Chapter 133: Private Collection
Recurring images of a man who resembled Grim standing before what looked like Ao Shun. Though he looked younger than Grim was. Each time Grim felt close to understanding what he was seeing, the dream would change.
He woke to the same crystalline chiming as the previous day.
The servant who entered said, "Lord Ao Shun requests your presence at the evening feast," the servant announced. "Appropriate attire has been provided."
Laid out on a table of ice were formal garments unlike those he’d worn the day before. These were clearly ceremonial—a robe that was a deep blue with silver trimming and a formal overcoat trimmed with the same silvery fur that had lined his bed.
"A formal dinner," Suanni said by way of greeting. "It seems we’ve been upgraded from prisoners to honored guests."
"Or at least, well-dressed prisoners," Bi’an replied dryly.
Their escort led them through a different series of passages than the previous day, ascending rather than remaining on the middle levels of the palace. The architecture became increasingly elaborate, spiraling columns that weren’t touching the ground or the ceiling.
Eventually, they reached a set of massive doors.
"Lord Ao Shun awaits within."
The doors swung open silently, revealing a chamber that would take anyone’s breath away. The Frost Hall was enormous. Larger even than the throne room they’d first seen. Columns of ice rose from floor to ceiling, each carved to resemble a different sea creature caught in mid-motion.
A long table of ice sat at the center of the hall, surrounded by seats for at least fifty guests. Ao Shun sat at the head of the table. To his right sat Xu Wu, and to his left was an empty seat that Grim suspected might be for Lin.