CHAPTER XX - THE TRAIL OF THE SERPENT

The third part of the festival programme was purely convivial. The season was still in its softest, most genial mood, and the harvest moon at its full, hence the festal tables could safely be spread in the open air, as in the old nomadic days, and the night was made harmonic with the sound of songs and the music of dances, while the whole country in the neighbourhood of Velia became picturesque by reason of the illumination of ten thousand lamps and torches.

The one exception to this general rule was to be found in the palace, where the feast was always kept in the State apartments.

Strangely enough, this most colossal, grand and important adjunct of the royal home was not part of the residence itself, neither was its location ascertainable with any degree of certainty except by express permission.

When the mining operations, afterwards converted into the fernery, were in active process, a cave was discovered from which proceeded a mysterious sound, filling the miners with a superstitious fear, and for a time, no man or number of men could be induced to enter and examine the place, which all believed to be the habitation of malevolent sprites. But presently, no great catastrophe ensuing to the community, it was timorously suggested that the dark abyss might be the secret abode of the good genii of the valley. At this critical moment Rhea made her appearance, confirming the latter suggestion, and declaring that the place would be found to be an abode such as only the mighty gods were able to fashion. The pronouncement was wisely ambiguous and splendidly vague, but it served its purpose, first in securing an explanation, and next in establishing the reputation of the great magician. The vast suite of apartments into which she led her astonished followers, as if well acquainted with every nook and corner -some having the dimensions of magnificent halls, others of more comfortable and social extent, possessing romantic alcoves or almost hidden retiring bowers - could only receive one designation, and were ever afterwards known as the Golden Caves. They formed a veritable dream of wealth, beauty and luxury. In the style of architecture nature had displayed the diversity of her artistic genius; unsculptured columns of sparkling feldspar crowned with crystal capitals, from which sprang rude but graceful arches, in the spandrels of which slept massive gorgons of virgin gold; screens of delicate tracery studded with huge and varicoloured gems; and the roof of stalactites like a thousand reversed pinnacles of translucent alabaster of different size. It was truly an Oriental dream of an enchanted palace, sketched in outline by the gods and left for man to fill in the furnishing details.

The people at once adopted the superstition, and every successive Queen had loyally done her share to complete the design and make the State apartments of Sahama worthy the favour of the gods.

From the palace a most ingeniously contrived and constructed series of apartments led to this subterranean annexe which was otherwise reached only from the fernery, at either approach to which the royal guard was continually on duty.

Just one other brief but necessary note. That awe-inspiring sound from which the miners fled was eventually discovered to be due to the roar of an abysmal stream rushing down a yawning chasm which abruptly terminated the gallery in that direction. What existed beyond had not yet been discovered, since a stout barrier had been erected for safety, and no man had so far possessed the courage to bridge the gulf for further exploration. The rush of that stream, however was not quite an unmixed evil; the sound was only faint, but the current had been utilised to keep the air in motion, and afforded a welcome ventilation throughout the caves.

With the exception of an accession, or the birth of a future Queen, all the State functions of Sahama resolved themselves into the festival banquet, an invitation to which was the one pre-eminent honour and hope of the people. Then, and then only, was it possible to see what a unique gift the nation had inherited in the possession of the Golden Caves. Then were the fabulous treasures of unhewn gold displayed, the vast jewel caskets from which the gods enriched themselves thrown open, and many legends were told how the immortals occasionally joined in the revels of the night. In view of such honour and superstitious hopes it may be easily understood how a community to whom wealth was a secondary consideration, would encompass the earth in its search for superb and costly toilets in which to grace and, if possible, enrich the brilliant scene. Every wardrobe held its own secret jealously guarded, sometimes for years, in anticipation of the great event, and when at length each contributing feature and personality were combined it formed a tableau of magnificent splendour probably unparalleled in the history of the world.

The character of the revels had undergone a certain change during the last few years in the absence of the Queen and under the guiding hand of Lais. The latter had paid a rather lengthy visit to Babylon, where her receptive mind had received impressions in better accord with her passionate and daring nature than consistent with the simple ideas of her adopted home. She was too cautious to risk the consequences of openly introducing these innovations, but had no difficulty in finding congenial souls who speedily divined the hints she dropped, and at her first banquet covert departures were successfully made in the direction of Babylonian usages in honour of the new directress of the revels. No one objected - no one appeared to be aware of the change, though not a few referred to the additional interest of the occasion. With the years the innovations became more pronounced until, by Vedrona's year, liberty had reached a certain easy licence with many, and the freedom permitted for the night possessed a curious charm, though afterwards reflecting a sinister shadow upon the unprotesting representative of the unsuspecting Queen.

To all the proposals and arrangements for that day Lais had given willing, even enthusiastic consent. Vedrona, having conquered her prejudice to publicity, had presently caught the spirit of youthful impetuosity, and was full of ideas for the success of the festival. She had before her eyes a vision of pleasure in which there was no shadow of fatigue or prostration. Lais possessed the knowledge of experience, and inwardly smiled while agreeing with every new suggestion. She had finally completed her own forecast for the day, and so long as that was not endangered all went well; but when, after the sports, Vedrona found herself too fatigued to attend the banquet and requested Lais to take her place, the latter genuinely protested on her own account. At whatever cost Vedrona must preside at the feast, or make an appearance of doing so, and Lais would release her when the revels began.

To this arrangement the Princess at length very wearily consented.

Gelon, as champion of the sports, completed the quartette at the royal table, the officials occupying positions just below, with Casca in close proximity to Glarces. Such times of unrestrained freedom were dear to the heart of the eunuch, since the Prince made it a rule to be generous towards the trivial weaknesses of the flesh - consented to lay aside his unappraochableness, and, setting an example of sociability, allowed the bibulous gourmet freely to indulge himself without fear of correction. The feast went on its merry course. The wine was doing its work well on every hand, while Casca's palate was certainly being most effectually lubricated.

Presently he replenished his very busy cup and, turning, addressed himself to Glarces “This is a day long to be remembered in Sahama, O Prince; a day in which every prejudice has, so far, been laid aside. Come, be with us, heart and soul, and drink to yet better days in a cup of noble wine.”

“I am with you, my friend, heart and soul; but as for wine, I prefer new to old.”

“But the old is strong, and we must have strong pledges to-night.”

“And the new is pure,” he answered, “so while you drink the one I will take the other, then our pledge shall be both strong and pure.”

“No, no! there must be no divided cups to-night above all nights. I shall insist - ”

“Insist!”

“No, not that; but you know what I mean. What is the good of objecting to my suggestion because you know when - when the one pledge comes, you will be compelled to join us, and one cup more or less is nothing?”

“Who will compel me?” he enquired, still smiling at his friend's somewhat clouded persistence.

“O, the Princess Lais will look after that.”

“What is this I am expected to do?” she asked, hearing the mention of her own name.

“Insist that the Prince shall join us in our pledge to Sahama's future Queen,” replied the chamberlain. “Why, my lord Casca, what is this?” she gently remonstrated. “Is it possible you are so soon confused in your wits as to imagine Glarces will need pressure to discharge such a pleasant duty? Fie, my lord, fie!”

“No, no! It is the keeness not the confusion of my brain that is at fault - if fault it be. He will drink the pledge - no doubt of that; but he proposes to do it in new wine.”

“But you misunderstand my motive, Casca,” the Prince replied, generously regarding the evidences of the eunuch's increasing loquacity. “Wine sometimes proves to be stronger than the man, and if I am content to drink new wine I shall reserve my strength to assist you in the hour of weakness.”

“No, no! I shall petition the Queen not to allow any man to take a mean advantage. This night at least we must stand or fall together; and the cup of our pledge must be the same for every man.”

“I will see that is so,” replied Lais.

“That is the very thing I said; but Glarces said no!” “Then I shall pass the cup.”

“You will do nothing of the kind, my brother.”

“No! Certainly not,” interjected Casca, as he resumed his seat, perfectly satisfied to think he had carried his point. “You know the superstitions of the people even better than myself, and need not be told with what a premonition of misfortune they would regard such a proceeding. I have thought of your aversion to old wine, and for your sake would gladly have drank the pledge in new, but the superstitions of your too credulous nation again forbid it. I am sorry for you, but when it is a case of your private - I won't say, as I feel tempted, foolish - prejudice in conflict with the traditions of your people, I think you will acknowledge that the only practical way out of the difficulty is for you to give way.”

Glarces at once recognised the perplexing position, and he was not a man to hesitate or seek for excuses when he clearly saw his duty. Never before had his cherished principles come into direct opposition to the customs of his people. It was a moment of revelation showing that fortuitous circumstances do arise when exceptions demand recognition, and the sacrifice of principle becomes a duty to the common weal. There was, however, the echo of another voice appealing to him - the memory of the oracle first delivered to Rhea! He recalled its well remembered words:

“When clouds arise within Sahama's cup

The serpent's eyes shall see the shadows come; The oracle is open, and the gods

Will guard the interests of Queen Sazone's throne.”

Certainly the reference to a cup might be purely a coincidence and he had the promise of the protection of the gods. How he wished he could have the satisfaction of an appeal to the oracle. This was impossible, therefore, he must act for the best and rely upon the assistance promised.

“Do you insist upon my compliance?” he asked of Lais. “If you can point out any possible alternative I will gladly accept it,” she answered.

“Alternatives have nothing to do with it,” urged Vedrona, who was really alarmed, both at the proposal and her brother's contemplated sacrifice of such a definite principle. “Rather than you shall drink strong wine the pledge shall be deferred.”

“That is impossible,” answered Lais.

“The pledge must be drunk, my love,” Glarces assented. “There is nothing to fear, and such a slight sacrifice is not worthy of considerations at such a time.”

Lais commanded all cups to be filled.

“Glarces! my life, my love! Listen to me!” pleaded Vedrona, as the cup­bearer handed him the brimming goblet. “As you love me and value our happiness, don't drink it! It is full of death and danger! Throw it down, my love - throw it down, and save yourself and me!”

She spoke in a kind of hysterical frenzy, attracting the attention of the neighbouring guests, who regarded her as overcome with the arduous duties of the day.

Zachra looked anxiously across the table at Teresh, who, sitting next to Casca, advised Glarces to heed his sister's alarm.

“It is only weariness, my friend,” he replied.

The Prince rose to his feet with the goblet in his hand. “Don't drink it,” murmured Vedrona, in an almost heart-breaking appeal.

“Don't drink it,” warningly echoed the voices within. He heeded them not.

“Friends and citizens of Sahama,” he cried in his clear, firm, ringing voice, “though I have hitherto steadfastly refused to drink strong wine, I recognise that unusual events sometimes make peculiar demands, and that the full unity of this occasion may in no wise be disturbed, I ask you to join me, by drinking from the self-same cup, our loyal pledge to Vedrona, Sahama's future Queen.”