Emder's long, competent fingers deftly pulled the leather straps of my fancy sword belt into the correct position so that I might haul the buckles tight.  Quietly-spoken, Emder, an invaluable man who acted as a valet as a mere part of his many functions.  His neatness was of that unfussy kind an untidy person does not take as an affront.

"Now the mazilla, majis."

He lifted the enormous collar ready to wrap it around the back of my neck.  Now these ornate collars of Vallia, these mazillas, I had had trouble with before.  They are stiff with gold wire, heavy with bullion, ablaze with gems.  They poke up from your shoulders and enclose your head like a glittering oyster shell.

Emder leaned sideways and took a look at my face.  He sighed.

"Today is the Day of Opaz the Deliverer.  I know the processions will go on from suns rise to suns set-"

"And the damned speeches, and the ceremonies and all the rest of it.  By the Black Chunkrah!"  I said, most feelingly, using a hallowed clansman's oath.  "I ought to be well out of it."

Emder pursed up his lips and gentled the huge collar down onto my shoulders.  Mind you, the thing did give a weird kind of comfort for it would take a monstrous blow of a sword to cut through that expensive protection.  That was how they'd start ed in the first place, back in the days when Vallia was a motley collection of little nations all struggling for preeminence.

Well, by Vox, we weren't far off getting back to those ancient days now!

Emder began closing the fastenings.

"The people expect to see their emperor on this day, majis.  And, as well, it is the day we keep in remembrance of the Battle of Voxyri -"

"That anniversary I'll keep, and with pleasure."  The Battle of Voxyri had taken place outside Vondium and inside the city after we'd broken in.  It had taken place on the Day of Opaz the Deliverer.  That battle had given us back Vondium, the capital of Vallia, and had seen me enthroned and crowned as emperor - for what that was worth.

Then, and I own somewhat petulantly, I said, "And the empress has not returned?"

"Rosala waits in patience, majis, and Floria with her."

I'd left Bjanching beginning the work he and Deb-Lu-Quienyin must tackle to attempt to thwart this new and horrifying power of the arch maniac, Phu-Si-Yantong.  I'd completely forgotten about the celebrations arranged for today.  And, all the time the processions wended about the city and the bedecked narrow boats glided along the canals, and the bands played and the people cheered, all the time wizards would be struggling and battling, one against the other, on planes far removed from the gorgeous and barbaric splendor of the Day of Opaz the Deliverer....

"The empress didn't forget about the punishments I'm going to have to endure today."  I wrenched a buckle tight and the mazilla swayed.  My robes glittered.  I felt a fool.  "She took good care to see she wasn't here to share my discomforts."

"Majis!"

"All right, all right.  I'm just in a foul mood."

"Yes, majis."

Good old Emder!  A comrade, a friend, and a fellow to make sure the last button was sewed on the last shirt, the boots were polished to mirrors, the swords all held edges.

There was nothing else for it.  I had to do my duty this day.  This was all a part of being emperor, just as much as worrrying over zorca horn rot and the supply of corn and the new gold mines, and payment of the troops and education for the youngsters.  And - all the rest of that...