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Updated: June 21, 2025
As the king came, Sakon rose from his chair of state and, advancing down the hall, took him by the hand and led him to a similar chair placed at a little distance. Ithobal seated himself and looked around the hall. Presently his glance fell upon Aziel, and he scowled. "Is it common, Sakon," he asked, "that the seat of a prince should be set higher than that of a crowned king?"
All down this chamber were placed tables, accommodating more than two hundred feasters, but the principal guests were seated by themselves upon a raised daïs at the head of the hall. Among them sat Sakon himself, a middle-aged man stout in build, and thoughtful of face, his daughter Elissa, some other noble ladies, and a score or more of the notables of the city and its surrounding territories.
There sat Sakon, the governor, and with him his council of the notables of the city; there were prince Aziel and among his retinue, Issachar the prophet, fierce-eyed as ever, though hardly recovered from the rough handling he had experienced in the temple. There were representatives of the college of the priests of El.
When once the prince has done with his tender interview, and wiped away his tears, there should be nothing to stay him, since the farewell cup with Sakon has been already drunk. Enter now swiftly before some prowling priest happens upon you, and pray that you may come out as sound as you go in. Oh! what a sight!
Therefore, as Mother of the priestesses and Advocate of Baaltis, I demand that Elissa, daughter of Sakon, be put to death, and the throne of Baaltis be purged of one who has defiled it, lest the swift and terrible vengeance of the goddess should fall upon this city." The Shadid motioned to her to be silent, and addressed Aziel:
"I weep, father, because your guest, the prince Aziel, has called me 'a girl of the groves, and a murderess of children," she replied. "Then, by my head, prince that he is, he shall answer for it to me," said Sakon, grasping at his sword-hilt. "Nay, father, since to him I must have seemed to deserve the words. Listen." And she told him all that had passed, hiding nothing.
Ithobal turned upon his heel, deigning no reply, but as he went he whispered a word into the ear of two of his captains, great men of war, who stayed behind the rest of his party searching for something upon the ground. Sakon and his counsellors also turned, walking towards their escort, but Aziel lingered a little, fearing no danger, and being curious to learn what the men sought.
Therefore, either you must take incense and before us all make offering to El and Baaltis upon yonder altar, thus renouncing your faith and entering into ours, or she must die and you, your rank having passed from you with her breath, will be expelled from the city." Now Aziel understood the trap that had been laid for him, and saw in it the handiwork of Sakon and Metem.
Before the words had left her lips there appeared in the doorway he who had been husband of the dead Baaltis, followed by priests and priestesses, by Sakon her father, with whom was Metem, and many other nobles and dignitaries. "All hail, lady!" they cried, prostrating themselves before her. "All hail, lady, chosen of the gods!" Elissa looked at them bewildered.
At length he was seen returning. Pushing his way through the crowd, he mounted the platform, and said: "The daughter of Sakon speaks truth; alas! the lady Baaltis is dead." Elissa sighed in relief, for had her tidings proved false she could scarcely have hoped to escape the fury of the crowd.
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