Switched About

An entourage had arrived at the Sword School's main entrance, having somehow found exactly where Tracey was - doing some last minute preparation to leave for Alama again.

The group of fancier and shinny Imperial Guards meant it was something serious, and at first Tracey had thought it may have had something to do with the imprisoned Senator.

I should have just left already...

But the six men guarded a single messenger, in a dull red uniform, who had a very important and well protected relay from the capital - for the 'Heroine'.

Tracey stood still, mid-packing of a few items into the little carriage as the quiet group finished marching up to the doors and the one with purpose spoke loudly at her.

"Here is an invitation for the Great Tracey Spikelet - from the Imperial lands highest office."

The well presented man announced, not bothering to confirm if he was speaking at the intended person or not.

"This is a decree from the Emperor himself, requesting Miss Spikelet attend an official gathering at the Grand Hall."

He paused, for breath and to let the words sink in, then spoke a little quieter.

"She may bring whatever attendants, but is required upon this week's end."

A two day's long trip is doable... and it doesn't seem like I have much choice...

The dull clothed man rolled up his paper and merely stood by the mostly emptied complexes doors.

"We'll personally escort you to the Imperial Palace."

"Uh... now?"

Tracey was more than under-prepared for such a trip.

"I think I need to pack something..."

"Appropriate... finer clothes will be provided upon your arrival."

He gave a quick look up and down at her usual outfit of light-blue and white.

Um... what's wrong with my clothes...? Are they really here to stop us...? How'd they even know...?

Ty looked down at her from the small carriage seat, with traces of concern, unease and hesitation, since he and a few needed items where all that was left behind at the building complex, that was now entirely packed up and ready to be moved, to a less hostile place - in Alama.

Tracey and Amanda had decided that a more friendly area was needed for the school, since the Empire was crumbling, slowly but surely, and things could get rather chaotic or much worse and although technically in Imperial domain, Yarn was a much nicer place, as it was certainly warmer than Moore Hills, and further away from the Imperial capital, so it seemed a better fit.

With general consensus, and the blessing from the elderly master Ty, saw them hastily pack up what they needed from the School, organised the remaining students to come with them, while Tracey's family was also moving out, as were other close friends and helpers in the area, but keeping the swift transfer quiet had been key, and they couldn't afford to blow it now.

"I'll fetch some... attendants..."

Tracey put her box down and waited for Amanda and Shizuka, since they were luckily still nearby.

"Our wagon is down by the main road."

The small troop departed back to the wider part of the road, to a much bigger carriage and escorting horses, which blocked the one main path out of there.

They'd gotten well past hearing distance before Tracey spoke again.

"You don't think they'll prevent the rest from departing do you?"

She worried, since everyone else making up the small convoy was nearly ready to depart.

"More likely the... unpopular Emperor wants a rallying 'Hero' to make an appearance by his side, to gain the favour of the people; at least I hope it's just a coincidence..."

He eyeballed the remaining troop that mulled about, possibly not seeing their slightly distant detail so well anymore.

"I suppose we better play it safe then..."

Tracey gave him a hand to the driver's position, to let him set off with the others as planned.

"Will you be okay going all that way without us?"

"I'm not quite a dithering old coot yet dear... We'll be fine, don't worry at all."

Tracey still worried despite his reassurance.

"Okay..."

Amanda and Shizuka arrived, and were briefly filled in with the details, and while Shizuka covered up her telling differences again, they reluctantly went to the waiting escort and climbed into the prominent carriage of reds, grey and some finer gold paint.

The transport was paraded quickly through the small towns and villages along the way, not stopping anywhere long during the two day trip, as the escorts remained professional, but alert, as even though they were mostly ignored by what populace they saw, they did receive a few occasional hostile glares.

With the majority of the Army deployed, and the roaming hired swords, hunters and unemployed had been either rounded up to assist or laying very low, the Empire had spread itself rather thin, as not many remained to enforce the Emperor and his Senates will on the remaining people - and the people had already figured out as much.

Talk of opposing their leaders, their very unfair laws and uppity minions themselves had grown prominent about the unhappy Empire, and if the 'war' was to galvanise these people into supporting the strong leadership, it had made the opposite happen instead.

Many had apparently taken on a supportive view of the Hero's will, wanting to be more like Tracey; kind and compassionate, fair and just, but skilled and strong too, while disapproving of letting the suffering and killing go on. From what they'd heard from their return, quite the reverence was given to her now, especially with some stories of her triumphs filtering about amongst the common people, in her absence Tracey had become very popular.

Me and my views are popular... I still can't believe it...

The journey had remained fairly quiet, as they did their best to plan what each would do, or theorise what would be expected of them too, but it seemed they'd probably just have to wing it.

Acting as a mere servant, Shizuka planned to maintain her low profile, scout about wherever they'd be taken to, and keep her 'big ears to the doors', to listen in - hopefully to whatever they had planned for them.

Amanda would keep an eye out, as she did so often nowadays, as well as watch their surroundings and others who sort to have close company to Tracey, who would play the part of the 'returning Hero' - while staying alert in the dangerous Imperial capital.

The city of Lockyer, at the heart of the Empire, was just a bigger sprawl than all the other townships in the Imperial lands, usually riff with beggars, slaves, petty criminals, debauchery and fear, and also hosted the Imperial Palace and Senate - that housed the worst of them all.

Almost expected now, the old, narrow streets were less crowded and relatively peaceful than what Tracey had seen in the past, and word moved faster than the big transport, as it had got out that the 'Hero had arrived' and a small turnout appeared at every space it could, while not getting in the way, these people smiled and waved at the occupants, hoping to catch a small glimmer of Tracey, who occasionally waved back and caused some excitement.

Eventually they reached the dull grey walls of the Imperial Stronghold; a collection of high value buildings, residents, departments - all secure behind a thick wall, separating them from the general populace, and although cleaner and more spacious, it was no less dangerous than the regular city.

"So this is where you're stuck-up rulers live? How distasteful..."

Shizuka flickered her ears under her covering cloak, looking about at the sudden change.

Tracey remembered a few of the lavish and tall buildings purposes; like the pointy War Counsel building, the dark and almost spooky Research Building, the overly opulent and round Senate Hall and the excessively gold coated Imperial Palace that they neared.

The huge building had halls, guest housing, its own walls and guard stations and the towering Imperial Residence, where the young Emperor lived in absolute comfort, surrounded by the best gardens money could maintain.

Tracey had visited once before, and neither liked the exterior of marbled white and grey, nor the interior with high spanning everything, made to look grand and imposing, but it felt so cold and empty to her.

Tracey noticed there were far fewer guards about than last time too, and most looked young and inexperienced, barely used to the uniforms they wore, let alone how to properly hold their heavy weapons they displayed.

The trio bundled out of the transport and were ushered in, meeting only some humble staff, they were sent to their private 'wing' in the spidery shaped building, where the Hero was afforded the largest room, while Amanda got the joining one.

Shizuka, as the 'servant' was shown to wherever the other staff lived, before returning back in a uniform like all the others wore - much to her disliking.

"This... this thing is so humiliating!"

She plucked at the long dress that hid most of her fur and her fluffy tails and bristled in the black and white, frill edged uniform.

"It's what the staff all wear... sorry."

Tracey could see the puffed up more than usual white bonnet covered her ears too, but only just as they moved underneath as Shizuka was left to grumble about it all.

"I can hardly move in this... how am I expected to assist?"

She went silent, but stayed irate, when company arrived, as more staff made a big delivery of many dresses for Tracey to choose from, and although there were several colours to decide upon, there didn't seem to be all that much covering fabric among them all.

A similarly aged woman remained to assist her getting changed, as she informed Tracey.

"Please make your choice form among the Imperial Collection, but we must be ready for the Gala this evening, my lady."

These are way too revealing... and those there are almost see through...! Why did I get this selection...?

Shizuka slightly smirked as she appraised the light clothing too, but said nothing, while Amanda in her own room presumably had to decide on one too, so it was all left for Tracey to decide.

"Alright... uh, maybe... this one then..."