Alison Goodman - Eon - Dragoneye Reborn

She shrugged. 'The master used it as an excuse to stop the doctors from poking at you.' She touched my shoulder. 'It's lucky you're slim-hipped and small-breasted. How old are you really?'

'Sixteen.' I hugged my arms around my chest to stop myself from grabbing her sore hands.

'Rilla, what am I going to do?' I felt the panic rise through me like a scalding geyser.

'You are going to be bathed and dressed by your body servant, and then you are going to go out there and be Lord Eon, the new Mirror Dragoneye.'

'How can I be a lord? It was hard ^enough just being a candidate. I can't do it.'

'Yes, you can,' Rilla said, wincing as she grabbed my shoulders. 'Because if you can't, then we are going to die. You, me, the master. They won't let us live if they find out what you really are.'

What you really are — her words brought a lurch of memory. 'Rilla, when you undressed me, did you find a pouch?'

'Calm yourself. I have it.' She patted the pocket of her gown. And your gift from Chart.'

'How long was I senseless?'

'Two days.' She nodded her understanding. 'Don't worry, the master told me about the tea.

You haven't missed a dose — I got a good amount down your throat, although you never fully roused.'

I sighed out my relief. 'Thank you.'

'I'll make today's dose now' She crossed the room to the bureau and poked at the coals in the brazier. Next to her, in the corner, was a small rack holding my ceremonial swords. I flexed my fingers, remembering the strange angry knowledge that had come from their steel.

I turned my back on them and swung my legs over the edge of the bed. 'Where's Chart?' I asked.

'He is at the master's house.'

'But who's looking after him?' The carpet was so thick under my feet they sank into it. I wiggled my toes, pushing them through the soft pile. Twice as deep as my master's carpets.

'Irsa.' Rilla's voice was flat.

I looked around. 'Irsa? But can't Chart come here?'

'The Emperor will not allow it. He will not have the bad luck of deformity in the palace.'

I stopped making imprints in the carpet. 'But I'm here.'

Rilla placed a pot of water on top of the brazier. 'Yes, but rank and wealth takes the stink off such things.'

Rank and wealth. I stared down at the jewel colours of the carpet. I now had rank and wealth.

Something surged through me: the beginnings of a fierce power that had nothing to do with the Mirror Dragon. I was Lord Eon. A Dragoneye. I drank out of gold cups and slept on silk sheets. People served me and bowed to me and no one would ever sneer at my limp again or make the ward-evil.

'I could order him here,' I said.

Rilla turned and smiled. 'That's a generous thought, Lord Eon.'

I felt the heat rise to my face again. The thought had not come from generosity.

'But I'm afraid even the new Mirror Dragoneye would not be able to overrule the Emperor's fear.' She stared into the heating water. 'It will be all right. The master will not let any serious harm come to Chart.'

True, but it was the lesser harms that left a sour taste in my mouth.

Something knocked against the door. I spun around to face it.

'Lord Eon,' a voice called from the other side. 'The Emperor's physician requests entrance.'

'Get back in the bed,' Rilla whispered. 'Don't let him poke at you.' She took the pot off the brazier and hurried to the door. A moment, please,' she called.

I clambered onto the bed and pulled the sheet back over me. Rilla gave me a nod then opened the heavy door, bowing as a small man strutted into the room. His clothes overshadowed him: five short tunics of the thinnest silk were set one on top of the other, each a shade of purple — violet to lilac — that created a glorious layered edging at neck and thigh. Under these was a pair of wide-legged trousers in puce with gold embroidery. A maroon physician's cap completed the magnificence; close-fitting but extravagantly trimmed with pink feathers. Amongst all this rich colour, the man's grey face drooped in sour lines, a sparse beard coming to a short frayed point. He was followed by two fat eunuchs in long blue cotton tunics, one carrying a tray with a goblet, the other carrying a box.

'Lord Eon, I am the royal physician,' the sfnall man said, his bow a jerky dip from the waist.

'His Imperial Majesty sends you a precious tonic to assist in your recovery' He waved the eunuch with the tray forwards. 'It was presented as a gift to our Gracious Highness from those foreign devils he allows into our city'

The eunuch dropped to one knee and offered the goblet. His face was puffy with an unhealthy darkness under the eyes. I could smell a faint sourness about him.

I took the goblet and peered inside. The liquid looked like glossy mud.

'It is called coco/at,' the physician said. 'His Majesty takes it every morning.'

T just drink it? Like tea?'

'Yes, my lord. It will be most beneficial after your long fast. For the time being, you must be cautious in your food and drink. We do not want to startle your body I will have the kitchens prepare some dishes that will enhance your recovery' He looked closely at me, his dry lips set in a pucker of thought. A little bamboo and fish first, I think. Now, drink up.'

I raised the goblet. A smell, like the aftertaste of Ari's strange coffee, filled my nose just before the coco/at slicked my mouth with oily sweet velvet. I swallowed and tasted a strange bitterness at the back of my tongue. Then my jaw muscles locked in a mouth-twisting spasm.

I clenched my teeth, waiting for the ache to pass. The drink was sweeter than honey and strangely soothing. I took a larger sip. This time the bitterness was hardly noticeable in the creaminess that coated my mouth and throat. When I had drained the cup, it felt as though I had eaten a whole meal of sweetings. I belched. Even the return was delicious.

The physician took the empty goblet and nodded approvingly 'I have been informed that your skin is no longer dangerous to the touch. Therefore I shall examine you.' He grabbed the edge of the sheet.

'No!' I tightened my hold on the cover. 'I don't want to be examined.' I ducked away from his hands, but he caught my wrist in a bony grip.

'But you must,' he said. 'I have to make my report to His Majesty'

'Lord Eon is well,' my master said from the doorway 'That is your report, Physician.'

'Master!' I wanted to run to him, but the physician was still holding my wrist. I pulled it out of his grasp. '"You're here.' I couldn't stop the tremble of relief in my voice.

'Of course I am here, Lord Eon,' my master said, emphasising the title with a brief smile. His face was flushed with an inner excitement that was barely controlled. He walked over to the bed, crowding the physician until the smaller man took a reluctant step back.

'Who are you?' the physician demanded.

My master stared at him for a moment then turned to me. 'I came as soon as I could, my lord,'

he said. 'How do you feel?'

'I feel…' I faltered. My master was bowing to me. I pulled the sheet up higher. 'I feel well, Heuris Brannon,' I finally said, stumbling over his name.

'There you are, Physician,' my master said. 'Lord Eon is well. He gives you his permission to leave. Don't you, Lord Eon?'

'Yes,' I said hurriedly 'Go. Thank you.'

The physician glared at my master. 'I shall make my report to the Emperor.' He stalked out of the room, the eunuchs breaking into a shuffling trot behind him.

Rilla started to shut the door, but my master stopped her with a raised hand.

'Make sure all our guests have left the apartment, Rilla. Then go and organise Lord Eon's bath and clothing. There is much to do before we attend the banquet.'

She bowed and pulled the door closed behind her.

We were alone.