Borla always kept his beard carefully trimmed a fraction shorter than Emperor Euphrates', out of a canny sense of deference. By this, and other, equally subtle devices, he was left free to maximize his own powers to the fullest possible extent, while at the same time seeming always, ever to be the scrupulously faithful servant and minutely lesser intellect. This flattered Emperor Euphrates in no small wise, a fact of which Borla was well aware, although he took utmost pains not to touch upon it in any false light or pretense.
"Aye!" Emperor Euphrates laughed harshly. "Quite enough ceremony for the occasion, I will grant!"
Emperor Euphrates turned then to Si'Wren, and said, "Scribe, you will study further, to show yourself approved, for I would hear more of this Invisible God."
Si'Wren, marveling at the open-handedness of her powerful rival,
Borla, merely bowed to Emperor Euphrates in formal acknowledgment.
Then, in a more engaging tone of voice, Emperor Euphrates went on and said, "Almost, little Si'Wren…" he paused, looking at her wistfully, "…almost, you persuade me to believe in your remarkable Invisible God. Your arguments are—most entertaining."
Si'Wren blinked, and hid her disappointment as she bowed again even lower this time.
As Emperor Euphrates turned away to discuss other matters with Borla and the Captains, Si'Wren looked down at the sticks of her ruined clay frame. The frame was, she could see, beyond saving. She dropped the pieces, and they fell in an irregular criss-cross upon the uneven pile of moist clay lumps, which she regarded for a long, silent moment.
She turned away without a word.
The whole camp was taking down equipment and packing it away as they broke camp for the day's journey. Borla's scouts had finally found a way ahead, through the thick foliage interspersed by broad grasslands, that led up into the mountains, and hopefully down through them again into the distant land of Noah.
Si'Wren inspected her horse's hooves one by one, cleaning and caring for them as she had been taught, while several men took down her tent and camp gear for her and stowed it away on a pack animal.