* * *
First came the conch-blowers, appointed by Ampho, Royal
Crier at Court. By the time the whole procession got lined up and under
way, there really was no need of criers, but it was all part of the act.
Then came the dancing girls, followed by bamboo woodwinds, and a line
of steadily pounding drummers.
Then came the Royal Guards, all with long pikes or flashing swords in
their grasp.
Then came the litter upon which Emperor Euphrates sat in royal splendor.
On the front of the royal litter stood a pair of live peacocks. A tame
spider monkey rode in the Emperor's lap and skittered restlessly about,
chattering animatedly on it's braided tether leash.
The spider monkey made lewd faces at the crowds lining the streets,
pleasing and entertaining them as they called loudly and repeatedly to
the Emperor, "Peace! Peace!" and "Long live Emperor Euphrates!"
The royal litter was followed by a small flock of ostriches tended by
several boys with switches. One boy had already had to be taken back on
a litter for treatment by the Royal Physician. He had been kicked in
the side of the head by one of the huge birds, but word had it that he
seemed to be doing fairly well, and it was taken as a good omen that he
had only been stunned and not killed instead.
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