Chapter 14: History Lessons
The afternoon was filled with ceremonies. The audience stood on the broad practice field where Jade had done her workouts with the Furgatos, while the festivities themselves took place in the newly built pavilion along the monastery’s south wall. The Emperor, Empress, Dowager Empress, and numerous other imperial functionaries were on the stage, dressed in spectacular robes that put everyone else to shame. Great-Tree-In-The-Dense-Forest did virtually all the speaking; it was his position to interpret the imperial decrees and pronounce them to the populace at large, and to apply the ages-old rituals to present conditions.
No wonder Bigtree’s so pompous, Jade thought. He’s the ultimate authority on everything.
As the ceremonies dragged on interminably, Jade’s st
