Jale guided Teal down an underground tunnel that started in the kitchen basement of Cleaven Estate. At first, it ran in a direct line opposite to the path Teal had used to enter the estate before diverging into an endless underground labyrinth of pathways and tunnels. Teal would never be able to negotiate them unaided. He walked with his heart pounding, escorted by two guards on either side as Jale set a brisk and sure pace in front, lantern in hand, leading the way.

Hidden by the thick clouds obscuring the moons, they emerged nearly a mile later, pushing past a heavy iron gate and through shrubs used to conceal the entrance. The Fortlena River, Jale informed him, was only a short distance further. Still, Teal was so used to being on the run. He was instantly on edge, his eyes flickering into the dense vegetation searching for possible signs of imminent attack.

They reached the river's bank unhindered. Without any words, Teal was guided along a short wooden ramp. The ship they embarked was not an imperial flagged ship. It was however, large, much larger than any ship Teal had seen before.

Jale remained with Teal on the deck while men moved around in the darkness, all aware of their set tasks that needed to be carried out. Teal stood awkwardly, his two accompanying soldiers only a few steps behind him. He hadn't seen the Emperor since leaving Cleaven Estate. Whether he was already on the ship or still behind them, Teal didn't know.

After several moments, the ship began easing away from the embankment, beginning its journey down the river. A servant approached with a bottle of wine which Jale took without question.

"It's a lovely view, isn't it?" Jale commented casually.

Teal smiled weakly. The memories of Jale's interrogation still in the forefront of his mind and while Jale seemed more than friendly now, Teal still wanted to be cautious.

"You seem nervous," Jale remarked. "I am sorry for the way I questioned you, but the Emperor was clear that he wanted to see what you were like without the influence of the Ashkin poison, and how you would react under pressure."

"Was he satisfied?" Teal asked worriedly.

Jale snorted as he turned the cork in the bottle. "While the glowing eyes were certainly a surprise, you wouldn't be on his ship if he wasn't." The cork popped, and he handed the bottle out to Teal. Without any cups in sight, Teal took it and lifted it to his lips. It was bold and rustic, and Teal wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

Jale moved a step closer. They were near equal in height, Jale only a fraction taller, and their eyes met easily in the darkness. "Just so you know, I also think what you did for the Emperor was courageous and brave."

"Thank you," Teal replied. He looked at the two guards behind him and the two that had accompanied Jale. "Should I still be nervous?" he asked.

Jale chuckled. "They're just a precaution."

There was silence for a moment as Teal took another sip from the bottle.

"Teal," Jale suddenly spoke. "Would you ever consider working for the Emperor?"

Teal nearly dropped the bottle. "What?!"

"You said yourself there will not be much waiting for you when you return to Hulena, and someone with skills such as yourself would certainly be wasted idling their time away in the far north western reaches of the Empire." Jale eyed him through the evening light, helped by several lanterns that had now been lit on the ship. "You could prove to be very beneficial for the Emperor."

Jale reached for the bottle, and Teal numbly passed it over.

"What work would I do for the Emperor?" Teal asked.

"I'm glad you ask. Do you know much about Emperor Rathner?"

"Yes, of course," Teal answered quickly. "I know that his father was Emperor Leath, founder of the Empire that took in the four weaker states creating one whole..."

"Yes, yes," Jale cut in, almost impatiently. "You sound like you're reciting from the modern Empire texts. What about life in the palace? Have you ever heard stories about palace life?"

Teal shook his head. "I'm sorry," he swallowed. "I haven't."

"Well," Jale said, leaning forward and resting his arms on the rough wooden surface of the ship's railing. "Emperor Rathner is a very busy man who spends a vast amount of time ensuring that the Empire his father built, remains functioning in the way he intended." Teal nodded his head enthusiastically, and Jale continued, "This of course takes up a lot of the Emperor's time and can occasionally make him quite stressed. So, the Emperor likes to enjoy himself to ease some of his burdens."

"Of course," Teal responded.

"Are you aware that our Emperor is a man of many tastes?" Jale asked. When he saw Teal's blank expression, he elaborated, "He's bisexual. He likes to take the company of both men and women, and while the Emperor is devoted to his Empress, he currently has four consorts including myself whose duty it is to ensure that at the end of a stressful day of ruling his Empire, Emperor Rathner is able to forget his woes and relax and be satisfied."

Teal blinked. "One of your jobs is to simply make the Emperor happy?"

"...with sex," Jale added.

"With sex..." Teal repeated, letting the words sink in.

"Emperor Rathner was very taken by you today." Jale's eyes met pointedly with Teal's.

"Oh!" Teal gasped as he suddenly understood. He brought the bottle of wine to his lips again, trying to buy himself time to process this bit of information. He had not considered this at all while the Emperor had scrutinized him in front of the soldiers. It had been the last thought on his mind that the Emperor might find him appealing.

"Emperor Rathner would like to offer you a position at the Purple Jade Palace."

"Purple Jade Palace?"

"Yes, it's the official harem attached to the main grand palace where those who entertain and work with the Emperor reside. As Emperor, Emperor Rathner is allowed to take as many lovers as he wishes as long as he continues the family line first. Our first Emperor, took many consorts and concubines. Emperor Rathner however, runs a harem to suit his needs and finds more pleasure in intimate relationships so he has not extended his harem to such large numbers."

Stunned, Teal blinked. "The Emperor wants me to share his bed? He's really not scared of me?"

Jale's chuckled again, full of humor. "Far from it. Your exoticness and difference enticed him so, and while I'm sure it's going to cause quite a stir in the palace, Emperor Rathner was quite adamant that he wanted you."

Teal remained quiet, his thoughts racing at what he had just heard. The Emperor wanted him? Why?

"I’m assuming that the Emperor guessed correctly that you also enjoy the company of men?" Jale asked, holding Teal's gaze.

When Teal didn't respond, Jale pressed on. "The Emperor is a very realistic man, and he is more than aware that not all men would wish to please him in such a way, so his offer not only extends to the harem. If you do not wish to meet the Emperor's needs in such a manner, he would still like you to be available to him for other matters."

"Other matters?" Teal quickly asked.

Jale moved in closer. "In regards to your abilities, namely your strength, speed and the way you thwarted the Talekan Assassins that were sent after you."

"I didn't even know they were assassins."

"Exactly, and yet our scouts said that you were clearly capable of a quick kill." Jale paused giving Teal time to think. "You have two offers to consider. The harem or to be trained to become one of the Purple Jade Palace guards. You will still work closely to the Emperor and in particular his other consorts, but there will be no expectations for you to share his bed."

After a few moments, Teal spoke. "You were right," he said quietly. He fiddled with the bottle in his hands. "I do prefer the company of men." Their eyes met, and Teal felt his body stir.

"That's good news," Jale told him, ignoring the intense stare that occurred between them. "I guess the important thing for you to decide right now is whether you find the Emperor desirable."

Teal continued to watch Jale, his fingers tinkering on the edge of the bottle while his thoughts returned to the sight of the Emperor. True, Jale had caught most of his attention but that hadn't stopped him from acknowledging the Emperor's good looks as well. Both men were equally attractive and while Teal had already decided earlier that he was going to be thinking of Jale when he went to his bed that night, he supposed the Emperor could also replace those thoughts.

"Of course," Teal answered. "He is a very desirable man."

"Good," Jale smiled, pleased. "If you decide, you will be paid a handsome allowance and your family will be compensated for your absence. If you reside in the Purple Jade Palace, your official title will be male concubine with the possibility of moving towards full status of consort.

“Consort?” Teal asked.

“Yes, to be a consort,” Jale continued to explain, “you need to attend the Swearing of Loyalty ceremony and then, you will be an official member of the harem.”

Anxious at the flood of information, Teal took another mouthful of wine.

"I know this is overwhelming," Jale said, his tone understanding. "I have worked for Emperor Rathner for the past ten years. I am second to the Empress and reside in my own personal quarters separate to the Purple Jade Palace. My life is very good. Teal," Jale said softly, "Emperor Rathner is a good man. How else would our Empire be flourishing so? And, if you're considering whether to be his concubine or not, I can more than vouch for the fact that Emperor Rathner is a very attentive and giving lover."

Another flutter of excitement stirred within in Teal, and he startled when Jale placed his hand on his arm. "This is a very rare privilege to be asked. We would like you to make a decision as to whether you want to join us to Dalenia by dawn. We will reach Bolan Port mid-morning on the morrow and in the two weeks that it will take for us to reach the capital, we will not stop again. You can take your time to decide whether you want to be in the harem or not."

He was expected to decide on an offer that could change the rest of his life in such a short amount of time? There were so many aspects of this proposal to think about. Concubine to the Emperor or a guard in the Purple Jade Palace? To except the invitation would mean leaving everything behind. But hadn’t he already done that?

Everything that Jale had told him promised Teal, of a wonderful life of luxury, living in a palace, entertaining the Emperor; was it too good to be true? Jale certainly looked happy and healthy, and there was no denying that the creases in his eyes when he smiled were true and frequent. No one could really lie about those things. And if he chose the harem, getting to be with the Emperor in that way...

But there was a faint flavor of distaste in the back of his throat from what they had done to him, a hint of what they could be capable of if they didn't trust someone. And there was the whole incident of the scroll. Why would someone try to stop a scroll from reaching the Emperor? What kind of information was so important that assassins had been hired to stop it? Who would even think of working against the Emperor? And who was the Hummingbird?

Jale took the bottle of wine from Teal's hand and while he took a mouthful, Teal dared to ask, "What was the whole incident with the scroll? Why were people working against the Emperor?"

He could feel Jale pause while he decided how to reply, as if sensing it could be fundamental to Teal's decision. He took his time to swallow the mouthful of wine before he answered. "There was an uprising at one of the Emperor's labor camps and someone dangerous that the Emperor has been keeping his eye on, was involved. Thanks to you, we know that they are still alive."

Teal found Jale's explanation favorable and just.

"Come," Jale said, placing a hand on Teal's shoulder. "Think on the Emperor's offer for the night. I will show you the room where you will sleep. You will be under guard as you might expect, but the room will be comfortable and food will be delivered. In the morning, you can tell me your decision."