Thradan Ironhand

Ironhand 45, Imperial Capital

When Eigengrau arrived, Thradan was already on his deathbed. It wasn't like he was going to die before she got there though, that much was certain. She decided Old Ironhand deserved some style, so she arrived in the city on foot. The guards at the front gate seemed to know why she was there, and gave her a dwarven salute as she passed, but did not speak.

Walking through the streets, every guard would silently salute her as she passed, but otherwise did not acknowledge her. It seems the entire city knew the Emperor was quite close to death. As she walked up the steps to the palace district, she was quite impressed at what the dwarves had built in such a short time. The Empire of Eternal Sand indeed, she thought. The palace guards were the first to speak with her.

"Lady Death, welcome." The first guard said. "Emperor Ironhand awaits you in his bed."

"To be personally escorted by the Death God. Truly our Emperor was great." The second one said.

"He was certainly something." Eigengrau said, smiling.

The two guards stood aside, and saluted Eigengrau as she passed. When she arrived at Thradan's bed, he was in the middle of a coughing fit, and yet still tried to sit up in her presence.

"Rest now, Emperor." Eigengrau said calmly. "It is your time."

"Thank you." Thradan said weakly. "Guards, leave us."

Eigengrau turned and watched the 6 Royal Guards salute them, and then slowly walk out of the room, before quietly closing the door. She returned her attention to Thradan, and gently stroked his face. Placing a hand on his forehead, his soul slowly loosed itself from his body, which breathed its last.

"Emperor Thradan Ironhand, the 1st Eternal Emperor, and certainly not the last." Eigengrau said, smiling.

"Tell me Lady Death, does my Empire endure? Do my descendants honour the sand from whence we came?" Thradan asked, searching her face.

"For longer than you can imagine, Thradan. Fret not, the Empire endures." Eigengrau answered, still smiling.

"Then I go to my rest with no regrets."

"There is one fact that may amuse you." Eigengrau added, the smile morphing into a smirk. "In the far future, they count the years from the start of your reign."

Thradan laughed heartily in response. "They understand! Truly! Time began when the Empire did!"