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Updated: June 19, 2025
Only swear to me, Aziel, that you will make no wife of her till the king, your grandsire, has heard this tale and given judgment on it." "That I will swear for him," exclaimed Elissa; "is it not so, Aziel?" "As you will, lady," he answered. "Issachar, you have my word that until then she shall be as my sister, and no more."
"Lady, I am Metem the Phoenician, captain of the merchandise of the caravan of Hiram, King of Tyre, and this lord who slew the thief is none other than the prince Aziel, the twice royal, for he is grandson to the glorious King of Israel, and through his mother of the blood of the Pharaohs of Egypt."
Just then their glances met, and in the clear moonlight Aziel saw a wave of doubt sweep over his companion's dark and beautiful eyes, and a faint flush appear upon her brow. He saw, and something stirred at his heart that till this hour he had never felt, something which even now he knew it would trouble him greatly to escape.
Aziel, you have sinned indeed, and must bear the appointed punishment of your sin. Yet hear a message of mercy spoken through my lips: Because you have sinned through love and pity, your offence is not unto death. Still shall you sorrow for it all your life's days, and in desolation of heart and bitterness of soul shall creep back to the feet of Him you have forsworn.
"This daughter of Satan spreads her nets," he muttered between his teeth. Then a thought struck him, and he added aloud, "Say, Metem, is it permitted to strangers to witness the rites in yonder temple?" "Surely," answered the Phoenician; "that is, if they guard their tongues, and do nothing to offend." "Then I desire to see them, Metem, and so doubtless does the prince Aziel.
"I know it, Jew, and this also you shall give me when you are humbler. Who taught you the use of the bow? You shoot well," and he pointed to his blood-stained helm, which was still transfixed by the arrow. "Nay," answered Aziel, "I shot but ill, for my arm was weary. When next I draw a string against your breast, king Ithobal, I promise you a straighter shaft."
"Till moonrise you had never seen this woman, and now your quick blood is aflame, and you love her. Deny it if you can deny it on your honour and I will believe you, for you are no liar." Aziel thought for a moment and answered: "Issachar, you have no right to question me on this matter, yet since you have adjured me by my honour, I will be open with you.
Scarcely could they have been heavier, indeed, had they seen a white-faced woman creep from the pit of death and follow them stealthily till they had passed from the temple into the palace doors, then turn and run at full speed towards the college of the priests of El. In the chamber of Aziel they found Metem.
He gave orders that she should be admitted, and presently a veiled figure entered the room and bowed before him. "Be pleased to unveil, and to tell me your business," he said. With some reluctance his visitor withdrew the wrapping from her head, revealing a face which Aziel recognised as one that he had seen among the waiting women who attended on Elissa.
"Can you not make war upon him, and break his power?" asked Aziel, with a strange anxiety, guessing that this price demanded by Ithobal was none other than Elissa, the woman whom he had rescued, and whose wisdom and beauty had stirred his heart. "It might be done, Prince, but the risk would be great, and we are here to work the mines and grow rich in trade not to make war.
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