Finally, Emperor Euphrates blinked and seemed to come out of his trance
as he heaved a sigh and seemed to nod to himself.
Then he turned his head and regarded Si'Wren's third accuser, the one
whom he had questioned first.
"Tell me," he commanded her. "What should be the punishment for such a
one as remains silent when commanded to speak, and for the crime of
idol-breaking?"
Utterly terrified, the woman's round eyes flicked to Si'Wren and back
to her Emperor again, before finally blurting out, "Oh great and divine
Emperor, it may be that I have erred most grievously, and that what she
has done be no wrong thing at all, although it was also rumored that
she was a believer in the Invisible God--if that be a crime.
Perhaps--perhaps she should even be forgiven in case she has actually
done nothing!"
At this, Sorpiala and the other woman suddenly exchanged conspiratorial
looks, and Sorpiala fairly hissed her disapproval with an insucking of
air.
Emperor Euphrates ignored the scandalous behavior as he regarded the
woman directly being questioned. Then his eyes moved to Sorpiala.
"How say you?" he asked her. "What punishment would you prescribe for
such an idol-breaker as stands accused before you?"
"Why--I do not know, Highness," Sorpiala wheedled.
Pages:
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241