“Then wilt thou be queen,” he returned derisively. “Thou art next in line with all thy Khemian blood, and these Atlanteans love thee. Ill would they take it should Oltis come after me—for his father counteth not. That smooth Oltis—well doth he wish it! But I shall not be killed, if but to bring to naught the hopes of that cunning priest. He thinketh I see not through him.” Loud rang his mocking laugh.
The queen arose, and, standing before him, besought:
“Atlano, for the sake of our land and people, war not. Think of our Atlanteans who will not come back—of their darkened homes. Call to mind how, in the time of thy father, we lost our people in warring against Fun-hi. And what evil came of it, for it brought on the death of thy father!”
“Yea, but it made the way for me.”
“Atlano!”
“Say on, ‘Atlano!’ Well should I sicken of my name!” (He had arisen to face her vindictively.) “I say to thee, Atlana, we are to war, war. And now I have done with it—and thee.” (He turned to go.)
“So be it—war! But I warn thee, it is one thing to war, another to win.”
“Put not upon it an evil eye, Atlana. If thou dost croak, I fear.” (He was again facing her.)
“I croak not, but I warn thee. The cause is not just.”
“Thou art in evil temper this day. It is best that I go to the temple and talk with Oltis. Ah, thou dost shake!”