“My Lord, is there anything before I go?”

Hazadul glanced down to nod at Dennilmi.

“Some tea if you please, dear woman. The usual.”

“Imperial pan-roasted green, quick steeped in the glass with a dab of honey?”

The serving woman was taken aback at Megumi’s insightfulness.

“Well bless my soul! Trust our Lady to know such secrets about her people.”

“Indeed.”

Kura – Hazadul – didn’t blink.

Trustworthy or not, Megumi felt compelled to maintain her guard around the stoic dragon.

“It’s hardly a secret when Mrs. Butimi prepares it for anyone doing lengthy scribe work. I remember my former Chancellor being quite fond of it, especially whenever I saddled him with yet another onerous task. I truly regret having abused him so.”

“Ah My Lady, you’ll want to pay your respects at good Sir Kuradil’s memorial stone.”

Dennilmi’s sighing response almost made Megumi break eye contact.

“Memorial stone?”

“East End of Market Row. We all pitched in for it. Who knows how many of us might have died if Sir Kuradil hadn’t sacrificed himself by luring that awful Pretender into the Library.”

The inscrutable Hazadul didn’t move a millimeter.

Sacrifice? Pretender?

What had Megumi gotten herself into?

“I’ll be sure to visit it. He deserves great honor for giving his life to aid my beloved people. We shall dutifully preserve his memory. And his secrets.”

Was that the barest hint of a smile?

After Dennilmi the serving lady excused herself, Megumi wasted no time.

“You might not get time to drink that tea. You have much to tell me, and I have much I need to know. Be as direct and honest as possible. Let’s not waste time on flattery or evasion.”

Hazadul obligingly dived straight into interrogating her.

“What are your intentions toward Miss Pei?”

That was his greatest concern? Megumi felt her opinion of him rising.

“I promised to find her a new family. Until then, I will be her family. Provided she is willing.”

“Yes, I’m willing!”

Pei’s eager agreement seemed to satisfy the Chancellor. For now.

“Second, it has not escaped my notice that despite what some are suggesting, you clearly were not idle in your twenty-nine years of absence. If there is anything I need to know about your experiences, it may help me advise you.”

Twenty-nine years?

That … that was before she was born! Assuming standard year length.

Megumi briefly considered full disclosure.

“I’m afraid that I can’t share those particular secrets just yet. I’d rather talk about what’s important here and now. Anything I need to best perform my duties.”

Hazadul graciously accepted her refusal.

“Then yes, as your Chancellor and advisor, I have much to tell you. I will try to keep it brief and in order of importance. Please interrupt me as you feel the need.”

Megumi nodded, “I will do so.”

Hazadul opened by summarizing the sorry state of the Dark Lady’s priesthood, worldly assets, and general reputation amongst the influential members of the Dragon Empire.

“You are still acknowledged by most common folk. The prayers of hundreds of millions should provide significant power to help address the many crises facing the Empire.”

Hundreds of millions …

“Those hundreds of millions depend on me and the Heavenly Court to do our duty.”

Megumi could scarcely believe the words coming out of her own mouth.

This dream was seriously spiraling out of control.

Right as Hazadul was ready to share more gloom and doom, Megumi’s food arrived. Four hefty servants hoisted the grand platter bearing their goddess’s meal.

“Please enjoy your repast, Great Lady. I will take a break and have my tea. We can continue when you are finished.

“I don’t mind if you talk while I eat.”

“This may be your domain, but I still prefer to maintain a modicum of propriety. I will wait.”

Pei didn’t mind filling in the silence.

“The fish soup and steamed vegetables are delicious, my Lady! This is much better than anything I ever had in prison … Oh! Should I talk about happier things now that I’m free?”

“You may talk about what you wish, dear Pei.”

Megumi had to admit the meal did smell particularly delicious.

“I’m so glad you gave the Fantu families a second chance, my Lady. Just think about it …”

Pei’s prattling brought a smile to Megumi’s face.

And wow, these vegetables really were delicious.

The mix of soft mushrooms and vegetables with its rich, buttery sauce perfectly satisfied her appetite. It seemed so familiar and yet completely new. And the wine …

Wait.

How could she taste things in a dream?

“My Lady, are you feeling well? You have a funny look on your face.”

Megumi ignored Pei’s concern, focusing instead on the morsel she was holding.

The ‘delicate’ chopsticks longer than the plant-folk were tall. The mushrooms bigger than Pei’s plate. The pungent, earthy smell filling nostrils on the totally wrong part of her face.

“Great Lady, shall I fetch Mr. Huro from the kitchens?”

“No, the food is excellent …”

Megumi took a bite and chewed, feeling the savory pieces moving around her mouth.

She swallowed.

And felt it going down …

…

Impossible.

Don’t panic. Don’t panic. DON’T PANIC.

“Pei, I’m going to stand. Please don’t be alarmed.”

“My Lady, is something wrong?”

Everything was wrong.

With the table gently pushed away, Megumi calmly rose.

“Lord Hazadul?”

“I am here.”

Megumi scanned the room. Her actions hadn’t drawn attention yet.

“Dennilmi said that Sir Kuradil dealt with a Pretender by taking her to the Shadow Library.”

An uncharacteristic pause.

“That is correct.”

“We are going there. You and I. Now.”

Another pause.

“Do you think that wise?”

Absolutely not.

“I think it’s necessary.”

“May I go with you?”

Megumi looked down at Pei. A sudden wave of anguish threatened to overwhelm her. What could she possibly say to the poor girl who’d already endured so much?

“Lord Hazadul?”

“I will see to her safety.”

“Good. Then let us be off.”