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Being confronted by so ine how each would look on her Many of theerously low-cut, evenwomen wore--and those were already scandalous by Idris standards

Finally, hesitantly, Siri pointed at one outfit It was a dress in two pieces, red skirt andwo away the unchosen outfits, others walking over to carefully remove Siri’s shift

In a few minutes, Siri was dressed She was e fit her perfectly--the blouse was designed to reveal her midriff Still, it wasn’t as low-cut as the others, and the skirt went all the way down to her calves The silky red hter than the thick wools and linen she was accusto The skirt flared and ruffled when she turned, and Siri couldn’t be co in it, she alht

That appears to be a recurring the women backed away Others approached with a stool, and she sat, waiting as the women cleaned her face and arms with a pleasantly warm cloth When that was done, they reapplied her makeup, did her hair, then sprayed her with a few puffs of perfu down around her--Bluefingers was standing in the roo obediently behind with ink, quill, and paper "You’re up already"

Already? Siri thought It has to be well past noon!

Bluefingers looked her over, nodded to hi to see that the linens had been destroyed "Well," he said "I trust that your servants will see to your needs, Vessel" With that, he began to walk aith the anxious tread of a man who felt he had far tooseveral of her serving woers hesitated "Vessel?"

Siri floundered, uncertain how to express what she was feeling "Do you knowwhat I’m supposed to do?"

"Do, Vessel?" the scribe asked "You lanced at the bed

Siri flushed "No, not that I mean with my time What are my duties? What is expected of me?"

"To provide an heir"

"Beyond that"

Bluefingers frowned "Iwell, to be honest, Vessel, I really don’t know I must say, your arrival has certainly caused a level of disruption in the Court of Gods"

Inred

"Not that you’re to blaers said quickly "But thenwell, I certainly wish I’d had ?" Siri asked "This o!"

"Yes, well, but nobody thought" He trailed off "Ahem Well, either e shall do our best to acco’s palace"

What was that? Siri thought Nobody thoughtthat the e would really happen? Why not? Did they assuain?

Regardless, he still hadn’t answered her question "Yes, but what aain "Am I to sit here in the palace and stare at the fire all day?"

Bluefingers chuckled "Oh, Colors no! My lady, this is the Court of Gods! You’ll find plenty to occupy you Each day, performers are allowed to enter the court and display their talents for their deities You ht to you for a private perforo horseback riding?"

Bluefingers rubbed his chin "I suppose we could bring some horses into the court for you Of course, we’d have to wait until the Wedding Jubilation is over"

"Wedding Jubilation?" she asked

"Youdon’t know, then? Were you not prepared for any of this?"

Siri flushed

"No offense intended, Vessel," Bluefingers said "The Wedding Jubilation is a weeklong period in which we celebrate the God King’sthat time, you are not to leave this palace At the end of it, you will officially be presented to the Court of Gods"

"Oh," she said "And after that, I can go out of the city?"

"Out of the city!" Bluefingers said "Vessel, you can’t leave the Court of Gods!"

"What?"