Leo, looking strangely calm and happy, lay now upon a couch, the arms folded on his breast. When the priests had tramped away carrying their royal burden, Ayesha, who sat by his body brooding, seemed to awake, for she rose and said—
I need a messenger, and for no common journey, since he must search out the habitations of the Shades,
and she turned herself towards Oros and appeared to look at him.
Now for the first time I saw that priest change countenance a little, for the eternal smile, of which even this scene had not quite rid it, left his face and he grew pale and trembled.
Thou art afraid,
she said contemptuously. Be at rest, Oros, I will not send one who is afraid. Holly, wilt thou go for me—and him?
Aye,
I answered. I am weary of life and desire no other end. Only let it be swift and painless.
She mused a while, then said—
Nay, thy time is not yet, thou still hast work to do. Endure, my Holly, 'tis only for a breath.
Then she looked at the Shaman, the man turned to stone who all this while had stood there as a statue stands, and cried—
Awake!
Instantly he seemed to thaw into life, his limbs relaxed, his breast heaved, he was as he had always been: ancient, gnarled, malevolent.
I hear thee, mistress,
he said, bowing as a man bows to the power that he hates.
Thou seest, Simbri,
and she waved her hand.
I see. Things have befallen as Atene and I foretold, have they not?
and he pointed to the gold circlet that Ayesha had set on Leo's brow, Ere long the corpse of a new-crowned Khan of Kaloon,
An evil smile crept into his eyes and he went on—
will lie upon the brink of the Pit of Flame
—as I foretold.
