*In the fifth installment of All the power, we get a glimpse of the Changing of the Term, a massive ceremony in His Supremacy’s throne room.*
*Disclaimers still apply. Outlandishness ahead. It’s just for fun, but feedback welcome.*
***
Dawn had not yet broken over the Sacred Estate as the boats pulled up to up to the piers. Tetenia sat, naked, cramped in with over 100 other concubines, looking out a small window at the water. She still had much penance to do, months of it, probably more, but for today she was happy to be off her knees. It was the day of the Changing of the Term.
For thirty days per year, each of the forty-eight Subject Kingdoms and twelve Imperial Provinces must send twelve individuals to perform the Term of Sacred Service. These individuals must be distinguished or highborn, or preferably both. During the Term, they would act as His Supremacy’s personal servants – running errands, fetching concubines, and performing other tasks. They were usually referred to as term servants.