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"And this Dokyi helped you to do this?" The emperor had retreated behind his blank, official mask suddenly "He showed you how to shatter rocks?"

Evvy screwed up her face and shrugged Briar nudged her to remind her where she was "Oh, no, Your I swiftly "No, he said he never tried it my way He uses spells, and puts the spell on stones I don’t see why He could probably do it like I do, but he thinks stone is dead"

The ehed, so those who could hear them did so as well Evvy had that effect on people

"Did you enjoy your ti?" Weishu asked Evvy "It is a very old and iven to understand, with much that is unusual in the way of temple art"

Evvy bowed "It’s very cold, Your Ihtened "And it’s harder to breathe than it is here The mountains were splendid" Her face lit up "Granite and other stones, scratching at the sky Have you seen them, Your Iravely

"When my family est, we took the north caravan route, so I didn’t see the the saet any closer to the ht glimpses on clear days Now I believe the books that said they’re the tallest mountains anywhere" Evvy shook her head "I e’d seen the Drier was in such a hurry, and there were stor off us I couldn’t see anything but the storh!"

The eht "Dedicate Initiate Rosethorn, it is wonderful that you have brought Evumeimei and Briar to visit us I must ensure that Evumeimei has a suitable companion while we absorb ourselves in the wonders of the palace gardens"

The rippling bang of a s interrupted every conversation in the room The emperor looked toward the entry with a frown Everyone else turned that ith interest except for Rosethorn Briar saw that she was looking the roo special interest to the plants

An emerald-robed eunuch, his face painted white like that of the Master of Presentations, stood by the entry with a s in his hands "His Most Glorious Excellency, the War Lion of the E Throne, Terror of the Foreigners, Cokai!"

A short, stocky man in iron-scale-and-leather armor under a scarlet robe strode across the roolance for any of the courtiers His square, blunt-nosed face was marked with scars and cruelty He carried a pointed metal helm and wore no weapons Once he reached the foot of the dais, standing near Evvy, he set his helm aside, went to his hands and knees, and touched his forehead to the floor

The eyi courtiers went to their hands and knees, as did Parahan and those who shared the top of the dais with Weishu Foreigners bowed deep, including Rosethorn, Briar, and Evvy

"You have met my captive Parahan, have you not, Dedicate Initiate Rosethorn, Nanshur Briar, Student Evumei to Parahan The big ht have been the king of Kombanpur, in the Realms of the Sun, one day -- if his uncle had not sold hies "The leash may come off" To Rosethorn, Briar, and Evvy, he said cheerfully, "Once his uncle captures Parahan’s twin sister, I will have a e General?"

The ees down the far side of the dais His general walked around to meet him there while every courtier nearby backed off in a hurry That left only Parahan, Rosethorn, Evvy, and Briar near the throne No one else ithin earshot Briar would have liked to ossip, but he was not going to get the chance Everyone had draay fron companions If Briar tried to amble away, anyone who looked in their direction would notice, and no doubt report it to the i without infore place, but for noould simply have to suest

Parahan’s leash dreay from hilared at it, then asked the man, "Does he keep you chained up all of the time?"

"Evvy!" Rosethorn snapped

Parahan rested a hand on Evvy’s shoulder "It’s all right," he said "Evumeimei --"

"Evvy," she interrupted

"Evvy," Parahan corrected hirin, "reminds me very much of ht I ae," he told Evvy

Evvy’s face fell "It isn’t a joke? They really put you in one of those things?"

"I do not joke about thehas developed over its centuries," Parahan replied, a shadow passing over his face He smiled abruptly "My lot has improved since my first days as the iuests or out and about, he takesyour visit, particularly if soardens" He winked at Evvy