The Noble Consort and the leading members of the
Presidium all made a circular gesture with their right hands (The pointer and pinky fingers folded in while the thumb, middle, and ring fingers remain upright and the palm out. This gesture is used by every Arda Tuluvan to either ward away bad omens, to accept good omens, and the like) when the Achkaerinese Emperor commented on his hopes for a
fruitful conversation. “Our desire is the same, Your Imperial Majesty, a fruitful meeting, indeed. The Soldiers await Your Majesty’s inspection.”
The Noble Consort gestured for the Emperor to continue as he took his stride next to him while the Commandant of the Honor Guard saluted and walked in tandem. The Soldiers moved their heads in unison from looking straight forward to the Emperor and Noble Consort as they passed by.
The Achkaerinese delegation was each linked with a member of the Presidium according to precedent: Serenity, as heir, walked in line with Eruvaryar Mehtarecárinë, Proconsul of Arda Tuluva. Princess Lisa walked with her mother. Prince Simon, as son of the Emperor, walked in line with First Minister Cormarë Vercatauronámë. Renee Sandiego, as fiancé of a consecrated sovereign, walked in line with Ohtatyáro Artuneliëracarmë, Executor of the State Council. Melanie Bell, as a countess, walked in line with Ninquië Sailáquettón, Secretariat Chancellor and State Councilor. Celine Tyler, as special adviser to the Emperor, walked in line with Wensicia Hedikai, Arda Tuluva’s Minister for Popular Enlightenment. Yuki Tyler, as an active Achkraenese Capitan, walked in line with Science & Technology Minister, Erunno Nólmericarmë. Then by the two Maiden Sisters and the Adûnaim Abrazânai, finally by the rest of the Arda Tuluvan contingent.
The Arda Tuluvans were slightly unsure just exactly how to handle Ms. Renee Sandiego. She was untitled and has yet to marry the Emperor, as such; according to Arda Tuluvan conventions, she would have no standing among the Blood or Dynasty, more a stature of a concubine. Then again, she was betrothed to a consecrated sovereign, thus she is afforded the luxury of high honors, hence her placement in precedent. But what concerned Alcarinqualo was exactly how
he should interact with
her. He looked to Alasseon, his
ilar'nalda, who signed an option back. He agreed with a small gesture, before continuing his nonverbal communication with Alasseon. Not to offend their honored guests Alcarinqualo had signed his consent for it to be known among the Arda Tuluvans that Renee Sandiego would be given the respect due a Wise Consort, thus ranked equal to the Blood, but bellow the Virtuous and Able Consorts; needless to say the Ingaran and himself included. This would not offend the powers at be and give honor to the Emperor's beloved.
The Achkaerinese would most likely have little, to no, understanding of the convoluted nature of Arda Tuluvan society, especially within the inner working of the Court and Dynasty. Or of what Alcarinqualo and Alasseon were discreetly discussing to one another, best they didn't really. But this was how things were handled in Arda Tuluva. A constant dilemma of old mingling with the new.
They eventually were all lead to a line of black limousines which were waiting to drive them to the
Arcalcassë Palace. It was built in a ravine surrounded by the Holy Oronruan Mountains, a massive square sat before the Gateway of Perpetual Balance, two monolithic stone doors decorated with an azure dragon on the eastern door and a red-golden phoenix on the western. The pathway, the Meridian Way, was adorned with hundreds of marble statues of guardians against evil spirits and omens that lead straight through the gatehouse to the palace.
They drove through a massive tunnel hollowed out from the mountain after passing through the Gate of Perpetual Balance. The sides held inscriptions of auspicious prayers carved into them. “As you can see, Majesty,” the Noble Consort gestured to large cracks throughout the tunnel that seemed to illuminate as the convoy drove through, “because of tectonic movements the tunnel has cracked and has been repaired throughout the centuries in a fashion we call
entaminnlaurëa, or ‘to repair with gold;’ the art of repairing something with gold or silver lacquer and understanding that the piece is more beautiful for having been broken. The philosophy behind this encompasses the concepts of non-attachment, acceptance of change and fate as aspects of human life.”
The Noble Consort then explained the meaning behind each of the gates as they passed through; the first was the Gate of Perpetual Balance: a reminder that a balance in all things brought harmony and kept Heaven appeased. Alcarinqualo quoted one of Arda Tuluva’s most famed philosopher, Mindarúcina (Arda Tuluva's/Mundus’ version of Confucius), “Rituals and regulations are what kept the world from spiraling towards chaos.”
The second was the Gate of Supreme Tranquility: a reminder to the Empress that she must keep peace and tranquility, a tranquil state secured the Dynasty's hold on the Mandate of Heaven. The last was the Gate of Heavenly Brilliance: with Heaven's grace the Empire would remain the center of the world and civilization would continue to flourish. Each Gate might have become smaller as they progressed, but each was more beautiful and more adorned then the last. The Gate of Heavenly Brilliance seemed to have been cut from a dream. The artistry and craftsmanship was perfectly done. Like all things in Arda Tuluva, great care was taken to achieve a vision of beauty, of greatness, of sublimity.
“The Arcalcassë Palace was commissioned by the Tar-Tasarië Emperor in 1430, arguably the Vildimë Dynasty’s greatest empress." Alcarinqualo began to explain some history of the Palace in which Arda Tuluva's honored quested would be hosted. "The subsequent sovereigns were not the most frugal of monarchs and emptied the Treasury in their unyielding desire to finish construction. A little known fact is that only half of the entire plan was actually finished.” The Noble Consort gestured beyond the many pavilions and towers, "the vastness in the east is now the Imperial Gardens and hunting grounds." He has become somewhat of an expert on the history of the Arcalcassë since his arrival. His first love had always been literature, but history has become his second love especially since he began his monumental works on the Four Treasuries.
The convoy drove for some time more, twisting and navigating the large complex. Before arriving, "The Hall of Tranquil Longevity." The Noble Consort said as he and rest stepped out of the car. He was rather graceful getting in and out of the vehicles, considering the multilayered robes he wore. The servants who awaited them fell to a full kowtow.
"You are given leave to rise." Alasseon shouted with authority. They all stood. "Your Imperial Majesty, may I present Haryos, Head Steward of the Hall. He, and the entire staff, are at your disposal." The Stewards bowed low in greeting as he was introduced.
"His Majesty might find rest and solace within these halls." Alcarinqualo said, "This evening His Majesty and those he wishes to attend are invited to a Banquet at the Pavilion of Delightful Fragrance within the Herwëana Palace." He nodded his head before departing.
The Achkaerinese were showed to their respective suites within the beautifully designed Hall of Tranquil Longevity.
