Chapter eight
Drak and SildaDeb-Lu-Quienyin said: “Khe-Hi and Ling-Li and I have managed to fabricate what one might call a Hood of Misalignment.”
We were sitting comfortably in our tent, and wine had been served. Delia looked marvelous in a robe of lavender, and her feet were bare. She did not wear toe rings. I wore a plain lounging robe of yellow, girded by a scarlet sash. As for Deb-Lu, well, he wore what was clearly a brand new robe, plain, yet contriving to look as though he’d slept in a haystack all night. His turban toppled, as ever, dangerously over one ear. Khe-Hi and his bride, Ling-Li, looked perfectly turned out in correct and expensive and yet not sumptuous robes.
“The task was interesting, if difficult,” said Khe-Hi-Bjanching. He looked at his wife. “Ling-Li was fantastic.
