But there was not the slightest air of celebration from any gathered. Not from Oliver and his lot, nor from Asabel and her retainers, as they busily dealt with the other nobles that were housed in the Yellow Castle, nor from the Ministers.
As though to push a pin through that bubble of a bad atmosphere, the Minister of Logic, Hod, came dancing in next, humming to himself.
What a marked contrast he made from the Minister of Information, who openly wept, as he slowly shuffled through the corpses, leaning heavily on his staff, as he inspected them one by one.
Hod was gleeful, whistling around a mouthful of food, as he took the occasional bite of an apple. He hardly seemed interested in inspecting the bodies. He gleefully observed the reception that had gathered behind the line of Asabel's soldiers instead – a place where everyone involved now stood, after shifting away from the barred off corridor.
