The road from Daulis, winding down the distant mountains among the crags, was several times visible and lost again ere it reached Delphi. Now on its highest, farthest stretch the Delphians saw moving spots, like groups of ants, carrying ant burdens. Even as the Delphians were gazing, the spots became a solid mass, which filled the road from end to end of its visible stretch.
They could not tell now that the mass was moving. Simply the road at that point was curiously black.
Dryas’s cry brought Theria from the house. She noted the looks and gestures of the men, then stole over to Eëtíon’s side. The others were too intent to notice what she did.
“What is it?” she asked.
He pointed out the black stretch of distant road and she knew by the horror in his face what it meant.
Eëtíon was not a natural soldier. Only training and Hellas-love had made him such. But now with Theria beside him, the horror in his face changed to iron resolve. Theria hardly recognized him as he turned toward her.
“Theria, there is no chance for Delphi now,” he whispered. “Your father has told me of your hiding place. I shall keep as near to it as I may, but the gods only know whither the battle will thrust me. If I escape, I’ll come to you. I’ll speak outside a pass-word, ‘Hera basileia,’ because Hera is my goddess at home.”
“Yes,” she whispered, clinging to his hand, “but add ‘Paian will care for his own.’”
He could not but catch the hope which lived with her, the peace which her vision had left upon her.
He bent and kissed her, almost believing that they should both be saved.