Page 7

Jemel knows the Rose Palace well, though the citadel it forms with the Sarelik temple is too vast for any man to know every part, certainly not the ancient maze of tunnels and passageways that weave deep beneath the high hill on which it is built. But Jemel has lived in this palace for twenty three years, since he was a foundling babe, raised as a child of Zai. He thinks it likely he knows the place better than anyone.

And the palace knows him too. He wears a grey veil over his face. A rarity for a male acolyte of Zai. He knows of no other male acolytes who are as committed to modesty. Most days, as he goes silently about his business, it seems everyone knows the Hare.

But his veil is a mask. He is a loyal acolyte of Zai to all who see him, even if what is behind the disguise is something different.

For years Jemel has known he is no such thing.

Although he often thinks that his old path, his old life, with its rules and certainties, was a simpler one than what has replaced it.

As he enters the Hall of Twelve it is busy. Full of courtiers in their mourning black. There are a few whispers as he makes his way to the dais, no doubt many wonder why he is there.

Jemel should not be surprised to see who is sitting on the throne. Atticul, of course, resplendent in richly embroidered mourning black, although he already wears the Imperial crown and the monarch’s ring with its large purple stone — the Eye of Zai — glittering on the middle finger of his right hand. Even more unusual a sight are the five serving women attending him, dressed in brief wisps of grey silk that barely cover their breasts and their sex. Their feet and heads are bare, their wrists and ankles and bellies ringed with fine gold chains glittering jewels.

Beside Atticul sits another woman, also in pale silk, but presented very differently. Jemel knows her too. The Lady Inez, her beautiful face still and expressionless. She has a small dog on her rustling lap. Perhaps the dog is the strangest sight of all. A black mutt with a wiry coat, not the typical pet of a fine lady, least of all one who is surely bound to be empress.

Jemel finds himself looking away from her to take in the others on the dais, seated at the long table that runs its length. Gelen the Green, now styled as Gelen Zain — the new High Word of Zai — is looking at Jemel with an expression that seems to challenge Jemel to disappoint him. Beside him, a stout and well muscled man that Jemel knows is the latest General Paramount of the Imperial Army. Jemel isn’t sure of his name but he has heard he is a friend of Atticul’s from his time conquering Jur-Mattan. A vicious fighter, but there are rumours he has trouble commanding respect without anger and harsh punishment — and if even Jemel has heard those rumours, they must be widespread.

Prince Umbert is also on the dais, confirming his status as Heir Apparent. But there is no sign of his mother, Ferra.

Or his father.

Because another strange thing among many, about the company assembled on the dais, is the absence of Chancellor Vindar. A confirmation of whispers that, like his brother Doroth, Vindar has lost his place in the Rose Court.

It hadn’t seemed possible. Vindar had been the closest advisor to the crown for uncountable years. As long as Jemel has been alive, Vindar was a constant. He had sat beside Erond, briefly beside Markus and beside Selim, but now, he is gone. Truly this is a new dawn for the Azurian Empire. More than just the death of Emperor Selim and his replacement with Atticul as Emperor Ascendant.

There are other people on the dais that Jemel does not know. Perhaps one of them is the new chancellor. There is a brown-skinned man with bright green eyes. Handsome but not as handsome as the man beside him. Jemel finds his gaze sticking on this other man. A tall, well-built Plumian with black hair cropped short and even darker skin than the man he sits beside. This man wears a sleeveless jerkin of brown leather and his muscular arms are covered with swirling tattoos in silver and gold. A shaft of sunlight through the high windows of the Hall of Twelve dances on him, limning the planes of his face. His skin seems to glow bathed in the light, as if he is being blessed by Zai.

Although Jemel doubts Zai would bless a Plumian.

This Plumian man must be the reason that he is needed to translate. But what is this Plumian possibly doing here? The isle of Pluma-Ferris has been a site of bloodshed and violence for dozens of years. The Plumians forced to the western side of the land, imprisoned there by the ferric wall.

“Ah, there you are, Hare,” says Gelen, as if only now realising Jemel is in the hall. “Come up here. And take your place.” Jemel nods and does as he is bid, stepping up onto the dais and taking the empty seat between Gelen and the Plumian man.

He can feel the Plumian’s eyes on him as he does so. A gaze so intense he is glad of the veil.

“This is Xan,” Gelen says, waving to the man. “He is a Plumian. He is here to discuss a peace treaty with Azuria. You will translate for him.”

Jemel nods, hiding his surprise at this statement. A peace treaty between Pluma-Ferris and Azuria. Jemel would not have thought such a thing possible. Azuria has always wanted Pluma-Ferris for its own. A rich isle and strategically important — the gateway to the south. And in all the two hundred years of Darek rule, they have only managed to hold half of it. And the Plumians have made it clear over those years that they will not relinquish a single inch of their soil without bloodshed.

Jemel nods and says to Xan, in Plumian, “My Master Gelen Zain tells me you are a Plumian here to speak to Emperor Atticul about peace. I speak your tongue and Azurian. My name is Jemel and I am called the Hare.”

Xan stares at Jemel in slight surprise. “Your Plumian,” he eventually says, “is not good.”

Jemel swallows, “You will have to forgive me.” He keeps his tone diplomatic. “I have had little chance to practise. Speaking Plumian is a crime in Azuria.”

“Really? Will your Emperor take our heads for this conversation?”

“No,” Jemel says tightly. “I have been charged to speak your language by the Rose Court. And as you are an honoured guest, I am sure you are quite safe.”

Xan smiles, showing his teeth. “How generous of the benevolent empire,” he says.

Anything Jemel might have said back to that is cut off as Atticul leans forward, looking pleased with himself as he claps his hands. “Welcome,” he says, “my most notable subjects. It is with great sorrow that I address you. The tragic death of my uncle four nights heretoforth has shocked us all. And more shocking than his passing is the manner of his death, assassinated by the great traitor Lukas Darekul. He awaits execution along with his accomplice. Over these past few days, in my grief I have worked tirelessly to uncover the route of this plot. And I was horrified to discover, in my investigation, treachery by Chancellor Vindar. I will reveal more of what I discovered of his plotting in due course, but for the matter at hand, I present to you Warung — a learned man recommended by Gelen Zain, the High Word of Zai — who will be serving as my new Chancellor.” He points to the man with green eyes.

Jemel does his best to render this in Plumian, saying what he hopes is, “Atticul is paying tribute to his uncle Emperor Selim and condemning the traitor who killed him. He thinks there was a grand plot. He also claims his previous chancellor was involved in some other treachery and has been replaced.”

Xan only shrugs, as if he cares not at all about any of this, but he does not insult Jemel’s command of his language again.

Warung stands and gives a brief formal bow. He is not a tall man, which is only clear now he is standing. He looks nervous and a little young for such a role. “Lukas Darekul was working with his bastard brothers, not only Tobi Darekul, but also Damon Darekul, who we now know escaped his exile on Sanvicta to meet with Lukas and Tobi to plot this attempt to steal the Darek throne. We believe also that Kerik Darekul, long believed dead after vanishing from the Rose Palace five years ago, is also with them and was part of this plot.”