So the next morning Orna sought the king, and she said, “The herdsman’s son hath reviled me, and spoken harsh words to me; shall I not be avenged?”
Then the king stamped his feet and shook his mighty sword. “Surely thou shalt be avenged; for I have learned from one of the elders that which convinceth me that the man hath lied to the people, and the base-born shall surely die. 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.”
Then the son of Osslah folded his arms, and seemed buried in black thoughts; nor did he heed the voice of Orna, until again and again she had implored him to fly.
“Fly!” he said at length. “Nay, I was doubting what punishment the stars should pour down upon our foe. Let warriors fly. Morven the prophet conquers by arms mightier than the sword.”
Nevertheless Morven was perplexed in his mind, and knew not how to save himself from the vengeance of the king. Now, while he was musing hopelessly he heard a roar of waters; and behold, the river, for it was now the end of autumn, had burst its bounds, and was rushing along the valley to the houses of the city. And now the men of the tribe, and the women, and the children, came running, and with shrieks, to Morven’s house, crying, “Behold, the river has burst upon us! Save us, O ruler of the stars!”
Then the sudden thought broke upon Morven, and he resolved to risk his fate upon one desperate scheme.
And he came out from the house calm and sad, and he said, “Ye know not what ye ask; I cannot save ye from this peril: ye have brought it on yourselves.” And they cried, “How? O son of Osslah! We are ignorant of our crime.”
And he answered, “Go down to the king’s palace and wait before it, and surely I will follow ye, and ye shall learn wherefore ye have incurred this punishment from the gods.” Then the crowd rolled murmuring back, as a receding sea; and when it was gone from the place, Morven went alone to the house of Darvan, which was next his own. And Darvan was greatly terrified; for he was of a great age, and had no children, neither friends, and he feared that he could not of himself escape the waters.
And Morven said to him soothingly, “Lo, the people love me, and I will see that thou art saved; for verily thou hast been friendly to me, and done me much service with the king.”