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Updated: May 25, 2025
Her two children lay in the litter at her feet. On her right hand marched Tatho gorgeously apparelled, and with a beard curled and plaited into a thousand ringlets. On the other side, plying her industry with unruffled defence, walked Ylga, once again fan-girl, and so still second lady in this dwindling kingdom. The party of them halted half a score of paces from the Ark by Phorenice's order.
I tell you that being fan-girl to Phorenice and second woman in the kingdom is a thing that not many would cast lightly aside." I looked her between eyes and smiled. "I have no fear there. You will not betray me, Ylga. Neither will you sell Nais." "I seem to remember very small love for this same Nais just now," she said bitterly. "But you are right about that other matter.
But that there was duty ahead, and the order of the High Council to be carried into effect, the bleakness of the prospect would have daunted me, and I would have prayed the Gods then to spare me further life, and take me unto Themselves. Ylga came back at last, and I got up and went quickly after her as she led down a maze of passages and alleyways.
But I tell you I saw all the oppression myself from the oppressor's side. I was high in Phorenice's favour then." "That, too, is easy of credence. Ylga is the fan-girl to the Empress now, and second lady in the kingdom, and those who have seen Ylga could make an easy guess at the parentage of Nais." "We were the daughters of one birth; but I do not count with either Zaemon or Ylga now.
And, besides, I have a way. It is my solace to know that you will remember me now. You will never forget that kiss." "Fare you well, Ylga," I cried. "May the High Gods keep you entirely in their holy care." But no reply came back. She had gone off into the forest. And so I turned down to the beach, and splashed into the water, and climbed on board the ship up the steering oars.
Yet lovely though she might be, for myself I preferred to look upon Ylga, the girl, who, because of her rank, was privileged to sit on the divan behind us as immediate attendant. There was an honesty in Ylga's face which Phorenice's lacked.
Though she had been long enough divorced from his care and fostered by the Empress, Ylga was a daughter of Zaemon, and he was the chiefest of our Lord the Sun's ministers here on earth. She could not forget her upbringing now at this supreme moment when the highest of the old Gods was to be formally defied. But the Empress had no eye for one sad look amongst all that sea of glowing faces.
"Oh, as for that, I could go back and be fan-girl tomorrow. But I do not want to go back." "Let me tell you it is no time for a gently nurtured lady like yourself to go forward. I have been viceroy of Yucatan, Ylga, and know somewhat of making a foothold in these new countries. And that was nothing compared with what this will be.
"Go now, then," said I, and waited till she had passed on ahead and was out of sight and hearing. With Ylga to help me, my tasks were somewhat lightened, and their sequence changed. In the first instance, now, I had got to make my way with as little delay and show as possible into a certain sanctuary which lay within the temple of our Lady the Moon.
We were challenged the moment we came within stone or arrow shot, and bidden to halt and recite our business; but he was civil enough when he heard we were those whom he expected. He called a crew and slacked out his anchor-rope till his ship ground against the shingle, and then thrust out his two steering oars to help us clamber aboard. I turned to Ylga with words of thanks and farewell.
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