Book1:TeDream-Maker
nadministrativebuilding. Thehallofthisesepace-likebuildingwasenormous,talndsolemn.Ithadanintimidatingatmospherethatmadeanyindividualingtoitseeminsignifit.ThickPersiancarpetscoveredthefloorandatriumphantgoldendragon,tailswishing,whiskersflyingandcwsdang,decoratedonesideofthewall.Infrontofitwasaedptform.Asolidgoldthrooodinthemiddleofthisptform,fnkedohersidewithalife-likespeofanAsiantiger,ferociousteethbared,eyesglmaliciously,itsjetbckstripesstandingoutagainsttheglossyyellowfur.Twhtlinesofpinredwoodchairs,twelveoneachside,ledtowardsthedoor-way,withspesofotherwildbeasts,bears,leopardsandenormousspread-wingedeaglespcedbehindthem,givingthehalfearsomeatmosphere. Atdiime,nativesofthemountainswouldhearmelodiousmusiingfromthediningroomothehalndtheykheking"washavingdinner.Noonehadeveractuallybeeninthediningroombutgrapevinenewshaditthattwenty-fournudebeautiesofdifferentnationalitiesservedthemeal.Theywouldrotateintheirduties,butfouralwayssatwiththekingatthetable;tenwouldservethemeahertenwouldpymusistrumentstoapanythedinneras"theking"likedmusidwouldorderdifferentinstrumentstobepyedacctohisfanetimescssical,sometimeseastern,sometimeswestern.Nomhtingapplianceswereused;theroomwaslitexclusivelybydlesandpaterns.Thetwenty-fourbeautieswereadorhdiamonds,rubies,sapphiresandotherpreciousjewels,lendingamystidromanticairtothebaheCaucasiaiesweregradelegant,theLatiies,vivaciousandpassioheorientalbeauties,mysteriousandexquisitelyfeminine.Eachhadherindividualcharmandgracetobefullyappreciatedand