Volume Iii Part 41 (2/2)

”And my sea-brothers have taken a great dislike to thy sticks and tablets and runes. Farewell, then, Rome-King of the Goths! May thy good-fortune endure! Farewell, lovely Queen of Night! Farewell, all you heroes! we shall meet again in Walhalla, if not sooner.”

And after taking a short leave, the northerners walked away.

Haralda threw her falcon into the air.

”Fly before us, Snotr--on deck!”

And the intelligent bird flew away, swift as an arrow, straight down the river.

The King and Valeria accompanied their guests halfway down the staircase; there they exchanged the last greetings. The Amazon cast one more rapid glance at Totila.

Harald remarked it, and as they descended the last steps he whispered:

”Little sister, it is on thy account that I left so quickly. Do not grieve about this handsome King. Thou knowest that I have inherited from our father the gift of recognising men who are fated to die. I tell thee, death by the spear hovers over this King's sunny head. He will not again see the changing of the moon.”

At this the strong and tender-hearted woman forced back the tears which rose into her proud eyes.

Duke Guntharis, Earl Teja, and Duke Adalgoth accompanied the Goths to their boats on the Tiber, and waited until they had put off.

Teja looked after them gravely.

”Yes, King Frode is wise,” he said. ”But folly is often sweeter than truth; and grander. Go back to the terrace without me, Duke Guntharis.

I see the King's despatch-boat coming up the river. I will wait and see what news it brings.”

”I will wait with thee, my master,” said Adalgoth, looking at Teja anxiously. ”Thy countenance is so terribly grave. What is the matter?”

”I have a foreboding, my Adalgoth,” answered Teja, putting his arm round the youth's neck. ”See how rapidly the sun sets. I shudder! Let us go and meet the boat--it will land below there, where lie the ancient marble columns.”

Totila and Valeria had returned to the pavilion.

”Wert thou moved, my beloved,” asked the Roman girl with emotion, ”by what that stranger said? It was--Guntharis and Teja explained it to me--of very grave import.”

But Totila quickly raised his head.

”No, Valeria, it did not move me! I have taken great Theodoric's great work upon my shoulders. I will live and die for the dream of my youth, for my kingdom! Come--where is Adalgoth, my cup-bearer? Come; let us once more pledge a cup, Valeria--let us drink to the good fortune of the Gothic kingdom!”

And he lifted up his cup; but before he could put it to his lips, Adalgoth, with a loud call, hurried up the steps followed by Teja.

”King Totila,” cried Adalgoth breathlessly, ”prepare to hear terrible news; collect thyself----”

Totila set down his cup and asked, turning pale:

”What has happened?”

”Thy despatch-boat has brought news from Ancona. The Emperor has broken the armistice--he has----”

Teja had now drawn near. He was pale with fury.

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