He continued shaking it and turning it this way and that and slapping
it with his other hand, his dark locks and beard moving rhythmically
with the effort until all of the clay had fallen out onto the ground.
Borla observed the empty frame in his hands.
"That's better," said Borla. "No, better yet--" he gripped the frame
with it's intact backing tightly in one hand.
He made a fist with his other hand, and with a series of crude punches
began knocking out the split-bamboo backing which normally supported
the backside of the soft clay in it's sturdy frame.
When all of the pieces of split-bamboo backing were broken loose and
had fallen to the ground, he smiled at last, with a dry, irritated look
in his eyes which only served to accentuate the haggard fierceness of
his deeply lined face, and held up the empty frame to the light.
"Behold, the Invisible God!" declared Borla, as Emperor Euphrates
looked on most interestedly, but without comment.
Emboldened by his Emperor's look of curiosity, Borla observed dryly,
"Rather looks like an open door. Odd. Most such doors are located in
temples, wherein idols are to be found."
Then with a vengeful, jerking motion of his arms, Borla broke the empty
frame into pieces, and handed them back to a silent Si'Wren with a curt
but formal bow, as he eyed her contemptuously.
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