Sword of the Gods: Prince of Tyre (Sword of the Gods Saga) by Erishkigal Anna

Author:Erishkigal, Anna [Erishkigal, Anna]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Seraphim Press
Published: 2013-05-18T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 47

Galactic Standard Date: 152,324.01 AE

Hades-6

Emperor Shay’tan

Shay'tan

"As you can see, Your Eminence, Styx has the stronger claim to the asteroid," the Styxian emissary said. He was a squat man, with the typical greyish hide of his species and two eyestalks that could rotate to watch what was happening behind his back. He did so now, watching his emperor and god out of one eyestalk, while watching his opposing delegate with the other. It was a trait which made the species valuable as part of Shay'tan's armies.

"It is one parsec closer to Malebolge!" the Malbogian delegate argued, a creature that looked like a fish on legs. "The Asmodel Fields asteroid has an orbit which is elliptical. It is only closer to Styx three months out of the year! The other nine it is closest to us." The Malebolge were a hard-working aquacultural species, but what use was iron on a water world where iron rusted?

"But right now it is closer to us," the Styxian delegate said. "And this case is being heard now."

Shay'tan tried not to yawn in their faces, but oh, how tedious it was to arbitrate these petty disputes. He shifted his massive girth, grown portlier the longer he lingered in these realms to play these mortal games, and rubbed his back. His appearance had grown soft over the years to reflect his soft duties, but that had not always been the case. He daydreamed of a time when he had still worn the visage of a true dragon.

The two emissaries continued their fight. Shay'tan pretended to listen to them argue to give the impression of making a reasoned decision, but he'd already made up his mind. Asmodel Fields was an iron-rich asteroid, a metal they always had in short supply. It behooved him to give it to the world which would use it to further the glory of his Empire.

Budayl, his elderly scribe, came into the throne room and tucked his tail up alongside his right side, waiting for him to notice him. The lizard-man had been trained not to disturb him when he had affairs of state going on, but from the way he fiddled with the buttons of his uniform, he needed to speak to him sooner rather than later. Shay'tan cut the two delegates off.

"I have made my decision," Shay'tan rumbled. "Since Styx filed this action before Malebolge did, the distance to the Asmodel Fields Asteroid should be determined as of today. At the moment, since the asteroid is closest to Styx, Styx shall be awarded dominion over it.

"But Your Eminence," the Malebolge delegate protested. "Most of the year the asteroid lays closer to Malebolge."

Shay'tan growled just enough to convince the Malebolgian delegate he was annoyed, and in a way he was, but it was no fun being annoyed when you had already anticipated in advance their reaction, as well as your own annoyance, and figured out exactly how to respond to it.

"Are you implying my judgment is fallible?"

"N-n-no, Your Majesty," the Malebolge delegate stammered.

Shay'tan waited until the guards had cleared the room before raising his snout to signal the scribe.

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