The interior of the royal palace was far more grand that whatever was outside. The halls were decorated with lavish excess of crystals and jewels. Gold trimmed every piece of fabric I could see, and mirrors shone in every other corner. Windows opened up to the skies, and guards stood at every corridor. Their armor was a mirror of the lavish halls, lined with gilded gold and steel with rubies embedenned in every piece of metal.

Chandeliers of crystal and gold hung from the rooftops, and statues of half dressed servants sculpted from gold could be seen in crowding the halls. Atop the walls silk garments hung over paintings rimmed by silver, and I could see couriers and noblemen strut past. Silvana and I walked through the palace, Robyn followed close behind.

The thief's eyes were anxious. I saw him ever glancing at the way we came. Marigan had been given a room to care for their child. Robyn didn't seem to trust that she would be safe, despite the hundreds of guards that walked everywhere in the palace.

The gardens we entered was just as lavish as the splendor outside. Grass and trees were trimmed to the last blade and leaf. The blue sky above bore no sign of smoke, and artificial rivers and ponds ran through the massive, park-like area. Towering into the skies were trees, more trees than I could count. A paradise. A paradise built atop mountains of death, filth, and bone.

I ran my hand across my new outfit. Silks and velvet so thick they felt suffocating. This was the least fine and most comfortable of them all, or so I was told. I would prefer an army uniform any day. In contrast, Silvana's dress looked fit for a queen. Several layers of rich cloaks and jewelry decorated her body, and her hair was done up in a puff with diamonds and rubies shining through. Her eyes were powdered by what looked like crushed pearls, and her shoes were just as ornate.

They did not make her look more beautiful. All the decoration only gave her the appearance of a statue or a decorated clown. Bile rose in my throat as I looked at her. How many people would starve for a dress like that? Silvana never seemed to mind, gliding across the trimmed grass like an angel from heaven. She moved with grace and precision, as if she had been wearing it her whole life. If I had been told I would have believed she belonged here.

We traveled across the garden to a woman lounging over a bench. At least, trying to lounge. The dozens of layers of dress made it awkward and difficult. She was reading something, and jumped when Silvana approached. Silvana drew up her skirts and knelt in front of her. "Lady Silvana Forraest pays her respects to the eldest princess."

Behind her, Robyn and Marigan bowed so low their heads touched the ground. "Ah! My dear niece!" She exclaimed. "Get up, we're family." She pushed herself upright. She tilted her head at me as if seeing a monkey. "This is?"

Silvana rose. "The celestial Leon Marshall, from the highest lands. Forgive him for his lack of etiquette, he is new to our customs." She glared. It occured to me that I should have knelt, but of course I didn't. Bowing to tyrants that starved their people was the last thing in mind.

"A highest celestial? Hmm, very good. You won't find another like him in a hundred years. Are you not a lucky girl?" I did not expect Silvana to blush.

"We are not close." She said.

A grin crossed the eldest princesses' face as she looked from her face to mine. "Not yet, I see. Does Zalam approve?" There was something about that grin that was familiar. A grin that came from knowing things she shouldn't. I remembered it somewhere, someplace. I wracked my brain.

I froze as she turned to me with a smile. That same poisonous smile I had seen on Zalam, as if I were some clown she had found on the streets, and she was waiting for me to entertain her. I shuddered. Two of them?

She covered her giggle. "Oh, you will have to get used to it, my dear. I take peeks, don't worry. Just tiny peeks. Besides, you secrets are safe with me."

"You can read minds." I realized, stumbling back.

The princess sighed. "They all act like that." She complained. "I just see a little more than everyone else."

A little more? Than what is a lot? I thought.

She tapped her cheek. "Oh, the human mind is so large and delicious. So much more than the thoughts on their mind. Really does make the exploration worthwhile, no?" She clasped her hands in delight. "And yours, such a feast! I don't think I've seen anyone quite like you. Oh-, I'm terribly sorry. I'll stop."

I flashed a suspicious glance at Silvana. The princess laughed. "No need to worry. My niece has much to learn. She has no clue what is in your head, yet."

She responded to my glare with a petulant look. "I didn't do anything! It really was obvious." She protested. I found myself inclined to agree.

"Oh, dear me, where are my manners? I forgot to introduce myself. I'm the eldest princess of the empire, Satora Francis. Aunt Sata is fine. Don't learn from my niece, she's such a bore sometimes. Did that rock infect you my dear?"

Silvana sighed. "I wondered why he called you Chatora."

Satora covered her mouth. "Silvana! Now that's very unkind isn't it? Oh, you need some training. No wonder you haven't charmed your partner yet." She turned to me. "A favor for my niece, I'm sure you won't mind. Just this once, I promise. Let's see here... ooh, such a place to.... oh."

A frown crossed her face. She turned to Silvana with the face of a parent seeing a naughty child. "So many misplays, I expected better from Zalam's student. Now, come with me my dear, you have so much to learn. Selina!"

A woman flew by. Yes, she flew. Her feet dangled in the air as she passed, and her arms were folded over her chest. She looked as if she were leaning back against a wall, but there was nothing there, only air. "Teacher?"

"This is the celestial Leon. He's new here, why don't you show him around? I'm sure you two will get along quite well."

I felt my breath catch in my throat as I saw her. She was, different.