CHAPTER XXXIV - RIVAL FURIES

The tide of circumstances had again been to the advantage of Lais. Once more had the common experience of mankind been verified-vice had triumphed, and truth was forsaken in the hour of its weakness and necessity. It always is so; was so from the beginning and will continue to the end. Or, rather, it seems to be so to those who judge of the river of life from the short reach in view. There is vigour, force, success and impressment in the onward rush; it has gained a power by which it overcomes all obstruction and laughs contemptuously at the idea of failure. So it seems. But whence comes the energy, the force, the rush and irresistible power, are they not each and all evidence of descent? The beautiful rapids are children of the falls just round the bend, and the obstructions in the stream are unappreciated dams of mercy built up to save before it is too late.

Let us be wise and take heed when the stream begins to quicken its pace; there are no rapids in ascents, but the rising tide steadily lifts the soul upward, and, given time, will presently carry us over every difficulty into the fruitful pastures of divine accomplishment.

Brilliants and diamonds may equally flash in the false lights of ignorance, but the experts will divide them in the morning and then - oh, the disillusionment!

Lais, however, had drifted - or, rather, piloted her course - into the rapids, where every energy she possessed was requisitioned to avert immediate disaster. All her care was for present safety, she had no time to think of future consequences. By a series of hairbreadth escapes she had so far succeeded, but every miracle only brought her into contact with a new danger, and the struggle, though advantageous, was overpowering by reason of the impact which bore her forward.

For the immediate instant she had again escaped. The pyre was burning and Glarces had not publicly accused her. At the recognition of this she tried to breathe a sigh of relief; but was constrained to strangle it in its birth by the thought that he who had lighted the fire was expected to remain and replenish it until every possible fragment of the body was consumed. This would be the chance of which Teresh and his friends would avail themselves, and the accusation would then be made with more detailed force.

The crowd was already breaking up, for the volume of flame had hidden the body, and the nauseating fumes were heavy in the air. She stepped hurriedly from her chair to reach the Prince, intent on making a demonstration of sympathy, but Zhan and Zhade opposed with dangerous menace, and she was driven back defeated in that move at least.

In an instant she changed her tactics, and called the captain of the guard to her side.

“After all that has taken place, my good Petronius,” she began, “ you will understand how impossible it will be for my poor brother to maintain the traditions of these sad occasions and watch by the pyre till all shall be consumed; therefore I must ask you to choose such men as you can trust to assist our faithful Casca to perform the task. Let the fire be continually kept in motion, and well replenished until nightfall, with such additions of sweet-scented wood, spices and incense as may assist the shade of our dear sister in its departure. But of all this Casca knows my mind and wish, and I have confidence that he will faithfully discharge the duty. To you, personally, I entrust the care of my poor distracted brother, to whose comfort I would gladly minister were I not so overcome with grief. See to it, as you value your life, that he shall in no way be disturbed, not even to receive the sympathies and consolations of the many friends I know will wish to comfort him. For the present he must rest, and see no one without I give permission. For this I hold you responsible. Do you understand?”

“All that the mighty Queen commands shall be faithfully obeyed.”

By this last move Lais congratulated herself she had successfully weathered her final difficulty. Vedrona was gone: Glarces was in her power to be dealt with at her leisure and convenience; and whatever had been the designs of Teresh and his friends they were frustrated once and for all. The future course was now clear sailing. The decisive struggle had come suddenly and unexpectedly upon her, but the result had proved her to be equal to the demand, and the reward was a worthy one. The hostile attitude of the people was annoying, but one or two salutary examples would soon clear all such doubts away, and Sahama would contentedly settle down to its new regime.

With such a burst of April sunshine did the Queen resume her palanquin and start upon her homeward journey, followed by the closely-guarded Prince. A guilty conscience, however, is a rich hunting-ground for restless ghosts, and some possess a harrowing power only known by experience. Such tormentors may patiently bide their time, or fail to attract notice in the presence of the more physical combat she had hitherto sustained. Now the hour for conscience to assert itself had come, and she had scarcely thrown herself into her self-complacent pose before the indictment opened.

Did you say the course was clear sailing now? Alas, alas ! How prone we are to drop asleep in the false lull of a critical crisis! That moment of welcome quiet was only the delusive eddy as the doomed craft swept from the rapids into the cataract. It was the final strain as the last strand of hope gave way. The torrent has thee at its mercy now. It can afford to play with thee - it may flatter and coquet - but beware, the stream is fooling thee!

The new trouble arose from the suggestive doubt as to what had passed between Glarces and Maphir. That the one would avail himself of such an unexpected opportunity to communicate with such friend as he might desire, and that the other would be equally glad to carry his message, was perfectly natural, and in this was to be found the reason of the Prince's silence concerning herself at the pyre. Such was the nature of the first invisible tormentor whose presence haunted her with all the terrors of uncertainty.

Upon the heels of this came another spectre, more pitiless and powerful than the last. What had Zillah been doing since the night of the feast? No thought of the proud Iberian had crossed her mind in the rush of events - the stress of self-preservation. The silence of the slave was more than ominous. Lais had good reason to know that the action of the girl depended entirely upon self-interest. She would accept the most favourable offer for her services, and if her lot was once thrown in with the enemy, even now the issue would be a disastrous failure for the aspirants cause.

Rocked in this torture cradle of guilty conscience, she was in a fury of alarm by the time she reached the palace, and when the gentle Damophila offered her ministry of condolence the Queen turned upon her with a perfectly savage retort.

“Do be quiet and take your sentiment away.” “Sentiment!” queried the astonished courtier.

“Sympathy or sentiment - call it which you will - both are equally objectionable. I want neither! Leave me, and tell the Iberian slave I would see her at once.”

Zillah had been expecting such a summons. Her watchful eye had taken note of all that had passed at the pyre, and she was able to draw conclusions far more satisfactory to herself than had fallen to the lot of Lais. When the slave brought the message Zillah was ready; not receiving the summons with the lowering, resentful frown with which she was accustomed to reply; but her mouth trembled into a coquettish smile, and she immediately followed her conductor.

The Queen in her dissemblance and uncertainty had thrown herself upon her divan in an attitude of grief, but carefully posing as to be able to take secret notice and form some plan for dealing with her doubtful confederate. Zillah gauged the device on the instant, and with a proud contempt of subterfuge at once proceeded to business.

“Allow me to offer, O Queen, my warmest congratulations upon the attainment of your desire,” she began, with the air and boldness of an equal.

The familiarity struck Lais just where it was intended. It increased her provocation, and gave the first advantage to the other.

“I caution you to be careful of your insolence, slave!” The epithet was hurled with a venom that caused Zillah's cheek to flush for the moment, but she recovered, and answered, with a biting sarcasm, as she made a profoundly mock obeisance:

“I am your sacred Majesty's most humble but dutiful servant. I offered my congratulation because I imagined the summons was to receive my reward. I am mistaken, and apologise.”

Lais bit her lip, but hesitated to reply. Whatever result was gained by this interview it would not be arrived at without a struggle, in which one or the other had to go down. This was inevitable. Both knew it, and each determined to conquer.

“What reward, girl?”

“For services rendered.” “To whom?”

“To whom?” - and the reiteration clothed itself in musical laughter – “I had almost forgotten! They were rendered to - Vedrona. How I wish I could have served you so faithfully!”

“But you did not so serve me.”

“N-no! Unfortunately not!” Then, with significant emphasis, “but now Vedrona has gone I can do so, and will not fail now that the occasion has come.”

“What do you mean, girl?” “Just what I say.”

Without any further reply she broke into a trill of laughter, carelessly turned on her heel and walked across the room.

“Do you forget that I am Queen, and hold your life in my hands?” Another ripple of laughter.

“I forget nothing. Not even your murder of the Princess, nor the whereabouts of those who seek for information of the same. Had she not been the fool she was you would not now be ready for such another deed. But in your next attempt keep clear of me, or all the power of all your gods will not avail to keep your body from the pyre. I am speaking with you plainly as - friend to friend. I have no fear because your interest lies in my welfare. I am safe, and so long as I remain in Sahama you are at my mercy, and I can deal with the Queen-traitress as I will.”

“Traitress?”

“I said so. Perhaps it was not necessary since you know it so well, but I am not in a reticent mood to-day. Now, let us understand each other. Our interests are mutual - had we not better be friends?”

It was no use, Lais was powerless to protect herself. It was gall and wormwood to be compelled to submit, but Zillah was at present in the superior position, and the sagacious Queen would not imperil her final triumph by continuing a fruitless struggle. She had learned one thing - and that was really all she was anxious about for the moment - Zillah had kept her own counsel, therefore her own disturbing fears were groundless. This was enough, and the suggestion of the Iberian offered a plausible way of escape, while a secret but effectual revenge was planned.

“Have I not always been your friend since the day I learned your story?”

“Have you?” nonchalantly enquired the proud beauty, not in the least deceived by the modified tone of the Queen. “Perhaps you have. You Sahamans are so very naive and simple-minded that I mistake your innocence for craft, and do you an injustice. We will avert this in the future by speaking plainly to each other; then we shall avoid mistakes. I have a way of correcting second errors by a method which effectually prevents a third.”

It may have been a coincidence, but it was very suggestive that as Zillah delivered the last sentence she drew herself to her full height, resting her hands upon her hips, by which movement she disclosed the jewelled handle of the dagger in her girdle. Lais saw and noted the incident.

“If we are candid with each other there can be no misunderstanding, and there shall be none on my part.”

“Nor on mine. Why did you send for me?”

“To speak with you of our plans; but do not forget that I am Queen.”

“No! You have taken a throne as the result of a murder, I have lost a throne by reason of an outrage. Accident has favoured you and ruined me, otherwise we are much the same, and there is no circumstance in our connection requiring any recognition of distinction.”

“Still, I have the advantage.” “Have you! Try it!”

“I have no wish to do so; an armed friendship is never a safe one.”

“But one unarmed would probably be even more disastrous. The greatest hope of safety lies in readiness.”

“Then our friendship must be strained from now.” “I imagine it will be stronger so.”

“Well!” replied Lais resignedly, “if you will, I suppose it must be so.”

“Then why, if I am in a position to dictate terms, do you ask me to defer to your position?”

“We will not discuss that. Name your terms for the services you consider you have rendered.”

“Consider?”

“Well, then - services you have rendered.”

“That is better. First I demand instant freedom.” “ You have it!”

“Next, a safe escort home with a substantial indemnity for the indignities I have suffered.”

“You shall also have this.”

“Within what period shall I set out on my return?”

“As soon as I can arrange for a caravan to visit Iberia, or reach the Great Sea. I should be glad if this could be to-morrow.”

“I believe that. But within what time will you make the arrangement?” “Within a year.”

“It must not be more than half that time, and until then I must take the portion and privileges of Vedrona.”

“That you cannot do as a stranger.”

“No! Well, I will. That is as far as her possessions and position. Her titles and authority are of no value to me.”

“Perhaps you would like the throne?”

“The throne of Sahama? No, thank you! It is not worth even what you have done to gain it.”