Cassandra had also designed a seal equally imperial in scale, equally functional and decorative.
Hers depicted twin dragons circling a pearl. Eleanor drew on camels and desert lantern-towers to trace the trade route itself.
"Director Hargrove, what do you think?"
Cassandra's piece was already finished, materials and all.
Jade, sure, but several tiers below the ice-clear, flower-flecked grade Eleanor's design had actually called for.
As a diplomatic gift for foreign delegates, it fell short, not quite disqualifying, but nowhere near the standard this moment demanded.
Director Hargrove was stuck. Without Eleanor's raw material, her superior concept meant nothing, a brilliant idea with no way to execute it.
"I'll drive out there myself."
Eleanor turned to leave.
"Where are you going?
