Then came a pause, and I looked around to see if
there was any sign of the two Queens, Nyleptha and Sorais, but
they were not there. To the right of us, however, was a bare
space that I guessed was reserved for them.
We waited, and presently a far-off trumpet blew, apparently high
up in the dome. Then came another murmur from the multitude,
and up a long lane, leading to the open space to our right, we
saw the two Queens walking side by side. Behind them were some
nobles of the Court, among whom I recognized the great lord Nasta,
and behind them again a body of about fifty guards. These last
I was very glad to see. Presently they had all arrived and taken
their stand, the two Queens in the front, the nobles to the right
and left, and the guards in a double semicircle behind them.
Then came another silence, and Nyleptha looked up and caught
my eye; it seemed to me that there was meaning in her glance,
and I watched it narrowly. From my eye it travelled down to
the brazen flooring, on the outer edge of which we stood. Then
followed a slight and almost imperceptible sidelong movement
of the head. I did not understand it, and it was repeated.
Then I guessed that she meant us to move back off the brazen
floor.
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