The day of departure dawned clear and unremarkable.
Which was exactly how it was supposed to be.
The emperor was going to disappear for a couple of weeks, but the empire itself would still think he was within the imperial palace, locked in internal policy meetings, or planning out national defense or perhaps the next expansion campaign.
No trumpets echoed through the Imperial Palace.
No banners were unfurled from the high towers.
No crowds gathered in the streets to cheer or speculate.
His leaving of the Imperial Palace and the Eternal city itself would be missed wholely by all except those at the highest levels of the established government.
Standing in an exterior wing far from the ceremonial wings, fastening the final clasp of a travel cloak that bore no sigil, no embroidery, no mark of rank.
The fabric itself was not impressive just looking like a classic mantle worn by just about any travelling merchant or mercenary.
