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Theophanu re restlessly as Bulkezu dismounted and indicated that Hanna and Boso should dismount as well The second captain took their horses’ reins and led them to one side, out of the way

Hanna aze briefly; the power of his physical body was aze He had very dark eyes, alirl rested a hand on the back of the chair while she examined Bulkezu with a scornful expression si and features, it was obvious that she was his daughter

Boso stepped forward "His Magnificence Prince Bulkezu hears your pleas with interest and a kind heart, and by reason of his generosity and liberality has chosen to hear you out rather than attack and destroy your arold," muttered Conrad darkly

Theophanu’s expression did not change "I pray you, Prince Bulkezu, please be seated and let my stewards serve you wine"

Boso translated while Bulkezu kept his gaze fixed on a point midway between Conrad and Theophanu, that remarkably believable look of blank incoestured, and Boso hurried to fetch a folding stool Saved fro ht Bulkezu’s fancy because of the griffin heads carved into either end of the side rails, each one plated with gold On this seat, Bulkezu deigned to sit His wings rustled as he settled into place, refusing with a raised hand the silver goblet of wine brought forward by a stone-faced servant Boso took it instead, draining it too quickly

Conrad, at last, dropped down into the chair placed next to Theophanu The three regarded each other in silence Bulkezu had a slight smirk on his face

At last, Theophanu spoke "Tell your otiate bluntly We will offer him two thousand pounds of silver to leave Wendar and Varre"

By now, Hanna recognized a few of the words as Boso translated, but only a few; Bulkezu e, thereby allowing Boso o-between Once Boso had finished, Bulkezu lifted a hand His third captain hurried forward to offer hiold cup filled to the brihtfully before he replied

Boso translated "His Fearsomeness, Prince Bulkezu, wishes you to understand that your noble brother, Prince Ekkehard, is even at thisand his banner"

The ring was displayed, the banner unfurled, and then put away

Duke Conrad hter patted her father on the shoulder and bent to whisper in his ear, an inti that Hanna was stricken by a sudden longing for her own father

Theophanu’s expression did not alter "A ring and a banner can be taken off a dead body"

Boso was allowed a short whip, which he used on his whores and on recalcitrant slaves It was his only weapon He prodded Hanna with the butt of the whip now This hy she had been brought

She took a step forward "I am known to you, I believe, ether with Prince Ekkehard and four of his coesture toward Manegold with her chin because her hands were tied "I swear to you on le that Prince Ekkehard is alive and in Prince Bulkezu’s hands"

Theophanu spoke softly to her stewards and they hurried forward to offer ain drained his cup "Three thousand pounds of silver and one hundred gold noe for your departure, and the return of Ekkehard and his coed her presence, a glance, no le"

Boso spoke Bulkezu replied "His Gloriousness will not ransole Five thousand pounds of silver and an equal hter, for his bed"

Conrad’s head snapped around as his daughter stiffened, looking indignant and frightened Abruptly, the interpreter gave a grunting rasped his belly, and without a word or excuse to anyone bolted onto the grass He hadn’t gotten an to retch Bulkezu sipped at his mare’s milk By the way his dimple flashed in and out on his cheek, Hanna could tell he orking very hard not to laugh

"Good Lord," said Conrad, observing the stricken interpreter "I’d heard ruue with them?"