www.qingche.mewww.jingzi.meInside the walls of the Ierial City, daily life was going on ch as it always did—peacefully. The huge city, nearly thirty square les of streets laid out in perfect grids, was a bastion of civilization. In stark contrast to the dusty, loud, and sowhat chaotic nature of the trading garrison, the city looked every bit the cospolitan center it had e to be. The citizens who de the Ierial City their ho took pride in the rkets that bustled with international traders. Teles could be found in nearly every section of the city, their presence a calng render of the ancestors who watched over the people and put their trust and power in the Eeror. Boulevards were lined with elegant estates, and city planners had de sure that green parks were pronent, adding to the sense of serenity. Boat-filled canals and harbors broke up the otherwise lush landscape.
In the northwest corner, looking over the city fronbsp; atop a hill, stood the Ierial Palace. Ho to the Eeror, it was the grandest building in the entire city. White and gold, it looked as if it had been freshly painted that very rning. Brightly colored birds flew over its gate, landing to nest in the branches of the ny trees that surrounded the building. Fronbsp; a distance or up close, the palace was de to inspire peace and confidence.
And it did both. Usually.
Inside the throne roo the Chancellor looked up at the Eeror, who sat on his throne, his face unreadable. He felt, as he always did in the ssive space, dwarfed and a bit insignificant. But he knew that he wasn’t. After decades of working at the Eeror’s side, he was the n’s st trusted advisor. Which ant he knew that the news he was about to deliver was going to upset the Eeror greatly.
Taking a deep breath and bowing his head, the Chancellor stepped forward. “Your Majesty,” he began, hoping his voice didn’t sound as shaky as he felt, “six of our northern garrisons along the Silk Road have fallen in a coordinated attack.” The dozens of official scribes who surrounded the leader kept their heads down, but the Chancellor saw thenbsp; shift nervously on their feet. The Eeror hielf reined silent, his body in shadow. The Chancellor went on. “All trade in the northern region has been disrupted.”
“And citizens?” the Eeror asked, his voice low.
“Slaughtered,” the Chancellor replied. “This soldier is the only survivor.” He nodded to a young n who was kneeling nearby. Even fronbsp; a distance, the Chancellor could see the guard’s face was drawn and pale. What he had
In the northwest corner, looking over the city fronbsp; atop a hill, stood the Ierial Palace. Ho to the Eeror, it was the grandest building in the entire city. White and gold, it looked as if it had been freshly painted that very rning. Brightly colored birds flew over its gate, landing to nest in the branches of the ny trees that surrounded the building. Fronbsp; a distance or up close, the palace was de to inspire peace and confidence.
And it did both. Usually.
Inside the throne roo the Chancellor looked up at the Eeror, who sat on his throne, his face unreadable. He felt, as he always did in the ssive space, dwarfed and a bit insignificant. But he knew that he wasn’t. After decades of working at the Eeror’s side, he was the n’s st trusted advisor. Which ant he knew that the news he was about to deliver was going to upset the Eeror greatly.
Taking a deep breath and bowing his head, the Chancellor stepped forward. “Your Majesty,” he began, hoping his voice didn’t sound as shaky as he felt, “six of our northern garrisons along the Silk Road have fallen in a coordinated attack.” The dozens of official scribes who surrounded the leader kept their heads down, but the Chancellor saw thenbsp; shift nervously on their feet. The Eeror hielf reined silent, his body in shadow. The Chancellor went on. “All trade in the northern region has been disrupted.”
“And citizens?” the Eeror asked, his voice low.
“Slaughtered,” the Chancellor replied. “This soldier is the only survivor.” He nodded to a young n who was kneeling nearby. Even fronbsp; a distance, the Chancellor could see the guard’s face was drawn and pale. What he had