"It'll be warm when we get there," Otohime explained, as she took away Noriko's coat and hung it back on its hook. "You've traveled with my sister and my father both, I think."

Noriko nodded, then shook her head. She was nervous, she realized, and started a breathing exercise to center herself.

"Then you know it takes no time at all and we won't get cold on the journey. Prince Irtysh's chambers will be warm, truly. You really will not need your coat!"

"If you say so," ...