“It isn't deep," the Eddisian Ambassador said from the other side of the bed. He was leaning over the wound, looking critical and mildly disappointed. Eugenides didn't miss a beat."It is...too...deep!" he insisted, outraged.”

“On the bed, Eugenides stirred restlessly. "Upset at the sight of blood?" he said. "Not my wife, Ornon.""Your blood," the ambassador pointed out.Eugenides glanced at the hook on his arm and conceded the point. "Yes," he said. He seemed lost in memory. The room was quiet.”

“Eschewing ceremony, Eugenides said, "You shot the ambassador?""You gave me the gun," protested Sounis."I didn't mean for you to shoot the ambassador with it!" Eugenides told him."Oh, how our carefully laid plans go astray," murmured the magus."You shut up!" said Gen, laughing.”

“Upset at the sight of blood?" he said. "Not my wife, Ornon.""Your blood, " the ambassador pointed out. Eugenides glanced at the hook in his arm and conceded the point. "Yes," he said.”

“He waved at his attendants. "I dragged them like a ball and chain all the way across the palace and back.""If sterner measures are called for, we can find a larger ball and chain." The queen turned and disappeared into the partment."Oh, dear," Eugenides muttered as he followed...The queen's sterner measures, dispensed by the Eddisian Ambassador, arrived before dawn.”

“One cannot toss ambassadors back like bad fish," said Eugenides. "You treat them with care, or you'll find you've committed an act of war.”

“The two soldiers laughed, and even the king smiled. Reinforcing Costis's suspicion that Eugenides had been responsible for Ornon's lost sheep, Boagus asked, "Do you still baa like a lamb when he walks into the room?"Eugenides shook his head. "Ornon took me aside first thing after the coronation and explained that it would be against my dignity."Aulus and Boagus stared. Eugenides expression was bland. "He said that?" Aulus asked."He did," the king confirmed."What did you say?" Boagus asked suspiciously."I promised to bark like a sheepdog instead."The Eddisians chuckled again."You don't, though?" Aulus had to ask.The king eyed him with disgust. "Give me some credit," He said, and when Aulus was visibly relieved, added, "Not when anybody else can hear me.”