Iande Empire Task 1

Describe (in as little or as much detail as you want, but at least a sentence) your character’s reaction to the city, palace, and royal family.

Give your introduction to the Emperor and princes and your answer to the Emperor’s question.

As Cora entered the grand throne room, her mouth fell open in wonder. She had never seen anything like it before. Her blue eyes glittered in the light that seemed to radiate around the room, bathing everything in a golden glow. However, no one else was interested in the room. All attention was on her. Hesitantly, she stepped forward. Cora felt her face grow warm as she felt everyone’s eyes upon her, staring at her, judging her. Suddenly she felt awkward and uncomfortable; her dress felt too tight, her shoes uncomfortable and it was as if her stupid skirts were intent on tripping her up. She tried to quell the churning inside her stomach and keep her head forward and eyes looking directly ahead of her, but she kept finding herself glancing about the room with its ornate carvings and beautifully designed golden tapestries, that hung down from the high ceiling. Cora gasped as she stumbled and silently cursed the dratted heeled shoes her mother had insisted she wear. “Ladies wear heeled shoes,” was one of the many comments Cora’s mother had made while fussing about what clothing and accessories to pack for her daughter’s journey to Bascalin. Cora wondered where her mother had found half of the items she had packed, as they certainly were not articles usual found in a Kretin girl's wardrobe. If only her mother could see her now! Cora tried to suppress a smile at the thought of her mother’s face as she tottered in a rather graceless fashion across the mosaic floor, towards the Emperor and his three sons.

Cora noticed a group of ladies sitting to the side. All around her age, perhaps a few were younger by a couple of years. Some looked pleased to be there, sitting in their finery. Others looked slightly bored and one or two looked as if they would rather be anywhere else than here. Cora could sympathise with the latter. Finally here gaze fell upon the three princes and the Emperor. She had seen Emperor Nixus depicted in many of the towns her family had travelled through. She absentmindedly noticed that he was more handsome than his pictures suggested. Turning her attention to the princes, sat there, thinking themselves better then everybody else. She hardly gave them any thought. To her, they were proud and pompous, sitting there in their expensive clothing, judging women as property rather than people. How could she let herself think anything else? Her love was miles away from her. She was here because duty bade it so, and for no other reason than to not ( )ing shame on her region and family. She resented the three men sitting there, too incompetent to find themselves their own wife!

As Cora reached Emperor Nixus she curtsied. The days of practising with her mother had paid off. Gracefully Cora lowered herself low enough to show respect and bowed her head and eyes as she did so to show her submission to the emperor, a Kretrin tradition, not always shared by other regions.

“Welcome to my court Cora of Kretrin,” the emperor’s deep voice rang through the room. “Your people are the blood of this land, without the trade by the people of Kretrin life would be much harder for us all,” his voice seemed genuine and respectful, but Cora was sure she could her snickering behind her. She knew all too well what many people thought of the Kretrin, especially people of high social ranking. Cora smiled politely back, “Thank you Your Imperial Majesty,” Cora began. “I am honoured to be here in your magnificent palace. I am here as your humble subject and servant for as long as your hospitality is offered.” Cora couldn’t think of anything else to say, her mouth had become parched. She had practised and practised what she was to say, but public speaking was not her forte. “I... I...”
“I hope you enjoy your stay with us Cora of Kretrin,” finished the Emperor, looking in pity at the  obviously self-conscious girl, stood uncomfortably in front of him, “I am sure you will find the beds here far more agreeable than the camp-beds you must be used to sleeping on.” Cora could hear definite laughter at the Emperor’s final reference to the nomadic lifestyle of her people. Flushing, Cora curtsied again and was led towards where the other girls were sat. Thank the gods that her mother wasn’t here to see this circus of a speech. She could feel her face burning and prayed that this whole fiasco would end soon and she could just return to her normal life. For now all she could hope for was to blend away into the background amongst the other girls.