20. On The Bosom Of The Deep

           AtotteringoldPriestcameupandtouchedmeontheshoulder.

           “Well?”Isaidsharply,havingsmalltasteforinterruptionjustnow.

           “NewshasbeencarriedtotheThree,myKing,ofwhatisthreatened.”

           “ThentheywillknowthatIstandherenow,brother,toenjoythefinestfightofmylife.WhenitisfinishedIshallgototheGods,andbetherestandingbehindthestarstowelcomethemwhenpresentlytheyalsoarrive.Theyhavemyregretsthattheyaretoooldandtoofeebletodieandlookuponafinekillingthemselves.”

           “Ihavecommandsfromthem,myKing,tolayuponyou,whichIfearyouwilllikebutslenderly.Youareforbiddentofindyourdeathhereinthefighting.Theyhaveafurtheruseforyouyet.”

           Iturnedontheoldmanangrilyenough.“Ishalltakenosuchorder,mybrother.Iamnotgoingtobelieveitwasevergiven.Youmusthavemisunderstood.IfIamaman,ifIamaPriest,ifIamasoldier,ifIamaKing,thenitstandstomyhonourthatnoenemyshouldpassthisgatewhilstyetIlive.Andyoumaygobackandthrowthatmessageattheirteeth.”

           Theoldmansmiledenviously.He,too,hadbeenakeensoldierinhisday.“Itoldthemyouwouldnoteasilybelievesuchamessage,andaskedthemforasign,andtheyborewithme,andgavemeone.Iwastogiveyouthisjewel,myKing.”

           “Howcametheybythat?ItisabraceletfromtheelbowofNais.”

           “Theymusthavestrippedherofit.IdidnotknowitcamefromNais.ThewordIwastobringyousaidthattheownerofthejewelwasinsidetheArkoftheMysteries,andwaitedyouthere.