Chapter 6 Summary

Sandry notices the courtiers in the garden all pay close attention to the Empress and Briar. Pershan fer Roth introduces himself and Sandry introduces him to Daja who confirms their intentions to leave in the autumn. Inside the greenhouse the plants notice Briar right away and the ones closest lean towards him. She takes him further inside where the plants continue to migrate to him. He allows some power to trickle into them all, and continues in the successive greenhouses as well. The Empress takes him to her shakkans - the largest collection he's seen anywhere except the imperial palace in Yanjing. Her accomplishments include a miniature forest of Quoy maples, miniature apple trees, rhododendrons and more. Outside, Daja and the others continue to wait until the Empress and Briar finally emerged. Then they all go inside for refreshments. Ishabal is asked to...