Death was there, an ever silent companion. Like a shadow without form, he lurked among the king’s guests, and I could not tell whether we were ignoring him, or if only I could see. Yet it seemed, as I reflected on it, that whichever it was, I should be silent.
But when Death lingered there beside the throne, leaned down and whispered something sweet into the king’s earāI guess at its sweetness by the monarch’s smileāI knew war was nearing. The king and his counsel were drunk with thoughts of conquest, and I knew no joke to tell.
Tale Told 