Imagine if you will, a long, cavernous hallway made from white marble.   Its high ceilings are vaulted, with open windows allowing the golden rays of the morning sun to bathe the area in light.<br/>Hanging from the ledge of each window is a rich blue tapestry, with the silver outline of a great tower under a full moon, and swirling clouds.<br/>On the floor of this hallway is a luxuriant jewel blue carpet, trimmed with silver designs.   Columns and alcoves line the walls, each one housing a small wooden table.	On each of these tables was an ornate silver vase, holding a bouquet of ever-fresh blue roses.<br/><br/>The "Dragon's hallway" was its nickname, owing to the beautiful fresco covering its ceiling, depicting a great blue dragon doing battle with a horde of brutish orcs.<br/><br/>It was quiet here, with the tapestries flowing ever so gently in the breeze...<br/><br/>The silence gave way to heavy booted feet walking along the carpet.  From around the far corner emerged a tall, muscular looking gentleman in his mid forties, though his stride was that of someone much younger.  His hair was long and black, streaked with silvery lines of gray from his temples.  His eyes were a rich gray, and scanned the area in front of him as he walked, like that of a practiced soldier.<br/><br/>He wore a blue tabard draped over his black tunic and trousers, its embroidery matching that of the many tapestries flowing overhead.  Across his back was an ornate hand and a half sword, with its silvered hilt protruding above his right shoulder.<br/><br/>The man suddenly slowed about midway through the hall, and looked to his left, to the nearest alcove.<br/><br/>Sprawled out on a marble stone bench was a lightly built man, about the same age.  His hair was likewise long and streaked with gray, though his eyes were hidden from the black, feathered tricorn upon his head.<br/><br/>In his hands was a stone goblet.   On the table next to him was a small silver plate, with a small wheel of cheese upon it.  Stabbed through its center was a small knife.<br/><br/>The red haired man swirled the goblet under his nose, and inhaled of its rich aroma.<br/>"You seem stressed, Lord General Amadeus..."  He murmured to the dark haired man, and extended the goblet to him.  "...Perhaps a drink to calm your nerves hmmmm?"  He quipped.<br/><br/>Ama 's eyes narrowed, and he turned, and approached the red haired man, and took the goblet from him.<br/>His voice was a rich baritone.  "...It's a little early for this, little brother."  He grunted to the red haired man.  The general sniffed at the glass, and brought it to his lips for a sip.<br/><br/>"Yes I agree..."  He snapped back at the knight in his gravelly voice.  "...way too early to be woken up and taken away from my nice warm chambermaid, and told to report to the throne room at once."<br/><br/>Ama's brother groaned, and stood to his feet.  The spymaster then removed his hat, revealing red, hungover eyes.  " What in the hell does she want?"  He asked acidly.<br/><br/>Ama took another drink of the wine, savored it, and then swallowed it.  He cleared his throat, and spoke plainly.  " To see us I suppose, Lord Kain, and discuss an urgent matter of state."<br/><br/>Kain made a gesture of tossing his hat to his stone bench, his black cape swirling about him.<br/>He grunted, and turned back to face his brother, a look of annoyance on his otherwise handsome face.<br/>"...Meaning you have no idea at all!"  he hissed.<br/><br/>Ama chuckled, and shrugged.  He then pointed a muscular finger to the massive oak double door at the other end of the hall.  "She is just in there, why don't you go ask her then?"  he murmured.<br/><br/>Kain clenched his teeth for a moment, and then composed himself.   He snatched his hat, and placed it back on his head with a flourish.   "Yes, I think I will..."  he hissed.<br/><br/>Kain stormed off toward the door, and muscled it open, its great brass hinges creaking softly.<br/><br/>The general placed his goblet next to the silver plate.   The cook would have Kain's hide for this later, stealing another bottle of the blackberry vintage.<br/><br/>He could then hear his brother's angry voice bellowing from the throne room in front of him.<br/><br/>Ama swore under his breath, and jogged to catch up to his irate sibling.<br/><br/>The Throne room to the blue palace was magnificent, huge and airy.   It was a large oval shape, made as such that the acoustics would allow any whisper to be heard from the throne itself.  He could see The angry spymaster in front of the raised dais on the other end of the room, muttering something about being woke up before lunch time again...<br/><br/>Besides a few royal attendants, the big room was empty.<br/><br/>The high backed throne was beautiful in its own right, looking as if it was carved from a single, flawless sapphire, with delicate carvings upon its surfaces.   From his angle, Ama could not see the queen, his brother standing before her, keeping her hidden as he continued his rant.<br/><br/>Kain then turned, saw his brother, and stepped aside, scoffing, revealing the beautiful queen to him....