She stood on the pavement and looked up. There was a flight of marble steps and a towering portico that could shelter a squadron of soldiers. The façade was ornate, with an abundance of gargoyles and curlicues, and tall, arching windows with glass panes that glittered in the sun. She'd never seen so much wealth displayed so carelessly, and this was merely the exterior of the building.
Saliel gathered her nerve and climbed the steps. It took a long time to reach the top. It was cool beneath the portico, although sunlight fell across her. She reached for the gleaming golden knocker, but the door opened before she could touch it.
'Milady,' said a butler, sweeping her a bow. The twists of gold braid on his uniform glittered in the sun.
Saliel stepped cautiously inside. The faint tap of her shoes echoed in the hush. She glanced down and saw that the floor was inlaid in a pattern of extraordinary detail. Such artistry for a floor. It was staggering. She halted uncertainly. Colour and shape overwhelmed her eye. Vases, statues, frescoes.... It was too much to take in.
'May I take your shawl, milady?' A footman bowed to her.
'Thank you.'
Another footman approached. 'If you please, milady...?'
Saliel followed him, her chest constricting more with each step that she took until she felt light-headed. She kept her eyes on the gold braid on the man's uniform. Breathing had rarely been so difficult. She wished she hadn't worn the necklace Athan had given her. She would surely asphyxiate with it around her throat. It grew tighter and tighter....
Finally the footman stopped. He opened a door with a flourish and bowed to her. 'Thank you,' she whispered, and she clutched her hands tightly together and stepped into the room.
She froze in panic.
Athan wasn't alone. There were other people in the room. Many other people. Their clothing and decoration bewildered her. She saw black ringlets and bright ribbons and painted faces, and she couldn't tell who was male and who female. Athan's words flashed into her mind. Pretty parasites.
The room was extremely pink.
Saliel fixed her gaze on Athan, familiar and reassuring in the plainness of his attire.
He came towards her and smiled and held out his hand.
She'd sworn she wouldn't touch him, but under the combined gazes of so many strangers she found that she needed to hold on to him.
'Saliel,' he said, squeezing her fingers lightly. 'I'd like you to meet my family.'
I'll stop it here. Phelan in The Laurentine Spy says much of what Athan's parents, brothers, and sisters say in the ensuing scene.
