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‘You are Indebted’

Rhulad flinched back in his chair, his eyes flashing with sudden rage ‘We are not the same, slave! Do you understand? I aged in a rustle of coins ‘Daughter take ht of this…’

‘I am sorry, Emperor It is true You are not an Indebted Nor, perhaps, are you a slave Although perhaps it feels that way, at times When exhaustion assails you’

‘Yes, that is it I am tired That’s all Tired’

Udinaas hesitated, then asked, ‘Eile shake of the head ‘No But he does not speak through me He only whispers advice, helps hts are mine They must be I am not a fool I possess my own cleverness Yes, that is it He but whispers confidence ’

‘You have not eaten,’ Udinaas said ‘Nor drunk anything Do you know hunger and thirst, Eth?’

‘Yes, I would eat And… some wine Find a servant’

‘At once, master’

Udinaas walked to the se that led to the kitchens He found a servant huddled in the corridor a dozen paces frolistened up at him as he approached ‘On your feet, Virrick The eod would eat?’

‘He’s not a god Food and drink, Virrick Fit for an emperor, and be quick about it’

The servant scrambled up, seemed about to bolt

‘You kno to do this,’ Udinaas said in a calm voice ‘It’s what you have been trained to do’

‘I ahtened-’

‘Listen to me I will tell you a secret You always like secrets, don’t you, Virrick?’

A tentative nod

‘It is this,’ Udinaas said ‘We slaves have no reason to fear It is the Edur who have reason, and that gives us leave to continue laughing behind their backs Reame’

‘I – I reo into the kitchens and show the others You know the secret, now Show them, and they will follow Food, and wine When you are ready, bring it to the curtain and give the lohistle, as you would do nors to return to normal, do you understand? And that task falls to us, the slaves’