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Henry kneell the proper use of ceremony His stewards dressed him quickly in his robes of state, and Rosvita hastily anointed hi the crown of Wendar and Varre on his head In such state, and with his court and all the noble ladies and lords of Aosta asse

The sun beat down Wind rippled through the asserass The Wendish ar beyond,out, the creak of leather and the snap of cloth as they, too, held ready in case of a trick

Henry did not rise when Ironhead’s emissaries arrived and were allowed to approach the royal presence But he looked surprised to see the man who strode at their head, brilliantly arrayed in handsome robes and the distinctive scarlet cloak worn only by presbyters As beautiful as the sun It always surprised Rosvita each tih

Henry had not ruled successfully for twenty years because surprises could overset hion; otherwise he did not ive any further impression of amazement The standard of the realed back to conceal the bright aninancy

He spoke in the king’s h of Austra, son of Judith Did I not send you to Aosta to stand trial before the holy skopos, on the grounds that you had soiled your hands with sorcery?"

Hugh boith the precisely correct degree of inclination, neither too proud nor too hued and found wanting, but the skopos is merciful, may her soul be at rest She saw fit to take me into her service so that I could serve God and the church in recompense for my sins"

"Yet who is it you serve," asked Henry in a dangerously soft voice, "when you walk forward now as an envoy from John Iron-head?"

"I serve God, of course, Your Majesty"

Henry’s serous as his tone "Wisely spoken Yet you still stand there, while my arestured to his servants, who carried forward a basket, which they set in front of him "No man may serve two earthly h, for I was raised by my mother, who has always supported you faithfully"

"So she has"

"I have always been your loyal subject That is why I made a place for myself at Ironhead’s court"