Contents
Chapter Ten
Overview
Neema’s attempt to interview Lady Harmony collapses, but a forced seating change brings Havoc, whose candid history and interest in Gaida shift Neema’s focus. Feeling abandoned by Cain, Neema resolves to steal Gaida’s report herself. A lavish dessert of the Imperial Temple frames Yasthala’s postwar message of a new era.
Summary
Neema, exhilarated by mysteries and art, hopes to interview Lady Harmony Arbell-Ranor about her late sister Shimmer’s throne-room masterpiece. At the banquet table, Lady Harmony snubs Neema and chats with her cousin, ignoring the meal and questions. Neema fills the silence with commentary on Empress Yasthala’s original menu until the table’s patience frays.
Preoccupied with stopping Gaida from handing Yaan Rack’s report to Kindry, Neema plots a nighttime break-in via Gaida’s habit of leaving the shutters open. She considers asking the thief Cain, then spots Cain and Gaida seated close together, laughing and toasting, which convinces Neema to act alone.
Lord Clarion Ranor arrives, declares a seating “mistake,” and departs with Lady Harmony, leaving their son Havoc—Monkey contender and naval admiral—to take her place. Havoc amiably discusses Shimmer but recalls little, then reveals his cruelly given birth name and determination to own it. He presses Neema for news of Gaida; Neema offers a guarded answer, while Sunur quietly signals support for Neema.
The dessert procession captivates the hall: edible landmarks arrive, and Neema’s table receives the Imperial Temple. A mechanical raven cracks the gold-leaf dome to reveal spiced ginger cake and incense-like cocktails. The spectacle prompts Neema to reflect on Empress Yasthala’s original intention—using pageantry to declare Samra the past and the island-Armas axis the new future.
Who Appears
- Neema KraaHigh Scholar; spurned by Lady Harmony, meets Havoc, resolves to steal Gaida’s report alone.
- Havoc RanorMonkey contender and admiral; replaces his mother at table, shares candid past, probes about Gaida.
- Lady Harmony Arbell-RanorComposer; ignores Neema’s questions about Shimmer, leaves with her husband after a seating ‘fix.’
- Lord Clarion RanorPlaywright and magnate; removes Lady Harmony to sit with him, seats Havoc in her place.
- Gaida RackRaven scholar; target of Neema’s planned burglary over Yaan Rack’s report; seen close with Cain.
- CainThief and Neema’s old ally; seen confiding with Gaida, prompting Neema to act solo.
- SunurGuest; needles Lady Harmony, subtly signals support for Neema during Gaida talk.
- TalaGuest and Sunur’s wife; keeps peace at the table, engages politely with others.
- FacetCourt jeweller; smooth conversationalist, admires the intricate dessert craftsmanship.
- Chef GanstraChef; adapts Yasthala’s historic menu, creates elaborate edible landmarks for the finale.