Shapur Kafan, Shahanshah of the Parsanid Empire, landed in Tenochtitlán following the crossing of the Bahan Sea, having left from Lapa with nearly as much splendor as during his coronation three months ago. This was, after all, this new young Emperor’s first official visit to another nation, less than a year after his election to the Throne of Sublime Light. With him on this journey was Li Shimin, former member of the Holy Council and current foreign minister, an older man who had been a dominant figure in Parsanid politics during the reigns of Shahanshahs Osroes II and Hormizd, retiring from the Council, although not politics, midway through the reign of the latter.
The two men and their entourage disembarked after arriving in port and traveled the rest of the way to the palace by car, the confident, yet still somewhat apprehensive young Shahanshah looking out at the capital of their northern neighbors, greatly interested in learning all he could of the diverse cultures of Bahan, from architecture to cuisine to regional customs. The foreign minister contented himself with continuing to study what was currently known of the other delegations throughout the trip.
When they arrived, their delegation left the cars, Shapur quickly smoothing his imperial robe, Li straightening his tunic suit, before approaching the palace itself.