Page 19 - Microsoft Word - FANG EMPIRE - NOVEL.docx

Belly Pot waded through the crowd and after some pushing and help from Goban, he stood

before Prince Omar. He bowed unctuously.

“Prince Omar, I bring you greetings from—”

But the prince breezed past him like an ocean wave over a turtle, with hardly a glance.

Onlookers saw the snub and tried to contain their snickers . . . without success. Belly Pot,

humiliated, turned to leave, but Sooth was there.

“Ambassador, I am Sooth, the queen’s alchemist,” he said with a benevolent nod.

“I know who you are, alchemist. I have not given you permission to speak to me.”

“The queen sends me to express that she did not show the proper gratitude to you for your

gift. A man of your stature and thranery deserves better. I offer the hand of friendship,” Sooth said

and extended his right hand.

“Apologize first,” Belly Pot said.

“With apologies,” Sooth bowed his head to conceal his disdain.

Belly Pot begrudgingly shook Sooth’s hand then attempted to pull it away just as quickly.

But Sooth’s grip tightened as he folded his left hand over the handshake. On the end of Sooth’s

left index finger was a finely detailed metal thimble with a sharpened tip which he used to scratch

the back of Belly Pot’s hand ever so slightly. The man didn’t even notice. Sooth released him.

Belly Pot sneered. “Next time I won’t be so forgiving!” He swaggered away. Goban gave

Sooth a demeaning look and followed Belly Pot toward the exit. Sooth watched them, and then

looked over at Daka, the muscular captain of the royal guard. Their eyes met in silent

communication just as Omar walked over.

“My prince,” Daka said, and bowed.

Omar looked down at Daka’s magnificent sword and its stunningly crafted serpent head

hilt. He saw an irregularity.

“You cleaved the hilt of your sword. Did you think I would not notice?”

“You have the eye of a warrior,” replied Daka. “I expect nothing less. What I did not

expect is that you would have cut short your hunting expedition and noticed now, during the