Contents
Chapter Nine
Overview
Ruko confronts Neema about the Order of Exile, finding Yana’s name cut and probing what she read before it was destroyed. The Festival’s opening procession unfolds flawlessly, but tensions peak when Yasila arrives and silently incapacitates Neema. Emperor Bersun’s entrance breaks the spell, and Neema counters by warning Yasila she was seen on the balcony.
Summary
Neema greets Ruko Valit and the Tiger delegation, noting Abbess Rivenna Glorren’s poised presence. Ruko dismisses his entourage and immediately presses Neema about her work on the Order of Exile. He reveals that Yana’s name has been cut from the record, implying confirmed death, and tests whether Neema read the report before its destruction.
Neema, shaken by memories of Shal’s account of Yana’s final days, braces as Ruko unexpectedly praises only her brushwork. The imperial procession begins: Officiates, musicians, dancers, and servants recreate Yasthala’s historic pageantry as Neema watches for precision. Ministers enter, including a formally robed Fenn Fedala, followed by the emperor’s household and the High Venerant families.
Ruko tenses when Princess Yasila, his estranged mother, arrives. Yasila approaches and fixes on Neema, ignoring Ruko. As Yasila murmurs under her breath, Neema suddenly cannot move or breathe, panicking as her vision sparks. The paralysis lifts just as trumpets announce Emperor Bersun’s entrance, masking what occurred from the assembly.
The court kneels; Neema, gasping, notices a bead of sweat on Ruko, a rare crack in his composure. Bersun strides to the dais to his long-familiar hymn. As Yasila turns away, Neema chooses to strike back while the moment is fresh and whispers, “I saw you on the balcony,” signaling proof of Yasila’s covert actions and resetting the balance between them.
Who Appears
- Neema KraaHigh Scholar and festival orchestrator; confronted by Ruko about Yana’s Exile and briefly incapacitated by Yasila before issuing a warning.
- Ruko ValitTiger contender; probes Neema about the erased Exile record, revealing Yana’s confirmed death; visibly strained at Yasila’s arrival.
- Princess YasilaNeema’s secret contact and Ruko’s mother; silently paralyzes Neema amid the procession; is warned she was seen on the balcony.
- Emperor Bersun IIThe Old Bear; arrives to open the Festival, his entrance breaking the tense confrontation.
- Abbess Rivenna GlorrenTiger abbess; poised, disdainful presence dismissed by Ruko as he seeks a private exchange with Neema.
- Fenn FedalaHigh Engineer; begrudgingly appears in full regalia among the emperor’s advisers.
- High Justice Kindry RokPreening official who enters with the advisers during the opening procession.
- High Servant of the TempleReligious leader; processes in white robes marked with the golden infinity.
- Lady Kara KandragaThe emperor’s mistress; appears with his private household during the ceremony.
- Hol VabrasOfficial who passes unnoticed by design during the advisers’ procession.