It did make Tate wonder if they planned to have Daisy take this secret test. Without knowing more, Tate couldn’t even begin to guess whether she would pass.
Tate held out hope that Daisy would only participate in the public part of the ceremony. She took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down. Thora wouldn’t jeopardize Daisy if he could help it. She had to trust he wouldn’t place her in danger.
Nor did she think the emperor would act in such a way.
For all that the dragonlette’s were a time bomb, their presence would also strengthen his rule. Who wanted to attack the empire of a man that had so many dragon-ridden loyal to him? It would take a mad person.
Too bad Tate could think of several madmen off the top of her head. None of them enemies she particularly wanted to fight.
“Very well.” Tate would ask one of the others about it later. “What about the public part?”
“Most of it is ceremonial. A herald will announce you. As a dragon-ridden you’re permitted a retinue. In fact, I recommend you bring someone. It’ll send a message that you’re not alone. Do you have anyone in mind?”
“Dewdrop and Night,” Tate answered without having to think about it.
Having them at her side was never a question. They were family. More importantly there was no one Tate trusted more. Of course, they would be part of her retinue. Not as subordinates but rather as equals. Family who had each other’s back without question.
“Also, you.”
Roslyn drew back, blinking rapidly. “That’s an awful big ask.”
“Afraid?”
“I’d be a fool not to be.”
Tate smirked. “You’ll get over it.”
Roslyn had a strength that was difficult to measure. It wasn’t physical. It didn’t come from being able to wield a blade or magic. It was a little more subtle than that.
She understood motivations and the repercussions of actions in a way Tate did not. More importantly, she had the stubbornness to persevere even when society tried to make her bend.
Tate was going to need a little bit of that if she wanted to travel these waters without being pulled under.
“You said it yourself. I’m going into a pit of vipers. What better person to have at my side than my very own viper?”
Tate was betting Roslyn’s bite was every bit as venomous as the people she’d warned Tate against. It’d have to be for her to protect herself as long as she had.
Ashwin gave her friend a sidelong look. “She has you figured out.”
“Very well,” Roslyn said sounding resigned.
Tate’s head tilted as a thought occurred to her. “What about Daisy? Can she be part of my retinue?”
The more Tate considered the idea, the more she liked it. Alone, Daisy would attract poisonous bees. If she were seen as part of Tate’s circle, she’d enjoy the same protection. People would know that to mess with one would be to mess with all.
Of course, that also meant Tate’s enemies could use Daisy as a flash point to draw Tate into a trap, but she could deal with that later.
For now, she simply needed to ensure Daisy made it through this in one piece.
“It’s an unusual move,” Roslyn said in a hesitant voice. “But there is precedent.”
Tate’s shoulders loosened. It wasn’t a foolproof plan, but it was something. They could figure out the rest later.
“When you enter, the herald will announce your retinue first. They’ll wait at the bottom of the stairs until you descend. After that, you’ll take the lead and move toward the emperor where you’ll make your bow. Since Dewdrop and Night aren’t titled, they will have to kneel, but Daisy can do the same as you and bow. There’s usually no conversation from the emperor but on occasion he does converse with the supplicant so be prepared if that happens.”
Tate grimaced. What were the chances the emperor would pass up this opportunity? From the few, brief encounters she’d had with him in the past, it was almost certain he’d have something to say.
“When he lifts his hand, you may rise but the others will remain kneeling. You’ll take two steps forward and one to your left before turning and facing the audience. Once the herald presents you to the citizen’s, the rest can rise, and you’ll be dismissed. Sound easy enough?”
