Silya had always been an early riser and during the few days she'd been in here she'd taken to eating an early breakfast on the balcony outside her room.  She was a little annoyed she hadn't been given a room overlooking the sea, life in the Coastal Cities revolved around the ocean and it was annoying being able to hear and smell it but not see it, but at least the courtyard she did overlook was always full of activity.  And it wasn't like she could really complain - she was hardly the favourite person round here at the moment.  The phrase "pirate wench" had been muttered on several occasions and even outright said on a few and she was running out of reasons not to forbid her guards from visiting taverns in the town due to the number of fights they seemed to get in to.<br/><br/>Even early in the morning the main courtyard was always a bustle.  Servants scurrying to and from the well, guards on the walls - in fact if memory served that was the guard captain herself stood below - and even the occasional noble up early for some reason.  There seemed to be some special activity this morning as well, as a well dressed woman entered the castle.  A high pitched whistle summoned one of her guard and she pointed out the figure.  "Who's that?"<br/><br/>He shrugged and peered closer.  "Her Grace Mereavus Atalanta Vorserkeine.  Advisor to the Empress."  She repeated the name to herself a few times to make sure she got it right.  The Coastal Cities didn't really have a tradition of diplomacy and she was sounding it out as she went - she had decided though that learning and remembering names was probably key.  "Looks like the Empress might be back then."  The Emperor had been holding off meeting her until, she suspected, the Empress returned.<br/><br/>"Looks like things might be starting."