It was too easy to let fly amidst the mass confusion of bodily
movements of such agitated throngs.
This way, no one could move besides His Majesty the Emperor Euphrates
himself. Thus, he was safer, because a man had to move before he could
use a weapon, and if he tried he would instantly be picked out and
dealt with soon enough to assure the Emperor a good long life.
* * *
But a spy warned Conabar, who abandoned the House of Rababull and
immediately fled.
Kadrug, seeing that he had not nearly enough advantage of position or
force of men to withstand Emperor Euphrates, wisely chose to retreat
also and withdrew to the wilds.
Throughout the coming week, rumor had it that Kadrug and Conabar had
sued one another for peace and pledged themselves in a blood oath to
become allies against Emperor Euphrates, and it was avidly rumored that
Kadrug had giants.
Emperor Euphrates had no giants.
* * *
Several days passed, during which time all property transfers were
effected from the former House of Rababull to the royal treasury of
Emperor Euphrates. The fate of the slave holdings of Master Rababull
was of low priority, but they were finally got round to.
* * *
"Well, don't be frightened, step up!"
At the wizened old Court Officer's bidding, a reluctant Si'Wren, whose
turn had finally come, stepped forward several awful, final steps to
stand, eyes miserably downcast, before the great and terrible Emperor
Euphrates.
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