Read Griffin's Shadow for Free Online Page B

resignation and understanding. A hikui girl dressed in simple cotton and leather—of course this little man had mistaken her for Ashinji’s servant.
    “Hmmm, uh, my youngest son has also married recently. This is my other daughter-in-law, Jelena,” Sen explained hastily. Jelena glanced over at Sadaiyo and cringed at the smirk on his face. The sight of his enjoyment of her humiliation made her burn with renewed hatred.
    Karogi cast a dubious eye over Jelena, but he was a consummate courtier, and swiftly adjusted his attitude. “A thousand apologies to you, my lady, and to you, Lord Ashinji. Please forgive my stupid blunder. It seems, then, that congratulations are in order for you as well, my lord. Am I to assume that you and your new bride will be needing accommodations within the keep itself, rather than the barracks?”
    “Yes,” Ashinji replied curtly.
    “Very good, my lords, my ladies, please come with me, then.”
    They followed the tiny steward—who walked far more quickly than Jelena would have guessed possible—across the spacious outer ward and through a second set of gates that pierced the inner walls of the castle. After traversing the smaller inner ward and a flight of wide, shallow stone stairs, they reached the massive double doors of the keep itself. A pair of guards snapped to attention as they approached.
    The doors to the keep stood open. Karogi swept through, waving perfunctorily to the guards. As Jelena passed over the threshold, she looked about her with awe. Even the twins remained silent and wide-eyed.
    This is the biggest building I’ve ever seen, she thought.
    The steward led them across a wide entrance hall toward a broad staircase. The expansive space flickered with shadows cast by the flames of dozens of brass lamps—many fashioned in the shapes of fishes, roosters, lions, and other animals—hanging from chains attached to the ceiling. Stone columns spaced at regular intervals supported the roof overhead; finely woven, well-padded matting covered the stone floors.
    There seemed to be no one else about, not even servants. Jelena realized that most of the people of the household would be involved in the evening meal, either eating it, or serving it.
    “Lord Sen, the king has requested that when you have gotten your family settled, that you attend him in his private study. He has several matters of importance that he needs to discuss with you,” Karogi said as he led the way up the stairs. They climbed two flights and passed down a long corridor into one of the castle’s many towers. “Your lodgings,” Karogi announced as he threw open a door.
    The tower was, in fact, a multistory apartment, with a common room at the base and several bedchambers on the floors above. It had a private entrance from the yard below, and the biggest and most luxurious of the several bathhouses set aside for guests stood directly across the yard.
    “Your baggage is on its way up, my lord,” the steward assured Sen. “The lamps are lit, and there is wine, beer, and fruit juice for the children. I shall send servants to assist you straightaway.”
    “My thanks, Karogi,” Sen replied. The steward bowed, and, quick as a cat, he departed.
    The twins immediately clamored for permission to go find a bedchamber for themselves and Lani.
    “Yes, yes, girls. Go ahead.” Amara wearily waved towards the staircase leading to the upper floors.
    “Come on, Mariso, Jena,” Lani called. She shepherded the chattering girls upward, admonishing them to be careful and not to run.
    “Where do they get all of that energy?” Sen muttered. Looking around, he spotted a sideboard upon which stood a couple of pitchers, a carafe, and an assortment of glasses and cups. He poured a glass of wine and handed it to Amara. Helping himself to a cup of beer, he then claimed the most comfortable chair in the room for himself and sat down with a grateful sigh. Amara settled on a couch set before the unlit fireplace.
    “I’m sorry