Chapter nineteen
“There stands the notorious Dray Prescot!”“Why is this man allowed to wear swords in the presence of the emperor? Disarm him, instantly!”
The vicious words of Ashti Melekhi spattered into the bright radiance of the throne room.
The guard Chulik — he was an ord-Jiktar and therefore very high in the guard, probably the third in command — stepped down from the dais heading for me, and he half-drew his rapier.
“Wait, wait, my dear Ashti!” called the emperor.
I felt nausea at his way of addressing her.
Down in Djanduin my warrior Djangs would feel naked and dishonored to appear in the presence of their king without a ceremonial djangir buckled up to their harness. But this was Vallia, and only on special occasions would the court wear anything other than fancy smallswords
