Dagaslan snored at his feet as Shaugn sat at the desk gnawing on the pen in his hand. His thoughts were on everything but what he'd written down on the coarse sheet of paper in front of him. He had a long fight ahead of him and little time to get ready. The first thing that needed to happen, was to get this body as strong and healthy as his original body and to find ways to defend himself. He knew some hand-to-hand fighting but he knew nothing about weapons and neither did OG. At least learning to fight with a knife or dagger would be good.

He looked down at the snoozing, oversized cat by his feet and shook his head. Daga was a spoiled creature. All he did was eat, sleep, and look for headpets. Shaugn looked up at the ceiling then around the room. When he didn't see his shadow guard, he turned to the stone-like guard in front of his door. "Radagar."

Radagar's eyes shifted over. "Yes, your majesty?"

"Are the shadow guards forbidden from interacting with me?"

Radagar raised a brow. "No, your majesty."

"I want to meet with Yon and Rou." If he was going to build his team, he needed people who could be in more places than one without being noticed.

"Is it something I can do, your majesty?"

He shook his head. As his personal guard, Radagar was easily recognizable. "I need your talents elsewhere."

"Very well. I'll contact them as soon as you leave this afternoon." He looked out the window. "Speaking of which, it's time we left if you still plan to go to the court, your majesty."

Shaugn put his pen down and stood. "That's right. Time flies."

Radagar frowned. "Your majesty, how –"

It was harder than he thought to talk without idioms and other sayings. "Nevermind. It's just a saying. Means time goes fast."

"Ah." Radagar walked out of the room ahead of Shaugn. The two guards outside the door followed behind them to the front courtyard. The palace staff and guards bowed as he approached. He kept his eyes forward and gave a small wave as he passed them. Shaugn had to admit that acting like an important person was becoming easier. Just smile and wave and pretend you're above everyone else.

They entered the front courtyard and stopped. Radagar walked before the head steward and put his hand on his heart but didn't bow. "His majesty is going to the court to see the emperor. Please prepare a rickshav."

Shaugn's ear twitched. Rickshav? Was that anything like a rickshaw? He rubbed his hands together and smiled in excitement. In his time human pulled rickshaws were no longer a thing. Human rights and all that. "I can't wait."

The steward had been walking away when Shaugn spoke. He turned around and bowed. "I'll be faster, your majesty." Before Shaugn could say anything, the steward took off running. Shaugn smacked himself in the forehead. He didn't mean the steward was moving too slowly. He was just excited for his first rickshaw ride.

"Does your head hurt, majesty?" Radagar asked.

Shaugn dragged his fingers over his face. "Huh?"

"You were touching your forehead with a look of pain. Should I summon the physician?"

"No. I'm fine. Thank you." Shaugn shook his head as they walked towards the palace entrance. He'd barely walked outside when the clattering of wheels and running footsteps could be heard. The steward was running as if he was running for his life. Behind him came two men towing an extra-wide rickshaw behind them. The steward nearly fell over as he stepped forward to announce the ride was there.

Feeling guilty, Shaugn tried to help the poor steward up. "My apologies, Marlo. You've worked hard."

Marlo kowtowed. "....my...pleasure....majesty," was squeezed out between pants.

Shaugn stood in front of the two muscular men dragging the rig. Why were all the men here so well built? The two men wore clothing similar to the guards minus the weapons. One was blond and the other had black hair. Both wore their hair braided into ponytails and had an indifferent expression on their faces making them seem intimidating and dangerous.

Just the kind of man Shaugn liked. Too bad he was married.

He chuckled to himself and shook his head as he walked around to inspect the rig. The handles were made of African mahogany. A carved, golden dragon traveled the length of the side poles. The carriage and wheels were made of the same wood with golden spokes and wheel caps. A dark folding cover protected the rider from the wind, rain, and dust. Screens on the two sides allowed the rider to look out at the scenery. This rickshav even had flaps that came down to cover the screens allowing the rider to ride in privacy.

A young man ran out with a stool and Radagar helped Shaugn into the carriage. The seat was padded for comfort and covered in green brocade. He ran his hand over the material and smiled. How extravagant. A blanket was laid over his lap.

"Your majesty, to keep the wind off," Marlo bowed.

Shaugn was touched. No matter what he did, the servants treated him like a god and went out of their way to make things easier for him. "Thank you."

The cover was pulled up and they started to move. Shaugn leaned back in his seat and made himself comfortable. After a few moments, it felt like something was missing. He frowned for a moment before it dawned on him.

"Wait."

The rickshav stopped and Radagar appeared at the side. "Your majesty?"

Shaugn looked around. "Where is Daga?"

"He ran off already."

"What a willful animal." He looked at Radagar and frowned. "Aren't you getting in?"

"No, your majesty. I'll be alongside with my men to protect the rickshav."

"I see." Shaugn adjusted a pillow behind his lower back and sighed. "Let's go."

The two drivers started jogging away from the palace. Shaugn looked to the sides and saw Radagar and eight men in armor jogging on the right of him. To the left of him were eight more. Each man wore a look daring anyone to step up to the rig. Shaugn leaned back and smiled.

It was good to be the empress.

They left the palace and traveled down a quiet tree-lined street. The scent of jasmine wafted through his nose making Shaugn sneeze. Damn. This was not a time for allergies. He combed his combined memories trying to figure out what he could do to combat his allergies without too much harm to the unborn child he carried. He also made a note to visit with the physician and talk to Xoan about the child's safety and well-being.

The smooth road became bumpier as they left the palace grounds and entered the more densely packed city. Shaugn cursed the gods as the wheel hit a deep hole, rocking him violently from side to side. There was a loud roar followed by shouts of surprise and a few screams.

"Make way for the empress!" Radagar's voice boomed in front of the rickshav as they continued. Many of the citizens saluted or kneeled as the rig passed by. Shaugn smiled and waved to both sides. Many women blushed or squealed as they passed.

"The empress waved at me!"

"So elegant!"

"Our noble empress!"

Shaugn chuckled and shook his head. They passed by a busy marketplace where stall owners shouted one over another trying to sell their goods to passerbys. A few book stalls caught his eye and he made a note to stop by one day.

As they made their way to the older, more public parts of the city, the road became more crowded. This section of the city was established by the founding fathers of the nation and was where the public officials, law enforcement offices, and the jail were. It was less heavily guarded than the palace and ordinary citizens could access it. The rig came to a stop just outside of the prison. The prison was conveniently located between the court and the enforcement office. The rig came to a stop in front of a large building with marble steps. Before Shaugn could get a good look, a booming voice sounded from its entrance.

"Make way for his majesty the second prince, Prince Etan!"

Prince Etan was Xoan's second older brother. At the age of six, he was declared slow and removed from the line of succession. Despite his 'slowness', he served beside Xoan as an advisor. Xoan and Shaugn were the only ones who knew there was nothing slow about the second prince.

Etan was highly intelligent just eccentric. He didn't speak much to anyone except Xoan and Shaugn. From OG's memories, Shaugn concluded that Etan probably had a touch of high-functioning autism. He didn't understand social nuances and had obsessive and repetitive behaviors. He was the only brother that OG got along with.

Radagar and his men surrounded the rig, their hands on the hilt of their swords. Shaugn peeked out at the crowds on both sides. For the most part, they seemed harmless and to revere their empress and prince. But Shaugn knew from history and movies, enemies lurked everywhere. One had to guard their life inside and outside the palace.

A dozen or so guards and servants walked with Prince Etan as he walked down the steps of the court and approached Shaugn's rig. Guards from the enforcement office stood between the crowd and the members of the imperial family. Radagar held his hand out and Shaugn stood and dismounted from the rickshav.

Prince Etan was a half-inch shorter than Xoan and had a thin build. He carried himself with an aloof, arrogant air as if everyone was beneath him. It didn't help his sharp, dark eyes and eyebrows made his resting bitch face more severe than it needed to be. People cowered and looked down whenever in Etan's presence for fear they'd arouse his displeasure. Luckily, Shaugn knew he was less domineering than he appeared.

Etan and his entourage stopped in front of the rickshav. Etan put his hands in his sleeves and looked Shaugn up and down. The look on his face didn't change. "Lovely empress, this is a surprise."

Shaugn smiled and pulled out a fan. It was too hot for half of what he was wearing. "You didn't have to come greet me."

"I haven't seen you since before your accident. I was worried." He approached Shaugn and his eyes softened.

"I'm fine now."

"Good, good." Etan looped his arm through Shaugn's. "Come, I'll take you to the emperor."

"Majesty-"

Shaugn covered his smile with the fan. "Should we be walking so close?" he asked so only Etan could hear.

The prince's eyebrows pinched together. "You're my brother's wife. I'm your brother. What's wrong with that?"

"Some might say we're being inappropriate."

"Heh?" Etan's eyes darkened as he scanned the crowd. "Who dares to slander the empress? Point them out to this prince."

A dozen or more men and women shrank back into the crowds as the guards turned their attention to the crowd.

Shaugn waved his hand. Now was not the time to make trouble. He tugged on Etan's arm. "Nevermind. I'll explain to the emperor should rumors start."

Looking around with those sharp eyes, Etan scanned the crowd on both sides. "I'll deal with the son of a whore who dares to speak ill of my imperial family." Many in the crowd dropped to their knees.

"Forgiveness, majesty!"

"We don't dare, your majesty!"

"We are your loyal subjects, majesty!"

"The empress is fair and just without fault!"

"Death to those who dare sully the benevolent empress and prince!"

Shaugn mentally rolled his eyes. Really now. There was no need to go too far. He patted Etan's arm and took a step forward. "Let us go inside then."

Etan gave one final glance to the crowd and followed. "As the empress commands."