They were sworn to secrecy. Which meant a few strange days passed in the workshop for Lanna. She made cosmetics and formulae as she always had. As far as the court knew, Assistant Li had been ill and Chowa had cured her.

Three days after the test Lanna awoke in her room for the last time. The Seer would be in a room within the Emperor's corridor by the end of the day. The Hall pulsed with the news that Ashioto wished to make an announcement. Such things were only reserved for significant shifts in internal palace structure.

Was Ceseed to be made first in name at last? Was Orphony to be demoted? Was a minister to become an adviser?

The newly prepared bedroom in the Imperial corridor didn't go unnoticed. Would a new concubine enter the hall? One of import that warranted an announcement? That could shake the Hall of Flowers and make many a petal fall.

Chowa sold out of cosmetics.

Lanna dressed in what she had been instructed to wear. The Seer had some sort of formal dress: dove-grey silks of the most exquisite silk, with the symbol of the Empire stitched into the hems and cuffs – the white and blue plumage of the kelen picked out in bright colours that contrasted sharply with the dull colour of the silk. A hood that would hide Lanna's head fit snugly over her scalp and didn't irritate her healing wound, now freed of staples.

Frez came to help her apply face paint; she still lacked skill with it.

Preparations complete, she threw a black cloak over her shoulders. It covered her from hem to head. Until she was announced, Lanna could be vulnerable. With a plot to kill the Emperor festering in the palace, the announcement of a seer would either stop it dead or force those plotting to act with more speed.

Her life would change after the announcement but it didn't matter: Lanna would do what she must. Her family were in Imperial lands; the nation needed to remain stable for their sake. It was easier to think of things that way; instead of a sea of faceless people, she saw her parents and brother. They had given everything up for her. Fled the clans for her benefit. Now they would want for nothing. Their daughter was to be Seer.

'From this day, you will walk on platinum,' Chowa said as they moved down the hallway and out into the covered path that led to the Hall of Law.

She blinked at the rainy and humid afternoon, drizzle wetting her painted face. Still, she appreciated being out of the Hall of Flowers.

The Hall of Law loomed before her in its white splendour, and she admired the ancient carvings of extinct trees on the outside before being swallowed by the gloom within.

Inside, the aged white stone blended with contemporary ivory and mother-of-pearl inlays. The walls of the corridors showed scenes of the Empire's history, carved into the ancient blocks. Imperial armies were picked out in white and jade; enemies and Augs in obsidian and onyx.

Lanna frowned. Augs were pale in colour. Everyone knew that. It was why Southerners were insulted with 'Aug spawn', the vile insult Lanna now knew had a basis in horrific truth. That information still didn't sit well with her. She really was Aug spawn.

The corridors radiated off to the official sectors – treasury, infrastructure, education, health, trade, diplomatic, legislature, virtue, Imperial – the main arteries of the building empty of the usual constant bustle of officials. Everyone would be within the main hall. Only palace guards stalked the corridors. They seemed too large and bulky to Lanna's eyes, so accustomed to seeing female guards she had almost forgotten it was a traditionally male role.

Ranks of men parted and bowed as Lanna and those escorting her passed. They had no idea who she was and yet the fact Chowa walked a deferential pace behind her meant she was of high rank.

The corridor ended abruptly with massive doors. These had been salvaged from the old palace and had survived earthshakes and fire. No one knew where they'd originally come from. The metal they were composed of didn't rust, though it was pitted and scarred, as if it had been hacked at by blade or blasted by sand. Yet no tool in the Empire could damage them. Many had tried. Even Chowa had attempted to get a small sample of the grey metal to analyse it but failed.

The doors towered above Lanna, the unadorned metal gleaming with a dull sheen. She couldn't see her reflection in it and had to fight the urge to touch it with her gloved fingers.

The doors opened inwards and the Hall of Law spread before them. Lanna kept her head bowed. She had been to the treasury department but had never seen the great hall. She couldn't look up – she shouldn't be recognised. Not yet. This was for the benefit of palace theatre as well as security. Lanna had a part to play on a stage this day.

The shuffle of feet. People standing to listen. Lanna couldn't estimate how many. An official spoke. 'His illustrious self, keeper of the secrets, high marshal of the Imperial army. Admiral of the Imperial fleet, embodiment of Imperial virtues...'

Lanna ignored the droning voice and amused herself for the next few moments inventing her own titles for the boy Emperor.

'Shafter of older women, liar, ambitious child, lover of lemons, kafei addict...'

'His Highness wishes to address the hall.' The official, probably from the diplomatic department and therefore dressed in black, bowed and stepped back. Or at least, that was how Lanna pictured it.

The Emperor's voice rang across the hall, his normally subdued tones gone. He had been taught by the best how to speak before an assembly. For a moment Lanna could almost picture the man Ashioto would grow into, his voice strident, strong and brimming with command.

'I am pleased to address you,' he began. 'I have much to relate that is of importance.' As was typical of Ashioto, he launched straight into his announcements without preamble or the honorifics due to the heads of departments.

'Infrastructure has long held the opinion that we need to attend to our road network, some of which hasn't been renewed in eighty years. I have set aside a sum for the construction of a new road to link the first, second and third cities to the towns in the tens and twenties.'

Ceseed would be pleased; she had been asking for such. Lanna wondered what sexual trick she'd used to finally get the boy to fall into line. Or perhaps, more likely, he had intended to grant such all along but needed security to do so – security Lanna would provide.

There were hushed whispers from the hall. It wasn't an edict but still an Imperial command. The infrastructure department would be thrilled but would also have double its normal workload.

'My chief adviser of the flower hall, Orphony-no-Keja, has served me well. Though I now feel it is time to lift this burden from her, as she has carried it for long enough.'

Chowa made a small noise behind Lanna. The women's palace would be in chaos.

'Princess Itzander is a skilled diplomat. She will take position of First Concubine and aid me in strengthening relations with the Haven Islands, allowing us greater access to the spice trade. We will also aid her great nation with our naval power, so they may better protect their shipping routes from slavers and pirates.'

Lanna almost fell over. Itzander – poor, meek and willing to please Itzander – was to be First Concubine? And in return, her homeland granted extra protection. There was more to being First than Lanna had been aware of. What of...

'All other ranks within the palace shall remain as they are, save for two.'

Lanna's mind went blank and blind terror took over, causing her heart to stutter. A small hand pressed to her back – Chowa pushed her forward.

Scarred head hidden by hood and body hidden by cloak, Lanna tried to picture herself gliding towards the raised platform she knew was somewhere in front. She could see slippered feet in various colours either side of her.

Green – agriculture. Yellow – trade. Three pairs of white – health.

The distraction didn't comfort her, and soon she mounted the steps. She heard a murmur as she lifted her cloak a fraction to prevent herself tripping on her silks. A decorated hem must have shown. Lanna didn't look back – they would all soon know.

Chowa and her two slaves fell back, leaving Lanna standing to the Emperor's left. Ashioto stood on the raised stage, resplendent in purple, the Imperial colour worn by the officials that attended to his needs and that of the palace and First City.

He made a small gesture with his hand and Lanna turned to face the now restless hall.

She undid the ties of the cloak at her throat, and then, by some unseen cue, Epen stepped forward and pulled the black fabric from her with a flourish.

Lanna lifted her head. There were more faces than she could count. The hall was a riot of clashing colours against the background of white. Imperial, Southern and Haven Islands faces all fixed on her grey silk and the hood on her head.

Mutterings and stirrings rippled over the crowd, mainly among the older members. They knew what the colour represented.

'This is Li of the Southern clans,' the Emperor's voice rang out. 'She has served as assistant to the palace chemist. It has been discovered she has another talent. That of a seer.'

Before the murmurs could start again, he spoke on, his voice filling the space.

'She has agreed to make the sacrifice and has bound herself to my service. I present her to you now, so all may know. None but I touch her from this day. Her position is a sacred one, and she is in a state of grace.'

Lanna used Chowa's training to keep her face a meek mask. She wanted to turn and smack the boy. Her gloves now made sense, but the order did not. Why couldn't she be touched?

She hardened her heart. It didn't matter.

Ashioto turned and slipped his hand into hers.

'From now, you are Seer Li,' he announced and then did something that left her gaping at him. He bowed his head to her. A small fraction; a nod.

Chowa and the two men that had helped her orchestrate her grand scheme fell to their knees and prostrated themselves before Lanna.

The rest of the Hall of Law was quick to follow, hundreds of faces pressed to the floor. Lanna's took in the sight with wide eyes.

A breath moved against her cheek and his hand squeezed hers.

'Now they know you as mine,' Ashioto whispered. 'When you speak, they will hear me. From now on you say what I tell you to.'

There, before so many, she felt as if they were alone. None dared look up until ordered. He pressed the box containing the hook and ear jewel into her free hand.

'Give this to Chowa; she is to look after you, the health of the Hall of Flowers and the archive. Just as she always wished. Never forget she is in your debt. No more face paint and perfume for her workshop.'

Lanna nodded. There was nothing else to say. The Emperor of the last human civilisation leant closer, his lips almost touching her cheek.

'Together, we shall change everything, Lanna. Now, tell them to rise.' He leant back from her, his almost black eyes turning to those bowed before them.

'Arise,' Lanna said without even questioning what she was doing.

A trick in the design of the hall made her voice carry, and the officials and slaves stood, all eyes on her and the Emperor, standing hand in hand.

The first of his servants.

His most precious tool.

A sacred and precious possession.

Lanna was ready to carry the burden.

The presence brushed as weak as a frosted butterfly against her changed mind. It disagreed.