K B Forrest - [Fire Chronicles 04] by Banner of Fire

Author:Banner of Fire [eXtasy MM] (epub)
Format: epub
Published: 2013-10-08T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Zohak preened under the compliments. Who would have thought that there would be so few complaints, he thought complacently. The Great Hall was filled with noise as the family of farmers left. Then the next person stepped up to the dais.

The miller was shaking as he looked up at Zohak, who was seated on the dais alone. He knew the effect his small, chilling smile was having on people.

“Uh…” the miller began. “I…came to uh…. pay compliments and um… homage to the uh…Munificent Emperor Zohak,” the miller paused.

When he looked up, Zohak stared at the miller, his snakes curving and hissing softly around him. He was lounging in his throne. He’d seen so many people. They had mostly all said the same things. They seemed to be satisfied with their lives. “Do go on,” Zohak said.

“Uh…and – but I did have one grievance. But it’s not against you, my Lord. It’s my uh…cow sir. She’s got cowpox real bad, sir. We need her, my family and me.”

Zohak smiled. Not once had there been a complaint against himself. Raising his hand regally he said, “You shall be given a new cow, dear subject, at once.”

The miller gaped. The crowd applauded at the show of Zohak’s charity. Meruzanes bowed his head as if offering up a fervent prayer of thanks. There was a shout beyond the doors, but the sound of applause covered most of the noise.

A huge man slammed the guard into the wall and opened the great doors. He wore a blacksmith’s leather apron, as if he hadn’t bothered to dress for the occasion of meeting the Emperor. That annoyed Zohak somewhat, and he did not immediately acknowledge him. He was content and feeling benevolent. It had been nice to give someone a cow. It had been kind of him to change the miller’s life with a nod of his head.

“Zohak!” a bellow cut across the applause. Silence fell abruptly as the shocking disrespect of the newcomer registered. Zohak noticed the way Meruzanes’ head snapped up. He looked quickly at the other viziers, but they looked just as confused.

Zohak kept his own expression neutral as the blacksmith approached, shaking and red-faced. He was travel stained, wild-eyed and dangerous looking. He seemed choked with emotion.

“Good sir,” Zohak said evenly. “Do you have a grievance?”

Kava bit back a scream. He lowered at the lounging Emperor, the indolent king who had stolen the jewel that had made his life happy.

“Yes, I have a grievance,” Kava said softly.

“Against whom?” Zohak asked.

“You,” murmurs of shock went round the Great Hall. “Look at you, surrounded by simpering viziers who beg you and gush of your magnanimity. You’re damn right I have a grievance! I had eight children. EIGHT! You have taken them each from my home. You have taken them. I do not know why, Dragon King. What grievance do you have against me? What have I done to be singled out like this—to have every one of my children taken? I have no ties to this world now.

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