperial confines."
"Our ascent!" my faction calls out in near-unison as I manipulate the magic in the sky beyond the glass dome. Lightning strikes clear and true, illuminating me under its holy light as I prepare to provide further claims.
"Can you blame her, Senator Predator?" someone childishly disparages as I look briefly down.
"She knew full well the consequences of letting her unbefitting pregnancy become public. A renouncement under the clauses of the Bastards could have absconded her of all of these past few years. But, she does not, she insists, gallantly so that this daughter of hers may retain her right of inheritance, of noble birth!"
"If it is true that The Lady Bosphama is struggling due to declining health, then I also agree." Senator Caetusi lets out as he stands from his isolated place of comfort from the whispers of politics. Stepping out into the open with me, our eyes meet on less-than-friendly terms. As I straighten out the marks of my wealth and rank, he does the same.
The colours of great birth and the power of the land shine bright on both of us.
"But, it is in my opinion that a second hearing be decided upon. One not dictated by one known to be after her possessions for his own sake. I argue that those of impartiality head out to her place of residence for further testimony and honour-bound word. Let neither group under the influence of either Senator Burspharosa or Senator Rotibere play a part." Senator Caetusi speaks.
"And who would you deem fit, Senator Caetusi?" I ask as I step aside slightly so that he might have the attention of those still seated.
"Myself based on the merit that I can barely extract even modest respect from you vipers. And, those of the back row for their youthfulness in their involvement. Any connections they may have are far too shallow to play a major influence." he argues, drawing some moans with the name-calling. But, out of his sight, I smirk slightly knowing those he has named do have my hands upon their shoulders.
"My ascent." I say, agreeing to the terms as I keep my gaze focused on the wrong people.
"Our ascent!"
"Withheld." many others say.
"Let it be known that a formal vote shall occur within the next session!" the Arbitrator of the Floor declares after he has rung the hollow, brass floor panel. I look at them and nod, knowing full well that the servants and the staff of the senatorial building will need space to arrange everything for a vote. It will be a short break, but, I am not complaining when it comes to getting out of this chamber.
Even if only for a moment.
Reaching the sanctity of halls that are more of the same wealth-displaying architectural style, I relax slightly. Glancing over at the on-duty members of the senatorial guard, I place a hand near my chin, stroking it once. Is there a room nearby where I can have some privacy? Better yet, is the one I need to speak to available at the moment?
The senator who first brought me this information about the sightings around Uenfarmao.
He notices me and I raise my hand at him, stepping to his side as the lot he was talking to step aside. Placing an arm around him, I make them walk with me as we head out to a place a bit quieter. Coming to a stop by a statue of one of our decorated forefathers, I look up at the statue. The majesty it had been carved with and the authority its naming plaque holds.
"This is about my information, isn't it?" they rightly guess as I bring out the scroll. Handing it back to them, broken wax seal first.
"I need you to be keeping a closer eye on this woman. This combination of name and list of labours is worrisome." I tell him as he looks over his own words again, seemingly, he frowns as he contemplates his word choice.
"The farm she is staying at is more than happy to speak of her. Though, as you wish, I will look into further means to record her every movement."
"Make it so, if she even so much leaves the area in the slightest... I expect you to personally come galloping to me until your very lungs burn out." I tell him as a hardened stare makes his footing shuffle.
"Of course, Lord Burspharosa. Now, about the one she is travelling with?"
"He's a foreigner, something that merely escaped being drowned. He is irrelevant so long as he is away from the girl."
"Lord Burspharosa, even I have come to hear about what happened in the skies about your north-western coast." he tells me as I prepare to ignore his concerns.
"It is nothing."
"Word has it he is the one who caused the island shifts."
"Say that again." I order as missed details glow in my mind.
"He is the one who caused the island shifts." he repeats with the slight tilt of his head.
"Yes... He is strong, very strong. Strong enough to... Kill a sea-dragon king on his own. A merit-greedy man wanting to be known the world over. Find out what you can, anything, anything at all and make use of it. Place personal orders in for the criers, take hold of your local presses. Dim the word of the Lady-Heir." I tell him as I start to walk away with haste.
"What about the vote!?" he calls out as I rush long past the entrance to the chamber. What I need is a fine quill, smooth ink and plentiful paper. Orders must be made, the opportunity must be exploited. Keep the Lady-Heir distant from her mother, keep the mother away from the words of the people, warp and twist them as needed.
"My name, my family, my clan, it will reign supreme under the light of the gods." I mutter to myself like a mantra as I gesture for some of the building's staff to attend to me.