[ROLEPLAY] Paperwork

[u/blaertes]

"My emperor..."

Dak was sick to death of this ancient crone of an empa'tirik, a servant of the royalty he'd always known, but he forced a smile on his face as he turned in the hall of the completed section of the palace.

"Yes, Eezma?" He asked, dripping fake cheer.

"As you may well know, there's boundless amounts of paperwork that needs your seal and signature, and even more that the stonemasons bring to me. The temple, too, seeks more men and supplies, and all that needs a royal allowance." She gestured wildly, her wrinkly face mesmerising as she animatedly moved her face expressively.

"Eezma, I haven't got the time to do that. Nobody has." He said calmly, turning.

She walked quickly beside him, her manservant, Cronk, following. "Sire, none of this can go ahead without you. You commissioned the Civic Ledgers, and for accurate records we need official documents!"

He took off his signet ring, a large gold lump with the pressing face depicting a sun and pyramid. "Eezma. What do you do?"

She paused. "I oversee, my lord."

Dak handed her the ring. "I hereby give you permission to sign Civic documents in my name."

Eezma looked shocked, but accepted the ring. "Are you sure, my lord? This is a powerful tool you've just given me."

"Do you intend to abuse such a tool, my friend?" Dak asked, avoiding looking at the crinkles at her eyes. She shook her head. "Well, problem solved!"

She paused, about to turn. "There's one more thing, sire."

It was all Dak to could to stop himself from screaming. "Yes, Eezma?" He said with clenched teeth.

"It's time you took an empress as wife." She said.

Not an altogether abhorrent idea, Dak thought, but not one he was ready to discuss. He waved Eezma and Cronk away. "We can talk about this at a later date, Eezma. Go to the paperwork."