But in his royal court,
Emperor Euphrates viewed attitude as an innately unpardonable offense,
and only rightly to be forgiven absenting any other lawful infractions.
It was an offense against he whose majesty respected no person. It was
an offense, moreover, against his very person, yea, he who was favored
by the gods, and who favored or condemned, in turn, whoever it was his
royal pleasure to favor or condemn.
Emperor Euphrates said quietly to Si'Wren, "Fear not, and see to it
that henceforth you do not break your vow of silence, but only go and
stand over there," he indicated the right-hand, far edge of his royal
dias, which was about ten steps distant, "and tarry there until I bid
you draw neigh unto me again."
He waited while Si'Wren backed uncertainly away to his right, and an
ever astute Borla reached out carefully to halt and steady her when she
would have backed clear off the edge of the raised dias and fallen flat.
"You, you, and you," Emperor Euphrates bid the three women, "step two
paces forward and remain where you are."
Mystified, the three exchanged ill-concealed expressions of alarm as
they complied with Emperor Euphrates' commands.
"You," Emperor Euphrates pointed out the third of Si'Wren's three
accusers.
Pages:
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238