12 The Veiled Dragon by Forgotten Realms

Author:Forgotten Realms [Realms, Forgotten]
Format: epub
Published: 2010-04-10T14:43:52.106000+00:00

At the far end of the Ginger Palace's long audience hall, the new chamber- lain drew aside two silk draperies and opened a pair of teak doors. A double column of Minister Hsieh's yellow- cloaked guards marched into the room and split, one line filing to each side of Ruha and Vaerana. Behind the war- riors followed a parade of servants bearing a triangular table, three teak chairs, and a tray with a steaming teapot and a trio of tiny, deep bowls. As Hsieh's men took their positions, Vaerana scowled and leaned close to Ruha. "I don't know why I listen to you. This is going to be worse than Voonlar. They mean to take us prisoner." "You are too suspicious, Vaerana. They intend nothing of the kind." "Then why so many guards?" "They are only for ceremony." Ruha shook her head at the Lady Constable's suspicions, remembering how easily Minister Hsieh had disabled Wei Dao. "The mandarin is quite capable of defending himself." Vaerana sneered doubtfully, but fell silent as the ser- vants arrived with the furniture. They put the table on the chamber's exquisite floor mosaic, carefully arranging it so the point of the triangle stood over the head of the flame-tailed bird and the base faced Ruha and the Lady Constable. They placed two chairs on the women's side and positioned the third one before the tip of the table. The man bearing the tea tray stepped to one side, then stood at attention while Minister Hsieh, with Yu Po fol- lowing close behind, entered the room. The mandarin glided across the floor to the point of the table, then bowed to his guests. Ruha returned the ges- ture, making certain to bend lower than her host, but Vaerana barely nodded. Yu Po pulled the mandarin's chair out. A pair of servants stepped forward to do like- wise for the witch and Lady Constable. Vaerana astonished the servant by taking her own chair and placing it opposite the tea bearer. She dropped heavily into the seat, then braced her elbows on the table and faced Hsieh. "The witch tells me you have some ylang oil." Yu Po's face turned instantly scarlet. He slipped around Hsieh's chair. "You are ill-bred daughter of-" "Yu Po!" Hsieh waited for his adjutant to stop, then waved at the tea tray. "You may serve." Yu Po's jaw dropped, as did that of the tea bearer and the other servants; then the adjutant bowed to his mas- ter and stepped to obey. Hsieh smiled at Vaerana. "Yes, ylang oil is ready." He looked to Ruha. "Where is Lady Feng?" The witch found it difficult to meet the mandarin's gaze. "I am afraid we do not know." She saw Hsieh's lips tighten and had the cold, sinking feeling that she was doomed to appear a failure to everyone she met. "We were not able to follow the spy when he fled to the lair." The handle of the teapot nearly slipped from Yu Po's grasp, and the lid clinked loudly.

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