Snippet #2398304

The Hall waas impressive. Indeed, the whole city was impressive. To the un trained eye, it seemed the city could not have been the setting of such brutal punishment such aqwaas rumored to take place, but Moloch was not untrained. Rebuilt buildings, new ones, burn marks, the lack of self-indulgent fools... These were important clues.

The Hall itself was different than the other buildings in the city. It hailed from a different culture, one that valued good food and drink, little personal space, and shamless whores over civility and subtlety. Moloch eyed the Khal calmly. A fool would call him a brute and while there was savage strength displayed, there was great intelligence as well. Eirene was currently sizing up the Imperial Legate, displaying miitary confidene as they tried to intimidate each other.

Moloch smiled slightly at the greeting.

"Half of my envoys would underestimate you. The other half would fear you. I neither fear you nor do I underestimate you. Besides I wanted to meet you for myself."

He stood there calmly, searching for signs of the other man's thoughts or emotons. Yet he showed pleasure as well. He enjoyed situations like this.

Cyrus, meanwhile reached to brush the Oracle's mind. He smiled dryly.

Next, we will see threats, boasting, insults, and grudging respect. I shall give thanks to the gods if they don't beat their chests.