Page 23 (1/2)

Years passed At sixteen, Ashia and the other girls had been co back their hair It seemed heavy now, clumsy She kept it carefully pinned back

At seventeen, her father sent for her It was the first ti Palace in over four years, and the world outside looked strange to her now The halls of her father’s palace were bright and garish, but there were places to hide, if one was limber and quick She could disappear in an instant if she wished, trained to be invisible

But no, she was here to be seen It was an alien concept, half rehter!" Imisandre rose and went to embrace her when she entered the throne room

"It is a pleasure to see you, honored mother" Ashia kissed her ht of the throne, draped in the white robes of a full dama He nodded to her, but did not presume to speak before their father

Ashan did not rise, watching her coolly, searching still for soe But after Enkido, her father’s expectations were ht, eyes down, every fiber of her black robes in place, she silently approached At the precise distance frohter," Ashan said at last "You are looking well Does the Daree with you?"

Ashia straightened, but kept her eyes at her father’s sandals He had two Sharuuards by the door, too far to assist him in time A Krevakh Watcher lurked in the coluht not have noticed hiht as well have been wearing bells Pitiful protection for the Damaji of the Kaji and his heir

Of course, Ashan himself was a sharusahk ainst most any foe She wondered how he and her brother would fare against her now

"Thank you, honored Father," she said "I have learnedPalace You ise to send me and my cousins there"

Ashan nodded "That is well, but your time there has come to an end You are seventeen now, and it is time you were ut, but she eain "Has my honored father selected a match at last?" She could see the smile on her brother’s face, and kneho it was before her father spoke again

"It has been agreed between fathers," Ashan said "You are released fro Palace to marry the Deliverer’s son Asome Your palace chambers are as you left thein preparation"

"Please" Having dis to his advisor Shevali when Ashia spoke

"Eh?" he asked

Ashia could see stor on her father’s brow If she were to atte her hands on the floor with her head between the you It was o with my honored mother to follow the path Everam has laid before me"

Her father’s face softened at that, the closest he had ever come to a show of affection "Of course, of course"

She held her tears until she reached the training cha sharukin, but they stood straight, bowing Enkido was not to be found

Nie Ka, you have returned, Shanvah signed Is all well?

Ashia shook her head Nie Ka no longer, sister That title will be yours now, and the care of our little sisters I aned Who is the grooned

What e do without you? Jarvah’s hands asked