"The Lady Bosphama, how are you adjusting?" I ask the tired-looking woman as she seems to blankly stare at the desk in her guest room. Though, compared to what I am used to seeing, even with the capital such a potent image in my mind, it all feels excessive. But, this is the right of the Imperial Family, the wealthiest and most powerful group in all of Eusorochii. Such as it is that they've managed to avoid most of the strife that has affected our lands throughout time because of their raw power.

Rumour has it that they are linked by blood to our patron God of Thunder.

She sighs, "I've have received news that my daughter made it home once again..."

I look away slightly, recalling how she reacted when I first told her this in person to confirm it, "All I can really say to this is... Be glad, be glad she made it back."

"I am but... I want to be there with her, I want to hold my daughter and..." she struggles to get out before she silently covers her eyes. I watch as her body trembles slightly and by the time her face escapes her palms, her sniffs are distorted.

"With what has happened to her, I wanted to also come here to talk about any plans you might have. The Lady-Heir has her travelling companion and now the resources of the Bosphama Keep but there are rumours." I explain partially with some expressions handled by my free hand.

"S-Such as?" she asks and I tighten the grip on my senatorial sash.

"With the kind of target she is, all sorts of groups are being suspected. Some are simply there for the sake of seeming impressive, but others are serious threats. It is hard to know the kind of resources these shadowy organisations have at their disposal, though, I do not believe that means we should be lax."

"If I can get a letter out to my housekeeper or castellan, I can have them make use of the resources I was able to acquire. Additional guards, new gear, mercenaries even." she explains as she comes short of fully looking my way.

"Problem is that they're not letting you..." I point out as we share a collective sigh.

"Please, Senator Caetusi, you are my only means right now. Please..." she begs as I look her in the eye, nodding to it shortly after before I come up to offer my arm.

"Explain what I need to know and I will." I tell her as she takes my arm, gently rising up in spite of her clothes.

"If there is a time..." she mutters as she glances around at the art and inlaid gold of exceptionally manipulated craftsmanship. Such a strange thing this material is, it is near everywhere on this continent but is still revered in the same way as if we were in a different land. The People's Colour as some see it, but, still held to such value that it is the basis for the Imperial Palace and all places within it. Gold, gold, gold as far as the awed spirit can see.

"You are confident that you will still be able to use the resources you have amassed since you started preparing?" I ask her as I think about all the times me and the others went to her keep to carry out our investigation.

"I am. Fiddly as the senators were, there is only so much they can check over and ensure is true. Within my keep I am aware of all that is hidden and where to find it, as are likely those who spend their lives within this monument to our people." she explains before a hand gently gestures widely at the colossal hall we find ourselves in. Each upwards curve in the roof painted with romantic realism regarding the times of myths and legends and even our history.

Not so far as to leave even the feeble unable to see clearly but not so close either as to be touched. Like the heavens they were inspired by, they rest up there, dividing up dark, often marbled stone and lightning's favoured ore. What we are able to see is but a small portion of what is actually completed within the Imperial Palace. Of such size is this place and the art of such a demanded quality that entire generations find themselves tied to finish the unfinished glory of our people.

This building leaves all ashamed to claim that they are wealthy and that their homes are grand. Having been to her home, The Lady Bosphama gave the impression of a beloved ruler that let many into the bushels of her power so that they could grow. An impressive fortress of immaculate engineering and all of it is a shack compared to this ever-growing building. The original vision was so very clearly lost some time ago but the want to build never leaves.

As we walk through the palace, The Lady Bosphama otherwise doing what she can to secretly amass a plan on a hidden note. We find ourselves at a break in the overwhelming sight of mineral wealth with walls becoming pillars and quiet towerly retreats. Out across the craftsman-dominated horizon, a whole forest growing amongst the grim triumphs of one of the princes of the land. Dragon bones are trunks and logs with ivy and moss giving the impression of trees.

"You really do wear your origins as a man of the people so blatantly, Senator Caetusi." my walking partner remarks with an attempt at a giggle and smile. Looking her way, I hope to breed some jealousy by putting a smile on so much easier than her.

"I am surprised you are able to keep your focus in such a place." I remark, proving my point by having my eyes take in all the further details of this grand family home. Strange as it is to consider the word applicable to such an enduring bastion of our homeland.

"I've taken in my fair share of the sights this place has to offer. From my required oaths of fealty and all the way back to when I first received my titles with the Emperor's blessing directly."

"Ah, yes, that's right, the nobility derive their authority from him." I breathe, trembling slightly at how strange this must all seem to the young children playing in the fields and on the metal. I wanted to be a senator because it is the best way I can help those I descend from. A position that any with the wealth and land ownership can enter.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

There are no titular requirements, but, the impression of it is there. I could never be a low noble or anything in between that and a lord, I don't have the blood for it. Yet, I became a senator, someone who can go on and make a difference in this country. Having survived it, it is hard to think about how much the maps have changed over the many, many years our country has existed.

So much has fallen into the water below...

I turn towards The Lady Bosphama and shake my head slightly. Her support will be crucial in my renewed attempts to push forward the legislation and reforms we as a people need to prevent the further loss of our people. Humorously, the thought of trying to marry her even came to mind. However, despite the rumours of the opposite, I know The Lady Bosphama is married and the proof was something I could lay eyes on.

"A lesson in hidden meaning may be needed here." I nearly chuckle over as she hands me over the first of what seems to be many notes. Its meaning is lost on me initially, but, I am quickly able to catch up on all of the details she has otherwise tried to hide.

"If your status as a senator cannot get you out of these walls without interference, Senator. I hope the covered-up intent within these notes will see you get them out of here. How much time is left at my disposal, I cannot comprehend." she explains before she seemingly loses track of her thoughts as she looks out towards what seems to be a lunar observatory.

"So you have made these instructions capable of being handled in either short or long-term conditions?" I question and she looks back to me with a nod.

"Yes, that is correct. Oorika and Joastelan should both be able to grasp the meaning I have written down as should you. If you are able, however, I am not against you rewriting the notes in plain Lightning-Speak for the sake of clarity. I am no leader of armies or member of general staff that handles such hasty information exchanges but I understand the importance and danger of the failure to understand meaning and intent."

"I will do what I can." I assure her as she looks off in the distance as some kind of procession makes its way down the far end of the near-endless hall. Focusing as much as I can, I spot what appears to be one of the royal banners, though, I am not familiar with the heraldry beyond that. Especially not with how far we are from it.

"The twenty-sixth princess." The Lady Bosphama goes and I turn to her.

"You recognise the banner?"

"No, I can see her beyond the movement of the dancers she likes to surround herself with." she explains and I stare at her eyes without going directly into them. It is amazing, really, she can do things like this and her power does not look out of place in the strict rules of this highest peak of Eusorochii society. All of this over the concerns of her blood and who she mixed with.

I never got to see the Lady-Heir's power, admittedly, but, with such an impressive mother, I cannot see Senator Burspharosa's words having any meaning. Whatever separated this beloved matriarch from her much-loved child, I can't help but wonder why she had to leave, the child. It is clear from her position alone that she has proven her worth before the Emperor, so why has this all gone on for so long? I guess, being a man of such low birth, I will never understand.

"Do you mind if I ask a personal question, The Lady Bosphama?"

"I do."

"Very well, think nothing of i-" I start to say before a finger bridges my open lips, silencing them completely.

"If you wish to speak personally, please, my name is Eratheen." she explains, removing the digit and I take a quick gulp as it processes in my head. I do a quick bow as this is an immense honour either way.

"Of course, Eratheen. Do you mind if I ask a personal question?" I ask again and she nods, smiling a little, even if her expression is otherwise slightly reserved and cracking with worry.

"Within reason..." she starts to say before shaking her head, "Senator Caetusi."

"What caused all of this? Why do you find yourself in the Imperial Palaces of all places under constant watch by its staff." I ask, curious as to how this all came about.

She sighs, "My beloved daughter was seen by Lord Burspharosa's very eyes. We as parents are unfortunate in our disposition, we are arrogant and do not listen carefully enough. So even as our families mingled and grew to love each other as budding friends might, we do not pay heed to their words. Lord Burspharosa wanted to see if there was hope between our families, of a Bosphama-Burspharosa lineage that would go down the ages."

"And he discovered that the Lady-Heir is or was..."

"The colour of her power offended him, his sense of right and wrong as both a senator and a great lord of a powerful clan." she elaborates further with quiet, under-the-breath words.

"A matter of blood that only grew worse as circumstances proved to be far too awkward for the situation."

"Indeed, how can I prove my husband's blood purity if he is otherwise years away? So far he cannot even enjoy the company of his daughter. My duty as a lady is as much to rear inheritance-destined children as it is to rule my lands in the name of my clan's honour and legacy. But, when the time barely existed for even one child to be put into me and then born..."

"Should we find somewhere private?" I ask as the stress of all these years gets to her in a moment I am sure she is otherwise glad to happen in this reasonably empty place. The princess so far down the hall is a blessing, really, all the attention is on her.

"N-No... However, Senator Caetusi, as you might've picked up on. I still do not know your first name." she tries to laugh at so she can stop the tears that are otherwise assailing her carefully prepared makeup.

I smile, then, frown, "You already do, I have no clan, Eratheen Bosphama. I am too low-born for such a privilege, though, in a way, I suppose my mother-given name has become a title in a way. A family title that a child of mine could take with them. Strange as it is, I have a hope that has only been strengthened by my time with you."

"Which is?" she questions as she carefully goes about cleaning her tears with my help.

"I would like by happy accident, my name to go down in the books as a clan name. A noble who was put into the Senate by his people so that he might save them. I want to be remembered so fondly as Senator Caetusi that the people think it is a clan of good, strong character. Unfortunately, my father is not able to see where I am today. My cause was ultimately made by him when he had to spare my life at the cost of his own as our home fell away."

"You dream very big." is all she can seem to say as she otherwise reflects on my exposition.

I smile, "It is from our dreams that greatness comes, it is which gives us the strength to go on."

"Hearing this, I want one thing of this dream of yours."

"And what's that, The Lady Bosphama?" I ask and she gently slaps me with a tut.

"I want your name to mean something simple, should your dream come true. I am unsure if it already has meaning, but, I want it to come to mean Good Man. As you were inspired by the sacrifices of others and the stories you were raised on, I want our future to be the same when they look back on us. Not 'Conquerer of a Thousand Islands,' not 'Holder of a Mountain of Wealth' or anything grandiose and elaborate in meaning. I want them to think of Senator Caetusi, the Good Man. For all the story some of the families in this land and others have... Good men, truly good men are a rarity."

"Your endorsement is appreciated, Eratheen."

"As is yours, Senator." she says, smiling with all she has even as the world comes in around her with such ferocious intent to crush.