In the Jade Teahouse, within the West Wing of the third floor, the five of us rest our knees on grey, carpeted mats over bamboo flooring. A small table’s positioned between the three of us and Shoto, green rays of light beam through a glass wall to our left, and serving girls bring out both tea and sake as Shotobai leads everyone in conversation.
“Hadrian, if you were there when Tavon and Artemis fought, you should’ve stopped Artemis from getting away. I’ve never trusted that guy, and now he’ll be trying to hunt down both of you.”
“I wouldn’t worry about him too much,” Hadrian remarks. “I’ve spent more time around him than you have.”
“Oh?” Shoto raises an eyebrow.
“What’s up with him?” Raiko asks.
“He’s a failed bureaucrat, once a ‘duke.’ He said he used to own land and that he ruled
