Chapter 4 of 4
Chapter 3
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Operation Coup Prevention (2)
Lunch time passed quickly. Karianitis, who had rushed in when
dsz he
lc re
ysgcei
jatved
i th
bise Empe
jxror
al's inv
dita
osatio
nn t
cmho e
xtat, wa
dzs t
rowold
rgl to
rz wa
qkztch
gj ou
wt f
yyor a c
bproup
z. As e
wxpe
hcte
sgod, it was
vt qu
fite
o fr
xust
qumrat
heqing
uev to
ig se
he h
lim hol
czcdin
bkdg h
jis for
yk b
ulan
wpkly
q.
"So
v… ar
lpee y
mlrou say
ling
j th
gsat the
ybrre are
jg pe
fgopl
tae p
zuklot
dpitin
dg s
vcaome
shothi
obng for
yh to
bqmor
erow
dm's mem
aori
szfal ser
fvic
njse?"
"The
cmjre was
i su
ykhch a c
uqnonf
cside
jnti
sbtal rep
drort
q."
"Oh m
zey God, wh
my d
eid suc
lxhh a
hm re
dlgpor
grt g
bgro d
mjaire
prkctl
py t
bo Your
er Ma
zcyjes
nty wit
zichou
ikct c
qomi
jng to the
ns re
sggen
its!"
The
ak ch
izubb
pmy Kari
tani
uxntis
wst hi
ltt t
vhvhe tab
urqle and
v bl
wame
nwjd t
uhe mys
xoter
fjyiou
usks i
isanfo
afyrma
uoknt. He
xhn ne
rver
bat kn
aew tha
xngt t
chlhe Emp
sero
xhzr i
ipfn f
blron
mt o
if h
bim was
p in
n fa
srfct thi
jsgs i
jnfo
srma
nnt.
"Tha
dot's
khs no
rt w
zzhat
m ma
ebtte
vqrs, Re
qgen
yt. I'm
omn gl
yad if it's w
fnron
symg, but
esg wh
pebat if it isn
nj't?"
"Bu
bst w
gboul
ckd i
pt b
peve e
nven
deh po
rssi
able
ti? And eve
dvn i
lxjf i
ut i
ois, Reg
qent
g Mo
wuza
jmmlon
eqq, w
yho wil
hjtl p
nled
vdge tod
neay in the
w Se
pinat
noie, wou
nld tak
de c
tzare
n of
qkb it
l."
"You kno
vw t
fhat
d my
dq fa
vthe
gr h
ras tak
ven the
dce ey
iqres out
lqe of
eia a few
el pe
upaopl
blje, don
pq't you
u?"
It
v ha
pond b
aeen
gmp 60 ye
ofoars
ud si
ysnce
rm Co
awnst
fulant
wzzino
vvple
r wa
mrps l
ceost
ndp in
vx th
jiae Four
rxeth Cru
ocssad
eje a
vtxnd the
qffy w
mgent
ccp in
fto exi
ulle. Du
ugwrin
xlrg h
gavis gra
jzndf
pztath
dber's l
jrkate
lmr y
sear
wzhs, and
q hi
jks f
oqsath
aer's b
pxrie
tf r
cteig
wn, the
kth im
hfzper
qaiial
a fa
eqmil
ky b
xqega
smjn t
so c
mqlas
brh s
gzulow
hly wit
xah t
kahe ari
qtqsto
jcra
vovts who
btk ha
jnd r
awjega
boine
umwd p
pxpowe
ojbr. The
pl so
gzurc
ee o
wf t
vhe tro
vgqubl
be h
lgad bee
wn t
to a
cscce
yuwpt the
i ex
uoeile
mdid n
xobl
hpmes and
i fi
xrll the
k la
tck of off
owaici
bmpals
h.
'Du
brin
agg t
bkhe las
ct f
kgew dec
yizade
jmus, man
qy a
gmgris
gtoc
uirat
dois l
qtieft
ixr th
syde f
lhsall
tyen cap
osfita
jl a
tuxnd cam
tqce t
ushis
exb wa
dgy i
fqn e
amjxil
svge. The
ey t
cpdook
f la
bsnd, ma
yde an eco
rnnom
adic com
xkheba
epdck, an
td e
wxzven
q ch
iall
rfeng
xoved the
acv im
rduper
mial
ltc fa
ymil
hky.'
His rev
vouere
ud g
nran
kocdfa
snthe
brjr i
pnte
nnsi
nxvel
houy r
laest
mpirai
dgsned
w th
bdue g
irea
pht n
pkobl
yes, in
mzclu
spfdin
oeg Mikh
guzael
po Pa
uilai
oolo
bgos
jw, a
nvn e
ornxil
ye a
wpris
ftoc
arat
few fr
owaom Eur
jebope
a. Theo
awodor
jhgos
[1], hi
bczs f
jmwath
fcer, we
mnt one
p st
kjep fur
azcthe
inwr a
jkqnd pul
alqled
upa th
yvceir
zru ey
tiaes out
zua or
n pu
wgqt t
zhem
hux in
xy pr
iiso
pzn f
yzor try
wzing
ubg to
lm le
crad the
n st
fvsate
a af
vfai
kurs. Of
qvd co
ykurs
igre h
le d
mfid not
zcd ki
zwmll the
qkm.
'He m
ptust
fqy ha
bneve wan
hneted
p to
rlc in
rqsti
all fea
zpyr s
vo t
yhat
o no
v on
wjme w
mzoul
pgqd c
yqhal
glen
rge his
vf au
libtho
gtrit
lrcy.'
The pro
sble
asm w
lgsas tha
yt h
tis fat
kzher
ka, Theo
blmdor
hfpos, di
vmed too
qpt so
cyon bef
rore
nh he
fa co
hxould
tt st
dabi
fliz
me t
gfhe sit
puat
kiion
gqn. And tha
sset w
ceas the
le cr
auci
icqal iss
siue. An
jrq ei
uenght
usw-ye
xnear-old
w ch
wtlild
gxx in
xher
xite
kd t
yohe thr
cone
fe, a
tlnd had
d to
am fa
fce the
quw op
xpos
oiti
bgon fro
qrm t
ihe ari
bcysto
kyrcra
eacy. Ka
rria
nnit
cgis mus
fdt h
jmoave
m kn
hogown
fnu th
gnxat too
uc, b
sut he tri
med to def
lhbend
z hi
fos f
qtcath
ner whi
ddle wip
woding
qh hi
csgs s
qwea
wtt.
"…The lat
jze Empe
ffuror
g on
bly wan
cucted
cqs to
dcr st
yoabi
rliz
ce t
lyhe cou
plgntr
tkky…"
"I'm sur
uee h
ve d
viid. Ho
xzzwev
lhter, be
mccau
okse of my fat
pubher
dq's rul
ye, the
azt no
wble
uwas w
xcill
ur co
dyunsi
rder
ys me
eu ve
ary ste
irgrn and
qah in
jtim
vyyida
fktin
mkcg. Bec
hrwaus
jxe I'm my fat
zher
lfw's son
ajp. Rege
mytnt, th
keere
q's no way
qtr yo
gbu d
vkhon't k
jnow
psc it
y."
On
xzly the
fln d
isvid Kar
tehian
eiti
bs t
npnhin
ck h
qward
y an
ewvd a
yfhsk Las
lfqkar
beis as if to con
xtfir
ym s
cyyome
xthi
nvng.
"Did
c yo
gu s
bray thi
eys t
cpo Mouz
yealo
xn? He's n
gjot a m
ban to qui
drsetl
ly g
to t
po t
zhe Sen
pcate
dsm af
nkpter
p he
nari
qrfng suc
rvmh a
h st
xrory
mw."
"I di
bd n
rbot tel
ntxl h
zmmim bec
vcdaus
pnye t
sbhin
hgs cou
nld lea
pk o
nr g
aet cra
hezy. My
g fa
jthe
cjr o
axkn h
htis sic
skbe
lxud a
qidvi
pwsed
h me
xxo to
jy ta
jmlk to you
ouo if
z th
kkeere
wy wa
pss a
ptbnyt
rhin
ftg t
bo d
zisc
sfguss
lrm in
qh de
fertai
tyl."
"I s
kee. We
olll don
xge."
His fat
rher
f ha
pcd n
tuteve
brr s
kaid
yj su
jymch a t
zrhin
pvlg. How
gieve
rtr, the
t wo
urrds
h of
jed th
se e
kqigh
qdmt-y
tmcear
u-ol
ved Empe
aferor
ie so
cyund
pbzed cre
gdib
gle onl
rry w
krnhen
fef he
q ha
qmd t
lpnhe aut
hfvhor
agyity
p of
f hi
zfs f
oath
der.
"As exp
iyect
qed, th
me c
nlev
cern
tess
z of
sj La
gska
xumris
ssd' b
kloo
yisdli
xdene see
lms unc
doehan
xamged
ir. If y
fujou lea
bve it to me rat
bfher
go th
jan the
qo in
nwdec
zisi
dlpve Mou
kzal
ton, I wil
igl p
shfrep
oeare
na ri
hgjght
lyt aw
gay. Li
zke tak
hkning
gl co
lcwntr
bol of a l
dnegi
uon and
z pr
ynuepa
irin
zezg f
sokor eme
uqrge
pwlnci
ies. Th
bzat's w
jqhat
gh I mea
xfpn."
"Loo
vyyk a
vcwt m
tre."
Putt
qing
ir hi
iis f
cbqork
tk an
ed s
vipoo
rjn d
bown
l, Kari
gsani
bctis
n lo
xoke
gd u
blp. Las
kakar
crnis nod
jded
m in
tgb ag
gvtree
ugmen
wkt w
ktith
et th
ue r
tege
xqwnt.
"The
ulb Lo
utzrd's w
kill
gqs is
bp my
o wi
fll. Ma
ake sur
whwe t
jsdhe leg
xjfion
zd of
zfic
ilers
s ar
ale o
hn t
fhe loo
ukou
det a
pnd kee
lp a
crdn e
zye on the
fi le
xagio
en. Kee
pwhp t
kpell
aing
a th
qqe s
sold
emsier
rs I tr
lust
fgu th
trem."
"I wil
kl d
jyyo a
qrs y
fdrou say
snz. Alth
xioug
emdh t
adhe nam
we o
wf t
fhe off
cice
yvtrs may
p no
ragt b
spe k
wobnow
sn, Las
lowkar
zshis and
yx Va
hwtat
yptzes
mtz ar
bube s
klktil
zcl s
kzxymb
dols
fw of
lo re
hvgver
rjtenc
czee t
qzo t
nhe fam
gdlili
ies of the
ct ci
yqvil
xjian
ho so
qcnldi
gdters
o. It w
uill
bp he
jlp."
"Al
qrl r
wigh
jwt. If any
jthi
xxng hap
cvxpen
ijzs t
nzvo t
crjhe mon
sfcast
aqery
v, w
fe w
sgxill
v ha
buve to mov
phfe r
kgzigh
vpt a
wway
dmk. Shou
uld we pre
opar
yve s
abfcou
xts in adv
panc
ce?"
Kari
utani
wrdtis
b, w
stho had
h be
kpen los
zt i
qcn t
tlhou
bght
u fo
yr a
rul wh
htile
rxi, o
jfeffe
rsrred
p a bet
ilter
lz al
acter
odgnat
ufaive
odt.
"It
h wo
buld
f ta
hke tim
ne, and
i de
dqplo
nyin
eag s
auecou
qts cou
bmld rev
oeeal
w th
fat we kno
uw a
lpxbou
wt t
oiehe cou
amp. It wou
tld be bet
dter
rk to
fu us
lcye v
hiisu
afal sig
cinal
cs t
uhan
mqf th
afat. If
yw yo
oxbu w
pave
y th
he g
lree
csn e
wagl
ne f
upelag
ek, t
gfhe sym
vgzbol
rgn of
l th
vyje Vata
litze
vffs i
yempe
etria
kl f
dami
mly, we
cyx wi
spll mov
twee r
pucigh
hget a
huway
cpt."
Th
ye m
hnemo
wria
snl s
lerv
ovice
g wo
fhuld
i be
sqf he
vgzld in the
fca mo
rprni
jxng, so
sfv th
lmye t
wtroo
lrps nea
fhr t
tshe mon
nlast
rhkery
pu wo
laculd
nev be
wu ab
fle to gat
rhuher
s ju
ust by loo
fxkin
kqg a
yt t
jrhe fla
xg s
nxign
ooal.
"I'l
wl l
seav
teke t
qhat
tk to
jq yo
hu, Reg
qsent
hv. I'm goi
kuwng to sho
pcw t
afchos
ewe w
xaho thi
iwnk I'm
joc fu
enny
off th
asrat my lit
tetle
bj fi
vnge
vgr i
wfss b
pyigg
bger tha
ghcn m
rby f
sath
mmeer's w
jais
pt."
It w
gtlas an inc
jred
anzibl
ebe c
qazomm
bfditm
lent
yn fo
dcr a
fn e
qwiigh
wat-y
ueear
ys-ol
qd c
tknhil
rd. Kar
wmian
tdhiti
lbs f
bbumb
zled
cx an
xcd a
bwinsw
izoere
fd, sli
byight
qely emb
warr
mass
ted.
"R-r
nigh
tgtt. You
x're
h ri
vght
d. I di
oedn't k
qnow
c th
tlpat You
skfr Maje
jasty
jjv wo
sculd
e su
dadde
xdnly
b ac
uift a
ybcs i
rkgf y
eayou had
vio gr
gown
ova up
f a few
ja ye
zsars
y. If y
scyou kno
rw s
cwnome
dsd of
s th
me c
fmcons
afrpir
hupato
rtrs, wo
igwuld
ofyn't
d it
ly be
rrf be
itte
cjqr t
iaoo i
fkcnve
ssti
jjigat
we a
and imp
ffwris
skkon the
kufm r
wsigh
dt n
vrow? Fo
kr e
fsfxam
stiple
nt, Pala
rbiol
xqxogo
zs."
Kari
xani
okptis
jk wi
xmped
cxi hi
ys s
wwea
mt o
arff wit
rh a
jhj pa
ple fac
ze a
lqs i
stgf h
ye w
mere
hm fe
qneli
xng sic
ldk a
qfte
sesr e
lati
cng the
q ex
hxgpen
jucsiv
pfe m
mtieal
zc. His rea
mcti
ron was
hkw mo
nztre rea
solis
gtic
y th
elan Mou
cbzzal
zon, bu
ilxt h
qme s
entil
ikgl l
bhack
fged cou
srag
xpe. He was
xp sw
ieat
cwing
n ju
rrst fro
eefm s
pwayi
kkng the
am na
cpyme Pal
fgaio
rlog
gos.
'If you
tr h
emeal
lyth det
kxneri
clora
epptes
ul du
uze t
cho o
cwld age
o, w
mill
nsp yo
vmbur cou
trag
ae w
qeeak
jqden tha
nct m
huwuch
zvi? Anyw
eay, I mad
qlue a
c de
ticis
sion
l.'
He
b wo
pfsnde
sred
pk fo
pkr a
rkb mo
bbomen
at i
vitf c
choo
hmvsin
aiwg t
sphis
bvs re
vgen
nayt w
yaas rea
iqolly
xmy th
cate r
lhpigh
st d
aseci
kvhsio
yn.
'Even
ypf if
bju he
fgn is
ijg go
oiod at his
k jo
vwb a
wnd at com
uvfman
ldin
rkjg t
fhe arm
rxy, I n
iteed
bxk so
xmeo
bsne who
ibm ca
edvn s
zihow
qo hi
kjcs a
ekvbil
uity
yp wh
men he's t
lrdold
ob to
w, b
wxut the
vfre's n
cuo o
txhne det
myuerm
pktine
vxmd t
vo d
qo t
ehat
b.'
Pe
kxrha
jgps the
xrp pr
slgobl
loqem was
llz th
hvlat Ang
welo
xeis, the
egt se
ccon
xad r
ngege
jrunt, wh
ydo s
yhou
rld bal
wanc
lke t
qhe two
sk ot
hhfher
nfv re
sqgen
jets, di
zdd n
hot rem
bain
rh in
jjs th
qbue c
seapi
xtal
hv fo
tyjr l
irong
h. Afte
abr f
yini
yvkshi
xng his
m me
ewsal wit
nlh a
m pr
zbope
yr s
pugmil
qe a
rrind put
fnrtin
dg d
ofown
i hi
qs t
nabl
jrwewa
ttre, La
nska
dris
lu as
tked
l Ka
kyria
xnit
pis.
"Who
b am
gfc I? Wh
ciose
jgw de
ocsce
xnda
eint am I?"
"…Are
hmn't
e yo
poqu t
othe Emp
gero
wwr? You
p ar
ce t
ihe gre
lpat-gra
indc
qghil
hd o
pef Theo
gxdor
eos I
[1], who
vzs ra
sxise
yesd t
dwhe cou
zntr
dxy i
zn e
fxil
wye, Bit
clbhyn
cctia."
Aft
eper tak
bbuing
ek a mom
btuent
fzj to
eji ca
qctch
j hi
txts b
area
xqzth, Ka
xria
sznit
bwis exp
mlai
ened
ra.
"Yo
fiiu a
hwre the
h gr
rtand
bson
i of
vax Io
wann
ges III, w
ayfho ach
ciev
hvjed a r
qzevi
lqval
xj in
zoo Ny
umph
maio
rxn. You
zi ar
hpie a
umwlso
q th
ve s
iucc
jess
plaor of The
nivodo
ypros
gf II, w
stnho pre
wrpar
bed for
gz th
emne r
fest
miaora
owtio
pn o
orf Cons
ggtan
pitin
ufyopl
xe."
He h
nad an aut
jhor
uity
g th
zcsat had
jo be
xgcen pas
nmtsed
b do
ifgwn thr
pwfoug
polh t
mrhre
esoe g
eene
gwrat
iion
tycs. It was
thv th
be l
gwast
e me
whsans
c to
edu ke
erep the
ufo no
etble
vs f
fgrrom
fn pl
oaayi
wing wit
bvh h
taim. Of
hqc co
anurs
qjge, in ord
zier to do so, he
p ha
td t
xo r
hwefr
wjain
mg fr
nfvom qui
mckl
ny c
fhec
nkin
bg t
ksphe nob
bles
x. His aut
qhor
hmity
mxe wo
levuld
w ob
cvio
owusl
aeay e
tvap
qqora
ute if he wer
toe t
mgwo m
uqove
tn ha
yesti
sfdly.
"You
gna ca
gn s
ofee why
xsj I'm t
oryi
wng to est
jzabl
mqyish
kaq au
tqtho
enfrit
izmy, eve
jn i
lf i
gbt's
ka in
y a hur
gcry. Ju
kcmst bec
jkaus
nzxe I'm you
wng, I don
cto't mea
vhmn t
mso c
pcomp
svrom
qvuise
q wi
qth the
ij gr
zeat
wux pe
vnhopl
wde."
Kari
xani
qttis
c li
xuste
waned
jc si
ylen
jatly
rj. Afte
vr a
vl sh
iort
v pa
luse
ezi, Lask
iuwari
uqhs c
wyont
btainu
ued.
"If the
ure are
aws pe
paqopl
pre w
ypho thi
sink of thi
dgs m
come
reynt as an opp
kjxort
xwcuni
qrbty, I wil
ail h
ejeave
r to
rv ta
hmke car
je o
igyf t
gihhem
q. Howe
jver
ocj, I wi
wvll not
cu im
kylpri
lson
xya th
iem wit
gpvhou
bsqt a
qny evi
hvxden
ppwce lik
zfe m
qty f
xath
aer did
let. If I do
fu th
kat, al
cul t
zzjhos
qzoe w
zcho alr
zead
zgy c
piare
oxr ab
rhcout
e me
kd wi
dll be on the
wth of
elzfen
esiv
qe."
Kari
sani
ctis
wdp he
fdxld his
wtm br
neat
wpoh f
npjor a w
rkhil
ne a
aind sug
nges
xchted
p th
zpat one
p mo
ngbre thi
vng was
uzv ne
ozbede
vyad.
"At l
ktyeas
bnt y
eou sho
kluld
s no
zt c
xapaus
rvke s
rqusp
keiici
gson or dis
gqitur
tgban
sce in the
t mi
zlit
pary
vj. Then
p, i
et i
es n
pece
ossa
vinry to avo
ypwid sus
sutpic
qdion
xgxs f
pryrom
tbu th
dpe e
hflit
pwde f
yami
ily mem
vcber
dds w
yaho hav
we t
pphhe rig
lht to lea
yqud."
Lask
dvoari
svss a
jislso
orb no
ndde
xd.
"It i
ues i
mzmpo
qossi
nble
p fo
mr m
wce t
qo i
zmpr
vgiso
bsen s
fuyome
sqqone
apl ju
wfzst wit
lh u
xnpr
exoove
xun i
ynte
iylli
ohgen
ice or sus
lmpic
tsoion
kvh. Then
jy wh
hat do I h
hxave
gn to
v do
f?"
Ka
wria
qbnit
wxnis loo
uehked
gxt at
t hi
titm f
gxor a m
ilome
cjvnt, an
ugd r
huepl
hiied
n wi
pzth a w
ghis
fjfper
zd.
"Le
xt m
ye g
eues
vis… Are you
rsq wa
lisiti
wng for
s th
kkbe c
qons
hcupir
eato
krs to rev
iyeal
mfr th
nems
zmyelv
oves?"
"Th
eymat's w
jhat
gph I had
rh in
mnx mi
jzhnd."
Las
gkar
bis fol
bdded
e hi
us h
iand
mlas o
mon t
cskop of his
i pl
qate
pqe af
teater
zla ea
gtin
xg a
ewnd res
pted
gsy hi
jeus c
vgkhin
q on
ij th
rjjem. Fo
krgr a
vml wh
uaile
xp, h
mwte s
sghar
xcaed mea
wvwnin
qhjgfu
vyl e
ryes
ys wi
eth Kar
oian
kiiti
zs, or Kar
rian
b fo
ntr s
trzhor
tbqt.
"So n
qsxow, wh
lat we hav
ioe t
xo d
sao i
vxs c
cxlea
chr. Don
inl't sho
pw a
ohny gap
kms, but
ns wh
mxuen we hav
uye t
zeho m
lueove
mp, w
uixe h
ftave
tsz to
l mo
qwve bol
gvdly
o."
* * *
10 min
kute
as l
fate
nr.
Ka
luria
tnit
his, wh
mvoo c
ucoul
yd n
got con
dzetro
cvgl h
toyis sto
xmac
xgih, lef
cxbt t
spghe din
olxing
bhm ro
pom in a c
wxold
eg sw
yeat
o. How man
eany s
uldtep
bqs d
rid he tak
btve o
zkut of the
et bu
ayvild
aing
th? He l
dook
qbled bac
fk a
fpnd obs
fess
vive
amrly str
cnooke
hhkd h
spvis mus
otac
mhe, wh
klxich
za he
m ha
rd s
qqpen
wwat a
nj lo
txct o
oylf m
mgone
dy o
fvn a
aolnd man
fnicu
fogred
nf.
"Hu
oh, huh
hw. It's
zl a big
y de
tnal."
Tha
yfnks
akj to
t hi
zs l
bfyow car
uadio
japul
rmon
vtary
d ab
jili
btie
us, his
e br
ieat
tvhin
gg w
uvas rou
jfgh and
mj he
hg wa
yvys s
euwea
mbtin
mqg a
tts lo
lxct. The
tn eu
agnuc
rh l
rdead
ygeing
z th
cfie w
efday was
t al
nkbso sur
ivpri
qsed
f by
cyc th
ae s
uououn
pld a
nelnd loo
vked
ax at
we hi
qcem s
oqntra
zjnge
xly. Ho
vwev
uper, he
a di
uxd n
nmot dar
auje t
wo q
ghues
hagtio
jn t
veghe act
hnion
fdns o
figf t
xhe reg
oent
ic. Kari
pmwani
jtis
p sh
dzvook
h hi
as h
pread
u wi
ebjth a d
reep
r si
bgh.
"Tha
ct's
e we
sgcird
oc. It's
wl… it
q's lik
vuce t
bche lat
de Empe
fror
ucz we
oxjre sti
vll ali
zve. A few
f da
uys ago
dhk, h
ye i
kznno
votcen
quvtly
t we
pnnt to pla
wy p
yqolo
e wi
tdgth chi
xanldr
cnnen of his
f ag
ffle. Ugh
g, w
vjzhat
i a sig
yn t
hmhis
s is
qrd."
Fo
hksr s
padome
tli ti
inme, Ka
firia
ajhnit
ujjis str
bwnugg
rxzled
aas to
xx co
hgintr
zuol his
hmd an
oxhxie
nty, wa
jtch
shing
um a sea
k of
v cl
ijoud
ekgs f
dvzlow
ring
t ov
xwer the
ofx di
vknin
pg r
bpkoom
x an
iwd s
wmwett
vlin
tfg t
eher
uyde.
* * *
The
c co
upznfe
rnren
kyce hal
zol w
jeoas ful
tol o
pf p
uuqeop
jqle. Th
pank
oos t
io t
xhe ann
fvoun
zcem
fygent
jo th
hat the
qre was
wv a sig
bwknif
wxica
srjnt age
xonda
l fo
wxir t
ykhe Sen
xate
vv me
heti
qsng, it
jq se
tueme
bkxd t
ozdhat
phy no
ylt o
qybnly
isj pr
lcest
eigi
zklous
kjl fa
orcmil
eyeies
pqf bu
vt a
elso
cxq of
ccfic
hrnial
llts a
pnd mem
bxyber
xrs o
bf t
jhe imp
ueri
wohal fam
lnily
nwh at
rtoten
pded
w.
"Oh
lj… th
quere
r ar
vege s
gome
d el
kdfder
juhs f
mubrom
uu th
moe Lask
agari
bs f
jami
uily. An
tpd t
behe Str
yate
lgop
xvooul
iuos fam
rily
ysv ca
emme too
lm?"
Mo
vgfuza
uhlon
al fi
exiddl
sed wit
ch t
kvfhe cla
bsp und
zwner his
i of
ymfic
sfial
rd un
qjifo
rmsrm as if ner
xgtvou
lgs. His
x be
nard
b wa
vs n
fiot eve
yan t
svrim
osmed
sja, a
dqrnd his
rm ha
kir was
e ru
rffl
hed by mal
mjign
yznant
adt cu
wwrrly
cd ha
obfir.
His rai
dqlsed
ed ch
aieek
enbon
caes wer
cbze t
iyrhe onl
zy t
khin
eoeg c
ebyorr
jaect
wing
fim hi
ns i
ampr
tiess
soion
y. Alth
poug
arh h
ylve w
oqeas alr
zead
fohy t
yire
vqd, he sho
euld
si in
hspe
sbct the
t ar
rjjmy as soo
jzn a
ys t
ghe spe
kgech
g wa
ls o
tovver
g.
"Af
nter
uoq th
cqe i
kunsp
cject
fcion
a, w
qtge m
dnust
a go
ibq to
w Ma
hwcgne
esia
qx im
gbpmed
mriat
tzely
sr. I'm tir
cbed of hav
maning
oml th
bkdis mem
jori
yral ser
svic
qe f
gbor the
yi la
dtte Emp
xero
cr. So, ar
uqte t
yzkhe guy
lrds i
gon t
qher
jre q
cpuie
yvlt?"
Ioan
rbsnak
nptis, wh
euo h
ngvad bee
zwgn a
acco
admpa
rncnyi
clng him
ltk al
rhul a
xmalon
isg, pee
rked
lx th
klcrou
hzkgh the
sx cu
erta
zjins
f th
cdvat cov
rzere
ogtd t
twhhe pla
ftetfo
qdrm and
aga lo
goke
nd a
vpcro
tss.
"I s
maee. It
sa lo
toks
mst li
tkhke the
svy on
xxzes mis
ysin
jtag e
phyes
n al
il s
vxbtan
zd i
uln f
kdron
kt o
lf e
gach
zn fa
nomil
yy. In thi
ts w
wivay, it
rd's lik
mye t
ohe Emp
iiero
nqdr d
yied
r on
ozly to pro
mivvok
rle t
tjhe nob
gcples
u. Each
y fa
amil
ply s
hyeem
ks t
yno h
xrave
qbt a cyc
ilop
ues."
A cy
koclo
vps was
cuf a one
w-ey
mvied mon
bsste
kwur. Mos
nnjt o
bf t
she peo
fvple
n wh
btto h
vmcad the
uhir eye
egps p
dhull
dzxed out
zlz du
curin
fg Empe
kqror
x Th
seod
zxcoro
ps' rei
kgn had
j on
kily one
awv ey
vlze r
lfemo
bqved
b. Mouz
bnalo
asn c
auoul
khid n
zot hel
zhp b
pwvut lau
idhgh at the
jb cr
ffceep
yoy t
rkerm
q.
"Ha
zrh… d
ozon't t
lgalk
e ab
xyout
c cy
mclo
ipdps in fro
psnt of the
zjm. Hah
ia, I c
yan't s
tatop
bg la
pszugh
qing
s be
fvucau
txxse I k
teep
k th
mlink
qing
wg ab
kitout
k it
b. Damn
me it
n. Anyw
bnay! At
g le
jaxast
m to
fdzday
awd we
niv're
jra go
jing
fw to
wss ha
xve a t
ttemp
vsora
mqry cea
ubse-fir
oaye w
tysith
svk th
tdrem and
z fo
pprm a g
uvrea
jezt a
rlli
vanc
qe. Eve
bgvn t
juphe old
qj me
mn o
vf t
pihe Las
dkar
ymxis fam
olrily
nnr sa
rfid the
oy w
gamoul
zjd h
rzelp
mp ou
lt t
mzxo s
meome
f ex
deten
evnt. Mik
rhkhae
fl Pala
ciol
ywogo
pofs, my bro
rthe
hr-i
xnun-l
psiaw, wi
gvll als
reo h
tmelp
th."
Wh
yat was
gcp th
eis? Io
aann
wmaki
zds d
ioub
oted
gn hi
acns e
gars
ffo.
"…Yo
zpuu s
dwbaid
ojd Pa
ywlai
sctolo
gygos
un? The mer
lcen
nkary
fwo co
ymma
qnde
kr?"
The min
ksist
hooer of the
agd Ho
zrse
l Mi
xqanis
imtry
a as
vswked
ass ag
wekain
ge be
svfcau
vse he cou
cxld not
zm be
avnlie
edve it. Mi
neakha
acuel was
po th
dqpe m
nxost
kp in
rtac
djgt p
uers
xrmon, wi
cvtho
sut a s
gkring
afle eye
c pu
plle
pud o
nput. He
kxy wa
ns o
ydef r
zktoya
oxyl d
wvesc
uhaent
dz an
ked m
zqdany
r of
m hi
bls a
sbance
kwsto
hrs wer
asge m
marr
djnied
lwk to
zgw th
xme i
nempe
qyvria
ipl f
pami
vokly. No
lqq ot
xrher
jbp ar
pxist
bpnocr
jvdat wou
ptld be mor
lte h
auono
nhrab
ynfle at thi
ks p
yoin
jpot. The
pug on
sly and
hic bi
wgge
jodst pro
ctble
dcm w
veas tha
qbt h
ihe w
cjas the
e re
vpre
ysen
chtat
oaqive
hh of
zkp th
ufe a
hnti
o-em
vper
dor fac
sxtio
rn. But
ofq Mo
ysfuza
fallon
en di
od n
raot see
ntm t
kso m
utind
r th
pxrat.
"Yes
daz. What
s a rel
mief
y to
rb be
emm ab
psole to cou
rnt on a b
urot
ocaher
r-in
nw-la
ypjw a
sgvt t
obime
rtos l
zkike
g th
ymxis. At
k le
emrast
mhp th
qfe Empe
hxror
h di
nkd n
ibot tou
zabch Pri
iznce
wd Mi
sdkha
uel bec
taus
xxe h
obhe k
mlnew
re he
gqt wo
gjuld
s no
hnt b
pfrea
hk h
lxnis loy
joalt
wy."
'Cra
wzy!'
Unl
ghpike
vbf Mo
caxuza
mnlon
bl wh
hpwo w
oktas rel
suiev
eed, Io
yann
eupaki
fs s
rswor
qlve i
vdcnwa
fadrdl
jy. Aft
prqer a q
juic
qtk l
ejook
u in
fbsid
ysqe, Ioa
unna
pwkis
mnr pu
toit t
naghe cur
usstai
cns in pla
fmce aga
jwin, an
mrcd p
tres
hosur
rced his
qkj su
ezsper
rior
z.
"Yo
ju h
wzad a d
lisc
duss
ffeion
shb wi
chnth him
oqo ab
hlout
e wh
iymat you
wl we
ire goi
wecng to do, no
rwmt w
tghith
b an
iryon
xe e
xavlse
pbt? The pre
byvio
npnus two
ly Em
iirper
xsors
ctk co
duld
on't
hp me
pwss wit
mhah Mikh
gdxael
j, b
bgzut the
zay w
rbwere
ten mo
vre war
vcsy o
xf h
mkkim tha
rgn a
mmnyo
june els
he! Do you
it kn
eow whe
zire the
rwm se
qbemi
jvcngl
gray o
fbed
zuvien
yiit b
iuut reb
rell
uiou
cas e
xvlit
de g
phtath
der aro
ypfund
g?"
Th
ngois was
mu ob
dvio
esusl
jrmy a
vy mi
nsta
uhuke. Wh
ttfen he pro
drupos
eed a s
yzpee
vch to the
rd Se
uivnat
voke i
rn t
urzhe fir
qsvst pla
mce, hi
uqzs m
sbeain
llk pu
prpo
llpse was
uw to
qdp fi
qsnd out
ps wh
pmo w
lanoul
zod o
gvrpen
uzly reb
hsel aga
nins
hxft t
xohe Emp
jero
ynr, who
xca wa
hsns t
gkche cen
uter
x of
tf po
prwer
tv, a
eafte
imjr t
lxhe lat
jxee Empe
eknror
whl di
elhsap
qjepea
lered
l. But it was
q al
vwuso aim
pojed at tem
yeepor
cari
wjzly est
zwabl
nrmish
ying
o a tru
mhdce wit
jjch t
qkhe ari
lsto
kicra
dts so tha
jt c
fxonf
flic
afts acc
vumu
woulat
fqed ove
opr t
bhe pas
wnyt f
sjnour
m ye
hars
ec wo
cquld
d no
xqxt c
cfwons
qruume
xqb th
ike n
gitati
yvfon's e
gner
wlgy.
'No, it
e do
eesn
kg't mat
ater
h if
led a rea
idl c
nfyivi
urfl w
jar bre
raks
m ou
st. I'm
yg su
rre the
ro mi
fllit
lary
tb is
xh go
tyod.'
If a c
tivi
yl w
oynar wer
zpue r
ffreal
ggzly to bre
fkyak out
ip, i
ktft w
gmwoul
ad m
bncean
o th
kmfat the
fos re
mqspo
mlrnsi
yybil
ruoity
qv wa
ebcs n
mot on the
ib ru
nlin
sng p
ifowe
scr. And
g th
le i
guqden
mcgtit
ry o
tmnf t
ynhe one
jke wh
bro h
oad a h
uigh
pq po
vcessi
ukbil
sity
hv of
gra le
plladi
hng suc
lzth a
y re
zvbel
llio
in w
dcmas kno
ysnwn. Ev
uen now
xs, t
tvrher
re w
eblas a l
esot of inf
ozorm
ciati
non sta
ftin
rg t
qhat
mgk th
kwose
hde wh
xo c
gowoul
ted n
pot bea
er t
sohe gru
rjxdge
wk of
jhx lo
mcsin
zweg t
nhei
kr e
jryes
sg or
h ha
qvin
nog t
jhei
zgr t
xong
bhues
x pu
esmlle
jaed w
pybere
d of
tten
g co
bpmin
tg a
ffnd goi
kumng to Pal
vfaio
clog
xos' ho
sqbuse
q. Neve
drth
ksdele
zhss, Mo
suza
blon
q wa
is t
rzalk
bjming
q ca
ubmlml
awy.
"Don't w
baorr
wy. If the
py a
mpyre tha
crbt c
paylos
llte t
zro Prin
kce Mik
thae
ql b
zut don
z't for
uxbget
sr th
rtweir
yfg lo
qfgyal
szty, th
ien we can
obg wi
rzlli
ongl
dpcy r
deely
s on
fw th
fhgem."
"No
a ma
cmtte
rnxr h
zasow hig
jhh t
jhe ran
lk o
elef t
chjhe eld
cvers
ydo is
veu, y
zqou mus
izt n
brot for
ikget
xjj th
wxiat Pal
vvaio
mlog
tos is alm
sjnost
ud eq
uual
dvl to
q th
ye Empe
oror
msb. Ha, I'd
kbp li
oke to get
ueu ri
dud o
abf m
rayost
osw se
vnnat
bxors
zum. But if we mak
dlee a
u mi
ezsta
zske, we
s ma
iy b
sre a
xytta
hnycke
wld a
knd del
oibe
pyrat
hgkely
cku th
krea
xyften
aeed for
uc re
bvea
pwvlin
hldg t
khat
e we
pb ar
arde d
list
hhrus
paytfu
bcwl."
Mouz
zalo
rn b
xcxlat
ulant
bly exp
dfres
qxsed
e hi
ffqs u
avnwi
vkdlli
tngn
swjess
ls to
g li
hgste
egvn. It was
b no
st j
kngust
j be
kcau
uyse his
cwl wi
jfe, Th
pmeod
bzora
z, g
buar
pant
emeed
zy th
sbnat her
mgw br
ayoth
viter, Pa
fzelai
subolo
ougos
g, w
jopoul
iwd h
aave
gec no
qeg in
qten
ztio
enn o
bzf t
grea
rson
rvl.
"Is
ln't
rto Mi
vakha
xel get
itin
oqg t
vhe bes
bkt t
kjrea
xtme
gnt in the
pgn co
kunt
hklry? Wh
hat wou
cbld he plo
ssdt t
trea
tjrson
leg fo
sbpr? He has
p no
r re
punaso
gmun t
gso c
egons
tvkpir
fe."
In t
hxhat
y se
gnse
n, Mouz
calo
gn w
fduas rat
fouher
xa th
rhoink
jbing
y th
uat Mik
whae
kl w
veas act
loual
cly cal
anmin
tqog d
kuyown
n th
buse p
pote
awonti
ial reb
jctels
m.
"Yo
gzu s
chou
nigldn
a't lis
yten
uy to
uhf ru
zmor
shs. The
sppre are
ky no
juble
pyss w
xho tal
frk n
llons
fvtens
aqke t
clo Prin
coce Mik
iyhhae
pfl, how
fn co
nhxuld
y I not
a kn
nxow thi
cs? But
w at
g ti
vmes
efz li
xvke thi
prs, adu
qblts
rzb in
bp th
rue c
vnoun
ltry
u sh
bvoul
grdn't b
ive s
hhak
acden. We
r al
hl h
dgave
xl di
voxffe
tddren
zcqt p
vhuurp
qaose
yjis, but
mxr ou
mpgr b
xvweli
hadef tha
hrt w
yte a
yyere ser
mvin
xg o
eour cou
dgentr
by m
lbzust
htg no
st w
yave
ebr."
"Of cou
ftrse
fp, b
nut I t
jrhin
xk i
bt w
geroul
pd b
alett
mpser to thi
znk abo
xnbut it a l
vsitt
bmmle mor
sse…"
"You're noi
kbsy!"
Sin
xce he was
ea su
och a g
dhjood
c pe
irso
pgn, his
zv vo
kmice
r wa
sis m
bkixe
yd w
zcaith
aae an
xxger
ut, b
ussut his
cu to
zone was
qja no
xt t
ioqhat
s hi
otgh. Bu
rvxt t
nxhat
r al
bbuone
pzp wa
blqs e
dvjnou
pgh to mak
cjae Ioan
knak
juis fli
dnch
kxs.
"Do
micn't
zcu th
upink
xjo of
m a div
hisi
cajon amo
hmng the
v na
ntio
scmn's
w to
qp l
ppead
ykmers
fhq! Don't y
pou kno
ebw t
zhat
oq th
pswe m
qore
j yo
du'r
qe s
gway
xpwed by suc
dldh w
dord
hys, the
i mo
more har
fm w
mill
t re
rrtur
jn t
qso t
fhe Emp
kkcero
ur?"
Mild
dtly ang
clry, Mo
ahuza
dslon
dlv wa
eved
krp hi
xls h
nand
lfr, f
rdlap
hpin
qg h
jis sle
jteve
kf ro
hugh
fluly.
"The
wycre's n
epoth
ating
hng go
jgyod abo
xfjut bui
ixldi
tng con
ufli
qgct now
esi. You kno
epw w
qhat
mle I mea
vn, so let
vm's sto
vknp h
nere
job an
qd g
gwyo i
ahkn. Cle
wdrk, op
tfsen the
zl cu
arta
rins
gjg!"
At
dcz th
sois poi
hqnt, th
veere
j wa
bras n
lteoth
ning
s th
zpe Mini
fste
llnr c
moul
md d
fio. Ioa
llunna
skis
hh sa
zpuid one
i la
cst wor
fjd b
pjefo
are lea
ctvin
jg.
"I ho
npe you
ko're
py ri
byght
zr… Go
uod luc
nk."
"I'm
s go
wcming
mkl in
pbh."
As
aug th
pbe c
tler
hgfk o
mipen
ted the
jn cu
hxrta
etins
c, t
mfhe hea
od o
yktf t
bhe reg
ucent
dns e
tbsnte
nred
kp th
ie p
tulac
le o
lof s
rdhin
wing
j gl
gory
p un
gjder
h th
vwte d
uyazz
wrlin
ljg l
ozgigh
ut o
bf t
jhe lan
qter
vns. Th
wke m
ekmemb
ders
hb of
v th
tke Sena
oehte, wh
xklo h
ibad bee
auin s
ntan
ibdin
sng b
ijy t
lehei
sor s
yzeat
js, wel
hcom
hdoed him
q wi
rth app
mqjlau
hcse.
Clapyzx cliizap clayip!
He w
kwoul
jd p
subl
dicl
wiy c
kvonf
joirm
ni po
vessi
nqgble
ewm ru
bmor
ks a
vbou
fwat t
qrhe imp
woeri
ikval fam
ighily
ued an
ywld r
aege
gnts
gvs, a
end rec
lcdeiv
le t
qthei
zr o
empin
yion
ks. Tha
svst i
uvn i
ftse
oumlf was
hsa a won
jssder
bydful
pae ge
ircstu
zhre. He
g wo
xruld
p be
jjv ab
jnle to ver
htify
fj th
pje l
ngegi
wtim
mieacy
dds of
ke th
mjee c
rozurr
ment
w go
teover
anme
xhnt. Ho
vwev
rer, Mo
syuza
tlon
ddb's tho
emugh
rovts wer
jjne v
qxxery
dxw co
jzmpl
rhhica
qted
tr as
ti he
j co
rgnsi
cder
fored Ioa
tznna
zkis
u' a
jrgu
udgmen
nits.
'Wil
dcl Mikh
oabael
gwv an
md h
bycis col
imlea
bpgue
mss r
freal
bcfly sho
avw t
xphei
xgr h
fost
xqfili
jty or acc
hxept
a re
blcon
acxcil
zniat
gion
uxw? It's
ri al
yrea
uubdy bee
in 10 y
ceear
as s
gzinc
xyxe t
che Las
lkbkar
zyyis and
r Pa
fzalai
cnolo
dvpgos
ps fa
axfmil
ties
dt co
xrnfr
xont
fzed eac
oth o
dkdthe
ngcr. Is the
bw Pa
aklai
auolo
hsgos
bn st
lljand
zoaing
nla no
lyw a
uxu lo
bygyal
a ge
ianer
yal?'
He cou
inold not
hmt fi
knd an ans
qpwer
wbj to
kk Io
modann
cfaki
zs' con
osncer
mdns. He
z ju
zst swo
gre and
svu co
pckmpl
flhain
ied inw
lard
fwaly.
'Dam
djn i
pnt, he's w
jork
ling
ak in
i th
kje a
jaddmi
kfnis
chtra
otio
pvgn, and
g ta
mlki
cing abo
gut pol
witi
scs wil
rl o
myrnly
sxm br
l di
usas
uter
s to
tv al
ykl o
qzf u
zas.'
Clic
lomkin
uumg h
vjis ton
mgue
n, h
pule r
fqrepe
ktate
mhd t
rhis
qqn fa
sdtlse
wyr se
olf-com
hfor
kt, won
edder
mting
h wh
zat wou
ild hap
ivpen
y. Seei
nhing him
r de
dxzter
izmin
uiued, Io
fann
pgdaki
ts n
fjatu
zgjral
tsly ste
eppe
nud b
kzack
lt in
xqrto the
kdv sh
fphado
xjyw b
czzehi
ppnd him
pyo an
nd l
ksook
pqped for
avxwar
tnd. Amo
dng the
oz se
cats
lbw of
qp th
dxte Sena
sedte, Mi
fzkha
lwel Pal
waio
iwlog
qdzos was
qza si
ncatti
flng clo
tbqse to the
fe po
udiu
cm, sid
tiee b
hy s
tzide
xbz wi
hpmth sen
arlato
rqhrs fro
nocm p
yres
thtig
pyeiou
eks f
hfwami
zlglie
ycks.
'Ever
fy t
uime
mb I loo
zk a
nqvt h
grim, I get
h go
vlose
hbum
obps.'
It was
m no
iymt a
v co
minc
mide
bnce
sgy th
elbat he fel
kt a
n cr
yeep
yxy c
srqhil
nl o
habn h
pjlis fac
hyse, on whi
sgch no exp
sbres
csnsio
ian c
ifoul
bjpd b
tmze r
fead
rab. Ioan
mnak
ojis shu
mgldde
dyred
c wi
dgth fea
cr t
hwlhat
wx he
nq ha
ord n
qmxeve
gr f
vokelt
g si
nnce
pru en
ceter
waing
mj th
ene p
irbubl
unbic off
sice
xt.
"It
w's not
iuz ab
iili
aatie
xrs o
imqr q
mual
lnifi
orncat
jgiion
fls t
asfhat
lx le
pd m
fe t
rilo b
gseco
fme reg
bent
p, a
ipfnd to the
ptd fi
mrst
rch po
eysit
hion
x of
s re
yiggen
bdt. I'm
xff su
vgre eve
iloryo
dne her
yze k
wonow
xns t
zxhhat
hed."
"We k
qnow
gm th
wat, ye
bs. It was
kw po
vtzssi
gble
vlx be
xocau
use the
hi la
pte Emp
lpfero
frr p
ohut you
r th
enere
jko."
St
fjrat
kkego
npou
tcrlos
eu, n
mext
fyz to
cy Pa
npxlai
nlolo
tgos
lqn, t
malk
led ove
ar Mouz
gdralo
lohn, exp
mqbres
musin
kvmg a
cdc pe
ckrsi
wmste
vvnt dis
bcon
laten
gdt. He did
tj no
nat c
gyeare
snn at
z al
umjl a
dbou
pjdt Mikh
efael
o's dem
kyand
fjw to
r be
nm qu
biet
dbo be
hzrcau
bzse he was
obs up
jqset
j.
"En
vgoug
rmh, Ale
nqxio
jas.
[2] The
ggw Re
plgen
jt i
uzs s
bpea
bfikin
bfdg n
fmow."
"Th
awat dam
ined
um re
odgen
jijt, heh
ne."
Mouz
malo
gbtn c
jont
hminu
rssed.
"I o
pqsnly
dym ta
rpke car
je o
sf t
puzhe tas
bks ent
qbxrus
kdgted
x to
x me
k an
sned d
fo m
qy b
zucest
yy in
ieh re
uqdtur
sn f
gdor you
er t
torus
dgjt, and
fr I thi
wnk the
icr sa
uiame goe
zs f
ryor the
xpl pr
fest
lmigi
xous
x pe
gsyopl
xie w
lho are
o pr
zese
amlnt her
le. The
jn, it wou
kfld not
s be
x im
bspos
vsib
kgle to for
emkget
huq th
pe b
ead fee
ledlin
buigs tha
rbgt o
iyfrig
klaina
womted
kok fr
gmom pas
ct f
oaul
vhtts and
r ha
ersh
zvnes
lcs a
heand con
ucen
lahtra
ute on nat
vaion
zseal aff
pfair
kvis f
umhor a w
mvohil
bte."
"Bad
qn fe
meli
lungs
xm."
Mi
ebkha
ttzel smo
jywoth
yed the
may ri
kngs
y on
z hi
hs f
ting
dufers
xl, r
uoepe
kati
jsbng the
oy si
yexgni
afic
dpant
gi wo
vrds
noo. One of his
qdj ri
vngs
qd ha
abd h
tis own
ckj Pa
blai
xmolo
rgos
cd fa
dmil
ty's
t se
haual. Th
jae o
qgthe
fxmr h
lukad the
gs of
bxific
xial
gr se
dpial of the
s me
iowrce
snar
ry c
gyomm
maand
zhner. In
qdc pa
ksxrti
ocul
sidar, wh
cofen he smo
coth
qed the
jdq se
xwqcon
bngd r
wting
qc, h
pdme s
eugtro
znked
gbk it
ht wi
fgth mor
mxxe e
bffo
nrt.
"If the
t pu
rpbli
grrc o
xpypin
rsion
m is
s th
qmgat I r
deal
gmly don
kk't hav
kte t
ahe qua
bclit
aies
t to
ziw be
xl a reg
jvfent
jm, t
hhen
jl I can
ys't hel
yrp i
vvat. Cho
qcose
w a new
e re
zajgen
bt a
npfnd pro
lxve tha
pbt s
pdbuch
q im
gblpur
ole r
lonege
jxrncy
jqk co
dbkuld
ei no
grgt b
te i
jn t
ahe lan
rbd o
vvrf t
nhe Rom
tdsans
t in
gw th
re f
sirs
nt p
hlac
phe. Tha
nmht i
mjs a
ieoll."
Mou
ggzal
ntron qui
ickl
byy d
oesc
iuxend
fmked fro
zm t
che pod
zcbium
y. Beca
ause
l it
z wa
ss a
c he
gfuavy
ul sp
jseec
nkh, peo
bfyple
zkf ju
kigst cou
hghe
ed a
dnd did
eq no
eat s
xtdhow
jqq mu
zbch res
kpon
hse. Ev
fcaery
uwzone
z's eye
us w
oere
hda fo
jtcus
dped on one
bcm pl
hoace
yg.
"Ah
gtvem, ah
pftem! Ev
nery
noxone
a, p
pplea
xise foc
ymjus!"
The
e cl
lerk
n of
t th
qe Sena
sxte fin
oall
rxy b
smarok
qze t
vsche sma
wnll whi
mrspe
tiyrin
ygg a
gcand pro
hcee
cded
p wi
pth the
c pr
akfoce
aemdur
rvze.
"…Hmm, ne
tlxt up is the
o 10th in the
em pr
juxoto
gbcol
k hi
tnera
wyrch
ay, Meg
drmas Kon
cost
tshaul
zuos
[3], wh
zo r
puequ
mdqest
dwsed the
am ri
rght
tst to
z sp
yfeak
lpi. Gran
tyd Comm
fand
rmer, Pr
pxeinc
qae Mikh
cael
e Pa
bvjlai
eolo
grgos
cv, p
jlea
mwrse spe
qqbak."
"Co
sijmma
hcnde
yjr, why
mms do
bmln't
rm yo
yu s
xqway som
jeth
ting
ow?"
"You hav
gfte t
zo p
xgrac
jyttic
jke i
htn a
idva
bohnce
bsb at
g ti
pfmes
t li
jhpke thi
txs, heh
xze."
Afte
rr b
fkjein
qg u
farge
pnd b
ky a
tpy fe
hutw p
ipeop
jple, Mi
skha
cpel slo
xwly
s ro
wkbse to his
g fe
nhret. A sil
nyqver
bsq be
bmlt aro
vwpund
s hi
ktts w
gais
adlt a
iynd nea
btly
lkk cu
lt c
mgqlot
mihes
ym wi
cth com
kjyple
jfbx p
matt
rern
gdss r
heve
syale
ctjd h
mis hig
fyh p
uosi
ktio
vin.
"…Well
y, I'm Mik
yechae
isl Pala
cnhiol
nogo
pcs. I w
rneoul
pexd l
rcike
zw to
dgk th
auank
p th
lpe c
mpmler
ksok a
fnd the
clh Re
tijgen
gpvt f
pafor giv
hvhing
of me
kml th
hvle o
npjppo
dwrtu
uenit
hxy t
wawo s
uhpea
vfk."
Mikh
kwnael
f, w
mho mad
pe a
vnf ce
srem
yqwoni
nvmal gre
qeti
rng, op
uene
ed t
uwahe not
mvhes he had
hde br
moug
vht in adv
sghanc
oile a
amnd beg
oian to fum
nnqble
w th
qtrou
ogh it.
"I j
tfgust
pwj le
carn
znked tha
bt t
rher
pae a
rfre som
jxke r
arumo
qhrs abo
jfut the
ld cu
rlrre
gont reg
senc
phsy. And
pww I cou
adldn
d't hel
qop b
equt be sur
kpri
npsed
z. I am
h de
kudepl
oy c
ehonc
oxern
cqhed tha
yit t
opher
ysae i
gsas s
xgjome
pzj ki
pvmnd of ult
xnteri
hozor mot
dive
nl to
dt sp
nrea
yjd t
ixlhis
pgv fa
dhelse
uba ru
mkmor
hi, t
rjo l
rgdoos
xhen dis
ijzcip
blin
nyke o
lnr t
xiuo c
urea
qflte div
lisi
oon."
Aft
ekwer tak
lojing
s a mom
ulent
ckm to
u un
awfol
md t
ulhe res
dvt o
spcf h
gxgis not
kvfes, Mi
gpkha
brel loo
qked
zoj at
hq hi
fcrs b
oqrot
rkdher
z-in
b-la
iw, who
yz wa
kfks w
mpatc
shin
kg f
vhrom
zhh th
awe o
spfthe
xr s
yide
z. Mouz
qalo
gtn b
dowe
hld s
ggdlig
hghtl
wgy.
"Our gre
dqkat reg
fent
ps h
ddave
cn be
xnhen cho
lwlsen
nz di
arec
ocvtly
lg by
n th
rsje Empe
wjror
gg. Who wou
ojyld dou
mmlbt Geo
varge
jk Mo
jfvuza
olon
gl's edu
iscat
hion
tq or
e ab
imhili
dsmtie
wss t
po w
zigork
eph?"
Mi
vlikha
nel too
wk a
mxi de
zep bre
cyath
o an
fad e
cpnte
fred
pxt th
wde l
hast
at pa
faort of his
raa sp
dveec
kbh.
"If t
nkqhe cou
mntr
wy d
veoes
j no
iqt w
xfant
iw to
lpn go
nr in
vnto ana
hrch
my, we sho
buld
b no
ikut c
ehal
ejdlen
page the
szl re
ammgen
yrbts. Es
spec
qhial
gsxly in the
zfk cu
ttrre
xpnt sit
dguat
lvion
kyx wh
zjfere
ep we
op ha
clpve to ass
mdist
e th
nfle y
foun
ewwg Empe
zror
hz."
A sho
oirt ans
lwer
lj wa
hs e
wdnou
wggh. Mi
wbekha
ttmel sli
gtoght
jly smi
htmled
hb as
t he
fg ro
tlle
xwxd u
kp t
vxhe not
dztes and
k tu
rpwcke
dpod i
pmzt i
dxnto
h hi
yjzs s
jlee
tpve.
"I h
dope
xy th
qat the
p re
qagen
lt w
rekill
mnj ta
fke car
ne o
jf t
kkhe cou
yientr
suoy a
ahs h
ppue c
wwurr
mhent
yfly is, un
omtsha
pkab
wjdle by fal
pse rum
bors
amn. The tra
yged
vly o
alf Andr
boni
ikos
h Ko
vrlmne
cznos
cqu[4] sh
tkoul
ud n
jro l
cskong
ler exi
ust for
pcs us
edm."
"That
pqm's cra
dkozy, da
wmn it."
The
m La
vfvska
omsris
w bo
dzgy c
toul
ifod n
rfot res
hiist
cp hi
ss c
wgiuri
mjlosi
yepty and
a dr
jagg
loued the
xu eu
dnuc
xih Iaco
xbos
wgv to
t li
nfste
dupn t
ro t
nhe Sen
dqate
l me
jseti
bddng. Th
mjis was
jzb wh
ygkat the
a Em
rper
mkcor tru
uzhly tho
fzugh
yit a
odfte
gsr h
mzmear
bbving
qnq th
ge l
fhast
aw pa
ehgrt of Mik
khae
owl's
yej sp
cyeec
ph.
Ho
ukuwev
efer, th
lyere
iud we
rre a s
ikaeri
caes of pra
vise
d co
jfmin
oxg f
flrom
yka th
tde s
clrena
cjwtor
pbs, as if the
duny w
xiere
l ve
vory imp
ueres
gvqsed
bp. The eld
vders
n of
wu th
rde Lask
feari
xos f
csami
gly wer
hve t
bnhe fir
scest to cla
wqep t
phei
xxmr h
grand
mds.
"This
c is
b th
vcxe v
berirt
lnue of the
f Ro
oibman
yqns! Joy
w in
f he
uctave
bn, pea
bce on ear
path!"
"Lo
gng liv
xxe t
ifihe Rom
nfan Emp
mire
mn!"
"What
u?"
Co
qntr
uhmary
su to
hk th
ode Empe
krror
g's exp
sggect
tgati
sons
eu, Pala
itiol
sntogo
ps a
dand the
im ot
xnaher
re se
psgnat
dpaors
yu se
hgceme
gd t
oo b
fte p
fmrai
ysin
apg t
lshe uni
yty of the
obr Em
nwtpir
ge w
yiith
tgy no
jji he
dasit
xaati
won. On
zfly Las
fnnkar
thbis, th
oe Empe
uror
a, l
joook
nfed lik
otse h
sfe w
lwas rea
sdy to sta
yb s
aome
ipoone
jni to
uc de
ueath
u.
"Ki
ibll the
ebsm a
yll and
cal gu
tt t
sflhem
iw…!"
Ia
cytcob
wqxos gra
eoibbe
vpd t
tyhe soo
nvn-t
qqho-b
me-n
zine
zpf-ye
qpwar-old
rz mo
udnar
ucch by the
ep sl
seev
soe.
"Shh, Yo
heur Maj
xetest
uby! You
ar l
jsang
pxuag
he i
krs t
xqsoo vul
ywgar
xv."
"If m
myy f
vorath
tker wer
he a
yeliv
cge, he wou
yfldn
oim't hav
kge b
xveen
q fo
xkole
hd b
xy t
yhat
uru pr
jete
snse
j, h
akjuh."
Wha
at r
yeal
adply pro
ndvok
xmed his
o an
rwdger
j at
sv th
lkse m
some
lnt was
z th
zgme d
tfwire
fxct men
yutio
cun o
yf Andr
lgyoni
bnkos
dn Ko
rtumne
fmnos
ff by
e Mi
tvkha
gtgel. Wa
vldsn't h
ie a
xjy ty
gran
yzzt w
pvho bru
mutal
flly mur
szgder
ied a y
nfoun
spg m
kona
jmrch
cr an
awxd u
asur
xped
be th
mvbe t
ahro
dcne!? The men
sstio
csyn o
uf Andr
snooni
ekos
pf he
ojgre its
gcelf
t wa
xcs n
oo d
tiff
eere
zknt fro
aunm a
b co
hrxnfe
lupssi
anon tha
kbpt h
upe a
flre
nxady
ws in
mten
gded
z to
hz do
vjk so
iqcmet
ihin
mozg s
ximi
snllar
yqs.
'Bu
yt i
vzs i
lt r
jtoeal
qyjly? No
duv, m
fcayb
sabe h
re's
dzp de
yncter
ouxmin
yned to suc
rcee
mqfd, not
uf en
xvd u
ojp a
ds m
zitise
zpqrab
nawle as And
mfdron
hoviko
zmgs. May
abe tha
ot's
vkd wh
jat he mea
knt.'
His
kp he
rart
c st
sart
ted bea
dctin
jpg l
pyike
tx cr
bazy
s ag
kain
xa af
tter
yg a bri
hnef rel
baxi
gcng tim
de. He hea
ord tha
st f
qtqate
veful
ggz ni
nzbght
mno's spe
bech
nal on
eaece aga
inqin. Wi
zfoth the
num sa
qveme con
gqten
zeat.
'Tomo
grro
uw i
xfs Sosa
ukndr
twa's
vf co
lldup.'
Las
tkar
dis' fa
ozte mig
swvht be ent
xang
qnlled
t wi
pqrth Mik
fhae
fll's
nw, b
hmut the
ivd mo
dvlst imp
tqxort
dant
r th
uoing
cxh fo
tr h
oim was
fu to
g su
ndjrvi
czve on his
ja ow
ofxn f
gsirs
sct.
"Let's s
apzee if the
lun tr
xcoagi
lakc f
nrdate
lv of
hf An
ndro
wwxnik
akwos Kom
cnnin
dios wil
publ h
iscapp
sen thi
xkvs t
fime
bz."
"Your
vvl Ma
hjes
gty?"
As Iac
ytobo
dxfs w
kas loo
okin
hlg w
yxorr
kied
dly at the
ahj bo
mczy w
fdho was
oq sw
ftept
j aw
gxay by pas
hsio
ln a
qbend say
wing
ci to
u hi
ewwmse
ronlf thi
pngs
pjn th
xuxat he cou
zld not
or un
lder
lsta
qsvnd, La
anska
olris
f co
mtldl
wy t
yhou
ojght
m th
acdat he had
m to
qrl be
ro su
dcce
essf
oul thi
ls t
qjaime
z, e
xnven
xre wh
bsen he saw
a th
zvre m
aan res
prlpon
kjdsib
ile for
k th
bjne i
kjnco
qrmin
ng e
pgbven
gts. He
u ha
pd a
elre
nqgady
j gi
tbven
ax up
qlj on
m ki
vrlndn
eess
udb.
'I hav
te t
go b
azse a
a mo
sdbnar
rch who
ikw ca
hqdn b
nhie c
uool
zs-he
iade
vd a
ppbnd ins
qutil
hl f
rhear
wq.'
He
rbj sl
tapp
feed his
gy ch
ycheek
ss a
b co
pupl
ctte o
tkgf t
uzfime
ds. The
jre was
nwg no
fez re
siaso
jn f
jior him
hck to
z he
ssit
rate
a an
bjymo
ifjre as the
wh ch
dyjill
a of
yy th
nse s
zqton
ce c
eorr
uido
yr a
hznd the
li he
guat of his
wqp ch
ieek
des m
lxhade
f hi
rqjs m
pind
e a lit
oretle
kbu cl
oear
fer.
"Let
m's go, Ia
lghcob
kos. I hav
ce a
e lo
wt t
tuo d
ooko t
phomo
iazrro
fpgw."
Augu
rst 26t
oth e
fnde
hd l
oike
ze th
eat. No
mw Augu
khxst 27t
dsh, the
hix da
vbqy o
nf t
ehe cou
oikp, had
fzh co
zkbme.
TL nnotets
[1] Lasikarljis' fabthetgr: Thhaeodsiloreicl II Laaskaorisn, gralndfbyathcer: Ioapgunneajs III Doujkased Vagsbtatlqzesc alnd grelrat-grafwgndfqathder: Theeodhaboref I Lasohkarwxois
[2] Alqgexiros Strzcoatejgopjnioulwszos
[3] Konomcstadulonvs
[4] Andryvonitbqkosq I Komflcnenpecos orzderled thebq asisasshsincrvatioon of themso Emhgperpayor Alenqxioslis II Komnldenows, whjo wiwas 14 yeaxrs oldfh, aynd toolmk tche thraones foefur hkcimsonjelft.
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