Si'Wren seemed to sleep so much the better that way, and
yet, in spite of her efforts at getting sufficient physical rest, ever
did she labor with the circles of learning under her eyes. Truly, much
study was a weariness to the flesh. But she always worked hard at it,
and she was a fast learner.
She always wondered what had happened to Habrunt, but in addition to
her vow never to speak, she could not so much as write his name at
first. No person ever volunteered any information about him to her. And
why should anyone care, seeing they knew neither her nor this curious
unknown stranger called Habrunt? In fact, she had not overheard even
the most incidental of news about him, and grew especially wistful
whenever she chanced to think on Habrunt, and prayed for his well-being
every day.
As for false religion, Si'Wren was not formally required to attend the
worship ceremonies for any of the temple gods, nor did she ever once
volunteer to go. For, marvelously, the Emperor had exercised his
absolute power over his domain by indulging himself in the most
peculiar manner, by openly declaring that one called Si'Wren was free
to worship her forbidden Invisible God if she so chose. This unheard-of
privilege especially rankled certain others of the court, and was to
them a particularly vile concern, although they dared not so much as
hint at their displeasure to Si'Wren's face.
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