Part 42 (1/2)
”Yes, yes, it is so,” put in Otter, ”for I saw it done, and we celebrated a great sacrifice in honour of that wedding feast I would that we could have such another here to-night”
”Fear not, Dwarf,” answered Olfan with a touch of irritation, ”you will see enough of sacrifices before all is ended”
Then a new thought struck him, and he added, ”You say that the Deliverer is your husband, Queen, and these men bear witness to it, all except your lord hi more: do you love him and would you be sorry if he died?”
Juanna's brow burnt red as the ruby stone upon it, for with the exception of her black robe she was prepared to proceed to the temple
But there was no help for it now; she must speak clearly, however ht take her silence as a hint, and the ”husband” for whom she disavowed affection should be reht to put such a question to , yet I will answer it I love him, and if he died I should die also”
Leonard suppressed an excla in a new light indeed
”I am answered, Queen,” said Olfan in tones of deep depression ”Now, if it pleases you, will you end your tale?”
”There is not h of relief, for this cross-examination as to her exact relations with Leonard had been so ”The wohter to Nao because she was destined to the Snake”
”Where is she now?” interrupted Olfan, looking round
”We do not know; last night she vanished as our other servants have vanished”
”Perhaps Naain soon Proceed, Queen”
”After the Deliverer and I were married, Soa, who had been my nurse forwhoratified!” put in Otter
”And said that if ould escort her thither we could buy ht with her fro the playthings, torh his own heart spoke against it So we ca and terrible, but at last we reached the cliff yonder which borders the Land of Mist, and it was then for the first tio back, that Soa told us the tale of the Gods of your people, and showed us that either we n to be those Gods come back, as the prophecy promised, or perish miserably Indeed this was her plot, to set up false Gods over you, having first told the secret to the priests that she ain honour with them and save herself alive
”And now, Olfan, that is all the tale We have played the game and we have lost, or so it seems--that is, unless you help us;” and she clasped her hands and looked upon hih he were not willing to conteed to the white stranger at Juanna's side
”Have I not said that my power is little, Queen?” he answered somewhat sullenly ”Also, why should I help those who caer of the Gods upon its children?”
”Because we saved your life, Olfan, and you swore to be loyal to us”
”Had it not been for you, Queen, er; moreover, I swore fealty to Gods, and now the Gods are ed Why then should I help you?”
”Because we have been friends, Olfan You shall help us for my sake”
”For your sake, Queen,” he said bitterly, ”for your sake, who tell me that you are this man's wife and that you love him to the death Nay, this is much to ask Had it been otherwise, had you been unwed and willing to look uponof this land, with favour, then doubtless I had died for your sake if there were need But now--! Have you then no better reasons to shohy I should risk my life for you and for these , and if they are not enough, then leave us to our fate, and let us, who must prepare to die, waste no more breath in words The first is that we are your friends and have trusted you, saving your life at the danger of our own and telling you this tale of our own free will Therefore in the name of friendshi+p, which you should hold sacred, who are no co, we demand your help, ho have put our lives in the hollow of your hand, knowing that you are of noble mind and will not betray us
”The second is that our interest is your interest: we strive against Nam and the priests, and so do you If Nam conquers us to-day, to-s we must feel, shall in days to come feed upon you also Now is the hour of destiny for you and your descendants: cling to us and break the yoke of Nam and the priests, or desert us and bind that yoke upon your shoulders to your dooht awhile and answered:
”Truly your s such as our woe of You should have ruled this country and not I, for then by now Naed his daily bread at the gates of your palace, and the priests his servants had become the hewers of your wood and the drawers of your water But I will not talk to you of policy, for time is short Nay, I will deal with your first reason and that alone