“Naked servants rushed to do their emperor’s bidding, pawing at Voxinus’ armor and
cloak, but true to form, the aging soldier drove them away with a swat and that commanding baritone voice which demanded respect. “Sit down, now!” the courtesans and servants scurried back to their skinny, shameless emperor. “Are you throwing away a gift from your holy emperor, Voxinus?” Kwisus asked, pushing away food as his face grew more severe. “We have been
down this road before, Eminence, and as always, I accept the tokens of your good will, but I will not overuse them in a liberal and lavish manner.” The general was choosing his words carefully, sensing a chess-game for power for the second time in one day between the teenager and himself”
―
Seth Hobbs,
A Sword of the Three Rivers
