Eon: Dragoneye Reborn

CHAPTER 6

I came to my senses slowly, a dim light penetrating the grey blur of sleep. I opened my eyes wider. A room. But none of the dimensions were familiar; the ceiling was too high, the walls too far away. Someone was chanting — a low hum of entreaty — and the air was scented. It took a moment to place the sweet smell: the special incense used for the sick. I rolled onto my back and felt soft silk brush my skin.

'Lord Eon?'

I raised my head and saw the silhouette of a woman sitting on a stool. The white blur of her face was topped by a coronet of coiled hair pinned with gold ornaments. A court lady.

Standing behind her was a heavyset Shadow Man, dark-skinned with his head shaved clean and his hands resting on the hilts of two sheathed swords. Then my eye was drawn to a flicker of light in 1 he corner of the room. A paper prayer lantern swinging from the hand of a black-robed Beseecher — the source of the chanting. Beside him was a servant half hidden in the gloom.

'Lord Eon? Can you speak?' The lady's voice was deep and resonant.

I pulled myself up onto an elbow. My head pounded with an echo of the red dragon's power and every part of me felt bruised. I was lying on a bed; a real bed, not just a roll. It was as wide as three pallets with raised sides made of black lacquered wood. A heavy yellow silk sheet covered me. It slipped a little as I moved, my neck and shoulder goosing in the cool air.

I looked down: no red tunic. Just a loose sleeveless night smock that was too big. I twitched the sheet over my bare skin. Had this woman undressed me? Had she seen me?

'Do you need your body servant?' The lady snapped her fingers. The figure in the shadows stepped forwards.

Rilla.

My servant?

'You should have some water,' the lady said. She waved Rilla over to a long bureau beneath the shuttered window. A reddish glow from a small brazier outlined the familiar shape of a water jug.

This wasn't my master's house. Where was I?

Rilla bowed and passed me a small drinking bowl. It was gold, engraved with a peony. Why was she giving me a noble's cup? Did she want to get me punished? I tried to push it back into her hands then saw the raw skin of burns and blisters on her fingers.

'What happ-?'

She gave a slight shake of her head and pushed the bowl back to me.

'Thank you.' My voice was raspy from disuse. How long had I been senseless? I took a sip of the water then gulped at the cool wet relief.

'That is enough for now,' the court lady chided gently. 'The physicians say you must take water slowly or your body will reject it.'

Rilla bowed again and took the empty bowl back to the bureau. The court lady signalled to the Beseecher, stopping his low chant, then rose gracefully from her seat. She kneeled on one knee and bowed, her long hands folded against one hip.

'Lord Eon,' she said, 'now that you are refreshed, you must be wondering where you are. This is the Peony guest apartment of the Imperial Palace. I am Lady Dela. It is my honour to welcome you to the palace and instruct you on the protocols of the court.'

Lord Eon? The palace?

'What…' I cleared my throat. 'What am I doing here?'

She straightened and I saw her face in the glow from the covered oil lamp between us. Rough skin painted with heavy white make-up. Square jaw, cheekbones high and sharp. Dark, deep-set eyes ringed with kohl and set under thinned arches. A curved nose spoke of ancestors from the Eastern Tribes and her mouth was generous, an upward curve hinting at humour. It was a strong face with more hawk-like majesty than beauty But what drew my eye was a large black pearl hanging from a gold pin threaded horizontally through the skin of her throat. It straddled the round of her windpipe, covering a noticeable knob that lumped when she swallowed.

'Do you remember the ceremony, my lord?' she asked, the pearl trembling as she spoke.

I fell a Hash of remembered heat and pain, a sudden image of my hands clawed across the pearl and the dragon curved over me.

'I remember the dragon coming to me across the sand.'

She nodded. 'The lost dragon. You are the new Mirror Dragoneye. The first in five hundred years. His Imperial Majesty has proclaimed the dragon's return as a most auspicious sign.'

'Mirror Dragoneye?' I repeated. 'But I'm just a candidate.'

'Yes, there was some resistance in the Dragoneye Council due to your youth and inexperience, but after much debate they have recognised your position.' She paused, the wide mouth quirking up lor a second. 'You are now Co-Ascendant Dragoneye with Lord ldo.'

I stared at her.

'Co Ascendant Dragoneye? But I'm just a candidate, I can't be a Dragoneye.' I pushed back against the pillow, coming up hard against the lacquered headboard.

'My lord, you have been chosen by the Mirror Dragon. There is no incumbent Dragoneye to apprentice you, therefore you are the Dragoneye.' Again, the slight smile. 'The Council used Lord Ido's own precedent of early status to come to a decision.'

I looked around the room. 'Where is my master?'

'Heuris Brannon is in conference with His Imperial Majesty and the Dragoneye Council,'

Lady Dela said slowly 'My lord, I know this is a Jot to take in, but you must now realise that Heuris Brannon is no longer your master. You are Lord Eon. Co-Ascendant Dragoneye. The highest rank in the land except for the Imperial family. Do you understand?'

'No,' I said, feeling all the air leave my body. 'No. I want my master.' I felt my throat close, my eyes hazing with red panic.

Lady Dela was beside me in a moment, snatching up my hand. 'Lord Eon, take a deep breath.

Breathe. Just breathe.' Her soft hand cupped my cheek as I struggled to force air past the rigid block in my chest. 'You over there,' she called. 'Help me.'

I heard a voice yelp in protest. The pad of running feet. Then Rilla holding something over my nose and mouth. The Beseecher's paper lantern. It smelled of the discarded wax candle. I gulped like a stranded fish and felt air force its way into my lungs.

'He will be here soon,' Rilla whispered in my ear. 'It will be all right.'

I took a deep, shaking breath and she pulled the paper lantern away.

Lady Dela patted my hand. 'That's right, take deep breaths.' Her shoulders lifted in a deep inhale, showing me the way. 'And out again.' She nodded as I exhaled. 'You are doing very well, my lord.'

She looked around the room. 'You, Ryko,' she said sharply, flicking her fingers at the Shadow Man, 'don't just stand there like a man mountain. Go and get the physician.'

'I am sorry, my lady,' the Shadow Man said, his voice unexpectedly soft and light, 'I cannot leave you unguarded.'

She glared at him. 'I'm hardly going to be attacked here.'

'No, because I am guarding you,' he said patiently

'I'm all right,' I said hoarsely.

Are you sure?' She peered at my face. 'I know how it is to rise from humble beginnings. Such sudden elevation can be…disorientating.' She gave my hand one last pat then let it rest on the silk cover. 'But I'm afraid you will not have much time to adjust to your new position. Now that you have recovered, His Imperial Majesty will expect you to attend this evening's banquet. It will be in your honour. You must bathe and dress. And then I will instruct you on proper court etiquette.'

A banquet with the Emperor? I felt my breath harden again.

Lady Dela looked over at Rilla. 'You seem able,' she said. 'I will send my girl over to assist you with your master's preparations. She'll help you bathe and dress him for court. His Majesty has given Lord Eon permission to draw what he needs from the Imperial stores.'

I pulled the cover up further. Bathed and dressed? I had to find a way to refuse the lady's offer.

Rilla turned to me, wincing as she folded her hands together and bowed.

'My lord, may I speak of your requirements?' she asked me solemnly.

My requirements? I stared at her deferential pose, then realised she was waiting for me to give permission.

'Yes, of course,' I said hurriedly

'Your generosity is greatly appreciated, my lady,' Rilla said. 'I Iowever, only I am able to bathe and dress Lord Eon.' She leaned forwards and whispered loudly, 'My master is Moon Shadow I have been purified and sanctioned to serve him.'

Lady Dela's slim body stiffened with shock. 'Forgive me, my lord, I was not informed,' she said, dropping into a low bow in

front of me. The skin of her unpainted nape was red. 'I humbly apologise for intruding upon your arrangements. I will have your girl shown the stores and baths, and instruct the Imperial staff to enter your rooms only upon your order. When you are ready, send a messenger and I will come to you.'

'Thank you.'

The Shadow Man was watching me, his expression strangely tender. He must think me a brother. I looked away from the undeserved fellowship.

What was I supposed to do now?

Lady Dela was still crouched beside the bed. She lifted her head slightly. 'My lord, may I offer you the first lesson,' she said gently 'You must give permission for those lower in rank to leave your presence.'

'Oh.' Heat prickled across my face. 'Yes, of course. You may go.'

She bowed and gracefully stood, the Shadow Man ducking from the waist in a brief courtesy then taking his position behind her shoulder. Rilla and I watched her leave, dwarfed by the massive guard, the clink of her hair ornaments matching the sway of her walk.

'You may go too,' I said to the Beseecher, trying to sound more lordly. 'Thank you,' I added.

Best not to offend an intermediary of the gods.

He bowed and scuttled out into the passageway, giving Rilla a cold glare as he passed; wax candles were expensive.

'Rilla-,'I said.

She held up her hand for silence as she checked the passage. I heard the fading sounds of retreating steps and murmured conversation. Finally, she closed the door and pressed her back against it, as though stopping it from bursting back open.

We stared at one another for a second.

'Lord Eon?' she said, lifting her eyebrows. This is a deadly path the master has set you on, girl.' She sighed. 'Has set us on.'

'Did you always know the truth about me?' I asked, meeting her steady gaze.

'Perhaps. But it is easier and safer not to know some things too clearly' She walked over to the bed and smiled wryly 'How are you feeling, my lord?'

'My head aches.' I rubbed my temple and felt the lump where Ranne had hit me. 'And all of my skin feels like it is bruised. How did I get undressed?'

'Me.' She held out her burned hands. 'No one else would touch you. Not even the physicians.

The Dragoneyes said it was the Mirror Dragon's power sparking from your skin because you were not properly released from the pearl.'

I looked down at my arms and hands, free of the thick cover. 'I don't think I'm sparking any more. Do you think it might start again?'

Rilla shook her head. 'I'm no expert.'

Neither was I. Was sparking skin a good or a bad sign? I couldn't even tell if the dragon was still with me. I tried to focus inwards, but a new fear was dimming my mind's-eye. What if the dragon was gone? What if he had made a mistake choosing me? I took a deep breath and concentrated again. My mind's-eye slowly found the energy lines of my body. There was something different. A change in my Hua — it was faster, stronger — and an echo of another presence, like a shadow heartbeat. But it was very faint. I opened my eyes and fell back against the pillows, exhausted.

'I think the sparking has finished. I'm sorry you were hurt, Rilla.'

She shrugged. 'The master used it as an excuse to stop the doctors from poking at you.' She touched my shoulder. 'It's lucky you're slim-hipped and small-breasted. How old are you really?'

'Sixteen.' I hugged my arms around my chest to stop myself from grabbing her sore hands.

'Rilla, what am I going to do?' I felt the panic rise through me like a scalding geyser.

'You are going to be bathed and dressed by your body servant, and then you are going to go out there and be Lord Eon, the new Mirror Dragoneye.'

'How can I be a lord? It was hard ^enough just being a candidate. I can't do it.'

'Yes, you can,' Rilla said, wincing as she grabbed my shoulders. 'Because if you can't, then we are going to die. You, me, the master. They won't let us live if they find out what you really are.'

What you really are — her words brought a lurch of memory. 'Rilla, when you undressed me, did you find a pouch?'

'Calm yourself. I have it.' She patted the pocket of her gown. And your gift from Chart.'

'How long was I senseless?'

'Two days.' She nodded her understanding. 'Don't worry, the master told me about the tea.

You haven't missed a dose — I got a good amount down your throat, although you never fully roused.'

I sighed out my relief. 'Thank you.'

'I'll make today's dose now' She crossed the room to the bureau and poked at the coals in the brazier. Next to her, in the corner, was a small rack holding my ceremonial swords. I flexed my fingers, remembering the strange angry knowledge that had come from their steel.

I turned my back on them and swung my legs over the edge of the bed. 'Where's Chart?' I asked.

'He is at the master's house.'

'But who's looking after him?' The carpet was so thick under my feet they sank into it. I wiggled my toes, pushing them through the soft pile. Twice as deep as my master's carpets.

'Irsa.' Rilla's voice was flat.

I looked around. 'Irsa? But can't Chart come here?'

'The Emperor will not allow it. He will not have the bad luck of deformity in the palace.'

I stopped making imprints in the carpet. 'But I'm here.'

Rilla placed a pot of water on top of the brazier. 'Yes, but rank and wealth takes the stink off such things.'

Rank and wealth. I stared down at the jewel colours of the carpet. I now had rank and wealth.

Something surged through me: the beginnings of a fierce power that had nothing to do with the Mirror Dragon. I was Lord Eon. A Dragoneye. I drank out of gold cups and slept on silk sheets. People served me and bowed to me and no one would ever sneer at my limp again or make the ward-evil.

'I could order him here,' I said.

Rilla turned and smiled. 'That's a generous thought, Lord Eon.'

I felt the heat rise to my face again. The thought had not come from generosity.

'But I'm afraid even the new Mirror Dragoneye would not be able to overrule the Emperor's fear.' She stared into the heating water. 'It will be all right. The master will not let any serious harm come to Chart.'

True, but it was the lesser harms that left a sour taste in my mouth.

Something knocked against the door. I spun around to face it.

'Lord Eon,' a voice called from the other side. 'The Emperor's physician requests entrance.'

'Get back in the bed,' Rilla whispered. 'Don't let him poke at you.' She took the pot off the brazier and hurried to the door. A moment, please,' she called.

I clambered onto the bed and pulled the sheet back over me. Rilla gave me a nod then opened the heavy door, bowing as a small man strutted into the room. His clothes overshadowed him: five short tunics of the thinnest silk were set one on top of the other, each a shade of purple — violet to lilac — that created a glorious layered edging at neck and thigh. Under these was a pair of wide-legged trousers in puce with gold embroidery. A maroon physician's cap completed the magnificence; close-fitting but extravagantly trimmed with pink feathers. Amongst all this rich colour, the man's grey face drooped in sour lines, a sparse beard coming to a short frayed point. He was followed by two fat eunuchs in long blue cotton tunics, one carrying a tray with a goblet, the other carrying a box.

'Lord Eon, I am the royal physician,' the sfnall man said, his bow a jerky dip from the waist.

'His Imperial Majesty sends you a precious tonic to assist in your recovery' He waved the eunuch with the tray forwards. 'It was presented as a gift to our Gracious Highness from those foreign devils he allows into our city'

The eunuch dropped to one knee and offered the goblet. His face was puffy with an unhealthy darkness under the eyes. I could smell a faint sourness about him.

I took the goblet and peered inside. The liquid looked like glossy mud.

'It is called coco/at,' the physician said. 'His Majesty takes it every morning.'

T just drink it? Like tea?'

'Yes, my lord. It will be most beneficial after your long fast. For the time being, you must be cautious in your food and drink. We do not want to startle your body I will have the kitchens prepare some dishes that will enhance your recovery' He looked closely at me, his dry lips set in a pucker of thought. A little bamboo and fish first, I think. Now, drink up.'

I raised the goblet. A smell, like the aftertaste of Ari's strange coffee, filled my nose just before the coco/at slicked my mouth with oily sweet velvet. I swallowed and tasted a strange bitterness at the back of my tongue. Then my jaw muscles locked in a mouth-twisting spasm.

I clenched my teeth, waiting for the ache to pass. The drink was sweeter than honey and strangely soothing. I took a larger sip. This time the bitterness was hardly noticeable in the creaminess that coated my mouth and throat. When I had drained the cup, it felt as though I had eaten a whole meal of sweetings. I belched. Even the return was delicious.

The physician took the empty goblet and nodded approvingly 'I have been informed that your skin is no longer dangerous to the touch. Therefore I shall examine you.' He grabbed the edge of the sheet.

'No!' I tightened my hold on the cover. 'I don't want to be examined.' I ducked away from his hands, but he caught my wrist in a bony grip.

'But you must,' he said. 'I have to make my report to His Majesty'

'Lord Eon is well,' my master said from the doorway 'That is your report, Physician.'

'Master!' I wanted to run to him, but the physician was still holding my wrist. I pulled it out of his grasp. '"You're here.' I couldn't stop the tremble of relief in my voice.

'Of course I am here, Lord Eon,' my master said, emphasising the title with a brief smile. His face was flushed with an inner excitement that was barely controlled. He walked over to the bed, crowding the physician until the smaller man took a reluctant step back.

'Who are you?' the physician demanded.

My master stared at him for a moment then turned to me. 'I came as soon as I could, my lord,'

he said. 'How do you feel?'

'I feel…' I faltered. My master was bowing to me. I pulled the sheet up higher. 'I feel well, Heuris Brannon,' I finally said, stumbling over his name.

'There you are, Physician,' my master said. 'Lord Eon is well. He gives you his permission to leave. Don't you, Lord Eon?'

'Yes,' I said hurriedly 'Go. Thank you.'

The physician glared at my master. 'I shall make my report to the Emperor.' He stalked out of the room, the eunuchs breaking into a shuffling trot behind him.

Rilla started to shut the door, but my master stopped her with a raised hand.

'Make sure all our guests have left the apartment, Rilla. Then go and organise Lord Eon's bath and clothing. There is much to do before we attend the banquet.'

She bowed and pulled the door closed behind her.

We were alone.

'How do you really feel?' my master asked softly, sitting on the edge of the bed. 'This has not been an easy road for you.' He leaned over and examined the lump on my temple, his cool fingers gently pressing my skin. The smell of rice wine was on his breath.

'I am well, Master,' I said earnestly. 'Truly, I am well.'

'Good. I am glad to hear it.' He drew back, his eyes bright with triumph. 'The return of the Mirror Dragon! By the gods I knew you were special, but I never imagined such glory.' His face seemed younger, as though the fierce joy had stripped away years. 'Ido is furious, of course,' he continued. 'Not only did his dragon choose Dillon over Baret, but now he must share his Ascendancy with my candidate. I thought he would explode with rage.'

'There was a court lady here — Lady Dela — she said I was Co-Ascendant, but how can there be two Ascendant dragons?' I asked. 'I don't understand.'

My master shook his head. 'There are so many questions. The Council is in uproar. They don't know why the Mirror Dragon has suddenly returned, nor why he has returned out of his own year. The Emperor's augurs are casting for the answers, but it cannot be denied that all the other beasts bowed to your dragon during the ceremony Such unusual behaviour must mean he is Ascendant too, and that makes you co-leader of the Council. Ido does not like it, but even he cannot gainsay the Emperor and the Council majority.'

'Do you know why the Mirror Dragon has returned, Master?' I asked. 'Why he chose me?'

'No one knows, Eon,' he said. 'I think it must be your dragon sight. Your raw power brought him back. To be able to see all of the dragons is as rare as a dragon egg, itself. And for the time being, it is how the Council is explaining your ascension.'

Hesitantly, I touched his arm, needing his reassurance. 'Will it be all right, Master?'

He looked down at my hand then finally covered it with his own. 'It will be better than all right. You have done so well. We will be more powerful than even I had hoped. And if things go to plan, I will be back on the Council and finally able to hobble Ido's ambitions.' He smiled. 'No more hard times for us, Eon.'

I answered his smile, feeling my own exultation finally breaking through my fear. 'We can have sweet buns everyday' I said, delighted to see him smiling.

'Sweet buns? We can have shark fin everyday if we want it.' He grabbed my hands and stood up, swinging me off the bed. 'I am very proud of you, Eon.'

After Ranne hit me, I thought I had failed you, Master.' I returned the squeeze of his fingers. 'I thought we had lost.'

'Yes, I thought so too. But like I said, no one knows how a dragon chooses. That's why I sent you out again for the final bow. It was hard, I know, but I had to send you.'

'I didn't think I could do it. But I did.'

I felt the smock slip from my shoulder as he pulled me against his body. 'Yes, you did,' he murmured against my hair. I pressed into him, my body blindly moulding itself into his approval. His breath against my ear was like the soft press of lips. 'You've done well.'

I rested my head on his shoulder as his hands stroked my hair, my neck, the dip of my collarbone. A sharp spark of energy snapped between us, breast to hand, leaving a sickening smell like singed flesh.

And then I was standing alone, my arms still holding the moment before.

He stood a few paces back. Cradling his hand. His eyes fixed on my bared skin.

'The dragon is still in you,' he said. He lifted his fingers to his mouth, sucking away the pain.

I hugged my arms across my chest, the sting of our contact already fading. 'I'm sorry, Master.'

He shook his head. 'You will have no control over your power yet.'

'I can't really feel his presence in my mind. Is that normal?'

'It will take time to know his energy'

I nodded.

'I'll get wine,' he said, turning away 'We can make an offering to the gods.'

'I think there's wine on the bureau.' I drew up the smock. 'I'll pour some.'

'I will,' he said, striding across the room.

He was eager to move away from me. I felt for the bed and sat down, my back to the sound of him pouring wine.

'Of course, your union with the Mirror Dragon is just the beginning,' he said. 'We have much to plan. I have already laid the foundation in the Council, but you must confirm the arrangements.'

His muffled footsteps crossed the carpet towards me. I quickly stood up, moving away from the bed. He handed me a goblet, his gaze not quite meeting mine.

Arrangements? What do you mean, Master?'

'I have urged the opinion that you are too inexperienced to be Co-Ascendant without an advisor. The Council has decided that you must nominate your proxy as soon as possible.'

'You,' I said.

He nodded once. 'Me.' He lifted his cup. 'With thanks to the gods.'

'With thanks,' I echoed.

We drank. I felt my gut churn uneasily as the sour rice wine met the coco/at.

'What will happen now, Master?'

'Now we play our game to its end. You will study and learn to control your power. I will secure our position in the Council.

We will be very wealthy and very powerful by the time your tenure as Mirror Dragoneye ends.'

'Yes, Master.'

'You must stop calling me Master,' he said roughly. 'You are Lord Eon, and when you confirm me, I will be Lord Brannon. That is how it must be.' He looked into his wine, the muscles in his jaw tightening. 'That is how it must be.'