The Shadow General

Chapter 4: The Emperor's Banquet

The carriage rocked gently side to side as it made its way to the mansion where the Emperor's banquet was being held.

Inside Fulvia took in the sight of her brother sitting on the other side of the carriage, "Remember, Elin Stymir is your goal, but if you don't find any interest in her make sure to tell me right away so that I can look for another."

"Yes, yes," he sighed at her, "Enough now, we've been through this for two weeks. Instead of repeating it again shouldn't we hurry up? We will be really late."

"That doesn't matter," she waved her hand in dismissal, "I planned it so you will be the last to enter."

"Isn't custom to arrive before the emperor?" he asked scratching his chin in confusion.

"Normally it is, but this way all eyes will be on you," she said uninterested, "Make sure you present yourself well."

He sighed again, "And where are you going to be?"

"I'm going to try and collect some stuff for the future. If this all goes well we'll have to make a strong presence here in the capital," she watched out the window as the carriage came to a stop, "I wish you the best of luck."

Inside the mansion that was hosting the Emperor's banquet Elin Stymir stood in a group of her peers.

"Have you heard about the arrival of people at the Villa on the hill?" asked a young lady.

"Yes!" another whispered in breathy excitement leaning in closer to the group, "It was rumored to be a large group that entered the Villa's walls."

"I also heard that they invited the owner to tonight's banquet, but I haven't seen anyone new," another sighed in disappointment.

Elin leaned in closer to the group, "Do you happen to have any ideas on who the owner is?"

"No clue," said the young lady, "but whoever it is is definitely rich! I mean no body is ever there which means they are merely keeping it! That villa is the most wanted villa in the whole capital."

"What family owns the villa closest to the imperial family's home and never use it?" asked another young lady.

"I wonder if they are looking for someone to marry into the family?" one of the girls giggled, "I wouldn't mind volunteering."

Someone gave her a small shove well laughing, "And what will you do if the owner turns out to be a old man?"

They were all laughing out loud when the heavy doors opened and a young handsome man walked in.

The Emperor stood and watched the young man enter. He was impressed with his choice of dress. A tunic of pure white with purple embroidery over it was amazing, but what was more amazing was the toga. Made out of a material he had never seen before. It shimmered in the light and was made out of pure purple and had silver embroidery on it. The purple fabric was also used for the young man's head band that was loosely tied around his head and the tails dropped down to his shoulder.

How much did it cost him? the Emperor wondered feeling a pang of jealousy.

Purple was a hard color to obtain. Only small amounts of purple dye could be made at a time. Making it expensive.

The Emperor himself could only afford to have the hem of his toga dyed. Others, who were wealthy, could only have a small piece of purple fabric made into an accessory.

The young man looked down the staircase to the people below. He waited a moment as though he was thinking about something before he descended.

When he reached the bottom of the stairs the Emperor felt compelled to step forward to greet him, "Welcome friend. You do not look familiar."

"I greet the great sun of the empire," the young man bowed to him, "I am Gunnarr Cato, I apologize for being late. It took longer to prepare then I thought."

"Nonsense," the Emperor clapped him on the shoulder, "you made it and that is what counts. Where are you staying?"

"Ah," Gunnarr smiled at him as he stood up straight, "My family owns the villa up on the hill near your own home your majesty."

Whisper's and gasps could be heard through out the banquet hall.

"Oh my gosh," a young lady squealed, "He's so young! And he came alone! Perhaps he is in need of a wife."

"Elin," a young lady grabbed her arm, "What do you think? Look at how he is dressed! His family is no doubt rich and he's so handsome."

Elin couldn't take her eyes off him. He was tall and well muscled. Definitely not a man that just sat around doing nothing. His hair was a straw colored blonde and he had striking blue eyes.

"It's strange though," a woman whispered, "Why have I never heard of him? Do you think he spent all his wealth on his clothes?"

The Emperor gave him a smile, "Tell me young Cato where did you get such an amazing outfit? I must admit I am a little bit jealous of it."

"Really? Well, my sister will be excited to hear that as she is the one who made me this outfit," he replied humbly.

"Your sister made it?!" the Emperor asked in shock, "Well, she is quite talented."

Gunnarr chuckled catching the crowd's attention again when they heard it, "She has twelve brothers to take care of and to make sure is clothed. So you could say she has a lot of experience."

Elin felt a spark of interest in what he said. She couldn't imagine having so many brothers to keep up with, Is she the only girl? She must have to struggle a lot watching over all of them!

The Emperor chuckled himself, "She has it hard, but why did she and your other brothers not come with you?"

"I apologize again your majesty, but not everyone is here in the capital. Only my sister and one other is here but they had other things to attend to. I hope you will be satisfied with just my presence here," Gunnarr bowed again to show his sincerity.

"No, you are not in the wrong so do not worry about it," the Emperor waved his hand, We might be in luck. This man might just come from a talented house. I wonder if they are in textiles?

He looked over at his niece and noticed her gaze was watching Gunnarr, His entrance and manner of dress will make him the talk of the capital. We could use this to our favor.