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Updated: June 19, 2025
But ere his saving sense of justice could prevail, a ripple of discordant, delirious laughter broke once more from Lysia's lips, her eye shone vindictively, her whole face became animated with a sudden glow of fiendish triumph.
To leave me forever, as she says, is out of her power, for I will demand her back at the hands of Lysia or the King, and no demand of mine has ever been refused. Moreover, with Lysia's aid, her hiding-place is soon and easily discovered!"
"Ah! what a querulous fool am I!" he cried, joyously, so joyously that Theos knew not whether to be glad or sorry at his sudden and capricious change of mood.. "why should I thus bemoan myself for fancied wrong? Good, noble Theos, thou hast been misled! My Lysia's words were but to try thy mettle! ... to test thee to the core, and prove thee truly faithful as Sah-luma's friend!
Meanwhile, the silence in the Temple was intense, the Priests were like so many wax figures fastened in fixed positions; the King, leaning slightly forward in his chair, had the appearance of a massively moulded image of bronze, and to Theos's overwrought condition of mind, the only actually living things present seemed to be the monster Serpent whose scaly folds palpitated visibly in the strong light, . . and the hideous "Eye of Raphon," that blazed on Lysia's breast with a menacing stare, as of a wrathful ghoul.
"How?" asked Theos mechanically, still surveying the beautiful, calm features of the charming egotist whose nature seemed such a curious mixture of loftiness and littleness.. "She may have left the city!" "No one can leave the city without express permission," rejoined Sah-luma tranquilly "Besides, . . didst thou not see the Black Disc last night in Lysia's palace?" Theos nodded assent.
And between the two powerful rivals who thus by stealth enjoyed her capricious favors, what would Lysia's own decision be? Like a loud hissing in his ears, he heard again the murderous command, a command which was half a menace: "KILL SAH-LUMA!"
And suddenly releasing his grasp he hurled Sah-luma away as he might have hurled aside a toy figure, and a peal of reckless musical laughter echoed mockingly through the vaulted shrine. It was Lysia's laughter! ... and Theos's blood grew cold as he heard its cruel, silvery ring ... even so had she laughed when Nir-jalis died!
Go to make for thy home speedily! Aye, aye! the flavor of good wine clings to thy mouth still, 'tis a pleasant sweetness that I myself am partial to, and I can pardon those who, like thee, love it somewhat too well! Away! and thank the gods thou hast fallen into the hands of the King's guard, rather then Lysia's priestly patrol!
On, still on he went, treading closely in Sah-luma's footsteps and wistfully noting how often the myrtle-garlanded head of his friend drooped caressingly toward Lysia's dusky perfumed locks, whence those jewelled serpents' fangs darted flashingly upward like light from darkness. On, still on, till at last he found himself in a grand vestibule, built entirely of sparkling red granite.
"Slain ME! ... Me! ... at Lysia's bidding!" he murmured wildly.. "O ye gods, the world grows dark! is the sun quenched in heaven? ... At Lysia's bidding! ..Nay, . . by my soul, my sight is dimmed! ... I see naught but flaring red in the air, . . Why! ..." and he laughed discordantly.. "thou poor Theos, thou shalt use no dagger's point, for lo! ... I am dead already! ... Thy words have killed me!
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