He marks eyes, nose, and mouth
with the dividers, and showers the ground with the unwanted kindling as
he fashions the figure of a monster man, to stand in the nook by the
front door and impress his visitors as they come in.'
Then, still dissatisfied, she took a deep breath, poised and motionless
with her marking tools in her fingers, and finally set to work as she
began to really spell it out, knowing she might not get another chance
if she were to be executed for her troubles.
'He plants trees which are watered by the hind leg of his own dogs.
Then he hews down the beautiful trees; cypress, oak, and ash.'
Running out of space, she laid the tablet before the Emperor and drew
another to her, and as he read and watched in benumbed astonishment,
she continued resolutely;
'Then shall his god warm him: for he will take the kindling and wood
chips to make his own fire, wearing down his gnashing teeth on coarse
stone grit bread baked with the coals made from the self-same trees,
and bowing down to the termite nests hidden in the hearts of his gods.'
Si'Wren felt she was on the right track at last, after so many doubts
in her own heart. Ever since the death of Nelatha, she'd had such
doubts, but no more.
The ivory stick-ends moved to an enchanting, arrhythmic tempo as she
marked on swiftly;
'He burns the cedar fleas of his god to begat roasted pig's flesh, and
says, Aha!, I am warm, my god is a wood fire.
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