18. Storm Of The Sacred Mountain

           Now,fromwherewestoodtogetherjustbelowthecrestoftheSacredMountain,wecouldseedownintothecity,whichlayspreadoutbelowuslikeamap.Theharbourandthegreatestuarygleamedatitsfartherside;andthefringeofhillsbeyondsmokedandfumedintheiraccustomedfashion;thegreatstonecircleofourLordtheSunstoodupgrimandbareinthemiddleofthecity;andnearerinrearedupthegreatmassoftheroyalpyramid,thegoldonitssidescatchingnewgoldfromtheSun.There,too,inthesquarebeforethepyramidstoodthethroneofgranite,dwarfedbythedistancetothesizeofamole’shill,inwhichthesenineyearsmylovehadlainsleeping.

           OldZaemonfollowedmygaze.“Ay,”hesaidwithasigh,“Iknowwhereyourchiefinterestis.DeucalionwhenhelandedherenewfromYucatanwasastrongman.TheKingwhomwehavechosen—andwhoisthebestwehavetochoose—hashisweakness.”

           “Itcanbeturnedintoadditionalstrength.GivemeNaishere,livingandwarmtofightfor,andIamastrongermanbyfarthanthecoldviceroyandsoldierthatyouspeakabout.”

           “Ihavepassedmywordtothatalready,andyoushallhaveher,butatthecostofdamagingsomewhatthisnewkingdomofyours.MaybetooatthesametimewemayridyouofthisPhoreniceandherbrood.ButIdonotthinkitlikely.Sheistoowily,andoncewebeginourplay,sheislikelytoguesswhenceitcomes,andhowitwillend,andsowillmakeanescapebeforeharmcanreachher.