I walked slowly to the mirror, the unaccustomed weight of all the layers dragging at my movements. A solemn boy looked back from the reflection, his fine features and slim body overwhelmed by the magnificence of his clothing.
'With any luck they will see the robe and not me,' I said, brushing my hand lightly over the silk.
Rilla tilted her head. 'I don't think you need to worry You have a stubborn chin and a way of moving that is male. And the robe is cunningly cut and woven — see how it makes you look taller and wider at the shoulder.'
It was true — the weaving and cut all contrived to make my figure seem manly. No wonder the Story weavers were so sought after and wooed with expensive gifts.
'The Council and court are not looking for a girl,' Rilla continued. 'They could not even imagine such a deception. Anyway, you are Moon Shadow. You are expected to keep the sweetness of childhood. Which reminds me…' She crossed over to the clothes press and slid the other door open with a snap. 'You will need to carry this.'
She pulled out a small red lacquer box and flipped open the lid, passing it to me. Inside was a slim silver cone about the length and size of a finger lying on a soft leather pouch.
'What is it?'
A horn of tears. The eunuchs use them to pass water.' She nodded at the look on my face. 'I know. It must be very painful. As a Moon Shadow you will be expected to have one.' She picked the cone up and slid it inside the pouch, pulling the drawstring closed. 'Carry it with you always. I think the eunuchs hang them from their sash.'
I looked down at the thick pleated sash around my waist. 'Surely not on a Story Robe?'
'I don't know,' Rilla said, frowning. 'Perhaps Lady Dela can advise you. If you are ready, I'll take you to the reception room and send for her.'
Rilla led me out of the private living areas to the formal reception room at the front of the apartment. Most of the outside wall was made of panelled sliding screens that opened up into an inner courtyard of the palace. Only two screens were open and I glimpsed a jade guardian lion set on a shallow platform that surrounded the rooms. Beyond it was a garden laid out in Tranquil View design with a small bridge and gnarled trees overhanging a pond. Even without using my mind-sight, I could tell that the restful energy of the garden was being cleverly directed towards the apartment.
The reception room was traditional: a straw-mat floor and a low dark-wood table surrounded by fiat cushions. There were two matching alcoves in the back wall, each one displaying a painted scroll. A long bureau of matching dark wood stood against the far wall with a single vase holding an arrangement of orchids. It was a place of quiet dignity. Rilla slid apart the remaining screens, opening up the courtyard view.
'Lady Dela has been summoned, my lord,' she said. 'Shall I prepare tea?'
Her sudden deference startled me. 'Yes. Please.'
I walked over to the left alcove, drawn to the vividly coloured scroll. It was a painting of a dragon, the swirling tail and elegantly
uplifted front claws creating a pleasing symmetry. I peered at the tiny name square and shivered. It was by the great Master Quidan. I crossed to its pair. A tiger, again by the master.
'They are very beautiful, are they not, my lord?'
I turned. Lady Dela was standing on the platform, flanked by her Shadow Man guard. In the daylight I could see he had the look of a Trang Islander about him. Perhaps he was one of the cattle-men. They both bowed, Lady Dela dropping to one knee and folding her hands in the bend of her hip, the pearl and gold hem of her cream robe pooling heavily at her feet.
'This, my lord, is the formal court bow of a lady to a lord. In response, the lord nods his head.'
I quickly nodded.
'Excellent,' she said, rising gracefully
Although her every move was that of a woman, I could now see the man beneath the careful paint and rich clothing. And yet she was not a man. She was Lady Dela. It was very confusing.
'Ryko here is on duty,' she continued, 'therefore his bow is from the waist and does not require him to lower his gaze. Off duty, of course, he is required to drop to both knees and bow until his forehead is a hand's width from the floor, eyes lowered.' She stepped to one side. 'Show him, Ryko.'
The big man bowed from the waist again. 'I beg pardon, my lord,' he said softly 'But I am on duty and unable to bow as my lady requests.'
Lady Dela clapped. 'See! He is a very good guard. Even if I order him, he will not do it.'
I saw the hint of a smile twitch at Ryko's lips.
'If you order me, lady, I will be in a grave dilemma,' he said.
'How so?' she demanded. Her sharp features had softened with amusement.
'To upset a lady or follow my orders. Both are terrible crimes.'
'Ha,' she said, the black pearl at her throat quivering. 'The terrible crime is your attempt at gallantry'
As you say, my lady' he said meekly
She turned away from him, her lips pressed together to stifle her own smile. 'May I enter, my lord?' she asked.
'Of course.'
She stepped out of her slippers and crossed the room, the Shadow Man taking his position at the doorway.
'Lord Eon,' she said, returning to business, 'all of lower rank are required to bow to you. That is everyone except the Imperial family and the other lords. You only need to acknowledge lower ranks with a brief nod. In a situation where you are of equal rank, say another Dragoneye lord, the younger lord nods to the elder. You will always bow to the Emperor or one of his family by dropping to both knees and bowing from the waist at the angle of the crescent moon.'
She stopped and looked closely at my robe, her thin eyebrows arcing upwards. 'My goodness.
Is that 'A Summer Waterfall Brings Harmony to the Soul'?'
'It was a gift from the Emperor,' I said.
'Indeed,' she said, walking around me, her reddened lips pursed with thought. 'Indeed. A most interesting gift.' She flicked open a fan that hung from a ribbon around her wrist and waved it gently in front of her face. Above the finely painted edge, I saw shrewd calculation in her eyes. 'Now that the Harmony robe is yours, you should know its history Perhaps, if we have time, I will tell you at the end of our lesson.'The fan snapped shut. 'There is one thing, however, we must attend to before we resume.' She turned her head away politely, pointing the fan at the pouch hanging from my sash. 'Ryko, perhaps you could assist Lord Eon?'
The guard hurried over to me.
'My lord, may I suggest you fold that under the sash?' he said. 'The Emperor has recently ruled that the court ladies should not look upon such a necessity. Allow me to help you.'
He untied the strings and rolled the leather around the horn, quickly working it under the edge of the stiffly pleated sash.
I couldn't help the rise of heat to my face. 'I did not know'
He bowed. 'My lord, it would be my honour if you felt free to come to me with any questions about…' He lowered his voice. About the way of the Shadow here at court.'
I could not meet the kindness in his eyes. 'Thank you,' I whispered.
Ryko nodded in salute and returned to his position at the door.
Lady Dela swirled around to face me again, her face overly bright. 'Now, my lord, what have you learned so far?'
I repeated her instructions back.
'Very good. I am so glad you are quick. The new Rat Dragoneye apprentice is too terrified to retain anything at the moment. Poor child.'
'You mean Dillon?' I stepped forwards. 'You've seen Dillon?'
'Of course, you would have studied together,' Lady Dela said smoothly 'I have been instructing him in court protocol. Is he a friend?'
I saw her note my hesitation.
'He is,' I finally said. 'Can I see him?'
It would be good to see Dillon and clear the air between us; his small betrayal meant nothing now. We had
