There were so few relevant details, anyway. It
wasn't like a murderously complicated property boundary dispute, for
instance. Or a tally of gifts to the Emperor, so many articles of gold,
so many chalices of silver, so many horns of incense, and so on. Or
worse yet, an Imperially granted Honor. For Honors, you had to get
everybody's relations correct and in order, an exacting task which
could take long and leave her hollow-eyed over such labors.
Borla moved to stand close behind her shoulder and watched silently as
she made her marks.
She used to grow nervous when he did that, but she had since learned
that all he desired was to make sure she put in all the truly relevant
details, made no unnecessary errors, and left out that which was
obviously unnecessary.
Under such impromptu tutelage from Borla, Si'Wren had soon learned what
to put in, what to leave out, and how best to arrange it, working
swiftly, neatly, and accurately. Now she unconsciously strove for
greater excellence than ever before, as Emperor Euphrates questioned
the trader further.
Halfway through, Emperor Euphrates paused and turned his head to regard
Si'Wren's progress, and said, "Another tablet shall be wanting, Scribe."
Si'Wren nodded as she quickly finished the first frame and picked up
another, and bent to her writings, expertly marking the smooth clay.
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