Evvy obeyed. She eased her horse back until she was next to Monster’s carry-basket. She reached her fingers in and stroked the big animal.

The Mistress of Protocol bowed to Rosethorn. “Forgive me, honored Rosethorn, friend of the emperor,” she said, not meeting Rosethorn’s glare. “This … officer insists that you will not be allowed to pass until each member of your company is inspected. Please forgive the, the inconvenience. You have my deepest, deepest apologies.”

Evvy wouldn’t have thought the Mistress of Protocol could ever be so upset. Just after their arrival this intimidating lady had spent several mornings with them, educating them in the ways of the court. At the time Evvy had wondered if she was carved of the same white marble favored for so many of the imperial buildings.

“Inspect, then,” Rosethorn said. “Except for the three of us and our guide, everyone is palace staff. The guide was approved by palace officials.” She said nothing else as every member of their escort had been inspected top to toe by an armed soldier. Even their baggage was poked, as if the soldiers expected them to be hiding someone in it.

As the guards inspected the pack animals under Briar’s eye, Rosethorn nudged her mount over to that of the Mistress. Quietly she asked, “Is it permitted to inquire why one is being subjected to this degrading inspection?”

The Mistress used her fan to hide her face for a moment, then lowered it and leaned very close to Rosethorn to whisper in her ear. Evvy knew that normally torture would be required to get an extra word from the older woman, but she had a bad case of arthritis. A balm from Rosethorn, and its recipe, had made her life much easier. Very much easier, Evvy thought, if she was willing to give Rosethorn any information.

The captain was returning; the two women separated.

“Done,” the captain said. “They may go.”

The men cleared away from the road. The Mistress of Protocol, badly rattled, presented the travelers with the horses and their burdens, gifts personally chosen by the emperor. Rosethorn said a few diplomatic, grateful phrases.

Evvy admired her all over again. Rosethorn said those things, and she acted as any noble lady might, but when she took a drink of tea from her belt flask, Evvy could see that Rosethorn’s hand was shaking. Given Rosethorn’s nature, Evvy was fairly certain she wasn’t scared, but furious.

Were they looking for Parahan? Evvy wondered, nibbling the inside of her cheek. It’s early, but maybe they know he’s missing. Once they had passed through the last gate out of the palace and were on the long avenue that led into the city, Evvy and Briar rode up to Rosethorn. Their guide had drawn closer as well. “In all my days of service to the imperial palace, I have never seen imperial guests subjected to search upon their departure!” the guide said, indignant. “Did the most honorable Mistress of Protocol hint as to the cause of such extraordinary behavior? The emperor will be furious to learn of this!”

“I don’t believe so,” Rosethorn said, her voice very dry. “He’s missing an even more prized guest.” She pursed her mouth, then said, “Apparently his captive Parahan of Kombanpur has escaped. They don’t know how. His chains — locked — and his cage — also locked — were discovered this morning when they went to take him to his bath.”

“Oh, that’s bad,” Briar commented, his face and voice suitably grave. “His Imperial Majesty won’t like that.”

Admiring her teacher more than ever, Evvy decided to add her bit. She sighed, careful not to overdo it. “He won’t get very far, not with the whole palace looking for him.”

Rosethorn looked at them suspiciously. “Very true. If he’s lucky, once he’s recaptured, no one will say anything about it,” she commented. “No one will want the emperor to know how badly they slipped up.”

Their guide shook his head. “That’s the kind of secret that always comes out,” he said. “But you’re right, they’ll catch him. They have ways. Now, if you will look ahead, you will see the Gate of Lowly Welcoming. They call it that because anyone who is coming from the palace is assumed to be less happy, even upon entering our glorious city. We will be going around Dohan, though, so we will not pass through.”

He trotted on ahead to ride with the leader of their guards. Rosethorn rode for a while in silence, before she said, “We’re going to be in Yanjing two more weeks or longer, if the roads aren’t good. The imperial spy service will have eyes on us constantly to see if Parahan tries to get in touch. There’s no reason why he should. But brace yourselves, all the same.”

Good luck, Parahan, Evvy thought. I hope you get out of Yanjing soon.

ON THE SOUTHERN OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY OF DOHAN

The caravansary was the biggest Evvy had ever seen, with beautiful paintings of flowers and fish on the inside plaster walls, and a large square well in the middle. There were two levels of rooms, with the bottom level reserved for the bigger caravans and the upper for smaller traveling parties. This was a Trader place, very clean and in good repair.

The ride leader of their caravan came running as they rode through the gate. As soon as she and her people took charge of their group, the imperial escort bowed to Rosethorn and Briar and left them.

The ride leader, who had introduced herself as Rajoni of Twenty-eighth Caravan Datta, frowned. “That’s odd. Usually some of them stay for tea and any news we care to pass on, but this year the imperials have been very … distant.” She shook her head, as if shaking off bad thoughts. “Dedicate Rosethorn, you and your companions are blessed. I was unable to send a message before your departure from the palace, but as it happens, we leave in the morning, a day early, for Hanjian.” She looked at their animals. “You have more horses than your note said.”