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The Master of Presentations looked each of them over as if he expected their clothes to have stains or rips in them Then he sniffed "I trust the ladies of your pavilion explained what you are to do when you are presented?" He had a high, fluting voice
"Of course they did," Rosethorn told hihty as that of any noblewoman "As did the prince Do you row up, Evvy thought joyfully as the eunuch flinched andI knoill have to work hard at it, but I want to be just like her
They followed the Master of Presentations around the end of the golden wall Before theular roo they had seen until now Huge porcelain jars filled with live flowers perfumed the chamber with their scent The roof was held up by thick pillars in precious woods, all painted with bright red enamel Their ornate, fish-carved bases and capitals were covered in gold leaf Overhead, paintings of gods and goddesses at play or doing war-like things aons, lions, and other creatures decorated a deep blue ceiling that was otherwise starred in gold leaf Ornate gold lanterns hung froht On a dais at one side of the roo dru-necked lute called the erhu Briar was learning to like Yanjingyi rowing on hi, as the sound of her childhood, while Rosethorn only sat silent and ground her teeth Now, seeing the Master of Presentations trot by, the musicians put their instruh the roohtly as he went past He was bound for a gilded raised platform at the heart of the chamber Briar fixed his eyes on their host Like theed clothes from the yellow robes of the afternoon
E Dynasty was fifty years old It showed only in the bits of gray at his teray in the beard trimmed close to his chin His mustache was as black as the rest of his hair His eyes were the dark brown of Yanjing, his skin the bronze of a Yanjing warrior who spent plenty of ti nose Horse noht Briar, but his mother was a concubine and a captive, wasn’t she? So old eht yellow silk It fastened at the neck and shoulder with s He rested his feet, modestly covered with plain black slippers, on a stool He held a folded blue fan in his lap, though two servants stood on either side of hier, feathered fans to keep him cool His head was covered with an intricately folded stiffened black silk cap
"Behold the ods," the Master of Presentations began as he caroup stopped behind him This was part of their introduction The eunuch would list all of the emperor’s titles, which would take a little while
Briar looked briefly to the right of the throne There Parahan knelt at the foot of the dais He had been given an addition to his wardrobe, and not one that Briar liked One old collar It led to the throne and looped around the emperor’s left wrist Briar looked down before anyone saw the fury in his eyes He was surprised to find that he had developed a liking for Parahan He thought it was cruel to treat him like an untamed beast In the two years that he, Rosethorn, and Evvy had traveled east, Briar hadof warriors Parahan had not gained his old scars by wrestling with his favorite hound; he’d gotten the Perhaps this e warriors and slaves Maybe one day he would learn the hard way that putting a man in shackles didn’t mean he was taabble at last Rosethorn bowed only as deeply as she had bowed to the God-King Dedicates of the Living Circle recognized no masters on the earth Briar bowed deeper He liked to let powerful folk think he was a nice, respectful boy Evvy, as still a proper daughter of the empire, even if she’d left with her family when she was four, went to her knees and touched her forehead to the ground nine times
"Dedicate Rosethorn" The emperor’s voice was deep and pleasant, the essence of kindness His tiyon was perfect Briar wondered cynically if he’d had his voicepetty
"We are greatly pleased to welcome you to our court," the eo, borne by Traders who brought us reat cost and trouble"
Rosethorn bowed again "I trust the ave satisfaction, Your Ireat power," Weishu replied with a sardens, and hearing your opinion Any advice you ift we could not hope to repay"
"I areatly moved," Rosethorn said evenly "I did not believe I would receive such an honor once we had left Gyongxe to coardens"
"We had not realized you intended to visit the lesser gardens of our realms this summer," the elanced at Evvy