When there was quiet, he said, with warmth: “Thus endeth this gathering of the captains. Brave captains, well have ye done. Thy king knoweth pride beyond measure. The gods be with you.”
The captains, after bowing to the floor, stood proudly erect. The high priest gave the blessing. Afterward, when the king, with his rulers, nobles, and priests, had sat down, the chamberlain waved his wand. Slowly the assemblage went out, with faces ever to the king. Deeply they saluted him at the threshold, before disappearing. Of these the captains were the last to withdraw, as they had been the first to enter. Exultant, with the king, all passed out to the perfect day, to spread wide this unlooked-for result of the convention.
Yet still continued the day in its soft, serene loveliness.
The king, rulers, and nobles remained to confer. But this conference was interrupted somewhat when the waiting islanders without received word of this declaration of war. Again, forgetting reverence, they became jubilant. So much did these Atlanteans love conquest. Those within the state chamber were but stimulated, doing quick, vigorous work.
One most important measure of this conference was the unanimous agreement that the queen should reign during the king’s absence. The nine rulers (descendants of the nine younger brothers of Atlas, eldest son of Poseidon) were to remain at home in order to sustain her, and be subject in a body to her call. Further, though this was spoken only inwardly, they could the better watch each other. As each made solemn vow to be loyal to country and queen, Atlano, of his mocking spirit, laughed within.
For, how could they do otherwise? Would not he bear with him, his ablest nobles, his chiefs, his captains, his warmen, his sailors? And would they not return laden with spoils, strengthened, rioting of victory? What could stand against them? Well might these rulers vow to be loyal!
CHAPTER II.
QUEEN ATLANA.
From the state chamber the king sped buoyantly through the great hall, with its lines of bowing officers and attendants, each as smiling as himself over this war prospect; and thence, to the right, along the corridor, to the queen’s bower room.
Most eloquently did this large apartment testify to the industry of the queen and her ladies, as theirs were the embroidery upon the hangings of byssus and the coverings of the couches, the plaiting of the great mats upon the inlaid floor, the festooning of the flowers from the satinwood walls. The room was a veritable bower in its brightness, fragrance, and floral adornments; and, as the climax to its charms, three of its sides opened upon the fairy-like, private garden, which spread to the eastward.
The queen’s ladies were throwing over a couch the covering they had just finished as the king entered. After low salutations, they withdrew. The queen, meanwhile, had arisen for greeting; and, sad as it may seem, was wondering at her husband’s cheerfulness of mien.