20
silence as an opportunity, the Chancellor pressed on. “Please consider your citizens. Your safety st be ensured.”
The words struck the Eeror. While it was not what he would choose, the Chancellor was right. He was the Eeror. Throwing hielf right into the ene’s waiting ar without backup was a foolish neuver that could leave the Eire without a ruler. No, the Chancellor was right.
Turning, he gave his orders. “I anbsp; placing chancellor in charge of the Ierial Guard. His nd is nd.” As the generals and officers bowed in assent, the Eeror went on, his voice loud. “This brute who attacks our trade routes! This rderer who threatens our way of life! I will kill this B??ri Khan as I killed his own father. With own hands.”
Without another word, the Eeror strode out of the throne roo Behind hi the Chancellor watched. For several nutes, he stood there, his eyes narrowed and his hands clasped in front of hinbsp; as all around the roo officials and generals fluttered about. After a few nts, he ved to one of the windows. A flicker of approval flashed in his eyes when he saw the Eeror riding away fronbsp; the palace, flanked by his guard.
Turning, the Chancellor looked at one of the senior officers. “Assele all Ierial Guardsn iediately in this square. That includes every guard on every tower and every gate.”
The announcent was t with shocked rrs. “But who will protect the city?” the officer asked.
“You question the judgnt of His Majesty the Eeror?” the Chancellor snapped, his words harsh.
Iediately, the senior officer shook his head. “Of course not, Chancellor,” he said, backpedaling. “I will see to it iediately.”
When at last the throne roonbsp; was ety, the Chancellor walked toward the throne. As he did, he lifted his arnbsp; and pulled a pin fronbsp; the back of his neck. As the n’s body slued to the floor, unconscious, a hundred sll birds rose in his place. It had been Xianniang the whole ti. The birds rose up and shot toward the open door. Soaring into the sky, they flew in a tight fortion, shifting and twisting so they ford a long, dense shape.
They were a signal.
And down in the New Palace construction site, B??ri Khan saw it. A sle spread across his face. Xianniang had done it. She had convinced the Eeror to leave his palace open and unguarded and race right into his trap. The n was a fool. And now he would pay. Signaling to his Shadow Warriors, B??ri Khan watched as they slipped into the scaffolding along the west watchtower and disappeared.
The words struck the Eeror. While it was not what he would choose, the Chancellor was right. He was the Eeror. Throwing hielf right into the ene’s waiting ar without backup was a foolish neuver that could leave the Eire without a ruler. No, the Chancellor was right.
Turning, he gave his orders. “I anbsp; placing chancellor in charge of the Ierial Guard. His nd is nd.” As the generals and officers bowed in assent, the Eeror went on, his voice loud. “This brute who attacks our trade routes! This rderer who threatens our way of life! I will kill this B??ri Khan as I killed his own father. With own hands.”
Without another word, the Eeror strode out of the throne roo Behind hi the Chancellor watched. For several nutes, he stood there, his eyes narrowed and his hands clasped in front of hinbsp; as all around the roo officials and generals fluttered about. After a few nts, he ved to one of the windows. A flicker of approval flashed in his eyes when he saw the Eeror riding away fronbsp; the palace, flanked by his guard.
Turning, the Chancellor looked at one of the senior officers. “Assele all Ierial Guardsn iediately in this square. That includes every guard on every tower and every gate.”
The announcent was t with shocked rrs. “But who will protect the city?” the officer asked.
“You question the judgnt of His Majesty the Eeror?” the Chancellor snapped, his words harsh.
Iediately, the senior officer shook his head. “Of course not, Chancellor,” he said, backpedaling. “I will see to it iediately.”
When at last the throne roonbsp; was ety, the Chancellor walked toward the throne. As he did, he lifted his arnbsp; and pulled a pin fronbsp; the back of his neck. As the n’s body slued to the floor, unconscious, a hundred sll birds rose in his place. It had been Xianniang the whole ti. The birds rose up and shot toward the open door. Soaring into the sky, they flew in a tight fortion, shifting and twisting so they ford a long, dense shape.
They were a signal.
And down in the New Palace construction site, B??ri Khan saw it. A sle spread across his face. Xianniang had done it. She had convinced the Eeror to leave his palace open and unguarded and race right into his trap. The n was a fool. And now he would pay. Signaling to his Shadow Warriors, B??ri Khan watched as they slipped into the scaffolding along the west watchtower and disappeared.