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EPILOG
Noble Victory
Lord Governor Golan of Prefecture VI has traded away the worlds of Yu
Celestial Palace
Zi-jin Chéng (Forbidden City), Sian
Sian Commonality, Capellan Confederation
23 September 3134
Jacob Ba
Daoshen Liao. The Great Soul. Soon to be Jacob Ba
Well, his liege lord, anyway.
Retainers fetched him iced water, talcum and towels, whatever he commanded at a snap of his fingers. His own people, brought with him from The Republic, were also decked out in the finest clothes as befitting the court of a traveling lord. The corporate leader had taken to heart Daoshen’s suggestion that he arrive in style, and so he had. And for the indifferent reception he’d received so far, was glad of it. His people, at least, were well practiced in calling him sire.
Most of them. The rest would learn. Di Jones, for instance, bent and scraped for no one. Though even she might have to bend to the necessity once Daoshen Liao made it official. The flame-haired raider had chosen to remain on his DropShip rather than spend another moment in Daoshen’s company, but she had her assurances of inviolate status. She’d come around.
So what would it be, a simple Lordship? Daoshen promised a reward “commensurate with services rendered to the Capellan Confederation.” Well, Liao had fallen even as Ba
If not now, then some day. Once Ba
The temple’s heavy doors swung open, bringing a temporary breeze of refreshing coolness as the interior chill bled out and died under the summer sun. Temple priests stepped into the golden heat, holding back the doors. Not one drop of sweat appeared on their shaven pates, Ba
She looked Ba
Not the most glowing endorsement. Ba
“Chancellor.” Ba
Daoshen folded his hands into the voluminous sleeves of his ceremonial robes. He wore black silk, trimmed in gold. No patterns decorated the fabric. Very understated for the Chancellor. “It is we who are honored, zhàng-fu-xiàng- Ki-li
Ceremony? Daoshen was prepared to be more gracious than Ba
…husband… to…
The CEO glanced quickly to the waiting woman, her formal dress and back to the Daoshen. “Chancellor! You do not mean…” For the first time in years, Ba
“Our cousin.” Daoshen nodded to the beauty who remained watchful behind her passive mask. “Twice removed, but a blood descendant of our father’s sister. Ki-li
Ki-li
“This is how you keep our bargain?” he asked, outrage boiling just below the surface.
The leader’s eye narrowed into dangerous slits. “How else would you become a noble of our realm?”
Ba
“And we have offered you a greater reward. As promised.” Daoshen stared ahead stoically. No hint of mocking, of condescension, touched his voice or his expression. “We do not recall you setting restrictions on how we granted your wish.”
Trapped. Ba
And to turn down such an offer? That was likely to be more immediately hazardous to his health.
Ba
“We still sense a lack of enthusiasm,” Daoshen said. Not as a rebuke, though. A feeler? Something new being offered?
“Understand, Illustrious One, that I am quite surprised by your …solution. I have lived my life earning my own way. Marrying into such a great reward runs contrary to my nature.” He smiled weakly. “I’m certain I will get over it.” If Daoshen did not help him over it first with a Maskirovka assassin in the night.
“You worry too much about such things, Jacob Ba
Ba