Page 49

Still, when Prince Hallu had been taken away by his mother to walk with the servants and other non-soldiers, Saxu had Commander Rede guard him.

We made our way toward the imposing imperial estate, guarded by high walls and a mix of imperial men and enslaved goblins. With our limited number of soldiers, it was unlikely that we could force them to open their gates through battle. Saxu had said we had a better chance of surprising Lord Pehine’s men by simply walking up and presenting ourselves.

I was relieved to see he was right. The guards on the walls froze when General Saxu announced us.

“His Imperial Majesty, Dragon Chosen Emperor Tallu, is here to see his most loyal retainers. Open the gates.”

“The emperor?” one of the men shouted, although his voice sounded more shocked than questioning.

“Open the gates!” Saxu called out. “Before your delay is seen as treason against the scion of House Atobe.”

The men at the top of the wall finally jolted into motion, one running away, presumably to speak with his lord, while the others moved around, whispering amongst themselves.

I shrugged my shoulder hard, and Naî, who had been taking a nap around my neck, grumbled.

“If they don’t open the gates, do you think you’re able to?” I asked.

Maybe. She yawned fearsomely, showing off her teeth. It depends on how many people I’m allowed to eat in the process.

“His walls and gates are meant to withstand the assaults of desert tribes and storms alike,” General Saxu said quietly. “While I admire the dragon’s abilities, it is highly unlikely that she would be able to do so alone.”

Naî straightened at that, going from napping to awake in one second. She hissed, Tell him that I am more than capable of swatting aside one measly gate. I could crush the entire wall if I wanted.

Luckily, she was not required to, because the gates creaked and opened, spreading wide in front of us. Saxu’s advance guard went in first, followed by the rest of us, with the rest of the seven hundred men arrayed behind.

One man wearing clothes that wouldn’t have been out of place in Tallu’s own wardrobe stood in the center of the courtyard, surrounded by several other men in expensive imperial clothes, and a much larger group of women and children. A few servants and his guards stood on the periphery. My impression had been right. It was a mix of imperials and goblins, their horns removed and sanded down.

“Your Imperial Majesty,” the man wearing expensive clothes said, sweeping himself down into a bow, his fingers forming a triangle without a moment’s hesitation.

I knew he had to be Lord Pehine simply from the political way he was acting. Based on our presence, and the fact that we had come through the valley that should have been Kacha’s stronghold, Pehine was clearly making the correct assumption that there had been a battle between us and Kacha, and Kacha had lost.

None of us spoke, and Tallu walked forward, his steps measured, his spine seeming to grow straight as he continued. He might be in clothes made ragged from our long trip across the Imperium and the recent battles in Tavornai, but with his attitude alone, he was emperor.

Pehine seemed frozen in place though everyone around him bent at the waist, and I saw him twitch when Tallu, his Dogs surrounding him, was within touching distance. Pehine must have realized that his bow lowered his head to make his own decapitation that much easier if Tallu ordered it.

“Lord Pehine, our most loyal retainer. I require food for our men and a bath for myself. Show us to your rooms.” Tallu’s voice rang across the courtyard, so intense that everyone around Pehine trembled. The man himself slowly stood, and from the expression of his face he was about to say no, about to deny Tallu what he required, but then he took one look at the Dogs and seemed to think better of it.

“We are most happy to serve Your Imperial Majesty,” Pehine said. “This way.”

As he turned toward the manor house, General Saxu gave orders, his men spreading across the courtyard, one of his commanders approaching what looked like the steward for information about supplies. I caught a glimpse of the Bemishu twins making their way to the other lords, who had finally straightened.

Pehine led us through the doors at the front of his main house. Although outwardly the aesthetics were exclusively imperial, some adjustments had clearly been made for the reality of living in the desert. The house had none of the massive balconies and open windows preferred in the imperial palaces.

Windows were narrow slits that let in light alone and had shutters that could be closed. The ceilings were taller than in the imperial palace, likely to help with the heat.

Even the arrangement of the house was unlike what it would have been in the Imperium. Servants were relegated to the second floor, where most of the heat must rise during terrible summer days, and their masters were allowed the first floor, closer to the cold granite floors.

Pehine hesitated in front of a set of double doors, his expression guarded for only a moment before he smiled. “Of course, my quarters are at Your Imperial Majesty’s disposal.”

He opened the doors, and Tallu stepped inside. His servants moved behind him, one questioning Pehine about the baths, while the others began preparing the room to Tallu’s preferences.

“About the baths,” Pehine said, directing his words toward Tallu. “While I would love to provide the same luxury allowed in the Imperium, unfortunately we are in the desert. Water is limited. As such, we have neither the showers nor the large bathing pools of the Imperium. Instead, we make do with a single bathtub.”

He bowed, showing his utmost apology, and I thought about how much water could fit in the bathtub. How many men could drink for a month just on a single bath.

“That is satisfactory,” Tallu said. “Make the arrangements with my servants.”

“I will do so, of course. And then may we have the honor of preparing a feast for Your Imperial Majesty?” Pehine asked.