Mags

Jerehlu gestured at another log by the fire. "We should get to know each other! You said your name's Lusha? Were are you from?" "Glamis what have I told you about leaving for the Johns when we're in the middle of the job, it's not that hard to--" She dodged out of the bolts way. "Glamis! Give me that, ain't no way I'm trusting you with something that has a trigger on it." Mami held out her hand.

Almost certainly Master Igenes was not there. None of the bandits appeared to be as old and hunched as he had been, and they all looked comfortable on their feet when he had needed a cane. It was impossible to tell if Lady Genuhk was there. Several of the bandits had a standard, stocky and well-muscled build that she had had. Mami jogged over and squinted at Dint. She seemed to recognize his mask, and the bloody face of the dead bandit was enough to trick her. "What were you doing out here on your own Glamis?"

"Yaaay! You won't regret this Lady Elf girl." Jerehlu grinned, "How much do you want?" It hit the man in the shoulder and he stumbled forward. A few of the bandits standing next to him shouted, catching him and helping him stand. Mami saw, and turned to Jerehlu. "We haven't gotten them all, someone's still out there with a bow!" Jerehlu turned towards the trees, concern written on his face. "Go after him then, but if he runs off let him go." Mami nodded, and taking 3 bandits with her, went into the forest to look for Dint. "Hmmmmm," Jerehlu said, comically tapping the chin of his mask. "But what if you said yes?"

"So, should we run away from the collapsing building and the police officers, or are we going to stand our ground?" Aki asked, mildly irritated. Wasn't this the sort of thing you ran from?

"Soooooooooo Mr. Clay, Mr. Weaver. What now?"

"We'll both stay here when they go, so don't worry about it," Lee explained. @The Stormfather "Mark, how long do you think you'll be gone?"

The emperor scanned the paper, then looked at Arke, examining him. "This is one of the accomplices you arrested, March?" "Yes Father, this one was particularly violent and tried to get between me and the arrest." "I see," He turned back to Arke. "Unfortunately, I have no need of your services, especially considering so far you've only used them to antagonize my children."

The guards step forward uneasily, but the emperor waves them aside. "What's this?" He asked, unfolding the paper to read it.

"I agree with December's point that their punishments should be different," The emperor finally said. "It would only make sense that July should face greater consequences because his violation was more severe." "You always go easy on August with this sort of thing," October grumbled. "That's because August is a valuable asset to the kingdom," December replied, her words loaded with something deeper. "How is he a valuable asset if he's constantly pulling things like this?" March asked flippantly. "He does nothing but waste our time, I could've been working on other things during all the time it took us to find him and drag him back." "Other things like what? You're petty duels and politics? If anything he's finally getting you to do something responsible." December growled back at him. "It's not like that was his intention," Tober mumbled. Even the large imposing man looked intimidated by December. "Perhaps not, but that is the outcome."

I kinda feel the same way about Shallan actually, I didn't like her at first (though I didn't hate her), but in the later books I find her very interesting and even fun to read about . . . though I found her arc in RoW a little flat, I'm looking forward to what she does in WaT. PPS: Hehe yeah I'm about 3/4 of the way through and I'm really enjoying it! It's been slow going because studying takes up so make time, but I'm trying to finish it before the month ends.

The emperor considered this for a moment. "I understand your point, April, however the reality is that most of June's current duties don't involve July at all, he could live without him, if need be." June visibly tensed, but didn't say anything.

"Of course dear, what would you like to say?" The emperor asked. "You believe they should have the same punishment?" December asked. "That doesn't make any sense to me--July ran away against direct orders and stole the Shi-Matahn. August only left without direct permission, and then spent that time looking after July for us."

"That's what we're here to decide dear, what are your thoughts on the issue?" "If I may," a woman on the right side of the table interjected. She had straight black hair that was pulled back tightly, and was wearing dark armor. There was a militaristic look about her, and her resting face seemed to be a continual scowl. "Though I only arrived back here yesterday and wasn't around for their departure, I don't think getting rid of them is a good idea." "And why is that, December?" "It will take longer to find new months then it will to re-discipline them," She replied shortly. "We know that to be the case of August," The emperor said. August seemed to tense a little at his comment. "But what of July? We've seen nothing like this from him before."

Welcome to the Shard! I see you are a person of taste--Hoid is one of my favorites too lol. What's your least favorite Sanderson character? Do you like bagels?

He avoided her gaze seemingly absorbed with playing with a lock of his hair. "Yeah, yeah I'm fine," He whispered back, giving her a less then confident half-smile. After the uncomfortable silence, the emperor seemed to come out of his thoughts, and he finally spoke: "Before we get to the real issue at hand, we have a different piece of business to conduct," He said casually, lifting a paper to read off of. "Of course, with September gone we need to appoint a new one. January--" He waved at a man sitting at the table who had vivid red hair and a beard, "Nominated his son as a candidate for the position, and as there is no one else currently regarded as worthy--" "Bull-" Someone in the audience of nobles started to say, but a harsh glare from the Emperor cut them off. "As there is no one else currently regarded as worthy, Anden of Bergendine will be adopted as September. This is a far less formal change then is precedented," He continued, reading the words quickly, "But the security of the empire requires swift and stern leadership." Mummers broke out a across the crowd. Someone threw their notebook down loudly. From the back, a small man was led forward by an escort. He had January's red hair, but his skin was a shade darker and he had purple, diamond-shaped tattoos on his face. From the way he walked and the fact that his eyes were closed, he was clearly blind. The escort helped him up onto the stand, and into the empty chair next to January. A large portion of the onlookers left after that. They clearly cared about the chance for a new person in power, but had little interest in the months internal politics. A few of the more curious stayed, but not many. "Moving right along," The emperor said cheerily, sitting back down and putting the paper away, "July's excursion and such." "What do you mean, July's excursion? August went with him!" March grumbled. "They both ran away and are very clearly traitors, can we just get rid of them?" "I admire you're tenacity my son," The emperor replied, "But the issue is more complicated then that, and I'm not inclined to just 'get rid off' my children who I have raised and trained for years."

@Spark of Hope @TheRavenHasLanded @Exotic Almond @BlueWildRye @Through The Living Glass ------------------------------------------ A few hours after arriving, just as the sun was beginning to set, the party was led out of the sitting room by a few guards. They were taken to a large, spacious hall that was clearly the palace's throne room. It had no windows, and smelled of old incense; the tapestry's were dusty, and there were books and papers littered on the floor in places. The hall ended in an octagonal cavern-like space. Most of the floor was covered with a large dais. On top, was a long table that ran in a line across the book of the dias, forming a half circle. Behind it were thirteen chairs, the middle one of which was larger and higher then the others. As expected, this middle 'throne' was occupied by none other then the emperor himself. A greying man with a lean, muscular build, he looked younger then he ought to be--or maybe not younger, just more capable. The rest of the seats were of course filled with the months. October, March, May, and all the others sat in their respective seats, including a few months that the party had never seen before. August was there too, in his own seat on the left of the emperor despite the fact that he was a part of the hearings subject. He was wearing nicer clothes then they had seen him in before, and his short hair was pinned back to look less messy. Three chairs were empty, one that must have been Septembers, and two others. July sat on a long bench placed in front of the table, trying not to look nervous. He was also wearing nicer clothes, and his long hair was loose. The guards led everyone else to the sit on the bench as well. June moved to stand behind July, who wouldn't meet his gaze. After a few seconds of getting settled, the doors at the end of the hall opened a again, and a small group of nobles and officials entered. They came to stand around the dais to watch, a few were holding pads and quills as if to take notes. The emperor rose to inspect them, and a hush filled the room. He didn't say anything.