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From: | Sara Santana |
Subject: | unaided |
Date: | Thu, 31 Aug 2006 11:21:51 +0300 |
After him came Khian, followed byanother of the
brethren and by Temu.
Yet step by step the pursuers gained upon
thepursued. He paused and from all who heard him there went up a murmur of
Youcannot, O King.
Nurse, rid me of this truck and give meback my
white robe of a Sister of the Dawn.
Yes, parched with thirst, panting, thin-bellied,
still they heldtheir own.
Let Temu,who understands nothing, deliver your
message. Look at this outspread hair sprinkled with gems!
Nowthose hands had him by the throat and were
choking the life out ofhim.
Khian obeyed, knowing that he must harbour his
strength. Presently Khians horsealso lost foothold and as Fire had done, so did
Khian. Let my decreethat cannot be changed be recorded and proclaimed in Babylon and
allher provinces. Now we have done with them, thanks to my prayers, andall will be
well.
The coffin was brought and set down before the
throne. I am but aBrother of the Dawn and as such dead to the world and all
itsglories.
When last I heard of him he was at the Court of
Tanis,and, it was said, in prison.
Would you anger the Great King from whom you askso
much?
She loathed its pomps andceremonies and its staring
crowds. They were pursued, and the race for life began.
I could not stop thehorse, so I slid over its tail
and ran back towards you.
They ate a little food, dates for the most part,
and drank muchwater. Have no fear, Queen, said Tau, all has gone well.
None of them will move any more, said Temu in the
voice of one whomarvels.
Then Khian fainted again, for he had lost much
blood. The Sheik turned to the right and ranalong its base where the shadows were
thick. Only Mir-bel did not smile; indeed, helooked angry.
He rose, hesitated, then of a sudden fled away
affrightedand vanished into the huts. Would that he had choked before his throat
shaped them.
Nefra sat herself down and for a while there was
silence.
As he camethere he heard a shout of Help! Nurse,
rid me of this truck and give meback my white robe of a Sister of the
Dawn.
Khian felt himselfseized and thrown rather than
helped on to one of the horses.
Following the Sheik, who turned this way and that,
they ran on.
But now these were hard upon their prey; scarce
abowshot behind indeed. Would you put me to shame and cause me tofail in my trust,
making my name a hissing and a reproach? Glancinground he saw Temu upon another
horse, also the Arabs leaping to theirsaddles.
Or shall I make you so, who are bringing us allto
death?
Yes, parched with thirst, panting, thin-bellied,
still they heldtheir own. Once I was named Abeshu, the eldest lawful son of
hisMajesty of Babylon. Khian reeled against the rocky side of the pass, supporting
himselfthere, helpless and unarmed.
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