Or rather, one
of his shaven-headed underlings sat behind him and did it for him.
Si'Wren was there more than for show, to perfect herself as a studious
worker before her Emperor Euphrates. She was Ibi's most beautiful, and
indeed his only, female Scribe. It was a memorable day spent in service
to the Emperor, and Si'Wren adapted readily and willingly to the
routine.
Afterward when court was recessed for the day, Si'Wren was called to a
private consultation with Ibi, who examined her in great detail and
gave her further instruction in all that he felt needful pertaining to
what she had seen that day.
So was her Royal routine established.
* * *
"If you'll just stand before me, Si'Wren..." said Ibi one day,
mysteriously but calmly enough.
Ever obedient, Si'Wren complied and waited to see what was up.
Ibi turned and waved an arm to signal someone unseen just beyond her
range of vision in the next room, and an exceeding rough-looking
character stepped in. The newcomer, with as many fighting scars on his
skin as any other might have had tatoos, was dressed in a leather skirt
supported by wide, criss-crossed leather straps across his hairy chest
and over the tops of his bulging, heavily muscled shoulders.
He had a leather thong across his dark, thick, unkempt hair, and
sandals fastened by calf-straps like a soldier or professional
sojourner.
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