"But--" Borla halted, trying to imagine all the difficulties of this
impossible task.
Then his hooded figure bowed even lower, scraping neigh unto the floor.
"Behold thy servant Borla, who diligently seeks a right finish to all
royal affairs! Thy judgements are Wisdom incarnate for I perceive that
thou hast pronounced fitting judgement, as always."
Borla turned, and gazed forbiddingly upon the remaining woman,
Sorpiala's other consort, standing close beside Si'Wren.
"And--as for this one, Highness?" he inquired in a mercilessly flat
tone of voice.
Shaking uncontrollably, the hopelessly terrified woman would not let go
of Si'Wren. The woman, having already been spared punishment, still did
not know what her ultimate fate might be and clung fearfully to
Si'Wren, who steadfastly refused to push the woman away.
Emperor Euphrates, seeing this, said merely, "Oh, let her go free," and
waved her off with a disinterested nod of dismissal.
"The gods praise thee, merciful Emperor!" the woman gasped as she fell
on the floor at his feet. Emperor Euphrates nodded patronizingly with a
gratified look at the outcome of events. Then he raised his eyes to
look beyond the prostrate woman, and gaze upon the surpassing beauty of
Si'Wren, and his eyes fairly twinkled with doting joy.
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