Major Arcana - (IV) The Emperor
The Emperor rides on his armored steed, escorted by his loyal knights. He enters the fortress with an air of authority. All his spearmen, archers and swordsmen bow down low on his arrival. He alights from his horse and strides to the fortress tower. He wears his kingly robes and walks out into the balcony.
Below the tower, a multitude of people assembled. There were peasants, blacksmiths and potters. There were scribes, artisans and nobles. There were women children and beggars. Everyone was cheering in unison.
"Hail the emperor! Hail the emperor!"
It was the Emperor's two hundred and fiftieth expedition and his two hundred and fiftieth victory. At long last they have defeated all the other kingdoms, tribes and barbaric clans in the continent. Finally, he can truly be called an emperor.
Yet, the Emperor knows that he should not rest a bit, for his command is not yet carved in stone. He knows that even a weak brick in the foundation can make the entire tower crumble. But right now, it is the Emperor's responsibility to make his constituents believe that the empire is solid, he should not show any sign of weakness to his people or it may just lead to a bloody civil war which he fears the most. So he addresses his people and gives an inspiring speech of unity, healing and rebuilding.
The Emperor finishes his speech with a sincere plea-- a plea to work together and move forward amidst the obvious destruction caused by his long campaigns. And the people understands and everyone applauds.
"Hail the emperor! Hail the emperor!"
This is the culminating moment of the empire's campaign. This is the empire at its finest moment. But even so, this is the empire at its weakest, for a single blunder would easily crash all that was started. The Emperor's knights know this by fact and by heart, so they guard him with their lives and they become very vigilant to any threat.
The knights have anticipated every scenario. In case of rebellion, they have installed Anti-riot Soldiers. In case of treachery, they have established a Special Paladin Ensemble. In case of assassination, they have set-up an Elite Archery Knights.
But what they did not expect and probably would never understand is an attack from a time-traveler.
The time-traveler materialized in the tower exactly opposite where the Emperor is standing. It was a very well guarded tower, with only one entrance and dozens of knights guarding it. But the time traveler did not walk through it. So when the knights saw the time traveler the guards were both surprised, for the traveler's appearance from thin air, and afraid for the Emperor’s life.
So, they all rushed into the tower and climbed the steep stairs which would have been impassable for anyone unauthorized. The knights climbed as fast as they could, before the traveler does anything which may harm the empire. When the knights arrived at the tower balcony they saw the time traveler still in the scene. But in a blinding flash of light, he disappeared into thin air just like how he appeared a few moments ago.
Below the tower, the knights saw the people moving in a chaotic manner. In the emperor's tower, the unthinkable has happened, The Emperor has been assassinated.
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