Page 14 - Microsoft Word - FANG EMPIRE - NOVEL.docx

A laugh slipped through GoGo’s veneer of royalty. She coughed to cover as Kanja cut her

a look.

“I present to you, great king . . . a gift!” Belly Pot said as he motioned to Goban who

opened the lid of the box. The court crowded around and gasped. The box was filled with a row of

five severed heads stuck on pikes like hideous African jack-o'-lanterns. The eyes were bulging and

the mouths were gaped. The tongues were torqued unnaturally way out, sliced and flared into three

points like radishes garnishing a goat. Each slice had a finger bone stuck through it.

“We wanted to send a message,” said Belly Pot.

“What message is that?” asked GoGo firmly.

“This is what happens to those who are not friends of the Istari . . .”

GoGo cut her eyes toward him—two blades at his throat.

“Or our allies,” Belly Pot quickly added.

“I thank you Belly Pot,” Kanja said. “Your protection of our borderlands is a blessing.”

GoGo’s mistrusting expression betrayed the king’s gratitude.

“My royal court sends tidings of glory to the Istari,” Kanja continued.

“We receive your gratitude,” Belly Pot replied to sweeten his next words. “And in turn we

seek your favor . . . and thranery.”

GoGo looked back at Sooth. No words were necessary. Ramoth, seeing GoGo’s look,

quickly cut in. “The king and I have often spoken of granting you thranery. Have we not, my

king?”

“Yes, Ramoth, we have.”

“In the amounts we discussed,” Ramoth said as though distributing Kanja’s wealth was his

sacred duty.

“I grant you three hundred kemari, twenty blocks of salt, and permission to mine the