Something was clearly happening below, as soldiers and an increasing number of nobles started heading in the direction of - she closed her eyes, trying to remember the layout - the great hall?  Yeah, the great hall.  She shrugged and began tearing the last of her bread into small crumbs and throwing them out over the courtyard, laughing happily as each was caught by a gull before it had even started falling.  So engrossed in watching the birds, the heavy knock at the door came as a complete surprise and she jumped, knocking her bread off the balcony.  "BELOW" she hollered helpfully to anyone down there and headed back into the room.<br/><br/>Once inside she gestured for the guard to be quiet and tiptoed across the room, laying her hand on the handle, then nodded to the guard."What is is?"  He shouted.<br/><br/>"Emperor wants to see you.  Murderous scum, why he didn't hang you the second..." He stopped suddenly as Silya threw the door open.  The Tanpari guards had got very brave at shouting abuse through the door and she was glad to finally catch one.  She smiled happily at him "Sorry, he didn't hang us the second we?  Landed?  Showed our faces?  Where were you going with that?"  The guard stood paralysed for a moment then took off down the hall, laughter following him.<br/><br/>"Charming folk, the Tanpari."  She laughed.  "Alright.  Court it is.  Looks like the Empress is back after all.  Try not to pick your nose this time."  When they had first arrived they had been greeted by a Castellan.  Her guard had picked up a cold on the crossing and had been, quite naturally, cleaning his nose out while she talked with the castellan.  She had realised he was aghast at something but it had taken them quite a while to work out what.  She supposed she just had to be thankful he'd had the presence of mind not to flick the results at anything or anyone.<br/><br/>Still, know not to do that next time.<br/>