Oleg Boriesky said nothing, standing there in uncomfortable silence for what seemed entirely too long for such an occasion. He scanned the crowd from face-to-face, appearing both restless and discommoded, even disturbed. The tone of his voice when he finally did speak was the tone of a man who appeared bothered by the situation he was in.
“Yes…well, Mr Mayor, I am ill adjusted these days to the pomp-and-circumstance you have so pain stakingly arranged for our arrival. We are grateful, but if you would please excuse my wife and I and see us to our quarters. it has been a long journey and there are tedious days of preparation that lie ahead. Thank you and the good citizens of…Capaldi.” His mentioning the village by name was hesitant, almost as if he had to take a moment to recollect where h
