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Updated: May 4, 2025
So he went, and for the next two hours or more I sat in my private room dictating letters to Heliodore on matters connected with the duties of my office. The work came to an end at last, and I was preparing to take my evening ride on a led mule when Martina entered the room. "Do you ride with us to-night, Martina?" I asked, recognising her step. "No, Olaf," she said quickly, "nor I think can you.
Further, he said that I need have no fear for the lady Heliodore and Martina, as they were well treated in some other place. Then he led me into a great garden, where he said I was at liberty to walk whenever I pleased. Thus began perhaps the most dreadful time of waiting and suspense in all this life of mine, seeing that it was the longest.
That name was given him in the cathedral at Byzantium, where first his eyes fell on a certain Heliodore, daughter of Magas the Egyptian, whom now he seeks." I heard the sound of footsteps creeping towards me and Heliodore's voice say, "Let me see your face, you who name yourself Olaf, for know that in these haunted tombs ghosts and visions and mocking voices play strange tricks.
Be so good, now, as to repeat to me the tale of your life, of which I have already heard something. Tell me especially of those parts of it which have to do with the lady Heliodore, daughter of Magas, of your blinding by Irene for her sake, and of your discovery of her in Egypt, where you sought her disguised as a beggar." "Why should I tell you all my story, sir?"
But it may be that she thought thus to impress me and to enmesh me in memories which would tie my hands, or even from the character of my answers to draw some augury of her doom. The women came at length. Heliodore entered first, and to her Irene bowed. "Greeting, Lady of Egypt," she said.
They were those of Jodd and Martina, and Martina was saying, "Cease your words. I and no one else will go on this Egyptian quest with Olaf. If we die, as I dare say we shall, what does it matter? At least he shall not die alone." "And if the quest should fail, Martina? I mean if he should not find the lady Heliodore and you should happen both to return safe, what then?"
Then suddenly Martina was sobbing on my breast; after which I remember only that Heliodore helped me to wipe away her tears, while in the background I heard the Caliph say to himself in his deep voice, "Wondrous! Wondrous! By Allah! these Christians are a strange folk. How far wiser is our law, for then he could have married both of them, and all three would have been happy.
Empress of the World, there is another world you do not rule, and there we'll call you to account." Now Irene stared at Heliodore, and Heliodore stared back at her, and the sight was very strange. "At least you have spirit, girl. But think not that shall save you, for there's no room for both of us on earth." "If I go it may prove wide enough, Augusta," I broke in.
They were of all races and sundry regiments, Greeks, Byzantines, Bulgars, Armenians, so-called Romans, and with them a number of Britons and northern men. Seeing the Empress and, near by, myself standing with drawn sword against the tree sheltering the lady Heliodore, also on the ground those whom I had cut down, they halted. One of their officers asked what they must do.
Further, that with her you guard her father, the noble Egyptian Magas. Will you promise this to me?" "Aye!" they roared in answer. "You hear them, Heliodore," I said. "Know that henceforth you are one of a large family, and, however great your enemies, that you will never lack a friend. Comrades," I went on, "this is my second order, and perchance the last that I shall ever give to you.
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