Aunt Ji smiled brightly at her niece. "You must be tired after your journey," she said as she led them through the doors of the palace. "You can rest this afternoon before your welcome feast."

"There's no time," Bae responded. "I need to see the Prophetic Scholars.

"Does it need to be done today?" Ji asked.

"I think so," Bae replied, unwilling to budge. Her mind had been made up back in Shiro.

"You're so much like your mother," Aunt Ji said, a subtle smile playing ...