The gathering at Mizeareigh Palace
Duke Kumtah Payg let his eyes wander from behind the golden mask fashioned to look as a bird's face might. It contrasted greatly with the ebony suit worn, though similar avian themed baubles were present, including rings on middle, index fingers. His representation as a Duke was for the Court of Summer within the Kingdom. Drawn into the Spring's embrace, he remained in a relaxed, standing pose while taking in the sights upon the balcony.
Though strikingly different in its variety and disposition then say Nikkō City, it solved similar problems of assembling and providing for the courts, directorate and government in a massive building with the social structure of a small city, confronting a baroque view of a highly subordinated nature. The entirety was immense, five floors, twelve-hundred rooms, including two dozen directorate and government approved apartments, a library of significant size, and a theatre that often times served the will of the kingdom with grandiose productions. Wrapping about the whole of the estate was a monumental avenue that ran twenty kilometers between the palace and that of Nikkō City.
The palace has a rectangular plan, measuring 247 × 184 m, and the four sides are connected by two orthogonal arms, forming four inner courts. Each floor measures approximately 47,000 m2, but considering the five floors, the whole palace measures 235,000 m2. Behind the façades of its matching segmental ranges of outbuildings that flank the giant forecourt, a jumble of buildings arose to facilitate daily business. Such as the sizable military base, an airstrip, administration buildings and other government related interests.
Unbroken balustraded skyline and the slight break provided by pavilions within the long, somewhat monotonous façade. A large aqueduct brings water for the prodigious water displays. The palace displays the power and grandeur of an absolute monarchy. A solecism at Mizeareigh is that above the piano reale, the Primearch's floor, is another floor of equal magnificence. The royal palace has sixteen monumental rooms completely decorated with artwork of varying natures, some are in the popular fresco method of painting, and the rest is a myriad of others. Many of these works detail the rise of the Primarch, the Noble bloodline, and the flight from the depths of the old world, the passage to the new, and the Veil itself.
The garden, a typical example of the baroque extension of formal vistas, stretches for one-hundred twenty hectacres, partly on hilly terrain. It is also inspired by the park of Nikkō City. The park starts from the back façade of the palace, flanking a long alley with artificial fountains and cascades. There is a botanical garden in the upper part. The fountains and cascades, each filling a basin, at intervals along a wide straight canal that runs to the horizon. A sight indeed thought Payg, the Primarch and Ruler of the Kingdom has quite the home.
Returning from the balcony, his languid stroll returned him to the immense, cavernous lobby with a high, vaulted ceiling, the throne room could be accessed by visitors through a pair of ornamented doors located at the end of a long hallway. Within aforementioned area of the lobby, he ran into his contemporary and sometimes rival, Duchess of the Spring Court, Nat Mayjac.
My Lady of Spring, he offered, with a slight dip of head towards the noblewoman. In return, and a nod of head as well she replied. My Lord of Summer, summoned are you as well to stand before the Primarch? A faint but polite nod as he paused before the double doors, only now noting the guards standing to either side of it, had they always been there? Or had he simply not noticed them? Perhaps the latter. Let I be the gentlemen, and within shall we know what is desired of our courts. Pulling both doors open, and then standing to one side so as to let the evening gown clad Duchess pass, as she did so, bearing a faint smile to the gesture.
The walls and floor of the throne room were adorned with polished marble slabs that came in different colors, ranging from gray to red. One of those walls featured a viewscreen that allowed the Primarch to communicate with the outside world without leaving the royal seat. The throne itself was an ornate chair on a raised podium fronted by a low, flat-surfaced divider with a composite Rhydinian made holoprojector built into it. The throne dated back to the initial construction of the palace, but had been refitted with various new features over the centuries.
Beyond that, the chamber was sparsely furnished. It contained nothing else but a work station that served as the sovereign's desk and a few seats reserved for the members of the Royal Advisory Council. Despite its bareness, the throne room was spectacular, with its ample windows that bathed the seated ruler in sunlight touched stained glass colours, and offered an impressive panorama of the city. Nikkō was indeed a prosperous capital, and the ceremonial chamber of its rulers had been designed to reflect the city's glorious history and rise.
In that sunlight, of which bathed the interior through that design of stained glass, that afforded a myriad of soft shades of otherwise bright colours, sat the Primarch at the work station. The throne was bare of her touch for now, but rest assured, she would ascend sooner or later. Duke Payg offered a bow of head, with left hand to his hearts, and spoke. My Primarch, I, Duke Kumtah Payg, of the Summer Court, arrive as requested. None to long, and with a bit of flourish to her curtsy, the woman at his immediate side also spoke, her long dark hair bore many ringlets and other baubles of shiny that were somewhat distracting. My Primarch, as summoned, I, Duchess Nat Mayjac, of the Spring Court, has come before you.
There was a shuffling of papers, and then a bit of a sigh heard as the slight creak of a chair could be heard. When Payg lifted his gaze he found his Primarch with a bit of a smile on her face..which was troubling, almost worrisome you might say. Further thoughts were laid to rest as she spoke to both of them. My dear nobles of Spring and Summer, you are going to be our hosts for a grand event. You will play nice by the Accord of Stewards, lest there be any issues. Primarch Cuudrehk Frecban uv Byeh looked upon both nobles and then rapped her right knuckles against the smooth finish of her work station. I have desired to bring forth guests from nations beyond our dominion. We will speak of many things, perhaps trade, perhaps accords, perhaps treaties. This is a desire, and the government has bowed to it, so you are mine, as always, but for now, you are mine to demand such things of. Plus both of you have extensive services in this area, more so then those of Fall, or Winter.
Payg was the first to respond, although not by much. He again bowed, then he was straightened out and yet relaxed in composure. I shall serve at the whim of my Primarch and with distinction. This was echoed by the Duchess Nat Mayjac. The Primarch took stock of her representatives and then spoke as she laid a seal upon a missive, offering it in one hand lazily, of which a veil-crow snatched it up and vanished into a mirror like portalis. Excellent, because the missive has just been sent. You two shall prepare all the necessary arrangements for our guests, their security and intentions shall be yours to handle.
The crow vanished into the mirror, or rather what was supposed to look as a mirror. Really a passage way of ether, into the many near Veil passageways, corridors that existed outside of the mortal realm in the avenues of sight, but were still grounded by the tether of the world. At the apex of many different routes, the single crow would become many, each headed for a destination, and each bearing a letter with the seal of the Asahi Primarch.
On behalf of the populace of the Kingdom of Asahi of I write to Your Highnesses/Leaders of State this day to invite Your most honoured presence at our annual Gathering of Leadership,
Our summit is to be held at the Primarch's residence and seat of government, the Mizeareigh Palace. Any retinue You wish to have accompany You are more than welcome to attend. For Your Highnesses/Leaders of State entertainment, we will have wandering minstrels, jugglers and jongleurs to sing Your praises.
Please advise how many might accompany You. We hope that Your Highnesses/Leaders of State will be able to grace our nation and we await with anticipation Your response. If You would be so kind as to contact either the Duke of the Summer Court, or the Duchess of the Spring Court, at the below location and farspeaker, any necessary arrangements, such as transportation, accommodation and court scheduling, can be discussed.
May Your days be joyous and healthy in the months to come.
Yours in Service,
Her Ladyship of Fall, House of Harlot, Primarch of the Asahi
Cuudrehk Frecban uv Byeh
Dated this 8th day of May, 2017
When the crow landed at the respective desk, throne room, or otherwise other area of leadership, said crow would crumble as if made of stone, becoming but dust and then nothing, scattered into nothingness at the slightest of breezes or gestures that made for the scantiness of wind to be had. All that would remain would be the small tube, emblazoned with the seal, securing the parchment within it's grasp.