Chapter seventeen
Delia commands the DanceDeb-Lu-Quienyin hurried into the little room we habitually used and, pushing his turban straight, said, “I have to inform you that the empress is coming.”
I saw that he teased me, and that he shared my joy. Nedfar had no empress — or empress-to-be — since his wife had died he had not, as he put it, had the heart to marry again. So, since empresses do not flock in great numbers, even on Kregen, I could let a great fatuous smile spread all across my ugly old beakhead.
“Delia!”
“Aye, Jak, the Empress Delia, may all the gods and spirits have her in their keeping.”
“When?”
He spread his hands. The mystical powers of Wizards of Loh were very great, very great indeed, and yet I fancy there are gaps and inconsistencies in what they can and cannot do
