“Just so,” spoke the voice Imperial, sotto voce. Emperor William XXIII raised his voice then, speaking to the whole assembly. “Lord Marlowe speaks the truth! The Lothrians have betrayed us.” Looking up, I found the Emperor standing upon the lowest steps, one foot a step above the other, his snowy cloak trailing behind him, his hands behind his back. “We believe they mean to make their war against us. That they will cross the Rasan Belt and strike at the heartlands of Empire while their masters chew about the fringes. This we cannot allow.” Here he pressed his lips together. “What is more, Lord
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