Preparations for the Emperor’s Birthday had begun months ago. Now, as the day approached those preparations were coming to fruition. The Summer Palace was finally ready for the formal gala - banners and garlands of flowers had been hung, the trees were in bloom, and the great glass doors had been opened allowing guests to pass freely from the formal lawn into the interior gardens of the palace. Tables had been placed among the fountains and pools, and set with fine linens and china. An army of stewards were on hand to attend to the guests and the Imperial Coast Guard was ready to begin ferrying the guests from Citadel Island, the heart of the capital, to the Imperial Preserve Island.
The Island, the smaller of the two principal islands standing at the confluence of the Valmiera and Excalbia Rivers, had long been the Imperial Family’s summer residence and private retreat. The Summer Palace itself was built in the style of a European orangerie - like a great glass botanical conservatory or greenhouse - except that it included residential suites, dining rooms and the Grand Ballroom. The Grand Ballroom stood at the center of palace and with its glass doors opened it almost seemed to blend seamlessly into the formal gardens.
A brick path led from the island’s private dock through the gardens to the palace. To either side of the gardens stood smaller houses, each a mansion its own right, that were used as guest houses by Imperial Family. Somewhat more modest houses further from the palace housed the Island’s staff. Beyond those stood fields and barns that provided fresh food for the palace and its residents and woods and meadows that provided for recreation.
Before arriving, each guest received a list of events:
Today
6 pm - Welcome Reception
7 pm - Arrival of the Imperial Family
8 pm - Dinner
10 pm - Dancing
Tomorrow
11 am - The Emperor’s Address to the Imperial Senate
1 pm - Opening Day Game of the All-Excalbian Baseball League between the Citadel Knights and the Landing Narwhals
8 pm - Concert at the Imperial State Opera