The dais on which the throne rested was covered by a thick blue and gold carpet, not quite as old as the chair itself, embellished with interlocking geometric designs around the rim and blessings woven into the central area. Tapestries hung along the back edge of the platform. Most of them were traditional, depicting the history of Ravan, but a new one had been added for this occasion depicting Haroun as king of Marakh—reinforcing the impression that Haroun was destined to be the mightiest king since Shahriyan himself.
As Prince Haroun seated himself upon the Chair of Shahriyan, a side door opened and Princess Oma emerged through the riwaq and marched regally to the front to sit at his side on an equally plain, though far less prestigious, chair. Oma was dressed in a flowing kaftan of whi
