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spread from the outer corner of her eyes to curve up toward her ear dimples in markings that were very striking now but would, when she matured, make her beauty exotic indeed. Her tiny neck rill, supported by a miniature collar studded with glittering jewels, displayed variegated hues of gold, green, and blue. Although still very young, Israi already moved with incredible grace. Her physical proportions were perfect. She glowed with health and vitality. Even her tail, concealed today beneath the hem of her indigo-blue gown, was thick and already growing plump with stored fat. Lovely, intelligent, graceful, vital, precocious—Israi was his favorite daughter and chosen successor.
    Just the sight of her filled him with joy and restored his spirits. He longed to laugh with her, to scoop her into his arms and breathe across her sweet face, to toss her into the air, to tickle her until she squealed, and to let her ride on his shoulders.
    But today was to be her first public appearance. As sri-Kaa, she had to remember what was expected of her and act according to her rank and position. The first, most important lesson a sri-Kaa had to learn was to respect the Kaa. Completely, unhesitantly, and without fail.
    He stood firm, meeting a gaze which could have melted the foundation stones of the palace, his stern expression never altering.
    Israi’s attendant whispered to her again, and Israi’s green eyes lowered. Her rill blushed a dark blue, and with bowed head she walked slowly and respectfully up to him. She made her little obeisance flawlessly, and raised her gaze to his once more.
    “Good morning, Imperial Father,” she said, her young voice grave and clear. “May—may the blessings of Festival befall you.”
    The Kaa bowed to her in return. “Thank you, our daughter.”
    Her eyes were getting bigger, and he decided the lesson had been reinforced sufficiently.
    With a smile, he took her hand. Israi squeezed his long, slender fingers, grinning radiantly in return.
    “Time for the procession, sire,” Gaveid said from behind him.
    Israi gestured urgently for the Kaa to bend down. When he did so, she whispered, “And the marketplace. You promised.”
    “We promised,” the Kaa agreed. He gazed deep into his daughter’s eyes, seeing his future in their fire and courage. He smiled. “We shall not forget, provided the sri-Kaa behaves herself through all the ceremonies that come before.”
    Israi lifted her head high and imitated an imperious gesture made by court ladies. “The sri-Kaa will behave herself,” she promised.
    From the corner of his eye, the Kaa saw Gaveid frown with doubt and misgiving. The Kaa smiled at him. “You worry too much, old one. The sri-Kaa has given her word.”
    “The sri-Kaa’s word is her most excellent bond,” Gaveid said, bowing to Israi, who puffed up visibly at the praise. “But will the Imperial Daughter remember it?”
    “I will!” Israi said forcefully, stamping her foot.
    The Kaa swallowed his laughter. “She will,” he assured the chancellor. “Come, precious one. It is time to go among our people.”

CHAPTER •THREE
    The spring sunshine blazed down, unseasonably warm. Surrounded by guards, courtiers, attendants, clowns, cupbearers, and musicians; the Kaa strolled along the dusty stalls of the abiru marketplace and felt the heat radiate off stone pavement and stone walls. He regretted bringing his daughter here. This was no place for either of them. Despite attempts to brighten the surroundings with gaudy festoons of ribbons and wilted flowers, the plaza remained drab, dreary, ordinary. The rounded daub architecture of the buildings offended the Kaa’s eyes, especially since it dated from a neomodern style that he particularly despised.
    Here and there, some shops or alleys leading away from the plaza had been closed off with walls of colorful silk gauze, such places deemed inappropriate for the Kaa to see. Yet the shops selected to remain accessible proved to be vile,