Raftersations

A good hiding place is like anything else in life, best out of reach of things that can kill you (except because of guns thats a very limited set of places).  Failing that, in a place no one would ever think to look. Which is what lead me to scaling up into the rafters of the palace with some stolen food supplies and hoping for things to get better (not the best plan, but plans are plans).  The best part is that the rafters were fairly high up and no one seemed to look up there (I had previously been tasked with cleaning up in the rafters and after discovering an unhealthy amount of dust, figured no one has been up there... ever).  They also were connected to the whole palace, meaning I had the run of the place and could slink down to grab food, drink, or go to the bathroom without people noticing me.  Which is what lead once again to hearing something I probably would have been better off not knowing.

"Emperor they demand we give up any and all arms and submit to their rule." I was in the throne room, because I wanted to feel a bit royal, also I had gotten lost earlier.




"I already capitulated to their request! What more can the Red Hand demand of me?" The emperor was old, and getting older with each passing moment.

"These aren't the Red Hand my lord, they call themselves the Guard, and they heard about our deal with the Red Hand, they demand we stop providing for their enemy." I felt for the emperor, in trying to please one group promising anihilation he angered the other, this frequently happens to me as well, though on a smaller scale, and usually involving people who lend money.

"Damn this war! We can not win." I'd heard the phrase before, but usually not at the government level, I felt for the Lunar Empire, but they should have known this was coming, they could not weather any storm forever.

"My liege what shall I tell them."

"Tell them I need more time."

"Yes my lord." As all things had happened.  Time had already ran out.  The emperor didn't know it, neither did I, but his people were already lost. The Guard had decided to make an example out of them, and any who opposed them, and so in a way I watched the last royal meeting of the Lunar Empire, well aside from when I get drunk and call court on my own, but this was at least more official!