Page 15 - Microsoft Word - FANG EMPIRE - NOVEL.docx

Tegaza Ganju lands to the north. May you and your tribe prosper,” Kanja said.

GoGo could barely contain her disgust at her husband’s lavish buttering of Belly Pot’s

unworthy bread.

“The Istari thank you. Our loyalty will put the Zefferim to shame!”

GoGo turned to Sooth. “The Zefferim?”

He leaned in. “An order of monks so loyal to silence they would take their own lives

before uttering a word.”

Ramoth motioned to the king’s footmen to bring a chest of gold and place it before Belly

Pot.

GoGo could no longer hold her tongue. “You are far too generous, my king. The Istari do

not have the manpower to hold the Ganju Lands, and their box of heads contains the faces of

threat, not friendship.”

“Your gifts of land and gold will ensure their loyalty,” said Ramoth to the king.

“Loyalty cannot be bought,” GoGo said, “and our enemies would pay a higher price to

make us slaves.”

“They come to beseech me. Am I to be puny or great?” asked Kanja of the queen.

“Thou art the greatest and most beloved!” Ramoth imposed as he offered Kanja a goblet of

cool beverage. “More sassafras?”

GoGo couldn’t help but think to herself how much that word sounded like a hiss when

Ramoth said it.

Kanja took the cup. “I wish to impress my allies not leave them sallow.”

“Impress them with thy sword!” GoGo snapped.

The king gave her a hard look. “That’s not your place,” he said.

She sheathed her tongue. “My king,” she said with a bow of her head.