Grouped under the queen’s awning were herself, the ‘Silent Priest,’ Hellen, Æole, Electra, and the ladies Rica and Elna—when the signal was given to move on. After Sensel had fastened the fantastic boat to the queen’s galley, he came on board also. At once, the voyage was resumed, and to the eastward, the swimmers and those remaining on the shore chanting melodiously their farewells.
CHAPTER XV.
THE ALTAR FIRES GO OUT.
On hastened Atlano to the courtyard of the palace. And from there, drove to the temple in wild fashion. For a great dread was besetting him.
When the others had gone out to watch the quick evaporation, he, whilst pondering in dismay upon Sensel’s promptness, had suddenly realized that a strange torpor was overcoming him. Horrified, he essayed to break this, succeeding only after great struggling. Then, his tongue seemed to swell to twice its size, and clove to his mouth. In an agony of fear, he tried to burst its bands, it, at length, also yielding. Thereupon, an abject terror of his misdeeds and their penalty so possessed him that he hastened out, to atone in slightest measure, if possible, by accession to the voice’s demands.
Further, spurred by his dread and some remnant of good yet left in him, he confessed his evil desire, and deprecated it. Now he was speeding to the temple to confer with Oltis as to what these evils might forbode, what might be done to ward off further visitations, aye, judgments!
In the temple, he found only the presiding priest Kluto, and the handmaids whose duty it was to attend the sacred fire.
“Kluto, where are the other priests?”
“Gracious King, they have gone to the sands that they may wait upon the silent one.”
“Where is Urgis—that this hath been done?”
“Gracious King, Urgis hath gone, likewise.”