The great dining hall had been transformed for the diplomatic gathering. Long tables arranged in a careful hierarchy reflected the complex political relationships between domains, with the Azure Depths' royal family at the head and visiting delegations positioned according to their strategic importance.
Saguna, Radji, and Osa entered wearing formal robes provided by palace staff—deep blue with silver threading that marked them as honored guests rather than visiting royalty. The clothing felt strange after weeks of practical travel gear, but at least it was better than being underdressed for what was clearly a major political event.
"Remember," Radji murmured as they were escorted to their seats, "everyone here wants something from us. Be polite, but don't commit to anything."
