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the Royal Treasury to this end； and how Master Osman was using this

opportunity to sabotage his Enishte’s book and punish those who betrayed

him by imitating the Europeans。 Black added that based on style； Master

Osman　suspected　Olive　was　responsible　for　the　horse　with　the　clipped　nostrils；

but　as　Head　Illuminator；　he　was　convinced　of　Stork’s　guilt　and　would　turn　him

over to the executioners。 I could sense he was telling the truth under the

pressure　of　my　sword；　and　I　felt　like　kissing　him　because　he　gave　himself　over

to　what　he　was　saying　like　a　child。　What　I　heard　didn’t　worry　me；　having　Stork

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out of the way meant I’d bee Head Illuminator after Master Osman’s

death—may　God　grant　him　long　life。

I　wasn’t　disturbed　that　what　he　said　might　happen；　but　by　the　possibility

that　it　might　not。　Reading　between　the　lines　of　Black’s　account；　I　was　able　to

glean that Master Osman was willing not only to sacrifice Stork； but me as

well。　Considering　this　incredible　possibility　made　my　heart　quicken　and　drew

me toward the horror of plete abandonment felt by a child who’s

suddenly　lost　his　father。　Each　time　this　came　to　mind；　I　had　to　restrain　myself

from　cutting　Black’s　throat。　I　didn’t　attempt　to　argue　the　point　with　Black　or

myself：　Why　should　the　fact　that　we　made　a　few　foolish　illustrations　inspired

by　European　masters　lower　us　to　the　level　of　traitors？　Once　again；　I　thought

that　behind　Elegant’s　death　stood　Stork　and　Olive　and　their　schemes　against

me。　I　removed　the　sword　from　Black’s　throat。

“Let’s go to Olive’s house together； and