The Satrap's Courtyard

Astra and the baliff passed through the door to a large court. The area was a court in both senses of the word. The area was a square enclosed by the walls of four rooms of the house. There was a wide area that was shaded by a canvas awning. There were a several wooden benches facing one wall. In front of the wall was a desk, raised above the benches by a flight of five stairs. The desk was large, simple, and well organized. A set of pigeonholes could be seen in the wall, with edges of scrolls fluttering in a gentle breeze.

Behind the desk was the satrap. He was dressed in a plain brown linen tunic and trousers, with a silk cape with an understated patterned weave. "This might have something to do with his office," she thought. The satrap was a short, dark man, with a head and beard of rough, curly hair that had still had some black in it, but was now mostly grey. He had his right thumb under his chin, and his fingers curved in a semicircle over it. His index finger stroked the top of his chin slowly. His eyes seemed to search Astra's face, sizing her up. With some relief, Astra noticed that these eyes did not dart lower. He began to speak.

"Khanomam, what is your name?"

She immediately answered, "Astra, sir," and then regretted it. Even if she were released, if Gilder's man could now track her to here, they would be hot on her trail.

The satrap paused, but Astra did not speak. He continued, "You do pay the court the compliment of swimming, unprotected and as naked as the day you were born, in one of our ponds. Perhaps that you have heard our guardians of the roads and forest, such as Gorbeh, whom you have met, are vigilant, and have placed your trust in them. However, khanomam, not all the citizens of the Polabi are angels, and there are many from the other parts of Hespan who might take advantage of the situation. It appears that you narrowly escaped one of them."

Astra nodded her head. Perhaps she was going to get a warning, and be sent on her way. She was hoping for that.

"I have some questions, khanomam. From which land do you hail? And from where do you come, and where were you going?"

Astra sensed possible trouble. Although the man was dignified and very polite, he also gave her the impression that he would not deal leniently with lies. But how much of the truth could she safely afford to tell?

Astra spoke.

1. Astra answers all three questions correctly, but leaves out a lot of detail.
2. Astra answers all three questions correctly, and also admits that she is fleeing from Gilder's palace.
3. Astra answers at least one of the man's questions falsely.

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