was perplexed at how a party of them came to be allowed in Nunami at all
under such pretexts, especially as they had attempted to bring it to
ruin but a few days before.

The King saw their coming and my interest in them, and said in a way of
explanation, "There is to be a council today between the Zards and
Canitaurs, with you present, of course. Our war has rampaged for quite
some time, but we are forced to peace in light of our impending doom,
brought by circumstances outside of ourselves. We will decide tonight,
or tomorrow, what action to take. It is a grim time, you can be sure, my
dear Jehu, when Zards and Canitaurs meet in peace, a grim time indeed."

He said that very importantly, with an air of fright in his voice, as
one who knows his end is near, for both him and his loved ones. There
was another moment of silence as he reflected on the meaning of his
words, and then he rose and beckoned me to follow him. We made our way
through the bottom half of the room and down the long flight of stairs
that wound down the great tower in the Temple of Time. When we reached
the bottom, we went again into the long room with the bookshelves, the
table, and the altar to Temis. Already there waiting for us were the
Canitaur emissaries, Wagner and Bernibus.

They rose to greet me, bowing low in a deferential manner, more out of
forced respect than awe, at least on Wagner's part, and after the
customary blessing that followed, we all sat down at the long wooden
table that stretched lengthwise through the room. Wagner and Bernibus
took their chairs on one side and the King and myself on the other, he
and Wagner being opposite each other, and Bernibus and me being the
same; the King and I were facing the altar and the White Eagle that held
it.