21
Emperor Coracis let his formal upright posture slip as the day with the Senators dragged on, relaxing himself against the cushions that supported him while he leaned lazily onto the broad right arm of his wide marble throne. The fingers of his right hand, his resting hand, unconsciously traced the designs that were etched into the stone of the royal chair.
The dull speeches had waxed on longer than normal. He could call this event to an end, it was in his power to do so. Still, despite his own physical discomfort, he found an amusement of sorts in knowing that the Senators were also uncomfortable, probably more so, since many of them were older or of weaker physical stature than himself. Therefore, he allowed the day of speeches to continue under the guise of dedication to his post. T
