"Lord Burspharosa, how might I be of assistance?" the young senator asks me as we ride about in my carriage partially incognito. Leaning back against my cushioned chair, I glance towards a nearby mountain of weather-worn iron as a very specific flag flies from it. Proud and unbothered by the violent storm, the Mark of a Thunder-Shogun flutters in its controlled state.

"The Imperial Senate has voted you to be a part of the group who will investigate The Lady Bosphama." I say, getting to the point as he continues to delight himself on the delicacies I had provided for him. He offers me some of it, but, raising my palm, I allow him to gorge at my expense. The finest sweet fruits, well-tended meats and aged wines from volt-caged cellars.

I even let him choose a bottle from my sunken trove, matured so fine in the crushing, black depths below our homeland.

"I will be off it, the moment word comes out about what you are doing for me." he rightfully cautions as I glance over to my left. I smirk, chuckling under my breath as I glance at the flag currently flying on one of the poles. The personal banner of my youngest daughter, a girl currently lacking a suitable husband. As far as spectators are concerned, I am taking my dear Djiproina on a trip for her sake.

So long as they all keep their distance, they will never know it is him for they cannot see him either. Locked away in a curtained, sealed box on the carriage's front half, they are well protected. In theory, a present that is being kept safe until it is time to show it off. Like a wedding ring, seen as such a topic is what I am lying to the world.

"Under the act of impartiality, I need you to be as vigorous as you can be with ensuring she is relocated. Get her out of that keep and let us be done with this years-long affair." I explain to the young man as I gesture for some of my escort to move aside those who dare obstruct. It is not a great issue, lingering is of no concern to me, but, the fewer ears close to me, the better.

"Mere word will mean nothing in this effort, even if we all do agree. Proof will be what the Senate wants before it approves her move to the grounds of the Imperial Family." he tells me as if I do not already know.

"Yes, but, that will not be a problem in the slightest. She will be laced with signs of her loose mind, her delusionment. I warned her, as is right about her daughter's return. As a mother, she will do everything she can to protect her. As a father, I know this. But, unlike me, The Lady Bosphama has so few friends left in the Senate or within the court of His Imperial Highness." I explain as start to look over some messages I received before me and this young senator set out on this relaxing trip.

"I should keep an eye out for her legal documents, then."

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"Naturally, as word would have it amongst the merchants and their greedy gatherings... They talk as if a mine of heaven-fallen diamonds was just discovered." I start to say before leaning forward, moving my mouth close to the blinds keeping him out of my sight.

"She is partitioning her land to secure pay for as many mercenaries and helping hands as she can!" he lets out, nearly choking on something that quickly finds its way to the floor of my carriage.

"She is indeed, now somebody suddenly selling their land so quickly and so abruptly will be very suspect to the eyes of the Senate. They will have no choice but to agree to my desires and plans for the future. If The Lady Bosphama is so eager to prove herself unwell, then let an Imperial Regent take hold until the time has come." I say as I reach for the string that links me to the bell near the driver. Tugging on it gently, the beasts pulling the carriage coming to a whining halt and a guard opens up the carriage door.

"Lord Burspharosa?" the young senator questions as he moves to adjust the blinds.

"No!" I rumble as the sky flashes, frightening him back into a state of stillness. Grabbing my robes, I flick them straight as I step down off of the carriage. Placing each hand into the opposing sleeve, I walk off the road and into the rare patch of grass we came across. Finding a rock lodged into the soil, I place one foot on it as I lean forwards.

My brow sets as I glance out across the land, my land, taken by -me- and forged into a tool for -my- needs. So much remains to be done with it, but, once I secure the lands of the Bosphama clan, I can do so much more. Resources I otherwise need to pay a premium on will be freed up for my wants and needs. A check and balance to Imperial power, yet, one that will not be used against them.

Only for them.

The Union of the Seven Peaks in the north, the hordes of dark and light as they shift between the poles. Even the Grand-Kingdom, our esteemed rivals for so many millennia. All of them will bow as my plans see fruition. The winds grow still and the rivers are drying up, all that remains is the crack of thunder.

"Are we not meant to inherit all the earth, we who live in the land that flashes and rumbles with the power of Ancient Thunder? The creator of our world and all others." I say as I consider, for a brief moment, what I would like to achieve beyond my current goals. It is so close to me now, the fall of the Bosphama Clan into irrelevancy. Yet, curiously enough, I find myself disappointed in one thing...

Me.

To get to where I am, I need to destroy something that never needed to be. The Bosphama's have proven themselves over the generations from great generald and admirals to explorers and businessmen. Even The Lady Bosphama of current times has a claim to the eternal fame that exists beyond our limited lives. Treasure hunter, lone warrior of legend, empire builder, mother of a wonderful daughter.

"I envy you, Lady Bosphama, I really do. Even with the shame she carries, she has come back to save you. I can only hope my children turn out the same, but you do not need to hope, she is all you could ever want. Even if this path cannot spare you or your family, though I will be resented by anyone with a claim to Bosphama lands... I shall see to it that she lives unless absolutely necessary."

The winds blow my way, disordering my robes and jewellery.

"Hear me, Winds of Nosungril, carry this message to the Lady Bosphama as she falls for my sake." I utter as I step back towards my carriage.