Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 8, 2025
But before a word passed Atene's lips the Hesea raised her sceptre and forbade them, saying "Thy day of trial is not yet, nor have we aught to do with thee. When thou liest where he lies and the books of thy deeds are read aloud to her who sits in judgment, then let thine advocate make answer for these things." "So be it," answered Atene haughtily and fell back.
The chiefs answered with a cheer, for they were fierce men whose ancestors had loved war for generations. Moreover, mad as seemed the enterprise, they trusted in their Oracle, the Hesea, and, like all hill peoples, were easily fired by the promise of rich plunder. An hour's steady march down the slopes brought the army to the edge of the marsh lands.
As it proved, I was wise, for quite quietly the Hesea repeated after me "Thou hast experience, Holly, for out of trouble comes the truth, as out of wine." Then she was silent, and, needless to say, I did not pursue the conversation.
"A peace-offering sent by the Hesea," he said, "with whom, as I am told, you dared to quarrel yesterday." Then he withdrew the cloth, and there beneath it shone that great lump of metal which, in the presence of myself and Leo, had been marked with the Symbol of Life, that still appeared upon its surface.
She was not a tall woman, yet as she bent over her I noted that she seemed to tower above her mistress, the Hesea. The outer veils fell revealing more within. These fell also, and now before us stood the mummy-like shape, although it seemed to be of less stature, of that strange being who had met us in the Place of Bones.
"I" and he gave a name that was familiar to me, but which I forget "am sent, my lords, by Oros, who commands me to say that the Hesea would speak with you both and at once." Now Leo sat up yawning and asked what was the matter. I told him, whereon he said he wished that Ayesha could have waited till daylight, then added "Well, there is no help for it.
Slowly all the figures faded; it was as though the fire ate them up, for first they became thin and white as ashes; then vanished. The Hesea, who had been leaning forward, sank backwards in her chair, as if weary with the toil of her own magic.
"How did this chance?" asked the Hesea of Atene. "My lord was mad," she answered boldly, "and such was his cruel sport." "So. And was thy lord jealous also? Nay, keep back the falsehood I see rising to thy lips. Leo Vincey, answer thou me. Yet, I will not ask thee to lay bare the secrets of a woman who has offered thee her love. Thou, Holly, speak, and let it be the truth."
"Know you," she said, "that to-day I was an Oracle, and those fools of the Mountain sent their medicine-men to ask of the Hesea how the battle would go and which of them would be slain, and which gain honour. And I I could not tell them, but juggled with my words, so that they might take them as they would.
These pictures died as the others had died, and the fire was blank again. Then the Hesea spoke in a voice very faint at first, that by slow degrees grew stronger. "Is thy question answered, O Atene?" "Listen then," said the Hesea, in her weary voice, "to the interpretation of the writing, and cease to trouble me with thy doubts.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking