“Eshmun was frail and failing. By law, no one could help an Elder onto the dais during a meeting. If the Elder failed to make it, he would lose his status. If he tripped and fell to his knees onto the dais, the others would have to drag him off and eject him from the chamber in shame. Climbing unaided to the speaking dais was an ancient custom. Anyone unable to do so was clearly unfit to suggest plans to the populace.”
―
Vaughn Heppner,
Gravity Wars: Interstellar Assault
