Duke Boros had the immense courage and coolness required to get through his whole story without stammering, hesitating, or leaving out a single detail. When he'd finished a long silence descended on the chamber like a weight. Blade could almost feel it pressing him against the floor until he began to find it hard to breathe.

The silence continued. Then suddenly the Emperor clapped both hands together. After the silence the clap sounded like a crash of thunder. Blade half expected the walls and ceiling of the great chamber to shatter and crash down on everyone inside.

Footsteps echoed around the chamber as four of the enuchs ran out from the far left-hand corner. As they approached, the Emperor picked up his sword, drew it, and laid the naked weapon across his silk-clad knees. As the eunuchs came up, he raised the sword and pointed at Blade.

«This man is a stranger come within the Empire. He says he is a prince of England, come to learn of the Empire. He lies. There can be no such land as England, therefore no princes from it. Kill him.»

Blade had only a moment to realize that he was about to die. Then he heard a cry of surprise from Duke Boros. The duke sprang up, dropping back onto his knees and reaching out both hands in a begging gesture toward the Emperor. Blade saw Kul-Nam's drawn sword swing around until its point was aimed directly at the duke. Light ran up and down the engraved steel like fire. The four eunuchs stared now at Blade, now at the duke, shifting their feet uneasily and keeping their hands on their weapons.

«Your Magnificence,» said the duke earnestly. «Can we ask of you that this man live?»