Roh had a difficult time hiding his surprise. After years of saying no and keeping Roh bound up in boring classes and shuttered away from everything, Dasai was going to let him join other dancers for Para’s Day of Ascendance? He wondered if the trip to Saiduan had made Dasai a little mad.

Dinner ended several hours later. Roh was nodding off into his dessert liquor when Dasai told him it was time to go. The Patron had talked a long time. Roh thought he would regale them with tales of battles and conquests, but mostly, he talked about building bridges and roads that halved the time it took to reach remote outposts. Roh found all the talk about taxes and the overseeing of government officials tedious.

The servant, Ko, reappeared to lead them back to their rooms.

“May I take your arm, Roh?” Dasai asked. “It is a long walk.”

“Of course,” Roh said. He offered his arm, and Dasai took it. They walked several steps behind Ko.

Roh said, in Dhai, “Why did you agree to have me spend time with the dancers? You never let me do anything.”

“The Patron does not make requests. He orders.”

“It all seems so rude,” Roh said.

“It’s meant to be,” Dasai said. “Imposing one’s physical presence, one’s desires, on another is a demonstration of power. It’s meant to remind you that your body belongs to the Patron of Saiduan.”

“How can people live like that?”

“One learns.”

“I couldn’t live like that.”

“Couldn’t you?” Dasai said. “I am not so sure.”

“You knew he’d ask me about dancing. It’s why you brought me to dinner. You want me to tell you if I learn anything, don’t you?” Roh said. “You want to know what they’re saying about us.”

Dasai stared at the back of Ko’s head. “We are being kept together like animals,” he said, “to ensure we learn only what the Patron has to tell us. Your presence elsewhere gives us a better idea of how things are moving around us. You understand?”

Roh didn’t want to use the word “spy” out loud, even the Dhai word, so he didn’t. “I understand,” Roh said.

“And besides,” Dasai said, “if things go badly here, you may need more friends.”

“Why would things go badly?”

“Sometimes ignorance is a blessing. Revel in your ignorance just a bit longer.”

When they arrived back at their quarters, the others had already finished supper and gone to bed. Kihin waited up in their shared room, paging through a book of Saiduan poetry.

“What was the Patron like?” Kihin asked.

“He talked a lot about taxes.”

“Sounds like dinner with my family,” Kihin said.

“Both of you need to sleep,” Dasai said, rapping on their door. “Kihin, I want you to act as escort to Rohinmey in the morning. He will be beginning dancing classes.”