"You may ri--" Yiroa began to say, but that was when the green one barged right up to the front, and her lips twitched in annoyance as she was rudely cut off! And by a foreign barbarian, at that!
"...Rise," she finished, coolly ignoring him, as though he hadn't disrespected her or spoken out of turn. Though she was no fan of foreigners, her edict had said anyone could apply, and she meant it, and would thus uphold that sense of fairness. It also meant she knew she would have to give those unaccustomed to their ways the benefit of the doubt, though she quite doubted the mongrels would behave so before their own leaders! Either way, it was his chance to save face, by her pretending the slight hadn't occurred.
He wouldn't get a second shot.
Kuan almost wanted to stay kneeling, overcome with a sense of secondhand embarrassment. Oh, Inima, please tell her Her Highness would kick out the green one! She didn't want to have to work with the clueless oaf! Still, she rose, and was quite relieved the others had heads on their shoulders, at least!
Yiroa regarded the group, eyes passing over each of them in turn as she spoke.
"As you are all aware, you were summoned here today to serve in a holy mission. It has been centuries since a kirin has been seen on our shores, but I have no reason to believe they don't still exist. They have always been elusive beasts and, as the legends go, many of our nation's great leaders of the past have kept them. The ages in which a kirin existed in the great Temple of Malai are said to have been some of our nation's most prosperous years. Crops flourished, disease all but vanished, people lived longer, happier, and more productive lives, and crime dwindled. So the legends say."
She drummed her nails on the arm of her throne. "We're going to test that theory. Legend has it that the great kirins took refuge in the deepest part of our jungles. I want you to find me one, and bring it here alive and healthy. It will be risky. Our jungles hold many dangers, and are worse the deeper yo go. Most of the animals want to kill you, and the vegetation isn't much different. Kirins themselves are fierce, said to be capable of wielding fire, but not only that. Some of the legends claim they can tell when you're lying, or that they can peer into your soul and see the the darkness inside you. They're intelligent beasts. That's why it's always been so difficult to attain one.
"You'll be handsomely rewarded if you're successful," she continued, and her eyes fell on Kaye and Shayal in particular. "For the Thanati, you and your families will be exalted to the Temple caste with all the honors and privileges that come with it, and given your weight in gold to get you started on that path. For the non-natives, and those already part of that caste, you will have your weight in riches. I assure you, if you are successful, you will never have to worry about money again."
She tilted her head, looking over each in turn. "Now, you may ask whatever questions you might have. I'd also like to hear your names."