Page 17 - Microsoft Word - FANG EMPIRE - NOVEL.docx

“I do not bow to dogs,” he whispered to Goban.

Overhearing the nasty remark, the queen’s eyes narrowed like a panther tracking its prey.

She motioned silently to her tall, Sudanese bodyguard, Okat, who had also heard the insult. He

pulled his dagger.

“Okat!” Kanja said, and then shook his head. Okat sheathed his blade and the queen was

stained with humiliation. She looked back at Sooth and nodded. The mystical man rose from his

seat and walked out into the royal court following Belly Pot through the crowd. GoGo turned to

Kanja.

“You would allow one you have thraned to call your queen a dog?

“If I killed every man who thought of you that way, I would have no allies.”

“I may not be the Jewel of the Nile but I am thy queen. An insult to me is an insult to

thee.”

“You bring it on yourself, GoGo. You show no grace to the gifter. You damn him with

your eyes. You breed resentment with those whom we wish to have kinship.” Kanja’s words

punished her.

“Should the queen of Timbuktu be impressed with trifles from the hand of a hoodlum? If

there is resentment it will be because of our weakness not our strength.”

“Our allies think you are vexed. They call you a stone in my crown of jewels. You have no

appreciation for the art of statecraft.”

“There can be no state without the art of war,” she said. “I only seek to serve my king with

insight and advice . . . ” She glared at Ramoth. “Untainted by sassafras and the honey tongue.”

Ramoth’s nostrils flared, his dark eyes rolled, and his lips pursed silently cursing her.

“Ramoth, I wish to speak to my wife,” Kanja said.

Reluctantly, Ramoth bowed and walked away.

Kanja softened. “I know you only wish to shield me from the hazards of the crown. As

outspoken as you may be, you are a model of devotion and loyalty. And you have the self-