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Updated: May 9, 2025
Then the gate of the palace opened; and, behold Siror was sitting in the hall by the vast pine-fire and his brother by his side, and his chiefs around him: for they would not deign to come amongst the crowd at the bidding of the herdsman's son. "Learn then, that the stars resent as the foulest of human crimes an insult to their servants and delegates below.
"Yea, the first time that he goeth alone into the forest my brother and I will fall upon him and smite him to the death." And with this comfort Siror dismissed Orna. And Orna flung herself at the feet of her husband. "Fly now, O my beloved! fly into the forests afar from my brethren, or surely the sword of Siror will end thy days."
A chill and an icy fear fell over the crowd, and even the cheek of Siror grew pale; and Morven, erect and dark above the waving torches, stood motionless with folded arms. And hark far and fast came on the war-steeds of the wave the people heard them marching to the land, and tossing their white manes in the roaring wind. "Lo, as ye listen," said Morven, calmly, "the river sweeps on.
"Wherefore musest thou, O swift footed Siror?" said the son of Osslah; "and wherefore art thou sad?" "Thou canst not assist me," answered the prince, sternly; "take thy way." "Nay," answered Morven, "thou knowest not what thou sayest; am I not the favorite of the stars?"
For Morven now began to presume on his power among the people, and to speak as rulers speak, even to the sons of kings. And the voice silenced the fiery Siror, nor dared he to reply.
There was a copse of trees a little distance from the spot, and as the dove ascended, a hawk suddenly rose from the copse and pursued the dove; and the dove was terrified, and soared circling high above the crowd, when, lo, the hawk, poising itself one moment on its wings, swooped with a sudden swoop, and, abandoning its prey, alighted on the plumed head of Siror.
"I will!" cried Siror, with a desperate voice. "This evening, then, when the sun sets, thou wilt lead her hither, alone; I may not attend thee. Now, let us pile the stones." Silently the huntsman bent his vast strength to the fragments of rock that Morven pointed to him, and they built the altar, and went their way.
Yes," he cried, lifting up his voice, and pointing his shadowy arm towards the hall where the king sat by the pine-fire "yes, thou whom by my voice the stars chose above thy brother yes, Siror, the guilty one! take thy sword, and come hither strike, if thou hast the heart to strike, the Prophet of the Gods!" The king started to his feet, and the crowd were hushed in a shuddering silence.
"Surely, if I feasted not, neither went out to war, they might say, 'This is no king, but the cripple Morven; and some of the race of Siror might slay me secretly. "But can I not be greater far than kings, and continue to choose and govern them, living as now at mine own ease? "Verily, the stars shall give me a new palace, and many subjects."
But the king and the chiefs who hated Morven, because of his power with the people, rushed into the crowd; and the crowd were irresolute, nor knew they how to act, for never yet had they rebelled against their chiefs, and they feared alike the prophet and the king. And Siror cried: "Summon Darvan to us, for he bath watched the steps of Morven, and he shall lift the veil from my people's eyes."
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