Thalurian Empire Palace
The sudden flash of light from the magic scroll jolted Emperor Dorian out of his calm. He had expected the Aethelgard envoy to arrive at the palace by evening, perhaps around dinner, after hearing word that their ship was nearing Tideglass Wharf in Orrivelle. He had even sent his knights ahead the night before, ordering them to prepare a grand display that would remind these visitors of Thalurian's wealth and majesty.
But the message told a different story. The envoy had refused the empire's carriages, choosing instead to travel in their own horseless carriages, strange, rune-lit machines capable of carrying them from the port to Eryndralis, the capital, in an hour. Not even the fastest horses in Thalurian, pushed to their limits, could make the same journey in less than three and a half hours.
"One hour? Just another thirty minutes?" Dorian repeated aloud, his voice sharp with disbelief.
