she searched his face, but she could find no sign of insincerity. She stormed back out of the chamber, past the chatra who waited outside to continue speaking with the emperor.
* * *
“Are you okay, Mother?” Tottiana asked, rushing into Helgamyr’s apartments. She found the dowager lying prostrate on the bed with a compress on her head.
“ Okay ? Am I okay ? Ask about your grandfather, Tottiana. The question is, is he okay ? Someone tried to kill him earlier today. He’s fled back to Velstorbokkin in fear of his life without even saying goodbye.”
“Yes, I know. Saxthor told me. Grandfather wasn’t hurt. I was trying to think of how to tell you without upsetting you, but you discovered his departure before I could come to you. Saxthor is trying to ascertain the source of the attack.”
Helgamyr bolted up in bed, jerking away the compress and slinging it against the wall. “Saxthor indeed, he’s behind this. I know he is. We shall both be slaughtered next. Your husband will be rid of us soon. There’s nothing my father can do to save us.”
“You’re overwrought, Mother; Saxthor isn’t a ruthless tyrant.”
“Tell that to your father. Oh, that’s right, Engwan is cold in his grave,” Helgamyr said, staring at her daughter. Then she slumped back down on the bed and swept her covers tightly against her like a protective shell.
“Saxthor wasn’t responsible for father’s death. I don’t think he would attempt to kill grandfather under the very palace walls. You must calm yourself.”
“First Engwan, now father… I tell you, we’re next.”
Tottiana put a fresh compress on her mother’s forehead.
Then Endaquac, who’d been embroidering in the corner shadows, stepped forward. “I shall attend to Her Majesty,” Endaquac said.
“I shall leave her in your capable hands then,” Tottiana said. She returned to her own apartments, still troubled by the attack on her grandfather and her mother’s accusations.
* * *
King Zirkin arrived late for the wedding but had excellent accommodations prepared for him. Among his entourage was Tittletot. When the festivities died down and Saxthor paid an informal visit to the King of Zenobia, the two men were clearly pleased to have the opportunity to get to know each other better in person.
“Congratulations on your wedding,” Zirkin said to Saxthor with a strong handshake. “Please, convey my congratulations to the empress as well.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Saxthor responded, studying Zirkin, who was also searching Saxthor’s face and body language for and extended moment. “We’re greatly honored that you traveled so far to attend the festivities.”
“We’re pleased to have this opportunity to meet with you in person and to express our wish for a peaceful and prosperous relationship with the empire.”
“I should be pleased to have my chatra meet with yours to work out details of the new, more open relationship. I’m sure establishing trade between us will be beneficial to all.”
“Let it be so, Your Imperial Majesty,” Zirkin said, again shaking Saxthor’s hand to seal the plan. “And now I should like to present you with a rare treasure for your court.” The king then turned to his staff. “Tittletot, come forward.”
From behind the Zenobian delegation, the little jester worked his way through the forest of legs to the king. He looked up at Saxthor with his large, bright eyes.
“What’s this or, should I say, who is this?” Saxthor asked, smiling down at the curious little creature.
“This tittletot is the rarest of beings in Zenobia, probably the rarest creature on Powteros. He prefers to be called Tittletot. He has been our court jester,” Zirkin said. He patted Tittletot’s head. The little man squirmed out from under the annoying hand and resumed staring at Saxthor. The king’s smile was indulgent.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Tittletot. We’ve not seen the like of you before. We’re honored that you
* * *
“Are you okay, Mother?” Tottiana asked, rushing into Helgamyr’s apartments. She found the dowager lying prostrate on the bed with a compress on her head.
“ Okay ? Am I okay ? Ask about your grandfather, Tottiana. The question is, is he okay ? Someone tried to kill him earlier today. He’s fled back to Velstorbokkin in fear of his life without even saying goodbye.”
“Yes, I know. Saxthor told me. Grandfather wasn’t hurt. I was trying to think of how to tell you without upsetting you, but you discovered his departure before I could come to you. Saxthor is trying to ascertain the source of the attack.”
Helgamyr bolted up in bed, jerking away the compress and slinging it against the wall. “Saxthor indeed, he’s behind this. I know he is. We shall both be slaughtered next. Your husband will be rid of us soon. There’s nothing my father can do to save us.”
“You’re overwrought, Mother; Saxthor isn’t a ruthless tyrant.”
“Tell that to your father. Oh, that’s right, Engwan is cold in his grave,” Helgamyr said, staring at her daughter. Then she slumped back down on the bed and swept her covers tightly against her like a protective shell.
“Saxthor wasn’t responsible for father’s death. I don’t think he would attempt to kill grandfather under the very palace walls. You must calm yourself.”
“First Engwan, now father… I tell you, we’re next.”
Tottiana put a fresh compress on her mother’s forehead.
Then Endaquac, who’d been embroidering in the corner shadows, stepped forward. “I shall attend to Her Majesty,” Endaquac said.
“I shall leave her in your capable hands then,” Tottiana said. She returned to her own apartments, still troubled by the attack on her grandfather and her mother’s accusations.
* * *
King Zirkin arrived late for the wedding but had excellent accommodations prepared for him. Among his entourage was Tittletot. When the festivities died down and Saxthor paid an informal visit to the King of Zenobia, the two men were clearly pleased to have the opportunity to get to know each other better in person.
“Congratulations on your wedding,” Zirkin said to Saxthor with a strong handshake. “Please, convey my congratulations to the empress as well.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Saxthor responded, studying Zirkin, who was also searching Saxthor’s face and body language for and extended moment. “We’re greatly honored that you traveled so far to attend the festivities.”
“We’re pleased to have this opportunity to meet with you in person and to express our wish for a peaceful and prosperous relationship with the empire.”
“I should be pleased to have my chatra meet with yours to work out details of the new, more open relationship. I’m sure establishing trade between us will be beneficial to all.”
“Let it be so, Your Imperial Majesty,” Zirkin said, again shaking Saxthor’s hand to seal the plan. “And now I should like to present you with a rare treasure for your court.” The king then turned to his staff. “Tittletot, come forward.”
From behind the Zenobian delegation, the little jester worked his way through the forest of legs to the king. He looked up at Saxthor with his large, bright eyes.
“What’s this or, should I say, who is this?” Saxthor asked, smiling down at the curious little creature.
“This tittletot is the rarest of beings in Zenobia, probably the rarest creature on Powteros. He prefers to be called Tittletot. He has been our court jester,” Zirkin said. He patted Tittletot’s head. The little man squirmed out from under the annoying hand and resumed staring at Saxthor. The king’s smile was indulgent.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Tittletot. We’ve not seen the like of you before. We’re honored that you
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