Page 179 (1/2)

‘Peculiar? I think not Natural and undeniable laws guide our endeavours The results of which you will soon discover, to your regret’

‘First Eunuch, does the prince speak for Lether?’

Nifadas shrugged ‘Does it matter, Emperor?’

‘Ah, you are clever indeed Certainlyfool whose nobility resides only in the fact of his crawling out froht, First Eunuch It no longer matters We were sie that curiosity, Emperor’

‘And now you show your spine, at last, Nifadas We are delighted Deliver these words to your king, then The Tiste Edur no longer bow in deference to your people Nor are we interested in participating in your endless games of misdirection and the poisonous words you would have us s’ A sudden, strange pause, the ghost of so across the emperor’s face Then he shook himself, settled back But the look in his eyes was leam of awareness returned ‘Moreover,’ he resuated for the hapless peoples you have destroyed It is time you answered for your crimes’

Nifadas slowly tilted his head ‘Is this a declaration of war?’ he asked in a soft voice

‘We shall announce our intention with deeds, not words, First Eunuch We have spoken Your delegation is disret that you travelled so far for what has turned out to be a short visit Perhaps ill speak again in the future, although, we suspect, in very different circumstances’

Nifadas bowed ‘Then, if you will excuse us, Eo Hull Beddict, Acquitor, remain a moment’

Seren watched Quillas and Nifadas walk stiffly fro about that display fro Rhulad, there inside

‘Acquitor,’ Rhulad said as soon as the curtains fell back into place, drawing her attention round, ‘inforht However, the duration of the privilege is short, so he best ons perforce-’

‘We fear he will not have sufficient tions with him’

She blinked ‘You expect him to abandon the iron in his possession?’

‘There are always risks in business, Acquitor, as you Letherii are quick to point out when it is to your advantage Alas, the same applies when the situation is reversed’

‘How many days do you permit us?’

‘Three One more detail The Nerek remain here’

‘The Nerek?’

‘Are Indebted to Buruk, yes, we understand that Yet another vagary of economics, alas, under which the poor man must suffer He has our sympathy’