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had hurt when they had first been administered.
    The evening wrapped up abruptly when the report of a landslide sent the Guardians out the door.
    Ari rose to her feet, nodded to those assembled and headed to the point where she last saw her guards.
    The four of them moved into position around her and walked her back to her quarters. Nexica took charge of her and had her stripped and her face scrubbed in minutes.
    “Come along, lady. You look exhausted.”
    Ari raised her arms up as the maid slipped her sleeping gown over her head, and it was clear that Nexica was now as familiar with her clothing as she was.
    The bed was warm, fluffy and it could have swallowed her whole for all she cared. By the time she settled her head on the pillow, sleep crept into her. In the morning, she would be able to work. That was what she was here for.
     
    Dawn was a brutal bitch and Nexica worked for her. Ari was shaken awake, prodded out of bed and into the bath for another scouring session.
    Her hair was brushed, but today, she was dressed before the arrangement of her locks or the makeup went on.
    “I never thought I would be so thankful for underwear.”
    Nexica winced. “I had not realised that the contrasts in your skin colouring would be so visible beneath the gown. The dressmaker has been given your specifications and the rest of your evening wardrobe will be adjusted accordingly.”
    “Terrans use a fine layer of slick fabric that increases opacity without changing the line of the dress.”
    She was being swathed in a long black skirt, and she pulled on the white cap-sleeved blouse. Tubes of fabric were handed to her and after a little trial and error, Ari got them into place. They covered her from just below the edge of the sleeve down to her wrist.
    Nexica urged her to the dressing table, and her hair went up in five minutes. It was still a little damp, but it was out of the way. Her makeup base went on faster than the day before, but the details still needed twenty-five minutes to get in place.
    Nexica leaned back and checked her work as a knock at the door sounded. She nodded in satisfaction and rose to her feet, checking the door and allowing the guard with the tray to enter.
    Ari asked, “Is this how I will get all my food?”
    “It will always be delivered by your guard, yes. They prepare it themselves. When you are with the emperor, you will eat from his servings. His food has all been vetted for poison or other substances.”
    The guard set the tray down on the table, and Ari called out her thanks as he left the room.
    He nodded his head in acknowledgement, and she settled down at the table for breakfast.
    “How long do I have, Nexica?”
    “Thirty minutes before you must leave, lady. Shall I bring your kit?”
    “Please. I need to check it before I do anything stupid.”
    It didn’t bother her that Nexica had looked into the kit and identified it as the tools of her trade. Ari knew every scrap of paper and every fleck shaved off a seal in that box.
    Breakfast was over in ten minutes and the guard could definitely cook. Ari sat back and smiled before sipping her tea. The moment Nexica removed the tray, Ari put her kit in the empty space on the table, and she began to take an inventory for her day’s work.
    Ink, practice parchment and the fine pens that she favoured were all accounted for. Nexica had examined her seals, but had put them back in the nearly correct position. In her months of training, Ari had learned to put her seals in so that if she reached for one, it would be in the correct rotation for immediate use. She was supposed to be using the imperial seals, but she would have to be installed in her workstation before they would bring them to her.
    Nexica paused, “Are you ready?”
    Ari snapped her kit together. “I am.”
    “Your meals and tea will be brought to you by your guards. If you don’t see them bring it in, don’t eat or drink it.” Nexica gave her a serious look.
    “Yes, Nexica. Thank