Let even one
of her consorts be so much as threatened with the tiniest scratch, and
Sorpiala's lies could be mercilessly exposed to save their own skins.
Well, it didn't really matter, did it? Sorpiala reassured herself
silently. Was she not a past master of the connive, being just over one
hundred years old, yet still in outward appearance seeming no more than
a young woman just entering her prime?
"Two witnesses!" declared Emperor Euphrates formally. "Are there three?"
Sorpiala turned and gave the nod to another one of her most trusted
consorts, who immediately and unthinkingly said "Aye!" and bowed low.
Emperor Euphrates nodded formally to the third witness, as he returned
his eyes to the silent, fearful girl who stood before him without the
slightest peep or murmur of protest against those testifying against
her.
"There we have it," said Emperor Euphrates conclusively. "Scribe, mark
the names of the accusers for the record. We have three witnesses who
say this girl is guilty of breaking idols. How say you?" said Emperor
Euphrates, turning his head.
A heartsick Si'Wren, having remained motionless as each deadly 'Aye!'
was pronounced, realized suddenly that Emperor Euphrates had spoken
this time directly to herself, and her eyes grew wide as she stared
back at him in fear.
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