There were people with grievous impairments and afflictions at every
hand, and they were also caught up in the mad scramble for coins. Some
of them were trampled shamelessly by those more able, who should have
known not to be so abusive and unfair.
Si'Wren was aware of all this, yet, brushing tears from her eyes, she
could not help looking back in the direction of Habrunt. But she could
not pick him out now, although she knew he was still there, sitting
with the elders in the gates of the city.
How her heart yearned to see him again--and soon!
Then her eyes noticed something, and she looked far to the rear of the
long line of the procession. There, far behind her, she saw a
boisterous crowd of evil men, bringing up the rear behind the long
lines of battle-hardened camel soldiers.
What were they doing there, she wondered?
Just before they turned a corner to begin heading back into the city by
another route, she heard a loud commotion, angry shouts and wild
screams amidst the cheers, far back at the gates of the city. She
turned in her saddle to look, but could not see what was happening, and
dared not break ranks and turn her horse out of the procession again,
lest she risk incurring the displeasure of Emperor Euphrates or some
other senior dignitary.
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