Reist would have spoken hastily, but Ughtred checked him.
“General Dartnoff has spoken like a wise man,” he said. “I am content to wait.”
With folded arms, drawn to his full height, a commanding figure indeed, Ughtred of Tyrnaus stood by the window looking down upon the city and the country which he loved. General Dartnoff, surrounded by his officers, stood at the head of the table. In the further corner of the room where the shadows were deepest Domiloff lurked. He watched their faces, and he knew that the game was lost.
Only a very few minutes had gone by before Dartnoff approached the two men by the window.
“Your Highness,” he said, to Ughtred, with marked respect. “There is one question which we feel constrained to ask.”
Ughtred bowed.
“As many as you will,” he answered.
“In your coronation oath you swear to maintain inviolate the independence of Theos. We would know if at all costs, though the cost should be famine, death or annihilation, will you keep this oath to the letter?”
“May God have no mercy upon me hereafter if ever I should depart from it one hair’s-breadth,” Ughtred answered, with a sudden note of passion surging up in his tone. “I have no fancy for ruling a tributary state, sir. My forefathers have held safely for Theos through long generations the priceless gift of her liberty, and I would sooner die a thousand times over than that mine should be the hand to part with it.”
General Dartnoff dropped on his knee, and drawing his sword from his scabbard, kissed its hilt.