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.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlThis question was so obviously hypothetical that Hyrcanus scarcely paused before recasting it, with firm Blue Temple legalism."Sword, I bid you guide me to meet the Emperor."But again the Sword only demonstrated uncertainty.The Chairman set his treasure gently down upon the table, and drummed his fingers next to it."Well, Director, how are we to interpret this? That we are only to wait here, to meet the Emperor?That does not seem to make much sense—unless he is coming to call upon us." He added drily: "An unprecedented event, surely.""I agree, Your Opulence."file:///F|/rah/Fred%20Saberhagen/Saberhagen,%2.Lost%20Swords%207%20-%20Wayfi nders%20Story.txt (63 of 118) [2/4/03 9:57:08 PM]file:///F|/rah/Fred%20Saberhagen/Saberhagen,%20Fred%20-%20Lost%20Swords%207%20-%20Wayfinders%20Story.txtIn the following silence, Yambu's voice sounded quite unexpectedly, so that everyone turned to look at her."Perhaps the Emperor is on his way here, to meet you." Her face wore what Valdemar thought an odd expression, even considering her situation.Her statement was received with mixed reactions by the men in power.These were knowledgeable, worldly leaders.They were constitutionally wary of the unknown in all its aspects, and whatever knowledge they possessed about the Great Clown, beyond what ordinary people knew, they did not particularly fear him.Hyrcanus looked with interest at Yambu."You know him, then?""I am indeed the Silver Queen.I suppose I know him if anyone does.I have borne his child.""If he is coming here now," said the elderly Director after a time, "do you suppose he will be bringing his greatest treasure with him?"The Silver Queen said, "I do not know."Hyrcanus, letting Wayfinder lie on the table but rubbing the hilt as if for luck, stood up, pushing back his chair as if he wished to stretch.He raised his eyes to find his male prisoner watching him intently."Well, fellow? Had you any experience similar to this when Wayfinder was yours?"Valdemar nodded slowly."I admit it puzzled me a time or two.If that is what you mean."No one asked him to elaborate, and he did not try.Standing awkwardly beside him, Yambu was gradually growing more perturbed, as if she found the prospect of an Imperial visit somehow unsettling.Time passed, very slowly in Valdemar's perception.Outside the pavilion, the Blue Temple's military people were stolidly going about their routine business of guard duty and camp making.Nothing of consequence seemed to be happening.Not that the two high officials were going to be content simply to wait for the Emperor.No, people kept coming to the door of their tent with practical questions, matters that required answers.The commander of the cavalry, still awake himself though (as Valdemar thought) most of his troops—who had evidently ridden all night—were probably asleep, came in respectfully asking to be informed: Would they be breaking camp first thing the next morning?Would they spend the remainder of the day and night interrogating their fresh-caught prisoners?Hyrcanus had excused himself, Valdemar supposed probably for a latrine break, and the question was left to his second-in-command to answer."Oh, I doubt that." The Director, stretching, allowed himself a smothered yawn."You might as well haul that stuff away and pack it up again." He gestured toward the rear of the tent; and only now did Valdemar realize what the piled instruments of torture were, as a pair of soldiers packed them up again, and bore them out.Page 67ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlWhen the Chairman returned, a few minutes later, rubbing his hands together, the Director questioned him about the prisoners too: Was there really any point in dragging the wretches all the way back to headquarters?"Perhaps, perhaps not.How can we know at this stage? Let us see if my question brings any result within the next few hours."The morning hours dragged on.Hyrcanus and his Director were, as they thought, being their usual practical, businesslike selves when the clouded sky outside the tent seemed to split in half, and the gold and blue pavilion was torn away from above their heads.Valdemar closed his eyes and yelled, momentarily certain that the last instant of his life had come.file:///F|/rah/Fred%20Saberhagen/Saberhagen,%2.Lost%20Swords%207%20-%20Wayfi nders%20Story [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]