Abrial glanced around subtly. White Mask was standing at the right arm of the Emperor's throne, still and graceful as a statue, totally expressionless. The white jade mask on his face glinted. The tassel on his sword swayed.
His brown eyes caught Abrial's, and she hastily looked away.
"Eat, why don't you?" the Emperor suggested, his voice brimming with amusement. "Can't you see I've provided you a feast? It's disrespectful to not eat." He flicked his toothpick away, and an imperial servant rushed forward to clean it up.
None of the Roatian "Royal Family" moved to touch their food. They were all sitting stock-still, staring at the plates in front of them.
Abrial held her breath, feeling strangely light-headed. Here was Phase One of the Assassintion Plan. Really, it was just the kick-off to start a battle. But how well they attacked the Emperor could mean the difference between success and failure.
