The Studio was a special place to the Empress. It was one of the few halls in the Palace, where She, depending on Her mood, could spend Her time there in quite different ways.
If boredom was to move Her inside, She used to take a brush and keep Herself busy for the time needed; if it was for fatigue, that was where the Empress felt recreation most achievable. But it was also one of Her beloved places to be in when She required peace of mind in need of concentration. Walking back and forth, watching the paintings already finished and those being in progress of creation, always tuned Her up for the productive thinking.

And there it was where She decided to spend the last hour of late morning until noon time, intending to mull over the message received earlier that day, sent by Councilor Thutkra. The note was written in a very neat and orderly handwriting. Her Majesty pictured the huge fearsome Barbarian sitting in an arm-chair, writing with diligence, sticking his tongue out in forgetfulness. She giggled. Her Majesty already knew how high the Military Councilor’s eloquence was in written speech, yet She was still too accustomed to his solecisms and his constant “Right.”s in his speech and thus still felt unusual while reading the Barbarian’s reports.

“Your Majesty.

No doubt, the Throne battle has rendered a great service to our military forces. The Lordship has revived greatly, finally sensing the chance to prove themselves again, to participate in a large-scale warfare event and, of course, to get a chance to command the new, yet unseen creatures.

Many talks and discussions of the past tournament witness high level of interest towards such events in the Empire, which I can only encourage. Therefore, I consider it necessary to continue the series of tournaments.

I spoke to Kh’Everst yesterday, he should send Your Majesty the results of our conversation later today; in short, we were discussing the possibility to conduct a Blindfold tournament on the new arena he had designed as one of his Reformation projects. Kh’Everst and I agreed on certain changes that need to be brought to effect before such a tournament could begin.

I will be expecting Your Majesty’s resolution on the new Tournament conditions. Any of Your personal ideas concerning the ways of conducting a Blindfold tournament will be highly appreciated and thoroughly considered.

Most humbly, Your true servant,
Thutkra”

Her Majesty enumerated in Her head the few points on the Tournament She had already figured as necessary to be changed, when a timid knock on the Studio door made her wonder if it was what She was expecting. Indeed, it was: “This has just arrived, Your Majesty. Signed as urgent, sealed by Councilor Kh’Everst”.

The Empress grabbed the envelope in silence, giving a short nod to the page, and directed Her steps towards the Study. Thutkra would not have to wait too long.