Every eye was turned anxiously toward the Left-Hand Path, as the second entrance was called. Any citizen who had been wronged by the deceased in his lifetime, had a right to come into the temple and accuse him.
There had been mutterings and ominous shakings of the head, but no one seemed to be able to make definite statements.
Suddenly the door was flung open, and Rahula came in with an angry scowl on her face. She had on the mantle and red cap of the accuser of souls, and back of her was a numerous following; they, also, were dressed in red.
Each face whitened, and there was a tense, apprehensive feeling everywhere.
Yermah and Setos supported Ildiko, who rushed forward and threw herself at the foot of the bier. She was completely shrouded in black. On her head was a round wreath of black ivy, having a crown and long pennants of white gauze in the back. Her close-cropped hair was still better concealed by a broad band of the gauze which fastened to the wreath and came down under the chin, hiding the ears.
Ben Hu Barabe and Alcyesta stood near Ildiko, ready to offer assistance and sympathy, while Hanabusa supported Setos.
Oahspe, the Sun Virgin, enveloped in black, and wearing a gold mask for unknowable Deity, broke the seal and unrolled the parchment. As she did so, Imos prepared to record the verdict. Flinging his arms out on either side, he exclaimed:
“I give glory to Hirach, lord of the essences, living in truth! I have come to thee, bringing to thee truth. Where art thy attendant gods? Grant that I may be with them in thy company.”
A deep guttural voice behind the mask responded:
“Peace will not abide with thee until thou hast overthrown thine enemies.”