The former government army colonel laughed arrogantly and derisively, as if he were seated in the most expensive theater seat enjoying a farce up close, rather than standing in the center of the Great Assembly Hall, on trial under the watchful eyes of many.
Anxiety and unease began to spread among the "freemen," who, despite remaining silent, unconsciously changed their posture frequently: undoing buttons, shifting positions, lowering the left leg and raising the right.
To the freemen, Colonel Sanel's laughter was unbearably grating.
However, the more arrogant and dismissive he was, the more anxious he made them feel.
Yet, Colonel Skur Meklen was unmoved, not even bothering to strike the gavel to stop Sanel's antics.
He waited calmly and patiently for his old classmate to finish his show.
"I want to know." Sanel, finally calming down, wiped his tears, his mouth still curved up: "What power has summoned me here."
