Eon: Dragoneye Reborn

We looked at each other and giggled.

After I was dry, Rilla wrapped a clean sheet around me and oiled my hair, deftly braiding it onto the crown of my head in a shortened version of the Dragoneye double loop.

'It's the best I can do with your length,' she said, stepping back to consider her work.

'How do you know how to do it?' I asked.

_

She smiled. 'I was the master's body servant when he was the Tiger Dragoneye. Quite a few years ago now, but I still remember the hairstyle.' She smoothed a stubborn kink near my ear, her smile widening. 'Of course, these days the master does not need a hairdresser.'

I smothered another giggle. Lords did not giggle. 'Still, he will be missing you,' I said.

Her eyes slid from mine, the light moment gone. 'Perhaps. But he saw a chance to protect you here. That is what is important. And Irsa has been waiting for her chance to move higher.' She picked up the wet bath sheet and shook it out roughly 'The master will not want for attention.'

She opened the door and led the way through the narrow corridor to a nearby dressing chamber. It was a small room, dominated by a large clothes press that had one sliding screen door open showing stacks of white underwear and folded hose. Next to it, a shabby basket was pushed against the wall. My old belongings from the master's house. Folded across the top were my best tunic and trousers, the faded dark cloth showing the neat patches.

Rilla's gaze followed mine. 'It came yesterday I did not know what you wanted to keep.'

I ran to it, propelled by a sudden need to touch my old things. 'Where are my ancestors' death plaques?' I asked, raking through the basket. 'I need to make an altar. I need to honour them.' I dug harder. 'I need their protection.'

Rilla crossed the room and stopped my frantic burrowing with a gentle hand. 'They are there, my lord. Safely wrapped at the bottom. I packed them myself. I'll prepare an altar for you.'

She eased me back. All right?'

I nodded, turning away from the tumbled basket to face a large mirror on a stand in the opposite corner. Ignoring my pale reflection, I focused on a wooden rack beside it, shaped like the torso of a man and hung with a magnificent three-quarter-length robe. The rich emerald silk had been woven thick with peacocks, butterflies, flowers and a large waterfall with gold fish jumping through it.

'Am I to wear this?' I asked, shocked.

Rilla nodded.

'But it's a Story Robe.'

I had seen them worn by nobles on their way to court celebrations; priceless works of art passed from father to son and often worth a whole estate.

'It was delivered while you were bathing,' Rilla said, closing the door. A gift from the Emperor. He chose it for you himself. It's called "A Summer Waterfall Brings Harmony to the Soul".' Her voice lowered in awe. 'It has even been re-tailored for you. Can you imagine the work?'

'It's from the Emperor?' Gingerly, I touched the edge of a wide silk sleeve. Something deep within me knew that it was both wonderful and dangerous to receive such a gift from the Heavenly Master.

Rilla turned to the clothes press and selected a pair of white undershorts. 'Here, put these on,'

she said, passing them to me. She pulled a rolled strip of cloth out of her pocket. 'I've brought extra breast-bands with me. I'll store them with my things. To be safe.'

I nodded and pulled up the shorts, tying off the silk drawstring. They were made from fine linen.

'Such beautiful cloth for underthings,' I murmured, rolling the delicate weave between my fingers.

'You should have seen the silk in storage for the court ladies. I've never seen such embroidery'

Rilla moved behind me. 'Hold up your arms.'

She wrapped the band around my chest firmly, flattening my breasts against the underlying ribs until there were no curves to be seen. I winced as she pulled hard on the last layer and tied the cloth under my arm. Too bad I could not be rid of my womanly shape. It only brought me danger and pain.

'Is it tight enough?' she asked.

I ran my hands over the unforgiving bandage and took a breath, feeling the familiar constriction in my chest. 'It's good.'

Dressing in court robes was a lengthy affair. By the time Rilla had positioned the sleeveless silk undertunics, fastened the matching emerald green trousers, secured the indoor slippers, and tied the intricate sash that finished the Harmony Robe, my back and hip were aching from the strain of standing still for so long.

'There, you're ready,' she finally said, twitching the hem into place.

'Let me look.'

I walked slowly to the mirror, the unaccustomed weight of all the layers dragging at my movements. A solemn boy looked back from the reflection, his fine features and slim body overwhelmed by the magnificence of his clothing.

'With any luck they will see the robe and not me,' I said, brushing my hand lightly over the silk.

Rilla tilted her head. 'I don't think you need to worry You have a stubborn chin and a way of moving that is male. And the robe is cunningly cut and woven — see how it makes you look taller and wider at the shoulder.'

It was true — the weaving and cut all contrived to make my figure seem manly. No wonder the Story weavers were so sought after and wooed with expensive gifts.

'The Council and court are not looking for a girl,' Rilla continued. 'They could not even imagine such a deception. Anyway, you are Moon Shadow. You are expected to keep the sweetness of childhood. Which reminds me…' She crossed over to the clothes press and slid the other door open with a snap. 'You will need to carry this.'

She pulled out a small red lacquer box and flipped open the lid, passing it to me. Inside was a slim silver cone about the length and size of a finger lying on a soft leather pouch.

'What is it?'

A horn of tears. The eunuchs use them to pass water.' She nodded at the look on my face. 'I know. It must be very painful. As a Moon Shadow you will be expected to have one.' She picked the cone up and slid it inside the pouch, pulling the drawstring closed. 'Carry it with you always. I think the eunuchs hang them from their sash.'

I looked down at the thick pleated sash around my waist. 'Surely not on a Story Robe?'

'I don't know,' Rilla said, frowning. 'Perhaps Lady Dela can advise you. If you are ready, I'll take you to the reception room and send for her.'

Rilla led me out of the private living areas to the formal reception room at the front of the apartment. Most of the outside wall was made of panelled sliding screens that opened up into an inner courtyard of the palace. Only two screens were open and I glimpsed a jade guardian lion set on a shallow platform that surrounded the rooms. Beyond it was a garden laid out in Tranquil View design with a small bridge and gnarled trees overhanging a pond. Even without using my mind-sight, I could tell that the restful energy of the garden was being cleverly directed towards the apartment.

The reception room was traditionaclass="underline" a straw-mat floor and a low dark-wood table surrounded by fiat cushions. There were two matching alcoves in the back wall, each one displaying a painted scroll. A long bureau of matching dark wood stood against the far wall with a single vase holding an arrangement of orchids. It was a place of quiet dignity. Rilla slid apart the remaining screens, opening up the courtyard view.

'Lady Dela has been summoned, my lord,' she said. 'Shall I prepare tea?'

Her sudden deference startled me. 'Yes. Please.'

I walked over to the left alcove, drawn to the vividly coloured scroll. It was a painting of a dragon, the swirling tail and elegantly

uplifted front claws creating a pleasing symmetry. I peered at the tiny name square and shivered. It was by the great Master Quidan. I crossed to its pair. A tiger, again by the master.