Chapter Three: The Emperor Teyrn
At last Rial’s food was ready, and the four Chenjerai escorted a closed heated trolley with Rial’s meal into an elevator. A few minutes smooth, noiseless ride and they emerged into the banquet hall where three of their team took charge of the trolley.
As Kia followed Nagavi along the wall of the enormous dining hall, she focused on her helmet’s screen, not out of an urge to perform her duty, but to avoid a fresh wave of sensory assaults that included overpowering perfumes that must cost a fortune and the discordant twang of a live musical performance.
The illustrious nobility competed to outdo each other as they sat at smooth crystal tables that glittered under heavy gold chandeliers weighted with a myriad of sparkling lights.
Kia thought if the despot
