They set off for Askoflin, the Summer Palace, in the afternoon. The pace was slow, even so, the horses were still sweating, their coats sheening in the sunlight. Despite the heat, Teal took the opportunity to drink in more of the city.

The buildings they passed were different to the ones when the Emperor had taken him out for a run through the forest. On that day, they had passed what Teal believed had been more of a residential area. Today’s journey took them down wider roads that were lined with large buildings and protective tall walls that wound the perimeter of the premises. These buildings inside, towered several floors high, and Teal marvelled at the decorations on their half-hipped roofs.

For the most part, there were few people on the roads save for the occasional people in shaded alleyways. In this district of the city, Teal noted that the people he did see, were sharply dressed and walked with purpose. Still, when their eyes fell on the Emperor and his procession, they stopped in their tracks and kowtowed on the road.

After an hour, the city that sprawled up and down the coastline fell away and they were soon following a dirt path into the forest. Again, Teal’s shoulders relaxed instantly. A smile came to his lips; nature really was his best friend. Birds thrived in the treetops and monkeys jumped from branch to branch above their heads.

Teal’s evening with the Emperor and the Empress remained poignant in his thoughts as well. The touches, sensations and sounds of that night came in constant flashes where he was instantly taken back to it all. Overwhelmed, Teal didn't know if it was the influence of the Empress and his first sexual experience with a woman, or the fact that for the first time ever, he had been intimate with the Emperor. Both were radical concepts to digest.

Teal wished the Empress was with them, but the discomfort of travel and the danger of premature labor, was not going to allow for it. His eyes flickered to Delba momentarily, but he shunned that thought away. While alluring, he still found her dangerous. Lana was certainly more amenable but unfortunately, he noted, not currently on a horse with them.

He turned in his saddle and found Jale analyzing him. It must have been obvious his attention and gaze had kept reverting to the women who had joined them on their journey. Teal tried to hide the smile that was tugging at his lips. The haughty almost indignant look on Jale's face was something he would not forget. With the way Jale's body looked on the back of his horse, strong and broad shouldered, Jale had nothing to worry about.

Teal was also delighted that Satner had been ordered to join the party who had left the palace. He was to be the head of security at the Summer Palace while they were there. Galton would also be present but as a long-standing friend of the Emperor, it would be his annual break, and he would be allowed to be present in a less than official capacity. It was for that reason, Satner was not free for idle chatter. He was on duty, in charge, and conducted himself in a manner that let everyone know just that.

Askoflin didn't disappoint. Perched on the side of a cliff face, it was high enough for its balconies to be on the same level as the tallest treetops, when down below water from a river split into two waterfalls and fell on either side of the small palace. Above, Jale explained, a river split in two creating two waterfalls that cascaded around both sides of the core building.

Due to its location, it was a small palace housing only several rooms for sleeping, a dining room, and a group entertainment area that had a balcony overlooking the waterhole below. Teal was amazed to find that the large balcony area even included a private rock bath and shower area. The size of the palace and its minimal staff however, did not affect its grandness. Marble walls and floors covered every inch, and the furniture was luxurious and plentiful. The caravans and horses were camped out a short distance away, the last approach to the palace conducted on foot.

Teal sighed in relief as he stood out on the balcony, a continuous, soft, wispy spray landing on his skin as he stared up at the stars that were now beginning to emerge. The trees on the other side of the balcony were full of birds enjoying the cooler part of the day.

"Teal," Jale spoke in greeting as he came to stand with him. They stood in silence looking out at the view.

"This is really something," Teal said, closing his eyes.

Jale watched him. "It is. You're late for our celebration though. Everyone is already making their way to the dining room to feast. It's been a long hot afternoon."

The dining room was true Talbecan style. The table was low with all the consorts sitting on cushions around its edge. Its surface was covered in a spread of food that must have taken all day to prepare. Delba was at the Emperor's side, his arm casually wrapped around her shoulder. Ralen was also present, as well as Galton. It was blaring empty without the Empress and Lana present.

"Teal," the Emperor said as he approached. He waved to the food. "Sit down and join us."

Teal took a seat next to Galton, an act he wouldn't have dreamed of doing only a short time ago. They shared a mutual nod in greeting while Jale joined Teal on his other side.

"Do you always join the Emperor's parties?" Teal asked.

"Only when the Emperor asks me," Galton responded. He bit into a large piece of meat, its juices dripping down his chin.

Delba laughed from across the table, glass in her hand, her eyes bright from the alcohol she had already consumed. "He asks you every year."

"You spend time with the Emperor as well?" Teal asked in surprise.

Galton didn't rise to Delba's comment, but he deliberately took his time to chew his meat, his eyes trained on Delba all the while. "No," he said simply and then he washed the flavor of the meat down with his wine. "The Emperor and I go way back. I was responsible for him on several occasions when he was younger."

"So, you don't...?"

"Galton our friend here likes to keep his life simple," Ralen explained for Teal as Delba popped a grape into her mouth. She sucked on her finger seductively, so seductively she had every man's eyes trained on her, apart from Jale who only took another mouthful of his wine.

Delba looked at Ralen. "You can speak, you are just as simple."

"And you dare to complain?" Ralen quirked.

"Not at all," she breathed and gave him a coy, knowing smile.

To Teal the Emperor spoke, "Galton here prefers the company of women only. I thought I should have at least two men around me who I couldn't get distracted by trying to get into my bed."

"So, you are promised to a woman?" Teal asked Galton.

"Oh no, he isn't," Delba answered for Galton. "How is the lovely lady?"

It was the first time that Teal had seen Galton lost for words.

"Okay," he answered quickly and buried his nose in his cup again.

"You have a lady who you spend time with?" Teal asked.

"No," Delba said. "He has only had several conversations with the woman and he is too scared to do anything else!"

Galton sighed clearly not enjoying being the centre of attention while Teal smiled at Jale, suddenly noting his permanent gaze in his direction.

Delba laughed again and gave Galton a wink. "You know, I always offered to help," she said. "The way you're going, you're going to be too old to father any children."

The whole group laughed, but Galton had decided to take it in his stride. "I move at my own pace," he said, taking another sip of his wine.

"And what pace is that?" Jale asked, finally joining the conversation. "I think one of the monks of Denroin would move faster than you."

They laughed again and now, trying to act like he was unbothered, Galton waved them off with his free hand and took another bite of the meat on his fork. Teal had no idea that the man held such a sense of humor and tolerance.

"Well," the Emperor stated, "I thought I would take matters into my own hands and I have asked Lana to invite your lovely maid to join us tonight. She will arrive with Lana in one hour."

That was it. Galton sat up straight, suddenly undone. "What?" he gasped.

The party gazed at him fondly.

"Come now," the Emperor stated kindly. "Some conversation and wine, and the relaxing atmosphere will do you both the wonders of good."

Teal leaned towards Jale and kept his question quiet. "Why is Galton so nervous?"

Jale tilted his head, and Teal was surprised to see his face serious. "His promised past five years ago. He has not been with anyone since and has only just started to think of talking to another lady, let alone lay with one. We tease him from time-to-time now that he has started to think of seeing someone else. He knows that it is all in jest."

The jovial mood continued throughout the meal and after, when they moved onto the balcony. Lana arrived with a quiet and shy woman who looked completely uncomfortable with the company she had been asked to join for the evening. Jale left Teal's side and approached Lana to whisper something in her ear. She smiled and immediately looped her hand into the crook of his elbow. He guided her to where Teal stood and must have seen Teal's longing gaze at the food they had left behind, still ample on the plates.

"Do not fear," Jale told him, coming to stand at his side again, Lana still with him. "The food will be available all evening and you don't want to become too full that you pass out into a slumber and miss the real party."

"The real party?" Teal enquired.

Jale only answered with a pointed look and Teal laughed. Lana didn't join their banter, too preoccupied with something else. All of a sudden, she shuddered despite the hot weather, a soft frown forming on her features.

"What's wrong?" Teal asked.

"The water," she told him. "It's too loud – it disorientates me. I am so used to being able to hear everything that is going on around me. We don't come here very often in truth, so I find it very difficult and..."

"You feel vulnerable here," Jale filled in for her kindly. "There's nothing wrong with that."

Lana smiled in Jale's direction, and Teal glanced up and towards the water cascading down. It had not occurred to him how the noise of the waterfall would have an impact on her. True, they had to talk louder over the sound and compounded with not being able to see, Teal guessed it would make it harder for Lana to be independent. Her desire to be beside Jale was so much clearer now.

"Time for a bath," Ralen informed them as he walked past.

Teal watched Ralen pull his finely crafted vest off his broad shoulders and step into one of small shower areas off the balcony created by a section of one of the waterfalls. Work had been conducted a little higher up on the rock face so that in this space, the force of the water was at a steady and comfortable pace. Once Ralen had rubbed the sweat from his body, a sight Teal believed both Jale and himself enjoyed, Ralen climbed into the rock bath. He looked over to Teal.

"Join me," he called out. "The water is cool and refreshing."

Teal glanced at Jale who only nodded in approval. He began to strip his clothes and followed Ralen's example, washing his body off before he stepped into the bath. Its scent was strong and pungent, but Teal could feel the muscles in his body begin to relax. He sighed, closed his eyes and allowed his body to sink until only his head was above the surface.

Their peaceful solitude didn't last long. Teal sensed another person approach the bath as well. Completely unperturbed that she was naked before Teal, Delba lowered herself down until she was fully submerged. Teal couldn't avert his eyes. Her body was deeply tanned, luscious, and decorated with small body paintings and water droplets from her shower. Teal swallowed, and he wondered whether the paintings were permanent tattoos or mere decorations that was currently popular with the women of the capital city.

Ralen casually dropped his arm around Delba's shoulders, the water lapping around her bobbing breasts. She breathed in the scent of the water seeming to relax as well. Instead of remaining quiet though, her eyes opened and she turned to Ralen.

"I think we ought to teach Teal one of our traditions." She said it with sly mirth looking at him through her long, dark lashes.

Teal eyed her warily, but Ralen only smiled. He reached behind him as he spoke waving to one of the servants on duty. "I think that's a great idea."

Filled with trepidation, Teal sat up. He hadn't planned to shy away from what might occur that evening and while he couldn't help but appreciate Delba's body, he had never fantasized about being intimate with her. Without realizing it, his eyes flickered back over towards Lana with keen interest – it was certainly a tender thought that had been slowly developing over the past couple of days. Hoping no one had noticed, he brought his attention back to the pair in the rock bath only to find Delba with a coy smile on her lips.

"What's the tradition?" Teal asked, hoping to distract her.

"Toslet," Delba answered.

"Toslet?"

Ralen turned to face him, two drinks in hand. "It's a drinking game."

Teal glanced at the two small cups. With a sinking feeling, he knew this game was not going to end well for him.