The central palace banquet hall was wide enough to host a siege and high enough for clouds to gather in its beams. As befitting the Emperor's estate, gold and red banners swayed from the rafters like ancient declarations of victory, and lanterns flickered overhead, casting long, restless shadows across the polished floors. It smelled like sandalwood, fear, and the ghost of something burnt long ago.
I walked in, my eyes taking everything in as I continued to look around. Nobles laughed at me from behind their sleeves as I studied the banners, the guards, the exits. They watched me like I was the latest episode of a favorite television show, but I didn't care. Let them see me. Let them look too long. I had no interest in making them comfortable, nor would I conform.
