“Did the Persians hurt her? Are they already come?” they asked, terrified.
“No,” said Eëtíon. “The maid was lost and fell upon a rock.”
They gave their litter on which they had carried their burdens and upon this Eëtíon and a slave of the Delphians bore her down toward her old bitter fate again, toward the priesthood and the torture. If she should live at all, she would not live long in that Pythia House. Eëtíon’s heart was dead within him as he made the slow descent.
CHAPTER XXXI
NIKANDER’S NEAREST OF KIN
Meanwhile, Nikander and Dryas of the easy confidence came to the temple of Athena Forethought where this time no Theria was to be found. Dryas looked into his father’s grieving face.
“Theria ought to be ashamed of herself,” he said stoutly, “to give you such trouble now.”
“Be silent, Dryas,” said his father sternly. “You know nothing about your sister or her reason for this. Try to find her. Try.”
“Father, I am sorry,” said the wondering Dryas, taking his father’s hand.
“I want you to search now in the slave quarter,” said Nikander hurriedly. “I will go to the Precinct whence I will send messengers to Daulis.”