Peté A brief clatter could be heard in the middle of the Empereur’s suite. The sound of dice might seem out of place in this gilded chamber, draped with ermine-trimmed tapestries covering immense bookcases, decorated with occasional ceremonial swords and armor, and floored with a great slab of malachite. “Six!” excitedly said young Meneldur Mondros Quarrovth Tar-Ilium, seven year old heir to the throne. Peté smiled gleefully as Meneldur moved his Top Hat space by space, “One, two, three, four, five....” Meneldur paused. “Six.” He looked sheepishly at his father. “I believe I hold Park Street, son.” Peté said with an indulgent smile. “Yeah dad... How much?” the son uttered apprehensively. “Eleven Hundred marches.” “Oh no, I have to more-gouge-” “That’s mortgage, son.” Peté interrupted. “more-gage something... okay, ...” Peté grinned as little Meneldur carefully counted out 140 monopoly marches and then put together a great big stack. “Here you go papa,” Meneldur handed the stack to Peté and pouted. Soon, Meneldur clacks his piece (a billy goat, though the game designer thinks it’s a dog) once, twice... thrice, and looks down. “Now, son, was that what you rolled?” “No papa,” Meneldur replied quietly. “What did you roll?” the amused Patriarch inquired. “A two.” “Is it fair to pretend it was something else?” “No. But you’re big!” “So?” “You, you knew I’d land on those houses!” “No, I didn’t. But I knew you could. That’s why I agreed to the trade.” “But you didn’t tell me those blue ones were so expendive!” “That’s expensive, son. And if you’re making a deal with somebody, you have to judge it for yourself.” Just then, the engrossed Empereur and his son were interrupted by the doors swinging open and a clerk stumbling in. “Your Majesty!” | Fredrika “We’ve all had to deal with our housefoxes leaving their excrement on the floor - the cleanup, the smell, the wasted time - it can be excruciating! No more with our patented ‘Teach Your Fox to Toilet’ system...” Gothren circled the ad with a thick black pen. It was a little expensive, but it would certainly be worth it in the long run from all the carpet cleaning expenses at home. Suddenly the light illuminating his Fox Fancy magazine was covered. He looked up to see a clerk standing in front of him, holding a portfolio. “The Empeuress wishes to see me.” he said to Gothren. He looked over to the door he had been tasked to sit next to, closed his magazine deliberately, and set it on the floor. “She’s...” A muffled moan emanated from the wall behind him. “bathing. She doesn’t want to be disturbed.” The clerk adjusted his tie awkwardly. “But she set up an appointment. I’m representing Mr. Laroth, the architect? Our offices were contacted to - “Yes, yes, the expansion of Their Majesties Pelagis residence. I know. But irregardless - “ “It’s ‘regardless’. Just ‘regardless’. And I don’t see what the problem is, serjo. She scheduled this meeting herself.” “Regardless of whether or not she scheduled this meeting herself, she is now presently indisposed! Do you not understand the words I’m saying to you?” “I think this is all a big misunderstanding. I mean if you’d just let me go in and talk to Her Majesty I’m sure you’d see she just wants to... keep our meeting secret! So she told you she was taking a bath. See? Now if you’ll excuse me - “ The clerk began to reach for the door but Gothren quickly caught his arm in his hand. “You will never work for anyone again. You are not to enter that suite.” A silence hung over the corridor as the two men stared at each other, the clerk’s arm still firmly in Gothren’s grip. It seemed to last for hours until it was ended by a high-pitched scream from the room. The clerk again adjusted his tie nervously as Gothren relaxed his grip. “I’m sorry for the inconvenience, serjo.” the clerk mumbled. “No inconvenience.” said Gothren. The clerk hurried away as he reopened his Fox Fancy magazine. |
ILIUM GAZETTE
(http://www.pharmacyescrow.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/symptoms-of-a-heart-attack-image.jpg)
ROTHIS VROTRITH POISONED
Rothis Vrotrith, the head of the Myrorian Great House Vrotrith (A Myrorian 'Great House' is like a political party, but with more murder), was reported rushed to the hospital yesterday after being poisoned with an unnamed chemical. Vrotrith, who was the leader of the socialist House Vrotrith, was present at a dinner with other House officials when he exhibited symptoms of poisoning. Rothis, in a streak of either amazing psychic powers or amazing luck, guessed he was poisoned and no delay was apparent as he was rushed to the nearest hospital, where he was treated.
Vrotrith is expected to make a full recovery, which leads to the question of - who was responsible? Vrotrith consistently denies knowing he would be poisoned, but the Pelagis prefecture (A Myrorian prefecture is like a police force, with more racial profiling) isn't buying the comrade's story. Rumors have recently been circulating among Myrorians that Vrotrith was in collaboration with the CCC - could it be a socialist plot to kill someone who has outlived his usefulness? The Ilium Gazette will be following this story intently and reporting on details as they arrive.
A DECLARATION
BY THE COUNCIL OF GREAT HOUSES UNDER THE EMPEURESS
ISSUED APRIL 2, 1969
Yesterday, April 1, 1969, the Council of Great Houses Under the Empeuress voted 81-19 to pass this resolution which was presented to the Council by Serjo Avon Vrotrith, of House Vrotrith:QuoteResolved, that His Imperial Majesty Peté Tar-Ilium, first of his name, is hereby impeached on charges of conspiracy to commit murder. He will be brought before the High Court of Myroria to stand trial for these charges, and pending his judgment will be referred to as Peté Tar-Ilium, and will be afforded all the privileges and responsibilities of a citizen. All citizens who previously held allegiance to Peté Tar-Ilium as Empeurer are hereby freed of these bonds.
Immediately following this resolution a second resolution was passed, introduced by Serjo Marcica Quarrovth, of House Quarrovth:QuoteResolved, that Her Imperial Highness Fredrika Tar-Ilium, Archmistress of Great House Quarrovth, is hereby announced as Her Imperial Majesty Fredrika Tar-Ilium, Empeuress of Myroria.God save the Empeuress.